Filip Chlapik – McKeen's Hockey

EUROPEAN FREE AGENT WATCH (UPDATED): Players who could be signed by an NHL club

Chapin Landvogt — Tue, 29 Mar 2022 21:22:03 +0000

Fans of NHL teams love to see their team sign players. College free agents, Canadian junior free agents, players who went unsigned by other teams due to prospect logjams - fans just love seeing these guys signed. Getting excited about already sculpted players out of Europe at the end of each and every season has basically become a pastime for fans across the NHL.

And we’re at the time of the year when a season long scouting of European leagues leads to a few NHL signings involving players who are usually in their mid- to late 20s and either needed more time to develop after being NHL prospects in earlier years or have developed to a point where they’ve turned themselves into an NHL topic. Sometimes, they’re coming out of nowhere, so to speak, having never really been seen as NHL possibilities until now. Others are still young but were never drafted for whatever reason and are now looking like legitimate prospects to add to the stable.

Examples of such signings took place a little over a week ago. The Toronto Maple Leafs looked to bring in goaltender Harri Säteri, a 32-year-old known commodity with plenty of AHL and KHL experience. He recently won a gold medal with Finland at the Olympics and the Leafs, with well-documented goaltending issues, were looking for a playoff answer. By now you’ve all seen that the Arizona Coyotes claimed Säteri off of waivers, as UFAs his age will need to go through the waiver wire process to land with the team they’ve actually signed with. A different case was seen with center Ilya Usov, a Belarussian who had a real nice WHL season in the initial Covid-shortened year and has spent the past two seasons in the KHL. With 26 points in 40 games for Minsk, Tampa Bay had seen enough to give the gifted 20-year-old an ELC. Notoriously short on draft picks due to obvious yearly contention, this is one of the ways in which the franchise goes about supplementing its system. To be noted is that Usov could have entered the draft for a 4th straight year.

Granted, the following list will not touch on everyone who could be an NHL topic. There are players out there such as Lucas Wallmark, Denis Malgin, Dominik Kahun, and Nikita Nesterov who spent the season in Europe and played at the Olympics, and who have been in the NHL as late as just last season. Then there are bubble prospects such as Peter Cehlarik, who almost broke through with the Boston Bruins organization, but has now spent two years in Europe showing and refining his wares in the SHL and KHL. He also was a cog in helping Slovakia win its surprising bronze medal at the Olympics. It should come as no surprise if NHL teams add players of this ilk.

Normally on the list below, we’d be inclined to include Lukas Jasek, a righty shot winger and center drafted by the Vancouver Canucks as a late round pick in 2016. He’s currently enjoying a breakout season in Finland, where his 51 points in 54 games are good for third in league scoring. After a strong PTO with the Canucks organization to conclude the 17-18 season, he spent the better part of all three years of his ELC with the Utica Comets. Things changed in his third year, when it was clear that he wasn’t going to be in the NHL, that he was loaned out to Trinec in the Czech league. Now he’s technically an RFA who needs to be re-upped this summer. If not, we’d have to think he’d be sought after as a UFA. But it’s clear that the 24-year-old is not coming back to be sent to the AHL, which makes a tricky sign for any team uncertain he can jump right in.

And the European hockey scene has its fair share of players currently in that or similar situations. The Olympics have given this a new dynamic, as such players tend to first become hot topics during and after the men’s WC, which will be held in May. However, these Olympic games, free of NHLers, gave teams the huge opportunity to view all sorts of players they’d possibly like to add to their organization.

With all this in mind, here’s a set of players you shouldn’t be surprised to see your favorite NHL team sign throughout the spring.

Andrei Kuzmenko - RUS - 26 - RW - 20-33-53 in 45 KHL games

There’s little doubt that Kuzmenko is the prize of Russian free agents at the moment. Not only did he finish second in KHL scoring but has a sack full of slick tricks and shows fantastic agility. The author of three straight 30+ point seasons for St. Petersburg leading up to this season, he has had a career year and it’s continuing in the playoffs, where he currently has 13 points in 11 games. It’s felt he could step right into the NHL and at 26, seems to be a particularly popular age for bringing over KHL free agents. Naturally, plenty will wonder if he can be anything more than we saw in recent years from Nikita Gusev. And with the current political climate, it’s really yet to be determined just how free identifiable Russian players will be to sign elsewhere, or if teams are even willing to take that step. For our purposes, we’ll identify Kuzmenko as simply very sought after under other, less grievous circumstances.

Max Veronneau - CAN - 26 - RW - 34-26-60 in 50 SHL games

You’ll recognize Veronneau as the free agent out of Princeton who was signed by the Ottawa Senators a few years back. Well, it didn’t work out. After two disappointing post-college seasons, he made his way to Sweden last year and looked pretty good. Leksands added him this season and he’s been basically the most dominant winger in the league. It’s been a while since anyone has scored this many goals in the SHL and its well-reported that NHL scouts have been attending games in recent weeks. Fortunately for Veronneau, his offense has been so regularly varied (shooting, passing, one-timers, goal-mouth scrambles, etc.) that teams can possibly view him in a variety of offensive roles. Unfortunately for Veronneau, he’ll miss the playoffs with a broken arm.

Skellefteå's goalkeeper Strauss Mann during the ice hockey match in the SHL between Brynäs and Skellefteå on 30 January 2022 in Gävle.
Photo: Tobias Sterner / BILDBYRÅN /

Strauss Mann - USA - 23 - G - 13-9-0, 2.19 GAA, .914 SV% in 22 SHL games

The US Olympian was playing for Michigan just last season, one that concluded with his name bandied about as a possible UFA signing. Instead, he went to Sweden and has pitched three shutouts in a role as a 1B for one of the SHL’s hottest contenders. What role he’ll get in the playoffs has yet to be determined, but Mann has remained in NHL eyes and is doing something that has rarely ever been seen of a collegian upon completion of his collegiate career. His two Olympic showings with a GAA of 1.85 and a .945 SV% solidified his status as a hot UFA. If he isn’t signed, then you can assume he didn’t like the offers.

Adam Tambellini - CAN - 27 - LW - 24-19-43 in 38 SHL games

You know him as a 2013 3rd round pick of the New York Rangers. You also recognize him as the son of former NHLer Steve Tambellini. What you may not know is that the 6’4” giant has been an absolute power play weapon for the past two seasons and has become, with his strength and puck-protection wherewithal, simply too good for the best league in Europe outside of the KHL. In addition to the shiny stats, he’s a +24, placing him in the top five in the SHL and tallied seven points in five games for Canada at the Olympics. He’s at a point where he’s ready to step into an NHL role in a middle six capacity next season.

Michael Spacek - CZE - 24 - C - 10-36-46 in 49 SHL games

A former 4th rounder of the Winnipeg Jets, the 5’11”, 187-pound Spacek had three fairly successful seasons of AHL play after two strong years of WHL play, but just couldn’t quite beat out the prospect competition within the Jets’ organization for a shot at the NHL. So, he’s taken his gig to Europe and has only continued to progress for two straight seasons, with this one being his most solid year as a pro. In fact, he garnered first line ice time for what is widely considered the most professional and well-balanced outfit in Europe, making his -5 a wee bit questionable. His success this season as a player the opposition just can’t seem to shut down has been rounded out by an Olympic appearance for the Czech Republic and nine points in 12 Championship Hockey League games. NHL teams and scouts are well aware of Spacek and would be adding a far more refined player then he even was just two seasons ago.

Jiri Smejkal - CZE - 25 - LW - 25-20-45 in 44 Liiga games

Never drafted, the hulking 6’4”, 225-pound Smejkal is a former WHLer and WJC participant who now has both WC and Olympic Games experience. Slow to develop in a scoring capacity, this season has been Smejkal’s breakthrough year after taking some nice steps with Tappara last season and four years of slow and patient growth with Sparta Prague before that. Naturally, it was never thought to be likely that Smejkal would one day make it all go click or else a national team player bringing his size to the table would have been grabbed somewhere in the course of four years of draft eligibility. At this point, his signing by an NHL team seems inevitable and that team would have to be looking to get results similar to that of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ signing of Radim Zohorna several years ago.

Lukas Ekestahl Jonsson – SWE – 26 – D – 7-29-36 in 50 SHL games

Ekestahl Jonsson has been one of those prototypical defensive projects that seem to be seen with regularity in Swedish ice hockey, namely the kind that often get added by NHL clubs, even if doesn’t lead to an NHL gig. Names like Joel Persson and Carl-Johan Lerby come to mind. Nonetheless, Ekestahl Jonsson was a lightweight standout in Swedish juniors, then broke through slowly in the Allsvenskan before taking his show to Finland for two years, where he was a solid two-way Liiga defender. That was followed by his first two SHL seasons, both of which were promising, but lacked the overall breakthrough his talent and abilities indicated he was capable. Then came this season, in which the 6 foot, 187-pound lefty shot has been a top-flight point producer and power play quarterback for one of Sweden’s top clubs. His game is silky smooth and cerebral. He’s very poised and controlled. In addition, it’s been years since he ended a season with a minus rating. If you’re a pro scout for an NHL team who has followed his evolution, your thought at this point has got to be that now is the time to bring him over and see if he can be an answer on your NHL blueline within the next season or two. In addition to manning the point on the power play, his strengths lie in having the puck on his stick and orchestrating breakouts. That’s something a few teams out there could really use more of.

Filip Chlapik - CZE - 24 - C - 31-39-70 in 53 Czech Top League games

A former draft pick of the Ottawa Senators, the veteran of 57 NHL games (11 points) spent this season with simply one club in Europe, Sparta Prague, in an effort to show that he’s more than a lower line option in an organization with a full prospect bin. Whether he’s open to more AHL time with any team willing to sign him is unlikely, but he led the Czech Republic in scoring this year while chipping in six points and a+8 in nine Champions Hockey League games internationally and has nine points in seven playoff games, letting hockey people know just how he wants to be seen. Currently signed to play with Ambri-Piotta in the NL next season, an NHL contract could naturally lead the 6’2”, 207 pounder with a +29 rating elsewhere, but it’d likely have to be with a team that has a 3rd line center job - with offensive expectations - open for the taking.

Lukas Klok - CZE - 26 - D - 5-26-31 in 44 KHL games

It’s a well-known adage that defensemen can require some time to become all they can be. After spending half a season in the USHL many moons ago, Klok has quietly plugged his way through the Czech pro circuit throughout his early 20s and after two solid seasons in Finland, jumped to the KHL this year, where he had by far his best season ever. Not only was he his team’s top-scoring defenseman, but he was also its 2nd leading scorer overall, only one point behind the team leader. He then led the team in playoff scoring with four points in four games. This came on the tails of a strong Olympic performance including three points in four games. What makes this all so enticing is that he had created a profile as a strong-skating defensive defenseman who reads the game well. At 6’1”, 198 lbs., he doesn’t need to shy away from anyone either. He’s technically still got a KHL contract, but many are expecting there to be somewhat of an exodus from the KHL this offseason for obvious political reasons, which has already begun during the league’s playoffs in recent weeks.

Pontus Andreasson – SWE – 23 – C/LW – 18-20-38 in 53 SHL games

The 5’10”, 183-pound winger has been one of the biggest surprises in the SHL this year. And he’s been doing most of his damage over the second half of the season. With numbers that are outstanding for any first year SHLer, including a +19 rating, an outstanding eight goals and 14 points have first come over his past 10 games. 4-1-5 of that has come in the first two playoff games. A crafty and mobile player with a keen sense of generating offense, Andreasson has displayed an above-average one-timer from the right face-off circle, which gets regular use on the power play. Making his feats stick out all that much more is that he was brought into the league by Lulea with a bit of an asterisk, as every year a number of teams hope to find gold with younger players coming out of the Swedish Allsvenskan. Indeed, Andreasson first really turned heads last season with Björkloven, which bowed out to Timra in the Allsvenskan finals, when he put up 14-28-42 numbers in 68 total games. Nice, but hardly indicative of the torrid pace he’d deliver this season with one of the SHL’s top contenders. He’s at a good age for NHL teams to see the promise and bring him into the fold with a 2-year ELC.

Freddy Tiffels - GER - 26 - LW - 10-34-44 in 42 DEL games

There are players who have a certain attribute that is a definite NHL-quality strength and above average in the grand scheme of things. For Tiffels, that’s his skating. It was good enough to get the former Western Michigan Bronco drafted as an overager by the Pittsburgh Penguins despite considerable doubts in other areas of his game, particularly how he thinks and reacts. The former WJC linemate of Leon Draisaitl, Tiffels has needed his precious time to become more than just speedster and elegant skater, but it may have all been worth the wait. Coming on strong for the first time just last season, Tiffels is now one of the absolute top players in the DEL and a key member of the national team. Moreover, he’s become a +20 playmaker who is literally underchallenged in the DEL, and his leadership traits have become quite evident at the pro level. The head and hands have officially caught up with the wheels and he’s ready for the next step. Will it be to the NHL?

Patrik Karlkvist - SWE - 29 - RW - 26-26-52 in 49 SHL games

Believe us, we wouldn’t normally see a 29-year-old as an NHL possibility and there’s indication, he’s on the list for all too many NHL teams. In fact, the 6’1”, 216 pounder can be a bit of a stiff, lumbering skater at times. But for a guy who has spent the past six years playing in Sweden’s Allsvenskan, his season in the SHL has been mind-blowing. A powerplay weapon, he’s shown an incredible and consistent ability to find his teammates in prime scoring opportunities and blast pucks into the net. Strong on both the puck and the boards, his come-out-of-nowhere production combined with, at times, dominating performances, has Karlkvist looking like an anomaly for guys his age. A team would have to want a hit-or-miss wager to bring him over, but few have had such a rookie SHL season, especially having spent so many years in Sweden’s minor leagues.

Thinking outside the box

Fredrik Forsberg - SWE - 25 - RW - 28-26-54 in 46 Allsvenskan games

Many NHL GMs are licking their chops at the prospect of signing current Predators’ winger Filip Forsberg as a UFA this summer. Could any be eyeing his younger brother as well/instead? Never nearly the prospect his older brother was, the sibling has come a long way to becoming the goal-scorer his brother is, in Sweden at least. After several solid seasons with MoDo in the Allsvenskan, including a breakthrough 32-goal effort two seasons ago, he spent the 20-21 season proving himself as an offensive option in the SHL. His HV71 was catastrophically relegated last season, but Forsberg did manage 17 goals in what was his first SHL outing, a total many established players haven’t yet reached in this tight-checking league. He’s now on board to gain promotion with HV71 and is not only leading the charge (including eight points in the first five playoff games), but the entire league, in scoring. We’d not be surprised if someone ends up adding him to their organization, hoping he could end up being, well, a poor man’s “Forsberg” after some seasoning in North America.

Andreas Eder - GER - 26 - RW - 17-24-41 in 44 DEL contests

Once an ill-fated import for the Vancouver Giants who quickly returned to Germany, Eder (whose younger brother Tobias isn’t too shabby himself) has slowly, but surely been developing into a steady producer and moreover, leader and personality, at the DEL level. In fact, he’s shown the ability to be downright dominating at times while displaying a healthy physical element to his game, where his burly 6’2”, 205-pound frame comes in quite handy. Still not a fixture on Germany’s national team, things are getting to the point where few right wingers in Germany bring as much of a package to the table as Eder, who already possesses an NHL-level wrist shot. If a willingness to start things off in the AHL would be available, Eder brings a lot of the elements NHL teams generally like to have in their organizations.

Mika Henauer - SUI - 22 - D - 5-13-18 in 46 NL games

The Swiss defenseman from Bern, whose idol is none other than hometown star Roman Josi, just wrapped up his second full season of NL play and continues to round out as a two-way defenseman with a nose for the attack. No longer draft-eligible, he’s often looked like one of those young players an NHL team looks to give an ELC to at a juncture where he can still benefit from AHL time and be an NHL topic within two seasons. A tweener of sorts, the scouts are aware of him, and he has represented Switzerland internationally at both the U18 and U20 levels.

Samuel Bucek - SVK - 23 - LW - 41-23-64 in 50 Slovakian Extraliga games

The scouts know who Bucek is. He’s a big kid who can shoot and has some wheels. He likes going to the net and then hanging around there. He spent some time with the Chicago Steel, then the Shawinigan Cataractes, and then the Chicago Steel again, where he had his best junior season. None of it was good enough to get drafted. He’s now coming off a season where he led his nation’s top league in scoring and did so by putting a whole lot of pucks in the net. It wasn’t good enough to get him a spot on the Olympic team, although he has represented Slovakia internationally, once at a U18 (5 points) and WJC (7 points), in the past. Now, does an NHL team want to bring him over to see what they can do with him in their system?

Honorable mentions:

Sergei Tolchinsky LW (KHL), Rickard Hugg LW (SHL), Jeremy Bracco RW (DEL), Vladimir Alistrov LW (KHL), Tim Wohlgemuth C/LW (DEL), Kristaps Zile D (KHL/SHL), Niko Ojamäki RW/LW (KHL)

SEATTLE KRAKEN EXPANSION DRAFT: Prospects to Target – Part Two – Forwards

Brock Otten — Thu, 25 Feb 2021 20:49:20 +0000

It has been four years since the Vegas Golden Knights joined the National Hockey League through expansion. Through the expansion draft process, the Golden Knights balanced their initial lineup by selecting both veterans and youth, with a focus on team speed and competitiveness. Masterfully constructed, Vegas ended up winning the Pacific division and reaching the Stanley Cup finals in their inaugural season (2017-18).

Later this year, the Seattle Kraken will officially become the 32nd NHL franchise when they select their team through their expansion draft. July 17 is the date set for NHL teams to submit their protected lists (with Vegas being exempt) and July 21 is the date set for the expansion draft itself. Of course, these dates could change depending on how the NHL season finishes up in the midst of a global pandemic. However, as of right now, that is when we will find out who will be wearing that Kraken jersey to start the 2021-22 season.

Naturally, Seattle general manager Ron Francis, assistant general manager Jason Botterill, and director of player personnel Norm Maciver will be aiming to replicate the success that Vegas had (and has continued to have). They have to reach the salary floor with their selections, so they will be choosing some veterans (or trading for/signing some) to lead this group. However, much like Vegas, they will be looking to swing for the fences with some selections, by opting for a few young, unestablished players. This article aims to highlight some of the prospects who could be (and are likely to be) left unprotected by their NHL teams come July. The focus is on players who have yet to truly establish themselves as NHL players. The list will be organized by position and published in two parts. This is the second feature on the forwards. Part one can be found by linking here.

FORWARDS

Rasmus Asplund - Buffalo Sabres

A strong two-way center, Asplund has had a hard time breaking through with the Sabres to become a full time NHL player. Even this year, he has seen time on the Sabres roster, on the taxi squad, and in the AHL with Rochester. He could certainly be a potential bottom six center target for the Kraken.

Morgan Geekie - Carolina Hurricanes

A big forward, Geekie has broken through as a full time NHL player to start the 2021 season after a successful cup of coffee last year. Playing on the fourth line and the powerplay, Geekie has yet to hit the score sheet this year. However, given Carolina’s forward depth, it seems unlikely that they will be able to protect him.

Kevin Stenlund - Columbus Blue Jackets

If there is one forward on this list that I see possibly being protected, it is Stenlund. He has proven himself to be a quality NHL forward after a half a season last year and a hot start this year. The question is, if Stenlund is protected, it means someone like Max Domi, Boone Jenner, or the injured Gustav Nyquist will not be. Columbus could also try to work out a deal with Seattle to make sure that they leave Stenlund be.

Henrik Borgstrom - Florida Panthers

At this point, Borgstrom is probably a candidate for a change of scenery. The former University of Denver star got off to a good start in his pro career, but he has been unable to take that next step, with last year being a clear step backwards. As such, the Panthers loaned him to HIFK for the year. A talented playmaker, Borgstrom could be a great candidate for Seattle to select in hopes of unlocking his offensive potential.

Nathan Bastian - New Jersey Devils

A heavy winger, Bastian has improved every year as a pro thus far, finally making the Devils this season. He has played extremely well in a third line role and as a penalty killer. However, the Devils have a heck of a decision ahead of them for the expansion draft. Do they sacrifice Pavel Zacha in order to protect someone like Bastian or the others on this list?

Yegor Sharangovich - New Jersey Devils

Sharangovich got off to a hot start to the NHL season playing alongside Jack Hughes. While the offensive production hasn’t been consistent, he has certainly impressed in his first NHL season after starting the year in the KHL. An explosive goal scorer, the Devils may be reluctant to let him go given the energy and pace he plays with.

Janne Kuokkanen - New Jersey Devils

Like Bastian, Kuokkanen has emerged as a legitimate NHL player in his fourth pro season, excelling in the bottom six. The former London Knights standout and the key acquisition in the Sami Vatanen deal to Carolina, Kuokkanen is certainly someone who could draw the interest of Seattle.

Nick Merkley - New Jersey Devils

Merkley, an intelligent and hard working playmaker, seems to be behind Bastian, Sharangovich, Kuokkanen, and Mikey McLeod (who I assumed the Devils would be protecting) in the pecking order. However, that does not mean that he lacks talent or NHL potential. Look for the Devils to try to rotate the above players in and out of the lineup in order to truly evaluate who they could be willing to lose.

Kieffer Bellows - New York Islanders

Keiffer, the son of former NHL’er Brian Bellows, is a former high NHL draft pick whose high end goal scoring ability has yet to truly translate to terrific results at the pro level. Playing on the fourth line this year for the Isles, Bellows has yet to score this season. Given the forward depth that the Islanders have, it seems unlikely that Bellows will be able to be protected. If New York truly believes in his potential, they may try to look at a way to convince Seattle not to select him.

Julien Gauthier - New York Rangers

In the rare one for one prospect trade, the Rangers shipped Joey Keane to Carolina for Gauthier last season. The big, quick, physical winger has been a fixture on the Rangers’ fourth line to start this season, however it seems unlikely that he gets protected given the others New York must protect. One of Brendan Lemieux, Brett Howden, or Gauthier will likely get the nod with the other two being unprotected. How they finish the year will dictate who that is.

Vitaly Abramov - Ottawa Senators

A dynamic offensive player, Abramov had a breakout season in Belleville last year that really gave management hope that his skill set could translate to the NHL level. However, it seems unlikely that Ottawa will be able to protect him and how he plays in the AHL this season will dictate whether Seattle has interest in him.

Filip Chlapik - Ottawa Senators

Chlapik split last season between Ottawa and Belleville, performing only adequately in a depth role. This season, he has bounced between the main roster, the taxi squad, and the AHL. A good sized playmaking center, Chlapik may not get his chance in Ottawa, but he could be a target of Seattle.

Logan Brown - Ottawa Senators

It is certainly possible that the Senators protect Brown. The former 11th overall pick has performed admirably in the AHL, but his play at the NHL level has been uninspiring thus far. A hulking center at 6’6, Brown needs to play more between the dots and use his size; a criticism dating back to his draft year.

Nicolas Aube-Kubel - Philadelphia Flyers

A competitive and feisty forward, Aube-Kubel is a versatile player for the Flyers with the ability to play in any situation and any forward position. He has been in the Flyers system forever and is finally getting a chance to be a full time NHL player this season. However, it is unlikely that the Flyers will be able to protect him. He could be the perfect bottom six player for Seattle.

Alex Barre Boulet - Tampa Bay Lightning

The first two seasons of Barre-Boulet’s pro career probably couldn’t have gone better considering he was an undrafted free agent acquisition by Tampa. He was the AHL rookie of the year two years ago and an AHL all star last year. But due to Tampa’s depth he remains buried in the minors again this year (where he has continued his torrid pace). The dilemma for Tampa Bay will be, do they protect a player who...as of now, has not shown an ability to translate his offensive skill set to the NHL?

Alex Volkov - Tampa Bay Lightning

Ahead of Barre-Boulet on the Tampa depth chart currently and the recipient of a roster spot thanks to the Kucherov injury, Volkov is a skilled winger that the Lightning have high hopes for. However, like many young players in their system, it is unlikely that they will be able to protect him.

Mitchell Stephens - Tampa Bay Lightning

A former high selection by the Lightning, Stephens was set to play full time this year as the Lightning’s fourth line center. However, he suffered a lower body injury early on and is sidelined for a few months. No longer waiver eligible, he likely will continue to have a spot when he returns but will it be enough for him to earn one of those valuable protection spots?

Mathieu Joseph - Tampa Bay Lightning

A high energy winger, Joseph was a standout as a rookie for the Lightning in 2018/19, however the acquisitions of players like Goodrow and Coleman pushed him to the minors for a large chunk of last season. Fast forward to this year and he has his place back in the Tampa lineup and is playing fantastic hockey. Does Tampa protect a younger player like Joseph (or others on this list) and risk a higher salaried player like Yanni Gourde, Alex Killorn, or Blake Coleman being selected?

Boris Katchouk - Tampa Bay Lightning

A star in the OHL, Katchouk’s game has not translated to the AHL level as well as Tampa would have hoped thus far. Now in his third pro season, Katchouk will have to show that he can take that next step in his development as an offensive player before the Lightning consider him for a checking line role. He is definitely a potential candidate to be lost in the expansion draft and is also waivers eligible next year.

Taylor Raddysh - Tampa Bay Lightning

Another former OHL star, Raddysh has had similar difficulties translating his game to the AHL level. He has not been terrible, but the average offensive production hasn’t yet warranted a callup for the former Erie Otter. Ultimately, his lack of dynamic skating ability may hold him back from becoming a quality NHL player. However, if he plays well in his third AHL season this year, he could certainly attract attention from Seattle.

Joey Anderson - Toronto Maple Leafs

Acquired from the New Jersey Devils last year in exchange for Andreas Johnsson, Anderson has bounced back and forth between the NHL and the AHL the last three seasons. The former U.S. captain at the World Juniors, Anderson is a high energy, two-way forward who could definitely be an attractive, cheap target for Seattle as it is unlikely that Toronto protects him.

Isac Lundestrom - Anaheim Ducks

Already in his third pro season in North America despite being only 21 years old, the former first round selection has finally cracked the Anaheim Ducks roster full time this season. The two-way forward excels in defensive situations and on the penalty kill and could be a quality checking line option for the Kraken, with a chance to still improve offensively. William Karlsson part deux anyone?

Matthew Phillips - Calgary Flames

His lack of size (5’7) is certainly a deterrent (even if the game has changed to accommodate smaller players), but Phillips is most definitely a talented offensive player. He was an AHL all star last season in his second AHL campaign. This year, he returns to the AHL with Stockton and should be among the league’s scoring leaders.

Adam Mascherin - Dallas Stars

A terrific goal scorer and former OHL standout, Mascherin is entering his third AHL season, undoubtedly a huge one for his development. Thus far, the results have been great as he is among the league’s scoring leaders. At some point this year, it is likely that Dallas gives him a look if he continues to play well, as not only do they have to decide on who to protect for the expansion draft, but Mascherin is waiver eligible next year too.

Tyler Benson - Edmonton Oilers

The former first overall selection in the WHL bantam draft by the Vancouver Giants, Benson has come a long way since then. With two strong AHL seasons under his belt, Benson enters his third year with the hope that he can play well enough to earn a longer look at the NHL level in the event of an Oilers’ injury. It does seem unlikely that the Oilers will protect him from Seattle though.

Rem Pitlick - Nashville Predators

A competitive, goal scoring center and the son of former NHL’er Lance Pitlick, Rem is expansion draft eligible even though he is only in his second professional season. This is due to the Predators burning a year of his ELC in 2019 when he signed out of Minnesota. He has started out the AHL season well and could earn a look from the Predators at some point this year to see if they will want to protect him.

Jonathan Dahlen - San Jose Sharks

Dahlen is a very interesting case. Acquired from Vancouver, Dahlen spent one year in the AHL before returning to Sweden where he has torched the Allsvenskan the last two seasons. The opinions vary about his standing as an NHL prospect, given he plays in the Swedish second league and not the SHL. Where he stands in the Sharks organization remains a mystery, but they will have to protect him from Seattle.

Alexander True - San Jose Sharks

A free agent signing by the Sharks out of the WHL, True has played well in the AHL over the last three years. The Danish forward has seen some limited action in the NHL with mixed results, however his start to this AHL season has been terrific. It seems unlikely that San Jose protects him, but would Seattle consider him as a high upside pick?

Maxim Letunov - San Jose Sharks

Widely considered as one of San Jose’s top forward prospects, Letunov is a huge center (6’4) and a former second round selection. He played very well in the AHL last season and has been on the San Jose taxi squad so far this season. At some point this year, San Jose is going to have to give him more than the three games they gave him last year, especially given their struggles as a team.

Rudolfs Balcers - San Jose Sharks

One of the players traded to Ottawa in the Erik Karlsson trade, Balcers was reacquired by the Sharks earlier this season off waivers. He has proven to be a capable offensive player in the AHL during his career but has not yet taken that step forward to become an NHL player. San Jose is going to give him a serious look this year, along with some other young forwards. It seems likely that Seattle could have more interest in the other Sharks on this list, but who knows how Balcers finishes the season.

Kole Lind - Vancouver Canucks

A former high selection of the Canucks, Lind has steadily improved in each of his AHL seasons thus far. The big, physical winger currently is among the AHL’s leading goal scorers this year and will likely earn a look from Vancouver at some point this season if he continues to play well. Do the Canucks protect him over disappointing talents like Jake Virtanen or Adam Gaudette?

*Special thanks to the capfriendly expansion draft tool which helped to identify those players who are eligible to be selected.

Ottawa Senators 2019-20 Prospect Review: Top 20

Sat, 14 Sep 2019 12:41:50 +0000

The overdue rebuild that was stunted when the Senators traded away a future first round pick along with a few other quality assets for around 18 months of Matt Duchene, finally reached the bottom last season. We think. As bad as the post-Duchene Senators were in 2017-18, finishing as one of the worst teams in the league, with Duchene, Mark Stone, and of course Erik Karlsson, they were even worse last year, trading all three of those men, and a few other strong performers besides, before the trade deadline.

It isn’t that the Senators couldn’t be worse than last season, but the rebuild has (must have) hit its nadir as the team no longer has valuable assets that could be dealt for meaningful returns, unless they start trading entry-level and second contract players, like budding stars Thomas Chabot, Brady Tkachuk, or Colin White, or find a way to unload an anchor contract or two, such as those of Bobby Ryan or Craig Anderson.

The official rumor that kicked off the sell-off was that Eugene Melnyk’s Senators had offered Erik Karlsson a large contract extension last offseason, which he turned down. Whether it was due to friction in the dressing room (see the Mike Hoffman incident) or distaste with the direction of the franchise, stuck in a suburban arena that rarely fills up and with a team owner who is in the news for the wrong reasons all too often, Karlsson was ready to go. So before the season started, he was traded to San Jose, along with AHLer Francis Perron for a package that included Josh Norris, Chris Tierney, Rudolfs Balcers, Dylan DeMelo and up to four draft picks, three of which had conditions attached. (We now know that those picks will be the Sharks’ second rounders in 2019 and 2021 and their first rounder in 2020. The fourth pick’s condition was not met.) So that is three NHLers, one of whom would have made the below list near the middle had he played in two fewer NHL games last year. They also got their current number two prospect in Norris, and used their 2019 second rounder (along with an additional later pick) to trade up to select Mads Sogaard (#10 below) and will see two more high picks in the next two seasons.

As the season proceeded and the Senators couldn’t stay out of the negative headlines for both on and off-ice reasons, the cleaned house in the week leading up to the trade deadline. In the space of 24 hours, they sent both Duchene and Ryan Dzingel to Columbus, picking up three high picks, including the 19^th pick this June (Lassi Thomson, #7 below), as well as Vitali Abramov (#9) and Jonathan Davidsson (#15).

Finally, on deadline day, they sent Mark Stone and his expiring contract to Vegas (they had also apparently tried to re-sign him first) for a package headlined by the new Ottawa number one prospect, Erik Brannstrom. While it is far too early to know whether the rebuild was a success, the results are all over their top 20 list, with six players, including the top two coming directly or indirectly from the tear down. I suppose it could always have been worse.

-Ryan Wagman

Ottawa Senators Defenceman Erik Brannstrom (26) . (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)

1 Erik Brannstrom, D (15^th overall, 2017 [Vegas]. Last Year: 3 [Vegas]) As of this writing, we have yet to decide if Brannstrom is the best defenseman prospect in hockey. If he is not, he’s really close though. We are talking about a player with all of the traits we usually look for when describing the epitome of the modern blueliner. He doesn’t skate as much as he flies. He has sublime puck skills. He is a consummate playmaker from the blueline and his lack of great size is not an impediment when he is trying to protect the puck from opposing defenders. His vision is elite and he has the defensive acumen to play in defensive situations and get the puck where it needs to go. It would be nice if he had a bigger bomb from the point, but he has a knack for getting himself into good shooting positions and hitting the mark anyway. Ottawa is in a bad way as an organization, but between Brannstrom and young Thomas Chabot, they have the makings of a top first defensive pairing for many years to come. - RW

2 Josh Norris, C (19^thoverall, 2017 [San Jose]. Last Year: 1[San Jose]) We don’t yet know what will come of the picks the Senators acquired from San Jose in the Erik Karlsson, but as far as flesh and blood players are concerned, they have to be pleased with Josh Norris and the steps he took before he hurt his shoulder late in the WJC and had to sit out the rest of the season. A high IQ center with a standout two-way game, the former USNTDP standout is a strong play driver, with a fantastic shot and strong playmaking abilities. Norris signed an ELC with Ottawa shortly after Michigan’s season ended and he will have a good chance of making the NHL roster right off the hop next season. He was the hockey wherewithal to play a bottom six role right away, but he projects as a clear top six center at his best, presuming full health in the shoulder. - RW

3 Alex Formenton, LW (47^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 5) The foundation of Formenton’s game is his elite skating ability. He has an effortless, yet powerful stride that allows him to be such an effective high-energy winger. Additionally, Formenton is a physical player who is aggressive on the forecheck, making him a terrific penalty killer. As an offensive player, his best asset is a quick release. His offensive potential may be limited due to only average puck skill and vision. In particular, his decision making with the puck will need to improve should he want to be more than a 3rd line winger. Short term, he should be able to jump right into Ottawa’s lineup next year as a 4th liner and penalty killer, especially after a cup of coffee last season. Long term, he profiles as a middle six goal scoring winger. - BO

4 Jacob Bernard-Docker, D (26^th overall, 2018. Last Year: 8) There is always some element of doubt when a player makes the jump from Junior A hockey to a big-time NCAA program. For as highly touted as Bernard-Docker was for Okotoks, he managed the transition to the collegiate game at North Dakota with aplomb. His tools all grade out as average to good, but his heightened hockey sense helps everything to play up. In short order, he was playing in all situations at UND. He is a strong transitional defender, excelling at retrieving the puck in his own zone and making the right play to move it out sustainably. He is built strong and he makes it very difficult to get past him in one-on-one situations. He has also proven to be proficient in the offensive end, although he projects as more of a steady two-way type at the highest level instead of a first power play unit type of player. He should spend another year on campus before considering the start of a professional career. - RW

5 Logan Brown, C (11^th overall, 2016. Last Year: 2) Brown saw only two games up with the Sens this season. That said, he had a successful inaugural professional season with 42 points in 56 games with Belleville of the AHL. Using his physical stature and size to his advantage he managed to keep his penalty minutes on the low and his offensive play on a high. Brown matured a lot over the course of the season as he became more comfortable with the speed of the game. His defensive game improved and with his on-ice intelligence and skillset he should only become harder to stop as he plays more pro games. A forward of Brown’s size may not have the jump in their stride that smaller and more agile players do, but that being said, he would do well to find a faster gear. With all else rounded out, he should see much more time up with the Ottawa Senators this coming season. - SC

6 Drake Batherson, C (121^st overall, 2017. Last Year: 6) As a fourth rounder, Drake Batherson may have seemed like an unlikely prospect but ever since his energetic 2018 World Junior performance Batherson has been on fire. He is an elusive player that slips under the radar and is quiet on the ice until the puck is found in the net as a result of his strong playmaking ability. In the 20 games spent up with the Ottawa Senators this season he only managed 9 points, however he certainly made up for it in his AHL debut as he led Belleville with 62 points in 59 games and earned a spot on the AHL All-Rookie Team. He is a highly adaptable and entertaining player to watch in both even strength and special team situations, his adjustment to the AHL level has been tremendous and a player with his hockey IQ and natural skill set should definitely see a more promising NHL performance this season. - SC

7 Lassi Thomson, D (19^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) In his first campaign North America, Thomson put up an impressive 17 goals and 41 points in 63 games for the Rockets. The smooth skating defender carries a big shot, is very mobile, and brings a nice physical element to his game. He has adapted very nicely to the North American style game, and should only improve on his play and his numbers. Thomson has openly come out and said that he would like to return to Finland to play next season, but would have a more dominant role sticking it out with the Rockets, especially with Kelowna hosting the Memorial Cup, in which he will be able to showcase his skills on a bigger stage. Thomson projects to be a top four defender who will play lots of minutes, anchor the power play, and can be utilized everywhere. He has good offensive instincts, plays a nice two way game, but could further work at honing his skills on the defensive side of the puck. - KO

8 Joey Daccord, G (199^th overall, 2015. Last Year: Not ranked) Goalies mature later than most players and now at the age of 22, late bloomer Joey Daccord is turning into a top-flight goalie prospect. In 2017-18 there were murmurs that he was getting better, as his Arizona State squad was improving as well. His .926 save percentage last season was excellent. So good, that he was a finalist for the Mike Richter Award. He was also on the second all-American team in the West and he had a nice run in the NCAA playoffs. Senators GM Pierre Dorian scouted him personally with members of his staff and signed him soon after his run ended. His athleticism, rebound control, and stickwork are his strengths along with his goalie I.Q., thanks to his father Brian, who is a goalie consultant for Toronto. While he still needs work on tracking the puck, especially from distance, he has a chance to be a starter in Ottawa someday, but must first battle Filip Gustavsson for the starters' job in Belleville this season. - RC

9 Vitaly Abramov, RW (65^th overall, 2016 [Columbus]. Last Year: 2 [Columbus]) With massive numbers in the QMJHL, expectations would have it that Abramov would have a good start as a pro, however that was not exactly the case as he had an average start in the AHL with Cleveland before being traded from Columbus to Ottawa in the Matt Duchene deal, where he finished the season with seven points in 18 games with Belleville. Hope would be that Abramov continues to get stronger and learns to play better at a pro pace. At this point a full season spent in the Ottawa Senators organization would be beneficial for his confidence to grow along with the chance of getting more than a one game callup to the NHL. Abramov keeps his feet moving at all times and is a good two-way player, who has the potential for a longer call up next season as he continues to stand out for his work ethic. - SC

10 Mads Sogaard, G (37^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) Sogaard is a very intriguing combination of size and athleticism. At 6-7” he fills the net in the typical large goalie frame but there are many other things to like about his game as well. He moves well laterally and tracks the puck very well. He can shake off a bad goal, period, or game and come back ready for the next one. After the World Junior’s, where he was under siege the entire tournament on an outmanned Denmark squad, he posted back to back solid outings in Medicine Hat. In the playoffs against Edmonton he was main reason the series was close. His mental make-up includes a great blend of relaxed, take it as it comes, with a fiery competitiveness bubbling just under the surface. His rebound control needs to keep on improving as he tends to leave pucks around the net that he can’t always cover up. He has a ways to go, but his upside is immense. Like him. - VG

11 Shane Pinto, C (32^nd overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) Although I was underwhelmed seeing Pinto’s name called out first on Day Two of the 2019 draft, that doesn’t mean that I don’t think he is a viable NHL prospect. Pinto is a late bloomer, who was not considered a real prospect in any sense until he was almost 17. He moved from local midget hockey to the USHL to play for Lincoln. The Stars were no good, but Pinto stood out an Tri-City, the top team in the league, traded for him. As a USHL rookie, his numbers were outstanding, topping the point-per-game mark. But while he has the overall game to contribute, none of his tools stands out as better than pretty solid, making me question his ability to keep it up at the higher levels. He also doesn’t do too much when he isn’t scoring. If he learns to play at both ends, he could work his way to a middle six role down the line. - RW

12 Michael Carcone, LW (Undrafted free agent, signed Jul. 15, 2016 [Vancouver]. Last Year: Not ranked [Vancouver]) Having played last season strictly with the Toronto Marlies of the AHL, Carcone is a new addition to Ottawa’s system. It will be interesting to see where he fits in his new organization as he moved many times up and down the lineup with the Marlies. However, if there is one thing to be said about Carcone it is his ability to score overtime and even strength goals despite his overall stats this season sitting around average. His stamina on the ice is an asset and his aggressiveness and ability to win puck battles make up for his small size. His passing needs to become more dependable if he is to nab a spot on Belleville’s middle six. That being said, Carcone may find more opportunity for a call up with Ottawa than with Toronto. - SC

13 Andreas Englund, D (40^th overall, 2014. Last Year: 12) For a player who was drafted from one of the top clubs in the SHL, Djurgardens IF, Englund's development has been a slow process. In his first two North American professional seasons he has seen a few highlight reel goals and many fights. His big frame and tough style of play are key assets that highlight his game but the question remains, does Ottawa need a physical stay at home defenceman in their lineup or a smooth skating, offensive defenseman in the likes of Erik Brannstrom? Englund needs to raise his ceiling more and develop a more three dimensional style of play before being called up to Ottawa for more than the nine games he has already clocked in the NHL. If he can incorporate a better offensive side to his game, with his size and hockey sense he may see a potential second pairing spot with Belleville and more games spent with Ottawa. - SC

14 Max Veronneau, RW (Undrafted free agent, signed Mar. 12, 2019. Last Year: IE) Max Veronneau had been getting better every season for Princeton. For the past two seasons, he had been heavily scouted and even turned down contract offers after his junior campaign to keep the band together. He finally signed with Ottawa, giving his hometown team a pro-caliber winger who is fast, smart, and shoots the puck from anywhere on the ice. He is defensively responsible and even though Princeton had an off-year, he didn’t, with 37 points in 31 collegiate games, was an early Hobey nominee and finished out the season playing 12 NHL games getting an even two goals and two assists. At 23, with a lot of opportunity with the Senators, he can play a third-line role and could also be used on the penalty kill as he gains more confidence. He needs to get stronger so he can have more push back at the next level. - RC

15 Jonathan Davidsson, RW (170^th overall, 2017 [Columbus]. Last Year: 10 [Columbus]) A 22-year-old winger who has a couple of seasons of pro hockey under his belt, Davidsson has put up good numbers in the SHL without being a topline player. He had 31 points in a full 2017-18 season and an additional 21 points last season before his campaign was cut short in February due to a concussion. Davidsson is an offensive player with nice puck skills, a quick shot release and good vision. He is an agile, quick skater who accelerates well. His best asset is his ability to read the game fast. He isn’t physically strong and struggles with consistency. His chances to reach the NHL as a top six forward are limited. He will need to show progress in the AHL for a season or two before reachig the NHL for good. That said, with the team Ottawa has right now, he might get to see some NHL games the upcoming season regardless of his readiness. - JH

16 Jonny Tychonik, D (48^th overall, 2018. Last Year: 7) We were not alone last year in rating Tychonik ahead of fellow Canadian Jr A standout and North Dakota recruit Jacob Bernard-Docker. If one year is anything to go by, the Senators were wise to see JBD as the better prospect. While their first round pick stepped right into a top pairing role as a freshman, Tychonik really struggled to make an impact. Struggled to the tune of four assists in 28 games. To his credit, he is an above average skater. He also flashes puck skills when carrying, but the things that worked in the BCHL did not work in the NCHC. He needs to show better ability to process the game quickly to have a more positive impact. His pedigree ensures that we won’t give up on him yet, but to reach even a third pairing upside, he needs to take a step or two forward. - RW

17 Nick Ebert, D (211^th overall, 2012 [Los Angeles]. Last Year: Not Ranked [unaffiliated]) A 7th round pick of the LA Kings in 2012 with 157 career AHL games under his belt was one of the best defensemen in the SHL last season. Ebert has puck skills and can dominate in the offensive zone, joining the rush and using his dangerous shot. He played on a weak team in Sweden but scored an impressive 11 goals and 33 points from the blueline and was the top point getter on his team. He had strong possession numbers and was by far the best player for Orebro. As for his NHL potential he needs to play in the top four although he lacks some agility in his skating and his hockey sense is not elite. At 25 years of age, his room for improvement is limited as well. He will probably start in the AHL and if he can dominate there as well as he did in the SHL, chances are that he will get a shot in big league also. - JH

18 Jonathan Gruden, LW (95^th overall, 2018. Last Year: 9) College isn’t for everyone. Nor is college hockey. Gruden did not struggle with a poor Miami program as badly as Jonny Tychonik did with North Dakota, but 15 points in 38 games did not make the impact either he or the Senators had hoped. While it was good enough to play on a second line for the RedHawks, the former USNTDP stud left the program after his freshman year, signing an ELC with Ottawa and moving to London of the OHL for the next stage of his development. The Knights have had a good run of refining the games of former collegians in a pro-like atmosphere and Gruden could easily jump up this list next year with a smooth transition. He thinks the game very well and has a solid enough tool collection to not laugh at a middle six projection. But he has a ways to go to get there. - RW

19 Christian Wolanin, D (107^th overall, 2015. Last Year: 10) Wolanin sits at an undeserving 19th spot in Ottawa’s prospects rankings but his skills and maturity when playing the game put him amongst some of Ottawa’s top prospects. The way Wolanin plays the game with poise and the way he shoots the puck can be attributed to defensemen like Ottawa’s newly acquired Nikita Zaitsev. Wolanin is an excellent shot and a mature passer which makes him a highly dependable defenseman with a moderate ceiling. Having already played 40 games in the NHL throughout two seasons, his most recent stint included 12 points as a third pairing defenseman. Wolanin’s development seems to be heading in the right direction with him starting in the NHL next season, nevertheless look for him to spend more time at the back of Ottawa's roster. - SC

20 Filip Chlapik, C (48^th overall, 2015. Last Year: 17) Despite having 25 NHL appearances under his belt, Chlapik continues to play a young game and finds more success at the AHL level with Belleville than with the NHL. Playing 57 games this season and coming out with 34 points is not too bad for a forward in his second professional season. However many aspects of Chlapik’s game need to be tightened up if he expects to be given any further chances. He wins his draws, plays a good defensive game but occasionally gets lost in the neutral zone. There are certainly positives to his style of play but Chlapik still needs to develop more fluidity to his game and better his play with the puck. Expect Chlapik to start the season in Belleville’s top six and work for a call up to Ottawa during the season as he aims to prove he belong on a NHL bottom six. - SC

Sens-Less – Ottawa Senators 2018-19 Season Preview

Ryan Dadoun — Sat, 15 Sep 2018 17:50:53 +0000

REVIEW / STATE OF PLAY – The Ottawa Senators are perhaps a team that could be best described with a long sigh. The worst part is that it wasn’t so long-ago things looked alright for the Senators. They were a single win away from the Stanley Cup Final in 2017 and while you could easily argue that they over performed, at least they went into 2017-18 looking like a franchise that was trending in the right direction.

Everything that could have gone wrong for the Senators last season, did go wrong, including some things that you would have never even considered. The team finished with a 28-43-11 record and instead of being on the brink of contending, are now in a position where they need to rebuild. To make matters worse, just before the Senators’ collapse, they traded an unprotected first round pick for Matt Duchene, so no matter how badly they do in 2018-19, the Colorado Avalanche will control the Senators’ 2019 first round draft pick.

AND IT GETS WORSE – The Ottawa Senators began their rebuild before the 2017-18 campaign ended by trading Derick Brassard to the Pittsburgh Penguins as part of a three-way trade to get, among other things, Pittsburgh’s 2018 first-round pick. Brassard’s contract extends through 2018-19, so trading him away was about more than just Ottawa’s position last season.

After the campaign, the Ottawa Senators dealt away another top-six forward in Mike Hoffman. The reasons for trading Hoffman was due to off-ice matters that are probably best not discussed here, but the consequence of Ottawa being in a position where it had to trade Hoffman was that the Senators got far less than normal market value for him.

Although at the time of writing there hasn’t been another trade by the Senators since they dealt Hoffman, that might not be the end of it. Goaltender Craig Anderson reportedly requested a trade, though he said in late August that he’s fine staying in Ottawa so long as there isn’t any drama. Of more pressing importance is the matter of Erik Karlsson, who can become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2019. If the Senators aren’t confident in their ability to re-sign him, then it’s important that he be dealt before the trade deadline to avoid suffering a fate similar to the New York Islanders’ with John Tavares.

Speaking of pending UFAs, Mark Stone and Matt Duchene also fall into that category. So, the Senators’ front office has a lot of work ahead of them.

IS THERE A SILVER LINING? – There’s not much of one in the near-term, but no franchise is without hope and that is true of the Ottawa Senators as well. First off, you could work out a scenario where the Senators end up exceeding their low expectations this season with Karlsson and Duchene leading the charge, Marian Gaborik staying healthy, and one of Anderson or Mike Condon bouncing back to provide the team with solid goaltending. However, rather than trying to envision an unlikely, albeit not impossible, set of circumstances where the Senators might have a passable season, it’s probably better to think about their future.

Not having control of their first-round pick in 2019 is embarrassing for the Senators given their circumstances. The upside though is that they do have some promising prospects already in their franchise with two of the most notable ones being Logan Brown and Brady Tkachuk. Both might end up as members of the 2018-19 squad and provide a silver lining in what might be an otherwise difficult season.

The Senators also could potentially turn Karlsson and Duchene into significant prospects/picks through trades that would meaningfully push forward their rebuilding efforts. A trade involving Stone would certainly serve that purpose as well, but the ideal would be to re-sign him to serve as a leader for the next generation given that he’s still just 26-years-old.

Ottawa also only has three players under one-way contracts beyond 2019-20 in Bobby Ryan, Gaborik, and Zack Smith. While in one respect that’s part of the problem, that also gives the Senators a lot of flexibility with how they shape their team going forward and opens the door to Ottawa potentially engaging in trades that involve them taking on some cap burden in exchange for more picks/prospects.

OUTLOOK – This is likely going to be a difficult season for Ottawa on the ice, but an interesting one on the trade front. The moves that are made in the next few months could define the Senators for years to come and for that reason, the Senators are a franchise to keep an eye on even if not much is expected of them right now.

Ottawa Senators Prospect System Overview

Ryan Wagman — Sat, 15 Sep 2018 17:49:27 +0000

I am sure that it comes as no surprise to you, the knowledgeable hockey fan, to read that the Ottawa Senators are in a bad place as an organization. Owner Eugene Melnyk meddling and bumbling through PR faux pas to the point that the team had to hire a PR firm for damage control; suspended assistant GM Randy Lee being arrested in Buffalo on salubrious harassment charges from an incident which occurred during the NHL Draft combine; the ongoing spat between former Senator Mike Hoffman (and his fiancée) and Senators’ super star Erik Karlsson (and his wife) that resulted in the former player being dealt to San Jose for a paltry return (who then traded him to Florida – an Ottawa division rival – for a greater return than he paid in the original acquisition); the ill-fated Matt Duchene trade, which, among other pieces, cost the Senators their 2017 first round pick Shane Bowers, as well as their choice of fist rounder in 2018 or 2019 – they chose to keep the 2018 pick.

It is still unclear if the team can hold on to Erik Karlsson, whose current contract is set to expire after the 2018-19 season and the word on the street is that has been frustrated by the direction and leadership of the franchise and would prefer to move on.

None of the above is necessarily news, or even really about prospects, per se. But it leads to the essential question, what comes next?

The Sens are largely expected to struggle this season, a projection that would not have been much different had Hoffman not been traded. It can be dangerous for any team to trade away its first round pick – especially without lottery protection – a full season in advance. Sure, San Jose has also moved its 2019 first rounder, but no one is really worried about that pick turning into Jack Hughes, or Kaapo Kakko, or any other top flight 2019 draft eligible.

For Ottawa, the presence of Matt Duchene may have the same impact as Tom Kurvers did for Toronto from 1989-1991, or Phil Kessel did for the same provincial rivals between 2009-2015. For those who forgot the recent history, Toronto traded a future to New Jersey for Kurvers, but their season did not turn out as they had expected internally and the pick turned into Scott Niedermayer, who now has a plaque in his honor in Toronto’s Hockey Hall of Fame. Kessel came to the Maple Leafs for two future first round picks. Because Brian Burke badly misjudged his squad’s place on the success cycle, both picks were top 10s, turning into Tyler Seguin (second overall) and Dougie Hamilton (ninth overall).

Unless Craig Anderson finds the fountain of youth for the third time at age 37, the Senators might not get their reward for being among the worst teams in the league. With top prospects Colin White and Brady Tkachuk expected in some circles to graduate from prospecthood this season, and no first round pick on deck, the Senators might need to trade Karlsson to have any truly high end prospects still in the pipeline. Without some combination of luck and shrewd management, neither of which has been associated with Ottawa for some time, the organization may be beginning a stretch of ugliness reminiscent of what divisional rival Buffalo Sabres had being going through for the past five seasons.

Brady Tkachuk

1 Brady Tkachuk, LW (4^th overall, 2018. Last Year: IE) Son of Keith and brother of Matthew, Brady Tkachuk has the blood lines as well as the skill set and mentality to play a key role on a winning NHL team. He has a big, strong frame and plays a power game, but with soft enough hands to make tricky plays and surprise with a feint as he powers his way to the net or through the cycle. In addition to having all of the raw tools one could ask for in a young winger, his sense for the game may have been the best among anyone in the 2018 draft class. He did not dominate, but played at a very high level as a true freshman in the NCAA – one of the youngest players in collegiate hockey. He recently announced that he would leave BU and has a good chance to spend the year in the NHL, although AHL and OHL are still possibilities.

2 Logan Brown, C (11^th overall, 2016. Last Year: 3^rd) Between Brown and Tkachuk, the future Senators will not lack for size up front. Thankfully, these two also fit the bill for the modern game with skills and mobility to go with their bulk. For the second straight year, Brown was held back by injuries, but when he was healthy, took his game to another level, scoring more frequently, leading Kitchener deep into the OHL playoffs one year after helping Windsor win the Memorial Cup. He even looked good in his truncated appearance for Team USA at the WJC. The most impressive facets of his game are his soft and skilled hands, and his hockey IQ. He has a pro game, but the lost development time may make his path to the NHL slower than hoped.

3 Colin White, RW/C (21^st overall, 2015. Last Year: 2^nd) A fantastic skater with plus hockey sense, White started last season in the NHL, but shelved due to a wrist injury. Upon his recovery, he went back to the AHL, where he was often the best player on the ice for Belleville, earning a lengthy recall to Ottawa that encompassed the first six weeks of 2018. He has above average offensive tools as well, although they are not as notable as his reads and decision making. He can play both on the wing and up the middle and is likely to win a bottom six role to open this season. His history with Boston College and the USNTDP before that suggests that he could eventually work his way up to a second line role although third line on a good team is most likely.

4 Filip Gustavsson, G (55^th overall, 2016 [Pittsburgh]. Last Year: 2^nd [Pittsburgh]) There were a lot of moving parts in the three way deadline deal that sent Derrick Brassard from Ottawa to Pittsburgh, but it is fair to summarize the return to Ottawa as being a late first round pick (Bernard-Docker) and Gustavsson, who now wears the mantle of “Goalie of the Future” for the Senators. A very athletic netminder who is advanced at reading the play, he was coming off a strong season in Sweden, both domestically with Lulea, and internationally, backstopping Sweden to a Silver Medal at the WJC. His movements are quick and precise and allow him to challenge shooters aggressively knowing he can recover if needed. He should get at least one season in the AHL before the future becomes the present in Ottawa.

Alex Formenton

5 Alex Formenton, LW (47^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 11^th) One of the fastest skaters in the OHL last year, Formenton was so impressive in the pre-season for Ottawa that he broke camp in the NHL shortly after his 18^th birthday and played in one game before being returned to London. He is still young enough, and talented enough, that he was one of the few legit prospects not traded by the Knights as they began to regroup. Despite his near-elite speed, Formenton is not a great offensive threat. That is not to say that he is not a contributor to the attack, but that offense is generally not the focus of his game. He is a defensive specialist and fights a lot harder than his lean figure might suggest. A PK weapon, he also began to show a creative side with the puck last year and may have more to offer at that end given time.

6 Drake Batherson, C (121^st overall, 2017. Last Year: 12^th) A late bloomer who keeps on blooming, Batherson went from the Maritime Junior Hockey League to a top six role with a competitive QMJHL team to a national hero in the space of 24 months. Despite scoring seven goals (without a single assist) in seven games at the WJC he is more of a playmaker than a finisher. On the other hand, he has incredible hand-eye coordination and could build for himself a long NHL career if all he does is park himself in the slot and wait for shots to deflect. He has a solid frame, but needs to add more bulk to play that role as a professional. Could also stand to improve his skating, although he has a nice burst of speed available.

7 Jonny Tychonick, D (48^th overall, 2018. Last Year: IE) A dominant two-way defender for the Penticton Vees of the BCHL for the past two seasons, Tychonick was a rare Tier 1 player to receive consideration for the Canadian U18 squad. He catches the eye with his fantastic skating acumen and backs it up with a solid point shot and great puck control. He is on the lean side and it can be hard to adequately gauge the hockey sense of players playing in lower quality development leagues, but to his credit, he made the best of the path that he was on. The North Dakota commit was also entrusted with time killing penalties and shifts against the toughest competition the BCHL had to offer. He is at least three years away from NHL, but has enough upside to be worth waiting on.

8 Jacob Bernard-Docker, D (26^th overall, 2018. Last Year: IE) Like Tychonick above, Jacob Bernard-Docker was a cut above as a dominant blueliner in Tier 1 in Western Canada. Named the Most Outstanding Defenseman in the AJHL, JBD has a full set of tools, grading out as above average in terms of his mobility and with anything a defenseman might do with the puck. Although a bit beefier than Tychonick, Bernard-Docker is less likely to use his frame to physically impose himself on opponents. Although less dynamic than his new organization mate and soon to be teammate at the University of North Dakota, Bernard-Docker is more advanced in his own zone. He is skilled at shutting down opposing attacks and beginning the transition. He is the safer prospect of the two, and not without upside of his own.

9 Johnny Gruden, LW (95^th overall, 2018. Last Year: IE) Every year the USNTDP has a few players in middle six or bottom six roles who thrive once the hackles are taken off at the collegiate level. Johnny Gruden, whose father just coached the Hamilton Bulldogs to an OHL title, is most notable for his hockey smarts, but there is enough skill in his stick to be a pretty big factor at Miami starting next season. A lot of his offense with the program came from sensing where to position himself and when to strike. He does a lot of small, subtle things to help his game play up. He also has sneaky speed, helping him get to where he needs to go and trip up opponents on occasion when he suddenly changes gears.

10 Christian Wolanin, D (107^th overall, 2015. Last Year: 13^th) An NCAA champ as a freshman, Wolanin improved his produced for North Dakota year over year before turning pro after his junior season. He is not the fleetest of foot, although his first few steps are fairly impressive. His production comes as a traditional point man of sorts. He has a quick release on his snap shot, which can find twine or get a rebound. He is willing to step up past the faceoff dots and has the vision to hit a teammate in a better scoring area. He was an offense first defenseman as a collegian, and a brief NHL trial showed that he could play that game in the NHL, and there seems to be room for him in the NHL rotation right now. He will likely need to be protected somewhat as his defensive zone game is a bit on the raw side.

11 Aaron Luchuk, C (UDFA: Dec. 26, 2017. Last Year: IE) Never drafted, Luchuk spent three and a half seasons with the Windsor Spitfires, playing a critical role in their 2017 Memorial Cup victory, before he was traded to the Barrie Colts in mid-December. He was already only seven points away from a career high, but his season would only get better. Much better. He already had 51 points in 30 games at the time of the trade. 11 days later, he signed an ELC as a free agent with Ottawa, and finished the season with 81 more points in 50 regular season and postseason games with Barrie. Despite the sensational point totals, he lacks dynamic offensive skills, although does everything pretty well. His size also works against him, although he is willing to fight for space and loose pucks. He is a player, if probably not a high end one.

Andreas Englund

12 Andreas Englund, D (40^th overall, 2014. Last Year: 9^th) Very big, but very impressive afoot, especially for his size, Englund has been hampered thus far in his career by his complete lack of any offensive elements to his game. He is clearly more comfortable playing in his own zone as he has played the role of stay-at-home blueliner since his amateur days. Englund’s puck skills extend as far as retrieving the puck and getting to a teammate, who can get it out of the Belleville end. He has had a few short NHL cups of coffee in each of the last two years since coming over from Sweden, and should be in line for a bit more this season.

13 Patrick Sieloff, D (Trade: Jun. 27, 2016 [Calgary]. Last Year: not ranked) Acquired from Calgary two summers ago for Alex Chaisson, Sieloff has played in a single NHL game for both NHL organizations to which he has belonged, and scored a goal in each. That statistical fluke aside, offense is not really his jam. Sieloff is built thick and plays tough, sometimes overly so. He can get in trouble with his aggressiveness, such as when he concussed teammate Clarke MacArthur in training camp. He also skates well, getting to top speed rapidly and is reliably competent in his own zone. He is primed to battle it out this year for the distinction of opening camp as the team’s #6/7 defender.

14 Maxime Lajoie, D (133^rd overall, 2016. Last Year: 14^th) A solid skater who plays a fairly polished game on both sides of the puck, Lajoie had a decent rookie pro season last year, especially considering the circumstances of injuries that caused him to miss over 20 games and the fact that Belleville had a very bad hockey club last year. He was able to demonstrate an impressive ability to process the game, and he is able to transition the puck from zone to zone thanks to his mobility and puck handling skills. Lajoie is still on the slight side and needs a full, healthy season to give us a better idea of how his development will play out.

Gabriel Gagne

15 Gabriel Gagne, RW (36^th overall, 2015. Last Year: 20^th) Gagne’s permanently raw collection of tools were unable to have much of an impact in his first pro season, leading to a humbling stretch in the ECHL. His follow-up campaign was much better. He went from barely getting one shot on net per game to leading Belleville with 177 shots and a team high 20 goals. The paltry assist total (5) looks bad, but there wasn’t anyone else on the team who could score, so there were only so many assists to go around. Gagne is still growing into his lanky 6-5” frame, but he skates well, has above average puck skills, including a deadly shot from medium range and he knows how to put his body to good use. He is the player in this system who improved the most season over season.

16 Christian Jaros, D (139^th overall, 2015. Last Year: 5^th) As many of the other young blueliners in the system – particularly those with AHL experience – are either purely offensive or purely defensive defenders, Jaros stands out as having a more well-balanced game. Despite missing too much time to injuries in his first year in North America, he had good results for Belleville, and earned a few games with the Senators as well. He has a powerful point shot and moves the puck with skill. He is big and physical, without being mean. He has enough mobility to not be a weak link, although skating is not his strength. Of all of the defensemen in the second half of this list, Jaros has the highest likelihood of being more than a third pairing defender over time.

17 Filip Chlapik, C (48^th overall, 2015. Last Year: 8^th) Considering how well Chlapik did in his first pro season, leading Belleville in scoring despite missing 24 games, and playing in 20 games in the NHL, it may seem odd to see him ranked relatively low. Adding to the cognitive dissonance here is the fact that Chlapik is probably the first center to be called up again in case of injury. The answer lies in his lack of tools, or dynamic elements to his game. The big, Czech forward is a below average skater whose hands are soft and he can make some plays at the AHL level, but we doubt he has enough flash to create offense on his own in the NHL. He is an intelligent and has learned how to play within his limitations, at least at the QMJHL level, but he has further to go to prove he can do it at the highest levels.

18 Kevin Mandolese, G (157^th overall, 2018. Last Year: IE) In terms of pure ability from a physical standpoint, Mandolese may have been the best netminder available in the 2018 draft. Unfortunately, his performance never matched his visuals for long stretches and he split the season with QMJHL veteran Kyle Jessiman. He is a solid shot blocker who reads plays well and can be credited for improving upon his consistency in net over the course of the last year. Further to his credit, the defense in front of him was poor last year, so he may not have been fully at fault for his mediocre numbers, especially as they were markedly better than his partner. He needs to do a better job of keeping his arms up in the butterfly to prevent more rush goals. For now, he is a goalie to watch, instead of to plan around.

19 Julius Bergman, D (Trade: Jun. 19, 2018 [San Jose]. Last Year: 17^th [San Jose]) A big part of the return from San Jose in the Mike Hoffman deal, Bergman has had an up and down professional career since the Sharks made him a second round pick in 2014. Last season had its own mini ups and downs as he found a way to make his shot count more often, netting a career high ten goals, while he continued to struggle – sometimes mightily so – in his own zone. Seen as an offensive defenseman as an amateur, he still flashes those tools, but has never really developed his off-puck game. He may have more of a chance in the Ottawa system, but he will still need to show more consistent commitment first.

20 Andrew Sturtz, RW (Mar. 28, 2018. Last Year: IE) The first foray into the college free agent the Senators have made in a while, Sturtz already has some experience with the Ottawa area, having spent his pre-college years playing in Carleton Place in the CCHA. A smaller player who plays a bigger game than he should, but earned attention thanks to his puck skills. Sturtz is blessed with strong hands, very good hand-eye coordination and slippery puck control skills. His shot is only so-so, but he has a knack for getting himself into prime scoring position. He also skates well, which made him elusive in the collegiate ranks. He will have to prove himself in Belleville first, but he is worth keeping an eye on.

Ottawa – System Overview

Ryan Wagman — Fri, 15 Sep 2017 20:32:44 +0000

2011 marks the last time that the Ottawa Senators came out of the draft with a multitude of pure skill players. Armed with three first rounders and ten picks in total, they could afford to take a few risks, but that focus on productive players has resulted in a class from which a remarkable eight of ten players now have NHL experience. Their draft haul starred Mika Zibanejad and also included players like Shane Prince, Jean-Gabriel Pageau, and Ryan Dzingel.

Since that time, nearly every player drafted by the team was lauded first for his character and ability to play in his own zone before talk ever turned to offensive skills. That is not to say that they did not draft skilled players, but that the skill component of their player profiles was of secondary importance. So it should come as little surprise that of the eight teams in the Atlantic Division, only two have seen their drafted players experience less of the NHL than the bunch drafted by Ottawa from 2012 onwards. Further, those two, Boston and Detroit, were generally trading picks for present gains and picking further down when they did pick. Between Ottawa’s haul and the fifth ranked team lie 150 games of combined NHL experience.

The situation is actually worse than that for Ottawa as, 464 of the 492 games of experience those five draft classes have accrued have come from two players, Cody Ceci and Curtis Lazar. No one else has yet had any sort of NHL impact.

Looking at Ottawa’s system right now, there are three players who sit heads and shoulders above everyone else. These three – Thomas Chabot, Colin White, and Logan Brown – would fit on many teams’ top threes. But after that trio, the system is lacking in both quantity and quality. The reason for the former issue is that Ottawa has also been a generally competitive team, only once picking more than the standard allotment of seven players (eight in 2015) and only nine players drafted in total across the last two draft classes.

The reason for the latter issue is that the team has drafted very conservatively when they have drafted. As mentioned above, the team has stressed character and two-way play, with a secondary stress of size, at the draft table. Even of the three top prospects, White was more known as an ultra-smart two-way player before he was drafted while Brown packaged decent skills with two-way play into a massive body. Outside of Chabot, the only players drafted by the Sens who could be argued as being skills-first players are Francis Perron and Christian Wolanin. One seventh rounder and one fourth rounder.

Once Chabot, White, and Brown begin their NHL careers in earnest – the former two are expected to be NHLers this year – the numbers for Ottawa will change. But until then, for a team that has loudly and publicly scoffed at the analytics movement, their inattention to scouting, reportedly having one of the smallest scouting staffs in the game, will prevent them from bringing in the next generation of cheap, impact talent.

Ottawa Senators Thomas Chabot (72) . (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)

1 Thomas Chabot – Along with Boston’s Charlie McAvoy, one of the most dynamic blueline prospects in the game. His skating is elite. His offensive skills are all high end. He has a hard slap shot from the point that he can get through a crowd and is a precise and effective passer. Wrapping up those skills is his commitment and intelligence off the puck and in his own zone. Uses his stick very effectively and can land a play changing hit when the situation calls for it. If Ottawa didn’t already have Erik Karlsson, Chabot would be their future #1.

2 Colin White – Drafted with the expectation that he could develop into a strong, two-way center, White has instead seen tremendous growth in his offensive game across two seasons at Boston College. His hockey IQ is still plus-plus, but he has learned to combine his high-end skating and skilled puck play into a player with strong offensive projections. He plays the puck with great confidence and patience. He is always thinking the game one step ahead of his defenders.

June 24, 2016: Logan Brown is congratulated by Ottawa Senators management and coaches after he was selected as the 11th pick in the first round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft at First Niagara Center in Buffalo, NY (Photo by John Crouch/Icon Sportswire.)

3 Logan Brown – Limited by injury to 35 games in his first post draft year, Brown was nonetheless very effective when he was able to suit up. He will always have amazing size and he uses that to advantage, not so much as an intimidation factor, but he has the reach of a condor and he is willing to stretch out to block passing and shooting lanes in his own end. He is also a delight with the puck, dishing off sweet pass after sweet pass. Skates well for his size.

Shane Bowers of the Waterloo Black Hawks, USHL

4 Shane Bowers – An occasionally frustrating player to watch in the USHL, Bowers’ pace was often too much for his teammates and some of his more interesting offensive attempts unfortunately ended meekly. An impressive skater with a power forward approach to offense, he can look dangerous when rushing the puck. He can push through checks and has the possession skills to establish the offensive zone. Should see his production improve playing with skilled teammates at Boston University.

5 Christian Jaros – Signed to an ELC after finally spending the full season in the SHL with Lulea, Jaros has slowly, but steadily improved his overall game since the Senators used a fifth round pick on him in 2015. He profiles as more of an offensive defenseman than one who stays at home and will sometimes act like a fourth forward once his side has established the offensive zone. Pace may be a concern, but his physical play and NHL size portend to an NHL future.

6 Marcus Hogberg – Four years after being drafted, Hogberg put together a lights out season for Linkoping in the SHL and earned an ELC and the presumptive title of “goalie of the future” for Ottawa. He has prototypical size, competes well for every puck and tracks the puck nicely. He should get the bulk of the starts this year as the Senators move their AHL affiliate to Belleville.

7 Ben Harpur – Another super-sized prospect at 6-6”, 225, Harpur was a late arrival to defense. He has come a long way in the past few years, in terms of his mobility, his puck moving skills and especially his positional play. He will never be a big point producer, but he is at least efficient at getting the play moving in the right direction. He can handle the toughest shifts, including heavy time in the PK rotation. Keep expectations low, but he will do alright.

8 Filip Chlapik – While his first post-draft season was a disappointment, Chlapik ended his QMJHL career with a bang, including both over 90 points with Charlottetown, often alongside Daniel Sprong, and a stronger repeat performance at the WJC with the Czech Republic squad. He will never be a great skater, but he has the ability to slow the game down when he is on the puck. A very intelligent player who knows his limitations and plays within them.

9 Andreas Englund – Englund came to North America for the first time last season and basically was the same player he was while developing in Sweden. He is a no-frills, no-nonsense, stay-at-home blueliner with offensive production that you can count on one hand. He can be used for tough shifts and on the penalty kill. Think a shorter Ben Harpur with less puck moving ability and more of a nasty edge to his game.

10 Francis Perron – A rare prospect drafted by the Senators for his skill, Perron exploded in his final QMJHL season, winning the league MVP award for both the regular season and the playoffs. It would be unfair to call his rookie pro season a no-show, but it was disappointing. He is very slight of frame and was all too often neutralized on the ice by bigger, stronger opponents. He can still flash his strong puck game and creativity, particularly with his playmaking, but more should be expected.

11 Alex Formenton – A curious prospect, Formenton has near elite skating ability, speed that can make a scout sit up straighter, but little else. To be fair, it is not that he cannot shoot, or handle the puck, or pass, or any of the other things that make a good hockey player. It is that he doesn’t do those things often enough. Needs to overthink less often and relax with the puck. Unfortunately, players who struggle to produce offense as much as he does, rarely figure it out down the road. But he can fly.

12 Drake Batherson – A late bloomer, Batherson was not drafted in his first year of eligibility, still playing in the Maritime Hockey League. He then joined Cape Breton in the QMJHL and quickly rose up prospect lists due to his impressive hockey smarts and a simple overall game that can get the job done at both ends of the ice. A fairly typical Senators prospect in many regards. Expect a lot more promise in a second major junior season.

13 Christian Wolanin – While Batherson is a typical Senators draft pick, Wolanin is fairly atypical for this team. Drafted in his third year of eligibility as a puck moving blueliner in the USHL, his development over two seasons in NCAA with North Dakota has been promising. He has a decent point shot and solid puck protection ability. His defensive zone play still has rough edges to be smoothed up, especially in man-on-man coverage, but he has a nice offensive edge to his game, at times even looking dynamic.

14 Max Lajoie – At his best, Lajoie is a solid puck moving blueliner, capable of starting the transition, or manning the point on the man advantage, all traits he has exhibited throughout his three year career with Swift Current. At his worst, he does those things, but not well enough to get away with it. He can be loose on the puck. His shot is OK, but not especially threatening. He still plays well enough in his own end that he should receive his share of opportunities to continue developing as a pro.

15 Fredrik Claesson – After that nice, brief interlude with players bearing some skills, we are back to the land of low upside. The difference between Claesson and some of the others of that type on this list is that Claesson has already reached his peak level. He fell two games short of losing his prospect eligibility last year and is likely to make the third pairing this year. He will stay there until he is passed from below.

16 Max McCormick – If Andreas Englund was a winger, he might be Max McCormick. The Ohio State alum has a strong motor. He is an above average skater with a nice wrist shot to boot. But despite below average size, his best attribute is his physical game. His offensive upside is moderate at best, but he plays to hurt. He should see a good bit of NHL ice time this year, likely losing his prospect eligibility.

17 Nick Paul – The most surprising thing about Nick Paul’s career thus far is that his development has stalled. He has a solid skill set, highlighted by strong possession ability and good net drive. He also impresses in his commitment to his own zone, a trait he showed from early in his junior days. While the effort is always there, his vision and creativity are lacking, putting a hard ceiling on his potential for future offensive production.

18 Filip Ahl – After utterly failing to make much headway as a teenager in the SHL, Ahl came to North America last year to kickstart his career in the WHL with Regina. The results were middling. He does everything at an OK level, from skating, to shooting, to puck handling, to overall situational awareness. He has good size and plays the requisite physical game, but we are basically looking at another low-ceiling player. Ahl is going back to Sweden for now.

19 Markus Nurmi – Tall and rangy, Nurmi may be able to separate himself from the mass of similar players in the middle regions of the Ottawa system by dint of a plus shot. A strong scorer in the Finnish junior reaches, he has had limited exposure to high level hockey thus far. He has already shown improvement in the season since being drafted, particularly in his skating ability and a strong season in Liiga with TPS will allow him to shoot up this list.

20 Gabriel Gagne – Seen as a reach when the Senators used an early 2nd round pick on him in 2015, Gagne has done nothing since then to dispel that notion. Gifted with great height, the best thing I can say about his game is that his hands are not overly hard. He was never one to drive the play, even in the QMJHL, and his rookie pro season was a disappointment.

With Chabot and White both expected to play in Ottawa full time this year, the system that they leave behind will be extremely barren, one of the weakest in the league. By consistently drafting “safe” players, the Senators have almost no upside to speak of at any position. Perhaps they believe that taller players just take longer to develop, as is often assumed with pitchers in baseball. Or perhaps, they simply need a new approach to keep this team relevant after Erik Karlsson stops being the best defenseman in hockey.

Scouting Reports: QMJHL – Nico Hischier, Nicolas Roy, Mathieu Joseph, Pierre-Olivier Joseph and Filip Chlapik

Craig Smith — Fri, 27 Jan 2017 14:25:31 +0000

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

McKeen's welcomes Craig Smith to the team. Craig has lived in Ottawa his entire life. He grew up playing hockey, eventually coaching at the Bantam level and became a Referee officiating up to Midget AAA. He visits “The Bob” in Gatineau on a regular basis to catch the QMJHL. When the schedule allows it he will head over to TD Place and watch some OHL action as well. When he is away from the rink he spends his time attempting to keep up with his daughters, aged five and two. He also contributes to the6thsens.com, senschirp.ca, and an occasional podcast on The Cost Per Point Cast via silversevensens.com . On twitter @Red_Vikreig.

Nico Hischier	2017 Draft Eligible
Position: C, Shoots L	H/W: 6-1", 175 lbs
Stats to date (GP-G-A-PTS-PIMS)	Halifax Mooseheads, QMJHL (39-33-34-67-14)
	Switzerland U20, WJC (5-4-3-7-2)

Skating: The Swiss born forward has seen mixed reviews on the caliber of his skating. No matter what the comment is one thing is certain: Hischier is a fantastic skater. The discussion settles around his speed. Is it elite? His ability to skate laterally and use is edges earns high grades. He can stop suddenly and change direction like a running back in football cutting into a hole through the offensive line. He uses the ten and two o’clock angle with his skates to help pivot in the corners and escape, even when pressured by up to three opponents. There is no debate surrounding his agility. The speed debate starts with his acceleration. While he changes direction quickly, his first three steps in accelerating need some technical adjustments. The stride is there to accelerate within the first three steps, he just needs to cut out the fourth stride or create more push from the first stride. His breakaway speed is not always present as there are multiple occasions where he creates a turnover but is unable to separate from the opposition. Grade: 65

Shot: One of the subtle characteristics of his shot is that his shoulders remain square to the net. If his hips are turned to help receive the puck he still gets a quick accurate shot off thanks to his square shoulders. He controls the velocity. He will take some power off the shot in order to ensure it is accurate. His release is a smooth forward motion. He has several different ways in which he can score. No matter what shot he is using it is better than most. His backhand elevates quickly, his slap shot consistently finds its way through potential blocks, and his wrist shot is lethal. Grade: 70

Skills: He extends what seems to be far beyond his expected reach. He will move the puck in and out of other players skates when in tight traffic all while keeping the puck close to his stick. The puck is rarely outside of his reach where if he made a mistake he would not have an opportunity to recover the puck. He can use toe drags, puck flips, or push the puck past a defender then skate past him and pick up the loose puck. He is dynamic and tons of fun to watch. His passes match the finesse and creativity of his stick handling. His passes are easily handled by their recipients. He is also able to make accurate passes without having his shoulders square to the receiving player. Being able to make accurate passes without adjusting his body allows him to maximize his agility and puck handling. Grade: 65

Smarts: Hischier’s awareness is present in all three zones. He times his turn and exit from the defensive zone well and does not leave his teammates stranded and outnumbered. Once in the neutral zone he uses the complete area trying to break the defenders formation. He uses excellent judgement on the best avenue to enter the offensive zone. He will pass it in over the blue line, dump it in, or carry it. When he is in the offensive zone or the neutral zone he uses the complete ice surface to create offence and set up the attack. He is able to anticipate and react earlier than the other players on the ice. He just processes the information quicker. Grade: 60

Physicality: Luckily for the Swiss born star he does not need to play a physical game. He is able to avoid physical contact with or without the puck. If he does get pressed he can slither out and continue on with the puck. Far too often he is knocked on the ice and separated. He should be able to add another 15-20lbs onto his frame and reduce the amount of times he is pushed off the puck. The grade is low and could improve if he shows added strength this offseason. Until he shows that the muscle is growing the score will remain low. Grade: 45

Summary: “The Swiss Connor McDavid”, is a title that some have branded Hischier with. He is the best prospect to ever come out of Switzerland. Early in the year he was ranked by many in the bottom half of the first round. Thanks to a remarkable performance at the U20 World Championships and unmatched production in the QMJHL this season he has sky rocketed up ranking lists and has cemented his position as a top three pick in the draft. He is the most exciting player in the draft to watch. The skills he displays on a nightly basis graded high and it is reasonable to expect his physicality to improve. He has a chance to be one of the few impact players that come out of this draft. There is a slim but not impossible chance he supplants Nolan Patrick as the number one pick.

Nicolas Roy	2015 Draft (96th - Carolina Hurricanes)
Position: C, Shoots R	H/W: 6-4", 200 lbs
Stats to date (GP-G-A-PTS-PIMS)	Chicoutimi Saugeneens, QMJHL (31-21-25-46-28)
	Canada U20, WJC (7-3-1-4-0)

Skating: The QMJHL’s first overall pick in 2013 is a sturdy skater. His stance is technically sound. His stride is long and powerful. It is hard to have great acceleration for someone of his size, but he has good speed for his size and turns quickly. His skating will allow him to be deployed in almost any role his coach feels is needed. Grade: 55

Shot: Roy takes almost all of his shots from a very small area on the ice. His shots come from in between the faceoff circles just inside the hash marks. His shot itself is average. His wrist shot’s release does not have any obvious tells, but he does take a longer time to wind up and let go of the puck. It is hard to foresee his shot being overly effective in the NHL. He has the ability take some high level shots, just not on a consistent basis. He will need to score his goals from the dirty areas. Grade: 50

Skills: Roy stands 6-4” and has a long reach. He uses his reach well when handling the puck. He does a first-rate job of holding the puck out then quickly bringing it back close to his body. When he leans on the checker and keeps the puck out of reach but then quickly changes the position of the puck it freezes defenders. In and around the net he can pick up loose pucks or deflect shot points. Grade: 50

Smarts: He is a smart, low risk player. He is a defence first player. Now that he has learned the defensive side of the game he has been able to focus more on the offensive side. He will typically stick to a north-south style of game. When he is forechecking he takes good angles and forces the puck up the boards. Defensively he is disciplined and stays with his zone and supports the defence. Grade: 55

Physicality: Roy was selected to the Canadian junior team in part because of the physical element he is able to bring. He has a massive frame and has put the strength on that frame to wreak havoc on the opposition. He is very difficult to separate from the puck. He can and will lay the big hit on the opposition. His size, strength and skating ability combined can create a hesitation in other players forcing turnovers. Grade: 65

Summary: Roy is starting to look like another prospect gem for the Hurricanes. He may help fill a role that is missing for their roster’s future projections. Having Roy start out as a third line winger eventually transitioning to the third line centre role would be a great addition to the young and improving Hurricanes. His skills and skating ability will allow his coaches to deploy him on any of the four lines. Similar to some other top players in the QMJHL this season Roy has seen a big swing in his development arch. He has the skills, skating, and strength to play in the NHL. Given that aside from having a high score in physicality his closer to average skill set will limit his offensive ceiling.

Mathieu Joseph	2015 Draft (120th - Tampa Bay Lightning)
Position: RW, Shoots L	H/W: 6-0", 165 lbs
Stats to date (GP-G-A-PTS-PIMS)	Saint John Sea Dogs, QMJHL (34-28-26-54-33)
	Canada U20, WJC (7-1-4-5-0)

Skating: His top speed creates separation from defenders. He also closes in quickly when on the back check. The Lightning prospect accelerates to that top speed in a flash. His quick feet and first two steps also allow him to find some extra space in the offensive zone to get off his shot. He is not the most agile of skaters. He does not use his edges often as his straight line skating is so good. Grade: 65

Shot: Joseph is a shooter. He is currently sitting second amongst QMJHL players with over 80 shots on goal with a 21.54 shooting percentage. He is 15th leaguewide in shots per game, and third in goals per game. His shot comes off the blade quickly. He has an accurate shot and it’s hard as well. He does take some shots that go directly into oncoming blockers. When he gets a clear lane it is difficult for goalies to track his shot. Grade: 60

Skills: He is an underrated passer. He uses the attention he is given to get the puck to his teammates when they are awarded the extra space. He has 20 primary assists this season. He has ordinary hands. He will get stick checked and sometimes will mishandle the puck. He can handle the puck with speed and can come straight on defenders or goalies then make a last second move to win the battle. Grade 50

Smarts: He is a nightmare to play against inside the neutral zone. He applies incredible pressure on the opposing team during their transition. He uses his size, speed, and strength to interfere in passing lanes and force turnovers. In the defensive zone he keeps good spacing between himself, the point, and the half boards. He works hard and does not give up on his own mistakes. Grade: 55

Physicality: The fourth round pick was originally a grinding forward who focused on playing a physical game. He has developed the rest of his skills and taken a slight step back in terms of the frequency in which he is playing the body. He is physically gifted and can overpower most players at the junior level. Once he becomes a pro he will still be able to play his physical style but may not be as dominant. Trying to get him off the puck is almost impossible given how fast he moves and how strong he is. Grade: 60

Summary: The Lightning must be ecstatic with Joseph’s development curve. He was a fourth round pick and is on track to return second round value. He took a back seat and played a support role with team Canada at the WJC. He was effective even though his point totals were probably lower than he would have wanted. He will assume a similar role in the NHL. He will be a complimentary player best suited as a middle six winger who can provide some occasional offense while being defensively responsible.

Pierre-Olivier Joseph	2017 Draft Eligible
Position: D, Shoots L	H/W: 6-2", 160 lbs
Stats to date (GP-G-A-PTS-PIMS)	Charlottetown Islanders, QMJHL (44-6-28-34-30)

Skating: When you are smaller than the other players on the ice you need to be quicker. Joseph has notable speed and acceleration. He is agile and deceptive when coming across the blue lines. He has good edges as a defender should. He uses them in bursts out to pinch up into the play. Grade: 60

Shot: Sometime it is hard to tell if a defender is being safe and ensuring that his shot is getting on net or if his shot just lacks quality. Joseph’s shot is just slightly below average. It lacks velocity but is accurate. He is shooting at 6.38 % this season. Grade: 50

Skills: Joseph has been given the rope and been put in situations to let his skills thrive and develop. Playing on the point of a powerplay that has Filip Chlapik, Daniel Sprong, and Francois Beauchemin will provide some options for a defender thinking of passing the puck. He is not a strong shooter and therefore does look to pass. He is a good passer who makes simple, easy passes and lets his talented forwards do what they are good at. He can keep the puck on his stick and maneuver beyond a stick check with little effort. Grade: 55

Smarts: Junior coaches do not always entrust large amounts of important ice time to 17 year old players. The Islanders are a well-coached team that plays in a strict system. Joseph is entrusted to run the point of one power play unit and will even see some time on the penalty kill. He is sheltered defensively having faced a lower quality of competition this year. It is a prerequisite to continue learning the defensive side of the ice for young players. Joseph is not exempt from this. He is aggressive on offense. He will pinch to keep the puck in and even press down below the faceoff dot to keep pressure in the attacking zone. Grade: 50

Physicality: The Charlottetown defender is as aggressive with his physical play as he is with his offensive play. He will jump up to attempt the big hit. He is forceful when pressing players up against the boards. He still has room to grow and strength to add. His checks are not always successful but it does not prevent him from trying. He can be pushed off the puck, but usually has the puck off his stick before the hit arrives. Grade 45

Summary: Pierre-Olivier Joseph may earn the bragging rights in his house. His older brother Mathieu was drafted in the fourth round by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2015. Pierre-Olivier may be as high as a first round selection if his growth continues with a strong second half, although the second round is more likely at this point. He has been improving all season and has had some long streaks with consistent production. He is getting more ice time than team captain and Canucks third round pick Guillaume Brisebois. That may change with the recent trades for QMJHL veterans and NHL prospects Nicolas Meloche and Carl Neill. The changing views on smaller defenders who play an offensive game will help ensure that P-O Joseph is not overlooked come draft time.

Filip Chlapik	2015 Draft (48th - Ottawa Senators)
Position: C, Shoots L	H/W: 6-1", 195 lbs
Stats to date (GP-G-A-PTS-PIMS)	Charlottetown Islanders, QMJHL (34-24-31-55-74)
	Czech-U20, WJC (5-2-1-3-0)

Skating: Filip Chlapik does not rely on his skating to help him achieve his gaudy production totals so far this season. His technique is heavily flawed and therefore he does not maximize each stride. His knees are too close together and are not bent enough. It limits his ability to quickly change direction or make a lateral move. He is often slow on the backcheck as his straight line acceleration is poor. The surprising aspect is his top speed. If given the time and space he can achieve a top speed that will allow him to enter the opposition’s zone with ease. When on his edges his technique improves exponentially. His crossover creates a much faster rate of acceleration than his straight line skating. Luckily for Chlapik skating is his weakest attribute. Grade 45

Shot: The Czech born player has a mixed level of skills when it comes to shooting. His wrist shot has both strong accuracy and above average velocity. It is the efficiency of the wrister’s release that may hinder his chances of scoring goals at high rates in the NHL. He tends to pull the puck back prior to shooting. His inside shoulder also drops and moves forward allowing the goalie to prepare for the upcoming shot. His slapshot scores lower than his wrist shot. It still has good accuracy, but the velocity is slightly less impressive. Chlapik is on pace to double his shot rate from 2015-16 and has shown an improvement in shot selection. He shoots the majority of the time from high danger areas. Grade 50

Skills: The exceptional flashy play is not something that will be seen often from Chlapik. He has good hands in close but prefers to use simple toe drags and other basic dekes to create space and avoid the defender’s poke check. The ability to amaze is present and can appear from time to time. The Senators’ second round pick is a low risk player. His passes are accurate and crisp. He is able to use touch and feather a pass or use a saucer pass when a change of pace is required for timing or a one timer. His vision and passing ability is confirmed as he ranks eighth overall in the QMJHL with 0.56 primary assists per game. He is patient and intelligent when making a pass. He ensures the lane is open and that if the pass is intercepted the risk of a dangerous transition is minimal. Grade 55

Smarts: Unquestionably the strongest and most important part of the Charlottetown top center’s game. He is always positioned well when without the puck. He plays the center position as it should be. He is a good distributor of the puck, but he also supports his teammates by providing easy to see passing lanes. He understands his role on the fore check and consistently places himself in the high slot area ready to force a break out into his team’s desired direction. In the defensive zone he is steadfast as he does not allow the opposition to pull him out of his assigned position. He runs one of the Islander’s power play units. During the powerplay he is positioned on the right side half board. He is the main distributor but also has a green light to shoot. He does an excellent job of evaluating and deciding where to move the puck or if shooting is the best option. Grade 65

Physicality: When Chlapik transitions to pro hockey next year, there will be very few story lines from the broadcasters about this 19 year old’s physical dominance. It is not that he is soft or incapable. He plays the puck. He will avoid contact when in position and will attempt a stick check as his primary defence. When the whistle goes and some of the good old time hockey kicks in he will not shy away, sometimes he is the instigator of the post whistle scrum. He is well balanced enough to bounce off a check and maintain his chosen path. Grade: 50

Summary: At the end of the 2015-16 QMJHL season there were legitimate concerns about Chlapik’s legitimacy as a NHL prospect. After a long discussion with the Senators development team, a plan was put in place and goals were set. Chlapik has admitted that his previous off ice habits were poor and beginning to affect his on ice product. Refocused and motivated he has proven himself and was award with his ELC prior to his World Junior appearance. He is second in the QMJHL with 1.62 P/GM, 4.79 SH/GM, and fifth in primary points per game. Needless to say he has been enjoying an outstanding season. There is still a long road ahead as he will need two or three AHL seasons to fine tune some aspects of his game. He and his Charlottetown Islanders teammates are one of the favourites to make a run for the league title. If that does happen, Chlapik will be a major reason why.

2015 NHL Draft Guide – A draft to remember for QMJHL

Scott Wheeler — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 15:03:09 +0000

2015 NHL Draft one to remember for QMJHL

As the 2014 NHL Entry Draft came to a close at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia last summer, there was a notable lack of talent from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).

The draft was so thin in QMJHL-bred players that just one prospect, Halifax’s Nikolaj Ehlers, was selected in the first round when he was taken ninth overall by the Winnipeg Jets.

For the Canadian Hockey League’s (CHL) other two leagues, the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and Western Hockey League (WHL), the 2014 NHL Draft was a strong one.

A total of 10 OHL players were selected in the first round, as well as nine WHL products.

A year later though, the QMJHL is proving its lack of NHL draftees isn’t going to be a recurring theme.

Sometimes, everything just seems to fall neatly into place. This June, in Sunrise at the home of the Florida Panthers, it appears the stars have aligned for the QMJHL.

As many as a dozen QMJHL prospects could realistically be taken inside this draft’s first round, while only six OHL (Connor McDavid, Dylan Strome, Mitchell Marner, Travis Konecny, Lawson Crouse and Pavel Zacha) and six WHL players (Mathew Barzal, Ivan Provorov, Nick Merkley, Jansen Harkins, Jake DeBrusk and Paul Bittner) have played their way into surefire first round contention.

And while it’s unlikely we see a QMJHL player taken inside the top 10, the sheer breadth and depth of the talent in this year’s QMJHL-developed class is unmatched by the other junior hockey programs.

For the QMJHL, the group is not strictly Eastern Canadian-born players either, and the draft represents a strong recruiting process that brought in some of the CHL’s best imports.

It has been years since the QMJHL saw such strength in their graduates.

Beyond the singular Nikolaj Ehlers pick in 2014, the previous five drafts had also shown that while the QMJHL boasted strength, it wasn’t going to produce the most prospects in any draft.

The 2013 NHL Draft, the QMJHL’s strongest in recent memory, saw six players taken inside the first round, highlighted by the first and third overall selections. But once again, the OHL stood strong, with eight selections in the first round. In year’s prior, 2012 saw just Mikhail Grigorenko selected, while 2011 and 2010 saw five and two players taken in the first thirty picks respectively.

The following is a list of 14 QMJHL players who should feature prominently in the 2015 NHL Draft.

The First Round Locks

Jeremy Roy (Sherbrooke)

Roy is a stud defensemen who can do it all, and while he lacks the size of some of the class’ top defensemen, his versatility and strong year-end performance with Canada’s U18 team make him a surefire first rounder.

Timo Meier (Halifax)

Like Drouin with MacKinnon and Ehlers with Drouin, Meier has been forced to live in the shadow of his high-flight teammate, now Ehlers. In his own right though, Meier has the blend of size and skill that’s impossible pass up in the first round.

Jakub Zboril (Saint John)

Don’t take Zboril’s omission from the disappointing Czech Republic World Juniors squad as any indication that the NHL’s best and brightest scouts will make the same mistake. Zboril’s two-way presence and heavy shot make him an easy first round selection. He was taken fifth overall in the QMJHL import draft for a reason.

Evgeni Svechnikov (Cape Breton)

Svechnikov’s production matched his near-towering size and undoubted skill this season, and it makes him one of the class’ most dynamic, NHL-ready wingers. Every team wants big, top-six wingers with some snarl. Lots to work with and gifted enough that if he falls, it won’t be out of the first round. Named as the QMJHL Rookie All-Star Team’s right wing.

Thomas Chabot (Saint John)

Chabot is one of 2015’s most reliable prospects. He’s not as flashy as some of the other best defensemen in this year’s draft, but he makes smart, calculated decisions both with and without the puck. He plays in all situations and is capable of logging big minutes. The type of top-four defensemen every coach wants on his side.

The Wild Card

Daniel Sprong (Charlottetown)

There aren’t 30 more talented players in the 2015 NHL Draft. There might not even be 10. But despite oozing raw, gifted talent, Sprong has become a polarizing figure among scouts, a forward knocked for being streaky or weak defensively. Still, in the first round, when a team is looking for a star that might unwarrantedly fall, Sprong’s that guy. Sprong’s a risk worth taking.

The Strong Possibilities

Anthony Beauvillier (Shawinigan)

Some players are small and that size works against them. Others use their diminutive stature to their advantage. And while Beauvillier appears small, his low centre of gravity gives him deceptive strength to match his first round talent. His size doesn’t prohibit him in the faceoff circle either, where he excels. Named to the league’s Second All-Star Team for a reason.

Dennis Yan (Shawinigan)

Another import, Yan’s body of work is limited to just one season in the QMJHL. That inexperience shouldn’t prohibit him, as he’s thrived internationally with the United States and was Shawinigan’s deadliest scorer down the stretch. Yan’s an extremely talented winger who grew to provide the Cataractes with another scoring threat beyond Beauvillier.

Filip Chlapik (Charlottetown)

Like Zboril, Chlapik was mysteriously left off the Czech national team at the World Juniors. Not to worry though, his performance this season spoke for itself. Burdened by the same labels of inconsistency as his teammate Sprong, Chlapik earned his Rookie All-Star Team selection.

The Longshots

Nicholas Meloche (Baie-Comeau)

Size. Strength. Reliability. If that’s what a team with a first round pick is looking for on draft day, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Meloche as their guy. Unlikely to be a first round pick but Meloche’s standout playoff performance certainly helps.

Nathan Noel (Saint John)

Noel’s a two-way centre who projects more as a middle-six forward than a top-six one but his complete game may be of interest to a team with one of the first round’s final picks. More than likely a second round selection but Noel’s an interesting package who may have been held back by a low-scoring team.

Dmytro Timashov (Quebec)

Not only was Timashov named the QMJHL Rookie All-Star Team’s left wing, he was also awarded the league’s Rookie of the Year honour. While the draft’s depth will more than likely push the Quebec Remparts breakout star into the second round, it certainly wouldn’t be surprising to see a team take a chance on him.

Nicolas Roy (Chicoutimi)

Heralded as the QMJHL’s next big (in more than one way) star when he was taken first overall in 2013, Roy hasn’t lived up to the billing. Despite possessing the size most teams drool over, it’s probable Roy falls out of the first round. If he’s taken inside the first 30 picks, it will be out of an intriguing, developing, untapped potential.

Wheeler’s Final Top 60 Prospects for the 2015 NHL Draft by League

Scott Wheeler — Tue, 05 May 2015 13:00:19 +0000

Each season, I release three instalments of my rankings of the top 60 prospects for the NHL draft. This year, these rankings will be divided by league and produced in November, February, and May, and available online at McKeen’s for the first time.

Note on the rankings: The following rankings are compiled through extensive coverage and viewings of Ottawa 67s and Gatineau Olympiques home games, which provide the chance to watch and follow a hundred or-so draft eligible players in the OHL and QMJHL who make up the majority of the top end of the draft class (especially this year in a very QMJHL-populated class) from training camps through playoffs. For prospects from the NCAA, USHL, NTDP and abroad, I make sure I have several viewings before the first publication of these rankings in November. These viewings are cumulative from this year and last (while scouting the previous class). Events viewed beyond the CHL include the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, World Junior Development Camps, the Subway Super Series, Under 17s, Under 18s, club play internationally, marquee U.S. events, college tournaments, and a heavy focus on a select few European players in SHL and Swe. Jr. games.

May’s Top 60 Prospects for the 2015 NHL Draft by League (overall ranking in brackets)

OHL:

Connor McDavid, Erie, C (#1)
Dylan Strome, Erie, C (#4)
Mitchell Marner, London, C/RW (#5)
Travis Konecny, Ottawa, C (#12)
Pavel Zacha, Sarnia, C (#13)
Lawson Crouse, Kingston, LW (#15)
Nikita Korostelev, Sarnia, RW (#34)
Mitchell Vande Sompel, Oshawa, D (#45)
Blake Speers, Sault Ste. Marie, C (#48)
Dante Salituro, Ottawa, C (#50)
Vince Dunn, Niagara, D (#53)
Mitchell Stephens, Saginaw, C (#54)
Matthew Spencer, Peterborough, D (#57)

QMJHL:

Jeremy Roy, Sherbrooke, D (#11)
Daniel Sprong, Charlottetown, RW (#16)
Evgeni Svechnikov, Cape Breton, LW (#18)
Timo Meier, Halifax, RW/C (#19)
Jakub Zboril, Saint John, D (#20)
Anthony Beauvillier, Shawinigan, C/LW (#25)
Thomas Chabot, Saint John, D (#26)
Dennis Yan, Shawinigan, LW (#28)
Filip Chlapik, Charlottetown, C (#29)
Nicholas Meloche, Baie-Comeau, D (#30)
Nathan Noel, Saint John, C (#32)
Yakov Trenin, Gatineau, LW (#33)
Dmytro Timashov, Quebec, LW/RW (#44)
Nicolas Roy, Chicoutimi, C (#55)
Alexandre Carrier, Gatineau, D (#60)

WHL:

Mathew Barzal, Seattle, C (#7)
Ivan Provorov, Brandon, D (#8)
Nick Merkley, Kelowna, C (#17)
Jansen Harkins, Prince George, C (#24)
Jake DeBrusk, Swift Current, LW (#27)
Paul Bittner, Portland, LW (#31)
Ryan Pilon, Brandon, D (#38)
Brandon Carlo, Tri-City, D (#39)
Ryan Gropp, Seattle, LW (#40)
Noah Juulsen, Everett, D (#47)
Parker Wotherspoon. Tri-City, D (#59)

United States (NCAA, USHL, NTDP):

Jack Eichel, Boston University, C (#2)
Noah Hanifin, Boston College, D (#3)
Zach Werenski, Michigan, D (#6)
Kyle Connor, Youngstown, C (#10)
Brock Boeser, Waterloo, RW (#21)
Jeremy Bracco, NTDP, RW (#22)
Colin White, NTDP, C (#23)
Thomas Novak, Waterloo, C (#35)
Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson, Omaha, C (#36)
Jack Roslovic, NTDP, C/RW (#41)
Christian Fischer, NTDP, C (#42)
Jordan Greenway, NTDP, LW (#56)

Sweden (SHL, Swe. Jr.):

Oliver Kylington, AIK/Farjestad, D (#14)
Jens Looke, Brynas, RW (#37)
Jacob Larsson, Frolunda, D (#43)
Joel Eriksson Ek, Farjestad, C (#49)
Sebastian Aho, Skelleftea, D (#51)
Filip Ahl, HV71, RW (#52)
Jesper Lindgren, Modo, D (#58)

Finland:

Mikko Rantanen, TPS, RW (#9)

Slovakia:

Erik Cernak, Kosice, D (#46)

Just missed: Erik Foley, Anthony Richard, Roope Hintz, Michael Spacek, Kay Schweri, Graham Knott, Gabriel Carlsson, Ethan Bear, Rasmus Andersson, Travis Dermott, Adam Musil, Tyler Soy, Glenn Gawdin, Alex Dergachyov, Denis Gurianov, Denis Kase, Jonas Siegenthaler, Julius Nattinen, Adam Marsh, Guillaume Brisebois, Zachary Senyshyn.

2015 NHL Draft – McKeen’s Top 120 Rankings

McKeen's Hockey — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 18:17:44 +0000

Ilya Samsonov made the most of his opportunity in front of NHL scouts last month in the Czech Republic.

The 6-foot-3, 200-pound native of Magnitogorsk helped lead Russia to victory at the Five Nations Tournament.

Samsonov showcased a full package of skill and smarts while upsetting Team USA in a 5-4 overtime win - being outshot 51-to-16 - and then shutting down Sweden 5-1 in the final game.

He played this season in the MHL with Stalnye Lisy, Magnitogorsk's junior team, and will get another chance to bolster his draft stock at the U18 World Championships next month in Switzerland.

A number of Samsonov's U18 teammates could draw some draft interest with strong showings in Zug and Lucerne, the two host cities for the U18 Worlds.

Big, strong-shooting winger Denis Gurianov of Lada Togliatti is rated in the second round - 40th overall - on the McKeen's Top 120 rankings for the 2015 NHL Draft.

Mikhail Vorobyev (Salavat Ufa) is rated 78th overall and is a smart, well-structured pivot in the classic old Russian style, while diminutive winger Kirill Kaprizov (Novokuznetsk) is listed as a late third-rounder - 89th overall. Just 5-foot-9 and 185 pounds, Kaprizov was a creative force throughout the Five Nations and demonstrated that he has the courage and work ethic to help overcome the size factor.

Samsonov is the top-rated goaltender in the McKeen's rankings for the 2015 NHL Draft - debuting in the first round in the 29th spot.

Drafting goalies in the opening round has becoming increasingly less common. In fact, only six goaltenders have been selected in the first round over the past eight drafts (2007 to 2014). That compares to the five-year period from 2002 to 2006 in which a total of 14 goalies were first-round picks.

Samsonov is one of 11 goaltenders to earn spots in the McKeen's Top 120 rankings.

Mackenzie Blackwood of the Barrie Colts is next on the goalie list - ranked as an early second-rounder at 33rd overall - while a pair of QMJHL goalies hold down the next two spots - Callum Booth of Halifax at 61st and Samuel Montembeault of Blainville-Boisbriand in the No. 68 spot.

RANK	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	HT/WT	DOB
1	Connor McDavid	C	Erie (OHL)	6-1/195	13-Jan-97
2	Jack Eichel	C	Boston University (HE)	6-2/195	28-Oct-96
3	Noah Hanifin	D	Boston College (HE)	6-3/205	25-Jan-97
4	Mitchell Marner	C	London (OHL)	5-11/160	5-May-97
5	Ivan Provorov	D	Brandon (WHL)	6-0/195	13-Jan-97
6	Lawson Crouse	LW	Kingston (OHL)	6-4/210	23-Jun-97
7	Zach Werenski	D	Michigan (B1G)	6-2/205	19-Jul-97
8	Dylan Strome	C	Erie (OHL)	6-3/190	7-May-97
9	Pavel Zacha	C	Sarnia (OHL)	6-3/210	6-Apr-97
10	Mathew Barzal	C	Seattle (WHL)	5-11/175	26-May-97
11	Travis Konecny	C	Ottawa (OHL)	5-10/175	11-Mar-97
12	Mikko Rantanen	RW	TPS Turku (Fin)	6-3/210	29-Oct-96
13	Timo Meier	RW	Halifax (QMJHL)	6-1/210	8-Oct-96
14	Kyle Connor	C	Youngstown (USHL)	6-1/185	9-Dec-96
15	Thomas Chabot	D	Saint John (QMJHL)	6-1/180	30-Jan-97
16	Jakub Zboril	D	Saint John (QMJHL)	6-1/185	21-Feb-97
17	Nick Merkley	RW	Kelowna (WHL)	5-11/190	23-May-97
18	Joel Ek Eriksson	C	Farjestads (Swe)	6-2/180	29-Jan-97
19	Colin White	C	NTDP (USA)	6-0/185	30-Jan-97
20	Paul Bittner	LW	Portland (WHL)	6-4/210	4-Nov-96
21	Brandon Carlo	D	Tri-City (WHL)	6-5/200	26-Nov-96
22	Jeremy Roy	D	Sherbrooke (QMJHL)	6-0/190	14-May-97
23	Evgeni Svechnikov	LW	Cape Breton (QMJHL)	6-2/200	31-Oct-96
24	Jake DeBrusk	LW	Swift Current (WHL)	5-11/170	17-Oct-96
25	Jacob Larsson	D	Frolunda (Swe)	6-2/190	29-Apr-97
26	Jonas Siegenthaler	D	ZSC Zurich (Sui)	6-2/220	6-May-97
27	Oliver Kylington	D	Farjestads (Swe)	6-0/185	19-May-97
28	Brock Boeser	RW	Waterloo (USHL)	6-0/195	25-Feb-97
29	Ilya Samsonov	G	Magnitogorsk (Rus)	6-3/200	22-Feb-97
30	Jack Roslovic	C	NTDP (USA)	6-0/185	29-Jan-97

31	Erik Cernak	D	Kosice (Svk)	6-3/200	28-May-97
32	Guillaume Brisebois	D	Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL)	6-2/170	21-Jul-97
33	Mackenzie Blackwood	G	Barrie (OHL)	6-4/215	9-Dec-96
34	Tom Novak	C	Waterloo (USHL)	6-0/180	28-Apr-97
35	Jansen Harkins	C	Prince George (WHL)	6-1/180	23-May-97
36	Filip Chlapik	C	Charlottetown (QMJHL)	6-1/195	3-Jun-97
37	Blake Speers	C	Sault Ste Marie (OHL)	5-11/180	2-Jan-97
38	Daniel Sprong	RW	Charlottetown (QMJHL)	6-0/190	17-Mar-97
39	Matthew Spencer	D	Peterborough (OHL)	6-1/200	24-Mar-97
40	Denis Gurianov	RW	Lada Togliatti (Rus)	6-2/185	7-Jun-97
41	Noah Juulsen	D	Everett (WHL)	6-1/175	2-Apr-97
42	Jordan Greenway	LW	NTDP (USA)	6-5/225	16-Feb-97
43	Alexander Dergachyov	RW	SKA St. Petersburg (Rus)	6-4/200	27-Sep-96
44	Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson	C	Omaha (USHL)	6-1/195	31-Oct-96
45	Jeremy Bracco	RW	NTDP (USA)	5-9/175	17-Mar-97
46	Zachary Senyshyn	RW	Sault Ste Marie (OHL)	6-1/195	30-Mar-97
47	Anthony Beauvillier	LW	Shawinigan (QMJHL)	5-10/175	8-Jun-97
48	Ryan Gropp	LW	Seattle (WHL)	6-2/185	16-Sep-96
49	Dennis Yan	LW	Shawinigan (QMJHL)	6-1/180	14-Apr-97
50	Jens Looke	RW	Brynas (Swe)	6-0/180	11-Apr-97
51	Robin Kovacs	RW	AIK (Swe)	6-0/170	16-Nov-96
52	Glenn Gawdin	C	Swift Current (WHL)	6-1/190	25-Mar-97
53	Nikita Korostelev	RW	Sarnia (OHL)	6-1/195	8-Feb-97
54	Travis Dermott	D	Erie (OHL)	5-11/195	22-Dec-96
55	Gabriel Carlsson	D	Linkopings (Swe)	6-4/185	2-Jan-97
56	Adam Musil	RW	Red Deer (WHL)	6-2/200	26-Mar-97
57	Mitchell Vande Sompel	D	Oshawa (OHL)	5-10/180	11-Feb-97
58	Christian Fischer	RW	NTDP (USA)	6-1/215	15-Apr-97
59	Brendan Guhle	D	Prince Albert (WHL)	6-1/185	29-Jul-97
60	Dennis Gilbert	D	Chicago (USHL)	6-2/200	30-Oct-96

61	Callum Booth	G	Quebec (QMJHL)	6-3/200	21-May-97
62	Sebastian Aho	RW	Karpat Oulu (Fin)	5-11/175	26-Jul-97
63	Ryan Pilon	D	Brandon (WHL)	6-2/210	10-Oct-96
64	Nicolas Roy	C	Chicoutimi (QMJHL)	6-4/200	5-Feb-97
65	Austin Wagner	LW	Regina (WHL)	6-1/180	23-Jun-97
66	Graham Knott	LW	Niagara (OHL)	6-3/195	13-Jan-97
67	Michael Spacek	C	Pardubice (Cze)	5-11/190	9-Apr-97
68	Samuel Montembeault	G	Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)	6-2/165	30-Oct-96
69	Yakov Trenin	LW	Gatineau (QMJHL)	6-2/195	13-Jan-97
70	Daniel Vladar	G	Kladno (Cze)	6-5/185	20-Aug-97
71	Kyle Capobianco	D	Sudbury (OHL)	6-1/180	13-Aug-97
72	David Kase	C	Chomutov (Cze)	5-11/170	28-Jan-97
73	Bailey Webster	D	Saint John (QMJHL)	6-3/210	8-Sep-97
74	Felix Sandstrom	G	Brynas (Swe)	6-2/190	12-Jan-97
75	Jesper Lindgren	D	MoDo (Swe)	6-0/160	19-May-97
76	Keegan Kolesar	RW	Seattle (WHL)	6-1/215	8-Apr-97
77	Kevin Davis	D	Everett (WHL)	6-0/185	14-Mar-97
78	Mikhail Vorobyev	C	Salavat Ufa (Rus)	6-2/195	5-Jan-97
79	Vince Dunn	D	Niagara (OHL)	6-0/185	29-Oct-96
80	Nathan Noel	C	Saint John (QMJHL)	5-11/175	21-Jun-97
81	Gustav Bouramman	D	Sault Ste Marie (OHL)	5-11/185	24-Jan-97
82	Matej Tomek	G	Topeka (NAHL)	6-2/180	24-May-97
83	Lukas Jasek	RW	Trinec (Cze)	5-11/165	28-Aug-97
84	Nicolas Meloche	D	Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)	6-2/200	18-Jul-97
85	Roope Hintz	LW	Ilves Tampere (Fin)	6-2/185	17-Nov-96
86	Mitchell Stephens	C	Saginaw (OHL)	5-11/185	5-Feb-97
87	Jean-Christophe Beaudin	RW	Rouyn Noranda (QMJHL)	6-1/185	27-Mar-97
88	Filip Ahl	LW	HV 71 (Swe)	6-3/210	12-Jun-97
89	Kirill Kaprizov	LW	Novokuznetsk (Rus)	5-9/185	26-Apr-97
90	John Marino	D	South Shore (USPHL)	6-0/175	21-May-97

91	Chaz Reddekopp	D	Victoria (WHL)	6-3/220	1-Jan-97
92	Adam Marsh	LW	Saint John (QMJHL)	6-0/165	22-Aug-97
93	Parker Wotherspoon	D	Tri-City (WHL)	6-0/170	24-Aug-97
94	Loik Leveille	D	Cape Breton (QMJHL)	5-11/220	25-Sep-96
95	Adam Gaudette	C	Cedar Rapids (USHL)	6-1/175	3-Oct-96
96	Justin Lemcke	D	Belleville (OHL)	6-2/200	13-Feb-97
97	Gabriel Gagne	RW	Victoriaville (QMJHL)	6-5/190	11-Nov-96
98	Thomas Schemitsch	D	Owen Sound (OHL)	6-3/205	26-Oct-96
99	Jesse Gabrielle	LW	Regina (WHL)	5-11/205	17-Jun-97
100	Jonne Tammela	LW	KalPa (Fin)	5-10/180	5-Aug-97
101	Christian Jaros	D	Lulea (Swe)	6-3/200	2-Apr-96
102	Ales Stezka	G	Liberec (Cze)	6-3/180	6-Jan-97
103	Ethan Bear	D	Seattle (WHL)	5-11/200	26-Jun-97
104	Mathieu Joseph	RW	Saint John (QMJHL)	6-0/165	9-Feb-97
105	Jeremiah Addison	LW	Ottawa (OHL)	6-0/185	21-Oct-96
106	Devante Stephens	D	Kelowna (WHL)	6-1/175	2-Jan-97
107	Michael McNiven	G	Owen Sound (OHL)	6-0/205	9-Jul-97
108	Jeremy Lauzon	D	Rouyn Noranda (QMJHL)	6-2/195	28-Apr-97
109	Luke Opilka	G	NTDP (USA)	6-1/195	27-Feb-97
110	Philippe Myers	D	Rouyn Noranda (QMJHL)	6-5/195	25-Jan-97
111	Adam Werner	G	Farjestads (Swe)	6-5/185	2-May-97
112	Brendan Warren	LW	NTDP (USA)	6-0/190	7-May-97
113	Julius Nattinen	C	JyP Jyvaskyla (Fin)	6-2/190	14-Jan-97
114	Colton White	D	Sault Ste Marie (OHL)	6-1/185	3-May-97
115	Samuel Dove-McFalls	LW	Saint John (QMJHL)	6-2/205	10-Apr-97
116	Veeti Vainio	D	Blues (Fin)	6-2/170	16-Jun-97
117	Matt Bradley	C	Medicine Hat (WHL)	5-11/185	22-Jan-97
118	Tyler Soy	C	Victoria (WHL)	5-11/170	10-Feb-97
119	Dmytro Timashov	LW	Quebec (QMJHL)	5-9/190	1-Oct-96
120	A.J. Greer	LW	Boston University (HE)	6-2/205	14-Dec-96