Donovan Sebrango – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2025-26 NHL YEARBOOK – OTTAWA SENATORS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #25

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 19:49:15 +0000

OTTAWA, ON - JANUARY 26: Ottawa Senators goaltender Leevi Merilainen (1) takes a drink during second period National Hockey League action between the Utah Hockey Club and Ottawa Senators on January 26, 2025, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)

Prospect System Ranking – 25th (May 2025 - 24th)
GM: Steve Staois Hired: December 2023
COACH: Travis Green Hired: May 2024

The Ottawa Senators drop ever-so-slightly in our rankings, anchored by one clear-cut potential star and a handful of promising supporting pieces.

At the top is Carter Yakemchuk, a skilled and toolsy defenseman taken seventh overall in 2024. While his production dipped slightly from his draft year, he remains a “jack-of-all-trades” asset with top-pair upside. Nearly making the NHL roster out of camp last fall, Yakemchuk is poised to challenge again next season. Should he stick, he’d join a young core headlined by Tim Stützle, Jake Sanderson, and Brady Tkachuk, making Ottawa’s long-awaited breakout feel increasingly within reach.

Stephen Halliday, a 2022 fourth-round pick, emerged as Belleville’s AHL rookie leader with 51 points in 71 games. Up front, Blake Montgomery—the team’s highest-ranked non-AHL prospect—has impressed in his draft-plus-one campaign with London, producing 50 points in 51 games and setting the stage for another Memorial Cup push.

In net, Mads Søgaard and Leevi Meriläinen provide stability in the pipeline. Meriläinen, 22, posted an 8-3-1 record in his first extended NHL look and could be ready to step in as soon as 2025-26.

The Sens’ 2025 first-round pick, Logan Hensler (23rd overall), joins the fold as another long-term building block on the back end. Combined with the fact that most of Ottawa’s recent high selections remain in-house, the team is well-positioned to continue adding quality prospects.

Still, the organization’s hunger for immediate success could shift priorities quickly. In a push to finally move from potential to playoff presence, those same young assets might become trade chips if management opts to accelerate the process.

Ottawa Senators Top-15 Prospects

1 - Carter Yakemchuk

Some Sens fans might notice that Yakemchuk's production this season dipped compared to last year and then worry, in turn, that his actual on-ice performance has regressed. What actually happened was not so much a step backwards, but rather, an adjustment to a new head coach and a significant alteration to his role and playing style. While he's still an explosive offensive talent who can pull off highlight-reel moves that most other defenders his age could only dream of, he had fewer chances and a shorter leash to do that this season on a deeper, more balanced, and more structured team. This isn't necessarily a bad thing either, as these changes made his game more fleshed out and better suited to the professional levels, while cleaning up some of the things that had been holding him back. Yakemchuk still possesses an enormous ceiling as a do-it-all defenceman, and he will likely get another long look as a potential NHLer in Ottawa's next training camp this fall.

2 - Leevi Merilainen

Merilainen’s performance took a big step this season, taking over the starter’s crease in Belleville and having a very strong stint in the NHL. He’s a very good mover; he has good edges, strong pushes, and he’s quite flexible. He covers a lot of net and generally positions himself pretty well, which allows him to move through the crease quickly. He sometimes can let in a weaker goal with a far-side shot that he fails to get a hand on, which isn’t that concerning. He could fare to control his body better in movement when he’s put into more chaotic situations as well. But generally, he can be reliable in the crease and rather calm, which bodes well for him. He’s a goalie that is well rounded and good at many things but not necessarily elite at any or have many flaws. With his early success and runway in Ottawa, he’s likely to work out, and with his skill set, he should make for a great tandem goalie.

3 - Logan Hensler

Few draft year defencemen had a better season than Logan Hensler this past season. Slotting in at third for all Senators prospects, Hensler projects to be a very solid two-way defenceman that could make Ottawa’s roster sooner than many think. Wisconsin chucked Hensler into a lot of tough defensive situations this year, initially it challenged the previously offence-first defenceman. However, after New Years, he really blossomed as a great two-way defenceman who should only get better next season. Making the U.S. World Juniors team this past season was a big step. He will have a bigger role this year in the hopes that the Americans can three-peat. Beyond that, Hensler should get as good a chance as any player to make the Senators in two or three years from now.

4 - Stephen Halliday

Stephen Halliday had an impressive season as the top offensive contributor for the Belleville Senators. The best part about Halliday’s game is his intelligence with the puck. Even though he’s not the best skater in the world, Halliday is able to use his skill to draw in opposing defenders, which creates open seams all around the ice for his teammates. Halliday is also very strong on his skates; he’s very difficult to move when he’s around the net, he can tip pucks, and he can shield pucks away from opposing players. With these skills, Halliday projects as a top six NHL forward who can hold his own through heavy and physical play at both ends of the ice. He probably won’t become a first line player in the NHL, as his skating still needs improvement, but he should become a consistent top six or middle six option in one or two seasons for the Ottawa Senators. Halliday is a nice find for a player who had been passed over twice in the NHL draft before being selected.

5 - Blake Montgomery

Montgomery entered the OHL on a crazy hot streak, after signing with London out of the USHL. The big winger had 16 goals in his first 25 games, before cooling off considerably down the stretch. He’s an impressive physical specimen with a unique upside. His combination of size and speed makes him such a dangerous north-south attacker. When he builds a head of steam coming through the neutral zone, few defenders can handle him in transition. Montgomery is skilled too; he can beat defenders one on one and has the hands to create extra time and space for himself when his speed does get neutralized. The decision making does leave something to be desired and he can disappear for stretches. When his physical attributes are less of an advantage at higher levels, how effective will he be? The Senators should be patient with him. Let him attend Wisconsin next year and play a few seasons of college to help him refine his game. Then bring him into the fold at the pro level. Montgomery is unquestionably a project, but one with an intriguing upside as a middle six contributor.

6 - Jorian Donovan

Jorian Donovan played well in limited minutes as a first-year pro for the Belleville Senators. The key to Donovan’s game is his mobility, particularly with regard to his skating. He’s good on his edges and has good gap control, and these skills allow him to skate and compete with players that are older and more mature than he is in the pro game. It did take some time for Donovan to get acclimated to consistently playing against men, but he made real strides last season as a first-year pro straight out of the OHL. As of right now, Donovan looks like he projects as a number five or six NHL defenceman, but with more offence Donovan could develop into a top four defender. These next couple of seasons in Belleville will be really important for Donovan, as he should get increased opportunity on the power play and the penalty kill. With the right coaching, it’s not hard to envision a path to the NHL for Donovan in the next couple of seasons.

7 - Donovan Sebrango

Donovan Sebrango has had an up-and-down experience in the pro game, as he has seen time in the NHL, the AHL, and the ECHL over recent years. Although Sebrango has not yet been signed to an NHL contract by the Ottawa Senators, there’s a lot to like about his game. He’s a capable defensive defenceman who competes hard against opposing players for time and space, and he can be an effective member of any team’s penalty kill. Sebrango has even improved his offensive and transitional play over recent years, as he has become better at getting the puck up to his forwards out of his own zone. As of right now, Sebrango probably projects as a number six or seven NHL defenceman who can kill penalties, but his overall game is trending in the right direction. There’s a good chance he gets more games with the Ottawa Senators this upcoming season, even though he may not develop into that bona fide top four defenceman that some might have thought when he was originally drafted by Detroit.

8 - Luke Ellinas

Ellinas’ draft plus one year with the Kitchener Rangers wasn’t the smoothest; he battled a few nagging injuries that led to inconsistencies. Yet, his end to the year with a dominant playoff performance really has Ottawa fans excited for the future and what this season in the OHL will bring. Ellinas is best described as having a work-man-like mentality. He is a strong boards player. He consistently wins jousts near the crease. He is always looking to play through the middle of the ice and get pucks to the net. He competes physically in all three zones. Is his NHL upside significant? Probably not. However, as he continues to improve his skating and his confidence with the puck, there’s a real chance that Ellinas could develop into a quality bottom six option for the Senators in the future. Look for him to be a point per game player in the OHL this year before turning the pro the season after.

9 - Gabriel Eliasson

The 39th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, Eliasson spent this past season playing in the OHL with the Barrie Colts after reneging on his commitment to the University of Michigan. Truthfully, his transition to the OHL was a bit of a rocky one. Yes, his massive frame and desire to assert himself physically did make him a defensive asset at times. This is especially true when you consider that Eliasson is a fairly mobile player for a defender his size. However, he struggled with his decision making, both in terms of puck management and discipline, and that held him back from being a more reliable player for the Colts. It is expected that he will return to Barrie of the OHL this coming season and that hope is that a second year in the league can help him refine his skill set further. Without significant alterations to his game, it is difficult to see him as anything more than a future depth defender in Ottawa.

10 - Lucas Beckman

Lucas Beckman is a polarizing goalie prospect who has both elite traits and significant drawbacks. Beckman has shown an incredible aptitude in reading play, positioning, and has a great stance. He also was a top goalie in the CHL as a 17-year-old, playing in 63 total games posting phenomenal numbers. His level of consistency of high-quality performances at such a young age is unprecedented, where he stole many games for Baie-Comeau. His issues, however, are concerning. His athleticism is average and not consistently displayed efficiently. Not detrimental, but not helpful. His real issue is that he isn’t a good skater yet. Skating is arguably the most important goalie skill, and notoriously difficult to improve drastically. Even though he has the anticipation and positional awareness, if his feet can’t keep up, he will struggle with faster play. If his skating didn’t improve, it would be questionable if he could be effective in the NHL. But Beckman claimed skating will be an area of focus for his development, and if he were to make serious improvements, he could unlock an incredible ceiling in the NHL.

11 - Kevin Reidler

After 27 wins in 38 starts for Dubuque of the USHL in the 2023-24 season, things were looking very promising for the extremely tall Swede as he headed to college hockey. His stats this past season for Nebraska-Omaha weren’t half bad when you consider he won 80% of his decisions, but Reidler’s development ultimately stalled by being a pure back-up who only got into 8 games of action whatsoever. He’s now heading to Penn State hoping to get a new lease on life.

12 - Matthew Andonovski

Andonovski is a player who has a good bit of snarl and takes a lot of pride in making life hard for opponents. Somewhat ironically, his wonderful stats in the 2023-24 season (including a +58) took quite a hit this past season in which he captained a strong Kitchener side that went on a very healthy playoff run (16 games). He’s now equipped with an ELC, and we’ll see if his game is one that adjusts well to the hard knocks AHL.

13 - Hoyt Stanley

A well-built RHD with solid mobility coming, Stanley continues to establish himself as a safe and determined defender slowly molding his craft as a future NHLer. There was minimal improvement pointwise vis-a-vis his freshman season, but Stanley was a go-to defender from the start racking up 19+ minutes of TOI 26 times this season. His 40 penalty minutes look like a lot but 19 came in a late January affair in which eight players collected 12 or more.

14 - Xavier Bourgault

With technical skating deficiencies holding Bourgault back from truly breaking through as a dynamic goal scorer and playmaker, his trade to the Ottawa Senators hasn’t done much to put him on path to an NHL job, much less one of scoring responsibility. We’d like to see him move away from being a perimeter player and get himself into spots where he can make better use of his lethal release, but time is running out on his prospect status.

15 - Tyler Boucher

By now, the whole scouting community is well aware that - as expected - Boucher was wildly over drafted as a top 10 pick. Injuries and suspensions have played a considerable role in his stagnation to date, and this past season was no exception. When in the line-up, a lack of AHL production hasn’t helped, but excellent forechecking and consistent physical presence mean there’s a quality checking line player here. Skill in tight and on the counterattack indicate further upside.

2025 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: #24 OTTAWA SENATORS – Top 15 NHL Affiliated Prospects

Wed, 21 May 2025 21:26:35 +0000

PARADISE, NV - JUNE 28: Carter Yakemchuk is drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the first round during the Upper Deck NHL Draft on June 28, 2024 at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Speer/Icon Sportswire)

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Ottawa 25 Prospects

MCKEEN’S 2023-24 NHL YEARBOOK – OTTAWA SENATORS – Top 20 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #20

Brock Otten, Derek Neumeier, Chapin Landvogt and Josh Bell — Sun, 08 Oct 2023 14:04:24 +0000

OTTAWA, ON - FEBRUARY 11: Ottawa Senators Center Ridly Greig (17) before a face-off during second period National Hockey League action between the Edmonton Oilers and Ottawa Senators on February 11, 2023, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)

Top 20 Ottawa Senators Prospects

1. Ridly Greig

Greig’s path has continued to climb upwards since he started in the WHL and that trajectory is a big reason why he’s going to be a graduate from this list in short order. The forward wrapped up a strong WHL career in 2021-22 as the captain of the Brandon Wheat Kings, putting up 63 points in only 39 games, while also helping Canada to a gold medal at the World Juniors. He’s practically the epitome of the “Pesky Sens'' as a hard-fought, gritty player who is absolutely fearless, while playing a highly competitive brand of hockey. At the same time, he brings an impressive shot, and hands that look softer and softer every time he hits the ice. Greig is already playing in the NHL after starting last season with a strong showing in the AHL and it seems that he’ll there stick as a middle-six asset and fan favorite.

2. Zach Ostapchuk

A bit of a surprising selection by the Senators when they called his name 39th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, Ostapchuk has spent the last two seasons proving doubters wrong. On top of two World Juniors appearances where he won two gold medals, his WHL career has taken off. In 2021-22, he was named captain of the Vancouver Giants and showed that he’s a big-game player, taking his game to another level in the playoffs, where he contributed nearly two points-per-game. With over a point per game last season, he looks too good for the WHL now and is ready to take the next step. Ostapchuk is hard on the puck, brings a physical edge, and plays a solid two-way, slightly defensive-leaning game. He also has great speed and is capable of generating great plays. His game looks like it will translate very well as a bottom nine winger.

3. Mads Sogaard

Standing at a hulking 6-7”, Sogaard doesn’t need to do much in the net to stop the puck. Drafted 37th overall in 2019, the Danish goaltender made the interesting jump from the NAHL to the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers, where he had a very good rookie season. He spent one more season in the WHL, performing well, before the pandemic hit. He started the 2020-21 season in Denmark and played very well, before jumping to the AHL at the end of the year. He spent more of 2021-22 in the AHL getting used to the pace and he split his time fairly evenly between the AHL and NHL last season. He moves well but can let through a bad goal a little more often than one would like. His path to the NHL may have been a little faster than anticipated as Sogaard is still pretty raw, but it looks like he’s now in the NHL to stay.

4. Egor Sokolov

Another prospect that fits the mould of a Senator, Sokolov made the jump from Russia to the QMJHL in 2017-18, his draft year. He had a solid rookie year but was ultimately passed over in the NHL Draft. He took a step forward with the Cape Breton Eagles the following year but was once again passed over. In his final year of draft eligibility, his game took a big leap in the right direction , with 92 points in 52 games, and the Senators took notice, calling his name 61st overall. He immediately made the jump to the AHL, emerging as one of the Belleville Senators' top players ever since. At 6- 3”, 223 pounds, he’s a big body who is so hard to knock off the puck, he knows how to get to the dangerous areas, and has a great shot. Sokolov’s skating is a little slow and rough, but he has the tools to slide in as a bottom six forward.

5. Lassi Thomson

Drafted 19th overall in 2019, it hasn’t seemed to come together for Thomson and that has to be a concern moving forward, with reasonable doubts not that he ever will live up to expectations. Making the jump from Finland to the WHL in his draft year, Thomson slid in seamlessly with the Kelowna Rockets, putting up good numbers and looking comfortable in doing so. After the draft, he headed back to Finland to play in the Liiga, looking ready to take a step forward in the first season before struggling in the second. He moved back to North America in 2020-21, and has mainly stuck in the AHL ever since. His game is more defensive leaning at this point, bringing physicality and good timing, but his processing with the puck is a real issue. He has the tools, but just hasn’t been able to put it all together and may have hit his ceiling as a call-up option.

6. Tyler Kleven

Kleven won’t be a blueliner who piles up the points, but he could very well become a consistent, top six defender. Drafted 44th overall in 2020, Kleven had just wrapped up his time with the USNTDP and was poised to make the jump to the University of North Dakota. After three seasons on campus, he signed his entry-level deal last year, and made the jump straight to the NHL. He is a big, defence-first prospect with a heavy shot and no qualms about playing a physical game. He’s a little slow and you don’t want him to hold on to the puck for too long, but his ability to play hard and break up plays should allow him sticking in the league. The hope would be that he can figure out his on-puck play while standing out in his off-puck performance.

7. Leevi Merilainen

Ever since the Senators called Merilainen’s name 71st overall in the 2020 Draft, there has been excitement around him from the Senators fanbase. He was drafted out of Karpat out of the U20 SM-sarja where he had very strong numbers and that continued into his DY+1 season. He then made the jump to the OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs for a an up-and-down season, with a good record but not-so-great underlying numbers and was overall just a little inconsistent. He went back to Finland last season to play in the Liiga where he looked better - enough to earn a call back to North America to spend more time with the B-Sens and Senators. Merilainen is a very agile, athletic goaltender, but he’s not consistent enough to be considered a future No. 1. If he can figure it out, he could be a reliable No. 2 or 3.

8. Tyler Boucher

Speaking of players who surprised the industry by when they were drafted by the Senators, Ottawa called Boucher’s name 10th overall in 2021, one of the biggest first round draft shocks of the last decade. Ottawa has made some good calls recently though, so perhaps they knew something no one else did. The USNTDP forward then jumped to Boston University where he was unable to put things together before jumping to the OHL Ottawa 67’s. He’s a bit of a complicated prospect in that his physicality is what could carry him to the NHL, but his development has been repeatedly marred by injuries over the past few years, questioning his durability, especially considering his power forward role. Boucher has a great, hard shot, but there are concerns with the rest of his game. At this point, he projects as a bottom six winger - maybe. It’s not likely he lives up to the weight of lofty draft standing.

9. Stephen Halliday

The Senators are no stranger to selecting double-overage players in the Draft. First eligible in 2020, Halliday did not hear his name called until two years later, 104th overall in 2022. Spending the three years prior with the USHL Dubuque Fighting Saints, Halliday popped off in 2021-22, doubling his production and being named to the First All-Star Team. He moved up to the NCAA with Ohio State last season, continuing to play very well, producing over one point-per-game as an older freshman. He has a big body and protects the puck extremely well with a pleasing level of creativity in his game. He can dish the puck out well too, but his overall ceiling, especially considering his status as a late bloomer, may be muted. He’s likely an AHL regular at this point but could earn the occasional call-up. However, he has surprised in the past.

10. Maxence Guenette

A late draft pick in the 2019 Draft, the Senators called Guenette’s name 187th overall. The QMJHL defender for the Val-d’Or Foreurs has so far been a success. After spending two more seasons in the Q, he made the jump to the AHL and has been a very consistent, reliable defender. He can play big minutes, he’s light on his feet, moves very well, and plays a solid overall defensive game. He doesn’t have a whole lot of offensive upside but there is enough for him to become a bit of a two-way rearguard as opposed to being a strictly defensive guy. Guenette is very reliable. He won’t be a top guy but has the potential to slide into a bottom pairing. For a player selected in the 7th round to be on that path has to be considered a win so far for the Senators.

11. Roby Jarventie

Jarventie showed very promising progression last year in his second AHL season, even if he missed a chunk of time due to injury. He plays a straightforward North/South game and can put the puck in the net. A dark horse to earn significant time with the Senators this year?

12. Jacob Bernard Docker

We’re just not sure why we keep seeing Bernard-Docker high up on prospect lists given how little his offensive game has translated to the pro level. He should play in some capacity, but will he ever be more than an average bottom pairing defender?

13. Angus Crookshank

Is there a more underrated prospect in the Sens system than Crookshank, who led Belleville in goal scoring last year; one season removed from a significant knee injury? He’s a hard worker who could end up being a great complementary piece in Ottawa’s middle six.

14. Phillippe Daoust

The former Memorial Cup standout missed nearly the entire 2022-23 AHL season with an upper body injury. He will be looking to bounce back healthy this season and emerge as one of Belleville’s go-to offensive players.

15. Jorian Donovan

One of the most improved players in the OHL last season, Donovan’s confidence with the puck exploded as he became more aggressive, looking to use his skating and skill to be an impact puck mover. There is still work to be done defensively but his growth thus far has been profoundly positive.

16. Tomas Hamara

Conversely, Hamara’s season in the OHL was not a positive one, as he struggled mightily in the defensive end for the Kitchener Rangers as a rookie. He will return to Kitchener this year and will be asked to play a larger role on a rebuilding team.

17. Kevin Reidler

The hulking Swedish netminder had a good season in the J20 league and will be moving to the USHL this season to play with Dubuque. He likely has his eyes set on the NCAA route.

18. Donovan Sebrango

A former standout with the Canadian WJC team, Sebrango needed a fresh start after toiling in the Detroit system. Now in Ottawa, he will look to earn a large role in Belleville and get his career back on track.

19. Hoyt Stanley

Stanley was a McKeen’s favourite for the 2023 draft and, in our opinion, the Senators got a possible steal as late as they selected him. The mobile defender is incredibly raw and is very much a long-term project. The Cornell program should be great for him.

20. Oskar Pettersson

An effective straight-line attacker, Pettersson was solid in a supporting role for Sweden at the recent World Juniors. The hope is that he can earn more ice time and responsibility at the SHL level this coming season.

MCKEEN’S 2023 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #5 Detroit Red Wings

Josh Bell — Wed, 24 May 2023 13:24:00 +0000

Prospect System Ranking – 5^th (11^th last year)

The Yzerplan now enters its fifth year, with yet another high draft pick to show for their efforts following a seventh year out of the playoffs. Steve Yzerman took over in April 2019 and has overseen four drafts to date. He has had four top ten picks in that time, delivering Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider who are fixtures in the line-up and Simon Edvinsson, who made his NHL debut in nine games, and looks not far off from the NHL. He also added Marco Kasper last year at 8^th overall. Kasper has signed his entry-level contract and has the intelligence and two-way game that should translate to a spot in the line-up before too long. They are joined by the sixth ranked goaltending prospect Sebastien Cossa, a massive goaltender who shows tremendous potential. The system is not only strong at the top, but it is deep with 10 prospects in our top 200.

Yzerman enters the 2023 draft with five picks in the first two rounds. He also owns five first-round picks over the next three drafts, moving Tyler Bertuzzi and Filip Hronek to acquire the extras. Entering the season, the team was aggressive in free agency, Adding David Perron and Andrew Copp, and Ben Chiarot among others. When it was clear the results were not what they were hoping for, he was quick to move veteran pieces for picks. If you look at his moves at the 2021 NHL Draft, he moved three picks to move up to #15 to acquire Cossa, and two picks to move up to #36 to acquire Shai Buium. Signing Dylan Larkin to an eight-year extension signaled a desire to see the team begin to win now. The foundation has been laid with some excellent talent, already impacting the roster. He will look to add pieces that can help sooner rather than later.

MONTREAL, QC - APRIL 04: Simon Edvinsson (3) of the Detroit Red Wings passes the puck during the first period of the NHL game between the Detroit Red Wings and the Montreal Canadiens on April 4, 2023, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, QC(Photo by Vincent Ethier/Icon Sportswire)

Simon Edvinsson

One of the most promising prospects in the league, the Detroit Red Wings bet big on Simon Edvinsson in the 2021 NHL Draft, calling his name sixth overall. He had a solid draft year bouncing between the SHL, HockeyAllsvenskan, and J20 Nationell but popped in his DY+1 season, fully in the SHL, where he was named the top junior player. He then signed his entry-level deal and has been playing in the AHL as a bright spot on a struggling team. He has the size at 6-foot-6, 215 pounds, he has excellent hands, has very strong skating, high-end vision, and his confidence seemed to be improving every game. He has a big reach and has improved his defensive game this season. He’s the type of player that will be leading an NHL Team from the back end and with his NHL debut already under his belt, he’s not far off.

2. Marco Kasper

The Red Wings were back in the top 10 in the 2022 NHL Draft, where they plucked Marco Kasper eighth overall. The Austrian centreman has spent the past three seasons playing in Sweden, seeing increasing time at the SHL level with Rogle BK. He already plays like a pro, highlighted by his calm demeanour and patience under pressure. He has a strong two-way presence already, playing hard in both ends of the ice even when the puck isn’t on his stick. He’s an intelligent player that plays a highly competitive game, mixed in with some creativity and impressive skill. He looks like a safe bet to be a top-six forward at the NHL, likely slotting in as the second-line centre if not the eventual first. There’s so much to like about his game, with very little weakness. He’s already signed, so keep an eye on him to head overseas in the near future.

3. William Wallinder

If one towering, Swedish defender in the system wasn’t enough - how about two? At 6-foot-4, 190 pounds, William Wallinder is a confident, mobile defender that excels in transition. Selected 32nd overall in 2020 out of the J20 SuperElit, Wallinder spent the next season in the HockeyAllsvenkan with MODO Hockey before moving to Rogle and spending the following two seasons in the SHL, taking noticeable steps forward in his game along the way. Some early concerns in his game were his processing and his defensive play, both of which have looked much better as of late. He was rewarded for that by recently signing his entry-level deal with the Red Wings, heading overseas to start his North American career. He’s an all-situations rearguard who while still a bit raw, has all of the tools to be a strong, top-four NHL defender - and doesn’t seem that far off.

4. Sebastian Cossa

Sebastian Cossa has the potential to be something special. A massive goaltending prospect at 6-foot-6, he dominated the WHL for three seasons - ultimately winning the league championship in 2021-22 and being named a First Team All-Star. The goaltender has made the jump to the pros this season, spending most of his campaign in the ECHL with the Toledo Walleye. It hasn’t been a perfect season, but he’s improved as the season has rolled on, ultimately being named as a replacement player in the ECHL All-Star Game. He’s athletic, strong, his reflexes are excellent, and his movement is surprisingly agile for a netminder of his size. He can get himself in trouble by getting lost in heavy traffic and his five-hole is a regular concern, but the upside is real. He’s still very young and has time to work on the gaps in his game. He has the potential to become a clear-cut No. 1.

5. Carter Mazur

The ascension of Carter Mazur has been very real since the Red Wings nabbed him 70th overall back in the 2021 NHL Draft. Plucked out of the USHL as the captain of the Tri-City Storm, the winger was good, but not a top prospect by any means. Fast forward to now, with two years at the University of Denver under his belt, the prospect has already signed his NHL entry-level deal and has made the jump to the AHL. Mazur’s work ethic has been on display throughout his NCAA career and is a big part of the jump to the AHL. He’s highly competitive and can be thrown into any role in the lineup and succeed. He’s a strong body, has great instincts, and knows how to find the twine. He could very easily carve out a middle-six role for himself in the not-too-distant future.

6. Dmitri Buchelnikov

Dmitri Buchelnikov is proof that the Red Wings will always bet on skill and upside. The Russian winger may stand at 5-foot-9, 150 pounds, but the offensive game he possesses makes him stand three feet taller. He tore up the MHL in his draft year, collecting 75 points in 56 games. This season, he took a step forward and spent most of his time in the VHL, continuing with his offensive success against men. He uses his impressive edges and quick hands to gain position and then boasts a surprising toolbox of shots. He’s fearless in his game. The big questions are around his size and how he’ll translate to the NHL, but so far against men, he’s put those concerns to bed. He’s signed with SKA-1946 St. Petersburg through 2024-25, so he’ll also have a couple more years to develop in Russia before he makes the jump to North America.

7. Amadeus Lombardi

One of the biggest risers of the 2022-23 season has been Amadeus Lombardi. The centreman is in just his sophomore season in the OHL with the Flint Firebirds, and after a respectable rookie year (59 points in 67 games) he’s exploded this season for over 100 points. Lombardi is a very strong skater, who never seems to take his foot off the gas. He’s proven that he’s a dual threat, being able to feed the middle or finish things on his own. The Red Wings selected him 113th overall in the 2022 NHL Draft, and just a few months later saw all they needed to see to sign him to his entry-level deal. He’ll take some time before he gets to the NHL but could see time in the AHL sooner rather than later. He’s likely a bottom-six winger at the next level, but one that could play up the lineup when called upon.

8. Elmer Soderblom

While the size of Edvinsson and Wallinder is impressive, Elmer Soderblom isn’t intimidated standing at 6-foot-8, 247-pounds. As a winger with his size, you wouldn’t expect him to be a skilled player, but that’s exactly what he is. Drafted 159th overall in 2019 after his rookie season in the J20 SuperElit, he took a huge step forward in 2019-20, leading the league in goals (29) and the South division in points (38). He continued his upward trend through two years in the SHL before coming over to North America this season where he split his time between the AHL and NHL. His hands are excellent, he excels at driving the middle of the ice, and he already seems comfortable in the NHL. Expect him to graduate from this list very soon and don’t be surprised when he locks down a middle-six role for himself.

9. Shai Buium

Spending the past two seasons with Mazur at the University of Denver, Shai Buium has cemented himself as a strong two-way presence on the backend. He was drafted 36th overall in 2021 from the USHL’s Sioux City Musketeers, his only season with the team before heading to Denver to win a National Title as a rookie. While he can contribute offensively, he leans more to the defensive side of things, playing a very well-rounded game in his own zone. The defender is an intelligent player, and it shows in his reading and anticipation of the play. You’ll rarely catch him making a mistake with the puck. He has some physicality in his game and has a strong first pass. His skating does need some fine-tuning to help take him to that next level, at which point he could slide in well to a bottom-four defensive unit.

10. Albert Johansson

Along with Soderblom, Albert Johansson was selected in the 2019 NHL Draft out of the J20 SuperElit and has seen excellent progression since then in Sweden before making the jump to North America this season. The defender spent the last three seasons in the SHL with Farjestad BK, taking a notable step forward each year. He’s spent this season with the Grand Rapids Griffins and looks poised to take the next step in the near future. While his ceiling isn’t overly high, he’s carved out a desired role for himself as a defender that can drive play through transition, whether through his strong passing or his fluid, quick skating. As seems to be a trend with Red Wings prospects, he’s a very intelligent player that looks ready to take the next step. He may just slot in as a bottom-pair defender, but he’ll excel in that role.

MCKEEN’S 2022-23 NHL YEARBOOK – DETROIT RED WINGS – Top 20 Prospects

Sun, 18 Sep 2022 17:47:31 +0000

Simon Edvinsson D

Edvinsson was selected with the 6^th overall pick by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2021 NHL draft. Detroit has recently invested heavily in Swedish prospects drafting at least seven Swedish players combined over the last four drafts. Edvinsson has a unique set of traits that makes him a high-upside prospect. He has an unfair combination of size and speed, standing at 6’6” while having a smooth, powerful skating stride. Defensively, he has great gap control, can defend the rush and uses his physical abilities to bully forwards off the puck. Edvinsson’s ability to transition the puck is unique as he has puck control due to his large frame, good puck skills, and an elite skating ability. Where he could improve is his ability to make smart decisions under pressure and upgrade his shot from the point. This past season Edvinsson was given a true role in the SHL playing roughly 20 minutes a night and producing 19 points in 44 games for Frolunda. More recently, Edvinsson anchored the Swedish World Junior blue line. While his offensive production wasn’t evident, he played a solid top-pair role on the Swedish team and contributed to their bronze medal win over Czechia. He will most likely play another season in the SHL where he will look to polish his game and improve his decision making before taking on a role in Detroit. If Edvinsson reaches his full potential, Detroit will have a monster duo on the backend with he and Seider for many years to come. - ZS

Marco Kasper C

Detroit went back to the SHL with their 8^th overall pick in this year’s draft, selecting Austrian centre Marco Kasper. Detroit has been lacking centre depth in their farm system for the past few seasons and addressed with the selection of the two-way centre. Kasper was a favourite of many scouts in the NHL community this year due to his ability to play a mature game in an established role in the SHL as a 17-year-old. His combination of puck control and patience with the puck intrigued many NHL teams leading up to the draft. His ability to be a factor in all three zones of the ice and transition the puck smoothly has stood out. While there is nothing that truly stands out as elite about Kasper’s game, it is extremely well-rounded and mature for someone his age. He still has the chance to fill out his frame and become a menace with the puck. This past season, Kasper played a middle-six centre role for Rögle BK, finishing the season with 11 points in 46 games. He truly stood out in the playoffs where he was able to produce for his team when they needed it the most, finishing the SHL playoffs with six points in 13 games as his team made a run to the semi-finals. Kasper will most likely begin the next season back with Rögle BK looking to establish himself in a top-six role and enhance his offensive game. - ZS

Jonatan Berggren RW

An early 2^nd rounder in 2018, Detroit has seen no reason to rush the well-built 5’11” winger who has been forcing himself into the conversation on a yearly basis. Already an SHL regular with strong U18 Worlds and WJC performances under his belt, Berggren had a historical 20-21 season in Sweden when his 33 assists and 45 points in 49 games were the second highest number of assists by any U21 SHL forward ever. True to Red Wings form, Berggren headed to North America only after having developed into an impact player in his home nation. Whereas fellow Swede Lucas Raymond rightfully garnered all the attention in Motown this past season, Berggren was just up the road in Grand Rapids picking up right where he left off in the SHL, putting up 64 points in 70 AHL games. Despite a -18 rating, Berggren brings a typically Swedish understanding for working in all three zones and without the puck as a means of having more time with the puck. The question is now whether he can crack a Red Wings line-up that is filled with options after being as active as any team on the free agent market, supplementing the team’s strong prospect-core. Another year of AHL hockey would seem likely, but if the Red Wings suffer a lack of production, Berggren could receive his first NHL opportunity. – CL

Sebastian Cossa G

Cossa's 2021-22 season was not quite as impressive as the one prior, but the Red Wings chose him 15th overall in the 2021 draft because of his enormous long-term upside, and that still exists as it did before. It's not like his year was entirely bad — he did, after all, backstop the Edmonton Oil Kings first to a division title and then a league championship, and he was then part of Canada's gold medal-winning roster at the World Juniors this past August. On the flip side of that coin, he wasn't always a positive difference-maker on a stacked Oil Kings team that could win without relying on him, his Memorial Cup performance was pedestrian, and he sat on Canada's bench as the backup in the elimination games. In terms of physical tools, Cossa has everything that a team could want in net. His huge frame helps him naturally cover a lot of net, his long limbs allow him to take away corners from shooters, and he backs up his size with surprising quickness and high-end athleticism. His lanky limbs do get him into trouble right now, as pucks squeak under his arms more often than they should. He is also prone to over-committing while moving laterally, and he has trouble cleaning up messes in and around his crease. One shift he'll look unbeatable, but the next he'll give up a goal that could have been scored with a beach ball, so reigning in that inconsistency will be a top priority moving forward. He should be turning pro for 2022-23 and could one day become the next franchise goaltender of the Red Wings, so long as they are patient and attentive with his development. - DN

Albert Johansson D

The 60^th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, Albert Johansson has continued to develop his play as a two-way defenceman with offensive upside. One of the many Detroit Red Wings’ prospects from Sweden, Johansson has spent the past three seasons playing for Färjestad BK in the SHL. He has gradually been able to improve his point total throughout those three seasons producing 13, 19 and 25 points, respectively. The 25 points he scored this season was the most among defenceman aged 21 and under in the SHL. This past season, he was given a top-four role playing roughly 18-22 minutes a night. While there may not be many areas of Johansson’s game that are elite, his game as a whole is well rounded. He is the typical modern-day mobile, puck moving defenceman. He is a fluid skater with the ability to scan the ice and transition the puck to the offensive end. Johansson’s playmaking ability has allowed him to gain a larger role in the offence, and he has been more willing to get involved in the offensive zone this past season. While he has shown to be a fairly solid defender in Sweden, Johansson could benefit from tightening up his gap control as he looks to make the next step towards an NHL career. After signing his ELC, Johansson is expected to make his way over to North America where he will establish a role in the Grand Rapids top-four, Detroit’s AHL team. At worst, Johansson projects to have a role in Detroit’s future top-six. - ZS

William Wallinder D

Wallinder was selected with the 32^nd pick in the 2020 NHL Draft by the Detroit Red Wings. He is seen as a high-upside defenceman as he stands at 6’4” and was considered one of the most refined skaters in his draft class. He is extremely athletic, which was evident this past season as his raw talent was beginning to come to fruition. In a top-four role for Rögle BK in the SHL this year, Wallinder produced 19 points in 47 games playing roughly 18-22 minutes a night. His four-way mobility is what stands out. It is a major asset when looking at his transition game, where he uses his combination of size and speed to protect the puck and transition it to the offensive zone. Over the past season, he has started to polish both his shot and decision making, allowing him to feel more comfortable making plays. He recently played for Sweden in the August World Juniors where he displayed his ability to be a force in transition and finished the tournament with three points in seven games, helping Sweden capture bronze. Wallinder is most likely heading back to Rögle BK next season in a similar top-four role, looking to improve his comfort level and make quicker decisions. Wallinder has the upside to play in Detroit’s top-four in the future. - ZS

Elmer Soderblom RW

Soderblom is a former 6^th round (159^th overall) selection by the Detroit Red Wings from the 2019 NHL draft. In his draft year, he had underperformed in the J20 league, producing only 17 points in 44 games, however the raw tools and freakish size was enough for the Wings to take a flyer on him. So far that flyer has paid off well, as Soderblom has since put the pieces together and rounded out his offensive game, dominating the J20 league back in 2020, finishing with 55 points in 36 games. He has a rare combination of extreme size at 6’8” and elite hands. His dynamic hands allow him to weave the puck in tight, which he combines with his monstrous stature to bring the puck to the net. Soderblom has also improved his shot and shot selection over time. He has timed his shots better and has improved his accuracy, finishing this past season with 21 goals in 52 SHL games. He has followed up on his impressive regular season by contributing in the playoffs with six points in nine games. In order to succeed at the next level, Soderblom should continue to work on his mobility. He often relies on his length and reach and slows his feet, allowing the opposition to avoid poke checks and burst by him. Next season, Soderblom looks to transition to North America, most likely earning a role with Detroit’s AHL team Grand Rapids. - ZS

Shai Buium D

Despite being a relatively inexperienced defenseman who wouldn’t turn 19 until the spring of his freshman season, the University of Denver Pioneers saw it fit to trust Shai Buium as a workhorse defenseman last season, giving him the third-most minutes per night of any of their blueliners and trusting him to handle special teams’ duty. Buium, the 36th overall pick at the 2021 draft, handled this challenging role well, and helped lead the Pioneers on an NCAA championship-winning campaign. Buium’s NHL projection is quite positive, his status as a top prospect is reflected in how he was able to quickly become a minutes-eating defenseman for one of the best programs in college hockey. Buium offers size, strength, and intelligence. His big six-foot-three frame is filled out well, and he’s good at using his size to his advantage through both his reach and his physicality. Buium is rarely found out of position on defense, and his work ethic is such that even if he makes a rare mistake, he’ll push himself to the limit in order to fix the mess. The tools are all there for Buium, save for one issue. Buium doesn’t move as well as you’d want to see out of a modern defenseman. He has a bit of a heavy stride, and he generates speed to slowly to confidently project him as an asset in transition. His lack of speed also gives him some issues on defense, although his contributions in his own end are still definitely a net positive. If Buium can improve his skating and get faster, the sky’s the limit. But as things currently stand, the rest of Buium’s tools are good enough to give him a solid chance at becoming an NHLer after he concludes his collegiate career. - EH

Cross Hanas LW

It was a fantastic fourth season of junior for Hanas last year, as he continued his progression by racking up 86 points in 63 games for the Portland Winterhawks, playing in all situations including regular penalty-killing duties for the first time. Flourishing under Winterhawks coach Mike Johnston, Hanas rounded out his game and improved in the defensive zone, gaining a greater understanding of his responsibilities without the puck. In March, the Red Wings inked him to a contract. Hanas’ best weapon is his hockey IQ. He can play center or the wing, anticipates the play well and makes excellent decisions with the puck. His puckhandling is very good (he scored a “Michigan” goal) and his vision and passing are plus attributes. An underrated finisher who models his game after Jonathan Huberdeau, the Texan is learning how to round out his game further and is focused on making the jump to the AHL this upcoming season. It will be interesting to see if the Red Wings feel he’s proved himself in the WHL and allow him to graduate, or if they feel he needs more time to fill out and add strength before playing against men. All in all, it’s been a positive trajectory for the 2020 2^nd rounder, who looks to be the latest in a long run of skilled players to come out of the Portland Winterhawks factory. - AS

Jared McIssac D

The best news about this past season? McIssac was finally able to stay healthy and played a nearly entire season in the AHL in his first full pro year. Previously, shoulder injuries had plagued McIssac, the former 36th overall selection in 2018 by the Wings. A two-time member of the Canadian World Junior (U20) team, which included a gold medal in 2020, there was significant concern that these injuries had stunted his development and decreased his likelihood of becoming an NHL contributor. After a full pro year, those concerns have been alleviated to some degree. McIssac was among the leaders in time on ice in Grand Rapids and was able to play in all situations for the Griffins. The 6’1 defender projects as a dependable two-way player. He is not flashy, nor does he have any truly elite qualities. However, he does everything well and his defensive game really improved over the course of his rookie pro season. He can make a good breakout pass, he has a smart stick in the defensive zone, and he has shown an ability to get pucks through to the net when quarterbacking the powerplay. There is a very quiet effectiveness to his game. With Detroit’s defensive depth at both the pro and the prospect levels, McIssac needs to continue to progress to eventually earn a look with the Wings. He could be a dependable #4-6 defenseman for them after another injury free year next season. - - BO

Donovan Sebrango

Fresh off playing a top pairing role and wearing an “A” for the gold medal winning Canadians at the recent WJC’s, Sebrango will be entering his third pro season already. The competitive defender projects as a defensively oriented #4-6 in Detroit’s lineup.

Carter Mazur

Not only did Mazur help Denver win an NCAA Championship last season as a freshman, but he was one of the U.S.’ best players at the WJC’s: a true breakout campaign for the hard working and intelligent winger.

Dmitri Buchelnikov

A Wings recent second round pick, Buchelnikov is a skilled winger who loves playing at a blistering pace. He will look to break into the KHL at some point this season.

Dylan James

Another Detroit second rounder in 2022, James was the USHL’s rookie of the year last season as helped Sioux City win the Clark Cup. The competitive winger is a solid net crasher who excels near the crease. He will attend North Dakota this year.

Eemil Viro

Viro may not have the highest offensive upside on the backend, but he does project as an NHL defender because of his mobility, physical aggressiveness, and defensive IQ. After two years in Liiga, he will play in the AHL this year.

Theodor Niederbach

The strong two-way center was one of the SHL’s best rookies last season. He is extremely versatile and can be used in any situation. Niederbach projects as a middle six pivot for the Wings.

Red Savage

Savage, the son of former NHL forward Brian Savage, is a different player than his father was. Redmond is a gritty, high energy forward who can be used in a change of pace role and can kill penalties. He should be a go to player at the University of Miami (Ohio) this year as a sophomore.

Carter Gylander

The massive Gylander is the former AJHL goaltender of the year, but his first two years at Colgate have only been average. He will be the program’s starter this year and the Wings will be hoping for a big step forward.

Amadeus Lombardi

A diamond in the rough heading into the 2022 Draft, Lombardi is coming off his first OHL season, however, he was a standout for Flint and the expectation is that he will be one of the better centers in the OHL this season.

Albin Grewe

Since being drafted in 2019, Grewe’s development hasn’t exactly gone according to plan. Grewe plays with intensity and loves to engage physically. He will repeat in the Swedish second division this season with Mora, hopefully improving his offensive production.

2021-22 TOP 15 PROSPECTS: DETROIT RED WINGS – RANK: #1 – TIER I

McKeen's Hockey — Fri, 10 Sep 2021 15:59:30 +0000

Detroit Red Wings

#1 Detroit - Now the deepest system in the game, there are four teams that don't have two prospects that would get into Detroit's top ten.

DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 22: Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider (53) takes a shot during the second period of a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Detroit Red Wings on September 22, 2019, at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, MI. (Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire)

Mortiz Seider

The sixth overall draft pick in the 2019 draft, Seider spent the 2020-21 season cementing his spot as one of the world’s top U23 players currently outside of the NHL. After an overall fantastic 2019-20 season with the Grand Rapid Griffins of the AHL, in which Seider - as an 18-year-old - was second on the team in defenseman scoring with 22 points while also having chipped in six assists in seven WJC games for Germany, the young defender put a new spin on his prospect status by taking on a top three role for Rögle BK of the Swedish SHL, usually paired with former NHLer Eric Gelinas. There, his continued growth in the offensive department coupled with his ever more solid defensive play and a highlight reel of spectacular hits led to him being named the SHL’s Defenseman of the Year and the SHL’s Top Junior Player, as decided by the Swedish-based website Eliteprospect. Not to be forgotten is that he also played in the SHL finals, where his club bowed out to eventual Swedish champion Växjö.

From there, Seider proceeded to join Team Germany for the Men’s World Championship in Latvia and only added to his already impressive accolades, being named the tournament’s top defenseman and earning a spot on the all-star team while playing a key role in seeing Germany finish fourth overall in the tournament. Physically mature despite his age, and a quiet displayer of unwavering confidence in his game, Seider is expected to suit up for the Red Wings next season after leaving few doubts about what he’s capable of at the highest levels outside of the NHL. As defensemen generally have a longer learning curve, he will surely make his share of mistakes along the way, but Seider has a strong shot at establishing himself as a top four NHL defenseman as soon as this upcoming season, perhaps even pairing up with newly acquired veteran Nick Leddy. Thanks to his strong physical build and iron lung, all indications are that he’s a star in the making for what should be a solid 15-year career at the NHL level. - CL

Lucas Raymond

Raymond is looking forward to playing on the North American ice as he is coming to the AHL (or NHL) after signing his ELC with the Wings. Having spent his whole career with Frölunda HC, the Göteborg native is going to play for a different club for the first time. Raymond is a high-caliber prospect, the fourth overall pick in the 2020 Draft, who confirmed a lot of expectations in the last season. He scored 18 points in 34 SHL games while playing on the third line, and his PPG was the highest of all U20 forwards not named William Eklund.

Raymond should benefit from being with the Griffins, getting used to the smaller ice and different style of play. He should fit into the league right away and should immediately get a top six role. He looked very good in the SHL, a league no weaker than the AHL, despite having a limited role. The Red Wings should be in no rush; Raymond has all the tools to become a top line forward. He has great hands, hockey IQ, and plays a well-rounded game. He is a bit undersized (5-10”) but fights for the puck very hard and should jump to the NHL after getting some time in the league a level below. Look for him to spend the majority of the year in the AHL, but if he plays well, he could earn a promotion by midseason. - MD

Simon Edvinsson

One of the draft’s most polarizing players, Edvinsson was an extremely intriguing prospect for the 2021 Draft. At 6’5 and over 200lbs, Edvinsson is a really big young man. However, he is also one of the best skating defenders outside of the NHL. This combines to give him an exciting physical tool set. Of course, what makes him polarizing is whether you believe that he has the vision and awareness to be a consistent offensive contributor, and subsequently a top pairing defender. Obviously, the Detroit Red Wings felt he did when making him the 6th overall selection.

As a mover, Edvinsson is both explosive moving forward and agile in all four directions. His linear speed and power make him a threat to go end to end, while Edvinsson can play aggressively defensively because of his quickness and comfort level moving laterally and backwards. Offensively, the majority of Edvinsson’s offense is created in transition because of his speed and ability to carve up the neutral zone. With open ice, Edvinsson looks dominant. As those openings collapse around him, his offensive game becomes more inconsistent because his vision and poise come into question. If he learns to make better decisions with the puck and continues to evolve as a physical player, he does have the potential to be one of the better defensemen in the NHL and a dominant two-way force. Even in a worst-case scenario, you have to hope that his size and mobility combination makes him a high-end defensive stalwart who can still play in your top four. He will continue his development in the SHL this coming season. - McKeen’s Draft Guide 2021

Sebastian Cossa

The 6’6 Edmonton Oil Kings stopper has been sensational for two straight WHL seasons, narrowly losing out on the Goaltender of the Year award this season to Calgary Flames prospect Dustin Wolf. Cossa only lost one game last season and his .941 save percentage (albeit in a small sample size) was third best all time in WHL history (six points back of Carter Hart’s remarkable 2018 season). The key to his success is his combination of size and athleticism. Obviously, at 6’6, Cossa takes up a large portion of the net. However, he is also very quick post to post and gets in and out of the butterfly quickly, allowing him to make difficult saves look easy. Far from a polished product, The Detroit Red Wings feel that Cossa has a chance to be among the very best in the NHL when his development is complete.

Like most larger goaltenders, Cossa will need to continue to develop as more of a goaltender, rather than a stopper. Currently he relies on a strong Edmonton defense to clear the crease for him, limiting second chance opportunities on the rebounds he puts back into the slot. At this point, Cossa has to be considered a lock for one of the spots on Team Canada at the next World Junior Championships, perhaps even the most likely starter. Cossa will also return to the WHL as the top contender for next year’s Goaltender of the Year. Like any netminder, patience will be required, but Cossa does have the potential to be an elite NHL player and perennial Vezina contender. - McKeen’s Draft Guide 2021

Jonatan Berggren

Berggren had a historically good season in 2020/21; he had the second highest number of assists by any U21 SHL forward ever. The only one who he was behind is a well-known world-class name – Henrik Sedin. Berggren is yet another Red Wings prospect who did really well in the domestic top league and should be coming to North America after signing his ELC. He is expected to start the season in the AHL but starting right away in Detroit is not unlikely. He might even crack the opening night roster.

Berggren has always been an elite playmaker and his last season proves he has elite level passing and vision. The Red Wings need talent and offensive skills; something Jonatan Berggren can provide them with. On the other hand, it's probably better for him to spend some time in the AHL to adjust to the North American game. He is not a prototypical “too small” player (5-11”, 183 lbs), but adding on some muscle and becoming stronger is rarely a bad thing to do. When Berggren gets used to the AHL, it will be interesting to watch his development and see if he is able to become a top six player, as projected. His great last season proves the Red Wings fans have an interesting prospect to look forward to. - MD

Albert Johansson

Johansson has been highly praised because of his smooth skating style, which sets him apart from most players. He is a mobile, modern two-way defenseman, who had a really good season in the Swedish highest league. Johansson had 19 regular season points in 44 matches and was a +15. He will continue his career in Sweden this season as he is loaned to Färjestad BK for 2021-22. It is undoubtedly a good move; Johansson needs to spend some time in the European men´s league to build more muscle and become stronger to be a difference maker in North America. However, there is a lot to like about him. His skillset should make him a top four defenseman in the NHL.

As a 20-year-old, Albert Johansson even had his debut on the Swedish Men's National Team. He had a really successful season, apart from his point production, as he was getting a lot of minutes each night and really adapted to the pro game. The next season is going to be his third in the SHL. After one more, we can expect him to fly overseas to get a shot with the Red Wings. It is not certain he will be instantly ready to become an NHL player, but he has a great chance to fit into the league well in the future. - MD

Joe Veleno

The career arch of Veleno has been captivating thus far. The former exceptional status player in the QMJHL was able to play in the AHL a year early in 2019/20, because he had accrued enough service time in the CHL already. That first pro season had its ups and downs but did include a gold medal at the World Juniors with Canada. This past season, Veleno secured a loan in the SHL with Malmo to start the year, with his 20 points being seventh among U21 players in the Swedish men’s league. He then finished the season splitting time between Grand Rapids (AHL) and Detroit, scoring his first career NHL goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Five years ago, the hype on Veleno was significant. He was being touted as the next potential superstar in the NHL. While it seems unlikely that he will reach that status now, he still brings enough to the table to be a long time NHL center. Veleno’s playmaking ability and puck control are real assets, and he has worked hard to round out other components to his game. This season he should secure a full-time role with the Wings, likely as a third- or-fourth-line center, and does have a chance to be a high end middle six forward in the future. - BO

Jared McIsaac

Injuries have not been kind to McIsaac thus far, delaying the development of the former 36th overall selection in the 2018 NHL Draft. Two seasons ago, he suffered a right shoulder injury after returning from the World Junior Championships that required surgery and put an end to his final QMJHL season. Last season, after securing a loan with HPK in Liiga (Finland), he suffered an injury to his left shoulder, again requiring surgery. He was able to return for a few AHL games at the end of the season, but the last two years have really clouded his future potential in a crowded Wing’s system.

McIsaac does still project as a steady two-way defender. He may not have the innate puck skill or creativity to be a top-notch point producer, but he makes sound decisions at both ends and has the plus mobility you need for today’s NHL game. The question is, have these injuries really hampered his confidence level and affected his ability to compete physically in the defensive end? The key this year is to stay healthy. He needs a full season at the AHL level, to regain his form and get his development back on track. With a couple of good seasons, McIsaac could push for a spot on Detroit and does still have a chance to be a solid #4. - BO

Theodor Niederbach

An extremely smart playmaker didn't show much of his offensive skills in the Swedish highest league last season, scoring five points (3+2) in 20 regular season games. However, he was loaned to the second league (Allsvenskan) after the World Juniors. The move has proven to be beneficial; Niederbach received consistently more ice time and his productivity rose to nine points in fifteen matches. Frölunda even recalled him back to the team before the SHL play-offs.

The 19-year-old center or winger should spend the next season in his top tier home league. He still needs to prove himself at the men´s level, but after a couple of good years in Sweden, he should be heading to North America. Overall, the Red Wings have yet another Swedish prospect they can be excited about. Niederbach has an exceptional hockey IQ. He's a great passer and his overall offensive skills are on a high level. On the other hand, he needs to add a couple of pounds – he's currently 5-11”, 172 lbs. The good thing is, he has improved a lot in many areas of his game throughout the last season – his skating, physical play or defensive game. If he continues in the same way, it´s not impossible that we´ll see him in the NHL in a short amount of time. - MD

Shai Buium

A native San Diegan, Buium went from the Los Angeles Jr. Kings program to Shattuck St. Mary’s, and this year made the switch to the USHL, where he played a pivotal and expanding role for Sioux City. His acclimation to the USHL wasn’t immediate, as he started off playing a depth role, with 10-15 of ice time per game. Towards mid-February, his ice time started creeping north of 20 minutes per game regularly, and the offensive contributions followed.

Speaking of those offensive contributions, whether the increased ice time had a similar effect on his confidence, or he was asked to give it more in the offensive zone, he began to demonstrate how his quick hands could help push the pace offensively, keeping control of the puck and driving play from the blueline. You might not guess it by his slightly heavy feet, but most of his USHL goals came when he lowered his shoulder and drove from the point down to the paint. Headed to the University of Denver, his upside is something along the lines of a Jake Muzzin as a blueliner who can shut things down in his own end without extraneous violence, and quietly contribute to the offensive side of things. - McKeen’s Draft Guide 2021

Antti Tuomisto

A big right shot defender and former high second round pick by Detroit, Tuomisto had a strong freshman season with the University of Denver last year. Still a long-term project, Tuomisto does project as a potential top four defender because of his high end skill, big point shot, and blossoming physical tools.

Eemil Viro

Viro, a 2020 selection, is a strong skating two-way defender who is coming off a strong first full season in Liiga with TPS. TPS ended up finishing second in league playoffs, with Viro playing a large role. He will return to Finland this season on loan and hopes to establish himself as one of the top young defenders in the country.

Donovan Sebrango

With the OHL on hiatus, Sebrango spent the full year in Grand Rapids and played a regular role for the Griffins as an 18/19-year-old. Sebrango is already a competitive defensive player, but he does possess more offensive upside than his production in the last two years would indicate. The Wings can actually assign him to the AHL again this season if they want to, rather than return him to Kitchener of the OHL.

Robert Mastrosimone

Mastrosimone is a skilled goal scoring winger whose production thus far at the NCAA level has been underwhelming with Boston University. Now entering his junior season, the time is now for him to take that step forward as a prominent college player, otherwise he runs the risk of losing favour in such a strong prospect pool.

William Wallinder

The 32nd overall pick in 2020, Wallinder’s development has been slow thus far. Drafted as a project because of his elite physical tools, Detroit knew that they would need to be patient with him. Switching to the Rogle program this season, the Wings will be looking for him to take that next step as an SHL regular.

OHL Prospects in the AHL: Part Two – Mike Vukojevic (New Jersey), Graeme Clarke (New Jersey), Donovan Sebrango (Detroit), Connor McMichael (Washington)

Brock Otten — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 20:34:27 +0000

In a normal season, players from the CHL under the age of 20 (save for the odd player granted exceptional status like Joe Veleno) would not be eligible to play in the AHL due to the agreement with the Canadian Hockey League. However, 2021 has been anything but normal. While many draft eligible players from Ontario have gone overseas to play and advance their development, OHL players that were already drafted into the NHL have been granted the opportunity to play in the AHL while they await the start-up of the Ontario Hockey League. 28 players who would have otherwise been sent back to the OHL, have started their pro careers early. For many, the results have been terrific, and this experience has done wonders for their development.

As part of a seven-part series, I will be evaluating the performances of each of those 28 players.

Mike Vukojevic - Binghamton Devils

Defense, 6’3, 215lbs

OHL Rights: Kitchener Rangers

NHL Rights: New Jersey Devils

Statistics: 6gp, 1g, 4a, 5p, 6pim, -3

When we last left him:

Vukojevic was an alternate captain for the Kitchener Rangers in 2019/20. While his offensive production did not really improve from the previous year (his draft year), many parts of his game took a step forward. Always a staunch defender, Vukojevic’s four way mobility took a positive step forward to help him keep pace with quicker attackers, help him get to dump ins more efficiently, and to help him evade forecheckers when pressured in the defensive zone. Additionally, we saw his confidence with the puck begin to grow as his breakout attempts were cleaner and more consistent and he showed glimpses of being able to lead the attack in transition or pinch up to keep pucks inside the offensive zone. The perception of his offensive upside as an NHL defender remained limited, however positive steps were made to round out his game.

2021 McKeen’s Yearbook Grades: Skating: 55, Shot: 50, Skills: 50, Smarts: 55, Physicality: 60

Assessing his AHL play:

The Devils have three quality defensive prospects from the OHL in their system currently; Nikita Okhotyuk, Kevin Bahl, and Vukojevic. Okhotyuk and Bahl turned pro this year and are a year ahead in their development. Thus, it should come as no surprise to see them earning more playing time than Vukojevic with Binghamton to start the year. That said, Vukojevic has seen action in a variety of roles thus far, even earning powerplay and penalty killing responsibilities (although not consistently). Offensively, the production has been more than adequate as his one goal and four assists (currently) are the highest among Devils’ blueliners.

Interestingly enough, it has been Vukojevic’s offensive game that has stood out more than his defensive game in this small sample size as a pro. He looks comfortable and confident with the puck on his stick in all three zones and is making quick reads with his head up to find the open man, even in the face of a forecheck. Crisp breakout passes and his composure holding the line in the offensive end stand out as positives. We are not seeing him lead the attack or carry deep into the offensive zone. And we are not seeing him looking to utilize his shot or shoot the puck all that often. However, his decision making with the puck looks quite strong.

From a defensive perspective, Vukojevic does seem to be lacking the confidence to play with consistent physicality as a pro thus far. On plays in the OHL where we would see Vukojevic really lean into opposing forwards near the wall, pinning them and separating them from the puck, we are seeing him instead trying to stick check more often in the AHL. As such, we find him reaching, instead of playing the body and opposing forwards are evading his defensive pressure a lot easier than OHL players typically do. We are also seeing him get caught flat footed from time to time, trying to use his reach to defend in transition, but instead giving up ground to attackers with pace. These issues could certainly point towards the need for Vukojevic to continue to improve his mobility.

Game Tape:

*Vukojevic wears #2 for the Binghamton Devils

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/1-michael_vukojevic_-_2nd_period_5_24_-_5_36.mp4

Here we see Vukojevic spring a Devils’ forward with a terrific outlet pass. As he goes back to recover the dump in, he uses multiple shoulder checks to assess where his teammates are. Confident in his assessment, he fires a near end to end breakout pass to Cam Darcy who gets a great scoring chance. This is the part of Vukojevic’s game that has grown the most since he entered the OHL and he is showing off his vision and precision as a pro too.

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Look at how confidently and quickly Vukojevic assesses the situation here in the offensive zone. He holds the line, fakes a shot and uses a slap pass through two opposing players to an open teammate in the slot. This sets up a great goal for the Devils and earns Vukojevic a secondary assist. Again, earlier in his OHL career, Vukojevic likely forces a shot through traffic or simply dumps this puck back down into the corner. However, he now possesses the confidence to make creative plays with the puck and has become especially good at holding the line.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/3-michael_vukojevic_-_1st_period_22_20_-_22_33.mp4

In the OHL, it is not too often you see opposing forwards wiggle out of the clutches of Vukojevic. However, he is relying too much on stick checks and showing a lack of confidence in using his size to play the body as a pro thus far. This clip is a perfect example of that. Vukojevic has an opportunity to pin Jordy Bellerive as he spins off the check of a teammate. His decision to provide assistance is too late, which puts him at a slight disadvantage as he approaches. However, he also decides not to try to physically engage Bellerive to knock him off the puck or to pin him. As such, his reaching stick check is ineffective and Bellerive gets behind him and eventually scores. Down low, and behind the net, we are seeing opposing forwards wiggle away from Vukojevic in similar fashion.

AHL Performance Grade: B

Continuing in the OHL:

It is likely that we see Vukojevic named as captain of the Kitchener Rangers this year, after being an alternate last year. He will also continue to be a defensive anchor for the Rangers and will look to continue to improve his confidence as an offensive player. With game speed decreasing, Vukojevic should be able to return to being a physical force in the defensive end. The focus moving forward will remain improving his quickness and mobility so that he can develop into a longtime NHL defender for the Devils.

Graeme Clarke - Binghamton Devils

Right Wing, 6’0, 175lbs

OHL Rights: Ottawa 67’s

NHL Rights: New Jersey Devils

Statistics: 4gp, 0g, 0a, 0p, 2pim, 0 (+/-)

When we last left him:

The older brother of top 2021 draft prospect Brandt Clarke, Graeme missed a huge chunk of the 2019/20 season as he recovered from shoulder surgery. He returned in late February and got in a handful of games before the pandemic forced a season ending shutdown. With no OHL playoffs and his injury, it was a tough year to evaluate Clarke’s progress. For as dynamic as he is with the puck, concerns over his lack of explosiveness and his strength on the puck remain. Given the nature of his injury, Clarke did look hesitant to involve himself physically upon returning and as he builds up strength in the shoulder again, he will need to prove to be a more engaged player in all three zones. Before coming to the AHL this year, Clarke had joined his brother Brandt in Slovakia for a brief moment (but was held to one point in six games).

2021 McKeen’s Yearbook Grades: Skating: 50, Shot: 55, Skills: 60, Smarts: 50, Physicality: 45

Assessing his AHL play:

Graeme has only played in half of the Devils game thus far, spending most of that time on the third and fourth line. While he has played sparingly at even strength, Clarke has received ice time on the powerplay, in an effort to build up his confidence from an offensive standpoint.

Ultimately, what we have seen from Clarke thus far in limited AHL action is that he is not yet ready to play a consistent role at the pro level. He looks adequate on the powerplay (where he is playing regularly), setting up near the dot/half wall on the right side. He looks comfortable and confident moving the puck and is seeking out scoring chances for himself by moving into the slot/home plate area. He does not have a goal yet, but he is getting his shots on net.

However, at even strength, with less room to operate, he is struggling to maintain sustained pressure with his line. His lack of explosiveness is still apparent and he is having difficulty earning those open looks. When trying to create in transition, or lead the attack, he is being funneled to the wall and is losing possession or being forced to dump in. A positive note, however, is that he looks more engaged defensively and has made a few nice plays on the backcheck with good positioning and an active stick. Rounding out his game will be key for his development.

Game Tape:

*Clarke wears #92 for the Binghamton Devils

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/1-graeme_clarke_-_2nd_period_17_4_-_17_17.mp4

Here we find Clarke in his happy place, operating near the wall on the powerplay. It is from this position that he can dictate and take over as defenders have to respect the quality of his shot, which often opens up passing lanes that he can exploit. In this clip, Clarke gets his best scoring chance as a pro, stepping into the slot and wiring a wrister towards the top shelf. However, he is stymied by the glove hand of the Phantoms netminder.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/2-graeme_clarke_-_1st_period_25_0_-_25_12.mp4

In this clip, Clarke is operating in that same spot on the powerplay. Only this time, the play dies on his stick. He gets pushed into the wall and knocked off stride by a defender and then stripped of the puck by the second help defender on the PK, who is able to clear the zone. If he wants to be successful on the powerplay as a pro, he will need to be stronger on the puck in these situations and able to maintain possession and balance through contact.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/3-graeme_clarke_-_1st_period_4_22_-_4_34.mp4

I think it is obvious that Clarke has been working to improve his skating over the course of his OHL career. It is just that the results have not really come to fruition as of yet. In this clip, we see him lead the attack and attempt to use linear crossovers to create enough separation for him to have a clear look at the net. But the Phantoms defender (AHL veteran Tyler Wotherspoon) stays with him and closes the gap quickly forcing Clarke into putting a weak wrister on net from further out and from an inopportune angle. With more explosiveness, Clarke might have been able to get in tight to the Phantoms net and deeper into the slot, giving him better leverage.

AHL Performance Grade: C

Continuing in the OHL:

The Ottawa 67’s intend to be competitive yet again this year. They have built up a strong young core and Clarke will be counted on to be an offensive leader along with Jack Quinn. It is likely that Clarke plays on the top powerplay with Quinn, but a different line at even strength. Clarke presumably lines up with Cameron Tolnai as part of a strong second line (as the two showed great chemistry late last year). The expectation for Clarke will be to take that next step as an elite offensive player in the OHL, consistent from shift to shift and night to night. He is talented enough to be among the leading scorers in the league. The question is, can Clarke elevate other areas of his game (competitiveness, physicality, strength on the puck) to prove to New Jersey that he can be a top six option for them in the future. Of course, continuing to improve his skating will be an additional area of focus.

Donovan Sebrango - Grand Rapids Griffins

Defense, 6’1, 190lbs

OHL Rights: Kitchener Rangers

NHL Rights: Detroit Red Wings

Statistics: 7gp, 0g, 1a, 1p, 9pim, -1

When we last left him:

We at McKeen’s had Sebrango ranked 77th heading into the 2020 NHL Draft, which is fairly close to where he was selected by the Detroit Red Wings at the beginning of the third round. After playing a shutdown role for Canada at the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup, Sebrango emerged as a go to defensive player for the Kitchener Rangers in his draft year. Originally touted as a dynamic puck mover (out of U16), Sebrango has developed into more of a hard nosed, two-way player. While he shows flashes of being a capable offensive player, his development in his own zone has certainly shown to be more advanced than that outside of his own blueline, at least as an OHL player thus far. His four way mobility, tenaciousness, and overall awareness, give him a good chance to be a long time NHL defender.

2021 McKeen’s Yearbook Grades: Skating: 55, Shot: 50, Skills: 55, Smarts: 55, Physicality: 55

Assessing his AHL play:

One of only a handful of U19 defenders seeing regular action in the AHL this year, the fact that Sebrango is seeing significant playing time for the Griffins is impressive. While he is only seeing even strength responsibilities, he is certainly holding his own and this experience will certainly be extremely positive for his development as a Red Wings prospect.

Sebrango, despite being significantly younger than most of the players he is asked to check, continues to play with physical intensity. He is engaging physically, digging in his heels and doing his best to win his share of puck battles (especially below the goal line). The fact that he is already proving to be capable of retrieving dump ins and winning those fifty/fifty battles is impressive and shows that he put in the work to get stronger this offseason. That said, where Sebrango is struggling, is at the net front. He is having some difficulty tying up opposing forwards or clearing pucks, and the pace seems to overwhelm him at times there as he gets himself turned around.

However, Sebrango does look very comfortable defending in transition. He is aggressive to step up and angle attackers to the wall when necessary and he is doing a good job of minding his gaps, acknowledging when to be aggressive and when not to be. Transitionally, the pace of defending is not really giving him many issues.

As an offensive defender, Sebrango is very much keeping it simple. Lots of deferrals, quick exits, or chip outs. He is playing very conservative in terms of holding the line or pinching down low. This is to be expected, as he had not yet gained full confidence of his offensive abilities at the OHL level, let alone against experienced professionals at the AHL level. Regardless, Sebrango has shown well in the AHL by simply not standing out in a negative way on most nights as a U19 defender.

Game Tape:

*Sebrango wears #55 for the Grand Rapid Griffins

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/1-donovan_sebrango_-_2nd_period_6_3_-_6_20.mp4

In this first clip, we see Sebrango stop longtime pro Zac Dalpe dead in his tracks, separating him from the puck. However, Cleveland maintains possession. Sebrango quickly recovers to his position net front and intercepts a pass, breaking up a significant scoring chance. Then he heads the attack out of the defensive zone himself and gains entry to the offensive zone for the Griffins. Many clips could have been shown that were similar to this one, with Sebrango stepping up physically to separate along the wall.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/2-donovan_sebrango_-_3rd_period_0_46_-_1_0.mp4

Here, Sebrango can’t corral a rebound near the crease and gets himself all turned around. His failure to clear the rebound from the slot results in a goal against, as he failed to tie up the Wolves forward too. The scoring chances earned by the other team when Sebrango is on the ice do seem to follow a pattern, with him being unable to tie up players or clear the front of the net.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/3-donovan_sebrango_-_2nd_period_21_15_-_21_28.mp4

In this final clip, Sebrango earns his first AHL point, as he takes the pass at the point, fakes the point to point pass, and steps into one, which is redirected in front of the net. Sebrango has shown to be at his best as an offensive defender when he is holding the blueline (in the OHL) and this play certainly shows a glimpse of the types of plays he is capable of making.

AHL Performance Grade: B

Continuing in the OHL:

Upon returning to the OHL, expect Sebrango to form a fantastic one-two defensive punch with Mike Vukojevic. The two would have the potential to become one of the top pairings in the OHL (if the Rangers elect not to separate them). Sebrango would, no doubt, receive an increase in offensive responsibility from a year ago, including time on the powerplay. This would hopefully help to increase his confidence with the puck on his stick and convince him to take a few more chances as a facilitator. Another expectation would be that Sebrango would carry over his confidence as a defensive player from the pro level and establish himself as one of the most physical and intimidating defensive presences in the OHL.

Connor McMichael - Hershey Bears

Center, 6’0, 183lbs

OHL Rights: London Knights

NHL Rights: Washington Capitals

Statistics: 9gp, 4g, 2a, 6p, 4pim, +8

When we last left him:

A breakout season with the London Knights made McMichael one of only four OHL players to reach the 100 point mark last season. His 47 goals placed him third and his 0.90 goals per game were second only to Nick Robertson. McMichael has also starred for Canada at the last two World Junior Championships, earning gold and silver medals, respectively. His hockey sense, without question, remains his best asset. McMichael is an extremely intelligent hockey player who rarely makes a mistake with the puck and reads and reacts to the play at a level above his peers, which earns him so many good scoring chances (4.33 per game according to InStat, tops in the OHL last year). He also scores in so many different ways, thanks to his excellent release and his quick hands. The big thing for McMichael is to get stronger so that he can become tougher to knock off the puck (especially along the wall) and more effective as a two-way player. The positioning and understanding of how to play in all three zones is there, as you would expect from any Dale Hunter coached player, but McMichael’s effectiveness in winning those puck battles and forcing turnovers was inconsistent.

2021 McKeen’s Yearbook Grades: Skating: 55, Shot: 60, Skills: 55, Smarts: 60, Physicality: 50

Assessing his AHL play:

McMichael has stepped right into the AHL and become an impact player for the Hershey Bears. He has been playing as the Bears’ second line center behind veteran Michael Sgarbossa, but has been seeing time on the top powerplay unit, working in either the bumper position or the half wall. As of writing this, McMichael is tied for the team lead in goals and is second in points for the Bears.

Just like he did in the OHL, McMichael has been generating or the recipient of multiple scoring chances per game. According to InStat hockey, his 3.8 per game are tops on Hershey by a large margin (Joe Snively is second with 2.4). A lot of this has to be attributed to how well he processes the game. A strong skater, McMichael is consistently beating pro defenders to gain those chances; again in a multitude of ways. He is earning breakways. He is firing one timers from the half wall on the powerplay. He is taking abuse near the crease for rebounds or redirects. So why isn’t he finishing off more of these chances? He seems to be gripping his stick a little tight in these situations, missing on chances that he would not miss at the OHL level. Obviously the pace of play, the speed of passes; it is more advanced and could be contributing to this. Another contributing factor could be McMichael’s lack of strength on the puck. He is being knocked off stride/off balance by defenders, throwing off his timing and it is causing him to fire wide or fumble the puck. As he gets stronger and builds confidence, look for more of those chances to end up in the back of the net.

The fact that McMichael is playing center for Hershey and excelling is definitely promising too. Many scouts felt (and still do) that he would feature more prominently on the wing at the pro level. However, he is proving all of us wrong thus far. He is leading the charge through the neutral zone and being more active in leading the zone entry than he typically does at the OHL level. He is showing little fear in driving through the middle and learning to be more engaged in the defensive zone. His faceoff percentage has been a strength thus far too.

Really, the only two things holding him back thus far are the consistency with which he is engaged defensively and his strength. Again, McMichael is a really bright kid, but learning how to be a strong two-way presence will take him at the pro level, especially if he continues to stick down the middle. Part of that will mean getting stronger to help him be more effective on the backcheck and along the wall, so that he does not just have to rely on his stick positioning to be a defensive presence. That added strength will also help him convert on more of those scoring chances and would help him elevate his playmaking ability as he can hold possession longer and through initial bouts of contact.

Game Tape:

*McMichael wears #15 for the Hershey Bears

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/1-connor_mcmichael_-_2nd_period_3_13_-_3_26.mp4

Great read and effort here by McMichael. He pokes the puck by Will Reilly and heads off on a breakaway, where he makes no mistake with the wrist shot, going high blocker side.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/2-connor_mcmichael_-_1st_period_17_56_-_18_9.mp4

Here McMichael buries one from the bumper position on the powerplay. He makes a really creative play here, using the goaltender’s pad as a means of a self pass, allowing him to get better balance and into a better shooting position to put home the rebound. Of course, that first poke might have simply been an attempt to score, but knowing McMichael and the way he plays, that looked intentional.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/3-connor_mcmichael_-_1st_period_11_46_-_11_58.mp4

This was certainly not McMichael’s finest moment as a pro thus far. He takes a lazy tripping penalty, then visibly frustrated with himself, fails to hustle on the backcheck, leaving a wide open Phantom to score. These types of mental lapses just can not happen at the pro level and I am sure he heard about this one from the Bears’ coaching staff.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/4-connor_mcmichael_-_3rd_period_30_17_-_30_29.mp4

These are the types of misses that you do not typically see from McMichael. However, there are multiple instances of plays just like this that he can not convert on. With some of the best hands and among the best releases of any prospect in hockey, you can chalk these misses up to a lack of confidence and experience. As he becomes more comfortable, expect these to end up in the back of the net.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/5-connor_mcmichael_-_1st_period_8_22_-_8_35.mp4

In this clip we see a good example of how added strength, especially to his lower body, would help McMichael greatly. Firstly, he does not build up enough speed quickly enough to get a clean break between the two defenders. Secondly, he is easily knocked off stride by the reach of the defender into his hands. That prevents him from securing possession and likely scoring. In time, McMichael likely drives through those two defenders, fights off the contact and earns that opportunity in alone.

AHL Performance Grade: A-

Continuing in the OHL:

The Capitals will have a tough choice on their hands when the OHL starts up. The obvious one would be to send him back to London where he would continue to be one of the best players in the league, and where he could continue to improve his defensive play under the tutelage of Dale Hunter. However, there is certainly a chance that the Capitals call up McMichael and have him finish out the rest of the year on their taxi squad, getting into the occasional game (as he has already done this season), while practicing with the big club. In a perfect world, he stays in the AHL, but that is just not a possibility due to the CHL/AHL agreement. Either way, this year has to be considered a positive one for McMichael’s development, even in the face of a pandemic.

McKeen’s 2020-21 Hockey Yearbook: Detroit Red Wings Top 20 Prospects

Thu, 26 Nov 2020 12:21:25 +0000

McKeen's Top 20 Detroit Red Wings prospects for the 2020-21 season. You can read an organizational assessment prior to the draft in Ryan Wagman's article found here. Following the draft we provided a review on each teams performance based on our rankings found here.

Lucas Raymond, RW/LW (4^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

While he had a hard time showing off what he could do in the SHL playing under 10 minutes per game, Raymond has electricity. Playing against opponents around his own age, opposing coaches have to game plan around him. He dictates the flow of the game, never rushing the play when he has the puck. An efficient, technically strong skater with a great stutter step to pick up speed, he keeps his feet moving until the pieces fall into place for him to execute his plan. He is creative and unpredictable, changing his pace to force opponents off-balance and into mistakes. Raymond is also surprisingly physical for his size, with a long, active and strong stick. He has near-elite potential as a playmaker, forcing defenders to their heels, making plays through passes lanes that he pries open with dangles, toe drags and other assorted trickery – all at top speed, too. Although best known for his puck skills, he is a gifted finisher as well, with a fantastic wrist shot and a pretty one-timer, both of which he can get off while unbalanced. One more year in Sweden, playing heavier minutes in the SHL, is what separates Raymond from NHL readiness. – RW

Moritz Seider, D (6^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 1)

After one year in North America, Seider has shown that he is absolutely worth the hype associated with a top-ten selection. One of the most polished teenage players in the recent history of the AHL, the big rearguard’s game is predicated upon smarts, two-way excellence, and physicality. He required minimal adjustment when he crossed the ocean. Capable of eating heavy minutes against the top opposing forward line, he is adept at positioning his stick and using his length to shut down high-danger shot and pass angles. He is supremely competitive and can be a pest to play against. A smooth skater, his lateral mobility and speed are incredibly impressive for someone his size. A power play quarterback with Grand Rapids last season, his offensive instincts allow him to slide passes onto his teammates’ stick blades with ease. Although he can be a bit aggressive with his puck movement, he has the mobility and defensive refinement to back track if needed. Seider is a near-term number-one defenseman who could be one of the top blueliners in the world in his prime, a two-way force to be reckoned with. - TD

Albert Johansson, D (60^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 3)

Johansson showed steady development last season, earning a regular spot in the SHL. A smart two-way defenseman who reads the play and plays with both poise and finesse, his transition to senior hockey went smoothly as the additional structure suited him. He played a bigger role on a strong team during the season. His offensive game is borderline elite, and he could emerge as a strong offensive contributor, even though his shot is not strong, and his stickhandling is good, not great. Johansson’s passing and hockey sense are his best attributes. He is also a smooth skater, who doesn’t use much energy to maintain his high pace. He can make quick turns and gets up to speed quickly, making him an ideal puck carrier. His shot selection is okay, but he needs some work on his accuracy, even if the power never comes. Defensively, he reads the play well, playing with aggression and good gap control. He is not in any way a liability but plays a good team game with sound decision-making. He is expected to spend one more season in Sweden before moving to North America and he projects as a solid top four defenseman prospect. – JH

Theodor Niederbach, C (51^st overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

After missing the entirety of 2018-19 to osteochondritis, Neiderbach blew through the U18 level in 14 games and finish tied for tied for ninth in scoring in Sweden’s top junior league. He is physically unassuming, and he can play a bit soft. Another area needing improvement is in his skating, which might be a by-product of the aforementioned knee injury, as his skating and footwork both notably improved as last season progressed. Niederbach’s prospect status is reliant on his high-end skills and smarts. He has a good wrist shot, too, but he truly shines as a playmaker. His comfort zone is down low, from behind the net and along the boards up to around the faceoff dot. He is masterful at finding open teammates, as well as maneuvering to get himself open. He overcomes his average speed through impressive anticipation, giving him a head start to get correctly positioned. His play is unpredictable, providing confidence that he will continue succeeding once he starts playing against men, first in Sweden, and soon in North America. Niederbach has top six upside. – RW

Robert Mastrosimone, LW (54^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 4)

Mastrosimone may have been outshined by fellow freshman Trevor Zegras during his rookie season at BU, but he has skills of his own to appreciate. He may not have been a prolific scorer in his first season but was still able to contribute including cementing a spot on the power play. Hockey sense and skating are his best attributes. He isn’t the fastest, but he still has speed, skates smoothly and seemingly never stops moving, with his motor making up for whatever his feet may lack. He also has great vision and a sixth sense for knowing where his teammates will be. He has slick and soft hands and is adept at corralling passes, even if they are unruly. He can struggle against more physical opponents who can too easily push him off the puck, but he is not afraid to use his body. With added bulk, this shortcoming could yet subside. He is creative — sometimes too creative, but it is better for him to try than to stifle his creativity. Mastrosimone has time to solidify his game and improve his size and defensive ability. He projects to be an energy forward with skill at his peak despite his stature. - JS

Joe Veleno, C (30^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 5)

While Veleno’s rookie pro season with a young, struggling Grand Rapids Griffins was not overly impressive, he showed just what his game can and will be at the NHL level. A smart and skilled centerman with tremendous puck-handling ability, the 20-year-old was as dangerous as a distributor as he was as a shooter. Capable of slowing the game down with the puck and finding the right place to put it, his instincts allow him to command play offensively and put defenders on their heels. He covers the ice well as a skater, with his hunchbacked style which makes him hard to push off, coupled with high-level acceleration, and he is a superb backchecker who kills penalties and can end plays in the defensive zone with his physical aggression. With no real flaws in his game and a mature presence at a young age, he projects as a top-six, two-way center. He will need to show off his offensive upside with more regular, consistent appearances on an AHL scoresheet to make his jump to the NHL. – TD

Jonatan Berggren, LW/RW (33^rd overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 7)

Berggren has had two tough seasons since being drafted 33rd in 2018. He looked good last season but saw his season end early due injury and he has only played about 40% of the games over the last two seasons in SHL. This has, of course, slowed his development but before his season-ending injury in January he had earned himself a 15 minute per game role for Skelleftea. He is a small winger with strong skating and work ethic. He has strong lower-body balance and elite speed. His skating technique is excellent. His offensive game relies greatly on his skating even if he has good puck skills. He is at his best on the rush and needs to work on his game when the game is standing still. He is a good playmaker but could work on his shot. He only scored four goals last season and all of them were within a meter from the goal crease. A middle six prospect who will need at least one more full year in Sweden before stepping over to North America. – JH

Jared McIsaac, D (36^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 2)

McIsaac has a ton of offensive potential, can control a game from the back end with his skating and puck moving abilities, and he can hit like a freight train. His shot has eyes and is very powerful from the point. He adds a ton of positive skills to the blueline of any team; he can carry a pairing, he can play as a puck rusher or a stay-at-home type, he is solid along the boards and at keeping pucks in at the point. The main weakness in his game, aside from injuries, is the consistency in his decision-making, a problem that has followed him throughout his junior career. He can grow out of this and mature into a very reliable defender, as the skillset is there. Additionally, he needs to fill out to strengthen his two-way projections. McIsaac was easily one of the most talented defensemen in the QMJHL the past three seasons, and has a long pro career ahead of him, if he can avoid additional injuries which have cut short both last season and the current one. Few prospects can fully recover from tis much lost development time. - MS

Antti Tuomisto, D (35^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 6)

Tuomisto was by far the best defenseman in the Finnish U20 league in the past season. He was also named the best player in the league altogether. He logged quality minutes and played in all situations for Ässät and was a huge part of the team’s strong season. The University of Denver commit is a breakout machine and excels in offensive transitions. He shows a lot of patience with the puck and has the poise to look for a good passing lane instead of making a hasty decision. His vision is very good, and he shows offensive imagination as well. Although he could be quicker and more explosive from a standstill, he moves pretty well given his large frame. He battles hard and does not shy away from contact but could use his size more effectively to his advantage. His development curve is heading straight up as he has developed immensely over the last two seasons. Tuomisto has the tools to make an impact in college right away. - MB

William Wallinder, D (32^nd overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Looking strictly at his straight-ahead speed, there might not have been a better skater in the 2020 draft class, without even considering his 6-4” frame. Wallinder has some wiggle to his game, but he shines when rushing up the ice on a fast break. The speed will ensure that he plays professionally for a long time and gets more than a few opportunities to play at the NHL level, but he needs to improve every other aspect of his game to do more than tease. His decision making is very hit-or-miss. He can move the puck well enough, but is error-prone in own zone coverage, including defending too passively, too often, although that has improved of late. Wallinder has the physical tools to be very difficult to play against, but he can often come across as soft. Even his work from the point is raw and his shot is unrefined and not all that impressive. Wallinder has a lot of experience playing above his age group, and it is possible he has been pushed too far, too fast, as many of our concerns trace back to poor instincts. Detroit will need to be extra patient with him. – RW

Donovan Sebrango, D (63^rd overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Like Wallinder above, Sebrango has mobility in spades. A competent and fluid four-way skater, he excels at both ends of the rink. He can lead or join the rush as an attacker with a strong first few strides, and his lateral mobility allows him to walk the line effectively, opening up lanes on the powerplay. His backward/forward transitions allow him to be quick to dump-ins or to start the breakout. His gap control is also strong as he stays with oncoming attackers. Sebrango is also a strong defensive presence because he plays with intensity and is fully engaged physically. If he cannot beat you to a puck, he will look to play the body and pin you to the wall, stopping momentum. He will also take away space from forwards near his net and makes opponents pay the price through the middle, as he plays much bigger than his size. Currently stronger in his own end, he flashes powerplay QB skills and puck moving, however he can seem hesitant to take chances. As he gains confidence, his upside with gain clarity, but as-is, he still projects as a quality versatile third pairing defender. – BO

Eemil Viro, D (70^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

In the last year, Viro has climbed from Finland’s second tier junior league to Liiga, playing against men. Despite his meagre point totals up with TPS’ senior team, he is very much an offensive-minded defenseman with prominent high-end mobility. His first few steps are very quick, and he excels when carrying the puck up the ice. He is also a strong and accurate passer, including impressive long-bomb breakout passes. This is also reflective of his hockey IQ and ability to read the game. Viro’s work off the puck also speaks favorably to his smarts, playing with a tight gap, well-positioned in in his own zone, and robust in front of his own net. There are still some holes in Viro’s game. His reads can be choppy, such as when he tries to force a play, resulting in an unnecessary turnover. He needs to add muscle to be more effective, despite strong balance. He presently relies too much on his stick and good angling for defensive plays, struggling in physical encounters. His point shot is mediocre. He can find a lane and get the puck on the net but isn’t a scoring threat. He needs time to complete his physical maturity. – RW

Cross Hanas, LW (55^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Hanas made waves last year because he scored two lacrosse goals. He routinely makes defenders look silly with his silky hands He is dynamic in transition because he skates well, handles the puck confidently at full speed, and is not afraid of playing through traffic. This aggressive approach makes him a fun player to watch. In general, he is a very well-rounded offensive player who can break down defensive coverage and create plays for his linemates, or finish off his own scoring chances. Hanas desperately needs to add strength. Consistency was an issue last year, specifically stringing together a prolonged hot streak. He was held to under one shot in over one third of Portland’s games and held pointless in nearly half. The will is there, as Hanas plays the game hard. However, his lack of strength makes him less effective when forced to play at a slower pace. Additionally, he has a tendency to coast, which could also be a reflection of his conditioning. He is a highly skilled player with well-rounded offensive upside. As his ice time increases in Portland, look for him to break out. – BO

Keith Petruzzelli, G (88^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 8)

Petruzzelli was drafted in the third round following a successful U18 season in the USHL with Muskegon. He had previously been named the USPHL 18U Goaltender of the Year and Most Valuable Player. The next year he was named to the USHL All-Rookie team in his draft year. Petruzzelli got off to a rocky start as a freshman at Quinnipiac and split starts for his first two years. But he emerged into the starter role as a junior, where he improved his save percentage markedly. He tracks the puck well and squares up to shots. On the downside, while he gigantic, Petruzzelli lacks speed in his lateral movement which at times puts him out of position. He plays with a calm demeanor but does tend to scramble when he gets caught out of position. Petruzzelli also likes to flash his glove. He needs to work on his speed and his lateral movements within the crease during his senior season to convince the Red Wings to give him an ELC. - JS

Seth Barton, D (81^st overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 9)

Barton is not an overly offensive defenseman, but he can certainly contribute his share of points. A third-round draft pick, he spent one season in the BCHL before joining UMass-Lowell. That season he also appeared on the WJAC-19 championship winning team with Canada West. As a freshman, Barton contributed little offensively to UMass-Lowell. In his sophomore year, he showed a lot more ability to contribute at the other end. Barton also played on both the penalty kill and the power play, where he resided on the blue line. He is not extremely fast, but he is a smooth skater. He is very patient, especially when facing pressure from opposing players. While he could be calmer on the backcheck, he is still effective at defending, even in one-on-one situations. Barton is a good stickhandler and he makes quick and direct passes. At 6-2”, Barton can make more use of his size, which he will have the opportunity to do next season as a junior for the River Hawks. - JS

Elmer Soderblom, LW/C (159^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 10)

A 6-7” winger with soft hands. Soderblom was a beast in the SuperElit last season and could score at will with his hard shot and big body. He also got a chance to play senior hockey in both SHL and Allsvenskan, but in a small role and he did not produce. Soderblom is a long-term project who needs to find his way to success with his huge body. His skating and puck handling are both OK, but with his size he is often expected to be physical force. Last year in junior hockey he instead used his big body to cover the puck and to create goals and scoring chances, and he was very hard for opponents to stop. With an adjustment period I can see him excel quickly at the senior level as well, and I can see a future NHL player in him playing a Fredrik Modin-style role. Soderblom is not overly physical but is strong around the net. He is not a sure thing but is a good bet as a 6th rounder. - JH

Kirill Tyutyayev, LW (190^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 11)

Tyutyayev spent majority of the 2019-20 season with Gornyak Uchaly in Russia’s second-highest league. He also played for Avto Yekaterinburg in the MHL, where his playmaking skills stood out. The winger is a skilled player who gives quality passes on both his forehand and backhand. He processes the game quickly and moves the puck in a timely manner. Furthermore, when he does have a proper passing option, he has the poise to hold on to the puck to buy some time for himself. More of a passer than a shooter, but Tyutyayev has a nose for the net and he is good on the power play. His skating is a nice mixture of agility and fluidity. His forward stride could be more explosive, but I would not consider this a significant issue. He displays situational awareness and recognizes the opportunities to pressure defensemen. Considering his size, he is a long shot to make the NHL, but he has potential. He will play for Yunost Minsk in the top Belarussian league next season. - MB

Yevgeni Svechnikov, LW (19^th overall, 2015. Previous ranking: 12)

The 19th overall pick in the loaded 2015 NHL Draft, Svechnikov has had a rough road as an NHL prospect to this point. A neck injury derailed the start of his 2017-18 season, and he didn’t appear to be fully healthy for much of it, while a knee injury erased his entire 2018-19 campaign. When he is healthy, he has been a fine player at the AHL level, but not necessarily a top forward as he was once projected to be. At 6-3”, he plays a heavy, power forward game predicated upon his one-on-one moves and ability to shield off the puck at speed and against the boards. He loves to drive to the greasy areas and engage physically with anyone in his path. He can make plays for his teammates but prefers to use his shot and power to create his own chances. A fair skater for his size, he didn’t lose a step following his knee surgery and can get up to speed well, although his top speed lags a bit. He has not shown he can be a long-term NHL player, but the potential is still there for Svechnikov as a bottom-six depth scorer. - TD

Albin Grewe, RW (66^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 13)

Grewe had a tough season. He has been a big offensive star in his age group in Sweden but has recently seen others catch up to him. He plays an offensive power forward style with good hands. At a younger age, his skating stood out, as he is explosive, but his skating technique is not that good, and he can’t create that way any longer. He will need to adjust his game and use his aggressive style to be more of a role player. He still can make good use of a scoring chance, but he can´t be the offensive driver at higher levels. Next season he will go to play in the OHL with Saginaw and should be a strong player for them. I can see him being a point per game player there. Most important is that he works on his game and finds himself a role that he can translate to higher levels. The tools are good, all things considered. - JH

Givani Smith, RW (46^thoverall, 2016. Previous ranking: 14)

After enduring some struggles in his final OHL season and the entirety of his first pro campaign in 2018-19, Smith enjoyed a resurgent sophomore year in the pro ranks that included a lengthy stint with the NHL club in Detroit at the beginning of the since-cancelled NHL regular season. Looking at Smith’s body of work, it is pretty obvious how he impressed the Red Wings’ brass; he is a damn hard worker and a physical beast, both on and off the puck. He has harnessed some of his high-level one-on-one moves and now better incorporates his body into the play offensively, which buys him and his linemates some time for high-danger chances. His skating and conditioning have improved some since he first came up to the AHL and he has turned into a consistent checking line option at the NHL level, where he played with veteran Justin Abdelkader in more than a dozen games. The 22-year-old will not develop into the offensive force once expected out of him as a 2016 second-rounder, but he will be a formidable auxiliary forward for a Red Wings team with an abundance of young talent in the works. - TD

OHL: Donovan Sebrango, D, Kitchener (2020)

Brock Otten — Sun, 17 May 2020 11:47:10 +0000

In Donovan Sebrango, an NHL team is getting a quality two-way defender who plays with physicality and possesses above average overall mobility. During his two years in the OHL, he has shown the ability to play in a variety of situations, be it shut down defender or powerplay quarterback.

His high-end IQ and ability to make quick decisions with the puck in all three zones should translate well to becoming a long time NHL defender. He may not have the high-end upside of some other defenders available, but he is a safe bet to make an impact. For that reason, he is being touted as a possible second or third round selection.

Donovan Sebrango	2020 NHL Draft Eligible
Position: D, Shoots: L	H/W: 6-0", 183lbs
Stats to Date: (GP-G-A-PTS-PIMS)	Kitchener Rangers, OHL (56-6-24-30-33)
	Canada U18, Hlinka Gretzky Cup (5-0-2-2-2)

Donovan Sebrango of the Kitchener Rangers. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Skating: Sebrango is a very good overall skater. His lateral and backwards mobility are excellent, and it helps him to be a plus defender in his own end. He is not large, but he manages to keep a wide base while managing his gaps, similar to the Maple Leafs’ Travis Dermott. This makes him not only difficult to maneuver around off the rush, but it also makes him difficult to beat to dump ins or loose pucks. He transitions well from backwards to forward and takes great routes to pucks in his own end, making him an asset as a play kickstarter. He also uses his lateral mobility and strong edgework to work the point, opening up shooting/passing lanes and exhibiting poise with the puck. His forward stride is good, but not as explosive as you would like to see from a modern-day puck mover. It is likely that he can continue to develop more power here and get his acceleration up to stride with the rest of his movement capabilities. Grade: 55

Shot: While Sebrango does not possess an overly heavy shot, he is very good at creating shooting lanes by using his lateral quickness and by utilizing shot fakes and deception. He gets his shot through traffic well by keeping it low and on net, which may not result in many goals for him, but does generate tip in or rebound opportunities. At this point in time, he has not shown a propensity to utilize a one timer or a heavy wind up, and projects as more of a pass first facilitator from the point. Grade: 50

Skills: This is the one area of Sebrago’s game that can be difficult to truly assess. As an OHL rookie, it was his skill with the puck and creation ability in transition that really stood out. This year, he appeared to really focus more on the defensive side of things, taking fewer liberties with the puck and playing a safer game. One would assume that at some point, Sebrango will become comfortable enough to become more aggressive in utilizing his skill set as an offensive defender, while still being an abrasive and stout defender. His best attribute currently is his breakout pass. He does a great job shielding the puck from forecheckers by maintaining quickness with a wide base. He keeps his head up, even with his back to the play, and can find his outlet, even deep across center ice. Sebrango also has good hands when operating the point, showing the ability to walk around defenders up top. Occasionally, he will play deep down low, where he has the playmaking ability and vision of some forwards. Where he is less effective, is cutting through the neutral zone to gain entry into the offensive zone. Without elite size and reach, high end creativity, and elite speed, he can have difficulty pressing through coverage while maintaining possession. Grade: 55

Smarts: Sebrango is definitely a heads-up defender who has learned to play a safer game to curtail some of the turnovers that plagued his game last year as a rookie. As mentioned, his vision up ice is excellent, and he makes one of the better exit passes of any draft eligible defender in the OHL not named Drysdale. He is intelligent and calculated when deciding when to pinch and understands that when engaging deep in the offensive zone, that he must make quick decisions to avoid costly turnovers. He also exhibits good vision on the point, selecting the right time to shoot/pass and works the give and go well to open up time and space for Kitchener’s offensive scheme. It is rare to see him stop moving his feet in the offensive zone. Sebrango is also an intelligent player in his own end. He balances aggressiveness with passiveness, knowing when to step up on attackers and when to be patient and maintain his gaps, forcing players to the corners. His zone coverage has improved greatly and with his mobility, he projects as a plus defender at the next level. Last summer, Canada used him in a shutdown role on the Hlinka/Gretzky team because of this. Grade: 55

Physicality: Sebrango plays a very aggressive game to counterbalance his lack of elite size and reach. He relishes in the opportunity to step up on forwards as they cross the blueline and is assertive in denying zone entry when he needs to be. He also physically asserts himself when engaging players along the wall. Down low, he will hit to separate players from the puck, in addition to giving them a few good whacks to make his presence felt. No question, he plays the game with his heart on his sleeve and is eager to prove that he can shut down opposing offenses despite being average sized. This is why we saw him drop the gloves with the much larger Will Cuylle at the CHL Top Prospect’s Game this year. Grade: 55

Overall Future Projection (OFP): 54

A note on the 20-80 scale used above. We look at five attributes (skating, shooting, puck skills, hockey IQ and physicality) for skaters and six for goalies (athleticism/quickness, compete/temperament, vision/play reading, technique/style, rebound control and puck handling). Each individual attribute is graded along the 20-80 scales, which includes half-grades. The idea is that a projection of 50 in a given attribute meant that our observer believed that the player could get to roughly NHL average at that attribute at maturity.

OHL Playoff Preview: Western Conference – Trade deadline talent arms race makes for a wide open battle

Brock Otten — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 16:21:53 +0000

This week the 2019 OHL playoffs will kick off with first round action getting under way on Thursday. More so than any year that I can remember, the field is wide open. There are favorites to take home the J.Ross Robertson Cup, sure, but the sheer number of candidates to make it to the end is greater than previous years because of how many teams loaded up with talent at this year’s trade deadline. As difficult as it is, I will make my predictions. Just do not place any large bets or wagers based upon it.

First Round

Jean-Luc Foudy of the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

#1. London Knights vs. #8. Windsor Spitfires

Season Series: 5-1 for London

Analysis: The Spitfires limped into the playoffs with only one regulation win in their final ten games. Their punishment? A date with London, who narrowly held off Saginaw to take the #1 seed in the West. Even if I don’t expect this to be a close series, it will be a terrific experience for the Spitfires and their talented, young roster. Young players like Jean Luc Foudy and Will Cuylle will get a taste of the playoffs to know what is required of them when Windsor becomes a powerhouse again in a few years’ time. The Knights hold the clear advantage in nearly every area here. The team’s #5 defender, Joey Keane, would be Windsor’s #1. They outscore them by over a goal per game. And even if discipline issues creep up (London is the most penalized team in the Western Conference), their top-rated penalty kill is efficient enough to limit Windsor’s chances of getting back in games. Look for Evan Bouchard to have a big performance after last year’s poor showing in the first round that saw London get swept by Owen Sound.

Prediction: London in 4.

NHL Prospects to Watch:

Evan Bouchard (EDM): As mentioned, Bouchard did not have a good first round performance in last year’s playoffs, something that may have led to his slide to the 10th spot last June. To be honest, I wasn’t enamored with his performance this year either with his offensive production taking a step back and his defensive engagement continuing to be a concern. That said, the best players elevate their game when it matters most and I’ll be looking for Bouchard to do that this playoffs. As deep as London is on the blueline, they need him to be a dominant force at both ends if they want to go for the championship.

Liam Foudy (CBJ): Foudy was another player who looked overmatched in last year’s playoffs against Owen Sound. After a slow start to this year, Foudy finished the season well and ended up second in goals for the Knights. The Knights know that they will be getting production from Formenton and Hancock up front, but again, if they want to go far, they will need the speedy Foudy to be an impact player; someone who can use his speed and puck skills to create consistent scoring chances for himself and his linemates.

Jean-Luc Foudy (2020): It is a Foudy vs. Foudy match-up with Liam going against his younger brother Jean-Luc. Like Liam, Jean-Luc is an absolute lightning bolt on skates. He has shown a penchant for using his speed to be one of the OHL’s elite young playmakers, leading all OHL rookies in assists this year. He is a prime time prospect for the 2020 NHL Draft and it will be interesting to see if he is able to better his brother’s initial playoff performance.

Ryan McLeod of the Saginaw Spirit. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

#2. Saginaw Spirit vs. #7. Sarnia Sting

Season Series: 3-3 TIE

Analysis: The Sting have played the West Division champion Spirit extremely tight this year, including a recent 7-6 shootout victory in late February. Sarnia has a team of workhorses that just never give up on a play and that tenacity always plays well in the postseason. They have seven different players who had over 15 goals on the year, and that’s not including Jamieson Rees who would have hit that mark easily had he played all year. But Saginaw is a CHL ranked team for a reason. Lately one of the main reasons for their success has been goaltender Ivan Prosvetov, who has only two regulation losses in his last 16 and who finished in the top 5 of nearly every statistical category this year. Rookie winger Cole Perfetti has also been a remarkable story as the first U17 player since Taylor Hall, Steven Stamkos, and John Tavares to score more than 35 goals in a season. He is aided by the likes of Owen Tippett, Bode Wilde, Ryan McLeod, and Cole Coskey on a deep and balanced roster. I expect the Sting to give the Spirit a bit of a scare and be in most games. But the Spirit are rolling on too much of a high and have too much firepower to fall victim to an upset.

Prediction: Saginaw in 6

NHL Prospects to Watch:

Ryan McLeod (EDM): While his production for Saginaw since the trade from Mississauga has been a little underwhelming, McLeod has been a proven playoff performer so far in his OHL career. He was a huge part of Mississauga’s deep run in 2017 and I would expect him to bring himself back to that point per game production. His playmaking ability will be much needed if the Spirit want to eventually come out on top in the Western Conference.

Bode Wilde (NYI): Wilde has been sensational in his first OHL season after coming over from the USHL. No question he is in the conversation for the Max Kaminsky as the league’s top defender. His size and skating combination make him a lethal operator off the rush and very difficult to stop as he cuts through the neutral zone like butter. Defensively, there have been some ups and downs and now he will be getting into his first playoff action. I am very intrigued to see how he responds and looks to take over and control the play at both ends.

Ryan McGregor (TOR): A 2017 draft pick by the Leafs, McGregor is still without an NHL contract. He has had a very good season, establishing himself as one of the OHL’s elite two-way forwards. But a strong playoff series performance for Sarnia here, even if it is in a losing cause, would go a long way to proving to Toronto’s management that he deserves a place in their future plans.

Morgan Frost of the Sault Ste. Marie Grehounds. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

#3. Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds vs. #6. Owen Sound Attack

Season Series: 2-0 for Sault Ste. Marie

Analysis: Two things are bad news for the Attack. The first, Morgan Frost avoided a longer suspension for cross checking and will be available for the entire first round. The second, Barrett Hayton is back and healthy, showing no rust whatsoever with four goals in two games to close out the year. That means that the ‘Hounds will be operating at full speed offensively and that does not bode well for the Attack, a team that has struggled to keep the puck out of their net this year thanks to inconsistent goaltending. Owen Sound also only has two 20 goal scorers in their lineup and no one operating at over the point per game mark. With a healthy lineup, the Greyhounds have the advantage here in nearly every facet. While I do worry about their depth and supporting cast as the rounds progress, I am confident that they should be able to get past a rebuilding Attack team pretty easily.

Prediction: Sault Ste. Marie in 4

NHL Prospects to Watch:

Barrett Hayton (ARI): Had to be a difficult year for Hayton to settle in and find a groove. Start the year in the NHL. Back to the OHL. Then off to the World Juniors. Then get injured. Through it all, his production has been fantastic with one of the highest point-pergame averages in the league. His game is tailored perfectly for the playoffs because of his high intensity level and how well he plays through traffic in the offensive end. He had a very successful playoffs last year for the Soo as a support player, now let us see how he does as a focal point.

Mac Hollowell (TOR): The front runner for OHL defender of the year was recently rewarded with a much deserved NHL contract from Toronto. Hollowell is an elite offensive defender who is great at using his above average mobility to jump up in the attack. He is also a major weapon on the powerplay, something that any team needs operating at a high level to make a deep run in the playoffs. This guy competes so hard and is easily one of the most underrated players to have played in the OHL in recent years.

Mack Guzda (2019): If Owen Sound hopes to stay in this series, they will need top shelf goaltending and that will have to come from Guzda. He came into the year very highly touted but consistency issues have continued to plague him as they did in his rookie year. He has the size and athleticism that NHL scouts are looking for, but he needs to show that he possess the mental makeup too. Not only will NHL scouts be looking closely at him here, but so will Hockey Canada for the 2019 U18 roster. He can’t afford to be a sieve and look overmatched.

Nick Suzuki of the Guelph Storm. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

#4. Guelph Storm vs. #5. Kitchener Rangers

Season Series: 4-4 TIE

Analysis: With the way the Guelph Storm loaded up at this year’s trade deadline, bringing in Nick Suzuki, Markus Phillips, Sean Durzi, and Mackenzie Entwistle, one would have to consider them the heavy favorite here. And they have been playing some great hockey lately. But so have the Kitchener Rangers; a team that I do not believe can be completely written off. They have five 30 goal scorers, something that matches Guelph and their firepower. Guelph’s Anthony Popovich has struggled down the stretch and is being threatened by Nico Daws for the starting role, so I am slightly concerned about Guelph’s netminding. However, I believe the thing that sways this in Guelph’s favor is their veteran defense. Dmitri Samorukov has been playing out of his mind lately and along with Durzi, Gordeev, Phillips, Hanley, and Lalonde, make up one of the strongest and veteran-heavy defensive units in the OHL. Contrast that with Kitchener, which relies on youngsters like Mike Vukojevic and Donovan Sebrango to play key roles. The Rangers will push the Storm, but ultimately come up short.

Prediction: Guelph in 6

NHL Prospects to Watch:

Nick Suzuki (MTL): Took him a bit of time to really acclimate himself with his new surroundings in Guelph, but he has been on a tear lately and really seems to have settled in. In his last 11 games, he has 5 games with 3 points or more. Suzuki is such a good distributor, but he is at his best when he is active without the puck, forcing turnovers and putting pressure on the opposition in all three zones. He has traditionally performed very well in the playoffs in his career and I would expect nothing less from him here as Guelph gears up for a long run.

Dmitri Samorukov (EDM): Speaking of a tear, few defenders in the OHL have been as hot as Samorukov in the second half. Whether it was the confidence he gained from the World Juniors, or the increased role he received from the trade of Ryan Merkley, Samorukov has blossomed at the right time. He has become extremely aggressive offensively, using his skating ability to create off the rush. He still remains a physically aggressive stalwart in his own end; a true two-way force.

Riley Damiani (DAL): Earlier I spoke of underrated OHL players and few fit that category more than Damiani. Among 2000 born players in the OHL, only Akil Thomas and Barrett Hayton had greater point per game averages as he jumped from 37 points last year to 85 in 2018/19. He has an infectious energy about him on the ice and his dynamic playmaking ability and vision are one of the main reasons why Kitchener’s powerplay has been one of the league’s best this year.

Continued Western Conference Predictions

Conference Semi Finals

#1. London vs. #4. Guelph

#2. Saginaw vs. #3. Sault Ste. Marie

I am taking Guelph and Sault Ste. Marie here. I just was not crazy about what I saw from London in the last month of the year. They are relying on too many younger forwards to create offense and I think they lack a premier playmaker. And on defense, I think they lack the jam necessary to slow down an offensive juggernaut like Guelph. As for the Soo, I like them over Saginaw because I feel that their veteran leadership group consisting of Morgan Frost, Barrett Hayton, Mac Hollowell, Jordan Sambrook, and Keeghan Howdeshell can help to elevate the play of some of their younger support players. I think their abrasive style of play bodes better for playoff success, even though I see potential for Prosvetov to stand on his head. That is a true coin flip, but I am sticking with the Greyhounds.

Western Conference Final

#3. Sault Ste. Marie vs. #4. Guelph

I am all in on Guelph this year to take home the Western Conference title. I feel like they have been constructed the right way and have really found chemistry and hit their stride at the right time. Goaltending is a mild concern for sure, but in the West, I think everyone has similar concerns to a certain degree.

SEE OHL PREVIEW: EASTERN CONFERENCE- LINK HERE

OHL Championship Series

Niagara IceDogs vs. Guelph Storm

Another toss up for me. Ask me tomorrow and I may just choose someone different. Both of their regular season matchups were decided by a single goal. Honestly, this comes down to goaltending. I give Niagara the advantage at forward. I give Guelph the advantage on defense. But in net, I think you have to tip your hat in Stephen Dhillon’s direction. Especially considering that there is no guarantee that Anthony Popovich finishes the postseason as Guelph’s starter. So...I am selecting the Niagara IceDogs as this year’s OHL Champions!

Donovan Sebrango – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2025-26 NHL YEARBOOK – OTTAWA SENATORS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #25

Ottawa Senators Top-15 Prospects

1 - Carter Yakemchuk

2 - Leevi Merilainen

3 - Logan Hensler

4 - Stephen Halliday

5 - Blake Montgomery

6 - Jorian Donovan

7 - Donovan Sebrango

8 - Luke Ellinas

9 - Gabriel Eliasson

10 - Lucas Beckman

11 - Kevin Reidler

12 - Matthew Andonovski

13 - Hoyt Stanley

14 - Xavier Bourgault

15 - Tyler Boucher

2025 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: #24 OTTAWA SENATORS – Top 15 NHL Affiliated Prospects

MCKEEN’S 2023-24 NHL YEARBOOK – OTTAWA SENATORS – Top 20 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #20

Top 20 Ottawa Senators Prospects

1. Ridly Greig

2. Zach Ostapchuk

3. Mads Sogaard

4. Egor Sokolov

5. Lassi Thomson

6. Tyler Kleven

7. Leevi Merilainen

8. Tyler Boucher

9. Stephen Halliday

10. Maxence Guenette

11. Roby Jarventie

12. Jacob Bernard Docker

13. Angus Crookshank

14. Phillippe Daoust

15. Jorian Donovan

16. Tomas Hamara

17. Kevin Reidler

18. Donovan Sebrango

19. Hoyt Stanley

20. Oskar Pettersson

MCKEEN’S 2023 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #5 Detroit Red Wings

MCKEEN’S 2022-23 NHL YEARBOOK – DETROIT RED WINGS – Top 20 Prospects

2021-22 TOP 15 PROSPECTS: DETROIT RED WINGS – RANK: #1 – TIER I

OHL Prospects in the AHL: Part Two – Mike Vukojevic (New Jersey), Graeme Clarke (New Jersey), Donovan Sebrango (Detroit), Connor McMichael (Washington)

McKeen’s 2020-21 Hockey Yearbook: Detroit Red Wings Top 20 Prospects

Lucas Raymond, RW/LW (4th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Moritz Seider, D (6th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 1)

Albert Johansson, D (60th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 3)

Theodor Niederbach, C (51st overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Robert Mastrosimone, LW (54th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 4)

Joe Veleno, C (30th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 5)

Jonatan Berggren, LW/RW (33rd overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 7)

Jared McIsaac, D (36th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 2)

Antti Tuomisto, D (35th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 6)

William Wallinder, D (32nd overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Donovan Sebrango, D (63rd overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Eemil Viro, D (70th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Cross Hanas, LW (55th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Keith Petruzzelli, G (88th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 8)

Seth Barton, D (81st overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 9)

Elmer Soderblom, LW/C (159th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 10)

Kirill Tyutyayev, LW (190th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 11)

Yevgeni Svechnikov, LW (19th overall, 2015. Previous ranking: 12)

Albin Grewe, RW (66th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 13)

Givani Smith, RW (46th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 14)

OHL: Donovan Sebrango, D, Kitchener (2020)

OHL Playoff Preview: Western Conference – Trade deadline talent arms race makes for a wide open battle

First Round

#1. London Knights vs. #8. Windsor Spitfires

NHL Prospects to Watch:

#2. Saginaw Spirit vs. #7. Sarnia Sting

NHL Prospects to Watch:

#3. Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds vs. #6. Owen Sound Attack

NHL Prospects to Watch:

#4. Guelph Storm vs. #5. Kitchener Rangers

NHL Prospects to Watch:

Continued Western Conference Predictions

Conference Semi Finals

#1. London vs. #4. Guelph

Lucas Raymond, RW/LW (4^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Moritz Seider, D (6^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 1)

Albert Johansson, D (60^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 3)

Theodor Niederbach, C (51^st overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Robert Mastrosimone, LW (54^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 4)

Joe Veleno, C (30^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 5)

Jonatan Berggren, LW/RW (33^rd overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 7)

Jared McIsaac, D (36^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 2)

Antti Tuomisto, D (35^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 6)

William Wallinder, D (32^nd overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Donovan Sebrango, D (63^rd overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Eemil Viro, D (70^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Cross Hanas, LW (55^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Keith Petruzzelli, G (88^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 8)

Seth Barton, D (81^st overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 9)

Elmer Soderblom, LW/C (159^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 10)

Kirill Tyutyayev, LW (190^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 11)

Yevgeni Svechnikov, LW (19^th overall, 2015. Previous ranking: 12)

Albin Grewe, RW (66^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 13)

Givani Smith, RW (46^thoverall, 2016. Previous ranking: 14)