Gabriel Fortier – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2023-24 NHL YEARBOOK – TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING – Top 20 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #32

Brock Otten, Derek Neumeier, Chapin Landvogt and Josh Bell — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 18:59:22 +0000

Top 20 Tampa Bay Lightning Prospects

1. Isaac Howard

One of the more recent additions to the Tampa Bay Lightning’s prospect pool, Howard was drafted 31st overall in 2022, after putting up 82 points in 60 games with the USNTDP, as well as an impressive 11-point performance at U18s en route to a silver medal for Team USA. Last season, he moved on to the NCAA’s University of Minnesota-Duluth where he didn’t find that same offensive production and obviously wasn’t happy with his season as he has since transferred to Michigan State University for 2023-24. Howard is a speedy and creative playmaker who plays a strong small-area game. He can be a bit inconsistent in his effort level, but with the right coaching and development, he can reach his ceiling as a dependable second-line winger in the NHL. Lightning fans may need to be patient with him through his development as he works the kinks out.

2. Ethan Gauthier

After pumping in 6 goals and 7 points in 5 games for Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, all eyes were on Gauthier’s QMJHL performance last season with the Sherbrooke Phoenix. Ultimately, the righty shot improved upon the 18 goals and 39 points of his freshman campaign into 30 goals and 69 points for his draft year, adding another 11 points in the playoffs and being named “Best Professional Prospect” in the Q for his efforts. A relentless pursuer of the puck who forces his opponents to make quick decisions, particularly on the forecheck, Gauthier possesses a smooth, mechanically-sound stride that utilizes sound crossovers and applies quick acceleration to create opportunities for his line. This is the fundamental strength and basis of his game that should allow for an NHL career in some capacity. Tampa Bay selected him 37th overall this summer with the hope that his keen understanding of how to apply his tools for generating offense will have him looking like a top-line support winger who plays a heavy game. His QMJHL rights were dealt to Drummondville, where the Lightning organization hopes he’ll enjoy a dominating offensive season before going pro.

3. Niko Huuhtanen

From being the last player selected in 2021 to the number three prospect in the Lightning system is a testament to both the development of Huuhtanen as well as an admission that he was drafted too low. The Finnish forward was selected after his second full season in the U20 SM-sarja, producing nearly a point-per-game. After being selected, he came overseas to the WHL’s Everett Silvertips where he impressed, leading all rookies in goals with 37 in just 65 games. He returned to Finland last season, but this time to the Liiga, where he again led all rookies in goals (17) as well as points (30). He has pro size and plays a hard, physical game while boasting a heavy shot. Huuhtanen is well on his way to slotting in as a bottom six contributor but could play up the lineup if called upon.

4. Jack Finley

It’s hard to miss Finley on the ice, standing at 6- 6” and 223 pounds. The Lightning took notice, selecting him 57th overall in 2020. He was coming off a strong sophomore season in the WHL with the Spokane Chiefs but lost almost the entire 2020-21 season due to a torn labrum. He returned to the WHL for one final season, taking time to get back up to speed but looking strong down the stretch. He moved up to the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch last season, again taking time to adjust but fitting in well as the season wore on. He’s likely not going to be a high-skill player but should bring strong possession ability and be a net-front presence. He needs to improve his skating and to learn how to use his size to his advantage, but he’s a raw, intriguing prospect. Finley could be a bottom-six forward when all is said and done.

5. Jack Thompson

Thompson was another product of the 2020 NHL Draft, 93rd overall, after doubling his scoring output in his second OHL season. He headed overseas to play in the HockeyEttan during the cancelled 2020-21 season, contributing a point-per-game as a defender. He came back to the OHL in 2021-22 as the captain of the Sudbury Wolves before a trade to the Soo. Thompson’s season including leading all OHL defenders in goals (21) and helping Canada to a World Juniors gold medal. He jumped to the AHL last season, looking extremely comfortable in the process. He’s capable of playing big minutes, thrives when getting involved offensively, and has shown steps forward on the defensive side of the puck as well. He’s a pretty well-rounded player without excelling in one specific area and has the potential to be a bottom-four, two-way presence, especially if he can maintain his offensive success at the pro levels.

6. Hugo Alnefelt

It feels as though Alnefelt has been on the cusp of the NHL ever since he was selected in the third round by the Lightning in 2019. The goaltender was coming off a good season in the J20 SuperElit, while standing out internationally in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, winning a silver medal, as well as in the U18s, winning a gold. The next two seasons were spent in the SHL while appearing in back-to-back World Juniors. Alnefelt moved to North America in 2021-22 and struggled in his first season, before looking more comfortable with the Crunch last season. When he’s on, he angles out shooters well and is quite agile in the net. He controls rebound well and has good athleticism. He’s been quite inconsistent thus far and can let in soft shots at times. He could become a reliable backup in the NHL and could make that move relatively soon.

7. Gage Goncalves

Goncalves has followed a steady trajectory in his development, showing some improving each season. After two seasons in the WHL, the Lightning took note, using the 62nd pick in 2020 to select him. Goncalves returned to the WHL for one more season in 2020-21, as the alternate captain, earning his first NHL contract and moving to the AHL in 2021-22. His professional transition was rather seamless and looked even better in his second go-round last season. As seems to be a theme with Lightning prospects, he’s a competitive forward who never quits on a play. He’s a strong playmaker with a knack for feeding the slot, plays a smart game, and rarely makes a mistake. Goncalves seems well on his way to an NHL roster where he should be able to secure a spot as a bottom six player who could play up if needed. The Lightning have definitely been looking for players of his specific type in recent years.

8. Lucas Edmonds

Originally eligible for the 2019 NHL Draft, Lucas Edmonds finally heard his name called in the 2022, 86th overall. After playing in Sweden in his first two draft eligible seasons, mainly in the J20 SuperElit, he split time between the HockeyAllsvenskan and HockeyEttan in 2020-21 and decided a change was needed, moving to the OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs in 2021-22, where he put up 113 points in just 68 games, leading the league in assists (79). The Lightning bit, immediately signing him to an entry-level deal, and bringing him to the AHL. Edmonds played well last season, employing an intelligent, well-rounded game. A playmaker who knows how to create offense, his path has been an interesting one, but he likely tops out as an AHLer and call-up option. That said, there is a reasonable chance that he finds a regular role as a bottom-line winger as well, considering his quick adjustment to the AHL.

9. Dylan Duke

High energy, highly competitive prospects give themselves a better chance to make it and the Lightning are betting on just that with Duke. He was selected 126th overall in 2021 after a point-per-game season with the USNTDP, which included being named a top-three player in the U18s. He moved on to the NCAA with the University of Michigan in 2021-22, falling victim to a lack of ice time on a deep Wolverines team, and seeing his production dip in the process. He took on a bigger role last season, increasing in offense and earning the call to Team USA at the World Juniors, winning bronze. Duke is a tenacious winger with only one gear – high! He battles hard, always working to get the puck back on his team’s sticks. If everything pans out, he could be a very entertaining middle-six winger.

10. Jayson Shaugabay

Shaugabay is a shifty and highly deceptive playmaking winger with significant offensive upside. When playing in the Minnesota high school loop, he was the best player in the State, earning the coveted Mr. Hockey award for the season. He also started and finished the year with USHL Green Bay and was a standout for the Gamblers too, with one of the highest point per game averages on the team, albeit in a smaller sample size of games played. Shaugabay was one of the most skilled and creative players with the puck from the 2023 draft class. He routinely creates extra time and space for himself by beating the first and second layers of pressure, turning would-be defenders into pylons. That said, there are a lot of areas to his game that will need work for him to reach his high ceiling, particularly his skating and strength on the puck, especially given his size. Minnesota-Duluth should be a great place for him, a program that tends to draw players who are more polished off the puck and incorporate power into their game, which could help his creative style flourish while transforming him into a more well-rounded player.

11. Declan Carlilie

There is a very quiet effectiveness to Carlile’s game. Efficient at both ends, he can start the breakout or squash the opposition’s. After a very solid first full year in the AHL, the former Merrimack defender has put himself in contention for a roster spot with Tampa Bay.

12. Daniil Pylenkov

Pylenkov is quickly becoming one of the better young defenders in Russia after a strong KHL season. A standout in the defensive end, he could probably play a third pairing role already. However, he still has two years remaining on his KHL deal and there are questions as to whether he’s actually interested in coming over.

13. Cole Koepke

A goal scoring winger with some jam to his game, Koepke has yet to live up to the high expectations that the Lightning had for him through two pro seasons. He struggled in a cup of coffee with Tampa last season, but there’s still some hope that he can be a quality third line option, even though he’s already 25.

14. Nick Malik

It was a step backwards for Malik last year after he lost his starting role with KooKoo due to inconsistent play. The son of former NHL defender Marek Malik, Nick is a tremendous athlete, but he is still working to refine his approach in the crease.

15. Roman Schmidt

Schmidt is a massive defender who also happens to be fairly mobile for his size. After a few seasons in the OHL with Kitchener, he will turn pro this year. His focus will be on improving his puck management.

16. Gabriel Fortier

The offensive upside is not significant, but Fortier will likely be an NHL player in some capacity in the future due to his tenaciousness and the energy he brings in whatever role that is asked of him. He could be a full time fourth liner this upcoming season.

17. Max Crozier

Even with some decent offensive production at Providence, Crozier’s future in the NHL will probably be in more of a defensive role similar to the way Nick Perbix quickly rose through the system. The right shot defender moves well and brings a physical element. He will play with Syracuse this year.

18. Connor Kurth

A former USHL standout, Kurth is a very talented offensive player. However, his freshman production was pretty pedestrian as he got buried in the Gophers lineup. Tampa Bay is hoping that he can earn a larger role as a sophomore.

19. Waltteri Merela

Signed out of Finland this offseason, Merela is a big winger with strong puck protection skills. He helped Tappara capture Liiga and Champions League titles last year and could easily make the Lightning lineup out of camp.

20. Jack Harvey

Taken by Tampa in his final year of draft eligibility, Harvey will head to Boston University this fall after a few good seasons with Chicago of the USHL. His off-puck play improved a lot this year, prompting his selection.

MCKEEN’S 2023 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #32 – TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

Josh Bell — Thu, 11 May 2023 23:08:10 +0000

Prospect System Rank – 32nd

Two Stanley Cups and a final appearance last season was well worth spending future assets for current needs. The Lightning has consistently emptied the prospect cupboard each season successfully in search of championships. They are one of two teams who have not graduated any drafted prospects from the last five drafts as a result. This season was no different as they cleared whatever they had left in the tank to acquire 25-year-old Tanner Jeannot for Cal Foote, 2023 3rd round pick, 2023 4th round pick, 2023 5th round pick, 2024 2nd round pick, 2025 1st round pick (Top 10 protected). A rich haul for a restricted free agent at season’s end. He is presumably part of their plans going forward. They enter the current draft with only a 6^th and 7^th round pick.

Their current group of prospects do not offer any immediate help as they are still focused on winning for the next few seasons. The highest ranked prospect is Isaac Howard who is #119 overall (their only 1^st round pick since 2019 – Nolan Foote who has been subsequently traded and they have only two in the top 200 (Niko Huuhtanen #189). They have been known for their development and have had success filling from within without high picks. Cole Koepke is the best bet to add something from their depth but look for Lightning to continue to look for veteran depth adds at the expense of youth. They do not have many chips left to play with regards to picks.

Isaac Howard

One of the more recent additions to the Tampa Bay Lightning’s prospect pool, Isaac Howard was drafted 31st overall in the 2022 NHL Draft. This was after putting up 82 points in 60 games with the USNTDP, and an impressive 11-point performance at U18s en route to a silver medal for Team USA. This season, he’s moved on to the NCAA’s University of Minnesota-Duluth where he didn’t find that same offensive production and obviously wasn’t happy with his season as he’s transferring to Michigan State University for 2023-24. Howard is a speedy, creative, playmaker that plays a strong small-area game. He can be a bit inconsistent in his effort level at times, but with the right coaching and development, he can become a dependable second-line winger in the NHL. Lightning fans may need to be patient with him though as he develops and works the kinks out.

2. Niko Huuhtanen

From being the last player selected in the 2021 NHL Draft to the number two prospect in the Lightning system is a testament to both the development of Niko Huuhtanen as well as the fact that the forward was probably drafted too low. The Finnish forward was selected after his second full season in the U20 SM-sarja, playing at nearly a point-per-game clip. After being selected, he came overseas to the WHL’s Everett Silverstips where he impressed, leading all rookies in goals with 37 in just 65 games. He’s returned to Finland this season but to the Liiga, where he led all rookies in goals (17) and points (30). He has pro size and plays a hard, physical game while boasting a heavy shot. He’s well on his way to slotting in as a bottom six contributor but could play up the lineup if called upon.

3. Jack Finley

It’s hard to miss Jack Finley on the ice, standing at 6-foot-6 and 223 pounds. The Lightning took notice, selecting him 57th overall in the 2020 NHL Draft. He was coming off a strong sophomore season with the Spokane Chiefs of the WHL but lost almost the entire 2020-21 season with a torn labrum. He returned to the WHL for one last season, taking some time to get back up to speed but looking strong down the stretch. He moved up to the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch this season, again taking some time to adjust but fitting in well. He’s likely not going to be a high-skill player but should be a player that can bring strong possession and be a net-front presence. He needs to improve his skating and he needs to learn how to use his size to his advantage, but he’s a raw, intriguing prospect. He could be a bottom six forward when all is said and done.

4. Jack Thompson

Jack Thompson was also selected in the 2020 NHL Draft, 93rd overall after doubling his output in his second OHL season. He headed overseas to play in the HockeyEttan during the cancelled 2020-21 season, going a point-per-game as a defender. He came back to the OHL in 2021-22 as the captain of the Sudbury Wolves before getting traded to the Soo Greyhounds. He led all defenders in goals (21) and helped Canada to a World Juniors gold medal in the process. He’s jumped to the AHL this season, looking extremely comfortable in the process. He’s capable of playing big minutes, thrives at getting involved offensively, and has shown steps forward on the defensive side of the puck. He’s a pretty well-rounded player without excelling in one specific area. He has the potential to be a bottom-four, two-way presence, especially if he can maintain his offensive success at the pro levels.

5. Hugo Alnefelt

It’s felt as though Hugo Alnefelt has been on the cusp of the NHL ever since he was selected by the Lightning in 2019, 71st overall. The goaltender was coming off a good season in the J20 SuperElit, while standing out internationally in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, winning a silver medal, and in the U18s, winning a gold. The next two seasons were spent in the SHL while appearing in back-to-back World Juniors. He moved to North America in 2021-22 and struggled in the AHL before settling in this season with the Crunch. When he’s on, he angles out shooters well and is quite agile in the net. He controls rebound well and has good athleticism. He’s been quite inconsistent though and can let in some soft shots at times. He could become a reliable backup in the NHL and could make that move relatively soon.

6. Dylan Duke

Prospects that play a high energy, highly competitive game tend to make it and the Lightning are betting on just that in Dylan Duke. They selected him 126th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft after a point-per-game season with the USNTDP and being named a top-three player in the U18s. He moved on to the NCAA and the University of Michigan in 2021-22, falling victim to playing on a deep Wolverines team and seeing his production dip. He took on a bigger role this season, seeing a noticeable increase in offense and getting the call to Team USA at the World Juniors, winning bronze. He’s a tenacious winger that only has one gear - go. He battles hard, always working to get the puck back on his team’s sticks. If everything pans out, he could be a very entertaining middle-six winger which is great value for where they drafted him.

7. Cole Koepke

It’s been a long road for Cole Koepke, drafted way back in 2018, 183rd overall. But the Lightning have stuck with him, keeping him in the system. They selected him out of the USHL, taking a flier on him later in the draft. He moved on to the NCAA’s University of Minnesota-Duluth, where he spent three seasons, winning a National Championship in his rookie year. The Lightning liked what they saw, signing him to his entry-level deal and moving him to the AHL in 2021-22 where he had a strong season, arguably looking better than he did in college. His production has dipped this season, but he’s earned time in the NHL as well, already proving to be a success considering where he was drafted. He’s likely in his role now as a call-up option but could carve out a bottom six spot for himself at some point.

8. Gage Goncalves

Gage Goncalves has followed a steady trajectory in his development, steadily improving each season. After two seasons in the WHL, the Lightning saw this, using the 62nd overall pick in 2020 to call his name. He returned to the WHL for one more season as the alternate captain, earning his first NHL contract and moving to the AHL in 2021-22. He stepped right into the league without skipping a step and has looked even better this season. As seems to be a theme with Lightning prospects, he’s a competitive forward that never quits on a play. He’s a strong playmaker with a knack for feeding the slot. He plays a smart game and rarely makes a mistake. He seems well on his way to an NHL roster where he should be able to steal a spot as a bottom six player that could play up if needed. The Lightning have definitely been looking for a specific type of player in recent years.

9. Daniil Pylenkov

Yet another late draft pick, the Lightning selected Daniil Pylenkov 196th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft as an overager. At that time, he had already completed his second full season in the KHL, where he’s been stuck ever since. He had a strong season this year, especially after being traded from SKA St. Petersburg to Severstal Cherepovets and seeing his minutes increase dramatically. He’s a physical defender that keeps an active stick and isn’t afraid to dive in front of a shot. He has some sneaky offensive ability too, mainly through his playmaking. But in the NHL, it’s his defensive game that shines. He’s developed well since being selected and looks poised to earn his entry-level deal. Expect him to spend some time in the AHL first, but he should be a call-up option fairly quickly and could slot in as a bottom-pairing defender.

10. Lucas Edmonds

Originally eligible for the 2019 NHL Draft, Lucas Edmond finally heard his name called in the 2022 NHL Draft, 86th overall. After playing in Sweden in his draft year, mainly in the J20 SuperElit, and then again in 2019-20, he split time between the HockeyAllsvenskan and HockeyEttan in 2020-21 and decided a change was needed. He moved to the OHL’s Kingston Frontencas in 2021-22, putting up 113 points in just 68 games, leading the league in assists (79). The Lighting bit, immediately signing him to an entry-level deal and bringing him to the AHL. He’s played well this season, playing an intelligent, well-rounded game. He’s a playmaker that knows how to create offense. His path is an interesting one, but he likely remains an AHLer that could be a call-up option throughout his career. However, he could be a bottom-line winger as well, based on how well he’s adjusted in the AHL.

MCKEEN’S 2022-23 NHL YEARBOOK – TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING – Top 20 Prospects

Sun, 18 Sep 2022 21:30:56 +0000

1 - Isaac Howard LW

Isaac Howard is an interesting prospect, as, just looking at it on paper, his selection near the back of the first round of the NHL draft is a bit confusing. His production is there, as he scored at a far-above point-per-game rate at the U.S. National Team Development Program. Howard also plays with the skill level of a top-end offensive prospect, with the playmaking skill, puckhandling, and skating ability. The tools are all there with Howard. But the concerns with his profile, and the factors that likely contributed to his selection late in the first round, are largely based on his style. Howard’s offensive tools are strong, but the way he uses them can be, at times, inefficient. The best offensive prospects in hockey are the ones who are able to reach a different level of thinking when it comes to each shift. Shane Wright, for example, is exceptional at leveraging his space on the ice without the puck to create space for his teammates. Kent Johnson, as another example, has, like Howard, a high skill level, but he deploys that skill level with such ingenuity, creativity, and unpredictability that he’ll find ways to remain productive even against talented NHL defensemen. Howard’s skill level rivals the best prospects in his age group, but he’s a bit behind on how he actually utilizes his wide array of talents. He’s relentless and willing to attack the difficult middle of the ice, but he doesn’t deceive his opponents or manipulate play the way other prospects can. Howard can create a significant number of chances for himself and his linemates, but one wonders how effective he’ll be at higher levels of hockey when he needs to find a way to remain productive with two or three chances a game, rather than ten. Thankfully, though, Howard will head to college where he’ll have a long runway to refine his offensive approach and make it more translatable to the pro game. He has all the tools to become an NHL scorer, he just needs to improve his toolbox. - EH

2 - Jack Thompson D

The 93rd overall selection in the 2020 NHL Draft, Jack Thompson had a great season in the OHL split between two teams, being an impact player on both sides of the puck. The former 30th overall selection in the 2018 OHL Draft had a good rookie year, finishing with 16 points (6G,10A) in 52 games. During the 2019-2020 season, Thompson took a step in his development and became a very effective defenseman for the Wolves, leading the teams’ blue line in points with 32 (13G,19A) in 63 games while still being solid defensively. During the 2020-2021 season while the OHL was shutdown due to Covid-19, Thompson made the decision like others to go play in Europe. Thompson played in the HockeyEttan and was very productive, finishing with 18 points (9G,9A) in 18 games. Thompson also got the opportunity like some others to play in the AHL, which was an exception made because of the OHL being shutdown. In the 2021-2022 season, Thompson had a great year, being a top producing defenseman on both the Wolves and the Greyhounds. Altogether between both teams he finished with 57 points (21G,36A) in 65 games, which was 7th in the league for points by a defenseman, tied for 1st in the league for goals by a defenseman and 4th on the team in points. Thompson’s best assets are his shot and hockey sense. Thompson is an offensive threat, especially on the power play with his cannon of a shot. He has a great shot, and he understands how to use it, getting shots through traffic and on net consistently. He has great awareness in all three zones and displays smart decision making on each shift, staying very responsible. Going into the 2022-2023 season, Thompson should make a jump into the AHL and be an effective asset, especially on the power play. - DK

3 - Nick Perbix D

A sixth-round pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning at the 2017 NHL draft, Perbix has taken the long road to pro hockey. He spent the year after he was drafted in the USHL before beginning a four-year collegiate career at St. Cloud State, a career that would end with him graduating and signing an entry-level contract with the Lightning. Impressively, Perbix stepped into the AHL and looked the part almost immediately. Despite having spent most of his season in college, Perbix ended up playing a major role for the Crunch as they solidified their place in the AHL playoffs. Head coach Benoit Groulx trusted Perbix to play top-four minutes, significant power play time, and even time on the penalty kill, an indication of just how pro-ready Perbix was right after he left college. Now 24 years old and entering his first full professional season, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the six-foot-four Perbix exit training camp having beaten out teammates Darren Raddysh and Sean Day as the Lighting’s eighth defenseman on their depth chart. Perbix isn’t a finished product, but he knows what he’s good at and knows when he needs to not be noticed. Despite his impressive size, Perbix may not have a future handling the toughest defensive minutes. Instead, he could thrive in a role as a depth defenseman who offers value in transition, pace-pushing play, and doesn’t look out of place in his own zone. - EH

4 - Maxim Groshev RW

Maxim Groshev is a mobile, hard-working forward with solid finishing ability, yet his upside looks rather limited, and the best-case projection would be a bottom-six NHL winger, so he is a prospect of note without being intriguing. Even so, he is the type of player who is really valuable for the postseason and thus a good fit for the Lightning organization. Last season was disappointing for Groshev, as he failed to earn a regular role with his KHL team and only got the ice time he needs to develop after he was demoted to play in the VHL. On the other hand, he is still only 20 years old, and he did look legit at the VHL level, so the year wasn’t too disappointing. As of this writing, he has been producing very well in the KHL preseason, and there are still more than enough reasons to remain positive about his future. We absolutely expect Groshev to break through with a fulltime KHL role this year. It should also be mentioned that this is the last year of his current KHL contract and with the way things are going, there is a solid possibility that both the Lightning and Groshev will agree that the best way to further his development might be playing for the Syracuse Crunch in the AHL with the hopes using that opportunity to springboard an NHL career. - VF

5 - Jack Finley C

A massive pivot, and the son of former NHL defender Jeff Finley, Jack was a second-round selection of Tampa in 2020. Finley can flat out dominate down low and when working the cycle with how difficult he is to separate from the puck. Below the goal line is his office and he works feverishly to prolong possession and to tire out opposing defenders. He has good, but not great hands, however, he does have good vision when working below the goal line to spot open teammates. Finley is also an intelligent two-way player who uses his size and reach effectively in the defensive zone to be disruptive. The key for him moving forward is to continue to improve his quickness and overall skating ability. It did improve some as a WHL player, but not to the point where it needs to be for him to be a quality pro. Additionally, there has to be some concern that Finley never hit the point per game mark as a WHL player over four seasons (even if he basically lost one due to the pandemic). His offensive upside might be fairly limited moving forward as a pro, with the best-case scenario being that Finley develops into an Adam Lowry type of player for the Lightning in the future. - BO

6 - Hugo Alnefelt G

After the 20-21 season – which saw Tampa Bay’s 2019 3^rd rounder lose the starting job on a club facing relegation out of SHL – put a damper on his prospect status, Alnefelt’s 21-22 AHL season once again left much to be desired. His record wasn’t necessarily anything to worry about, but his GAA and save percentage both fell short. In addition, he gained plenty of competition from Tampa’s Russian 2020 6^th rounder, Amir Miftakhov, for the back-up spot to veteran Max Lagacé, who was clearly AHL Syracuse’s go-to goaltender. The lack of playing time for the 6’3” hulk saw him get several (ultimately winless) outings with Orlando of the ECHL, putting up even worse GAA and save percentage statistics. Several years ago, Alnefelt’s star was quite bright, and it was felt that he was close to being the organization’s top prospect. That has since changed drastically and although he is still regarded as a solid goaltending prospect who will simply need playing time, the organization added Nick Malik this past summer, a 20-year-old who is internationally experienced and excelled for KooKoo of the Finnish Liiga last season. With ideal size, Alnefelt is scheduled to be the full-time back-up, or 1B, for Syracuse this winter as Miftakhov has signed on with Kazan, so there is a chance for redemption. With Andrei Vasilevsky still considered among perhaps the top three goaltenders on the planet and ageless veteran Brian Elliot still trucking along in the back-up role, Alnefelt continues to have plenty of time to live up to the organization’s hopes. – CL

7 - Declan Carlile D

The Lightning have traded many picks and prospects in recent years as part of their chase of Stanley Cup rings, a chase that has been highly successful thus far. The result of these trades has been the Lightning need to use other avenues to add prospects to their system, and one way they’ve added some young talent has been through college free agency. An undrafted player, Carlile signed with the lightning last spring after finishing his season with Hockey East’s Merrimack College. At Merrimack, Carlile was a top-of-the-lineup defenseman who matched defensive prowess with offensive competence. Now with AHL Syracuse, Carlile’s game will likely be a bit more one-dimensional. Carlile is a six-foot-two defenseman who is at his best in his own zone. He’ll do anything to keep a puck from ending up at the back of his net, and he can at times be a ferocious physical presence. Carlile saw time on the Crunch’s penalty kill in his limited action last season and should have an expanded role there this coming year. Carlile’s defensive game is his calling card, and it should be good enough to allow him to be a trusted defensive defenseman for the Crunch next season. If he can find a way to squeeze some production out of his limited offensive toolbox, maybe he can become something more. Otherwise, his defensive game should be good enough to help him hold down an AHL job and maybe get some NHL games as a safe call-up option for the Lightning. - EH

8 - Gabriel Fortier C

Is Gabriel Fortier the next in a line of smaller, but impactful homegrown talents for the Lightning? Signs might be pointing to yes. Not only did Fortier earn a ten game callup last season in his first full pro year, but he proved to be an extremely impactful role player at the AHL level with Syracuse too. Tampa is always looking at ways to lower their cap number and that means banking on young players to step forward in checking line roles. Fortier’s game is tailored to do that. He is an animal on the forecheck, wreaking havoc with his speed and his tenaciousness. Fortier never seems to quit on a play and is already a competent two-way player who can handle penalty killing duties. How much offensive potential does Fortier have? He is not likely to be more than a quality third line player. There are some skill limitations at work here. The majority of his offensive chances are created through speed, hustle, and sound instincts. However, he should be able to carve out a nice career in that role. It would not be surprising to see him breaking camp with the Lightning this coming season and quickly earning the trust of Jon Cooper and his staff. At the very least, he should split the year between the NHL and AHL. - BO

9 - Gage Goncalves C

A late bloomer out of the Everett Silvertips program, there is a lot of hope internally that Goncalves can develop into the Lightning’s next lockdown third liner. His first pro season in Syracuse was a success as he finished fourth in goal scoring on the Crunch, while receiving significant powerplay time. The reason why the Crunch featured him on the man advantage so consistently has to do with his booming one timer and ability to control the half wall. However, he is more than just a pure shooter. He is a competitor at both ends and he has great instincts as a defensive player. As he becomes stronger, he should also become a physical standout in the defensive end who can be used in that aforementioned shutdown role. At this point, he looks like a more natural fit on the wing, but there is a chance they could shift him back to center for the upcoming year. He is versatile. This coming season Goncalves will return to the Crunch and the Lightning will be looking for him to take a step forward at both ends as a pro. If he does, he could position himself as a possible injury call up with an eye on a full-time role in 2023-24. - BO

10 - Cole Koepke LW

Already 24 years old, the Lightning have been very patient with Koepke’s development. He spent three years at the University of Minnesota-Duluth before finally turning pro last year. The goal scoring power winger turned in an impressive rookie AHL season, too. His 20 goals were good for third on the Crunch and he proved that his goal scoring ability from the collegiate level could translate well to the pro level. Armed with a heavy shot and a willingness to use his size physically, Koepke is a potential middle six, complementary goal scorer in the NHL. The key will be improving his speed and quickness. Although it should also be stated that Jon Cooper and the Lightning have found ways to use competitive forwards with footspeed issues, so long as they have other talents. Tampa Bay does not have a strong farm system at the moment, so Koepke will, undoubtedly be given a chance to be an NHL player at some point. Given his advanced age, that could occur as early as this season at some point. Otherwise, he can position himself with a chance the following year, so long as he continues to progress at the AHL level. - BO

11 - Simon Ryfors

There was definitely an adjustment period for Ryfors after signing last offseason from the SHL. He struggled to adapt to the AHL initially but was much better in the second half. Ryfors plays a high energy game and is strong away from the puck. Can he show more offensively in his second AHL season?

12 - Niko Huuhtanen

After a terrific WHL season with Everett, Huuhtanen has returned to Finland this year. The big ice will be great for him to continue to improve his quickness and overall skating ability. The big power forward owns a booming shot.

13 - Lucas Edmonds

Edmonds is a great success story from the OHL this past season. The late bloomer left Sweden and joined Kingston as an overager, becoming one of the league’s best and most consistent offensive players. His hands and offensive IQ are top notch, but he will need to continue to get quicker to transfer his production to the pro level.

14 - Roman Schmidt

The big defender has intriguing potential as an NHL blueliner. He is physical. His mobility is improving. He has a big point shot. He will return to Kitchener this year of the OHL and will look to become one of the league’s top two-way defenders.

15 - Daniil Pylenkov

The steady two-way defender is not flashy, but he is efficient at moving the puck and sound defensively. He has established himself as a KHL regular the last two years and could cross the pond in the near future if he shows continued growth.

16 - Nick Malik

Malik has slowly emerged as a quality goaltending prospect after finding ways to better harness his athleticism. He was one of Liiga’s top netminders last year and has firmly put a disastrous initial draft season behind him.

17 - Ilya Usau

The Lightning signed Usau as a free agent this offseason after a strong showing for Dinamo in the KHL and for Belarus internationally. The sturdy pivot is tough to separate from the puck and he is an adept passer. He’ll suit up in the AHL this season.

18 - Max Crozier

The talented powerplay quarterback is a mobile blueliner who is entering his senior season at Providence. The Lightning will be looking for him to take a step forward to become an elite NCAA, two-way blueliner this season.

19 - Dylan Duke

A skilled pivot and former U.S. NTDP’er, Duke was solid for Michigan in his freshman year. His upside remains high, but he will need to continue to focus his development on improving his quickness and strength on the puck.

20 - Eamon Powell

Thus far at the NCAA level, Powell’s development has been underwhelming and unspectacular. His feet are good, but he still hasn’t found the confidence to be a truly impactful two-way defender. Powell will return to Boston College for his junior season.

McKeen’s 2020-21 Hockey Yearbook: Tampa Bay Lightning Top 20 Prospects

Rachel Howard — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 22:06:07 +0000

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

Cole Koepke, LW (183^rd overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 1)

Passed over in his first two runs through the NHL draft, Koepke overcame an injury-ravaged season to finish fifth in USHL scoring, with 28 goals in 60 games in his third year of eligibility. Couple that scoring touch with good wheels and a sixth-round pick was reasonable. The winger played a defensive-minded game with speed and showed a nice shot as a college freshman, failing to move the needle on his prospect status. However, after a near point-per-game sophomore campaign, he impressed. Koepke is still defensively responsible. He still has multiple gears to his skating stride, with fantastic acceleration. The shot is still strong. But now, he is also demonstrating very nice puck skills of the type that allow him to run the offensive game. He is expected to return to UMD for his junior campaign and I would expect Tampa Bay to make a big push to get him under contract next spring. The late bloomer might not be more than a third liner, but he looks like a good one, and not too far off into the future either. He could be playing regularly in the NHL by the 2022-23 season. - RW

Samuel Walker, C (200^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 2)

Drafted out of Minnesota powerhouse Edina in 2017, Walker took the rare step of going back to school in 2018, earning numerous accolades. He then exploded onto the scene with the Minnesota Golden Gophers, winning the Big 10 Rookie of the Year. He improved a touch as a sophomore, both in terms of his production (26 points to 30, playing 37 games both seasons) as well as in the assessment of his still developing skill set. Despite his size, Walker attacks the offensive zone through the middle, with speed that demands respect. He sees the ice tremendously well, is patient with the puck and has very skilled hands, capable of changing angles at the last instant and executing tricky passes. In addition to his speed, he has great edge work and knows how to create room for himself and time for his teammates to get open. He projects as a playmaker center who can play in a bottom six role as well for a team unconcerned with size. He has put on muscle since being drafted, but still looks slight. He will never be even average size, but he could be big enough to succeed in his style of play. - RW

Hugo Alnefelt, G (71^st overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 3)

In his first post-draft season, Alnefelt earned a spot in the SHL and performed well at the WJC. On the downside, he spent more time on the bench than on the ice. He is a calm goalie with the vision and positioning to make spectacular improvised saves. He can quickly react to a surprising bounce or to recover from being out of position. His tracking ability is good, and he plays square to the puck. His edge plays can be impressive, which he demonstrated with some memorable saves in the WJC. His glove hand is good, albeit unspectacular. He works with the glove upwards, covering the hole between the leg and arm in his basic position. He has impressive composure and has stepped up in big situations. His athleticism is good if not elite. He plays deep in the crease which reduces his need for movement. Alnefelt will need to mature physically and add strength to improve his endurance. His upper body strength has increased but he still falls down a bit when tired. He is a long-term project but has all of the desired tools for an NHL outcome, if not necessarily that of a top tier starter. - JH

Alexander Volkov, RW (48^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 4)

Despite the strong forward group already in place in Tampa, Volkov looks like the right choice to fill the next opening, when it arrives. He has managed to adapt well by reaching a more mature focus with his game and working to create more time and space for himself when carrying the puck. He has learned to be more patient and has the confidence to play further up in the lineup with the improvement of his overall two-way play and his playmaking. Last season, he was given time on the powerplay as his game showed improvements and he proved himself to be an asset with the puck, making plays that would not look out of place at the next level. His hands and the ability to carry the puck with strong with intent remain the key driving factors for his individual play. While a bottom six role is most likely, it is still unsure as to where Volkov will fit in long-term in the NHL, however he should receive a look, however look to see him back up in the lineup this coming season regardless. - SC

Dmitri Semykin, D (90^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 5)

For the team that leveraged Russian talent more than most during the Steve Yzerman regime, Semykin was the final Russian reward of that era. At the time his name was called out at the end of the third round, it was a bit of a surprise. He was a bulky defender who had only spent one season in the top junior league in Russia, had almost no international experience, did not add much offensively and spent a ton of time in the penalty box. We may have been the only public outfit to list him at all as a draft possibility, but even we only saw him as a late seventh rounder. Two years later, and Semykin is still very tough to play against, with a great physical game, but he has learned to do a much better job of staying disciplined. He likes to play the puck and will not limit himself to the blueline for doing so. His lack of international exposure may make his transition to North American hockey a bit slower, but if he can overcome his average skating and remain hard to play against, he could still develop into a solid #4. - RW

Cal Foote, D (14^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 6)

Foote may have seen one of the largest drops out of the prospects on this list, going from number one last season to number six after completing his second season in the AHL with the Syracuse Crunch. This past season Foote looked a little too comfortable in the minors and seemed to lose focus at times where his play was inconsistent. Yes, Syracuse sat at the bottom of the standings and climbed a little bit towards the end of the season, but Foote’s occasional sloppy play cannot be excused. This coming season Tampa Bay will be looking to suit him up, but it is hard to tell if he is ready to play at that speed or if he will simply be dead weight. Despite being slow on the puck, Foote has many things to offer Tampa Bay with his first-round play making abilities and his high hockey IQ. He will simply need to come back after the break as though he has something to prove, the ice is thin for Foote to make it and he will have to keep mistakes to a minimum in order to crack Tampa’s lineup as a bottom four defender. - SC

Alex Barre-Boulet, C (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 1, 2018. Previous ranking: 7)

Every organization has a dark horse prospect that comes as a pleasant surprise, which applies to Tampa Bay and Alex Barre-Boulet. Barre-Boulet has made more progress throughout his second season in the AHL finishing with nearly a point per game and leading Syracuse in scoring yet his small size may be his only limiting factor when it comes to earning a callup. He is by far the quickest and most dynamic skater in Tampa Bay’s AHL system and he has proven himself to be an asset rather than a burden. The race will be tight to see if a small, quick, well positioned forward who is diverse enough to play in many different roles will be given the chance he deserves this season with the Lightning. Barre-Boulet’s redeeming factor is his work ethic and his ability to kill penalties. That, combined with his skill and quick play will be what gets him a spot in Tampa’s bottom six. – SC

Eamon Powell, D (116^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Powell is not just fast; he is effortlessly fast. He gets blueline to blueline in a flash and has agility and edges to help him get through the defense as well. Furthermore, he churns at the same high rate when he needs to return to the defensive end. The skating may be his best tool, but the rest of his offensive toolkit is also notable. He has very soft hands and is masterful at activating from the blueline, either by stickhandling through layers of the defense into a high danger scoring chance, or by creating a seam for a pass. He doesn’t play the puck with much flash, but he is sure-handed and can handle it at top speed. The right-hander is also a threat to shoot. Powell has a strong wrist shot with a quick release that can score from the point. He is small and slight and does not play a very physical game, but he doesn’t shy away from the corners and is trustworthy in defensively critical shifts, including the penalty kill. He positions himself well and frequently uses his stick to break up plays. He is raw but has exciting upside. – RW

Jack Finley, C (57^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

The son of longtime NHL defender Jeff Finley, Jack is a behemoth playmaking center who also happened to be one of the youngest players eligible in the recent draft. Perhaps due to his NHL pedigree, he thinks the game at a high level. He is strong on his skates and willing to play a pro-style game in the hard areas of the ice, excelling as a distributor from below the hash marks. He drives the play from along the wall and is difficult to separate from the puck. He is also strong off the puck, excelling in all three zones with his reach and anticipation. His skating is still quite raw, lacking power and grace, but he is still able to control play and create with pace because of his poise with the puck. Ultimately, the allure here is a big man who thinks the game well, but who is still growing into his body. He is not a natural goal scorer, however, there really is no limit on his upside as those areas could improve considerably once he bulks up and grows into his frame. Players with his physical attributes just don’t grow on trees these days. – BO

Taylor Raddysh, RW (58^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 8)

For a team with many young forwards of moderate talent, the Syracuse Crunch have a tight race to reach the next level among their offensive prospects. Taylor Raddysh is known for his offensive play and his shot, however his tendency to relax and become lazy in his own end has made this past season rather poor in comparison to previous seasons. Raddysh is typically a strong player on the puck and a strong skater but with his ice time cut from last season his play with the puck has become shaky and costly in certain situations. He still managed to score more than create showing that he is still an high level shooter and often well positioned in the offensive end, however those plays do not come often enough. With better lines and more ice time next season he can bounce back and reclaim his reputation from major junior. The future is not sealed yet for Raddysh who would make a good third line winger and there is still hope that this season he will earn his first call up with Tampa Bay. - SC

Gabriel Fortier, C/RW (59^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 9)

Fortier saw a move to the contending Moncton Wildcats from the reeling Baie-Comeau Drakkar where he had to take a support role instead of a leading one, and he thrived. Always a favorite of fans and coaches, he was a captain with the Drakkar and never takes a shift off. He is always revving at max cylinders no matter the score or circumstance. At various times in his junior career, he has shown abilities to play as a sniper, a playmaker and an energy forward, and has succeeded at each. The best word to describe him is relentless; he has a dogged determination for the pursuit of the puck. Fortier’s feet are always moving, which keeps him in position, but it makes him look faster than he actually is. His skating is what ultimately could hold him back as an NHLer. Regardless, he has the skills and smarts to play useful NHL shifts up and down the lineup. – MS

Sean Day, D (UFA: Jul. 17, 2020. Originally: 81^st overall, 2016 [NY Rangers]. Previous ranking: UR [NY Rangers])

Day’s history in the game is fascinating. Famously granted “exceptional status” to join the OHL one year early, his junior career featured one stumble after another, and by the time his draft year came around, it was no surprise that he lasted until the third round before hearing his name called. Since turning pro, he has occasionally flashed the talent that earned him the heavy distinction at age 15. Despite a beefy, broad-shouldered frame, Day is an impressive skater, with impressive pace and balance. He has a strong shot when he lines it up. He also is a smart puck mover and can demonstrate a keen understand of the game. The downside is the same as it ever was. His inconsistency is maddening, making it very difficult for coaches to trust him. After two years in the Rangers’ system – split evenly between the AHL and ECHL – he saw his career petering out and asked for a release to try his luck in another system. The hope here is that new voices giving him instruction will unlock the potential that is still lurking within. Day is only 22, but time is running out. - RW

Maxim Cajkovic, RW (89^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 10)

Cajkovic has had trouble with injuries and consistency throughout his North American career, but it is clear that he is a very good offensive player when he is on full tilt. Contrary to most European players, Cajkovic is a North-South winger who loves to get dirty and bang bodies in pursuit of the puck. He possesses a very strong shot and loves to score goals, and he has the skating that will get him there. The coach that can unlock his defensive potential will be crucial in his development, as he has shown the effort defensively, but it has not led to positive results. Traded to a contending Val-d’Or team should help Cajkovic further hone his skills in a more sheltered environment. Cajkovic will need to improve his play away from the puck but has a ceiling of a middle-six goal-scorer. - MS

Ross Colton, LW (118^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 11)

After finishing second in points for the AHL Syracuse Crunch this past season, Colton has made a lot of progress since coming over from NCAA Vermont. With Syracuse, he fits in well as a top forward, earning both power play and penalty killing opportunities giving him the proper chances and experience to bring with him to the next level. Colton will have to work hard and keep up his high intensity and strong effort. Despite Tampa Bay having just moved Mitchell Stephens up the ranks, Colton has a similar playing style so he will have to work harder to prove his worth and will have to stay better focused when emotions run high. Colton will need to maintain consistency throughout next season to earn a call up. That being said he is known to play well under pressure and is adaptable. Colton fits in well as a third line grinder for Tampa Bay capable of killing penalties more so than being reliable on the powerplay. - SC

Alex Green, D (121^st overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 12)

Alex Green is a defensive defenseman. The Chicago native was drafted in the fourth round and spent two seasons in the USHL before attending Cornell, where he was drafted after his freshman season, in his third year of eligibility. As a freshman he fared better than expected offensively, adding 10 points, which contributed to his draft stock. He finished his junior season netting a career high in points, while also being named the ECAC’s best defensive defenseman, a reminder of his strengths. He doesn’t have the quickest release on his shot, but he puts a lot of power behind it when he takes one. Green needs to pump his legs a bit but he skates well for his 6-2” size. There is power on his passes and he can dish it off quickly. Green won’t necessarily be able to catch up to the speediest players, but he can backcheck well. He projects as a lower-pairing defender if he continues to develop as a senior and later, as a professional. - JS

Gage Goncalves, C (62^nd overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

One of the most improved players in the WHL last season, Goncalves’ production jumped from one goal to 33. Finishing the season as the second leading scorer for Everett, the talented two-way center put himself on the map for NHL scouts in his second year of draft eligibility. With a high IQ and a high skill level, he controls the pace of play leading the charge across the blueline, showing poise and patience as a facilitator. He also excels on the powerplay, where he is great at finding scoring lanes and getting himself in shooting position, even though he shows more talent as a playmaker than as a sniper. His 14 powerplay goals were fifth in the WHL. As he continues to upgrade his skating – currently a weakness in his game - and improve his strength on the puck, look for his production to keep improving as he receives more and more high-level experience. Because of his age, Goncalves will be eligible to turn pro after the conclusion of this upcoming season. – BO

Jack Thompson, D (93^rd overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Thompson combines good size, mobility, puck skill, and a booming point shot from the right hand side, to have a large impact on the game offensively, and giving him higher upside than many other middle round defensive draft picks. In particular, he shows great potential as a powerplay quarterback with how well he searches out scoring lanes. His strong point shot was already mentioned, but his ability to distribute the puck is just as impressive. On the other hand, his game lacks consistency and his decision making are questionable. As a defensive player, he needs to play with greater intensity – even if playing a physically heavy game is not in the cards - in order to become less of a liability. These facets of his game can be improved, and there is hope that as he matures, his game will settle down. Even if his potential upside is high, patience will be critical as Thompson works through the holes in his game. – BO

Dominik Masin, D (35^th overall, 2014. Previous ranking: 14)

At 24 and ending prospect eligibility Masin has one more season to prove that he deserves a chance with Tampa Bay. With the continuing drafting of defensemen and the Lightning attempting to strengthen their blueline talent, Masin’s name has been moved quite far down the list. This past season was better than previous ones for Masin, with an improved turnover rate and few mistakes or giveaways. His control has improved as has his maturity with the puck in order to be counted on to play the power play and quarterback the play at even strength. He will have to remain disciplined and not let his developmental frustration show on the ice or impede further development. Masin still has the potential to be a bottom four defenseman in the NHL but at this late stage in the game the question has to be asked if Tampa Bay is still the right fit for him or whether a change of scenery will be more beneficial. - SC

Boris Katchouk, LW (44^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 15)

For second rounder Katchouk finding much success in the AHL has been harder to come by compared to his major junior career. That being said, with fifteen fewer games played and ten more points than last season, last year was a success for Katchouk who is managing to adjust. He does need to get stronger on the puck and win more of his puck battles. Although he works hard, at times he is just in the wrong position, whether it be body positioning or location on the ice, and in order to play at the next level he will have to win more battles and see the play better. Katchouk has the skill with his skating and stickhandling as well as the adaptability to manage at the next level; it is just his technical and positional game that needs work. With more ice time this year the competition between friend and longtime teammate Taylor Raddysh to earn the first call up will have him working harder than ever. Katchouk is not a terribly flashy player but he gets the job done at a potential third line NHL level. – SC

Declan McDonnell, RW (217^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

2020’s Mr. Irrelevant, McDonnell was noticeable for the Kitchener Rangers early in his daft year, even if he wasn't hitting the score sheet consistently. His speed, tenacity, and work as a puck hound were both evident and impressive. As the first year OHL’er became more comfortable, his production really started to come as well. In his final 23 games, he had 13 goals and 23 points. While not huge (5-10”), he is extremely versatile and sure to be a coach’s favorite moving forward. He can kill penalties. He forechecks and backchecks hard, playing with the requisite grit that will ensure he can contribute to his team even if he isn’t scoring. His ability to acclimate quickly to the OHL one season after playing in the OJHL is indicative of his ability to mentally process the game. Even though his offensive game is simple and basic, he excels North-South as an attacker and has enough skill to execute down low. McDonnell shows potential to be a bottom six forward in the NHL. - BO

MCKEEN’S 2020 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING – ORGANIZATIONAL RANK: 17

Thu, 17 Sep 2020 16:16:35 +0000

Tampa Bay Lightning

When considering the analytics of scouting, the first thing that typically comes to mind is the projection of scoring from one level up the chain. In other words, draft point producers. Someone who cannot score in junior will surely not score as a professional. One need look no further than the Edmonton Oilers, who for many years used all of their picks after the first round to draft junior hockey pluggers, big ones at that, thinking that those same players could in turn be NHL pluggers. It should come as no surprise that the Oilers got very little NHL value out of players they drafted past the first round for years. 2012 second rounder Mitchell Moroz is the poster boy of that approach.

Tampa certainly has taken its share of young skilled scorers over the years, with some notable later round successes, including Brayden Point (3^rd round, 2014), Nikita Kucherov (2^nd round, 2011) and Ondrej Palat (7^th round, 2011). There were other, more moderate success stories from the past decade as well (Cedric Paquette, Anthony Cirelli, Mathieu Joseph), but those three have helped the Lightning establish themselves as a highly skilled team, with low budget goals coming from up and down the lineup.

Another, less frequently discussed method for analytically inclined drafting is in veering away from the well-mined CHL leagues. The three branches of the CHL (WHL, OHL, QMJHL) are pored over extensively by the other 30 NHL clubs and you often have to over-draft a good player to secure his rights. Some teams have realized that better draft value can be found in the cohort of players whose development path leads through the NCAA. For the most part, those players are found in the USHL, with some holdouts still learning in the Minnesota high school ranks or the New England prep school circuit.

Not only are the college bound players still moderately under-scouted, but they come with an extra, hidden advantage. Whereas an NHL team has only two years in which to decide to offer an NHL contract to a player drafted out of the CHL, they have four years (sometimes more) with college bound players. Basically, the NHL team controls the drafted player’s rights as long as he remains in college.

The Lightning have leaned on this path lately, particularly in the last three years. Looking at their 2017-2019 drafts, they used their first picks on CHL players. Of the 17 players they picked after speaking up for the first time, only three were from the CHL ranks. six others were European based. The other eight were taking traditional college-bound paths. Furthermore, one of the Europeans was also college-bound, as it turned out.

Part of the idea of letting players take their time in college may stem from the old Detroit Red Wings’ M.O. of letting prospects spend as much time in the AHL as possible. There is merit in having that development time be somewhere else, even if the organization doesn’t have complete control of the development process, as they will still be in frequent communication with the player/s.

It is still far too early to know if this strategy will work (if it is indeed a strategy), but the top two players in the system are both honing their respective games in college and neither was taken before the sixth round. Compare that to the sole first rounder in the organization below the NHL, and that CHL-trained defender sits sixth on our list after two seasons in the AHL.

BUFFALO, NY - APRIL 13: Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs Forward Cole Koepke (17) skates with the puck during the second period of the NCAA Hockey Frozen Four championship game between the Massachusetts Minutemen and the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs on April 13, 2019, at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire)

Cole Koepke, LW (183^rd overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: UR)

Passed over in his first two runs through the NHL draft, Koepke’s story has the makings of a real rags-to-riches tale. His first year of draft eligibility was spent tearing up the Minnesota high school league with his hometown Hermantown High where he was one class ahead of Winnipeg prospect Dylan Samberg.

His second go-round was an injury-ravaged rookie season with Sioux City of the USHL. It’s very hard for a winger to attract scouting attention scoring three times in 22 games. Healthy again in 2017-18, Koepke finished fifth in USHL scoring, with 28 goals in 60 games. Couple that scoring touch with good wheels and a sixth-round pick was reasonable.

I will admit further that Koepke didn’t do much for me as a freshman at championship Minnesota-Duluth. He played a defensive-minded game with speed and showed a nice shot. After a near point-per-game sophomore campaign, I’m impressed. He still is defensively responsible. He still has multiple gears to his skating stride, with fantastic acceleration. The shot is still strong. But now Koepke is also demonstrating very nice puck skills of the type that allow him to run the offensive game.

He is expected to return to UMD for his junior campaign and I would expect Tampa Bay to make a big push to get him under contract next spring. The late bloomer might not be more than a good third liner, but he looks like a good one, and not too far off into the future either. He could be playing regularly in the NHL by the 2022-23 season. - RW

Samuel Walker, C (200^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 5)

Even as fewer and fewer players are drafted directly out of high school, with the continued ascendance of the USHL as a pre-collegiate development league, even fewer are the players who play prep hockey after they have been drafted. Miles Wood of the New Jersey Devils is one such player. Spending an additional year at Noble & Greenough School, in Massachusetts after the Devils made him a 4^th round pick. Samuel Walker is another.

Drafted out of Minnesota powerhouse Edina in 2017, Walker went back to school in 2018, winning the state’s Mr. Hockey award and earning recognition as an All-USA Hockey First Teamer. He exploded onto the scene with the Minnesota Golden Gophers, winning the Big 10 Rookie of the Year for his efforts. I will admit to wanting to have seen more a jump forward from the undersized center as a sophomore, but I suppose that he shouldn’t be punished for improving a little bit, both in terms of his production (26 points to 30, in 37 games both seasons) as well as in the assessment of his still developing skill set.

Despite his size, Walker attacks the offensive zone through the middle, with speed that demands respect. He sees the ice tremendously well, is patient with the puck and has very skilled hands, capable of changing angles at the last instant and executing tricky passes. In addition to his speed, he has great edge work and knows how to create room for himself and time for his teammates to get open.

He projects as a playmaker center who can play in a bottom six role as well for a team not concerned with size – such as Tampa Bay. He has put on muscle since he was drafted, but still looks underdeveloped. He will never be even average size, but he could be big enough to succeed in his style of play. - RW

Hugo Alnefelt, G (71^st overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 8)

For a goalie, Alnefelt had a strong U19 season. He earned a spot in the SHL which is rare at that age and he had a strong performance as the starter at the WJC. He got to play 18 games – well - in SHL. If there are any negatives on his season it is that he also had 28 dressed games where he did not play in the SHL and only played four times in the junior league.

Alnefelt is a calm goalie with strong vision and positioning but he can combine that with spectacular improvised saves as well. He can quickly react to a surprising bounce or to come back from being out of position. His puck tracking is good, and he plays square to the puck. His edge plays can, at times, be impressive to see. At the WJC he had some memorable saves that way. His glove hand is good, but not spectacular. He works with the glove upwards and uses it the cover the hole between the leg and arm in his basic position.

He has many times shown mental stability and has stepped up in big situations. His athleticism is good but could be better. He plays deep in the crease which diminishes his need for movement. He will need to mature physically even more to get stronger and improve his endurance. His upper body strength has increased but he still falls down a bit when tired.

Alnefelt will play in the SHL and probably at the WJC again next season. Goalies are always long-term projects, but I can see a future NHL goalie in Alnefelt. I would not say that he has elite potential yet, but as a fringe or regular starter. What he did this season was impressive and it will be interesting to see if he can take another huge step next season. - JH

Alexander Volkov, RW (48^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 3)

Despite a small dry spell for the talented and the generally slower development track in Tampa Bay’s ranks, three year AHL veteran Alexander Volkov has managed to prove himself with the Syracuse Crunch which allowed him a nine game stint as a call up this season to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Despite the Bolts having a strong forward group already, Volkov looks like the right choice to fill the next spot.

He has managed to adapt well by reaching a more mature focus with his game and working to create more time and space for himself when carrying the puck. He has learned to be more patient and has the confidence to play further up in the lineup with the improvement of his overall two-way play and his playmaking.

This past season Volkov was given time on the powerplay as his game showed development and he proved himself to be an asset with the puck as the plays he makes are strong enough to fit at the next level. His hands and ability to carry the puck with strong prowess remain the key driving factors for his individual play. While a bottom six role is most likely, it is still unsure as to where Volkov will fit in Tampa Bay long-term, however look to see him up in the lineup this coming season regardless. - SC

Dmitri Semykin, D (90^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 17)

Between the drafts of 2010 and 2018 – the Steve Yzerman era in Tampa – the Lightning drafted nine Russian players. While much of the sports was wringing its hands aver the so-called “Russian factor”, Yzerman and company saw the chance to leverage the fear of others to draft talented players lower than where their talent alone would have dictated. While not every Russian prospect drafted worked out, the haul includes one Hart/Art Ross/Ted Lindsay winner (Nikita Kucherov), and one Vezina Trophy winner (Andrei Vasilevskiy), and a few other, less decorated NHLers, besides. Semykin was the final Russian reward of the Yzerman era.

At the time his name was called out at the end of the third round, it was a bit of a surprise. He was a bulky defender who had only spent one season in the top junior league in Russia, did not add much offensively and spent a ton of time in the penalty box, finishing seventh in the MHL in PIMs. Also notable, Semykin had almost zero international experience. We may have been the only public outfit to list him at all as a draft possibility, but even we only saw him as a late seventh rounder.

Two years later, and Semykin is still very tough to play against, with a great physical game, but he has learned to do a much better job of staying disciplined. He likes to play the puck and will not limit himself to the blueline for doing so. His lack of international exposure may make his transition to North American hockey (which should begin next season, as he signed an ELC in May) a bit slower, but he can overcome his average skating and remain hard to play against, he could still develop into a solid #4. - RW

Cal Foote, D (14^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 1)

This coming season Tampa Bay will be looking to suit him up, but it is hard to tell if he is ready to play at that speed or if he will simply be dead weight. Despite being slow on the puck, Foote has many things to offer Tampa Bay with his first-round play making abilities and his high hockey IQ. He will simply need to come back after the break as though he has something to prove, the ice is thin for Foote to make it and he will have to keep mistakes to a minimum in order to crack Tampa’s lineup as a bottom four defender. - SC

Alex Barre-Boulet, C (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 1, 2018. 2019 Rank: 9)

He is by far the quickest and most dynamic skater in Tampa Bay’s AHL system and he has proven himself to be an asset rather than a burden. The race will be tight to see if a small, quick, well positioned forward who is diverse enough to play in many different roles will be given the chance he deserves this season with the Lightning. Barre-Boulet’s redeeming factor is his work ethic and his ability to kill penalties. That combined with his skill and quick play will be what gets him a spot in Tampa’s bottom six. - SC

Taylor Raddysh, RW (58^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 7)

Raddysh is typically a strong player on the puck and a strong skater but with his ice time cut from last season his play with the puck has become shaky and costly in certain situations. He still managed to score more than create showing that he is still a high-level shooter and often well positioned in the offensive end, however those plays do not come often enough.

With better lines and more ice time next season he can bounce back and reclaim his reputation from major junior. The future is not sealed yet for Raddysh who would make a good third line winger and there is still hope that this season he will earn his first call up with Tampa Bay. - SC

Gabriel Fortier, C/RW (59^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 10)

At various times in his junior career, he has shown abilities to play as a sniper, a playmaker and an energy forward, and has succeeded at each. The best word to describe him is relentless; he has a dogged determination for the pursuit of the puck. Fortier’s feet are always moving, which keeps him in position, but it makes him look faster than he actually is. His skating is what ultimately could hold him back as an NHLer. Regardless, he has the skills and smarts to play useful NHL shifts up and down the lineup. - MS

Maxim Cajkovic, RW (89^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 11)

He possesses a very strong shot and loves to score goals, and he has the skating that will get him there. The coach that can unlock his defensive potential will be crucial in his development, as he has shown the effort defensively, but it has not led to positive results.

Traded to a contending Val-d’Or team should help Cajkovic further hone his skills in a more sheltered environment. Cajkovic will need to improve his play away from the puck but has a ceiling of a middle-six goal-scorer. - MS

Ross Colton, LW (118^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: UR)

Colton will have to work hard and keep up his high intensity and strong effort. Despite Tampa Bay having just moved Mitchell Stephens up the ranks, Colton has a similar playing style so he will have to work harder to prove his worth and will have to stay better focused when emotions run high. Colton will need to maintain consistency throughout next season to earn a call up.

That being said he is known to play well under pressure and is adaptable. Colton fits in well as a third line grinder for Tampa Bay capable of killing penalties more so than being reliable on the powerplay. - SC

Alex Green, D (121^st overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: UR)

He doesn’t have the quickest release on his shot but he puts a lot of power behind it when he takes one. Green needs to pump his legs a bit but he skates well for his 6-2” size. There is power on his passes and he can dish it off quickly. Green won’t necessarily be able to catch up to the speediest players, but he can backcheck well. He projects as a lower-pairing defender if he continues to develop as a senior and later, as a professional. - JS

Dennis Yan, LW (64^th overall, 2015. 2019 Rank: UR)

For a player like Dennis Yan, time is running out to make the impression needed to make Tampa Bay’s roster, however there are always players in a system who develop at a slower pace and for Yan that may be the case. In his third season with the Syracuse Crunch, on paper it may look like he has slowed down but, on the ice, and in game situations his growth is evident.

Being a reliable playing both power play and penalty kill, he does well at moving the puck and killing penalties. As a forechecker, Yan is a great skater and heavy on the puck with a good work ethic however he needs to keep his feet moving in all situations and up his creativity levels going into next season. If he finds a way to better his creativity and find different lanes on the ice his point production should amass what it was in previous seasons, hopefully earning him a call up in the second half of next season. - SC

Dominik Masin, D (35^th overall, 2014. 2019 Rank: 13)

This past season was better than previous ones for Masin, with an improved turnover rate and few mistakes or giveaways. His control has improved as has his maturity with the puck in order to be counted on to play the power play and quarterback the play at even strength. He will have to remain disciplined and not let his developmental frustration show on the ice or impede further development.

Masin still has the potential to be a bottom four defenseman in the NHL but at this late stage in the game the question has to be asked if Tampa Bay is still the right fit for him or whether a change of scenery will be more beneficial. - SC

Boris Katchouk, LW (44^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 6)

He does need to get stronger on the puck and win more of his puck battles. Although he works hard, at times he is just in the wrong position, whether it be body positioning or location on the ice, and in order to play at the next level he will have to win more battles and see the play better. Katchouk has the skill with his skating and stickhandling as well as the adaptability to manage at the next level; it is just his technical and positional game that needs work.

With more ice time this year the competition between friend and longtime teammate Taylor Raddysh to earn the first call up will have him working harder than ever. Katchouk is not a terribly flashy player but he gets the job done at a potential third line NHL level. - SC

QMJHL 2019-20 Season Preview: Early returns show parity, competition at top of standings

Mike Sanderson — Sat, 05 Oct 2019 13:01:36 +0000

Sorry, QMJHL friends, but the penthouse is overbooked.

Five teams have won four or more games to start this young 2019-20 season, and all five of those teams are within two points of each other.

The defending champion Rouyn-Noranda Huskies would not likely be anyone’s top pick as the best team for a second year, with all the movement of players this past summer. Missing stalwarts like Joël Teasdale, Félix Bibeau, Rafaël Harvey-Pinard, Peter Abbandonato and, for the moment, Noah Dobson has not slowed the Memorial Cup titleholders this season, as Vincent Marleau is tied for the league lead in points and Tyler Hinam has made huge strides in his game.

Netminder Zachary Emond has lost his first regulation game in over a season this year, but he has been solid with a 5-1 record to lead all goalies in wins.

While one would be remiss to expect that hot play to continue, the Huskies are at the top of the heap once more as the season rumbles into its third week. A repeat of their 59-win season of a year ago seems unlikely, as they will look to maximize return of their remaining current assets for future gains, but they can get the accolades while they are hot.

More expectedly in the Western Conference, the Sherbrooke Phoenix are in second place. The Phoenix boast an older lineup and the league’s top drafted player from last June’s NHL entry draft in Sam Poulin, who is looking to build on a strong first camp with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

His ability to take over a game at the left wing position and shut a team up or shut them down has been chronicled a lot with his strong playoff last season, and the Phoenix are looking to form their team around their captain’s strengths as they look poised to break team records for their best season in franchise history.

Alexis Lafreniere

Out east, the top three teams boast one potential surprise and two predicted top teams – the Rimouski Oceanic, the Cape Breton Eagles and the Charlottetown Islanders.

Rimouski enters the year with the most pressure to salvage results out of this season than any other team in the entirety of the Canadian junior league. They have potential top pick Alexis Lafrenière for this season and likely no more, and will attempt to build a contender around their wunderkind for a third season in a row. Last year, they were swept in the third round, and their regular season results will not matter this year. They have considerable pressure to be a contender this year, or the Lafrenière-led team will be considered a failure.

Lafrenière already has four multi-point games in his five games played so far this season. He has not skipped a beat. They also boast a strong starting goalie in Colten Ellis, and good offensive depth around the prodigal right winger, but their defence corps at this point is worse than last season’s edition, and Serge Beausoleil will feel the pressure to make moves at Christmas time to form a strong unit.

The Eagles are no longer Screaming, but they will provide plenty of emotions for their fans this year in Cape Breton. New ownership, a new coach in Jake Grimes, and a new outlook gives new life to one of the deepest teams in the QMJHL. While the team is lacking in top-end talent, they have plenty to be excited about throughout the lineup in forwards Mathias Laferrière, Shawn Boudrias and the impeccably named Ivan Ivan.

The team is lacking in a top star up front and a top defenceman on the back end, but the market is there for both of those holes, and they have a great goalie in Ottawa prospect Kevin Mandolese. A possible strong defender is still on the shelf, as overager Antoine Crête-Belzile is still recovering from post-concussion symptoms from a knock late last season.

Charlottetown is always in the mix as long as coach Jim Hulton is in the fold, and this season is no exception. The Islanders may not stay in this position all season long, but they have one of the best goalies in the league in Matt Welsh, who can steal games by himself, and a team that always stays committed to the game plan. Xavier Bernard on the back end is no slouch, and neither is the solid pivot Nikita Alexandrov.

The league’s best potential team is just behind the big five in Chicoutimi. The Saguenéens are in the best position to be contenders this season – a good mix of veterans, a very strong young core of Hendrix Lapierre, Théo Rochette and William Dufour, and three first round picks to make moves if they choose.

Of course, since many of their core players will not age out next season, they can choose which year in the next couple they want to load up their team.

If they choose this season, they have captain Harvey-Pinard and Ethan Crossman up front with Memorial Cup experience, an underrated goaltender in Alexis Shank and a solid-if-unspectacular defence group led by Artemi Knyazev. The Sags have a lot going for them this season, and the world is their oyster in terms of what they choose to do.

Another potential contending team is in Moncton, as the Wildcats made a move in the summer to set themselves up for a run this season. They acquired goaltender Olivier Rodrigue to start games for them this season, and the 19-year-old is likely AHL bound after the season. This turns this season into an important one for the Wildcats, who lost Jeremy McKenna and Jonathan Aspirot to pro contracts.

There is a chance they may receive both players back from their pro teams, but even with the veteran boosts, the Wildcats are still missing an impact defender to be a true contender. That blueliner could be Boston Bruins pick Axel Andersson, who is in limbo in Providence, but until he is physically in the uniform, no one knows for sure.

The draft this June will be interesting for another New Brunswick team: the Saint John Sea Dogs. The Dogs are the most polarizing team to predict this season, as they have many young potential stars in their lineup, but their core is still very young. Last season’s youngest team in the CHL is still wet-behind-the-ears, but the talent in undeniable, led by blueliner Jérémie Poirier.

Poirier will lead a defence corps with five 17-year-olds in the fold, including fellow draft prospects William Villeneuve, Joona Lehmus and Charlie Desroches. Up front, Josh Lawrence and Brady Burns return and along with Alex Drover and Dawson Stairs taking important roles, all at 17, they look to be setting themselves up for a bright run. Joshua Roy, the league’s top pick in the Q draft in June, is also on the team, taking a regular shift and having an impact in his first year in the league.

The Sea Dogs could catch lightning in a bottle or could crash and burn in their inexperience, but will provide must watch attention for draft watchers trying to catch the next NHL players from the QMJHL.

Last season’s Memorial Cup hosts in Halifax are not the team they were last season. This year, they are more of a one-line unit than a fleshed out juggernaut, led by forwards Benoît-Olivier Groulx, Raphaël Lavoie and Maxim Trepanier.

Jared McIsaac starts the year on the shelf for a considerable amount of time, leaving potential first rounder Justin Barron as the undisputed number one defender on the unit; a huge boon to his development. It is not the start new head coach Jean-Jacques Daigneault would have hoped for in taking the job, but he could really make a name for himself as a coach if Barron thrives in this environment.

It is expected that the Mooseheads will make some moves for the future during the mid-season trading period in which they kiss any or all of Lavoie, Trepanier, Groulx and McIsaac goodbye, which would dramatically alter the skills of this team in the second half.

Also looking ahead to the future is the Baie-Comeau Drakkar, who saw the fruits of their building labors tumble and sputter in a first-round upset to Moncton last spring. Nathan Légaré and Gabriel Fortier could be available to the highest bidder as the Drakkar hope to begin anew with a new coach in Jon Goyens, who has an excellent record of development at the midget level.

Goyens’s Lac-Saint-Louis teams have a reputation for producing many QMJHL players and pros, including Mike Matheson, Jonathan Drouin, Joe Veleno and Anthony Duclair. The Drakkar will have a chance to rebuild in his image, and he has earned it with his success at the midget level.

Drummondville will also be looking to cast off veterans in favour of younger players, as they hope to look to future years. The for-sale sign is on stars like Xavier Simoneau and Thomas Pelletier, while it has been rumoured that draft hopeful Dawson Mercer already has a new home lined up at Christmas when the trading period opens in late December.

In closing, here is a top-ten of QMJHL prospects to watch this season:

Alexis Lafreniere, Rimouski – his hype precedes him, but he’s absolutely worth it.

Hendrix Lapierre, Chicoutimi – missed some time last year with injury but hoping to make up for lost time.

Justin Barron, Halifax – Dobson-like skater and potential dominator on the back end.

Vasily Ponomarev, Shawinigan – a fitness freak in an optimal position to make things happen with lots of ice time.

Mavrik Bourque, Shawinigan – impressed on an offensive-weak Shawinigan last year with his skills and poise.

Theo Rochette, Chicoutimi – An early season injury sidelines him in a critical year, but will have plenty of opportunities.

Dawson Mercer, Drummondville – do-it-all two-way winger who skates well and can play all situations.

Jérémie Poirier, Saint John – great size and skating ability, is already a top-pairing defender in his draft year.

Lukas Cormier, Charlottetown – undersized, but excellent skater who can always make something happen offensively.

Noah Delémont, Acadie-Bathurst – great skater, great hockey sense and ability to handle minutes, especially internationally.

Tampa Bay Lightning 2019-20 Prospect Review: Top 20

Sat, 14 Sep 2019 13:14:19 +0000

In a system where the best performances came from older prospects with lower NHL ceilings, while those with the highest ceiling and the most youth still to play out struggled, the Lightning might feel dismay. Of course, with an NHL roster that is among the strongest in recent history and an organizational propensity for slowly developing unheralded talent to the point where they are legitimate NHL contributors, Tampa’s braintrust is not likely all that worried. Yet.

With former GM Steve Yzerman having taken a number of his most trusted lieutenants with him to Detroit, and current GM Julien BriseBois still feeling his way through his new role, including how his staff will work in tandem, there is a distinct likelihood that the Lightning will find their scouting preferences and development patterns evolving, making this assessment moot in short order.

One notable Tampa attribute that is often called out is the way they would heavily scout the QMJHL, both for the draft and for post-draft acquisitions, including free agents Yanni Gourde, Alex Barre-Boulet and, most recently, Jimmy Huntington. Those are just the free agents. Recent Lightning draft picks from the ‘Q’ include current NHLers Mathieu Joseph and Cedric Paquette, with Dennis Yan, Gabriel Fortier, Maxim Cajkovic, and Radim Salda still percolating.

I would have included Jonathan Marchessault in that group as well, but he passed through the New York Rangers’ and Columbus Blue Jackets’ systems before he received his first extended NHL chance with Tampa.

Another trait that they have followed can also be seen in a number of the aforementioned Quebecers. Gourde, Barre-Boulet, Marchessault, Fortier, and Cajkovic all have in common the trait of below average size. Not that they play small, but they are small. There are a large number of smaller players scattered throughout the system, not particular to those who came out of Quebec, but that branch is illustrative. Perhaps we can call that the Brayden Point (5-10”, 165) effect. The modern NHL is full of smaller talents who can be among the better players in the game. Point being one example, 2018-19 Hart Trophy winner Nikita Kucherov being another.

The Lightning have gone to some lengths to ensure that their entire is not populated by the small and/or lean. In the previous three drafts, they have used two of their first-round picks on the Foote brothers, son of 1990s tough rearguard Adam. Both Cal Foote (6-4”, 214) and Nolan (6-3”, 187) represent a complete 180 from the light brigade, and both are among the top prospects currently in the Tampa pipeline.

It is far too early to guess at how BriseBois will continue Yzerman’s legacy, and what type of players he will target, but they would do well to diversify more. As much as talent is paramount in today’s NHL, without being able to play in different styles, thereby giving their NHL roster some level of unpredictability, they run the risk of being a team that can be planned around. To sustain their success over the long haul, the Lightning should have players who play in straight North-South lines, as well as East-West puck movers. Looking at the NHL roster again, it is clear that they have already stocked up on the hard part. Now they just need to determine how to best fill out the lineup.

-Ryan Wagman

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Callan Foote (Photo by Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire)

1 Cal Foote, D (14^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 1) Foote’s ranking as Tampa Bay’s number one prospect is well deserved as he is the perfect mix of a skilled offensive blueliner with a highly physical and dependable defensive defenseman. He has exceptional awareness and his hockey IQ is what makes him a great player. He has size and plays a calm, aware positional game that makes him stand out as being the most mature and dynamic prospect on this list. He has the potential to be a top pairing defender with his intelligence and his overall skill set, and if he is able to power through another year with Syracuse to fully adapt to the professional level he may find himself with the Lightning as early as the end of next season. Foote is a dream defenseman where attitude and playmaking ability are concerned, and he is exactly what Tampa Bay needs to start the ball rolling with their new wave of top prospects. - SC

2 Nolan Foote, LW (27^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) The younger Foote started the season as a solid first round selection, and he lived up to his advance billing, scoring 36 goals and 63 points for the Rockets, without having much support around him. With Kelowna hosting the Memorial Cup this season, and seriously upgrading their team, he will have much more support and be able to relish in a larger role. Foote is a natural shooter with a great shot and plays with a nice blend of power and skill. He has good size, comes from strong bloodlines (see above), and is very versatile. He projects as a top six winger and a bonafide power forward, who will be able to go to the net and bury the puck. In the meantime, he will have a strong season with the Rockets and put up career best numbers. - KO

3 Alexander Volkov, RW (48^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 5) Volkov is a strong and quick skater that drives the net hard and can take the outside lanes with ease. He has good hands and can move the puck quickly through multiple players in one rush. He is a great addition to Tampa’s system and a good fit for the next level as a bottom six forward. He will need to polish up a few things in regard to his positional and two-way play. He will have to make sure to stay focused and keep his feet moving in the defensive end as well. Volkov will not be able to take any shifts off in the defensive zone especially if he is a member of any special team’s units. He will need another year in the minors to fully prepare himself for the jump to the NHL especially considering the depth of Tampa’s forwards. - SC

4 Mitchell Stephens, C (33^rd overall, 2015. Last Year: 7) Although Stephens did not manage a full season this past year with Syracuse, he still finished with solid offensive totals. He is a very competitive player who likes to win and who brings such passion to the game. He wins draws, gets to the net, blocks shots and plays a strong physical game. The only thing missing is an extra gear, as he needs that extra speed to be able to make a solid impact at the next level. He may be a powerful skater, but he needs a quicker jump to his stride and better reaction time to handle stop-and-go plays. Right now, with his skating the way it is, Stephens is a fourth line centerman at best, but if he pushes to be that much faster, he may be able to reach a third to second line projection. A fully healthy season back in the AHL will of course help him better prepare him for the NHL. - SC

5 Samuel Walker, C (200^th overall, 2017. Last Year: Not ranked) One of Tampa Bay’s recent smaller picks, Walker took the rare step of staying in high school the season after he was drafted. It looks like the unorthodox decision paid off. He had a stellar final season with Edina, was named Minnesota’s Mr. Hockey, and hit the ground running last season as a freshman with the University of Minnesota. Walker is very fast, plays bigger than his listed size and thrives in the greasy areas. He has gifted hands and has the makings of a zone entry machine. He has top six upside and will be expected to play a bigger role with the Golden Gophers this year, making up for graduations. One more year on this trajectory, and he will be a pro by this time next year. - RW

6 Boris Katchouk, LW (44^th overall, 2016. Last Year: 3) Katchouk had a disappointing first year in the professional ranks with Syracuse and his play was barely at par with the AHL level. An forward with average skills such as him needs to understand where he needs to be on the ice to be able to maximize his potential. His skills are not spectacular, and his skating is okay, but he knows how and where to be to make a play or put the puck in the net. He will need to play a more disciplined game next season and be more consistent with his work ethic in every shift. Katchouk has the potential to be a fourth liner at the NHL level but it will take a major turn around and some more experience and confidence building at the AHL level before even thinking about moving up to the NHL. - SC

7 Taylor Raddysh, RW (58^th overall, 2016. Last Year: 4) Raddysh is a natural goal scorer with a knack for getting to the net in even the most difficult of situations. He is a good skater and a strong shooter capable of getting shots off in tight situations. He is especially good with one timers and adapting to bad passes. He will need to up his game and play a more intense game overall in order to earn a call up and a bottom six spot with the Lightning. His creativity was prominent in his major junior years with Erie and Sault Ste. Marie, but he has since settled for playing a safer game and sticking to playing more vertical lines and the dump-and-chase. Raddysh will have to work on being more creative and being stronger on the puck in open ice situations, his level of want for the puck will have to improve next season in order to prepare for the next level. - SC

8 Hugo Alnefelt, G (71^st overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) Tampa didn’t pick a single Swedish player in the draft for eight years after they picked Victor Hedman in 2009. And then in the last two drafts, they have gone for Swedish goalies each year, with Alnefelt being the most interesting of them. He was impressive as the gold winning goalie at the WU18 last spring. As with every goalie prospect, he is a long-term project and will need to play at least another season in the junior league in Sweden before moving on to the next level. Alnefelt is a smooth goalie with good hockey sense and has shown ability to remain calm under pressure. He needs to get stronger and more consistent in every aspect of his game. The foundation for strong development looks good so far. - JH

9 Alex Barre-Boulet, C (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 1, 2018. Last Year: 12) For an undrafted player, Barre-Boulet’s progress from the QMJHL up to the AHL has been better than most could hope for. Last season he tied for the team lead in goals with 34, equal to his number of assists, in 74 games with the Crunch as a rookie pro. He has a good set of hands and adapts very quickly to what is going on around him. It is no wonder that a player as adaptable and focused as he is, along with his hockey IQ and his good positioning, succeeded in the AHL so quickly. The only improvement he will need to make to his game is his level of physicality and how tough he is on the puck. Barre-Boulet will need to be more eager to get into the dirty spots and will have to stop being second to the puck and more willing to take a hit to win a battle to create a play. That being said, he certainly has the potential of being a bottom six forward with Tampa Bay. - SC

10 Gabriel Fortier, C/RW (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Jul. 1, 2018. Last Year: 8) The first thing that strikes you about Fortier is that he makes himself noticeable on every shift. He is relentless all over the ice in pursuit of the puck and attacking those with it. He is a great example of a jack-of-all-trades forward. He is equally good with the puck as without, and on both sides of the puck as well. Having said that, he does not possess elite skill. He looks faster than he is; his legs move quick and stay moving, but his short stature at 5-10” does not lead to a long stride. He shifted his talents to playmaker this past season between Nathan Légaré and Ivan Chekhovich and did not skip a beat. Fortier’s style of play makes him a fan favorite, and he has the skills and smarts to play useful NHL shifts up and down the lineup. - MS

11 Maxim Cajkovic, RW (89^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) Cajkovic loves to grab the bull by the horns and play north-south hockey. He is a small-ish power forward who needs to grow into his body but does not shy away from physical play. He boasts a great shot from anywhere in the zone and loves to fire off the rush with a quick release. His skating is solid, and he is fleet on his feet. His work away from the puck needs work, but he puts in the effort on the defensive side of the ice. Cajkovic walked into a tough situation in Saint John without a lot of offensive support and made the most of it, leading the team in scoring by 12 with 46 points. Once he fills out, his body will allow him to take more punishment and will make him better equipped to play his natural role as a sniper at the NHL level. - MS

12 Carter Verhaeghe, C (82^nd overall, 2013 [Toronto]. Last Year: 15) A veteran player in the AHL ranks, Verhaeghe has finally been coming into his own and hitting his stride. Last season was a career high season as he finished with 82 points in 76 games with Syracuse. Those are the type of numbers that Tampa Bay is looking for from a forward prospect. He is a good two-way player and a good playmaker now that he understands the importance of patience and has the maturity in his game to make the right plays. Now that he is getting older however, this next season will be a make or break season for him to see if he will be able to cut it at the NHL level. It is one thing to be able to produce in the AHL, but it is another to be able to keep up the same level of production and play at the NHL level and half the battle for Verhaeghe will be getting the chance to do so. - SC

13 Dominik Masin, D (35^th overall, 2014. Last Year: 10) Masin is a defenseman who plays much bigger than he is and who also has a good head on his shoulders. He is good at reading the play and shutting down angles and closing off two on ones. He has found himself spending a lot of time in the penalty box as an AHLer, and not as much as he should want on the ice. It would be wise for him to play with more discipline heading into next season if his aim is to get called up to the NHL. There is no doubt that he is one of the fastest defensemen on this list and that he has the skill to play at the highest level but he will need to be mindful of his attitude and discipline during his shifts. Masin is still young despite this next season being his fourth with Syracuse and there is still a lot of room for him to develop as a player. - SC

14 Max Crozier, D (120^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) After being ignored in his first draft year as a two-way defender in the BCHL, Crozier went to Sioux Falls and gained a newly appreciative audience. When he wasn’t in the penalty box, he was among the more dynamic blueliners in the USHL. He is very fleet of foot and is a commanding presence on the offensive blueline. He has a solid point shot but does his best work when hunting out passing lanes to get the puck in deeper. He can play in all situations, although I would prefer if he wasn’t so infraction prone. Crozier should jump right into the top four rotation with Providence this year and could be a two-year journey from a pro contract. If he continues to develop, he could feasibly be a top four man at the highest level. - RW

15 Nick Perbix, D (169^th overall, 2017. Last Year: Not ranked) Perbix is another speculative late round pick on tools that might just be panning out for Tampa. Drafted in his second year of eligibility as a high schooler, he then moves on to a year in the USHL for Omaha, followed by an eye-opening freshman season with St. Cloud State. Gifted with a pro-sized frame, he uses his body well to rub out opponents along the boards and separate them from the puck. His long reach is also an asset in his own zone. More surprising though, was his offensive impact. He plays with confidence and is generally helping ensure the puck keeps moving in the right direction. There could be more upside here than we are seeing yet, but a second season in college might unveil. He is raw but shows NHL traits. - RW

16 Danick Martel, LW (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 10, 2015 [Philadelphia]. Last Year: Not ranked [Philadelphia]) Martel is an undersized forward but that does not seem to affect his play, nor impact how he forechecks. He is a grinder who brings a lot of speed and enthusiasm to each shift. His work ethic and the way his outside-the-box way of thinking allows him to set up plays is the main reason why he spent most of his healthy time last year up in the NHL. He is a quick skater and a good passer, he can win races to the puck, and contribute well to just about any play. His need to always be moving and to be present in the play can sometimes backfire as he can strive to do too much leading to turnovers. Martel has already proven that he can play at the NHL level and more than keep up with the speed of the game. If he can stay healthy, he should see more time up with the Lightning in a bottom six role this season. - SC

17 Dmitri Semykin, D (90^th overall, 2018. Last Year: 18) After moving to the SKA system, Semykin made some strides forward in his development, but he may have left some room for growth. He mostly played at the junior level, and considering his size, at this point he should play more at the pro level. He remains an interesting project due to his big frame and physical game, but he needs to improve in pretty much every aspect of his game to gain the right to play in the NHL – Even a year down the road, Tampa may have stretched things when they picked him in the third round. He still has plenty of time to improve and hone his game. He needs to play pro hockey next year to keep on progressing and earn a call to the WJC, before even thinking about North America. - ASR

18 Ryan Lohin, C (208^th overall, 2016. Last Year: Not ranked) Lohin, recently removed from the strong UMass-Lowell program, was a 7th round pick who seems to be a clear win for Tampa. At 6-0”, 194 pounds, he can get to the net and he is a very shifty skater who follows up his own shots. A very good passer, he has accumulated between 15-17 assists in each of his three years on campus. Last season he scored 12 goals which placed the captain third on the team in that category. After three seasons with the River Hawks, he signed his entry-level contract with Tampa last March, giving him enough time to get his professional feet wet with three games for the Syracuse Crunch. Based on Tampa’s stacked roster, he is expected to play there this season. Now 23, he needs to improve his skating to reach his ultimate ceiling as a 4^th line center in the NHL. - RC

19 Spencer Martin, G (63^rd overall, 2013 [Colorado]. Last Year: 12 [Colorado]) His development has been the rocky road expected out of goaltenders nowadays, as few are ever sure things at that position, but the big and aggressive netminder signed with Tampa this offseason and looks to get back on the right track. The 2013 third-rounder has long played with a very aggressive style that dates back to his OHL tenure with Mississauga, edging the lip of the crease and challenging slot-shooters with a fully extended array of tools. He is very calm and makes tough saves look easy at times, which is made easier by his insistence on playing high up in the blue paint at all times. General inconsistencies in the Colorado system forced Martin out, but he still has NHL backup potential, and is only 24, which is fairly young for goaltenders. - TD

20 Alexei Lipanov, C (76^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 13) Lipanov is a dedicated two way forward with limited offensive potential. The two years that he spent in the Ontario Hockey League must be classified as a disappointment after being a third-round draft pick by the Lightning. Lipanov does have some qualities that could make him a 4th line role player, such as positional versatility, strength along the wall, and hockey sense in all three zones. That all said, his skating is likely not strong enough for him to be effective in this role and will need to improve should he wish to be an NHL player. Consider Lipanov a longshot, at best, to have an NHL career. - BO

MCKEEN’S 2019 NHL DRAFT GUIDE: Lavoie at the top of the QMJHL crop

Mike Sanderson — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 13:01:09 +0000

Another year, another Moosehead atop McKeen’s QMJHL rankings.

It was an up-and-down season for Raphaël Lavoie, who struggled at times to find consistency amid an ever-changing lineup due to injuries, but the tall Quebecker hit his stride in the second half of the season and tore it up in the playoffs.

The right winger’s 20 goals led all QMJHL sharpshooters by six, and his hot play, especially in the first three rounds, were pivotal for the Mooseheads in their President’s Cup final appearance.

Raphael Lavoie. Photo courtesy of the QMJHL.

He projects as a big body forward at the next level with a deft offensive touch. His shot has improved with his confidence, and by the end of the year he was more willing to fire anywhere in the offensive zone. His long legs give him a slick stride that allows him to pick up speed in a hurry, making him hard to contain, and that was evident in the playoffs. With his size and stance, he has a great ability to create protection for the puck from defenders, and keep the defence honest when attacking him.

It’s his size and speed, along with his results offensively, that make him a tantalizing prospect at the next level. His physical play and hands could use some work, but he has produced at a great clip in the 2019 calendar year. While he does have history as a center, he has not played center in over a calendar year in junior hockey, and would need to be re-acquainted with the position if a team wishes to see him at the pivot going forward.

One would be remiss to skip over the plethora of Mooseheads taken high in recent NHL drafts. The Moose have had six players taken among the top nine picks in five of the last six years, including Nathan MacKinnon and Nico Hischier at the top of the table in 2013 and 2017, respectively. The Mooseheads have had eleven first round picks in their 25-year history, and a majority have come in the last six years. The 2019 Memorial Cup hosts have seen the spotlight on their team again this year as junior hockey’s holy grail tournament took place in the port city.

While there may have been doubts throughout the season as to whether Lavoie would be the top prospect in the league, those debates have been quashed. Lavoie will be the first QMJHL player picked in June in Vancouver.

Samuel Poulin. Photo courtesy of the QMJHL.

The second pick behind Lavoie has some distance, but Samuel Poulin of the Sherbrooke Phoenix makes the best case over the competition. He also had a great playoff as a one-man show in the Phoenix’s first round win over Blainville-Boisbriand, and was by far the team’s best player in the post-season.

Poulin has a pedigree that is not matched by many in the draft – his father Patrick played 11 seasons in the NHL, notably with the Montreal Canadiens. The lesser Samuel has the smarts of an NHLer already, and takes care of his own zone. He is a 200-foot player; taking care of his own zone while also chipping in offensively with 76 points a 14 in 10 games in the playoffs, tells the story of a smart, strong offensive player with a thick body at 208 pounds.

While Poulin’s NHL offensive skills may not be a top-line level, he has a floor as a prospect that will see him make an appearance at the NHL level. His smarts and skills are too good to be denied, and he can use his many skills to find a home at the top level.

Jakob Pelletier. Photo courtesy of the QMJHL.

Behind him is the third of the QMJHL forwards, Moncton’s Jakob Pelletier. Pelletier is listed at 5’9” tall, but he plays like he’s 6’4”. He crashes the net, hits on the forecheck, and is always contributing on the ice. His greatest asset is his work ethic, as he keeps his feet moving constantly and is always in a position to affect the game. His 89 points in the regular season were nothing to scoff at, either.

Unfortunately for Pelletier, injury troubles bookended his season, as he suffered a wrist injury with Team Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup to start the campaign, and then undertook a lower-body injury crashing the net in game one of the post-season. While he was healthy between those two ailments, it did affect his season as he was clearly wounded in the playoffs and the wrist injury ended his time with Canada in the tournament. His three points in seven games in the playoffs were a result of basically playing on one leg. He has an outside shot at being selected on the draft’s first night if a team really likes his intangibles, but he is likely a candidate for early Saturday selection in the second round.

Three potential first round hopefuls are a far cry from last season, where four players were picked in the opening round and another, Halifax’s Jared McIsaac, picked early in the second round. Beyond the big players, our next player at McKeen’s is Baie-Comeau’s Nathan Légaré, who we have as a potential third rounder. The drop off between Pelletier and Légaré is significant.

Nathan Legare. Photo courtesy of the QMJHL.

Légaré is a strong forward who plays a power game and scores his goals in front of the net. He is a meat-and-potatoes player who has the size to move up already. He is strong on his skates and holds position well. He is physical and an imposing presence on the ice. Once he is in position, he unleashes his heavy shot that led him to second in Q goals with 45 on the year. He was the finisher on a strong top line for Baie-Comeau along with San Jose prospect Ivan Chekhovich and Tampa Bay hopeful Gabriel Fortier. Légaré placed fourth in league scoring with 102 points on the year, while Chekhovich was runner-up.

At this point, blueliners should be hitting their mark on the draft board. Moncton’s Jordan Spence is the leader of the pack in this regard. His skating speed is elite, and he handles the puck with a lot of poise. Spence was the QMJHL’s nominee for CHL rookie of the year. While his defensive game needs work, he is one year separated from playing junior A, proving how much growth he has made in a year after going undrafted in his first QMJHL year of eligibility. Spence has great passing and his skating covers a lot of his deficiencies that he will finetune as he grows.

Artemi Knyazev of the Chicoutimi Saguenéens is a defenceman similar to Spence without the speed, but perhaps smarter on the offensive blueline. He moves the puck sharply and crisply, and was leading the offence from the blueline the moment he stepped on North American ice.

Other second-day hopefuls include Saint John’s Maxim Cajkovic, Charlottetown’s Nikita Alexandrov, Rouyn-Noranda’s Alex Beaucage and Shawinigan’s Valentin Nussbaumer. There is likely only to be one netminder from the QMJHL selected, and that is Rimouski’s Colten Ellis.

With the June draft on the horizon, attention shifts to the 2020 NHL Draft, and one of the biggest prospects to come from the league in a long time – Alexis Lafrenière of the Rimouski Oceanic. The 2018-19 CHL’s player of the year had 105 points in 65 games this season. His birthdate is a late one, or else he would be in the debate with Jack Hughes and Kaapo Kakko for the top spot in the draft this season. Lafrenière is an extremely smart player and a very creative player off the wing.

QMJHL 2018-19 Preview: Voltigeurs, Oceanic early favourites to join Mooseheads at Memorial Cup

Michael Sanderson — Thu, 04 Oct 2018 11:59:22 +0000

There is one certainty in the 2018-19 QMJHL season: the Halifax Mooseheads have already punched their ticket to the 2019 Memorial Cup.

They printed the tickets, in fact.

Halifax is the host for the CHL’s holy grail tournament in May, and the question is, what team joins them at the big dance?

Two teams have revealed themselves to be the cream of the crop, at least on paper at the onset of the season: the Drummondville Voltigeurs and the Rimouski Oceanic.

Benoit Olivier-Groulx

But Halifax may be the best of them all, with a deep lineup throughout, led by forwards Antoine Morand, Benoît-Olivier Groulx, Jordan Maher and draft-eligibles Raphaël Lavoie and Xavier Parent. They only lack a minute-eater on defence, depending on the progression of blueliners Jared McIsaac, a Detroit pick, and Justin Barron, and a consistent starting netminder, though Chicago pick Alexis Gravel has the potential to steal games. The acquisitions of Ostap Safin and Samuel Asselin only further bolster a strong offensive attack for head coach Eric Veilleux’s group.

Drummondville’s true potential will depend on the potential return of forward Maxime Comtois. The bruising two-way forward has turned a great showing at Anaheim’s camp, and some luck with an injury to Corey Perry, into a chance at some real live NHL games that count this season, and if he were to stick in the pros, it would be a big blow to the Volts’ title hopes. The team is deep beyond him, boasting Joe Veleno and Pavel Koltygin up front, NHL-draftees Xavier Bernard and first-rounder Nicolas Beaudin on the back end, and the league’s best goaltender in Olivier Rodrigue defending the cage. Top to bottom, Drummondville is Halifax’s biggest challenger on paper.

Rimouski has the league’s biggest name in Alexis Lafrenière, who still can’t be picked until the 2020 NHL Draft. Lafrenière has already made a name for himself on the international stage, and will be looking to improve on his 80 points from last season. The Oceanic finished third in the league last year, and holding onto that spot is the least of their expectations. Rimouski was upset in the first round last March, and will look to improve on that and go on a deep run. Adding Jimmy Huntington, Cédric Paré and Olivier Garneau to the fold up front provides strong depth to an already formidable group.

Beyond the big three, there are several clubs that could surprise, including offensive juggernauts in Baie-Comeau and Moncton, and wildcard teams like Charlottetown, Cape Breton and Quebec.

Ivan Chekhovich

The Drakkar started very hot out the gate with strong offensive play, including San Jose’s Ivan Chekhovich and Tampa Bay’s Gabriel Fortier among the top scorers. Undrafted forward Yaroslav Alexeyev, acquired from Sherbrooke in the summer, has already made an impact. Xavier Bouchard leads a middling defense corps, and Kyle Jessiman joins Justin Blanchette in a bit of a loaded crease.

The Wildcats have the horses up front to do damage as well. Last season’s shot leader Jeremy McKenna returns along with Mika Cyr, while undrafted forward Anderson MacDonald, tries to show teams he deserved to be picked last June. They shipped netminder Mark Grametbauer to Bathurst, opting instead to go forward with former Drakkar and Armada goalie Francis Leclerc. Their defence needs work, but stalwarts Jonathan Aspirot and Gabriel Sylvestre head the group.

Pierre-Olivier Joseph of the Charlottetown Islanders. Photo courtesy of the QMJHL.

Charlottetown was slept on a lot at the start of last season, but they surprised and made it to the third round, where they were finally knocked out in seven games by the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada. They hope to build momentum from final four finishes the last two seasons, but if they get off to a cold start, they have two of the best players available for trade at Christmas: Arizona first rounder Pierre-Olivier Joseph and netminder Matt Welsh.

Cape Breton is hungry for a winner, and they acquired 40-goal man Mitchell Balmas and defender Antoine Crête-Belzile to jump to contending status. Ottawa goalkeeper Kevin Mandolese looks to grow this season as the clear number one goalie as Jessiman was traded to Baie-Comeau.

Quebec returns with the biggest wild card in the whole league: new/old head coach and general manager Patrick Roy. Patrick is either loved or hated by every QMJHL hockey fan, but there is no denying he brings excitement and intensity to the product. He adds a few wins to any team he coaches, and will do so here. While Roy’s development record isn’t the strongest in the Quebec league, he is responsible for players like Jonathan Marchessault and Logan Shaw. Potential Minnesota signee Dereck Baribeau and Chicago pick Philipp Kurashev, too.

The league has adjusted their divisions and playoff format this season. Instead of three divisions, there are four. The Maritime Division has six teams, while the 12 remaining squads are split up into three four-team groupings.

Playoffs will be conference based with a 1-plays-8 format, but the 16 best teams will make the playoffs – the conferences will be shuffled so the top 16 will be in the post-season no matter what. This method avoids the top seeds breezing through the first round of the playoffs, and it prevents some of the more extreme travel in the early rounds. However, this format can prevent some monumental upsets, much like 14-seed Moncton defeating third-seed Rimouski last year.

Acadie-Bathurst’s storybook season last year resulted in a Memorial Cup championship, but it’s now time to pay the piper for the party. The Titan acquired netminder Mark Grametbauer to provide some stability in goal but have traded away much of the core from last season’s winning squad.

Noah Dobson on Acadie-Bathurst. Photo courtesy of the QMJHL.

One player to watch is still in a Titan uniform – Islanders first rounder Noah Dobson. The performance of the team in the first two months of the season will depend if the watch is on his talent or his future destination at Christmas time. Teams will be lining up for his services when the mid-season trading period opens up, and there aren’t many teams in the league that would refuse the best defenseman in the QMJHL on their roster for a playoff push.

Tough seasons will be ahead for Chicoutimi and Saint John, but those teams have names to look out for in future drafts – namely Josh Lawrence, William Villeneuve and Jeremie Poirier of the Sea Dogs and Hendrix Lapierre and Théo Rochette of the Saguenéens. They are all up for grabs in 2020 or later.

While there is much time between now and June on the Rogers Arena stage in Vancouver, the first name called from the QMJHL is expected to be Halifax’s Raphaël Lavoie. The Chambly, QC, right winger has great size, speed and hands to succeed at a top-line level in the professional game. He potted 30 goals last season, including a remarkable 10 game winners, and added 33 assists in the full slate of 68 games, and added five points in nine playoff contests.

He does an excellent job of using his 6-4” frame to his advantage as leverage in puck protection, and the long reach to keep the puck away from defenders. With added bulk and physical maturity, he already has the fundamentals to be a strong power forward, puck protector and possession player. He also is adept at firing a strong wrist shot off the rush on the left wing, where he can fire on his off-hand side. At his size, it’s no surprise he is a force in front of the net, either.

While he does have some center potential at the next level, he is an early favourite to receive passes on the right, or left, flank from Antoine Morand, who can most definitely dish with the best in the league. Expect those goal numbers to rise, and the attention with it, by the time the weather heats up in 2019.

Other early favourites to be first rounders include forwards Maxim Cajkovic of the Saint John Sea Dogs, Samuel Poulin of the Sherbrooke Phoenix, Jakob Pelletier of the Moncton Wildcats, Valentin Nussbaumer of the Shawinigan Cataractes, and defender Artemi Knyazev of the Chicoutimi Saguenéens.

All but Nussbaumer featured for their respective national teams at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Edmonton in August, though Pelletier fractured his wrist at the tourney and missed the first week of the QMJHL season.

Cajkovic is a power forward waiting to blossom. He has tremendous confidence in the offensive zone to let go his big shot, one of the best available in the draft, and the speed and soft hands to give him the space needed to get it off. His speed separates him from the pack, as well. He is a leader on the ice for a young Sea Dogs team and can inspire his team with a big hit or a big goal.

Poulin is the son of former NHLer Patrick Poulin. He has had a hot start to the season with the trigger finger, and he is just as strong making plays as scoring. He already has a pro size at 6-1” and 204 pounds, and is strong along the boards. He plays much like his father; strong along the boards, in the offensive zone, and defensively where his speed and anticipation make him deadly on the backcheck or on the penalty kill.

Pelletier has a motor that doesn’t quit and a nose for the net, even with his currently small frame. He has been an emotional leader for the Moncton Wildcats since his first shift in the league, and he always works hard to the final whistle. His hockey sense is off-the-charts, as well. He is a strong playmaker and a great passer, and finds his way into traffic to shoot his shot.

Nussbaumer holds two advantages over his league-mates in his quest to get drafted – he can play all three forward positions, and he has already played against men in his native Switzerland. He had a 26-game cup of coffee with his hometown team, Biel-Bienne, last season, with five goals and six points. He is a late September birthday, which also gives him an edge in performance, though he would have been a very good 2018 pick if he was eleven days older.

Knyazev is an offensively talented defenseman who can move the puck crisply. He is also strong in his own end. He isn’t the biggest defender but can handle the speed of oncoming forwards very well and steer them where they need to go. His transition game is an instant offensive tool, and he doesn’t give up on plays.

The Halifax Mooseheads also owns the rights to Victoria Grizzlies forward and potential first rounder Alex Newhook, but even the enticement of the Memorial Cup was not enough to convince the St. John’s, Newfoundland, native to make the jump to the QMJHL. He is committed to Boston College for next season.

Tampa Bay Lightning Prospect System Overview

Ryan Wagman — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 15:20:25 +0000

Even the worst teams generally hit on their first-round picks, especially if the first rounder was near the top of the board. The great scouting teams get their edge through success in the later rounds.

For many years, the Detroit Red Wings were one of those teams. They were successful. They set an incredible record of making the playoffs for 25 years in a row, from 1990-91 through 2015-16, a period which included four Stanley Cup Championships.

They drafted exceptionally well. Two drafts prior to the start of their mythical run, they selected an astonishing four players who would all go on to play over 1,000 games in the NHL before hanging up their skates. A fifth, Vladimir Konstantinov, could also have challenged for the milestone were he not tragically severely injured in a limousine accident after the first championship of that run in 1996-97.

Despite the pratfalls of low draft position due to their success, subsequent drafts included both first round hits such as Martin Lapointe, Jiri Fischer, and Niklas Kronwall as well as late round gems including Mike Knuble, Tomas Holmstrom, Pavel Datsyuk, and Henrik Zetterberg. Not every draft class worked out – witness the stretch from 1995-97 in which none of the 27 drafted played more than 136 games in the NHL, but they were able to supplement the acquired superstars with depth from within.

The Tampa Bay Lightning, who General Manager Steve Yzerman was part of Detroit’s success, first on the ice and then off, through the first 20 of the Red Wings’ 25-year run, have also shown some of Detroit’s past hallmarks of success and astute drafting.

While they have only made the postseason in five of the eight seasons in which Yzerman ran the show, they made it at least to the Conference finals in four of those five seasons. Further, in last three seasons, they were consistently thought of as one of the elite teams in the NHL, both for their on ice success, as well as for their success on draft day.

In addition to successful first rounders like Vladislav Namestnikov, Andrei Vasilevsky, and Jonathan Drouin, they also picked right later on, with players like Nikita Kucherov, Ondrej Palat, and Brayden Point all coming through day two picks. Other highly touted youngsters in the system were also later round picks, including most of the players discussed below.

Of course, 19 of the 20 players here were selected after the first round, as the Lightning have only made two round one picks in the last four years, and one of those was traded last season in the Ryan McDonagh/J.T. Miller trade.

So far only one player drafted in the past four years has received so much as a cup of coffee in the NHL. More are sure to follow, but our projections are bearish on most of them growing into highly impactful NHL players. Despite the pedigree of Yzerman, coming from a team that had focused on drafting skill for years and often reaping the benefits of that mantra, all too many of the picks made by Tampa in the last few drafts have been of players with limited skill game and the attendant low ceilings that came with that type of prospect. Even the more skilled players are noted for their two-way games at least as much as they are for their pure skills.

It is not too late for most of them to prove us wrong, but if we are correct, the Lightning will be hard-pressed to create a history like that of the Red Wings.

Cal Foote

1 Cal Foote, D (14^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 6^th) In a game where teams are exceedingly going for smaller, faster blueliners, Foote is almost an anachronism. More in the mold of his father, hard hitting Colorado defender Adam Foote, Cal is big, plays mean, and skates better for his size than he does in a vacuum. In addition to his inherent size, and the impact that has on his game, the young Foote has exceptionally high hockey IQ, and has great puck skills for a blueliner. His passes from the blueline are to the tape, no matter how tricky and he can unleash on a bomb of a point shot. Already too good for the CHL, he will have to return to Kelowna if – as expected – he does not make the Lightning roster out of camp.

2 Mathieu Joseph, RW (120^th overall, 2015. Last Year: 5^th) After a stellar rookie pro season, wherein he led the Syracuse Crunch in scoring with 53 points, a total good for third in scoring among all 21 and under players in the AHL, Joseph also demonstrated that his near elite speed is good enough for the pro game. As much as he has proven to be a bonafide offensive contributor, if you spend any time watching him play, it is easy to see how his two-way game makes him more valuable than his point totals. He is a frequent penalty killer, strong in the neutral zone, and finishes his checks. He could stand to put on more weight, but Joseph has gone from an unheralded fourth round pick, to a reasonable second line upside and might be ready for an NHL role.

3 Boris Katchouk, LW (44^th overall, 2016. Last Year: 19^th) After 85 points in the regular season and another 37 postseason points as Sault Ste. Marie made it to the OHL finals, Boris Katchouk has nothing left to prove in the OHL. It is good then, that he does not have to return to the junior ranks, his four years being up. The type of player who gets good grades everywhere, he should be able to fill whatever role is needed in Tampa when given the chance. Katchouk is a puck fiend, excelling in the possession game, whether carrying it through danger himself, or getting it to the right linemate to pass the next line of defense. As much a goalscorer as he is a playmaker, he is ready to follow in Joseph’s footsteps in Syracuse.

4 Taylor Raddysh, RW (58^th overall, 2016. Last Year: 2^nd) Between Joseph, Katchouk, and Raddysh, the future of Tampa’s offensive attack will be coming down the flanks. Whereas Joseph is the speedy rover, and Katchouk brings more to the puck battles and intensity, Raddysh is the quieter finisher among the trio. He has improved his skating ability since he was drafted, and has always had a knack for showing up in the right place at the right time. He offers a fantastic net front presence and his hands are soft and skilled, able to maneuver the puck around in tight. He has the tools to grow into a James van Riemsdyk type of winger, deadly on the power play and able to create havoc for goalies just by being there.

Alexander Volkov

5 Alexander Volkov, RW (48^th overall, 2017. Last Year: unranked) Another winger with middle six upside, Volkov went right from the draft to the AHL, as the 20-year-old was not beholden to any CHL club and was had no contractual obligations to stay in Russia either. He has quick hands and a powerful shot with a tricky release. His offensive gifts quickly came to the fore in the AHL, although he did struggle at times to give consistent shifts over the course of a full game. He has the tools to succeed at the highest levels, particularly in his puck skills, but in addition to the consistency, has yet to undeniably prove that his game can succeed in the smaller ice surfaces. That last point includes showing more commitment away from the puck and lessening his propensity to take needless penalties.

6 Anthony Cirelli, C (72^nd overall, 2015. Last Year: 4^th) The most likely player on this list to spend all of next year in the NHL, Cirelli is a big game player who makes up in hockey intelligence what he lacks (in a relative sense) in offensive tools. He is a good skater, but neither his shot nor his puck skills grade out as much above average. He plays a strong game, commendable in light of his somewhat slight frame, but his understanding of the game and advanced reads allow him to always be in the optimal place and to proceed to make the smart decision with where to go (or move the puck) next. As impressive as his rookie AHL season was, he was even more impactful in his 18 game NHL trial by fire. He is ready to play full-time on a bottom six energy line in the NHL.

7 Mitchell Stephens, C (33^rd overall, 2015. Last Year: 8^th) Imagine Anthony Cirelli, but with a 2% discount, and you basically get Stephens. Whereas Cirelli has earned a reputation as a clutch performer with a history of timely production, Stephens is a notorious leader, having worn the “C” for both the Canadian U18 squad at the 2015 WU18 and for Saginaw in the first half of the 2016-17 OHL campaign. A good skater with average or better grades across the board, his top offensive tool is a strong shot which works from distance enough to be used on the point for Syracuse power plays. He sees the game well, and makes positive decisions, but his overall tool set lacks the dynamism needed to reach a top six upside.

8 Gabriel Fortier, LW (59^th overall, 2018. Last Year: IE) An undersized winger who skates very well and has a knack for putting the puck in the net, Fortier meets a lot of the benchmarks of the forwards ranked higher up on this list. Tampa’s top pick in the most recent draft, he plays the game with a two-way mentality and brings more of a physical nature to his game than many of his size do. He is an energetic player who can lead by example. With those plaudits out of the way, Fortier, again like those above, lacks the dynamic tools expected for top six forwards. He seems likely to maximize his talents, such as they are, but Tampa is not going to be in a position to build around him.

9 Dennis Yan, LW (64^th overall. Last Year: 11^th) You guessed it. Dennis Yan is another strong skater winger with good puck skills. Although he could not bring his high offensive production from the QMJHL to the AHL in his rookie pro season, he showed flashes of the ability to create chances on his own when he was healthy enough to play. He can be trusted to give good effort and his work rate will often pay off in a couple of good chances per game. He needs a fully healthy follow-up campaign for Syracuse next year so we can see what he can truly bring as a professional.

Dominik Masin

10 Dominik Masin, D (35^th overall, 2014. Last Year: 12^th) Proof that past is not always prologue, Masin followed up an underwhelming rookie AHL campaign with a much stronger, more well-rounded second effort. Whereas he focused almost exclusively on acclimating in his own zone as a rookie, Masin last year showed more of the puck moving attributes that initially made him an intriguing prospect in the Czech Republic and then Peterborough of the OHL. He keeps good, tight gaps, handles himself well in one-on-one situations can play a heavy game as needed. Not the highest ceiling, but he is looking more and more like an NHLer. I suspect he will see his first callup to Tampa in the coming season.

11 Adam Erne, LW (33^rd overall, 2013. Last Year: 15^th) An ornery power forward, Erne will graduate from prospectdom with 11 more NHL games. A bruising, scoring force in junior, he has not brought all of his production to the pros, although he did contribute decent secondary numbers in Syracuse. He has a mature, muscular frame and is a very good skater for his size, but needs to begin showing more than just strength to earn more than fourth line minutes. On the positive side, those fourth line minutes are there for the taking. Considering that Tampa only gave him a one-year extension coming off his ELC, it is safe to say they want to see more from him before committing to him for the long haul.

12 Alex Barre-Boulet, C (UDFA: Mar. 1, 2018. Last Year: IE) After leading the QMJHL in postseason goals in 2016-17, he led the league in regular season scoring last year, earning both an MVP award as well as an ELC from the Lightning as an undrafted free agent. Barre-Boulet may be a dying breed in that he was overlooked on draft day three times, largely due to his small stature. Considering his top tier production, he should have been snatched up two years ago. He is an excellent playmaker, with vision and decent speed. Mike Sanderson, our QMJHL analyst, has noted that Barre-Boulet is more advanced than Yanni Gourde was at the same stage. He will have to prove he can keep up at the AHL level first, but the Lightning have made this profile work many times over in the past.

13 Alexei Lipanov, C (76^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 20^th) Immediately after being drafted by the Lightning last year, Lipanov pooh-poohed the Russian factor by moving to North America to play for Barrie of the OHL, often alongside countryman Andrei Svechnikov. He seemed to have a soft landing with the Colts, producing at a respectable rate, but when his scoring dropped by nearly half after a midseason trade to Sudbury, doubts were naturally raised about his ability to drive scoring. To his credit, he has good hands and a quick shot release and does not ignore the game in his own end. He needs to show more to remain a high priority for Tampa.

14 Ross Colton, LW (118^th overall, 2016. Last Year: 18^th) A late bloomer, Colton took off in his third year of draft eligibility, his second season in the USHL. Moving to a struggling University of Vermont, he kept up his scoring pace, finishing second and first, respectively in his freshman and sophomore seasons with the Catamounts. More of a one-way, offense-only player than the other forwards higher up this list, Colton will have the chance to round out his game in Syracuse, after the Lightning signed away from his remaining years of college eligibility in late June. The shot and the puck skills are good enough to cause some damage, but he still has a long way to go to prove himself.

Carter Verhaeghe

15 Carter Verhaeghe, C (Trade: Jul. 1, 2017. Last Year: unranked) A minor league journeyman before the age of 22, Verhaeghe’s third AHL season, with his third organization, was his best – by far – yet. A skilled player in junior, he finally showcased the ability to produce scoring chances as a pro as well. He has a good sense for the flow of the game in the offensive end, and seems to play with good vision. He has a good frame, although does not really play a very physical game. He still needs to show that he can impose on the game away from the puck as well, but the former third round pick has at least earned a chance to keep fighting to play in the NHL, something that was not apparent as recently as 12 months ago.

16 Otto Somppi, C (206^th overall, 2016. Last Year: unranked) Somppi went backwards in his first post draft season in Halifax but made up for it with two steps forward in his final year of junior eligibility, earning an ELC from Tampa towards the end of the season and then a short trial run for the Crunch in the AHL postseason. His skating will never be a strength of his game, but he is skilled with the puck, and shows above average hockey sense. If he can get his stride to at least average, he will have a reasonable chance at an NHL career. If he can’t, well, most seventh rounders don’t make it to the Show anyway. Somppi, in a sense, has already exceeded expectations.

17 Erik Cernak, D (Trade: Feb. 26, 2017. Last Year: 9^th) Acquired by Tampa as part of the return from LA in the Ben Bishop trade, Cernak had an underwhelming first pro season in the AHL. Unlike Masin, whose AHL rookie season was notable for its lack of offensive production, Cernak showed a deficit of tools. In a game growing smaller and faster (see: Barre-Boulet) Cernak is bigger and slower. He plays a heavy game and is trust-worthy in his own zone. Unfortunately, his bow-legged stride is very inefficient, and he is very vulnerable to the rush. He shows hockey intelligence and moves the puck well enough, but he needs to be able to move his feet better to take the next step in his career.

18 Dmitri Semykin, D (90^th overall, 2018. Last Year: IE) A two-way player in the Russian junior ranks, by which I mean he played both defense and on the wing. Semykin is not blessed with an extravagant set of hockey skills, but he is very big and heavy, skates well enough for his size and is exceptionally hard-nosed. He actually has some goal-scoring touch, although at this point, it looks like his future prospects are based on his ability to shut down opponents without being a liability at the other end. Semykin is certainly not a typical Lightning pick, but they do like to leaven their collection of smaller, quick wingers with outsized players on the backend (see Sosunov below)

19 Alex Green, D (121^st overall, 2018. Last Year: IE) Ignored at the draft twice as a low producing defenseman in the USHL, Green raised more eyebrows as a freshman with Cornell, earning himself a shout out in the fourth round. He is a strong skater, reads situations in his own zone well and knows how to clear the puck from his zone. He plays a bit light, although he has a decent-sized frame. Although Cornell has used him on the power play, that is not yet reflected in his production, as third assists are not tracked. In short, Green is not an exciting prospect, but his understated, quiet game can go a long way as long as he continues to minimize mistakes.

20 Oleg Sosunov, D (178^th overall, 2016. Last Year: unranked) Standing at 6-8”, and weighing a solid 225 pounds, Sosunov was drafted late as a physical specimen more than a talented hockey player. His D+1 year was brutal as well, without a single point in 40 games across two levels of Russian junior hockey. Undaunted, the Lightning signed him to an ELC and he moved to the WHL for his age 20 season, putting up the best offensive numbers of his life. His skating, like that of most players of his size, is a bit on the awkward side, but he is starting to show some ability to move the puck, and he naturally has a promising physical game, while encouraging with the reduction of time spent in the penalty box. Sosunov is still a long shot, but he is long, and he will get a shot.

Gabriel Fortier – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2023-24 NHL YEARBOOK – TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING – Top 20 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #32

1. Isaac Howard

2. Ethan Gauthier

3. Niko Huuhtanen

4. Jack Finley

5. Jack Thompson

6. Hugo Alnefelt

7. Gage Goncalves

8. Lucas Edmonds

9. Dylan Duke

10. Jayson Shaugabay

11. Declan Carlilie

12. Daniil Pylenkov

13. Cole Koepke

14. Nick Malik

15. Roman Schmidt

16. Gabriel Fortier

17. Max Crozier

18. Connor Kurth

19. Waltteri Merela

20. Jack Harvey

MCKEEN’S 2023 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #32 – TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

Prospect System Rank – 32nd

Isaac Howard

2. Niko Huuhtanen

3. Jack Finley

4. Jack Thompson

5. Hugo Alnefelt

6. Dylan Duke

7. Cole Koepke

8. Gage Goncalves

9. Daniil Pylenkov

10. Lucas Edmonds

MCKEEN’S 2022-23 NHL YEARBOOK – TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING – Top 20 Prospects

McKeen’s 2020-21 Hockey Yearbook: Tampa Bay Lightning Top 20 Prospects

Cole Koepke, LW (183rd overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 1)

Samuel Walker, C (200th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 2)

Hugo Alnefelt, G (71st overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 3)

Alexander Volkov, RW (48th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 4)

Dmitri Semykin, D (90th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 5)

Cal Foote, D (14th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 6)

Alex Barre-Boulet, C (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 1, 2018. Previous ranking: 7)

Eamon Powell, D (116th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Jack Finley, C (57th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Taylor Raddysh, RW (58th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 8)

Gabriel Fortier, C/RW (59th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 9)

Sean Day, D (UFA: Jul. 17, 2020. Originally: 81st overall, 2016 [NY Rangers]. Previous ranking: UR [NY Rangers])

Maxim Cajkovic, RW (89th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 10)

Ross Colton, LW (118th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 11)

Alex Green, D (121st overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 12)

Gage Goncalves, C (62nd overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Jack Thompson, D (93rd overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Dominik Masin, D (35th overall, 2014. Previous ranking: 14)

Boris Katchouk, LW (44th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 15)

Declan McDonnell, RW (217th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

MCKEEN’S 2020 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING – ORGANIZATIONAL RANK: 17

Tampa Bay Lightning

Cole Koepke, LW (183rd overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: UR)

Samuel Walker, C (200th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 5)

Hugo Alnefelt, G (71st overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 8)

Alexander Volkov, RW (48th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 3)

Dmitri Semykin, D (90th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 17)

Cal Foote, D (14th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 1)

Alex Barre-Boulet, C (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 1, 2018. 2019 Rank: 9)

Taylor Raddysh, RW (58th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 7)

Gabriel Fortier, C/RW (59th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 10)

Maxim Cajkovic, RW (89th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 11)

Ross Colton, LW (118th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: UR)

Alex Green, D (121st overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: UR)

Dennis Yan, LW (64th overall, 2015. 2019 Rank: UR)

Dominik Masin, D (35th overall, 2014. 2019 Rank: 13)

Boris Katchouk, LW (44th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 6)

QMJHL 2019-20 Season Preview: Early returns show parity, competition at top of standings

Tampa Bay Lightning 2019-20 Prospect Review: Top 20

MCKEEN’S 2019 NHL DRAFT GUIDE: Lavoie at the top of the QMJHL crop

QMJHL 2018-19 Preview: Voltigeurs, Oceanic early favourites to join Mooseheads at Memorial Cup

Tampa Bay Lightning Prospect System Overview

Cole Koepke, LW (183^rd overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 1)

Samuel Walker, C (200^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 2)

Hugo Alnefelt, G (71^st overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 3)

Alexander Volkov, RW (48^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 4)

Dmitri Semykin, D (90^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 5)

Cal Foote, D (14^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 6)

Eamon Powell, D (116^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Jack Finley, C (57^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Taylor Raddysh, RW (58^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 8)

Gabriel Fortier, C/RW (59^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 9)

Sean Day, D (UFA: Jul. 17, 2020. Originally: 81^st overall, 2016 [NY Rangers]. Previous ranking: UR [NY Rangers])

Maxim Cajkovic, RW (89^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 10)

Ross Colton, LW (118^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 11)

Alex Green, D (121^st overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 12)

Gage Goncalves, C (62^nd overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Jack Thompson, D (93^rd overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Dominik Masin, D (35^th overall, 2014. Previous ranking: 14)

Boris Katchouk, LW (44^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 15)

Declan McDonnell, RW (217^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Cole Koepke, LW (183^rd overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: UR)

Samuel Walker, C (200^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 5)

Hugo Alnefelt, G (71^st overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 8)

Alexander Volkov, RW (48^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 3)

Dmitri Semykin, D (90^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 17)

Cal Foote, D (14^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 1)

Taylor Raddysh, RW (58^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 7)

Gabriel Fortier, C/RW (59^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 10)

Maxim Cajkovic, RW (89^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 11)

Ross Colton, LW (118^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: UR)

Alex Green, D (121^st overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: UR)

Dennis Yan, LW (64^th overall, 2015. 2019 Rank: UR)

Dominik Masin, D (35^th overall, 2014. 2019 Rank: 13)

Boris Katchouk, LW (44^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 6)