Eemil Viro – McKeen's Hockey

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.

2022 WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP: TEAM FINLAND – A Deep Squad and Perennial Medal Threat Features Two High Profile 2022 Draft Prospects

Sam Happi with notes from Tommi Nekkula — Fri, 24 Dec 2021 21:21:22 +0000

Finland enters the tournament with three gold medals in the last ten years, tied for the most of that period alongside Canada and the United States. The first of those medals came in 2014, making the eight-year period between then and now a strikingly impressive stretch of hockey for a country with a population several times smaller than Canada’s. Finland achieves their success through effective tactics and deep rosters that combine young talent with older players that often have several years of professional experience by their final year of eligibility. Two 2022 draft eligibles appear on Finland’s squad this year, both of whom could play key roles for the team. Joakim Kemell should be most involved; he’s been one of the best forwards on JYP’s men’s squad so far this year and has seen his draft stock skyrocket over the first half of the season. He enters the tournament as a possible top three pick in the 2022 draft and could be one of Finland’s top scoring forwards. Brad Lambert is the bigger question mark: he entered the season as a probable top three pick but has struggled vastly in Finland’s professional circuit and at one point looked to be in question of making Finland’s tournament roster at all– despite impressing in last year’s World Juniors.

A comeback win over the United States in pre-tournament action should have Finland feeling good about their team this year. Finland outplayed the USA for most of the game but found themselves trailing 3-1 entering the final minutes of the game. However, an elbow to head of Joakim Kemell gave Finland a powerplay and a golden opportunity to storm back and they did exactly that, scoring twice in regulation and once in overtime for the 4-3 victory. The team will need to shore up their defensive mistakes– Roni Hirvonen’s fanned pass that caused the first United States goal being the most egregious– but the squad should be satisfied with their breakout and offensive play, especially their powerplay.

Finland will be without Islanders draft pick Aatu Raty, whose Finnish league team was quarantined shortly before the tournament. Raty has been excellent over the last few weeks since being loaned to Jukurit, having totalled 13 points in 11 games. Raty fell to the 52nd pick in 2021 after struggling to carve out a role with Karpat, but it appears that a change of scenery might have been all that he needed. Finland is left without a player who was expected to be a key centre for their club. With his absence, 5’7” Jusso Mäenpää centred the top line in the pre-tournament. It’s possible that we see Maple Leafs prospect Roni Hirvonen centre a line as well, but he played the left wing against the United States and was strong in that appearance. Based upon their outing on Thursday, there seems to be little reason for the coaching staff to switch up the top line of Hirvonen, Mäenpää, and Kasper Simontaival at all.

Finland will open their tournament against Germany on Boxing Day. They play Austria on the 27th, Czechia on the 29th, then finish up the group stage with their premier matchup against Canada on the 31st. If Finland meets expectations, they should manage to at least lock up a second-place position in their pool at the conclusion of group play, which would prime them to play the third place team in the opposite pool in their quarterfinal.

Players To Watch:

2021 IIHF World Junior Championship - Topi Niemela - Edmonton, AB Canada Game #15 - Finland vs Slovakia preliminary round action at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship at Rogers Place on December 30, 2020 in Edmonton, AB Canada. (Photo by Andrea Cardin/HHOF-IIHF Images)

Topi Niemelä, D

Niemelä should assume a massive role for Finland after excelling at last year’s tournament, quarterbacking the top powerplay unit and looking to build upon his eight points in 2021. His accurate shot and quick passing make him a valuable powerplay asset, while his skating and puck skills should make him a dependable option on the breakout. Niemelä is undersized and can struggle along the boards in his own zone, so Finland may be wise to pair him with a defensively-sound partner like Eemil Viro or Ruben Rafkin. Niemelä has three seasons of professional experience under his belt now and has been one of the most impactful defenders in all of Finnish pro hockey with 24 points in 31 Liiga games. It won’t be easy to challenge defencemen like Jake Sanderson, Owen Power, or Simon Edvinsson, but Heinola could be a dark horse to snag one of the two tournament All-Star spots available for defencemen if he plays to his capabilities and Finland does well.

FRISCO, TX USA - APRIL 27: Finland's Joakim Kemell #25 skates with the puck during preliminary round action against Russia at the 2021 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship at Comerica Center on April 27, 2021 in Frisco, TX USA. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/HHOF-IIHF Images)

Joakim Kemell, RW

Kemell has been the Liiga’s most impressive rookie, immediately becoming one of JYP’s top offensive contributors in his first games of professional hockey. The 2021 draft eligible will look to continue his draft year success at the WJC, where he should adopt a crucial scoring role for Finland. Kemell is a versatile scorer with a great shot. The Finn is most dangerous on the powerplay, but his ability to find open ice in the offensive zone should make him a threat at any game state. A storyline that scouts and draft observers will be tracking throughout the tournament is Kemell’s performance in comparison to fellow 2021 eligible and JYP teammate Brad Lambert, also on Team Finland. Lambert had a clear edge in draft stock entering this season, but Kemell has stormed past him with such a terrific start to his Liiga career.

Ville Koivunen, W/C

Koivunen will be one of Finland’s most skilled forwards, using his excellent intelligence to utilize a toolbox of above-average skating, puck skills, and playmaking ability. He could be a candidate to get involved on the powerplay with his playmaking and intelligence and could present a problem to defend off the rush for opposing teams. He has 19 points in 30 games for Karpat in the Liiga, an impressive rookie season for the 2021 second round selection. Koivunen was a top player at the World U18s last year, tallying 10 points in seven games for a fourth-place Finnish team. Alongside fellow Finn Aleksi Heimosalmi, Koivunen is one of ten (!) Carolina Hurricanes prospects to represent his country at this year’s tournament, the most of any NHL team.

Kasper Simontaival, RW

Simontaival quickly asserted himself as one of Finland’s most skilled forwards in the pre-tournament game, using his puck skills and skating to slice his way to the net on numerous occasions. Finland’s top line is small– Simontaival and Roni Hirvonen are 5’9”, while centre Jusso Mäenpää is 5’7” -- but extremely skilled and they were very effective as a unit against the United States. Simontaival scored Finland’s first goal and recorded a secondary assist on their second. The forward is dangerous as both a scorer and playmaker, eager to use his puck skills to drive his way to the slot and then choosing between his heavy shot or intelligent passing to create opportunities. He had seven points in seven games in last year’s tournament and looks to be ready for a similarly excellent performance this go around. Simontaival will be leaned upon heavily by Finland for offensive contributions.

Roby Järventie, LW

Järventie is a big, skilled winger with a breadth of professional experience under his belt– having played in both Finland’s tier one and two professional leagues as well as the American Hockey League, Järventie has played against men in three different contexts. Järventie brings a lot of elements to Finland’s team– he’s 6’3”, skates well, can really shoot the puck, and has good hands. He’s sure to be valuable on the powerplay, where his frame and scoring instincts could make him a netfront option or Finland could use his shooting ability from further out. Järventie had a tough tournament last year but will look to bounce back in what should be an increased role this time around. He’s the type of player that needs some help from his teammates but can complement a line very well with his scoring instincts– ideally, Järventie will get the chance to play alongside some skilled forwards in Finland’s top-six. Järventie did not play in Finland’s pre-tournament game for what seems to be injury/illness reasons and could possibly be in danger of missing the tournament.

Roni Hirvonen, C

A 2020 second round pick of the Leafs, Hirvonen’s steadfast two-way game and excellent playmaking abilities make him a candidate to centre Finland’s top line throughout the tournament. That’s a significant role– being relied upon to counter the stacked top lines of teams like Canada, USA, and Sweden is not at all easy– but it’s tough to find a player more suited for such a job than Hirvonen. Hirvonen plays a highly responsible defensive game: he is always in position to support his defencemen, he excels at anticipating and disrupting passes, and he is surprisingly effective along the boards considering his 5’9” frame. Hirvonen has been named captain of the Finnish squad but will be leaned upon in much more than just a leadership role over the course of the tournament. He manned the left wing rather than centre in Finland’s pre-tournament game but was still an important two-way anchor for the unit. An unfortunate turnover on his part prompted USA’s first goal, but Hirvonen compensated with an assist and the game-winning goal in overtime.

Alexeri Hiemosalmi. Photo by Dan Hickling, HIckling Images

Aleksi Heimosalmi, D

Heimosalmi nearly had his tournament robbed from him by COVID-19 like Aatu Raty and Rami Maata did, but a previous infection allowed him to join Finland’s squad despite the rest of his Liiga team being in quarantine. Heimosalmi is the only 2003-born defenceman on the Finnish roster, a statement to his talent and maturity. He plays a full-time role on Assat’s blueline at 18-years old, albeit in a fairly limited role for the time being. Heimosalmi is a mobile, well-rounded defenceman who could prove dependable in a variety of fashions for Finland. His excellent skating makes him a threat to push the puck through the neutral zone and the defenceman loves to walk the line in the offensive zone, a skill that could become useful on the powerplay if Heimosalmi can earn that opportunity. The Finn doesn’t sacrifice much in the offensive zone; he’s small and can be pushed around a little, but compensates with an active stick, consistent positioning, and smothering rush defence.

Eemil Viro, D

Viro was initially paired with Ruben Rafkin to form what could be Finland’s shutdown defensive line for the tournament. Both players are physical and defensively sound, but Viro projects to be the more offensive of the two. Viro is a mobile, versatile defender who could be Finland’s next-best option to anchor a pairing behind Niemelä. The Red Wings prospect is in the midst of his third Liiga season, having asserted himself as a stifling defender who is unafraid of playing physical despite being disadvantaged to most opponents in age, experience, and size. He has never been much of a point producer but can push shots through from the point and can be expected to be more offensively active than usual against junior competition. In transition, Viro is a steady presence who will use his mobility and poise to safely transport the puck forwards. He was all over the ice in Finland’s pre-tournament game, being named Finland’s player of the game for his efforts.

Ruben Rafkin, D

Rafkin is Finland’s most physical player, a stocky 6’0” defenceman who plays tough, aggressive defence. It didn’t take long for Rafkin to assert his physicality, receiving a five minute major and game misconduct in the first period of Finland’s pre-tournament game. The defenceman aggressively stepped up on USA’s Brett Berard near the United States’ blueline, ultimately clipping Berard as the winger jumped out of the way of the check. It did not seem to be a malicious check by any means and Rafkin is expected to be available once again for Finland for their first game of the tournament. In addition to his physical play, Rafkin is an effective outlet passer who makes quick, simple passes to exit the zone and keep the puck out of trouble. Expect to see a lot of Rafkin in situations where Finland is killing a penalty or protecting a lead, provided he manages to keep his nose clean for the remainder of the tournament.

Joel Blomqvist, G

Leevi Merilainen got the start in the pre-tournament match, but Blomqvist entered the game early in the third period as Finland split the game between their goaltenders. Merilainen does have a better save percentage than Blomqvist for Finland’s U20 squad so far this year, but Blomqvist’s league record is far superior. Blomqvist rocks a stellar .964 save percentage in eight games in the Liiga, whereas Merilainen stands below a .900 SV% for the OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs. Blomqvist’s game is built around excellent technical skills. He tracks the puck very well and is rarely caught out of position, making him a difficult goaltender to beat even with fluid puck movement before the shot. Blomqvist is the type of goaltender that can keep a team in a game with sound, stellar play and he could be a major stabilizing force in Finland’s net. Blomqvist may not play every game early in the tournament but expect Finland to look to him against Canada in their final round robin matchup and throughout the playoffs.

Brad Lambert of Finland stops with the puck during the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship quarterfinal between Finland and Sweden on January 2, 2021 in Edmonton.
Photo: Andy Devlin / BILDBYRÅN /

Sleeper To Watch – Brad Lambert, C/RW

There is hope that Brad Lambert can use this opportunity against junior competition to shake off the troubles that he has experienced in the Liiga this year, but expectations cannot be particularly high for the Finn as he comes off a very disappointing first half of his draft season. Lambert is an excellent skater and puckhandler who will be most visible in the neutral zone, where he excels at advancing the puck into the offensive zone with control. Team Finland seems happy to take advantage of that skill, frequently using Lambert on entries and putting him out on the ice as Finland looked to tie their pre-tournament game on the powerplay in the final minutes. Lambert’s success in this tournament will depend on his ability to get off the wall and into the slot in the offensive zone. If he can get to dangerous areas, Lambert is skilled enough to be Finland’s most impactful forward. But he’s struggled to do so over the last two years and continued to have issues there against the USA in pre-tournament action.

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.

WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP – FINLAND: Well Balanced Team with Medal Aspirations

Marco Bombino — Wed, 23 Dec 2020 15:28:16 +0000

Team Outlook

Finland has a team with all the elements to achieve a very good result at the World Juniors. Their defense is versatile with different types of players, they have enough offensive firepower to compete against the toughest opponents, and goaltending shouldn't be an issue either.

Joel Blomqvist is the favorite for the starter's role in net. The Pittsburgh Penguins second round pick has split this season between Finland’s top two leagues, the Liiga and Mestis. He is a technically sound netminder who displays a calm demeanour. A very good skater, he moves quickly post to post and across the crease. His rebound control is also an asset.

The other two goalies are Kari Piiroinen and Roope Taponen, both of whom have spent the season in Mestis. Piiroinen, who played against Kazakhstan at the 2020 World Juniors, has improved steadily over the course of the season. Taponen has posted very good numbers, albeit behind a strong defense. He is a consistent goalie with athleticism and quick reactions.

On defense, I would expect Ville Heinola and Topi Niemela to form the first pairing, just like at the national team camp in July. They were really good in the two intrasquad games. Both should get a lot of power play time at the World Juniors. In that July event, I also thought that Santeri Hatakka and Eemil Viro played very well on the same pairing. Viro particularly stood out due to his physicality and puck moving abilities.

Additionally, I would not be surprised if Kasper Puutio ends up being a top four defenseman on the Finnish squad. The Florida Panthers prospect has the good mobility and versatility to play in any situation. He makes accurate outlet passes, facilitates zone exits, and shows a smart head for the game.

Mikko Kokkonen, Ruben Rafkin and Matias Rajaniemi complete the defense. I think they are more defensive minded than the other five defensemen discussed above. All three should be able to handle their defensive responsibilities. Rafkin, who surprisingly went undrafted this year, has played quite well for TPS in the Liiga. He likely won't have a very big role on the Finnish team, but he is available to take part in the 2022 World Juniors as well.

At forward, there are a lot of interesting players, yet not much previous World Juniors experience. Aku Raty is the only returning forward, with Antti Saarela being sidelined due to injury and Patrik Puistola and Aatu Raty surprisingly left off the roster.

There are a lot of options at center. Captain Anton Lundell, who played in the 2019 WJC but missed last year’s tournament due to an untimely injury, will likely center the first line. Juuso Parssinen, Samuel Helenius, Roni Hirvonen and Henri Nikkanen have also been playing center this season, but one of them will have to move to the wing for the tournament. My bet would be Hirvonen, as he has played the majority of the 2019-20 season on the wing.

On the wing, Roby Jarventie, Kasper Simontaival and Aku Raty are the ones with the best offensive abilities. That being said, Mikael Pyyhtia could surprise some people due to his versatility. Undrafted Petteri Puhakka has speed, skill and could be effective in middle-six role. Boston Bruins prospect Matias Mantykivi is a very skilled player and has smarts but lacks in skating speed. Mikko Petman is a very physical player with a heavy shot and brings sandpaper and grit to the team.

The Finnish team, coached by Antti Pennanen, will play in Group A which also includes Canada, Germany, Slovakia and Switzerland. Canada is the clear-cut favorite to win the group, that goes without saying. The Finns shouldn't underestimate the other three opponents either. Germany has some very talented, high-end forwards, Switzerland usually has a speedy and very hard-working team, and the Slovaks have a better team than last year on paper. The Finns do have a great opportunity to finish at least second in the group which would put them in a good position for the quarterfinals.

Ville Heinola, Aku Räty of Finland during the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship game between Finland and Slovakia on December 28, 2019 in Trinec.
Photo: Simon Hastegård / BILDBYRÅN

Players to Watch (in no particular order)

Ville Heinola

Heinola is a poised and skilled defenseman who excels on the power play. He processes the game quickly, he is an excellent problem solver and reads the game really well. He is calm with the puck and has the patience to look for a good passing lane – he moves the puck in a timely manner. He can deceive opponents with head fakes and subtle moves. He is not a high-end skater or the most dynamic player, but he is smart, cunning and makes a lot of plays. He keeps tight gaps and defends well with his stick. The Winnipeg Jets prospect is the lone player on the Finnish team with NHL experience, having played in eight games for the Jets in 2019. After a strong start to the 2019-20 season and a short stint in the AHL, he returned to Lukko in Finland, and didn't live up to the expectations in the second half. But he has been excellent this season, racking up assists and playing with greater consistency than ever.

Topi Niemela

Niemela is a mobile offensive defenseman who shows impressive maturity for his age. He is smooth with the puck and can start the play up the ice by carrying it or giving crisp, accurate passes to the forwards. His skating is high end. He has a quick first step, strong balance and he moves well laterally. He is eager to shoot and gets shots past the first defender regularly. His shot isn't a cannon, but he can pick his spots well. Defensively, he keeps tight gaps and actively uses his stick to break up plays. He plays with his head on a swivel and shows awareness of his surroundings. The Toronto Maple Leafs prospect has great tools and as he improves his physicality in the coming years and gains more experience at the pro level, we will see an even more complete player. As for the World Juniors, it wouldn't surprise me if he already were the top Finnish defenseman.

Roni Hirvonen

Hirvonen has been very good offensively in the Liiga this season. The Assat center is dangerous with the puck and creates a lot of trouble for defensemen. He is creative and crafty, has quick hands, and the ability to stickhandle in small spaces. He can dangle opponents and create space for himself and his teammates. He is a good finisher with a quick and accurate shot. Another thing that makes him valuable to his team is defensive reliability. He shows a lot of effort without the puck, regularly skates hard back to his own end, and is committed to playing for the team. He reads the game really well and makes the right decisions. The Toronto Maple Leafs second round pick has been playing consistently well for the national teams over the last few years and given how well he has started the season, I expect a strong performance from him at the World Juniors.

Roby Jarventie

Jarventie has been one of the top rookies in the Liiga this season. His chemistry with Arizona Coyotes prospect Matias Maccelli has been quite seamless as they are dangerous in offensive transitions and complement each other's skill sets well. Jarventie is a very skilled goal-scorer who can finish from close range or further out. The winger is cunning in the offensive zone and gets to spots where he can be a scoring threat. He has a lot of puck skill and his hands are quick and smooth. His skating features a great combination of agility and fluidity, and his top speed is very good. In order to become a more complete player, he will need to be more involved defensively and more consistent, not only game to game, but also within a game. Despite those shortcomings, the Ottawa Senators prospect should have a big role on the Finnish team at the World Juniors. His shooting ability is a real asset that should be utilized on the power play.

Juuso Parssinen

Parssinen is a skilled and intelligent center who battles responsibly in all three zones. He shows awareness, has good vision and quality passing skills, enabling him to make flashy plays quite often. He has good playmaking skills, as well as a potent, accurate wrist shot. His skating is not holding him back, but I wouldn't call it an asset either. He needs to improve both acceleration and top speed. However, he reads the game well and knows where to go, compensating for a lack of explosiveness and initial burst. He was very impressive in the Liiga last season after being promoted from the U20 league. However, this season hasn't been as encouraging. His confidence seems to be lost which is concerning. On a more positive note, he has been putting up points and improving at face-offs. The World Juniors will be very important for the Nashville Predators prospect – if he manages to play a strong tournament, it could give him much needed confidence for the remainder of the season.

Santeri Hatakka

Hatakka is one of the five returning Finnish players from the 2020 World Juniors, where he played a steady defensive game and did his job well. I have been impressed with his development in the Liiga this season. His assertiveness and willingness to battle stand out. The San Jose Sharks prospect defends well in tight areas and uses his physical attributes to his advantage. He is a great skater, he moves well in all directions, and can skate with the puck up the ice. Furthermore, his decision making with the puck has improved. He does not rack up points often, but he doesn't necessarily have to, because he is so strong defensively. Hatakka will be a big part of the Finnish defense at the World Juniors. I expect him to play a lot on the penalty kill and manage well in battle situations.

Brad Lambert

Lambert is considered one of the most talented players in his age-group and is already discussed as the potential first overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, alongside Canadians Shane Wright and Matthew Savoie. Lambert is a dynamic and highly skilled forward. He has a quick first step, explosive speed, and he accelerates well with his crossovers. At times he looks faster with the puck than without it. He has an accurate wrist shot with a quick release, and he can shoot in stride and beat goalies cleanly even from a distance – a scoring threat whenever he is on the ice. Lambert has been quite impressive as a rookie in the Liiga. I think he has progressed defensively and become stronger in board and corner battles, where he can hold his own and won't give up the puck easily. I hope he will be given power play opportunities at the World Juniors as he has a terrific shot and exceptional puck skills.

Eemil Viro

Viro is a mobile defenseman with a strong blend of puck skill and physicality. A steady and reliable puck mover, he makes accurate passes that are easy to receive. He is a powerful skater with good acceleration and can carry the puck from his own end. He is agile, he can make quick changes of direction to shake off forecheckers, giving him more space to make a play. He also displays very good edge work. In his own end, he is strong physically. He battles hard and doesn’t give up an inch. He is willing to pay the price to win one-on-one battles and he recognizes when to pressure and when to contain opponents. He has performed well with TPS in the Liiga this season, contributing offensively, and his ice time has gone up more than three minutes per game from the past campaign. Keep an eye on this Detroit Red Wings third rounder.

Anton Lundell

Lundell has been excellent in the Liiga this season, scoring goals at an remarkable pace and continuing his impressive two-way game. He has been generating plenty of offensive opportunities and he has capitalized on his scoring chances at a good rate. His confidence level has been very high throughout the season. In addition to his offensive abilities, he has demonstrated the ability to play responsibly without the puck. Not only does he read the game very well, but he is also able to anticipate from time to time and take advantage of it. Additionally, his skating, which has required work, has improved since the past season. The Florida Panthers prospect has smoothed out his stride and he looks quicker as well. After missing last year's World Juniors due to injury, he will captain the Finnish team at the event this year.

Aku Raty

Raty has appeared in only two Liiga games this season after returning from an injury that occurred in September. Despite not playing a whole lot, I think it would have been surprising if he had been left off the World Juniors team. He was very good in last year's tournament, playing an energetic, dependable game and recording three points in a fourth-line role. The Arizona Coyotes prospect is a hard-working, relentless winger with speed and skill. He causes opponents trouble as he is active away from the puck and keeps his feet moving. He takes away time and space and his checking game is effective. Offensively, he sees the ice well, moves pucks into good spots, and makes plays. He uses cutbacks well while protecting the puck along the boards, changing direction on a dime. Raty is the kind of a player that can be trusted in any game situation.

Surprise Player – Mikael Pyyhtia

Pyyhtia has only two pro games under his belt, but he has been one of the top players for TPS U20 over the last two seasons. The Columbus Blue Jackets prospect is an all-around forward with smarts, skill, and poise. He sees the ice well, reads the game and rarely makes a bad decision – reliable with and without the puck. He has a fluid stride, quick feet, and reaches a good top speed. Even if his ice-time is limited at the World Juniors, I think he could turn some heads. I don't think he has any one attribute that stands out the most, but he is versatile and good in all areas of the game.

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

McKEEN’S 2020 NHL DRAFT GUIDE – Jurmo vs Viro – Comparing the Finnish Blueliners

Marco Bombino — Sun, 31 May 2020 12:40:00 +0000

Eeemil Viro

Joni Jurmo and Eemil Viro are among the highest ranked Finnish defensemen for the 2020 NHL Draft. Jurmo had an excellent season with Jokerit U20, whereas Viro started the season with TPS U20 before being promoted to the Liiga, the top Finnish pro league. He spent the majority of the season in the Liiga and showed promise. Both also played for the Finnish U18 national team and Jurmo even got the opportunity to play with the U19 national team where he was excellent.

What are some of the differences between these two players? On the other hand, what similarities do they have? I will take a close look to provide some answers, evaluating five attributes (skating, shooting, skills, smarts and physicality).

Skating

Both Jurmo and Viro are strong skaters with very good mobility. Jurmo has excellent acceleration and speed, enabling him to often carry the puck up the ice and generate offensive zone entries. He moves well in all directions and has strong balance as well.

Viro is a smooth, powerful skater who moves well with the puck. He has great quickness in his first few strides and good top speed as well. Like Jurmo, Viro can also be an effective puck transporter, although he does not attempt to go coast to coast nearly as often.

What I really like about Viro's skating is his agility. He can make shifty moves to shake off forecheckers and create more time and space for himself to make plays. His edge work is very good as well.

Shooting

Jurmo can be a scoring threat from the point, especially on the power play, on account of having a diverse shot selection. He has a heavy slap shot with good wind up. His one-timer is quick, hard and he uses good technique, with strong weight transfer and follow-through. He can also unleash precise wrist shots that force goalies to make saves more often than not.

Viro has more work to do on his shooting ability. He does have a pretty good wrist shot with an accurate release. He likes to keep his wristers low, often looking for rebounds and redirections. But his slap shot in particular could have more power on it.

This is an area where Jurmo has the edge on Viro. I think Jurmo has a better chance to be a strong power play contributor in the NHL, partly because of his better shooting ability.

Skills

Jurmo is a skilled defenseman with quick hands. He can keep the puck on a string and do many things offensively. Overall, his stickhandling is very good. He also shows good use of his body to shield the puck and gain positional advantage.

Defensively, Jurmo used to be overly passive but he has become more alert and focused, especially in his own end. He uses proper angling to keep opponents on the perimeter, without giving them lanes to take the puck inside and towards the net.

Viro is also skilled with the puck. He can make all the passes and his timing is consistently on point, he gives passes that are easy to receive, and they often arrive to players who are moving. He also shows some deception with the puck on his stick.

In younger juniors, Viro often carried the puck up the ice, but in the past season he would more often decide to give a first pass and then join the rush as a second-wave option. I think this has been a successful adjustment to his game.

Both have strong and exciting offensive skillsets. I like Jurmo a tad more in this regard as I think he's more dynamic, with the ability to make some dazzling plays from time to time.

Joni Jurmo

Smarts

Jurmo shows a lot of poise with the puck. After entering the offensive zone, he likes to hold on to the puck, he keeps his head up to scan the ice and makes the smart play more often than not. He has very good vision. If there is no clear opportunity to carry the puck, he will most often make the right decision and give the puck up to his teammates.

Jurmo has made the biggest improvements in his defensive zone coverage. He is now much more alert and focused in his own end. He maintains good defensive positioning and contains the cycle.

Viro's decision making improved greatly in the past season. He did not force the game or make careless plays as much as before. He took fewer risks offensively which also reduced his turnover rate.

He reads the game well in all three zones. He can hold the offensive zone blueline well. In the neutral zone, he is tough to get around in 1-on-1's because of his good positioning and gap control. In his own end, he does a good job of containing opponents. He also recognizes when he should apply pressure.

Viro has good offensive vision as well. He sees the ice well and can deliver passes to his teammates with pinpoint accuracy.

Compared to Jurmo, I think Viro has a better understanding on when to carry the puck and when to make the simple first pass. Jurmo is the flashier player, but Viro's ability to make sound decisions should not be overlooked either.

Physicality

Jurmo could have a stronger physical presence. He is not soft, but I would like to see him initiate contact more often. He is not a particularly aggressive defender; he needs to add toughness and work on his defending in tight spaces. On a more positive note, he can box out forwards effectively and hold his own in the corners and in front of the net. Altogether, there is still quite a bit of room for improvement.

Viro is not as big in stature but he already plays a pretty solid physical game and should only improve in the coming years with additional strength. He goes into one-on-one battles with authority as he is willing to pay the price in order to win these situations.

In my viewings, Viro has shown more situational toughness than Jurmo. I don't see either developing into a physical force in the NHL, but I do think both will manage well, nonetheless.

Summary

In conclusion, I think there are a lot of similarities between Joni Jurmo and Eemil Viro, yet also some differences. Both are very good skaters with strong puck skills. Jurmo has a much better shot and is flashier, while Viro is a tad stronger physically. I think Viro's decision making is sounder in many game situations.

With the way they have been developing, I firmly believe that both are going to play in the NHL and have a chance to stay there for years to come. Both could develop into impact defensemen for their teams, so it will be very interesting to watch how their careers proceed.

Finland: Eemil Viro, D, TPS (Liiga) (2020)

Marco Bombino — Tue, 10 Dec 2019 21:26:20 +0000

Eemil Viro is a mobile, offensive-minded defenseman who has improved his overall game significantly over the last two seasons. He moves really well and his skating and puck skills both project to be better than average at the NHL level. There are some questions around his hockey sense, plus he is not the most physical or reliable defensemen. That being said, he does have great tools and the raw potential to be a power play quarterback in the NHL. Viro's overall game is not as polished compared to some of the other top Finnish draft eligible defensemen, but his style of play is well suited for the NHL. He could very well be selected in the top three rounds of the draft if he continues to progress throughout the remainder of the season.

Eemil Viro	2020 NHL Draft eligible
Position: D, Shoots L	H/W: 6-0", 168 lbs
Stats to Date (GP-G-A-PTS-Pims)	TPS, Liiga (5-0-1-1-0)
	TPS U20, Jr. A SM-liiga (15-1-5-6-14)

Skating: Viro is a mobile defenseman whose skating is an asset. He uses his agility along with shifty moves to escape from pressure in his own end and shake off the forecheck. He has a good first two-step acceleration and can carry the puck from out of his own end. He uses his skating effectively in order to create room to make plays in all three zones. He moves well in a straight line and he wins foot races to pucks. Grade: 60

Shot: He has an accurate wrist shot and can get it on net with regularity. He often shoots to create rebounds and he is adept at creating shooting lanes on the power play. However, his shot is only decent in terms of power and velocity and he is he is not a significant shooting threat from the point. He can run a power play at the junior level but he is much more effective as a distributor than a shooter. Grade: 45

Skills: A highly skilled, smooth puck mover who excels on the power play, Viro facilitates the breakout with quick and effective passes. He can also lead the rush and carry the puck from his own end. He has the ability to make shifty moves to evade forecheckers and he has some nice deception in his game. He is capable of starting offensive transitions with precise long-range passes. Grade: 60

Smarts: Viro positions himself well in the defensive zone, especially in front of the net where he can break up passes. In the neutral zone, he closes gaps quickly and uses a timely stick to disrupt the puck carrier. On the downside, he has a tendency to force the game, make some risky plays and occasionally turn the puck over in vital areas. Overall, his reliability has improved over the last year, but there are still times when his decision making with the puck is questionable. Grade: 50

Physicality: He has never been a very physical player, yet he can hold his own in battles against older opponents. Viro prefers to use his stick and angle opposing forwards, but he will play the body when necessary. He is by no means soft nor does he avoid contact, but he must gain strength and add toughness in order to be effective at the pro level. Grade: 50

Overall Future Projection (OFP): 53.25

2020 NHL Draft: U18 5-Nation tournament

Jimmy Hamrin — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 15:16:06 +0000

SUNDSVALL, SWEDEN: I attended the U18 5-nations tournament with big expectations as these tournaments have been historically very good. Now that the tournament is over, in retrospect, the many of the 150-200 NHL scouts who attended as well as myself did not get much high-end value in terms of scouting for the upcoming draft. There were some top players missing due to either injury or playing in the U20 tournament. Team USA is not the same powerhouse as they have had been in the past and neither Canada nor Russia attended. In hindsight, Germany would’ve been more interesting to see for draft purposes this year than Switzerland which came with a young roster. This made the games less competitive than they otherwise might have been. Both the Czechs and the Swiss played defensively to stay in the games while the elite offensive talents on the other teams were too few to dominate the score in the other games. The best game was the final game between USA and Sweden where USA impressed mightily with a high pace – high pressure game to reveal the weaknesses on the Swedish team.

USA won all four games, Sweden won three, Finland two, the Czechs one and Switzerland lost all four. Seven players scored over a point per game (Kasper Simontaival FIN, Juuso Maenpaa FIN, Matthew Beniers USA, Zion Nybeck SWE, Brett Berard USA, Theodor Niederbach SWE and Thomas Bordeleau USA). I’ll go through the five teams and name the players that stood out:

USA:

The top two lines were clearly their best. The bottom six (not counting Ty Smilanic) saw nothing particularly interesting for the top half of the draft. Ty Smilanic looked as the best forward prospect, but he only put up two assists in the three games he played. He played on the third line and on the power play. He is a big forward and a fast skater with nice hands. He looked really dominant at times. He drove play and created many scoring chances, but mostly for himself, as he didn’t make his line mates better in these games.

The American first line with both Luke Tuch and Landon Slaggert looked a bit slow but very strong possession-wise with their physical advantage. Dylan Peterson impressed the most on that line. He skates well and was strong around and in front of the net. He looks like a future NHL player in that regard. The second line showed with three “B”-players, Beniers, Bordeleau and Berard, showed the most overall skill and produced good offense. Thomas Bordeleau is a creative center with nice playmaking skills and Brett Berard is a smallish winger who played intensively with good offensive instincts. Matthew Beniers (2021) is very strong on the puck. He has a good lower-body balance but maybe not elite offensive hockey sense. He was hard to catch and drove hard to net. He was the best player in the final game and stepped up with some big goals there.

On the defense, Jake Sanderson impressed me the most. He is a big puck-moving defenseman who, on this level, could skate away with the puck from any situation. His puck skills may not be elite, but I can see him being a good second or third pairing defenseman in the NHL in the future. Brock Faber showed good puck-moving skills as did Eamon Powell. The latter turned some heads when he scored three times in a shootout versus Finland.

Sweden's Emil Andrae Photo: Jonas Ljungdahl / BILDBYRÅN

Sweden:

There were a handful of Swedes who looked strong in the tournament. Goalie Jesper Wallstedt (2021) is very impressive to watch. He was the best goalie in my opinion and has the whole package, from hockey sense, compete level to good structure. He will have a good chance to become the highest drafted Swedish goalie ever next year.*

*The current record is 31^st overall, a mark shared by Oscar Dansk (Columbus, 2012) and Jacob Markstrom (Florida, 2008).

Theodor Niederbach looks very smart on the ice and can process the game impressively. He is very strong offensively and had a strong tournament. He didn’t play for the whole year last season but shows good development early on, nonetheless. Zion Nybeck is highly ranked but didn’t dominate. He showed impressive flashes though and his puck skills are at a higher level than most in this tournament. Big forward Daniel Torgersson looks interesting with good skating and strong around-the-net presence. Some no-shows from whom I had higher expectations were William Eklund (2021), Elliot Ekmark and Daniel Ljungman.

On the defense, Emil Andrae is on a higher level than the other Swedish d-men on this team. He will be kind of tricky to rank for the draft as he has neither size nor standout speed, but his puck skills and hockey sense both look to have elite potential.

Finland:

Most of the offense came from two players, Juuso Maenpaa and Kasper Simontaival. Simontaival has a strong offensive toolkit with impressive puck skills, good playmaking ability and a good shot. He can be both a setup-guy and a shooter on a power play. He also skates well. He lacks size but looks to be skilled enough that I can’t see him being available after the first two rounds of the draft. Maenpaa is trickier. He is a 5-7” center who doesn’t have the elite puck skills that Simontaival possesses. Maenpaa does everything well, though. He works very hard, he drives play, he is always in motion and he creates a lot of offense. He has good skills and a very good hockey IQ. I think he can be a smart pick in the later rounds, low risk and maybe a high reward.

On the defense, they played Eemil Viro a ton, and he looked okay. He is a good puck-mover and played with poise. Joni Jurmo didn’t play as much but he looked interesting nonetheless. He brings good puck-moving and size. He could be a possible riser down the line.

Czech Republic:

The Czechs played four close games, but they had some trouble controlling possession of the puck. They played a mostly defensive game and rarely had lengthy attacks. Their best player was goalie Jan Bednar who kept the score down to a 1-0 loss versus USA and to a shootout loss versus Finland. He has good size and a good foundation technically with good athleticism and hockey sense. He is a good skater for a netminder as well. I would like to see him act instead of react for me to rank him as a top three round goalie but I am sure he will be drafted.

The Czech offense was mostly driven by Tomas Chlubna and Jakub Konecny on their top line. They both showed flashes of skill, but neither of them look like high-end prospects at this point. I can’t see either of them having top six forward potential at the NHL level. The same goes for defensive prospects like Michael Krutil and Marek Blaha. The latter stood out with his tremendous skating. He will be interesting to follow as he is only 5-7”, but seems to produce well in Czech junior system. Krutil looks interesting as a defensive defenseman as he combines size with good skating and passing abilities.

Switzerland:

A very young team with most of the players too young for the 2020 draft. They were smaller and less skilled than their opponents in all of the games. I liked what I saw from 2003 born Dario Sidler (puck-moving defenseman), Louis Robin (creative winger) and Lorenzo Canonica (smart center) though and they look to form the basis of a stronger U18 team next season.

Finland: 2019-20 Season Preview

Marco Bombino — Fri, 18 Oct 2019 13:27:15 +0000

UMEA, SWEDEN - APRIL 18: Finland's Anton Lundell #20 stickhandles the puck against Canada's Peyton Krebs #19 during preliminary round action of the 2019 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship at A3 Arena on Apirl 18, 2019 in Umea, Sweden. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/HHOF-IIHF Images)

Nowadays Finland is producing plenty of talented youngsters and it shows both in the senior and junior leagues. Here is a look into the Liiga contenders, the top NHL drafted prospects to watch from the Liiga and the top draft eligibles to watch across the Finnish leagues.

LIIGA CONTENDERS

Kärpät – The finalists from the past season lost quite a few key players, but also added a few top players to the roster, namely Jesse Puljujärvi, Juho Lammikko, Janne Pesonen and Jakub Krejcik. Kärpät plays a fast-paced game and has the depth necessary to win the championship this season. Their brightest youngsters include goalie Justus Annunen (COL), winger Aku Räty (ARI) and his younger brother Aatu Räty, a 16-year-old top forward prospect who won't be draft eligible until 2021.

Tappara – The team has been off to an excellent start and is looking to get back to the finals as they have done many times in the past few seasons. Tappara plays a structured defensive game but they also have a lot of skill and depth up front, as well as two solid goalies in Michal Garteig and Christian Heljanko. Defenseman Toni Utunen (VAN) has yet to play this season due to injury, but Patrik Puistola (CAR) has shown promise with limited ice-time.

Lukko – After reaching the quarterfinals last season, Lukko will look to improve with a much different roster. They acquired defenseman Robin Press and forwards Ponthus and Pathrik Westerholm from the Swedish SHL. Thus far each of them has proved to strengthen the team. Tarmo Reunanen (NYR) will lead the defense offensively. Lukko has two drafted defensemen in Miska Kukkonen (BUF) and Antti Palojärvi (PIT) but neither has yet to take a big role on the team. Two undrafted prospects to keep an eye on are winger Linus Nyman and goalie Lassi Lehtinen.

JYP – After a below-average past season for its standards, JYP is surely prepared to show that it belongs to the top-tier of the league. They have an experienced team with good depth at forward in particular. Forward Petrus Palmu (VAN) joined the team in early October and will add more to the depth and scoring. Anttoni Honka (CAR), Patrik Siikanen (EDM) and Jerry Turkulainen, a potential free agent signing, are the prospects of interest on the team.

Pelicans – The start to the season has been unspectacular for this Pelicans team, however there is potential for better results if they can put all the pieces together. Jesse Ylönen (MTL) is one of the most promising young players in the Liiga and defenseman Santtu Kinnunen (FLA) has shown solid long-term potential as well. There are also a few undrafted prospects to notice, such as forwards Aleks Haatanen, Samuel Salonen and goalie Jasper Patrikainen.

HPK – The reigning champions currently sit in the middle of the standings. They haven't been able to play a similar puck possession game as last season. Combined with several poor goaltending performances, the start of the season has been rough for HPK. That said, seventh rounder Valtteri Puustinen (PIT) has been very good, with 12 points in as many games. He is an energetic, quick forward with smarts and upside, but it remains to be seen whether he can maintain the offensive output.

TOP NHL PROSPECTS TO WATCH

Lassi Thomson, Ilves (Ottawa) – Thomson had a rough start to the season, just like the entire Ilves team, but he has elevated his game lately. His shot can be a real threat from the point due to the velocity and power on it. Thomson plays an ultra competitive game, has some snarl and a high work rate. He still needs time to adjust to the pro game, but the ceiling is very high with this defenseman.

Jesse Ylönen, Pelicans (Montreal) – Ylönen is a high-end skater with terrific stickhandling skills and boasts plenty of potential. However, the Pelicans winger has been ineffective and a bit of a perimeter player this season. He could be one of the best players in the entire league if he begins to play a more straight-forward game and generate more offense in the middle of the ice and inside the dots.

Lukas Dostal, Ilves (Anaheim) – Dostal joined Ilves in the midst of the last season from Kometa Brno and proved to be the cornerstone in net as the team reached the playoffs. A highly athletic goalie with very good reaction speed, he can make flashy saves and is tough to beat low. He still needs to refine a few parts of his game, but the Czech netminer has shown lots of potential during his time in Finland.

Matias Maccelli, Ilves (Arizona) – Maccelli had a great preseason with Ilves and has not failed to meet the expectations in the regular season. The winger is small but has lots of puck skill, can dangle and set up his teammates by using his vision and precise passing. His overall game requires work, though his defensive play has gotten better lately. Maccelli is very smart and generates offensive opportunities both for himself and his teammates.

Patrik Puistola, Tappara (Carolina) – Puistola's ice-time has been very limited in the Liiga but there is no doubting his offensive abilities. The winger can dangle, make smart passes and score goals from primary scoring areas. He shoots with a purpose. Skating has held him back at times, however if he gains the Tappara coaches' trust, expect him to contribute more offensively.

Tarmo Reunanen, Lukko (NY Rangers) – Reunanen was among the final cuts from the Rangers' training camp roster and thus returned to Lukko. He evolved into an on-ice leader last season. He can create a lot of offense with his vision, swift hands and smart, creative passing. Great on the power play. Reunanen has shown the potential to become an everyday NHL defenseman.

Oskari Laaksonen, Ilves (Buffalo) – Much like above-mentioned Thomson, Laaksonen's start to the Liiga season with Ilves was less than stellar. The right-shot defenseman hasn't shown similar ability to drive the play from the backend as he did last season and there have been some defensive issues as well. However, his offensive gifts haven't disappeared anywhere and I am certain that he will elevate his game as the season progressess.

Kim Nousiainen, KalPa (Los Angeles) – A small, skilled defenseman whom the Kings selected in the fourth round of this year's draft, Nousiainen is a skilled playmaker with quick feet and hands. However, I think his smarts make him such an interesting prospect. The KalPa blueliner makes calculated decisions with possession and shows noticeable composure for an 18-year-old defenseman.

Justus Annunen, Kärpät (Colorado) – Annunen is off to an impressive start with Kärpät and has already recorded three shutouts on the season. He continues to be difficult to beat low, he reads shooters effectively and remains square to the puck. He is calm and moves well in the crease showing strong overall skating ability.

Jakub Galvas, Jukurit (Chicago) – Galvas has impressed offensively for Jukurit in the early stages of the season and has recorded eight assists. He is a mobile defenseman with good playmaking skills and moves the puck into good spots. He can quarterback the power play. Galvas has made occasional mistakes both with and without puck, but he continues to play with confidence and poise. He looks like a solid find by the Blackhawks in the fifth round of the 2017 draft.

HM: Lenni Killinen (Carolina), Arttu Ruotsalainen (Buffalo), Daniil Tarasov (Columbus), Anttoni Honka (Carolina), Robin Salo (NY Islanders).

TOP 2020 NHL DRAFT PROSPECTS TO WATCH

Anton Lundell, C/LW, HIFK – Lundell already spent the majority of the past season in the Liiga and has been getting quality ice-time this season. The smart center reads and anticipates the game extremely well and consistently puts himself in a good position to make plays. He has skill, protects the puck well, wins face-offs and can play in any situation. The main issue is his skating which lacks both power and speed, but he is a potential top 10 pick as he plays such an efficient game in all three zones.

Roni Hirvonen, C, Ässät – Hirvonen has impressed as a rookie in the Liiga, using his strengths, namely his offensive abilities, to his advantage. Although a natural center, he has been playing on the wing against men. A very smart playmaker who can finish, too, he has great vision, offensive instincts and can be creative with the puck. He is also good skater with quick feet, agility and nimble footwork. His style of play is reminiscent of Sebastian Aho.

Topi Niemelä, D, Kärpät – Niemelä is a mobile right-shot defenseman who has only begun to scratch the surface of his potential. He has a quick first step, great glide and moves well laterally. His puck handling skills are high end and he plays with plenty of poise. He has been able to hold his own defensively at the pro level. He could be a first rounder if his development keeps trending upwards.

Joel Blomqvist, G, Kärpät U20 – Blomqvist has been a standout ever since playing in the U16 league as an underager and currently excels with Kärpät U20. The 6-1" netminder is quick, flexible and shows calculated movements – he is constantly in control and remains calm regardless of the situation he is in. His technical skills are solid and he tracks pucks well.

Kasper Simontaival, C/RW, Tappara U20 – Simontaival's development has suffered from injuries over the past couple of seasons, but he remains one of the top Finnish prospects among 2002's. He is a precision shooter who can rifle the puck and has a good shot selection. He shows some flash with his puck skills and has nifty hands. His skating isn't high end and being a smaller forward, that could hurt his game in the future. However, because of his offensive abilities, he could be selected inside the top two rounds.

Roby Järventie, F, Ilves U20

Eemil Viro, D, TPS U20

Joni Jurmo, D, Jokerit U20

Veeti Miettinen, RW, Kiekko-Espoo U20

Juuso Mäenpää, F, Jokerit U20

Veeti Korkalainen, F, KooKoo U20

Rami Määttä, D, Ässät U20

Joonas Oden, LW, KooKoo

Oskari Luoto, F, Tappara U20

Peetro Seppälä, KooKoo

Eemil Viro – McKeen's Hockey

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

2022 WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP: TEAM FINLAND – A Deep Squad and Perennial Medal Threat Features Two High Profile 2022 Draft Prospects

Players To Watch:

Topi Niemelä, D

Joakim Kemell, RW

Ville Koivunen, W/C

Kasper Simontaival, RW

Roby Järventie, LW

Roni Hirvonen, C

Aleksi Heimosalmi, D

Eemil Viro, D

Ruben Rafkin, D

Joel Blomqvist, G

Sleeper To Watch – Brad Lambert, C/RW

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

WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP – FINLAND: Well Balanced Team with Medal Aspirations

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)

McKEEN’S 2020 NHL DRAFT GUIDE – Jurmo vs Viro – Comparing the Finnish Blueliners

Skating

Shooting

Skills

Smarts

Physicality

Summary

Finland: Eemil Viro, D, TPS (Liiga) (2020)

2020 NHL Draft: U18 5-Nation tournament

Finland: 2019-20 Season Preview

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)