David Bernhardt – McKeen's Hockey

NHL: 2025 European Free Agent Frenzy – 26 Players you may see with an NHL franchise next season

Chapin Landvogt — Sun, 16 Mar 2025 14:53:24 +0000

Färjestads David Tomasek 11 march 2025 i Gävle.
Photo: Jens Carlsson / BILDBYRÅN

For the second year running, NHL teams looking at plucking over older European players to jump right into the line-up have few options to target for a home run swing. Even if a few players in predominantly the KHL have burst out on the scene, few of them are actual free agents this summer while many of the players having surprise impacts in the SHL, Liiga, NL, and DEL belong to the “been there, done that” category or are even North American players who have gained somewhat of a new lease on life this season. Still, a couple of them are very likely to be signed to two-way contracts for next season by NHL teams sometime this spring.

Our top European free agent last spring was forward Maxim Tsyplakov, who came out of virtually nowhere to put up 31 goals for his KHL club and signed (almost just as surprisingly) with the New York Islanders. This season, he earned a spot right out of camp and has proceeded to become a regular player with solid third line production, showing himself to be more of a power forward set-up man than net front goalscoring presence. At the moment, he appears to be in line to re-sign with the team on a multi-year contract.

Alas, three of the other European players we were certain would find their way over were Swedish forwards Marcus Sylvegard (STL) and Oscar Eklind (PHI) as well as Czech standout Jakub Rychlovsky, all of whom have had very mixed results this year. While Eklind’s 20 points and +5 rating in 51 AHL games certainly haven’t indicated anything but a return to Sweden next season, Sylvegard’s 21 points in 35 AHL contests, as well as his fading prospects for making a jump to the NHL line-up this season, led him and the team to break ties, allowing him to jump back over to Växjö, for whom he’s already put up 12 points in 12 games. Rychlovsky has punched in just eight points in 38 AHL contests thus far.

Of our other candidates last spring, 6-foot-6 Canadian defenseman Nicolas Mattinen turned his monster season in the DEL into a contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs, for who’s farm team he’s only managed to suit up 19 contests for.

With those kinds of returns being nothing short of meager, we look at this year’s crop with skepticism that there’ll even be a Tsyplakov-style addition to be made, at least among players who haven’t yet had a crack at it with an NHL club in the past. Nonetheless, we are absolutely certain that teams will add a few of the following candidates as they go about creating system depth and, as always, hoping a player will ultimately surprise and proceed to have the type of careers we’ve seen from former European UFAs Artemi Panarin and Mats Zuccarello, to name a few.

Get ‘em while they’re hot!

Maxim Shabanov (RUS) - C/RW - 24 – 5-foot-8, 160 pounds - KHL

If he were even three inches taller and 20 pounds heavier, then we’d talk about Shabanov as a surefire NHL addition this summer. There are skills and hockey sense here that are clearly above average, and you’ll want to do yourself a favor and catch some of his highlights because he’s been the author of some very impressive plays the past few seasons. He’s a player with splash-n-dash. If things get too physical, he’s nifty at finding other ways to get his stick on dangerous pucks. With 64 points in 62 games at the time of this article, he’s now set personal KHL highs after seasons of 31 and then 50 points. As with Tsyplakov last season at this time, Shabanov has cooled down in recent weeks, going 1-6-7 in his past ten games after starting the season with 14 points in his first 12 games. What we can say is that his size will likely not prevent a team from signing him and his agency works for a long list of predominantly Russian players who have been drafted by or later signed with NHL teams, including recent Russian UFA signings Nikita Gusev and Alexander Barabanov.

David Tomasek (CZE) - C - 29 - 6-foot-2, 187 pounds - SHL

He led the Swedish SHL in regular season scoring last season with 25 goals and 45 points, albeit in 52 games. He had piqued interest. We know that teams were looking at him and he was in heavy consideration. Then he flopped with just one point in a horrific first round sweep in which his first-place club lost to the eighth seed. After that, he showed up at the Men’s WC for Czechia and was quite ok, going 1-3-4 and +3 in 10 games. He didn’t get signed by an NHL team. There were other interested parties around Europe, but Tomasek seemed to believe that he was already in the best place for his progress in Färjestad and this season has done nothing but back that up. At the moment, he’s leading the SHL - a league whose top scorer is often clipping at less than a PPG pace - with 57 points in 47 games. His team is gearing up for a long playoff run and yes, we know he’s getting some serious attention, despite his age. Tomasek has another year on his SHL contract but there’s an out clause should the NHL come knocking.

Charles-Édouard D’Astous (CAN) - D - 26 - 6-foot-2, 187 pounds - SHL

Without a doubt, the Quebec-born defenseman put up some very shiny numbers over the final three years of his QMJHL career. Never having been drafted, he spent three seasons trying to latch on in the AHL, playing the bulk of his games in the ECHL, where he even had a monster 21-22 season for the Utah Grizzlies. Will it now be the Utah HC that gives him another shot to head back west for some possible NHL action? It wouldn’t be surprising because D’Astous has gone from raising eyebrows with 17 goals and 46 points in 54 Liiga games last season to storming the higher octane SHL this season to the tune of 12-27-39 in 49 games for the upstart 1st place Brynäs club, going +26 in the process. Having somehow turned his earlier skating weaknesses into something that hardly holds him back, D’Astous has gained considerable interest in the international hockey community. We’ve seen plenty of mid-to-late 20s Canadian defensemen go from European success to an NHL contract (often with less success), and this is almost a certainty in D’Astous’ case.

Atro Leppanen (FIN) - D - 26 – 6-foot-0, 183 pounds - Liiga

It is very difficult to put a finger on what makes Leppanen so successful in Liiga play. At least for the game there, he seems to have an incredible read on how and when to make use of ice that is available while possessing a quirky shiftiness to buy himself the odd second here or there with the puck. He’s neither large nor the most beautiful skater out there, but one thing is certain, namely that Leppanen has set the all-time record for points by a defenseman in a single season in Finland’s top pro circuit. It took a long-range empty-netter to recently collect his 54th point of the season but that saw him surpass the previous record of 53 held by former late blooming NHLer all-star Brian Rafalski and Finnish legend Pekka Rautakallio, a defender who played three seasons of NHL hockey that saw him put up 35, 56, and then 68 points respectively for the Atlanta/Calgary Flames organization. Heavy company! Leppanen has only been a part of Liiga action for two seasons now, turning a 58-point performance in the second league Mestis (in 51 games) into 28- and now 61-point performances at the top level. We know he may finish the year in the Swiss NL. We know he has a contract in the bag for the SHL next season. What we don’t know is if an NHL team is ready to give him a look now based on performance rather than an analysis of his otherwise average-looking skillset and playing style.

Worth another look?

David Bernhardt (SWE) - D - 27 - 6-foot-4, 209 pounds - SHL

A 2016 draft pick of the Philadelphia Flyers, Bernhardt looked like a legitimate prospect in the two seasons after being drafted. However, an injury here and there led to some stalling, and it took some time in the Finnish Liiga and then HockeyAllsvenskan to get back on track. Seasons with 56 and then 72 total points went a long way in solidifying his role with a MoDo team that finally made its way back into the SHL, where his first season as a top four defenseman in the league saw a good amount of growing pains, but nonetheless led to his statistically best top league campaign to date. This season has left the previous one in the dust, already having put up seven more goals and 15 more points in two fewer games to date. He’s also flipped a -21 into a +5 despite playing for a team still establishing itself. Will it all be enough to get a look in North America? It looks a lot like the season Hardy Haman Aktell had before signing with the Washington Capitals and the players aren’t all that different in size and style in the grand scheme of things.

Daniel Gazda (CZE) - D - 27 - 6-foot-1, 207 pounds - Liiga

A stoutly built righty shot, we mentioned Gazda last season after he collected 17 goals, 30 points, and a +11 rating in 52 games for Brno in what was his first season in Czechia’s top league. That earned him a shot in Finland, and he’s done nothing but run with it to the tune of 12 goals, 35 points, and a +20 in 51 games. The trickiness in his game is a good part of his repertoire and we’re seeing aspects of his game that has us thinking he’s watched plenty of tape on Adam Fox. If a team wasn’t quite ready to see him on North American ice after last season, it’s hard not to want to after what’s taken place this season.

Matias Mäntykivi (FIN) - C - 22 - 5-foot-11, 165 pounds - Liiga

No longer a Boston Bruins prospect, Mäntykivi is once again having a career year with 52 points in 59 games after putting up 49 in 60 games last season. That makes him one of Liiga’s key contributors. Topping a +25 last year with a +27 this year doesn’t hurt either. However, size and skating are still his weakness, and the NHL will only see so many players of his ilk break the mold and become regulars over time. Then again, much of what we see and hear about Mäntykivi was originally thought about Mats Zuccarello once upon a time as well. He may just have to keep putting up the big numbers before he gets a shot.

Dominik Pavlat (CZE) - G - 25 - 6-foot-2, 174 pounds - Czechia

Still young by goaltending standards, Pavlat was a statistically dominating goaltender in the Czech league last season and promptly found himself manning the net for the Ilves program in Finland, where he’s been even better. After concluding last season with a 2.16 GAA and .936 SV% in 29 regular season games, Pavlat finds himself with a 2.21 GAA and .913 SV% in 25 contests this year, platooning with fellow Czech native and New Jersey Devils prospect Jakub Malek. Those numbers may seem quite mortal, but they mean he’s third overall leaguewide in GAA and first overall in save percentage. Highly notable is also his 17-5-5 record, making him first overall in winning percentage for goalies as well. In a league that has seen an insane amount of games go to overtime this season, his five OT losses are tied for fewest among goaltenders with 25 or more starts. Still lightweight for goalies in the modern age, Pavlat has now put up two straight noticeable seasons in Europe and will be shooting for the Finnish championship this year. And we know that Liiga action gets a bit more attention than what Pavlat has been exposed to date.

Ludvig Persson (SWE) - G - 25 - 6-foot-1, 183 pounds - SHL

Now 25, Persson’s season has been notable for a number of reasons. North American scouts are well aware of who he is considering he was Miami University’s starter for three seasons before jumping over to man the nets as the go-to man for North Dakota in the 23-24 season. A minute-muncher, seeing at least 32 games of action in each of the past three collegiate seasons, Persson jumped on an opportunity to join the famed Brynäs organization which was heading back up to the SHL and had signed recent NHLers Jakob Silfverberg, Oskar Lindblom, Erik Källgren, and Victor Soderstrom. That team is now at the top of the SHL standings and Persson has been a big part of it. Actually, replacing Damian Clara (ANA), who went 10-1 in last year’s successful HockeyAllsvenskan playoffs, Persson was expected to be the clear back-up to Källgren, but has forced his way into a platoon, going 14-6 with two shutouts. His 1.75 GAA tops the entire league while his .925 SV% is second overall. Make no mistake, Persson has come to play with the big boys and any team that had him on the “Monitor his progress” list during his college career has surely taken notice. Is an SHL championship in the cards this season? That league-high winning percentage may be the ticket to a starting role in the hottest time of the year.

Theo Rochette (SUI/CAN) - 23 - C/LW - 5-foot-11, 172 pounds - Swiss NL

Having just turned 23 in February, we’re going to continue to mention the young former Memorial Cup winner because he’s not only still young and improving, but the nation’s top U24 player whatsoever, imports included. He was impressive with his 30 points and +4 in 46 games last season (with another 9 in 19 playoff games), but he’s upped the ante this season with 31 points and +8 in all of 38 games to date, long flirting with a PPG pace. NHL scouts are fully aware of him after 317 points in 271 career QMJHL games and six in four Memorial Cup contests. What also needs to be said is that his Lausanne club lost in the seventh game of last year’s finals. He won the Memorial Cup the year before. Some players just find themselves playing for winners. As we mentioned last year, Rochette looks like he has everything necessary to be the next Swiss player to take the Pius Suter path to the NHL.

Justin Schütz (GER) - LW - 23 - 5-foot-11, 185 pounds - DEL

After bursting out for 30 total goals and 47 points in 55 DEL contests last season, the now 24-year old Schütz (a former 6th round draft pick of the Florida Panthers) looked like he could be a hot topic for a team looking to add to its offensive stockpile at the AHL level, one possessing that je-ne-sais-quoi possibility with a year or two of minor league marinating. In four fewer games this season, Schütz is up to 26 goals and 46 points, while flashing a nice +20 despite pacing a team that has had plenty of ups and downs this season. A DEL regular for five seasons now, Schutz is constantly smiling and passionately riling up his teammates or protesting referee decisions, celebrating goals and assists with youthful enthusiasm. Although his skating doesn’t hold him back whatsoever in the DEL, it’s understandable that teams may see it as something less than a selling point. But that nose for the net has got to be tempting.

Off the beaten path

Eskild Bakke Olsen (NOR) - C/RW - 22 - 6-foot-0, 185 pounds - HockeyAllsvenskan

In general, it’s hard to imagine that an NHL team would be looking to add a slightly below-average skater like Bakke Olsen to its program at this stage, having not even seen what he could possibly do at i.e., the SHL level. Alas, the 22-year-old Norwegian already has four Norwegian league seasons under his belt and is in the midst of his second HockeyAllsvenskan season, one that has been an absolute revelation. Yes, some bells were already ringing last season when his 10-27-37 statline in the regular season was converted into 5-9-14 numbers in 12 games while playing together with St. Louis prospect Otto Stenberg. Now he’s been the go-to offensive player for his Karlskoga club, upping the ante to 9-44-53 in 48 games to date, coordinating most all attacks and running the power play. He’ll be in the playoffs again this season, so we’ll see what magic he can work with his Czech winger de choix Theodor Pistek - also 22 -, who himself is ready for bigger things next season. After successfully debuting with the Norwegian national team last season, expect budding playmaker Bakke Olsen to be a key figure at this spring’s Men’s WC.

Alex Breton (CAN) - D - 27 - 6-foot-1, 190 pounds - DEL

It’s been a magical season for Breton and it’s far from over as his Ingolstadt Panthers enter the DEL playoffs ranked first overall. After some decent years including the captaincy for the Gatineau Olympiques of the QMJHL, two outstanding seasons in the ECHL led to a solid gig with Banska Bystrica - and then eventually Kosice - in Slovakia, with another tenure in the ECHL. Always capable of putting up some solid stats from the blueline, his 13 goals and 40 points last season earned him a heavier contract in the DEL, and he’s delivered like seldom before. While Canadian defenseman Nicolas Mattinen made headway as a dominant performer in the DEL last season, leading to a contract from the Toronto Maple Leafs, Breton has taken things a bit further, becoming the first DEL defender in over a decade to score 20+ goals in a regular season. As the playoffs approach, he’s put up 48 points and a +25 rating in 52 games. With sturdy size and a simply outstanding ability to be involved all over the ice, it’s hard to imagine a team won’t bring him in on a two-way contract.

Leon Hüttl (GER) - D - 23 - 6-foot-0, 180 pounds - DEL

We’ve seen Hüttl as a budding national team player who, despite slightly below-average size, gets better year after year and brings all the smarts and transitional abilities you’d want to see from a modern defenseman. This year has been a career year for the righty shot and like Breton, he’s been a cog in all aspects of the game for an Ingolstadt team with championship ambitions. We’ll also go so far as to peg him for the national team at this spring’s Worlds, which could go a long way in improving his status as an NHL target. What we’re certain of is that he’s ready to test the AHL and then see where things go from there. The 10 goals and 34 points to date have accompanied a +9 rating but only tell part of the story for a player who rarely sees less than 18 and half minutes of ice time a game.

Denis Kostin (RUS) - G - 29 - 6-foot-1, 205 pounds - KHL

In the midst of a career year, he’s one of the few Russian goaltenders of note whose KHL contract is running out at the conclusion of the season. Having more than paid his dues over many years of Russian minor league play, the 29-year-old required a monster 21-22 season in the VHL to finally get a KHL look, signing with a team that has done more losing than winning for quite a while now. This year, he’s taken the bull by the horns to the tune of a .931 SV% and six shutouts in 44 games of action. His 20-15 record has been just outstanding in light of his team’s 26-37 record after 63 games. We all know that there have been plenty of goaltenders who first hit their stride in their late 20s. A team willing to take a shot might just find themselves with one in Kostin.

Michal Kovarcik - (CZE) - C/RW - 28 - 6-foot-0, 176 pounds - Liiga

Truth be told, it’s hard to imagine that a 28-year-old Kovarcik who is scheduled to return to his hometown Trinec team in the Czech Republic wouldn’t want to see if his late-blooming offensive explosion - which already began last season - isn’t something he couldn’t turn into a shot at North American glory. A bit of a lightweight who isn’t always great on the eye, Kovarcik is in essence a highly skilled puckmover and a very fast point A-to-B skater. When he gets the wheels going, there haven’t been a lot of players in the Finnish Liiga in recent years who can keep up. Despite having suffered what may be a season-ending injury on March 5th, Kovarcik will end this season with the top PPG clip in the league, if not as the top scorer overall, should the aforementioned Leppanen not surpass him in the final two outings. Having never scored more than 30 points in a pro league campaign, Kovarcik popped last season with 15-30-45 numbers for surprise Jukurit. Jumping to Kärpät, he’s taken things to a whole new level with 13-49-62 in 52 contests, often setting up teammates in a manner that left opponents with little opportunity to react. Teams lacking in the playmaking department have tried taking less exciting routes in the past, so Kovarcik definitely presents a joker-in-waiting possibility.

Michal Kunc (CZE) - RW - 24 - 6-foot-0, 187 pounds - Czechia

If you’ve never heard of Kunc, don’t be hard on yourself. It’s been a six-year journey of incremental playing time at Czechia’s highest level that has seen the now 24-year-old break out in his far-and-away best season to date. A classic number 10 forward with stints on his team’s 3rd line for the first four seasons of top league play, Kunc broke out last year tying for second on the team with 11 goals (23 points) in 49 games, numbers indicative of the scoring problems his team experienced. But he obviously discovered that his hunched style with choppy, yet quick crossovers didn’t mean he can’t be more of a producer, exploding on the scene this season with 13 goals and 35 points this year, making him his team’s top scorer and 22nd overall in the league. The real eyebrow raiser though is that Kunc is strutting a +22 for an Olomouc team featuring 17 players with minus ratings. The next closest teammate has a +3. He’s been known to get involved in altercations in recent years too, so there’s some real bite and a will to succeed in this young man’s game.

Viljami Nieminen (FIN) - F - 23 - 5-foot-10, 181 pounds - Liiga

Viljami was born in Denver and his father spent parts of seven seasons in the NHL playing in a 3rd and 4th line capacity for seven different teams. Much like his father, Viljami can do everything well but does not stick out with any one particular strength. What we have been taking note of is that he’s all over the place. He skates well, he drives to the net, he makes strong (if not, exhilarating) passes, he takes one-timers, he forces errors with a hard forecheck - he does it all. His size is average and although his skating is very sound, you can’t classify him as a speedster. But we see absolutely no reason why Viljami - who definitely has pedigree - shouldn’t get a couple of AHL seasons under his belt to see if there isn’t something more here. Tools and wherewithal abound - and the 23-year-old has gone from 13 points as a young 10th forward last season to a 36-point powerplay performer in the top six this season.

Axel Sundberg (SWE) - RW/LW - 26 - 6-foot-2, 209 pounds - SHL

A very thickly built winger who skates with an upright back and hunched knees, creating a strong center of gravity, Sundberg only just made his debut in the SHL last season, having barely been a blip on the map coming up from the HockeyAllsvenskan, where he had a breakout year in the 22-23 season. This year he’s broken out a bit as a middle-six winger getting powerplay time, putting up 11-14-25 in 52 games in the process. What catches our eye is that although his skating style doesn’t pop out as anything fancy and his numbers are simply nice, but nothing to write home about, he’s incredibly strong along the boards and in holding onto the puck. In addition, he’s got quite an eye and is very sly at putting pucks in dangerous places or finding his teammates, while also ready to make his way to the goal when called for. He’s even found himself in the Ovechkin spot on the second powerplay unit. In short, he looks like just the type of player who can wreak some havoc on a North American ice surface.

Stanislav Skorvanek (SVK) - G - 28 - 6-foot-2, 192 pounds - Slovakia

The 29-year-old Skorvanek is not a player we’d keep throwing our eyes on if we weren’t living in a day and age where teams are platooning more than ever and constantly looking for 3rd string goalies who won’t be gobbled up on waivers whenever their services aren’t required. Alas, we saw him dominate in Slovakia in an impressive playoff run with a 10-8 record with a 1.83 GAA and .944 SV% in 18 games only to then make his WC debut for Slovakia last spring, where he went 3-1 with a 1.26 GAA and .954 SV% in 4 outings. This led to a nice contract in Czechia’s top league and things have only got better. His 21-13 record for contender Mountfield has accompanied a 2.03 GAA and .919 SV% with the playoffs just around the corner. He’s very composed and brings a lot of structure to the net. It would be interesting to see if he could be this spring’s Marcus Högberg-style signing.

Hidden gems?

Sebastian Cederle (SVK) - C - 25 - 6-foot-2, 190 pounds - Slovakia

There are players out there who can probably do more than their stats indicate but their coaches know they’re needed for other important tasks while certain other teammates have to be given the offensive roles for a lack of versatility. Cederle falls into this category. Now in his mid-20s, the two-way center knows how to dog and rag the puck as well as what his tasks are in his zone. After showing this incrementally in recent years, his role was pivotal in the playoffs last season, turning a 20-point season (41 games) into an 11-point playoff run (21 games). All he’s done this season is double down on his progress, scoring a career high 15 goals and 24 points in 34 games while being a key player in all important situations. His ice time is rarely under 18 minutes a night and when it is, his team is firmly in control of the game, meaning the coach can spread the ice time wealth. When things are tight, Cederle is on the ice. There will be astute hockey people who have seen the qualities he brings to the table and envision that there’s more in the tank moving forward.

Grigori Kuzmin (RUS) - LW - 21 - 5-foot-10, 187 pounds - KHL

He’s not big but he’s got wide shoulders and a strong core, and he’s coming basically out of nowhere to be on this list. Yes, those who follow the second tier VHL will point out that he’s been almost a PPG player there for three seasons, including 52 in 51 games last season. But as a predominantly 21-year-old player this season, the righty shot has not only forced his way into a stacked St. Petersburg line-up, he’s also put up over 20 points in 37 KHL games. Now, this might not pop out at anyone from the onset, but the youngster will first turn 22 in April and is a free agent after this season. In addition, his build-up has been slow but continual this season (for example, seven points in his last six games) and he’s figuring more and more into St. Petersburg offensive plans up front. If a team likes what it sees, then this would be the time to bring him into the fold before he signs what will likely be a 3-5 yearlong KHL contract, as he’s currently an attractive free agent target in Russia as well.

Filip Prikryl (CZE) - C/LW - 23 - 6-foot-1, 179 pounds - Czechia

The numbers (12-15-27 in 50 regular season games and +7) won’t jump out at you, but the former Saint John Sea Dog has spent the past three seasons turning into a more responsible, all-round player whose creativity is really starting to blossom. The fans love him in Budejovice and his playing time has swayed between 14-20 minutes in recent weeks, even getting in a good 18 and half minutes of play in two playoff games in which his team was shut out. What we’re seeing here is a player who looks like he could already make some nifty plays at the AHL level while showing his newfound understanding for three-zone responsibility. Some teams seem to operate with a mindset that they can add players like this and do the rest with their development group. Prikryl would be a nice case study.

Josh Samanski (GER/CAN) - C/LW - 22 - 6-foot-6, 190 pounds - DEL

Former OHLer and 2-time WJC contestant Samanski is a player we continue to keep our sites on and this season, it hasn’t been hard to do as he’s been pure eye candy for his Straubing Tigers. We already thought he’d be a player the NHL would take into consideration last summer after he arrived as a bonafide middle six forward at the ripe age of 21. Now he’s taken things to a whole new level. A very big boy who uses his size well to gain, protect, and battle for pucks, Samanski has done nothing but show continual bursts of speed, silky mitts, and a keen sense of creating and finishing all season long. Yes, he’s got a contract with DEL powerhouse Berlin next season, but if he continues on this pace, he’ll be putting up numbers we haven’t really seen from a youngster his age since Dominik Kahun earned himself an NHL contract. And Kahun was older and smaller when he did. Wearing an A on his jersey, Samanski already has a career high 40 points in 52 games as his team holds the prime spot for the upcoming wild card round. At this rate, you shouldn’t be surprised to see him suiting up for Team Germany at the upcoming Worlds either. SIDENOTE: His younger brother Noah is currently playing for the Powell River Kings in the BCHL.

Marko Stacha (SVK) - D - 22 - 6-foot-1, 196 pounds - Slovakia

After portions of two seasons in the WHL, Stacha hadn’t seemed to live up to the billing of an up-n-coming two-way defenseman, although he had put up some real nice outings for his nation in younger years. Then he had a pretty solid pro season as a 21-year-old last year and has pushed the limits again this year. He’s been more present physically (55 penalty minutes) while quietly putting up 15 points and a +12 for his Nitra club in what has nonetheless been a season marred by some injuries. His six points and +13 in 21 playoff games last season surely caught some scouts’ attention. Another shot at play in North America for the mobile defenseman seems imminent.

Simon Zajicek (CZE) - G - 23 - 6-foot--0, 187 pounds - Czechia

Some say he’s closer to 6-foot-2 than the reported six foot, but the undersized Zajicek has gone from being a promising goaltending with a losing record as a back-up to a winning 1b. His play has been raising some eyebrows and whereas his 2.12 GAA only has him ranked 5th in the league, his .930 SV% has him at the top of the list. Five shutouts are looking nice as well. His 15-13 record shows that he’s stolen the net from Philadelphia Flyers asset Matej Tomek. We don’t expect Zajicek in Czechia next season, but an NHL club may take a bit of a wait-n-see approach at this point in time. He looks ready for a crack at the AHL.

SIDENOTE

As always, it bears mentioning every year that above and beyond the players listed above, both the Swiss NL and KHL - among others - are chock full of former NHLers, NHL draft picks, AHLers, Canadian juniors, and college hockey players, not to mention former European free agent signings of NHL teams that have since returned to Europe. These leagues also employ a large number of established pros who you’ll see dressing for their respective national teams. Thus, these leagues also feature many players who were in the NHL in recent years or on the bubble to the NHL, usually as highly effective AHLers. Naturally, any number of these players could of course still be in the sightlines of NHL teams or maintain the connections that would see them return to a franchise in the coming months.

NHL: 2023 European free agent frenzy – 25 players you may see in the NHL or AHL next season

Chapin Landvogt — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 19:07:58 +0000

2023 European free agent frenzy

It happens every year. The springtime rolls around and the time period between the various European league playoffs and the ensuing men’s World Championship sees a good handful or more of usually mid-20s European free agents added to the deck by NHL teams, sometimes even getting 2-year deals in the process. This year should be no different. However, no-one should be expecting an Andrey Kuzmenko to result from this year’s crop. The prize gem of last spring’s group, Kuzmenko has become an instant contributor to the Canucks attack and is currenting steering his way towards a 40-goal season.

Scoring hasn’t really been the name of the game for most of Europe’s top leagues this year and even those who have been impressively notable, most particularly forwards Dmitri Jaskin and Antti Suomela - each having been the regular season top scorers for the KHL and SHL respectively - had just returned back to Europe after having been in North America for no less than this past season. Nonetheless, there are players who have moved into the spotlight and are looking like viable depth options for NHL clubs. Below are a number of names you should keep an eye on over the next few months.

You can bet your bottom dollar that several will be found in NHL or AHL rinks next winter.

Get ‘em while they’re hot

Växjö's Hardy Häman Aktell celebrates after 1-0 during quarter-final three in the SHL between Växjö and Luleå on March 20, 2023 in Växjö.
Photo: Jonas Ljungdahl / BILDBYRÅN /

Hardy Haman Aktell (SWE) - D - 24 - 6’4”, 196 lbs. - SHL

A 2016 4th rounder of the Nashville Predators, we can’t see any situation in which Haman Aktell goes unsigned by an NHL team this spring unless he simply wishes to play elsewhere. For those who have followed his evolution the past 4+ seasons, the lanky defender brings everything you’d want from a player you’d look to sign with the goal of having him step right into your line-up in a lower line capacity next season. His NHL upside is, well, uh, the sky's the limit. He has shown the ability to do a bit of everything in all three zones and it’s thoroughly legitimate to think he could be logging big minutes within a few seasons of his NHL debut. This season has been his big arrival in the SHL after incremental growth into a stud defenseman for one of Europe’s top leagues. His size and mobility are top-flight and now he’s added PP quarterback to the resume. After a 36-point, +23 regular season (51 games), he’s clipping at a PPG in three playoff games thus far. Look for him in an NHL rink next season, although some AHL seasoning may be the course of preference for the team signing him. Maybe.

Samuel Johanesson (SWE) - D - 22 - 5’11”, 176 lbs. - SHL

Drafted by Columbus as an overager in 2020, Johanesson has already hit free agency and has decided to burst onto the scene in a point-producing capacity to coincide with this newfound status. Lost a bit in the numbers game for Rogle two straight seasons after a promising draft year, it was thoroughly understandable that Columbus had little incentive to sign him. Now the righty shot has put up 35 points in 55 games thus far, effectively blowing any prior showings out of the water. The confidence he’s shown in being a two-way defensive asset has us feeling like now would be just the right time to introduce him to the challenges of the AHL to see just what his future holds. It’s not inconceivable that if everything goes right, he’s just a few years away from being a poor man’s Klingberg.

Valtteri Pulli (FIN) - D - 22 - 6’6”, 225 lbs. - Liiga

The only non-Swede in this section of the European UFA list, Pulli is a surefire signing this spring. He’ll get his shot in North America via the AHL and remains a project, one that offers a world of size and some pretty good wheels for a man in such a body. You’d want him to be a physical force, but he brings an all-round game and likes to engage himself in the offensive zone. His 18 points in 56 games have been just fine for a player getting in his first full season of pro hockey and someone has thankfully let him know that a pokecheck can be highly effective when you’ve got that size. He may prove moot having him on this list by publishing as his signing with the San Jose Sharks seems all but official just now.

Oskar Stal Lyrenas - RW - 24 - 6’1”, 185 lbs. - SHL

Oskar’s name may be the most unique, but certainly not the sexiest name on this list. Nonetheless, for those watching, there have been too many moments this season where the game just seemed to evolve around Stal Lyrenas and his creativity. In the midst of his second full season of SHL hockey after years of plodding development in the HockeyAllsvenskan, Stal Lyrenas has popped in 15 goals and 33 points in 52 total SHL games in a primarily second line role. Again, his hockey sense and the means by which play seems to gravitate around him while he’s on the ice is what has him sought after right now despite the somewhat average production. Normally, we’d say teams would like to wait it out another season to see if he can top things off with an even bigger 23-24, but those following closely must know that he needs to be grabbed now before the cat’s out of the bag.

The usual suspects

Rickard Hugg (SWE) - LW/RW - 24 - 5’10”, 190 lbs. - SHL

Even when he was putting up 73 points for the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL in 18-19, it didn’t feel like Hugg was going to be an NHL option any time soon. There were just too many detractions with regard to his skating, awareness, and wherewithal. Fast forward to this season, where he’s wrapping up his second straight season of 40+ points with a top SHL club, and we’re seeing a young man who is forcing himself into the conversation. There’s a lot of drive to the net in Hugg and his presence on the ice is constantly creating more space for his teammates, for whom he’s got a good eye. And that can go a long way on the smaller ice surfaces around North America. But is he ready to give up a nice gig in a top European league to give it another shot overseas, one that would surely begin in the AHL? He’s got a number of current teammates who spent time in the AHL only to return to the shinier lights of the SHL…

Patrik Karlqvist (SWE) - RW - 30 - 6’1”, 216 lbs. - SHL

A long time high-scoring minor leaguer in Sweden, Karlqvist made waves last season by putting up 52 points in 49 games in his first ever SHL season. He wavered a bit in the playoffs with just 3 points in 10 games, but his team was the underdog hit of the postseason. Now he’s topped that output last season with 61 points in 52 games this season. Oh, and a tough first round out in the pre-playoffs nonetheless saw him add 5 goals and 6 points in 3 games. There’s nowhere left to go but up for Karlqvist, who’s keen sense of timing and magnificent shot make him a constant threat in what is traditionally a rather low-scoring league. He’s older now, so it’s unlikely anything happens, but this guy can simply score. He’s got a Andreychuk presence around the net with a Hoffmann-style shot from the face-off circles.

Konstantin Okulov (RUS) - RW - 28 - 6’0”, 181 lbs. - KHL

The tricky winger has been on the map for several years now and has been big come playoff time in 3 of the last 4 seasons, currently chipping in 7 assists in 9 games in this postseason to boot. In fact, he’s now coming off his best ever regular season with career highs of 36 assists and 54 points. There’s a clever hockey player here who knows how to generate offense. Is this the year he comes over and tests his mitts in North America? He’s arguably as NHL-ready as any established pro outside of North America.

Jiri Smejkal (CZE) - LW/RW - 26 - 6’4”, 223 lbs. - SHL

The aforementioned Karlqvist’s winger, Smejkal is coming off a fantastic debut in the Swedish SHL. His size and nose for the net (24 goals in 52 games) allowed him to have a bull-in-the-China-shop impact this season. His game includes some bang, but also a refreshing amount of skill. We thought he’d be a hot topic for an NHL team last season after his 25-goal, 45-point outburst in 44 Liiga games, and now he’s only reinforced that impression with his practically repeat performance in the stronger SHL. Also, you’ve got to think that if a Radim Zohorna keeps getting an NHL contract, then Smejkal’s has got to be right around the corner.

Adam Tambellini (CAN) - C/RW - 28 - 6’4”, 195 lbs. - SHL

Son to Steve, brother to Jeff, we wrote about Tambellini’s SHL exploits last year at this time. With Rogle having gone through a tough season this year after being heaped with expectations in the pre-season, Tambellini has continued to be steady and was a key figure in righting the ship just in time for the playoffs. His 23 goals and 49 points in 55 games has been instrumental for a club that features as much impact youth as any on the continent and Tambellini continues to display a strong use of his size and a terrific shot, which is deadly on the power play. He’s getting up there in age, so it’s looking like it’s now or never for another shot at the NHL - or the choice to continue a comfortable life as an impact player in Europe.

Off the beaten path

Isac Brannstrom (SWE) - LW/RW - 24 - 5’10”, 176 lbs. - SHL

The older brother to Ottawa Senators prospect Erik Brannstrom, Isac has been plugging away in the SHL for six seasons now, seeing his production increase every year (2 points, 10, 18, 22, 24, 29) while buzzing all around the ice and becoming a truly effective defensive zone catalyst for an always competitive Lulea. Many of his points are of the highlight reel variety, showing off creative hands and timely bursts of speed. A year or two of AHL seasoning and a team should have a reliable two-way forward for the bottom six. Will Brannstrom be up to giving it a shot?

Grigori Dronov (RUS) - D - 25 - 6’3”, 201 lbs. - KHL

After seven years of KHL hockey, with much of last season being lost to injury, Dronov is at that point in his development where a team would have every reason to believe they’d be adding a Zub/Zaitsev/Lyubushkin type of player to their line-up. In the midst of his best season ever (10 goals, 23 points in 50 games), he’s also been a cog in his team’s current playoff run, which has been surprisingly successful in knocking out Avtomobilist in a 7-game first round bout. An all-rounder with a fine first pass, his possible impact in North America simply won’t be known until he comes over. He does appear to have the goods to be a bottom three defenseman at the NHL level.

Waltteri Merela (FIN) - F - 24 - 6’2”, 196 lbs. - Liiga

Never drafted and never having played outside of Finland, Merela made a bit of a name for himself last season in Finland after transferring to Tappara, with whom he accumulated 22 goals, 52 points, and a +38 rating over 72 total games. It was a hard ask for him to keep up at that pace, but he did chip in 33 points in 41 games this season while looking like a more finely developed pro. Expect there to be some interest as one of the more raw, but sturdy players on the market. And he’s very happy being a goalmouth presence, hanging around the net and keeping things active in the slot, which is never a bad thing.

Marcus Sylvegard (SWE) - RW/LW - 23 - 6’0”, 190 lbs. - SHL

Thickly built and from one of Sweden’s more colorful hockey families, Sylvegard has exploded this season playing with former NHLer Carl Soderberg. With 18 goals and 45 points in 55 games to date, the righty shot has become a power play weapon and real buzzsaw around the net. Always playing with a chip on his shoulder, there’s plenty of feistiness to go around, but he’s no world beater in the skating department. We’d love to see how his game looks in an AHL rink and think his jump in production is indicative of what’s to come moving forward.

Time for another look

David Bernhardt (SWE) - D - 25 - 6’4”, 209 lbs. - HockeyAllsvenskan

A former Philadelphia Flyers draft pick, Bernhardt was never signed and never otherwise played in North America. Despite some force-feeding into the SHL with a nice season along the way (14 points in 53 games as a 20-year-old), the well-built defender decided to spend the better part of two seasons in Liiga action, where he never popped. Looking for a new lease on life, he joined MoDo of the HockeyAllsvenskan last season and enjoyed immediate success as the team’s PP blueliner, topping a 14-goal, 44-point regular season with another 12 points in 13 postseason games. There has been no step back this year with Bernhardt upping the ante to the tune of 19 goals, 51 points, and a +26 rating in 52 regular season games, placing him 5th overall in league scoring. This young man is as ready for AHL action as an overlooked college player who then explodes in the ECHL. The size and skillset are there. The right coaching could be the decisive difference on a path to the NHL. Or he’ll be suiting up for an SHL club next season.

Dominik Lakatos (CZE) - F - 25 - 5’11”, 179 lbs. - Czech Extraliga

A 2017 6th rounder of the New York Rangers, it’s been a long time since Lakatos was a nice little plugger for his nation’s WJC squad at the 2016 event. He’s now spent the absolute bulk of his career in the Czech Republic, having come up in the powerhouse program of Liberec. With the exception of a 15-game outlier in Finland, Lakatos has been true to his native country and has developed into one of the few top scorers in the top league under 30 years of age. Already a free agent to be had as a 44- and then 39-point scorer for Vitkovice the past few years, he’s put his stamp on the league with a 47-point, +20 campaign this year, taking place in 51 games. Word is, he’s got a strong shot at being part of the upcoming Worlds and if the NHL doesn’t come knocking with a likely 2-way contract, then his next stop may be in Sweden or Switzerland.

Linus Nassen (SWE) - D - 24 - 6’0”, 183 lbs. - Liiga

We’ve always liked the Swedish defender’s mobility. His passing game has never really been in question, especially when breaking out of his zone. His two seasons of WHL play were fine, but he didn’t necessarily leave an impression that screamed “future NHLer”. Now several years of lower line layman work in the SHL have been followed by two strong seasons of Liiga action, even if this season’s workload led to a drop in stats for a struggling club. Most importantly, Nassen has turned into a pro player who can manage a defensive unit and constantly set his forwards in motion with a strong transitional game. This would seem the right time for Nassen to be given a shot at the AHL level with his sights set on a Sebastian Aho (the Swedish one) type of role in the NHL down the line.

Sami Niku (FIN) - D - 26 - 6’1”, 196 lbs. - Liiga

It feels a bit weird mentioning this player who spent the past five seasons being on the cusp of the NHL, getting into 67 games of action along the way. A two-way defenseman who can be quite the all-rounder on his good days, Niku even had 6 assists for Montreal in 13 games as late as last season. As such, it should come as no surprise that he excelled with 9 goals and 42 points in 54 games of Liiga action this year. He’s also a top candidate for Finland at the upcoming Worlds. If he were in a situation like Haman Aktell, we’d have no doubt that he’d probably have a good handful of suitors at this point. Clearly though, Niku isn’t heading back to North America without a guarantee of an NHL role next season.

Michael Spacek (CZE) - 25 - C/RW - 5’11”, 187 lbs. - Swiss NL

Also, a former Winnipeg Jets draft pick, Spacek spent several years in the WHL and then plugged away for three seasons in the AHL, never getting an NHL shot. He returned to Europe in the 20-21 season and has done nothing but make noise for whichever team he’s played for. With 50 points in 57 games last season for Frolunda of the SHL, he was one of the top scorers in the league. He’s just kept trucking with another 50 points in 50 games for Ambri-Piotta this season. In addition, he’s been a contributing mainstay on the Czech national team since returning to Europe, so one has to wonder what it’s going to take for Spacek to see NHL ice at some point.

Hidden gems?

Vladimir Alistrov (BLR) - LW - 22 - 6’3”, 190 lbs. - KHL

A former WHLer who went undrafted, Alistrov headed back to Belarus after his 2-season Canadian junior career and has been brought along slowly by his home country Dinamo Minsk of the KHL. This past season marked the first in which he was given a top 9 role up front and he responded in kind with 15 goals and 33 points in 73 total games. Big, sturdy, fully in tune with the North American style of play, Alistrov is starting to bloom. And that’s what teams look for after scouting kids who they decided not to spend a draft pick on at an earlier stage. One need look no further than his former teammate Ilya Usov who was signed by Tampa Bay last spring.

Oscar Flynn (CZE) - F - 23 - 5’9”, 160 lbs. - Czech Extraliga

Before, Flynn stood out in the Czech Republic due to his English name and miniature size on the ice. Nowadays he’s standing out due to his play and the unexpected points he’s been putting up. Shifty and creative, Flynn loves firing off one-timers or creating spaces to thread the needle. He’s also quite the feisty player and regularly lets emotion be a guiding trait in his game. The combination of sound to impressive skating, his willingness to shoot, and both the gumption and agility to negate any size issues should have him on the map for a few clubs looking for offense anywhere they can get it. His 24 goals, 42 points, and +11 in 58 games are career highs, but he’s been playing pro hockey for the better part of six seasons now.

Leon Huttl (GER) - D - 22 - 6’0”, 176 lbs. - DEL

Having gotten his first sniff of pro hockey at the age of 16, Huttl has taken steps each and every season since. Now the righty shot has advanced to being a top pairing defenseman on the DEL’s 2nd best team. In only his second full DEL season, Huttl has astounded hockey Germany with a master class in shutdown ability while having more than doubled his offensive contributions from the season prior, where he already suited up for the national team in various tournaments. He’s currently boasting 6 goals, 26 points, and a +27 rating in 57 total games and hardly a soul in expert circles can imagine anything other than his participation at the upcoming Worlds. Especially exciting is that he’s simply looking a good step ahead of the competition in reading plays, anticipating opponent decisions, and sniffing out opposition opportunities - and that in a league filled with former NHLers and AHLers. The word is out, so we wouldn’t be surprised in the least to see a team add him by the conclusion of the World Championship.

Adam Najman (CZE) - F - 22 - 5’11”, 185 lbs. - Czech Extraliga

Najman is an interesting case, because he’s one of these players who we’ve seen at the U18 Worlds and WJC, yet hasn’t been much more than a role player despite having always played up a level as a junior player and gone through the strong Liberec hockey factory. Now he’s spent time in the minors and was given a lower line role in the top league for several years, and suddenly it’s all gone click this winter. The author of 11 goals, 41 points, and a +18 rating over 56 games thus far this season, Najman has partnered up with the aforementioned Flynn to be one of the youngest dynamic duos on the continent. Of average size, he does have an older brother in the league who is 6’2” and 216 lbs., so it certainly looks like there’s room for additional muscle on his current frame. But rarely do you see a player just past draft eligibility break out in this concrete a manner. We’ve certainly seen players of this nature brought over to see if a few seasons of AHL time can’t push them into NHL contention.

Wojciech Stachowiak (GER) - LW - 23 - 6’1”, 187 lbs. - DEL

A little bit of USHL play once led to a spot at Michigan State, but it was clear by his sophomore year that he was ultimately going to need another path to pro prominence. He quickly joined Ingolstadt of the DEL, for which he’s been a decent lower line role player for the past few seasons. And then 23-24 happened. Stachowiak was given a bigger role in light of injuries and hasn’t looked back, not only becoming a key contributor up front (16 goals and 35 points in 59 games thus far), but a trusted all-round presence for Ingolstadt, which finished second overall in the regular season. Crafty, intelligent, and displaying surprisingly soft hands, Stachowiak has promptly entered consideration for Team Germany at the upcoming Worlds. He’s been one of the most impressive arrival stories in a DEL season full of arrival stories.

Jakob Stenqvist (SWE) - D - 25 - 6’2”, 179 lbs. - SHL

You often wonder how players slip through the cracks of the talent watch, but they do and plenty of clubs around in Europe and the KHL are watching closely every year to grab such players. Stenqvist is currently completing his 7th season of pro hockey and the righty shooting Stenqvist has steadily gone from impact player in the HockeyAllsvenskan to impact player in Liiga to impact player in the KHL, and is now impacting the SHL as well to the tune of 25 points in 52 games. In fact, if it weren’t for socio-political reasons, he’d still be in the KHL, where he impressed with 24 points in 38 total games last season. A fluid player known for implementing an intelligent game, he gets involved and moves the puck with the hands of a playmaking forward. All the while, he’s very active in his own zone, particularly in pinning opponents to the boards or freeing up pucks for a quick transition. He’s certainly a finished product at this point, so it’d be interesting to see what a sojourn to North America would mean for his future.

Filip Varejcka (GER) - 22 - 6’0”, 190 lbs. - DEL

Imagine being one of many promising offensive products coming out of the Red Bull Juniors program, being a top scorer at a lower level U18 worlds, then being brought along slowly but surely by your nation’s top DEL club, only to find yourself on the top line come playoff time. Such has been the path of a one Mr. Filip Varejcka, who is doing all this despite heavy competition from drafted teammates such as Julian Lutz and Justin Schutz. Now, he’s definitely been a role player for the better part of the regular season for several seasons now, but he’s come around as a power forward who combines strong offensive smarts with sound defensive play and a good chunk of physicality, gaining a reputation as a take-no-prisoners combatant. His 12 points in 40 regular season games are but whiff when compared to his 5 points in 3 postseason contests thus far. The scouting community follows the teams funded by the Red Bull concern closely and Munich is coming off one of the most dominating regular season performances in league history. They know who Varejcka is, even if you may be seeing his name right here for the first time.

SIDENOTE:

Above and beyond the players listed above, both the Swiss NL and KHL are chock full of former NHLers, NHL draft picks, AHLers, Canadian juniors, and college hockey players, not to mention former European free agent signings of NHL teams that have since returned to Europe. These leagues also employ a large number of established pros who you’ll also see playing for their respective national teams. Many players in both of these leagues were in the NHL in recent years or players on the bubble who were top scorers in the AHL. Naturally, any number of these players could of course still be in the sight lines of NHL teams or maintain the connections that would see them return to a franchise in the coming months.

NHL Draft Review and Grades: Philadelphia Flyers

Grant McCagg — Mon, 04 Jul 2016 18:09:39 +0000

June 24, 2016: German Rubtsov dons his Flyers cap after he was selected by Philadelphia as the 22nd pick in the first round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft at First Niagara Center in Buffalo, NY (Photo by John Crouch/Icon Sportswire.)

The Flyers have taken advantage of having a plethora of top 90 picks in the past two drafts and done a solid job in restocking the prospect cupboard. German Rubtsov is a two-way center who plays with intelligence in all three zones…when he’s dialed in he’s highly competitive and strong on the backcheck...but one shouldn’t underestimate his offensive skills either. He has the upside to be a number two center…at worst he’ll compete for a third-line position in the future. Laberge was highly regarded by the Flyers and considered a solid first-round talent. He brings a pro shot, vision and puck skills…expect his goal totals to rise now that his wrist injury is fully healed, and once he learns to play a more competitive 200-foot game he’ll be a solid pro.

RND	PICK	RNK	PLAYER	POS	CTY	HT/WT	TEAM
1	22	22	German Rubtsov	C	RUS	6-2/180	Team Russia U18 (Rus)
2	36	30	Pascal Laberge	RW	CAN	6-1/175	Victoriaville (QMJHL)
2	48	42	Carter Hart	G	CAN	6-0/180	Everett (WHL)
2	52	36	Wade Allison	RW	CAN	6-2/205	Tri-City (USHL)
3	82	76	Carsen Twarynski	LW	CAN	6-2/200	Calgary (WHL)
4	109	87	Connor Bunnaman	LW	CAN	6-1/210	Kitchener (OHL)
5	139	NR	Linus Hogberg	D	SWE	6-1/185	Vaxjo Lakers (Swe)
6	169	NR	Tanner Laczynski	C	USA	6-1/200	Lincoln (USHL)
6	172	NR	Anthony Salinitri	C	CAN	5-10/170	Sarnia (OHL)
7	199	NR	David Bernhardt	D	SWE	6-3/190	Djurgardens (Swe)

Carter Hart at the 2016 NHL Draft in Buffalo, NY on Saturday June 25, 2016. Photo by Aaron Bell/CHL Images

Pascal Laberge at the 2016 NHL Draft in Buffalo, NY on Saturday June 25, 2016. Photo by Aaron Bell/CHL Images

Carter Hart had a terrific WHL season that saw him rewarded as the CHL Goalie of the Year...a rare feat for a draft eligible goalie. He has the skills and competitiveness to battle for the number one goalie position some day. Wade Allison was our favourite pick in the 50’s…he was simply a beast in the second half of the regular season and USHL playoffs, and has top-two winger upside….surprising that he didn’t go in the top 50.

Carsen Twarynski is one of the most competitive players in the draft…there will be no issues with his work ethic. A strong north-south skater...he’ll need to keep working on his agility and first step. He also has some puck skills and a decent shot.

Connor Bunnaman of the Kitchener Rangers was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers at the 2016 NHL Draft in Buffalo, NY on Saturday June 25, 2016. Photo by Aaron Bell/CHL Images

Connor Bunnaman is another forward prospect with size who also needs to keep working on his feet, but he plays a smart game and has some offensive upside along with a competitive edge. Tanner Lacynski bounced back from the disappointment of not being drafted to have a terrific USHL season. He is a crafty center with solid playmaking ability. Hogberg isn’t a dynamic offensive guy but he defends and moves the puck well. Uses his stick and smarts more than his brawn, and is good with the puck. Salinitri is a little on the small side, but he’s quick and has some skill..if he plays he will have to be a point producer and not a bottom line player. Bernhardt has size, can move the puck and displays some puck skills. He’s aggressive and has a good shot, but the main concern would be with his hockey sense.

Carsen Twarynski at the 2016 NHL Draft in Buffalo, NY on Saturday June 25, 2016. Photo by Aaron Bell/CHL Images

Grade- A: After stocking up on defencemen and a couple of undersized wingers with high picks in recent years, the Flyers picked up several forwards with a nice combination of size and skill, as well as the top goalie on many draft lists. The team has an impressive mix in its prospects crop.