Gavin Hayes – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2024-25 NHL YEARBOOK – CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #6

Introduction - Dave Hall, Profiles - Derek Neumeier — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 13:00:08 +0000

_{CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 14: Frank Nazar #91 of the Chicago Blackhawks looks on during the second period against the Carolina Hurricanes at the United Center on April 14, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire)}

Prospect System Ranking – 6th (Previous Rank - 6th)
GM: Kyle Davidson Hired: October 2021
COACH: Luke Richardson Hired: June 2022

It doesn’t take much to change the course of an organization; just ask the Chicago Blackhawks, who struck gold by winning the draft lottery and landing generational talent Connor Bedard. After his first full season in the NHL, Bedard is already making an unsurprising impact, revitalizing the franchise. The Blackhawks’ youth movement doesn’t stop there, as they have also seen several youngsters graduate to the big league recently, including Lukas Reichel, Alex Vlasic, and Kevin Korchinski.

That list of graduates may grow further next year, with 2024 second overall pick Artyom Levshunov (ranked 16th) pressing for a spot on the Hawks’ blueline out the gate. Although, recent additions to the backend that include Alec Martinez and T.J Brodie may hint at alternative plans.

On the cusp of turning pro is Frank Nazar (57th), who is fresh off a two-year NCAA stint where he contributed nearly a point-per-game (0.89). He joins current Rockford standouts such as Ethan Del Mastro (95th), Wyatt Kaiser, and goaltender Drew Commesso (118th) in the AHL.

Further down the pipeline, the Blackhawks boast a strong group of prospects developing in various walks of North America, including Oliver Moore (80th), Sacha Boisvert (111th), Marek Vanacker (147th), Sam Rinzel (125th) and Nick Lardis (152nd), who all sit comfortably within our top-200 list here at McKeen’s.

With eight picks in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft (so far), including two first-rounders and two second-rounders, Chicago’s prospect pool is set to grow even further in the near future.

Contrary to the belief that the Blackhawks would take a step back for another season to await further reinforcements, the team has bolstered its lineup with veteran talent to complement Bedard. With additions such as Ilya Mikheyev, Pat Maroon, Tyler Bertuzzi, and Teuvo Teräväinen, they may be more competitive than originally predicted.

While the Blackhawks may still be years away from true Stanley Cup contention, the rebuild is progressing smoothly, and the landing is likely to be much softer than most full rebuilds typically endure.

Chicago Blackhawks Top-15 Prospects

1. Artyom Levshunov

Chicago wanted to add a franchise-changing defenceman after they were lucky enough to pick a franchise-changing forward in Connor Bedard last year, and they're hoping they found him in Levshunov this summer. He's a complete blueliner who does everything at a high level, albeit arguably one without a truly elite trait. Not only does he thrive in all the various situations throughout a game, he has the necessary conditioning and inner drive to handle the pressure and workload of being a top-pairing defender. Whether up a goal or down a goal at a key juncture in a game, he’s always ready to go over the boards and has what it takes to get the job done. Levshunov will be a foundational piece for the Blackhawks as they seek to transition out of their rebuild toward being a top Stanley Cup contender once again.

2. Frank Nazar

After being limited to just 13 games in 2022-23 due to injury, Nazar was clearly intent on rebounding in a big way this season, and boy did he ever. He scored at a point-per-game pace in the NCAA for Michigan and did the same at the World Juniors, helping the United States win the gold medal. And as if that wasn’t enough, he put a bow on the year by scoring his first NHL goal in his first NHL game. He plays the game at a breakneck pace and is able to slice through coverage like a hot knife through butter. He’s equally tenacious without the puck, as there aren’t many forwards out there who are better on the forecheck. Players with his short stature often have a tough time in the NHL, but Nazar just plays so fast and so focused that it’s hard to make contact and slow him down.

3. Oliver Moore

Moore is one of the fastest hockey players in the world, across all ages and leagues and levels, and him being that good in that specific area makes it easier to adjust to new situations, because he knows he always has that elite trait to lean on. That's the main reason why it took him no time at all to find his bearings in the NCAA, and he'll experience a similar luxury when he goes to the AHL. Well, that’s if he even stops there at all on his way to Chicago, which could very well happen. He's also quite smart about how he uses that speed to be a difference-maker for his team all over the ice, and the more his hands can keep catching up to his feet, the more maddening it's going to be for enemy defenders who are tasked with neutralizing him.

4. Ethan Del Mastro

The way that Del Mastro continues to constantly build more and more layers upon the foundation of his game is quite impressive and should not be undervalued. He is making huge strides in his development every year, and his secret is knowing his strengths and steadfastly perfecting them. Mature and poised beyond his years, he sees the ice in front of him with expert awareness and always knows exactly where he needs to be and what his next move is, whether that’s driving play forward or looking to win the puck back. He keeps things simple and no-frills, but that’s a perfectly fine strategy for him to focus on since every decision he makes is usually the correct one. He’s the type of defencemen who could conceivably accumulate more than 1,000 games in the NHL because coaches will always be able to rely on him as a two-way difference-maker.

5. Sacha Boisvert

Boisvert is the kind of top prospect who has more potential than his stats alone would suggest. He's a powerful forward who is strong on the puck and leans more as a shooter than a playmaker, which is a little uncommon for centers, but he makes it work. There are currently some issues with his skating ability and pacing, but what's important to recognize and appeals to scouts is that both of those weaknesses look fixable down the road with the right training and development, and since he's going the college route he'll have plenty of time to work on them. In a different organization there might be more concerns about his eventual effectiveness, especially if he had to do a lot of heavy lifting by himself, but on paper he should fit in very well with Chicago's other forward prospects, who will complement Boisvert's game and help elevate it.

6. Drew Commesso

Commesso’s development to this point could accurately be described as “slow and steady,” but that’s not necessarily a bad thing when it comes to goaltenders. At no point in his three years in the NCAA was he ever within the upper echelon of college goalies, but he was always very good, winning more games than he lost while also helping Boston University win a Hockey East title in 2023. His first year in the AHL was very much in the same mold: good, steady performances from start to finish and respectable statistics overall, even though he never exactly established himself as one of the best netminding prospects in the league. Nevertheless, Stanley Cups have been won before with goalies who are Steady Eddies who didn’t need to steal games single-handedly, so long as they made the right saves at the right times.

7. Sam Rinzel

Rinzel has always been seen as a bit of a long-term project, and Chicago’s expectations were undoubtedly centered around reasonable year-over-year growth. He hasn’t needed to be a major difference-maker yet, so long as he kept getting closer and closer to the projected ceiling of him becoming that kind of player one day. So far, so good. This past season was easily his most impressive one yet, finishing with more points than any other defender on his team, while also guarding his own zone admirably well as a college freshman. He’s the type of big, rangy, right-shooting blueliner that all teams highly covet these days, which is why the Blackhawks used a 1st-round draft pick to acquire him even though he was still a long way away from the NHL at the time. Their patience should pay off eventually so long as they are content to stay the course.

8. Marek Vanacker

Vanacker had a standout sophomore season in the OHL, and what made it extra interesting is that he didn't have a lot of support around him and often had to make his success single-handedly. He's an athletic and assertive winger who builds up huge amounts of power and speed skating in a straight line, and it's difficult to contain him because he can still handle and protect the puck when he's driving play forward in his top gear. These tools also help him excel as a penalty killer who can clear his zone and then push for shorthanded opportunities in the other direction. He might not quite have enough vision, creativity, or pure skill to be a major offensive threat at the NHL level, but if he eventually reaches his ceiling he'll be one of the best middle six wingers in the sport.

9. Nick Lardis

Lardis was a late riser for the 2023 draft and was on such a steep upward trajectory down that stretch, so it's a real shame that his 2023-24 season was sliced in half due to injury. Regardless, he still looked great when he was in the lineup, and then led his team in playoff scoring, albeit in a six-game losing effort in the opening round. He is a blazingly fast skater who is always dangerous on the rush, both on breakaways and in odd-man situations, with quick hands that can open up goalies in different ways. He's also a lethal finisher from the circles when he gets clean shooting looks. His offensive game might never quite be well-rounded enough to become a top six mainstay for an NHL team, but if not, he still has a great shot at becoming a speedy middle six option.

10. Ryan Greene

Greene is a rock-solid, no-frills center who plays an impressively complete game. What he might lack in flash and excitement he more than makes up for with reliability and versatility, the kind of forward that a coach never feels nervous about sending over the boards. Think about the specific type of heavy, strong value that players like Charlie Coyle, Andrew Copp, and J.T. Compher provide, and that will give you a rough idea of what the Blackhawks are hoping to have on their hands one day with Greene once he reaches his peak. While he didn't get as much fanfare as teammates Macklin Celebrini and Lane Hutson, he was also an essential piece of the Boston University squad that made the Frozen Four this spring, and he'll have an even bigger role on the team next season because Celebrini will undoubtedly be in the NHL.

11. Adam Gajan

Goaltenders are more difficult to analyze compared to skaters, and Gajan exemplifies this more than most. He was simply stellar at the past two World Juniors, but far less consistent and reliable in the USHL, despite the stakes being much lower. The good news is that the Slovakian import still has untapped potential, with ideal size and a great blend of quickness, reflexes, and flexibility. He's heading to college next and will have plenty of time to refine things.

12. Nolan Allan

13. Colton Dach

It must be frustrating to be Dach lately, as COVID forced him to miss most of his draft year and then injuries limited his ice time for the past two seasons. At least he was able to be part of a gold medal-winning Canadian roster at the World Juniors and the 2023 WHL champion Seattle Thunderbirds, both of which provided beneficial experience. His brand of big-body, puck-possession hockey is working for him in the AHL, when he’s been healthy enough to showcase it.

14. Roman Kantserov

Kantserov’s first full season in the KHL was an eventful one, dressing for all of his team’s playoff games and playing on top lines as they won the league championship. And he did all of that while playing through an injury that required summer surgery. For his efforts he was also a finalist for the KHL’s rookie of the year. He sees the ice well and has a killer instinct when the puck hits his stick.

15. Gavin Hayes

Hayes clearly relished his change of scenery going from the struggling Firebirds to the sturdier Greyhounds, exploding in the playoffs. That big leap forward followed a good track record of steady incremental progress before it. He displays respectable amounts of both power and skill, and he doesn't skip out on his defensive duties. There is stiff competition among forwards within Chicago's prospect pipeline, but Hayes is smart and versatile enough that he should be able to plug into their roster somewhere.

MCKEEN’S 2024 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #19 Chicago Blackhawks – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Player Profiles - Derek Neumeier, Team Overview - Robert Howard — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 15:00:55 +0000

ALLENTOWN, PA - MARCH 26: Michigan Wolverines Forward Frank Nazar III (91) prior to the 2023 NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Regional Final between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Michigan Wolverines on March 26, 2023, at the PPL Center in Allentown, PA. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire)

Lottery ball luck changed the course of the franchise with the arrival of Connor Bedard last season. They were once again rewarded for cleaning the house in recent years with the number two overall pick. That should net them another elite young player to join an enviable group of prospects that will grow together and be formidable before very long. They have had five first round picks in the last two NHL drafts. They dropped from 19th to third in organizational depth because of the graduations of Connor Bedard (1st overall, 2023), Kevin Korchinski (7th 2022), and Lukas Reichel (17th2020). Oliver Moore (19th, 2023) and Frank Nazar (13th, 2022) own high-end offensive upside and are ranked 43rd and 60th respectively by McKeens on their overall prospect ranking. Sam Rinzel (25th, 2022) is a longer-term project, but has progressed more rapidly than expected.

The Hawks own four first round picks in the next two drafts. In this year’s draft the team have seven picks in the first three rounds. In 2025, they have seven picks in the first four rounds. Following the draft in June of last year Davidson did get busy adding veterans to surround his youngsters in Taylor Hall, Nick Foligno, Josh Bailey and Corey Perry. Foligno is the only one remaining and you can expect the team to spend some of the draft capital they have accumulated to date. Connor Bedard is only turning 19 this season but is not your typical teenager and is ready to be a dominant player very soon. Davidson would be wise to give the future young stars room to succeed by upgrading the supporting cast. He certainly has the tools in cap space and in picks to add some more core younger players and character veterans to teach the kids how to win.

RNK	PLAYER	POS	AGE	HT/WT	TM	Acquired	GP	G(W)	A(L)	PTS(GAA)	PIM(SPCT)
1	Frank Nazar	C	20	5-10/180	Michigan (B1G)	`22(13th)	41	17	24	41	18
2	Oliver Moore	C	19	5-11/185	Minnesota (B1G)	`23(19th)	39	9	24	33	8
3	Ethan Del Mastro	D	21	6-4/210	Rockford (AHL)	`21(105th)	69	7	30	37	54
4	Drew Commesso	G	21	6-2/180	Rockford (AHL)	`20(47th)	38	18	16	2.65	0.906
5	Sam Rinzel	D	19	6-4/180	Minnesota (B1G)	`22(25th)	39	2	26	28	20
6	Nick Lardis	LW	18	5-11/165	Brantford (OHL)	`23(67th)	37	29	21	50	12
7	Ryan Greene	C	20	6-1/180	Boston University (HE)	`22(57th)	40	12	24	36	6
8	Adam Gajan	G	19	6-3/167	Green Bay (USHL)	`23(35th)	43	23	12	3.35	0.893
9	Nolan Allan	D	21	6-2/195	Rockford (AHL)	`21(32nd)	60	5	12	17	47
10	Colton Dach	C	21	6-4/205	Rockford (AHL)	`21(62nd)	48	11	15	26	39
11	Gavin Hayes	RW	19	6-1/175	Fln-Soo (OHL)	`22(66th)	55	37	39	76	20
12	Roman Kantserov	RW	19	5-9/175	Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL)	`23(44th)	53	8	7	15	10
13	Paul Ludwinski	C	20	5-11/185	Kingston (OHL)	`22(39th)	60	23	46	69	27
14	Landon Slaggert	LW	21	6-0/180	Notre Dame (B1G)	`20(79th)	36	20	11	31	10
					Chicago (NHL)	`20(79th)	16	1	3	4	4
15	Aidan Thompson	C	22	5-11/180	Denver (NCHC)	`22(90th)	44	11	19	30	35

1. Frank Nazar, C, University of Michigan (NCAA)

After being limited to just 13 games in 2022-23 due to injury Nazar was clearly intent on rebounding in a big way this season, and boy did he ever. He scored at a point-per-game pace in the NCAA for Michigan and also did the same at the World Juniors, helping the United States win the gold medal. And as if that wasn’t enough, he put a bow on the year by scoring his first NHL goal in his first NHL game. He plays the game at a breakneck pace and is able to slice through coverage like a hot knife through butter. He’s equally tenacious without the puck, as there aren’t many forwards out there who are better on the forecheck. Players with his short stature often have a tough time in the NHL, but Nazar just plays so fast and so focused that it’s hard to make contact and slow him down.

2. Oliver Moore, C, University of Minnesota (NCAA)

3. Ethan Del Mastro, D, Rockford IceHogs (AHL)

The way that Del Mastro continues to constantly build more and more layers upon the foundation of his game is quite impressive and should not be undervalued. He is making huge strides in his development every year, and his secret is knowing his strengths and steadfastly perfecting them. Mature and poised beyond his years, he sees the ice in front of him with expert awareness and always knows exactly where he needs to be and what his next move is, whether that’s driving play forward or looking to win the puck back. He keeps things simple and no-frills, but that’s a perfectly fine strategy for him to focus on since every decision he makes is usually the correct one. He’s the type of defensemen who could conceivably accumulate more than 1,000 games in the NHL because coaches will always be able to rely on him as a two-way difference-maker.

4. Drew Commesso, G, Rockford IceHogs (AHL)

Commesso’s development to this point could accurately be described as “slow and steady,” but that’s not necessarily a bad thing when it comes to goaltenders. At no point in his three years in the NCAA was he ever within the upper echelon of college goalies, but he was always very good, winning more games than he lost while also helping Boston University win a Hockey East title in 2023. His first year in the AHL was very much in the same mold: good, steady performances from start to finish and respectable statistics overall, even though he never exactly established himself as one of the best netminding prospects in the league. Nevertheless, Stanley Cups have been won before with goalies who are steady eddies who didn’t need to steal games single-handedly, so long as they made the right saves at the right times.

5. Sam Rinzel, D, University of Minnesota (NCAA)

6. Nick Lardis, LW, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)

Lardis was a late riser for the 2023 draft and was on such a steep upward trajectory down that stretch, so it's a real shame that his 2023-24 season was sliced in half due to injury. Regardless, he still looked great when he was in the lineup, and then led his team in playoff scoring, albeit in a six-game losing effort in the opening round. He is a blazingly fast skater who is always dangerous on the rush, both on breakaways and in odd-man situations, with quick hands that can open up goalies in different ways. He's also a lethal finisher from the circles when he gets clean shooting looks. His offensive game might never quite be well-rounded enough to become a Top 6 mainstay for an NHL team, but if not, he has a great shot at becoming a speedy Middle 6 option.

7. Ryan Greene, C, Boston University (NCAA)

Greene is a rock-solid, no-frills center who plays an impressively complete game. What he might lack in flash and excitement he more than makes up for with reliability and versatility, the kind of forward that a coach never feels nervous about sending over the boards. Think about the specific type of heavy, strong value that players like Charlie Coyle, Andrew Copp and J.T. Compher provide, and that will give you a rough idea of what the Blackhawks are hoping to have on their hands one day with Greene once he reaches his peak. While he didn't get as much fanfare as teammates Macklin Celebrini and Lane Hutson, he was also an essential piece of the Boston University squad that made the Frozen Four this spring, and he'll have an even bigger role on the team next season because Celebrini will undoubtedly be in the NHL.

8. Adam Gajan, G, University of Minnesota-Duluth (NCAA)

Goaltenders are historically more enigmatic and difficult to analyze compared to players at other positions, and Gajan exemplifies this more than most of his peers right now. He has put up some stellar performances against elite competition at the past two World Juniors tournaments, but for some reason has been far less consistent and reliable between the pipes for the USHL's Green Bay Gamblers, despite the stakes being much lower. The good news is that the Slovakian import still appears to have a lot of untapped potential, with ideal NHL size and a great blend of quickness, reflexes and flexibility. He's heading to the University of Minnesota-Duluth in the fall and will have plenty of time while there to refine his technique, dial in his mental acuity, and cut down the number of weak goals that he currently has a tendency to allow.

9. Nolan Allan, D, Rockford IceHogs (AHL)

It’s undeniable that the sport of hockey is getting faster and more purely skilled. However, there will always still be an element of physicality, and that’s where Allan comes in. He’s strong and he’s sturdy, and he’s more than happy to focus on the nitty gritty aspects of the sport, while leaving the more flashy and exciting stuff to others. That said, smarts are more important than violence for modern shutdown defensemen, and he understands this evolution well. His game is more about blocking shots and keeping opposing forwards away from his own net by boxing them out or pinning them to the boards, as opposed to dropping the gloves or chasing thunderous hits. The work he does is still vitally important for team success, especially in the postseason, and there aren’t a lot of other blueliners in his age group who are as good in this particular role.

10. Colton Dach, C, Rockford IceHogs (AHL)

It must be quite frustrating to have been Dach lately, as COVID forced him to miss most of his draft season and then injuries have limited his number of games played for the past two consecutive seasons. It must also be frustrating for the Blackhawks, who have only gotten to see small portions of dominating play from one of their prized forward prospects, and who surely worry that all of this missed time during such an important period of his development could be hindering his chances of reaching his full potential. At least he’s been able to be part of a gold medal-winning Canadian roster at the World Juniors and helped the Seattle Thunderbirds win the 2023 WHL title, both of which provided beneficial experience for him, and his brand of big-body, puck-possession hockey has already been working for him in the AHL when he’s been healthy enough to showcase it.

PROSPECT CRITERIA: Players under 26 years of age as of 9/15/2024 who have appeared in less than 60 games (30 for goalies) and less than 25 in one season (25 for goalies).

BELL: 20 Prospect Points – Lambert, Öhgren, Celebrini, Catton & More

Josh Bell — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 14:46:51 +0000

Winnipeg Jets forward Brad Lambert. Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire)

Welcome to 20 Prospect Points, a bi-weekly column where I dive into the trending news surrounding prospects - drafted and draft-eligible - from around the globe.

This edition dives into the impressive play of prospects Brad Lambert and Liam Öhgren, the ridiculous - and historic - play of Macklin Celebini, the recent surge from Michael Hage, and much more.

Drafted Prospects

#1 At this point, it’s fairly safe to call Brad Lambert’s AHL rookie season a success. The Winnipeg Jets’ prospect has been on an extremely impressive run as of late, with 12 points in his last eight games. That brings his total on the season up to 43 (18 goals, 25 assists) in 51 games. He’s leading the Manitoba Moose in points. Keep an eye on the young Finn who might just end up being one of the better steals of the 2022 NHL Draft.

#2 Another player who’s been on a tear is Chicago Blackhawks’ prospect Gavin Hayes. The Soo Greyhounds left winger is riding a nine-game point streak where he’s collected 16 points. That brings his total on the year to 76 points (37 goals, 39 assists). One note though is that this is just about on par with his season last year, and you’d like to see some positive growth here. Keep an eye on him down the stretch to see if he can build on this streak.

#3 Another OHLer that’s been having a stellar season is Slovak Dalibor Dvorsky. It’s hard to believe that this is his first season in North America, because he has not missed a beat. The Sudbury Wolves forward and St. Louis Blues prospect hit the 40-goal mark over the weekend, also seeing his point total on the season rise to 82 (40 goals, 42 assists). He’s a quiet star on that team behind David Goyette and Quentin Musty, but Dvorsky is just as much deserving of the spotlight.

#4 Overseas, Minnesota Wild prospect Liam Öhgren continues to tear up the SHL for Färjestad BK. In fact, he’s getting better and better. He has points in 10 of his last 11, with 13 (seven goals, six assists) over that stretch. That’s through just 26 games and his 0.73 points per game is the highest of any U20 player in the league, including Jonathan Lekkermäki who’s been earning a great deal of attention.

#5 I’ve mentioned Finnish prospect Jesse Kiiskinen before in this column, but he’s deserving of another mention. He wrapped his regular season up with the Pelicans U20 of the U20 SM-sarja, with 10 points in his final four games (sure, he had a six-game performance in there where he had five goals). That’s carried over into the playoffs with three assists in as many games and playing while seeing his ice time increase. The Nashville Predators must be happy with how their 68th overall pick has developed.

#6 Zac Funk just will not stop scoring. Since the last 20 Prospect Points (two weeks ago), the newly signed Washington Capitals prospect has added another 16 points (eight goals, eight assists), bringing his season total to 119 points (67 goals, 52 assists) in 66 games. He’s been absolutely on fire this season. It’s hard to believe that he put up just 58 points last season and he’s now over double that this year. The Caps made the right call here.

#7 In the QMJHL, New Jersey Devils prospect Cam Squires has been taking his game to the next level recently, with 16 points (seven goals, nine assists) through a seven-game stretch which recently just ended. Drafted 122nd overall in the 2023 draft, Squires is on pace to just modestly raise his production from his draft year (71 up from 64) but this late surge is worth keeping an eye on as he heads into playoffs.

#8 Another late draft pick, the Montreal Canadiens drafted Yevgeni Volokhin 144th overall in the 2023 NHL Draft, a Russian netminder coming off a 20-6-3 season with Mamonty Yugry where he had a .927 save percentage (SV%). He returned to the MHL this season with Mamonty Yugry and looked even better with a .938 SV% and 22-4-4 record along with five shutouts. That’s gotten even better in playoffs through three games with a remarkable .981 SV% and two shutouts. It’s worth noting that he has four shutouts in his last nine games.

#9 Another 2023 draftee, Jacob Fowler was selected 69th overall by the Canadiens and has been stellar in the NCAA this season. He’s won his last eight games and 13 of his last 14. He has one shutout in that stretch. He’s repping a .923 SV% and a 27-5-1 record. With the NCAA Frozen Four right around the corner, Fowler should continue to be the steady backbone of Boston College.

#10 One last drafted goaltender to mention here is another returnee to this list, Niklas Kokko continues to stand out with the Liiga’s Pelicans. After playing just nine Liiga games before this season, Kokko’s performance deserves attention. The Seattle Kraken prospect is 9-0-3 since being loaned to the Pelicans in January, with a .926 SV% and four shutouts. In fact, he has two shutouts in his last three games.

Draft-Eligible Prospects

#11 Macklin Celebrini just continues to show what he’s projected to be the first overall selection in the 2024 NHL Draft. The still-17-year-old is third in the entire NCAA in points (55), second in goals (30), and is tied in first for points per game (1.67) with Gabe Perreault. At this point, it seems a one-and-done is likely for the 2024 top prospect.

#12 Up in the WHL, Berkly Catton has been the quiet star of the 2024 group. While the focus seems to have been on Celebrini, Demidov, and the defensive stars, don’t sleep on Catton. I believe he hasn’t been talked about as much as he should be this season. He’s at 113 points (52 goals, 61 assists) in just 66 games, with 20 of those points coming in March. He needs to be looked at in the top five.

#13 Another potentially under-valued prospect in this class is Michael Hage. The Chicago Steel player has been one of my favourites in this class all season and has been really exploding as of late. He has an eight-game point streak rolling right now where he’s had 16 points (seven goals, nine assists), bringing his season total to 65 points (30 goals, 35 assists). He’s third in the league in points now, tied for seventh in points per game, and is tied for fourth in goals.

#14 Cole Eiserman may have been falling down draft rankings all season due to some off-puck play, but man - can he ever score goals. The USNTDP star has 48 goals in 45 games this season, bringing his U18 total (including last season) to 74 in 65 games. That 1.14 goal per game rate is the highest ever for the U18 program. Plus, he’s only eight goals away from Cole Caufield’s career record of 82. Keep an eye on that.

#15 I keep bringing him up, but how about Ondrej Becher? With his season winding down, the Czech forward just hit the 90-point mark on the season, in no small part due to his current 17-game point streak. He has 28 goals and an impressive 62 assists. It helps when you have players like Funk, Riley Heidt, and Terik Parascak putting the puck in the net, but Becher’s ability to find his teammates has been on full display this season. The double-overage should hear his name called this season.

#16 Speaking of Terik Parascak, what a run he’s on. He has eight goals and 16 points in his last six games, crossing the 40-goal, 100-point plateau this season (103 points, 43 goals, 60 assists). He becomes the first CHL rookie to hit 100-points this season. He leads all rookies in points, well ahead of the competition so far. For his recent efforts, he was named WHL Player of the Week.

#17 If there’s a player that an NHL team should bite on early, it’s Michael Brandsegg-Nygård. The Norwegian prospect’s numbers might not jump off the page at first look, but when you take a deeper look at his game you can see the value. McKeen’s Felix Robbins took a deep look at his game here.

This is a player that you should bet on making it.

#18 Looking ahead to the 2025 NHL Draft, Cameron Schmidt has been garnering some attention. The Vancouver Giants forward is playing at nearly a point-per-game pace this season with 56 points (30 goals, 26 assists) in 57 games. That 30th goal puts him in rare company, with only six players hitting that mark at 16 years old: Connor Bedard, Brayden Yager, Nolan Patrick, Brett Connolly, Patrick Marleau, and Gavin McKenna who hit it this season as well.

#19 Michael Misa is going to be a name you hear a lot over the next year, as the exceptional-status prospect enters his draft year in 2024-25. Last year’s OHL Rookie of the Year, Misa has continued his stellar play this season, albeit a little more sporadically than he may like. For example, he recently had nine points in three games - but that came after three games without a point. It’s been a bit of a trend this year, but it will be interesting to see how he progresses in his draft yet.

#20 Another 2025-eligible to keep an eye on, goaltender Love Härenstam has been stellar over the past month and a half - ever since the Five Nations Tournament (where he won both his starts including a 42-save performance against Team USA). Since then, he’s 5-1, regularly facing 30+ shots a night. On the season, he has an impressive .905 SV%. That’s especially impressive as a 17-year-old playing in the J20 Nationell. He’s worth some check ins over the next year.

MCKEEN’S 2023-24 NHL YEARBOOK – CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS – Top 20 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #1

Brock Otten, Derek Neumeier, Chapin Landvogt and Josh Bell — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 21:17:29 +0000

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 10: Chicago Blackhawks left wing Lukas Reichel (27) looks on during a game between the Dallas Stars and the Chicago Blackhawks on April 10, 2022 at the United Center in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire)

Top 2o Chicago Blackhawks Prospects

1. Connor Bedard - C

What more can even be said about Bedard at this point that hasn't been said already? In much the same way that Connor McDavid could skate at a level that no prospect before him ever had, Bedard's shot is unlike anything ever seen before. Not just its unparalleled accuracy and velocity, but also his proficiency with all shot styles, his ability to shoot off either foot, how well he disguises his release, his perfect toe drags to move the puck into better shooting lanes, and his unnatural knack for knowing where, when, and how to shoot. He's also unfairly lethal as a playmaker for many of the same reasons, and the harder opponents try to take away his shot, the easier it is for him to pass the puck over to a wide-open teammate. He's still on the smaller side, and always will be. That said, he is elusive with his skating, which reduces the number of times he has to physically engage, and he reads the play at such an advanced level that he can reliably get a step ahead of opponents mentally when otherwise it might be a close race in terms of footspeed alone. The next NHL superstar has arrived.

2. Lukas Reichel - LW

Everything that Reichel does out on the ice just seems so natural to him. Even as a yet-to-be-drafted teenager playing against men in Germany's top professional league, he looked confident, comfortable, and mature well beyond his years, already like a seasoned veteran. That same aura followed him to the AHL and now NHL, and the Blackhawks have to be hoping that he will be a leader as they slowly and methodically attempt to build their next Cup-contending team. He always seems to be thinking the play ahead of everyone else, always knows what his next move should be, and almost always executes his intentions successfully. He might not have the skating, shot, or playmaking to become one of the very top point producers in the league, but you can expect him to be in the 50-70 point range pretty consistently, and for those seasons to start happening soon.

3. Kevin Korchinski - D

One of the best offensive defensemen in all of junior hockey, Korchinski racked up a ridiculous point total last season, with 73. However, what's important to remember about him is that there is still an enormous amount of growth potential within his game. He's still skinny and slight within his tall frame and could really increase his strength and power if he commits hard to his gym habits. There also remains a lot of work to be done with his reads, decision-making, and overall puck management, as a lot of possessions for the Thunderbirds ended when coming off his stick. On one hand, those existing issues are concerning. On the other hand, if you look at how effective and successful he already is despite these flaws it suggests a salivating potential for just how high his ceiling might reach. The sky's the limit.

4. Frank Nazar

Nazar finally returned to action late in the season last year after a long injury layoff, and there was an undeniable amount of rust for him to shake off before he could really showcase why he was picked by the Blackhawks at 13th overall. Luckily for him, his Michigan team made it all the way to the Frozen Four semifinals, so he was granted a few extra opportunities to get back into the swing of things. He is an electrifying prospect because his feet are always moving, he can manipulate the puck with the best of them, and he can see the ice very well at high speeds, which includes lanes for him to attack the net himself, as well as opportunities to set up a teammate for a better look. He is a little on the smaller side, but he should be able to overcome that with his drive and tenacity.

5. Oliver Moore

Without a doubt, Moore was one of the most, if not the most, dynamic skaters in the 2023 draft class. It is his quickness and his ability to lead the counterattack with pace that makes him such a dangerous offensive player. The anchor of the USNTDP’s second line this season, Moore saw a ton of different linemates on his flanks in order to try to give the U18 team better secondary scoring. While his production may not have been consistent, his two-way effort and engagement always were. There may be some limitations to his ability to blend his quickness and skill and that could prevent him from being a premier playmaker at the next level. It seems extremely likely that Moore will become a very useful NHL player in some capacity, but after a few years at the University of Minnesota, will he end up as a Dylan Larkin type or more of an Andrew Cogliano type?

6. Sam Rinzel

The Blackhawks never expected anything truly elite out of Rinzel right away, so they won't be concerned at all that his 2022-23 season was solid, without being spectacular. And they certainly won't regret taking him as high as 25th overall. The focus has always been on his tantalizing tools, and being patient as he learns to master those tools while moving from high school hockey to the more competitive USHL, and then on to a very good University of Minnesota program next year. Rangy, mobile, right-shooting defensemen hold immense value in the NHL, and teams have to pay a premium to add them or accept playing the long game in their development. However, the signs of growth are showing, such as how Rinzel helped USA win gold at the World Junior A Challenge. If Rinzel pops it won't be right away, but the wait will have been worth it.

7. Drew Commesso

Goaltending prospects don't come much more steady and consistent than Commesso does, as evidenced by his save percentage numbers of the past four seasons. That's not necessarily a bad thing, however, as his numbers are consistently pretty good. He's a well-rounded, technically sound netminder who neither has any standout traits, nor any real notable weaknesses. Everything about his game is solid, albeit not spectacular: his play-tracking, his technique, his reflexes, his positioning, and so on. Even his size and natural net coverage is pretty average. That said, sometimes that's all you need out of a goalie to win a championship. He helped his Boston University team reach the Frozen Four, only to be undone in the semifinals against Minnesota, the top-ranked team in the nation. He projects as becoming at least an NHL backup, with a starter's job not out of the question.

8. Nick Lardis

A midseason trade to Hamilton lit a fire under Lardis, transforming him into one of the more dynamic offensive players in the OHL. The key for him will be maintaining that high level of play into this season with the Bulldogs, proving that the conclusion to last season wasn’t an anomaly. Lardis’ combination of quickness and goal scoring ability will make him a very intriguing option for the Blackhawks in the future. With a consistent motor, skill, speed, and scoring ability, he projects as a top six complementary player along the lines of a Jake Guentzel at the next level. However, other areas of his game still require further growth; he is a bit of a long-term project in that regard and that is why he fell to the third round compared to where we had him ranked (32nd) going into the draft. There is a need to expand his game with the puck beyond simply being a North/South attacker, varying his approach. Additionally, he will need to be better in puck protection scenarios and improve his strength away from the puck in the other zones. Even with some inconsistencies, his offensive ceiling is quite high.

9. Ethan Del Mastro

Del Mastro has won gold medals playing internationally for Canada in three straight years, first at the IIHF U18s in 2021 and then the World Juniors in both 2022 and 2023. He played 20 total games across those three tournaments, and over that span he scored exactly zero goals. That's not his whole story as a prospect, but it is a good reflection of it. Del Mastro is a big, responsible defender who is well-suited to a modern shutdown role, with competent skating and puck-handling abilities. He can still go old school and dish out some punishment too. And don't look now, but his offensive game is also coming along, scoring at a point-per-game pace with both of his teams last year in Mississauga and later Sarnia. There might not be a prospect in Chicago's pipeline who has a safer NHL floor than Del Mastro, and a top-four ceiling is a realistic possibility.

10. Ilya Safonov

Safonov is a fantastic example of the value that teams can find by scouting and drafting re-entry prospects. Passed over in both 2019 and 2020, the Blackhawks took a flyer on the hulking Russian centre in the sixth round, 172nd overall, in 2021 and right now that pick is looking incredibly shrewd. He has since grown into a capable, difference-making two-way power forward in the KHL. Perhaps most impressively, he was named the captain of his team at just 21 years of age, the youngest in franchise history. He's so strong, athletic, gritty, and competitive that he is a lot to handle physically, even at the hands of veteran Russian pros and former NHLers. He can chip in points as a net-front presence, though his real value comes from how well he defends and matches up against opposing lines. Chicago will do their damnedest to get him to North America as soon as possible.

11. Colton Dach

Injuries really plagued Dach last year, including a high-profile shoulder injury at the WJC’s. But he was able to return for the WHL playoffs and helped Seattle capture a title. The power forward will try to stay healthy as he turns pro this season and could move quickly through the system if he adjusts to the pace well.

12. Alex Vlasic

Defence is the name of the game for Vlasic, who is a unique player because of his combination of size (6’6”) and mobility. Coming off a solid rookie year in the AHL after turning pro, Vlasic has put himself in contention for a roster spot this year.

13. Adam Gajan

The first goalie taken in the 2023 Draft, Gajan is quite the story. He’s gone from having to make his own recruitment videos to being a top NHL prospect thanks to a tremendous World Juniors for Slovakia. The hyper athletic netminder will be attending the University of Minnesota-Duluth this year.

14. Nolan Allen

A WHL champion this year with Seattle (along with fellow Blackhawks prospects Colton Dach and Kevin Korchinski), Allen is a steady, stay at home defender. His upside at the NHL level is likely capped, but he could move quickly through the system thanks to a refined game.

15. Roman Kantserov

The 2023 second round pick offers intriguing offensive upside because of his ability to impact the transition game and play with pace. He will be given time to develop slowly in Russia with the hopes that he can improve his play off the puck.

16. Gavin Hayes

An underrated player in both the OHL and in the Blackhawks’ system, Hayes is coming off of a great year with Flint that saw him hit the 40-goal plateau. A tenacious power winger, he will have his sights set on cracking 50 this year.

17. Ryan Greene

Greene is an athletic pivot who had a very good freshman season with Boston University last year. His quickness and tenaciousness make him a potential middle six, two-way center for the Blackhawks in the future.

18. Cole Guttman

The surprise of the 2022-23 season as Guttman was an immediate impact player at both the AHL and NHL levels after turning pro out of Denver. Intelligent and quick, is he a sneaky Calder candidate for the upcoming year?

19. Wyatt Kaiser

Kaiser jumped immediately to the NHL level after signing out of UMD late last year, playing out the stretch run with the Hawks. The highly mobile defender has a shot at a roster spot this year too, but Chicago may opt to give him time at Rockford first to allow him more significant ice time.

20. Paul Ludwinski

Another Hawks prospect who had injury problems last season, Ludwinski did not have the kind of season with Kingston of the OHL that many people expected. This coming season will serve as a restart for him as he looks to emerge as an offensive leader for a young and improving Frontenacs team.

MCKEEN’S 2023 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #3 Chicago Blackhawks

Josh Bell — Thu, 25 May 2023 18:04:38 +0000

If tanking doesn’t exist in the NHL, nobody told Chicago. Kyle Davidson took over as GM in October 2021 after Stan Bowman was suspended. He has been actively emptying the roster since, moving veterans and even younger players such as Kirby Dach and Alex DeBrincat for draft picks. Patrick Kane finally moved on for yet more picks. It worked. The depleted roster gave it their best, but still lost a lot of games and won the Connor Bedard sweepstakes. Once the next draft is complete, they will have a robust and deep pipeline of talent to build around. They currently have eight picks in the first three rounds of the 2023 draft. They have six first round picks, and a whopping 21 picks in the first three rounds, over the next three drafts through 2025.

In his first draft, Davidson eight picks in the first three rounds, including three firsts which he used to add Kevin Korchinksi (ranked #23 by McKeen’s), Frank Nazar (#29), and Sam Rinzel (#85). They represent the 2^nd through fourth ranked Chicago prospects on our list. The #14 ranked prospect, Lukas Reichel, produced 15 points in 23 games in his NHL call up and looks to have earned a roster spot for next season. The most likely scenario is to continue to accumulate young talent. In addition to the first overall pick, they also have the #19, #35, #44, #51 and #55 picks in the first two rounds alone. They have the opportunity to package some picks to move in the order and add another premium prospect. The addition of Bedard immediately changes the trajectory of the timeline and Davidson may want to use those pieces to add younger roster players.

Lukas Reichel

Everything that Reichel does out on the ice just seems so natural to him. Even as a yet-to-be-drafted teenager playing against men in Germany's top professional league he looked confident, comfortable, and mature well beyond his years, like he was already a seasoned veteran. That same aura followed him to the AHL and now NHL, and Chicago has to be hoping that he will be a leader as they slowly and methodically attempt to build their next Cup-contending team. He always seems to be thinking the play ahead of everyone else, always knows what his next move should be, and almost always executes his intentions successfully. He might not have the skating, shot or playmaking to become one of the very top point producers in the league, but you can expect him to be in the 50-70 point range pretty consistently, and for those seasons to start happening soon.

2. Kevin Korchinski

One of the best offensive defensemen in all junior hockey, Korchinski racked up a ridiculous amount of points this season, and isn't slowing down. However, what's important to remember about him is that there is still an enormous amount of growth potential within his game. He's still skinny and slight within his tall frame and could really increase his strength and power if he commits hard to his gym habits. There also remains a lot of work to be done with his reads, decision-making and overall puck management, as a lot of possessions for Seattle end when coming off of his stick. On one hand, those existing issues are concerning. On the other hand, though, if you look at how effective and successful he already is despite these flaws it suggests a salivating potential for just how high his ceiling might reach. The sky is the limit.

3. Frank Nazar

Nazar finally returned to action late in the season after a long injury layoff, and there was an undeniable amount of rust for him to shake off before he could really showcase why he was picked by the Blackhawks at 13th overall. Luckily for him, his Michigan team made it all the way to the Frozen Four semifinals, so he was granted a few extra opportunities to get back into the swing of things. He is an electrifying prospect because his feet are always moving, he can manipulate the puck with the best of them, and he can see the ice very well at high speeds, which includes lanes for him to attack the net himself, or opportunities to set up a teammate for a better look. He is a little on the smaller side, but he should be able to overcome that with his drive and tenacity.

4. Sam Rinzel

The Blackhawks never expected anything truly elite out of Rinzel right away, so they won't be concerned at all that his 2022-23 season was solid, though not spectacular. And they certainly won't regret taking him as high as 25^th overall. The focus has always been on his tantalizing tools, and being patient as he learns to master those tools while moving from high school hockey to the more competitive USHL, and then to a very good University of Minnesota program next year. Rangy, mobile, right-shooting defensemen hold immense value in the NHL, and teams have to pay a premium to add them or accept playing the long game in developing them. However, the signs of growth are showing, such as helping the USA win gold at the World Junior A Challenge. If Rinzel pops it won't be right away, but the wait will have been worth it.

5. Drew Commesso

Goaltending prospects don't come much steadier and more consistent than Commesso does, as evidenced by his save percentage numbers of the past four seasons. That's not necessarily a bad thing, however, as his numbers are consistently pretty good. He's a well-rounded, technically sound netminder who has neither any standout traits, nor any real notable weaknesses. Everything about his game is solid, albeit not spectacular: his play-tracking, his technique, his reflexes, his positioning, and so on. Even his size and natural net coverage is pretty average That said, sometimes that's all you need out of a goalie to win a championship. He helped his Boston University team reach the Frozen Four, only to be undone in the semifinals against Minnesota, the top-ranked team in the nation. He projects as becoming at least an NHL backup, with a starter's job not out of the question.

6. Ethan Del Mastro

Del Mastro has won gold medals playing internationally for Canada in three straight years, first at the IIHF U18s in 2021, and then the World Juniors in both 2022 and 2023. He played 20 total games across those three tournaments, and over than span he scored exactly zero goals. That's not his whole story as a prospect, but it is a good reflection of it. He's a big, responsible defender who is well-suited to a modern shutdown role, with competent skating and puck-handling abilities. He can still go old school and dish out some punishment too, though. And don't look now, but his offensive game is also coming along, scoring at a point-per-game pace with both of his teams this year, Mississauga, and Sarnia. There might not be a prospect in Chicago's pipeline who has a safer NHL floor than Del Mastro, and a top four ceiling is a realistic possibility.

7. Ilya Safonov

Safonov is a fantastic example of the value that teams can find by scouting and drafting re-entry prospects. Passed over in both 2019 and 2020, the Blackhawks took a flyer on the hulking Russian center in the 6^th round, 172^nd overall, in 2021, and right now that pick is looking incredibly shrewd. He really grew into a capable, difference-making two-way power forward in the KHL, and perhaps most impressively, he was named the captain of his team at just 21 years of age, the youngest in franchise history. He's so strong, athletic, gritty and competitive that he is a lot to handle physically, even at the hands of veteran Russian pros and former NHLers. He can chip in points as a net-front presence, though his real value comes from how well he defends and matches up against opposing lines. Chicago will do their damnedest to get him to North America as soon as they can.

8. Colton Dach

Just how good is Dach, really? It's a difficult question to answer. As a big center with plus hands and an older brother, Kirby, who is succeeding in the NHL, the profile is very exciting. However, COVID precautions limited his games in 2020-21, his Kelowna Rockets were eliminated in the opening postseason round in 2021-22, and injuries have sidelined his current season, including knocking him out of the World Juniors just three games in. He's back on the ice now, going deep into the playoffs with Seattle, but he doesn't look 100% yet and his team is deep enough and talented enough at forward to not need to rush him. Chicago might be a little concerned about whether or not all those missed games, and resultant opportunities for growth in such crucial years of his development, will hinder his long-term potential.

9. Alex Vlasic

Vlasic jumped straight into the NHL after leaving Boston University and turning pro in the spring of 2022, dressing for 15 games for a Blackhawks team that was out of the playoff hunt and wanted a closer look at one of their top prospects. While he wasn't necessarily bad in that tryout, and even scored his first career NHL goal, Chicago elected to take the safe route with his development and let him refine his game down in the AHL for most of this year, which made total sense. As expected, he used his gargantuan reach and fleet feet to provide a stout defensive presence, while also getting to work on his offensive contributions a bit, or at least more than he would have in the NHL. Whether in 2023-24 or later, Vlasic will almost certainly end up on the Hawks as a shutdown defender.

10. Nolan Allan

It should be clear by now that the Blackhawks put a premium on defensive defensemen, and Allan is the one they paid the highest price for, using the last pick of the first round in 2021 to go a little off the board and secure his rights. They undoubtedly would have had high expectations for him to grow his game in the proceeding years, though the gains so far are relatively modest. Sure, Hockey Canada brought him along for the World Juniors, and the powerhouse Seattle Thunderbirds paid a pretty penny to bring him in for their full-throttle quest for a WHL title, but he hasn't fully reached a point yet where he has been a truly top-tier player. His skating and puck movement remain a little limited, and he could stand to be more of a physical presence. That said, growth in those areas is still achievable.

MCKEEN’S 2022-23 NHL YEARBOOK – CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS – Top 20 Prospects

Sun, 18 Sep 2022 16:10:02 +0000

1 - Lukas Reichel LW

Like his fellow countryman and top prospect J.J. Peterka, Reichel was a standout in his first pro season in North America last year. He averaged over a point per game for Rockford of the AHL and earned a short stint in the NHL. Granted, there were some struggles at the NHL level, especially from a strength perspective, but Reichel should now understand what it takes to be a consistent offensive player at the top level. In reality, a lack of strength is the only thing holding him back from being a quality top six NHL contributor. He is skilled. He is intelligent. He skates well and continues to improve his ability to push pace and attack. He is improving his reads in all three zones and projects as a well-rounded two-way player. Like his uncle Robert, Lukas should have a long and prosperous NHL career. The Blackhawks have not made their intentions this year a secret. It is clear that they have entered full rebuild mode and will be giving Reichel every opportunity to secure a full-time role in Chicago out of training camp. If he performs well, he could get an opportunity to play with someone like Patrick Kane (as long as Kane isn’t traded) at even strength and on the powerplay. As such, Reichel is certainly a preseason Calder candidate. Long term, he has the potential to be a first line winger as part of a new generation of Blackhawks being ushered in. - BO

2 - Frank Nazar C

The Chicago Blackhawks traded a lot for the right to draft Nazar 13th overall at the 2022 NHL draft, sending former top center prospect Kirby Dach to the Montreal Canadiens in order to secure that draft pick. With his selection, Nazar instantly became the Blackhawks’ new top center prospect, and he heads to the University of Michigan next season with the expectation of being an instant impact scorer. Nazar spent his draft year at the U.S. National Team Development Program, and he had a solid year, scoring above a point-per-game rate. Nazar’s speed proved too much to handle for many USHL defenders. Nazar’s skating is his best tool overall. He’s a genuine burner, with the ability to beat defenders with his pace alone. Nazar complements his straight-line speed with strong edgework, and he has an ability to manipulate defenses with his skating that’s more advanced than his peers. Nazar’s stride looks effortless, and despite often operating at high speeds he rarely burns out and finds himself at the end of shifts without enough energy to properly compete. Nazar relies more on his feet than his hands to create offensive opportunities for himself and his teammates, but that’s not to say he has any deficiencies with the puck on his stick. He’s a quality stickhandler and his puck skills are strong enough to keep up with the pace of the game that he plays at. But while there is genuinely quite a bit of upside to Nazar’s overall profile, there is also some risk. Nazar lacks the prototypical size many scouts want to see from their NHL centers, and Nazar may need to alter some of his habits in order to thrive at the professional level. At lower levels, Nazar’s speed alone can be enough to beat defenders, but when he reaches higher levels of hockey, he’ll need to expand his overall arsenal. It’s an open question as to whether Nazar has enough of a complete game to stick at center, but what’s not up for debate is the raw potential in his game. He has a chance to become a dynamic, top-of-the-lineup offensive player, although he’s no guarantee to realize that potential. - EH

3 - Kevin Korchinski D

What a year it was for Korchinski, who started the season off fairly slowly, drawing concerns from scouts about his on-ice decision-making. After Christmas Korchinski exploded, piling up the points as the T-Birds embarked on a memorable post-season run that saw them erase series deficits to beat the favored Portland Winterhawks and Kamloops Blazers in game 7s on the road, before falling in the WHL finals in a series whose scheduling conflicts forced them to play an extra road game. Korchinski had much to do with that run, finishing the season at a near-PPG pace. His draft stock shot up and he was ultimately selected 7^th overall by the Blackhawks. A powerful skater with a long, efficient stride, Korchinski can reach full flight quickly and is adept at walking the blueline, making him a dangerous threat on the powerplay. He carries the puck with ease and confidence and is passing is crisp, although his reads can be questionable at times. Korchinski’s biggest improvement as the year progressed, was becoming more decisive with the puck and thinking the game at a quicker pace. Improvement on his wrist shot and getting it through traffic would also help Korchinski become more of a dual threat from up top on the powerplay. Like all young players, he needs to become stronger and fill out his lean frame, in order to play defense at the next level. Korchinski will almost certainly be returned to junior for his draft+1 season, although the possibility of a 9-game tryout to start the year remains. - AS

4 - Sam Rinzel D

The Chicago Blackhawks have made the direction of their franchise no secret. GM Kyle Davidson is playing the long game, beginning to stockpile draft picks and acquire high-upside players that might require more time and patience than other NHL franchises could typically afford to give them. Their selection of Sam Rinzel 25th overall at the 2022 draft raised eyebrows from some, as Rinzel was a divisive prospect who did not receive universal first-round acclaim. But taking rankings out of the equation, Rinzel is the exact sort of prospect who fits the Blackhawks’ plans. Rinzel, who spent most of his draft season playing at the high school level in Minnesota, is a raw prospect who offers a tantalizing package of tools. Rinzel is big and skates quite well for someone his size. Rinzel is an aggressive defenseman, and he has shown flashes of game-breaking ability from the blueline. But with the upside Rinzel presents comes significant red flags and question marks in his game. First and foremost, Rinzel is extremely talented but also quite raw — he’ll need a lot of work to get to a point where he’s pro-ready — and he’s also not shown a level of defensive competence that gives any confidence in his ability to sustain his aggressive style of play in more demanding and competitive hockey settings. Rinzel will need to find a way to make the proper adjustments to his game to make him a viable two-way defenseman while also maintaining the sort of uber-aggressive, uber-creative style that’s set him apart so far. Simply maintaining the identity of his game, the identity that has made him a top prospect in the first place could be challenging given the demands of college and professional coaches. But Rinzel, who will spend another year in the USHL before playing college hockey as a Minnesota Gopher, has a lot of time to improve. He’s a true boom-or-bust prospect, and it’s far too early to reasonably project his NHL future. All we can do at this point is eagerly observe how he handles higher levels of hockey and how his game changes, if at all when faced with additional adversity. - EH

5 - Drew Commesso G

While Russian phenom Yaroslav Askarov got most of the attention (by far) of the 2021 draft’s goalie class, Drew Commesso led a second tier of goalie prospects that saw five netminders go in the second and third rounds of the draft. Commesso himself was selected 46th overall by the Blackhawks, and upon his selection, he instantly became the Blackhawks’ most promising drafted goalie prospect. Commesso is a product of the U.S. National Team Development Program, and he’s spent the past two seasons stopping pucks for the Boston University Terriers. Commesso isn’t a big goalie, but at six-foot-two he stands tall enough where size won’t be a concern for his ability to play in the NHL. Like many young goalies, Commesso has been a bit inconsistent, and he’s had brilliant games for the Terriers as well as games he’d like to move on from. His performance was enough for him to earn a spot with the United States Beijing Winter Olympics squad. Commesso is a poised goalie who rarely panics in the crease, carefully taking the time to square up to shooters and challenge incoming rushes. He moves very well in the crease, and his athleticism serves him well when his technique isn’t enough. Commesso will need to put together a more consistent college season before he’s ready to turn pro, and even if he does as soon as next season, he’s still likely a decent way away from the NHL. Ultimately, Commesso has a chance to become a starting goalie in the NHL if things break right. - EH

6 - Wyatt Kaiser D

Wyatt Kaiser’s game isn’t exactly a difficult one to get a handle on. What he does well is relatively easy to see, and he doesn’t go to any particularly great lengths to hide the things he needs to improve. The thing that sticks most about Kaiser is his skating. Kaiser moves exceptionally well. His skating checks all the boxes. He accelerates well, has the edgework to make quick turns, and remain an elusive presence when shuttling pucks through the neutral zone. He’s not an overwhelmingly deceptive skater, but he the shifts where he gives opposing skaters fits as they attempt to interrupt him are common enough to give confidence in his offensive projection. Kaiser also spent nearly as much time killing penalties as he did on the power play, and his speed allows him to get around the defensive zone quickly and get to loose pucks before heavier-footed opposing attackers. While Kaiser isn’t an overwhelming physical presence, he also isn’t shy about that side of the game and will get his hands dirty when he needs to. But just as Kaiser’s qualities as a skater are immediately evident, as are the shortcomings in his other offensive tools. Kaiser’s playmaking is fine, but he relies far more on his feet to create separation and chances than he does his abilities as a reader of the play and a facilitator of his teammates. The result of Kaiser’s less impressive other offensive tools is that his projection on that side of the ice as a pro is limited. Still, there’s enough to Kaiser’s game to give him NHL upside, and he could be a nice, well-rounded bottom-pairing piece if he continues to show he can weather difficult minutes and if he can find more ways to create offense beyond just using his excellent skating. - EH

7 - Alec Regula D

A hulking, right shot defender, Regula, much like the team’s other top pro prospects, is well positioned to become a full time NHL defender this coming season. He played in 15 games to close out last season and became fairly battle tested as the Hawks coaching staff had him playing over 20 minutes per game in all situations. Does that give him a leg up heading into the year? It does seem likely. The 6’4, former London Knights standout, combines his great length with great four-way mobility. For a defender of his size his skating ability is very impressive, and this can make him an asset at both ends of the ice. His offensive potential may be somewhat limited at the NHL level (unless Chicago opts to use him in the bumper role on the powerplay like London coach Dale Hunter used to), due to average transporting and passing skills, however his defensive potential is quite high. Regula has great instincts as a shot blocker and his reach is extremely disruptive when protecting the slot and the net front area. As he gains confidence, look for the physical side of his game to become relatively dominant too. A potential top four defender, Regula could reach that potential as early as this season on a rebuilding Chicago team. - BO

8 - Ethan Del Mastro D

The 105th overall selection in the 2021 NHL Draft, Ethan Del Mastro had a great season as the captain of the Steelheads, displaying strength on both sides of the puck consistently. The former 12th overall selection in the 2019 OHL Draft had a good rookie season, finishing with seven points (7A) in 57 games. Unfortunately for Del Mastro, he was forced to miss the 2020-2021 season due to Covid-19. Fortunately for Del Mastro, he got the opportunity to play in the U18 World Championship. During the 2021-2022, Del Mastro had a breakout season, finishing with 48 points (7A,41A) in 68 games, which was 14th in the league for points by a defenseman, 10th in the league for assists by a defenseman, 2nd on the team for assists and 4th on the team for points. Del Mastro also got the opportunity to play in the U20 World Junior Championship. Del Mastro’s best assets are his competitiveness and physicality. Del Mastro is a strong defender who utilizes his size and reach to make it difficult on opponents trying to enter the offensive zone or find space in the slot. He’s consistently in the play and has the motor to out-battle opponents for the puck. He plays an aggressive style that forces opponents to second think about going into the corners because he’s so physical. Going into the 2022-2023 season, Del Mastro will once again be looked to be a leader for the Steelheads and be one of the best defensive defensemen in the league, and also one that every team will not look forward to play against. - DK

9 - Paul Ludwinski C

The 39^th overall selection in the 2022 NHL Draft, Paul Ludwinski is the type of player that any fan gets excited for when they’re on the ice. He brings such great energy each shift and seems to have a motor that never quits. Ludwinski was the 5th overall selection in the 2020 OHL Draft after a successful season as the captain of the Toronto Marlboros. He has always played a strong responsible game and displays great leadership. Unfortunately for Ludwinski, him and others were unable to play during the 2020-2021 season due to the Covid-19 shutdown. Ludwinski was able to adjust quickly to the OHL because of his hockey sense and responsible play. His role was limited due to being on a talented Frontenacs team, but he was still able to be effective and make the most of his minutes. When he was given to chance in the top-6 due to injuries, he never disappointed and looked like he belonged. Finishing the season with 43 points (16G,27A) in 67 games, Ludwinski was 6^th on his team in points, and also tied for first in goals in the playoffs with seven, also adding five assists as well in 11 games. Ludwinski’s best assets are his competitiveness and hockey sense, especially his play away from the puck. Each shift Ludwinski is on the ice, you know. You could argue that on the majority of his shifts, he is the hardest working player on the ice. He battles hard in the corners and never backs down from any opponents. Ludwinski is so effective because he does so much without the puck. He finds open space quickly and understands where to be at all times in all three zones. Making it easy for teammates to play with. Going into the 2022-2023 season, Ludwinski will look to take a step forward as he continues to grow as a strong 200ft player. - DK

10 - Arvid Soderblom G

Among AHL rookie netminders last season, Soderblom was a major standout. His .919 save percentage was second best behind AHL Goaltender of the Year Dustin Wolf among first year goalies. Needless to say, it was a very successful North American debut for the big Swedish netminder. As such, the Hawks actually cut ties with pretty much all other goalies previously in the pro system: a massive vote of confidence for Soderblom. With Drew Commesso likely still a few years away, he will have a solid chance to prove that he can be Chicago’s goaltender of the future. The former free agent signing out of Sweden takes away the bottom of the net so well with quick pads and strong lateral movement. He definitely has that combination of size and athleticism you want from the position today. Coming into his first pro season in North America, there were some concerns about his play tracking ability, positioning, and rebound control; essentially the technical elements, however all of these attributes proved to be further along in development than anticipated. As such, the Hawks find themselves with perhaps an NHL ready netminder. With only Alex Stalock and the injury prone Petr Mrazek in his way at the pro level, it seems inevitable that Soderblom gets more than a handful of games at the NHL level this coming season. However, there is also prevailing thought that suggests Chicago does not want to throw Soderblom to the wolves this season, given how poor the Blackhawks likely end up being. There is no need to rush him, especially given the strong potential he has thus far shown. - BO

11 - Isaak Phillips

The Hawks have high hopes for Phillips, a highly athletic defender with intriguing upside at both ends. He is probably more suited to a defensive role in the future, but he has improved considerably in recent seasons.

12 - Colton Dach

After trading older brother Kirby, the Hawks still have the younger Colton, who they drafted in 2021. His skating took a nice step forward this year and he may end up being one of the better forwards in the WHL this season.

13 - Nolan Allan

A surprise first rounder in 2021, Allan has a safe projection as an NHL defender because of his combination of size, mobility, and physicality. The hope is that his offensive game can continue to improve.

14 - Gavin Hayes

Hayes is a power winger with a big shot. He improved with each passing month in the OHL last season and could be a breakout candidate this year with consistent ice time and responsibility.

15 - Alex Vlasic

A similar prospect to Nolan Allan, Vlasic is also a big defender with mobility who has a chance to be a shutdown type for the Hawks. He jumped from Boston U straight to the NHL last season but may require some AHL time this year.

16 - Ryan Greene

Chicago’s second round selection this year, Greene is a skilled center with a strong skating stride. He will play for Boston University this season as a freshman.

17 - Landon Slaggert

The University of Notre Dame winger has a game tailored to be a standout bottom six winger in today’s NHL. He competes hard at both ends, skates well enough, and has strong off puck awareness.

18 - Josiah Slavin

The younger brother of NHL defender Jaccob, Josiah is a big winger who had a solid first full pro season after turning pro from Colorado College. He might be a full time NHL player this season.

19 - Michal Teply

A skilled playmaking winger, Teply is coming off his first full pro season in North America after playing a middle six role for Rockford. He will look to take on more responsibility and earn an NHL call up this season.

20 - Jaxson Stauber

The Hawks signed Stauber, a standout at Providence, as a free agent this offseason. The 6’3 netminder will likely back-up Soderblom in Rockford this season.

2022 NHL DRAFT: OHL – Gavin Hayes, RW, Flint Firebirds

Dylan Krill — Thu, 19 May 2022 11:52:13 +0000

Hayes was the third American off the board in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection, being drafted by the Flint Firebirds 16^th overall. He had a difficult start to this season, going pointless in his first 11 games. The primary reason for this lack of production was a lack of opportunity, playing around 12 minutes a night, sometimes under nine. He was even scratched a few times. Once Hayes’ ice time increased, the points started to come consistently, putting up 49 points in the remaining 54 games. Hayes is a well-rounded player who can act as a utility knife. He has the tools to adapt to different roles and can handle playing in key situations, offensively and defensively. I think Hayes is best used as a complimentary winger playing with a playmaking center, being able to get open in scoring areas and finish with his great shot. Hayes’ style of play is attractive to NHL teams because it’s not often prospects have a combination of skill and physicality, something that will prove very useful in the playoffs. I believe Hayes’ will be an effective middle-six winger that can handle a top-six role if needed to complement a line. I think with the package that Hayes brings, he should have teams targeting him in the late first or early second round.

Gavin Hayes of the Flint Firebirds. Photo by Natalie Shaver/OHL Images

Gavin Hayes	Date of Birth: 2004-05-14
Position: RW, Shoots: R	H/W: 6'1", 177lbs
Stats to Date: (GP-G-A-PTS-PIMS)	Flint Firebirds (65-19-30-49-18)

Skating

Hayes is a smooth skater who uses his speed well in all zones to create and suppress chances. His quick feet allow him to be effective in tight, having great acceleration and the explosiveness to separate himself if needed. Hayes’ stride is both long and strong, producing good straight-line speed for backchecks and breakaways. He uses his speed well in transition, both with and without the puck, to force defenders back on their heels. As Hayes gets stronger, the more powerful Hayes’ stride will get. Teams looking to add speed on the wing should consider Hayes.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Gavin-Hayes-Skating-1.mp4

This clip gives you a great look at Hayes’ skating mechanics and technique. While he’s watching the play away from the puck, he’s constantly changing the direction of his feet so that he is ready to take off and accelerate quickly if needed. As he’s watching and anticipating the play, the second that his team steals possession, he gives two strong pushes and starts to accelerate. He identifies that an odd man rush is forming and that there’s a clear lane ahead of him. Hayes notices that all eyes are on his teammate with the puck, so he takes advantage and turns on the jets. Having great posture, quick feet and strong strides allows Hayes to quickly get up to speed by the time he’s in the neutral zone. As he receives the puck, he’s already created himself a breakaway, and finishes with a goal.

Grade: 55

Shot

If you are a goalie in the OHL, you probably already know that Hayes’ shot is a weapon and that when he has the puck on his stick, he’s a threat. He is a very effective goal scorer for many reasons. He has the power to shoot from anywhere, he’s able to get to the dirty areas consistently, and he has a very quick release that is difficult for goalies to read. Possessing the ability to get a shot off at odd angles, from off-target passes, and other difficult ways, players will love playing with Hayes because he doesn’t need the best pass to still connect and create a chance.

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I have seen Flint try this play several times with Hayes and it’s been effective many times, but on this attempt, he actually scored. Having a hard and quick one-timer like Hayes does, you have to utilize it, and he does. Hayes positions himself and times the faceoff perfectly, letting go a rocket from one knee and scoring top shelf. Not only is he very accurate, he gets so much power behind each shot that makes it very difficult for goalies to read.

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I really like this play from Hayes for a few reasons. As he’s battling with a defenseman for net-front positioning, he’s watching the play and identifies open space behind him. As soon as his man leaves to defend another teammate, Hayes instantly skates backwards into the open space and shows his teammate he’s open. They connect on a one-timer and Hayes scores.

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Not only is Hayes’ slapshot and one-timer great, but his wrist shot is also very lethal. After receiving a pass while entering the offensive zone while in transition, Hayes has a clear lane to the net. He takes a few strides and then rips a solid shot over the goalie’s shoulder for a nice goal.

Grade: 60

Skills

Hayes plays a strong complimentary role with the Firebirds, giving his teammates the support they need, but rarely driving the play himself. This isn’t always the case though, as Hayes has the confidence and skill to make plays happen by himself. Having great puck skills to dangle and protect the puck through traffic, Hayes displays great vision and creativity at times, making eye catching plays. He understands when to choose the efficient play over the skilled play, not making a move just because, but having purpose behind each decision.

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Here is an example of when Hayes takes it upon himself to break out and attempt to get a scoring chance. As he’s breaking out of his zone, he doesn’t see any passing options so he continues to rush up the ice. Before entering the offensive zone, Hayes makes a slight fake to cut inside, but goes wide around the defender. He’s then met with another opponent being over-aggressive, so Hayes makes a slick toe-drag around his stick and finishes with a quality shot on net.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Gavin-Hayes-Skill-2.mp4

I thought since that last clip didn’t result in a goal, I might as well include this similar clip of Hayes actually scoring off of a toe-drag release. One thing that is impressive here is the way Hayes receives and handles the puck. You can see he has total control of the puck, as it’s very smooth and effortless.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Gavin-Hayes-Skill-3.mp4

As we’re talking about Hayes’ hands and puck skill, I should follow up with this clip that displays his quick hands in-tight and ability to control the puck in traffic. After coming away with the puck following a dump and chase, Hayes looks for open space but there is little room to work with. He identifies a teammate driving to the net, so he creates time and space by weaving past a defender and then delivers a perfect pass on his teammates stick for a scoring chance.

Grade: 50

Smarts

Hayes’ progression through the season proves that he understands how to handle disappointment and improve when he’s not performing well. Looking overwhelmed when the season first started, Hayes was able to adapt and find the game that he wanted to bring. He plays a smart defensive game, reading plays and anticipating passes to force turnovers. He uses his speed to get into great positioning to apply pressure and take away space and passing options quickly. As the season progressed, his team began to trust him more and Hayes was given more opportunities because of it, showing how much the coaching staff has seen him grow.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Gavin-Hayes-Smarts-1.mp4

Here’s a really nice sequence by Hayes. He forces a turnover in the neutral zone with his stick, then immediately gets his head up and finds his teammate, setting him up for the offensive zone entry and a chance one on one.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Gavin-Hayes-Smarts-2-No-Deception.mp4

There has been significant growth in Hayes’ play from the beginning to the end of the season. One area where I think Hayes has improved the most is the deception that he’s added, making it difficult for opponents to read and react. This is a clip from the beginning of the year where you can see that Hayes is very predictable, showing that he’s going to shoot, making it easy on the defender to block and make a play against.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Gavin-Hayes-Smarts-3-With-Deception.mp4

Now here’s a similar play from later in the year where Hayes isn’t showing what he’s going to do and adds deception to be able to mislead the defender and open up space for a shot attempt. Hayes uses his quick hands to attract the defender to bite and attack with his stick. Forcing the defender to show his stick makes it easier for Hayes to dangle around and find a small hole to get his shot through.

Grade: 55

Physicality/Compete

Hayes loves to play physical, but understands when to hold back and be conservative when needed. He’s the type of player that plays with a bite and likes to get under the skin of opponents. He’s strong in battles, but still has room to grow. Once he fills out, he should be even more effective. Not only is Hayes physical, he has a high motor and it shows, winning races to pucks and displaying great backchecks consistently. He preserves his energy well, waiting for the moments where he needs to empty the tank, both offensively and defensively.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Gavin-Hayes-Compete-1.mp4

Hayes has a high motor that allows him to compete hard for pucks and out battle opponents consistently. This was a great play showing how committed Hayes is to getting possession of the puck for his team. He shows a strong hunger for the puck, using both his body and stick to win the puck battle. After getting possession, he’s able to make a nice play, finding his teammate in the slot for a good scoring chance.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Gavin_Hayes_Compete__3_Hits_AdobeCreativeCloudExpress.mp4

There were many clips I could’ve added, but I thought these two clips together were enough to give you an example of the physicality Hayes can bring. When Hayes is on the ice, you need to be aware and keep your head up or he will take advantage and let you feel his presence.

Grade: 55

OFP: 55

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

2022 NHL DRAFT MIDSEASON RANKING: TOP 100 PLAYER PROFILES WITH VIDEO – #61 thru #70

Brock Otten — Sat, 19 Feb 2022 16:15:57 +0000

In case you missed it, we updated our 2022 NHL Draft rankings recently. You can find that here. Shane Wright still headlines the list but the gap is unquestionably closing as other candidates elevate their play.

With this piece our intention is to briefly introduce you to each of the players that fill out the rest of the Top 100 (ranked 50-100), after previously looking at the Top 50. Below you will find a short summary of their games in addition to a top highlight. In the coming months you will see in-depth scouting reports published by our regional scouts on each of these players (like this one on Shane Wright).

FRISCO, TX USA - APRIL 29: Russia's Sergei Ivanov #29 and Arseni Koromyslov #7 defend during preliminary round action against Germany at the 2021 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship at Comerica Center on April 29, 2021 in Frisco, TX USA. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/HHOF-IIHF Images)

Arseni Koromyslov - Defense - SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)

A late born ‘03, Koromyslov has long been on the scouting radar since debuting in the MHL at the age of 15. A 6’3, smooth skating defender, Koromyslov has evolved his game to be a more effective defensive player over the last few years, especially when it comes to defending pace and counter attacks. He takes away time and space really well and definitely projects as someone who can make a difference in the defensive end at the NHL level. However, his offensive production has not really taken that next step forward this year despite possessing the hands and creativity to play aggressively and to play deep in the offensive zone. Has his development stagnated? What is the disconnect here? Either way, his combination of mobility and size will be attractive, and all eyes will be on him to close out the year strongly.

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Jack Hughes - Center - Northeastern (NCAA)

The jokes have been fast and furious the last few years regarding Hughes, no relation to the other Hughes family (Jack, Quinn, and Luke) which is quickly becoming hockey royalty. Instead, Jack is the son of Kent Hughes, the newly named general manager of the Montreal Canadiens. This Jack Hughes is a dynamic and intelligent playmaker who is having a solid freshman season at Northeastern. He loves to attack the offensive zone using his mohawk (10 to 2) stride, showing an ability to keep the puck on a string as he moves in and out of traffic. He lacks the strength to be a consistent contributor away from the puck at the NCAA level right now, but he does generally have a high work rate and should improve into more of a well-rounded player as he gains strength. Our ranking of him is definitely lower than some of our contemporaries. The main reason is his reliance on mohawking to generate off the rush, which has not had a strong track record of transitioning well to the NHL (or even AHL) level. Ask Jeremy Bracco (or Antonio Stranges last year).

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Lane Hutson - Defense - USNDP (USHL)

Hutson is viewed in a similar light to his program teammate Tyler Duke. He is not big, but his game is highly efficient. Hutson is a beautiful skater, especially in terms of his ability to build speed out of pivots. This helps him to escape the defensive zone, even under duress. It also helps him quarterback the powerplay effectively and move the puck along the blueline. Our video scouting team absolutely loves Hutson and believes that he has tremendous offensive upside as he gains confidence in his ability to carry the puck and play more aggressively. That said, there are times where he is overwhelmed in the defensive zone. He is a better skater than Duke, but his physical tenacity and his effectiveness in defending the net front is not at the same level. This begs the question, is Hutson limited to being more a specialized defender at the next level who needs to be sheltered? Or is there a definitive top four upside as his defensive game (and body) matures?

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Gavin Hayes - Wing - Flint Firebirds (OHL)

It has been a bit of a rollercoaster year for Hayes thus far. He had a really strong showing at the Hlinka/Gretzky for the U.S., excelling as a physical attacker and generator off the rush. However, when the OHL season started, he found himself buried on the fourth line (or the press box) in Flint. He eventually turned things around and earned more playing time, even getting back on to the top powerplay unit. However, when Flint got Ethan Keppen back from the AHL recently, his ice time was once again reduced. One thing Hayes has had trouble doing this year is blending his physicality/energy with his ability to be a dangerous offensive player. When he has been scoring, he has played a more passive game without the puck. When he has not been scoring, he has been bringing physicality and excelling in all three zones. The merger of the two to be a true difference maker has not yet happened, despite the expectation that it would (and it did at the Hlinka/Gretzky).

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Otto Salin - Defense - HIFK (Fin-Liiga)

Injuries have been a problem for this promising, right shot, offensive defender this season. However, he has returned recently after a long lay-off and is playing on HIFK’s third pair and on the powerplay. A strong skater, Salin can be an impactful puck mover because of how efficiently he is able to start the breakout. His vision is definitely his best asset, and it is rare to find a right shot defender with the kind of mobility and offensive awareness that Salin possesses. There are a few questions, likely because of his lack of playing time this year. The first is, how skilled and creative is Salin? Can he be a powerplay quarterback at the NHL level? The second is, what is Salin’s ceiling as a defensive player? Can he improve his defensive zone play to the point where he would be classified as a strong two-way defender? He will be a player to watch down the stretch as he is finally back to playing again. We should get a better read on his progression by the time the U18’s roll around.

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Hunter Haight - Center - Barrie Colts (OHL)

Haight is one of the best examples of what the year off did to the development of some players in Ontario. He had a terrific summer camp with Hockey Canada, excelling in the U18/U20 blended games. However, his start to his OHL career has been rocky. His inconsistent play has led to another young star, Beau Jelsma, passing him on the team’s depth chart. Haight is still one of the most individually skilled and creative players in this Ontario age group. In fact, he’s actually a pretty well-rounded player too, who shows well on both sides of the puck when he is dialed in. The issue right now stems from a lack of strength, confidence, and the fact that his skating does not look quite as strong as it did as a U16 player. Haight is the ultimate home run swing in the middle rounds because of the upside he possesses. He has not played his best this year, but let’s see how he closes the year and if his game shows development down the stretch.

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Antonin Verreault - Wing - Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL)

A highly intelligent and creative playmaker, Verreault has not quite elevated his game the way many expected he would this year. The QMJHL’s rookie of the year last season was arguably one of the best ‘04’s in the CHL last year. Verreault is at his best in the offensive zone. He works in and around traffic with strong small area quickness and agility and is able to prolong possession with his elusiveness. His poise and vision with the puck are strengths as he operates surgically from the outside. Herein lies the issue though. At 5’9, Verreault is not big, and the one criticism of his game is that he does not find success inside as consistently as he needs to. Be it a need to alter his mindset. Be it a need to add strength on the puck. Verreault can be kept to the perimeter. However, he does possess a high upside as an offensive player because of his intelligence and creativity in the offensive end. Our scouts will be looking for him to truly step up and elevate his game with the QMJHL starting back up in order to keep his spot in the Top 75.

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Cameron Lund - Wing/Center - Green Bay Gambles (USHL)

Playing in his first season in the USHL, Lund has been a standout for Green Bay, especially lately. The Northeastern commit is a well-rounded player. He looks strong as a transitional attacker because of his power and puck protection ability. However, he also drives the net hard and plays a power game, looking to use his 6’2 frame physically to gain leverage near the crease and in the corners. It is really easy to see him becoming a quality, long time pro with his versatile skill set. Is the upside significant? Probably not. But as Lund fills out, you could easily see him becoming a really solid two-way player and an asset down low. It should also be mentioned that Lund was one of the U.S.’ best players at the Hlinka/Gretzky last summer, so his progression has been consistent since leaving Cushing Academy.

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Bryce McConnell-Barker - Center/Wing - Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)

McConnell-Barker is a former high pick in the OHL draft who has had a bit of a difficult time finding his footing thus far. He has been moved up and down the Greyhounds’ lineup and has shifted between the middle and wing. There have been moments where he has looked great, but consistency has certainly been an issue, much like Hunter Haight ranked slightly ahead of him. Best case scenario, McConnell-Barker develops into a solid two-way, goal scoring center who can push the pace with his speed and play in all situations. He is quick. He has good size. His compete level in all three zones is generally solid. He has a heavy shot. It is about putting all these pieces together. The major concern is whether McConnell-Barker has enough skill to be a play driver or consistent finisher. He has had some trouble finishing off plays in tight this year. Additionally, given his high-end shot, he needs to find a way to slip into soft spots in coverage more consistently to get himself good looks. In a lot of ways, he and Ludwinski are similar in that the shell of an impactful two-way forward is there, but the production has been inconsistent due to possible skill limitations.

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Brennan Ali - Center - Avon Old Farms (USHS - PREP)

Inside our top 50, we had Sam Rinzel as the top ranked player from the Minnesota high school ranks this year. Well Brennan Ali is the top ranked prep player from the East coast. Ali is a highly competitive pivot who loves to push and attack the middle. He is consistently dialed in physically and his work rate is extremely high, especially on the forecheck and down low. This is a player who loves to get under the skin of the opposition. While he’s played primarily with Avon Old Farms, he has looked great in limited action with Lincoln (USHL) and in a few guest appearances with the US U18 team. The Notre Dame commit probably does not have the upside of a top six player, but his skating and physicality combination makes him a fun player to watch. If his puck skill and finishing ability can improve through his college career, Ali could have a long career as a Brandon Dubinsky type.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Top-100-70-brennan_ali_-_3rd_period_17_54_-_18_7.mp4

2022 NHLDRAFT: MCKEEN’S MID-SEASON RANKING – TOP 100

Brock Otten — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 20:59:29 +0000

RED DEER, ALBERTA - DECEMBER 26: USA vs Slovakia preliminary round action at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship at WP Centrium on December 26, 2021 in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images)

A new year means a new draft ranking at McKeen’s Hockey, as we expand our list at mid-season to a Top 100. Back in mid-November, we released our preliminary ranking, a top 32, so this serves not only as an update, but an expansion too.

Like many, we were disappointed with the abrupt ending of the World Junior Championships, not just because it robbed us of some terrific hockey, but because it prevented a high-quality look at some of the best talents in this draft year. While a poor showing at the World Juniors is often dismissed, a strong showing can really help elevate a player’s standing. Ultimately, the decision to stop the tournament was the correct one, given the circumstances, however, hopefully the World Under 18’s can occur in Germany as planned in April.

At this point Kingston Frontenacs center and former CHL exceptional status player Shane Wright remains at the top of our rankings, however the gap is admittedly closing between him and some of the other players inside of our top five. Defenseman Simon Nemec is having a historically good season in the Slovak men’s league and will play for Slovakia at the Olympics. Center Logan Cooley is proving to be a dynamic two-way threat and is fresh off a terrific performance at the Biosteel All American Game. Center Matthew Savoie of the Winnipeg Ice continues to lead the WHL in scoring on the top ranked team in the Canadian Hockey League. A year ago, it was unfathomable to imagine anyone else but Wright being selected first overall. That concept is not as far-fetched today. Without question, Wright will need to pick up his play in the second half to withstand his competitors.

Looking specifically at those ranked inside our first round (top 32), the positional breakdown is as follows: 10 defenders, 22 forwards, and zero goaltenders. In fact, we do not have a single goaltender ranked inside the first two rounds. Tyler Brennan and Topias Leinonen are our top goaltenders, ranked 84th and 87th, respectively. The quality and depth of goaltenders available this year may be the worst that we have ever seen as a scouting staff.

Regionally, the breakdown is as follows: ten players from the CHL, seven players from the USHL (more specifically the NTDP), four players in Sweden, four players in Russia, three players in Finland, two players in Slovakia, and two players in Czechia. The U.S. National Development program is extremely well represented with ten players inside of our first two rounds.

This top 100 was formed in consultation with our regional scouts and our video scouting team. Now that we have our midseason list formed, look for our annual, in-depth individual scouting reports to start being published in the very near future.

Shane Wright of the KIngston Frontenacs. Photo by Robert Lefebvre/OHL Images.

RANK	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	HT/WT	DOB	GP-G-A-PTS
1	Shane Wright	C	Kingston (OHL)	6-1/190	5-Jan-04	25-12-19-31
2	Simon Nemec	D	HK Nitra (Svk)	6-1/190	15-Feb-04	28-0-19-19
3	Matthew Savoie	C	Winnipeg (WHL)	5-9/180	1-Jan-04	35-19-34-53
4	Logan Cooley	C	USN U18 (USDP)	5-10/180	4-May-04	25-15-20-35
5	Danila Yurov	RW	Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL)	6-1/175	22-Dec-03	21-0-0-0
6	Joakim Kemell	RW	JyP (Fin-Liiga)	5-11/175	27-Apr-04	21-12-6-18
7	Juraj Slafkovsky	LW	TPS (Fin-Liiga)	6-4/225	30-Mar-04	20-1-3-4
8	Conor Geekie	C	Winnipeg (WHL)	6-4/205	5-May-04	35-11-27-38
9	Brad Lambert	C	JyP (Fin-Liiga)	6-0/180	19-Dec-03	24-2-4-6
10	Ivan Miroshnichenko	LW	Omskie Krylia (VHL)	6-1/185	4-Feb-04	30-9-6-15
11	David Jiricek	D	HC Plzen (Cze)	6-3/190	28-Nov-03	29-5-6-11
12	Filip Mesar	C	HK Poprad (Svk)	5-10/165	3-Jan-04	22-6-5-11
13	Pavel Mintyukov	D	Saginaw (OHL)	6-1/190	25-Nov-03	31-6-17-23
14	Denton Mateychuk	D	Moose Jaw (WHL)	5-11/190	12-Jul-04	35-7-24-31
15	Marco Kasper	C	Rogle BK (SHL)	6-1/185	8-Apr-04	27-4-2-6
16	Alexander Perevalov	LW	Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)	6-0/190	16-Apr-04	29-19-20-39
17	Seamus Casey	D	USN U18 (USDP)	5-10/160	8-Jan-04	31-5-13-18
18	Frank Nazar	C	USN U18 (USDP)	5-10/175	14-Jan-04	33-15-23-38
19	Noah Ostlund	C	Djurgardens J20 (Swe J20)	5-10/160	11-Mar-04	19-6-18-24
20	Cutter Gauthier	C	USN U18 (USDP)	6-2/190	19-Jan-04	33-20-12-32
21	Jonathan Lekkerimaki	C	Djurgardens J20 (Swe J20)	5-11/170	24-Jul-04	25-19-15-34
22	Tristan Luneau	D	Gatineau (QMJHL)	6-2/175	12-Jan-04	26-5-10-15
23	Nathan Gaucher	C	Quebec (QMJHL)	6-3/205	6-Nov-03	30-15-11-26
24	Ty Nelson	D	North Bay (OHL)	5-9/195	30-Mar-04	33-5-21-26
25	Vladimir Grudinin	D	Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (MHL)	5-10/160	9-Dec-03	15-2-7-9
26	Owen Beck	C	Mississauga (OHL)	5-11/190	3-Feb-04	33-13-16-29
27	Simon Forsmark	D	Orebro (SHL)	6-2/195	17-Oct-03	22-0-1-1
28	Mats Lindgren	D	Kamloops (WHL)	5-11/175	26-Aug-04	34-2-19-21
29	Rutger McGroarty	LW	USN U18 (USDP)	6-1/205	30-Mar-04	27-15-17-32
30	Jiri Kulich	C	Karlovy Vary (Cze)	6-0/175	14-Apr-04	31-7-4-11
31	Isaac Howard	LW	USN U18 (USDP)	5-10/180	30-Mar-04	33-15-24-39
32	Jimmy Snuggerud	RW	USN U18 (USDP)	6-1/185	1-Jun-04	33-16-22-38
33	Filip Bystedt	C	Linkopings (SHL)	6-4/185	4-Feb-04	14-1-1-2
34	Brandon Lisowsky	LW	Saskatoon (WHL)	5-8/175	13-Apr-04	35-19-10-29
35	Jagger Firkus	RW	Moose Jaw (WHL)	5-10/155	29-Apr-04	38-23-21-44
36	Maveric Lamoureux	D	Drummondville (QMJHL)	6-7/195	13-Jan-04	30-3-8-11
37	Matthew Poitras	C	Guelph (OHL)	5-11/175	10-Mar-04	29-10-13-23
38	Adam Ingram	C	Youngstown (USHL)	6-2/165	14-Oct-03	27-16-20-36
39	Liam Ohgren	LW	Djurgardens (SHL)	6-0/185	28-Jan-04	21-1-1-2
40	Calle Odelius	D	Djurgardens J20 (Swe J20)	6-0/185	30-May-04	28-4-17-21
41	Sam Rinzel	D	Chaska (USHS-MN)	6-4/180	25-Jun-04	13-3-13-16
42	Ludwig Persson	LW	Frolunda J20 (Swe J20)	6-0/180	8-Oct-03	24-16-19-35
43	Artyom Duda	D	Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (Rus)	6-1/180	8-Apr-04	36-11-20-31
44	Jani Nyman	RW	KOOVEE (Fin-Mestis)	6-3/210	30-Jul-04	23-14-9-23
45	Matyas Sapovaliv	C	Saginaw (OHL)	6-3/180	12-Feb-04	31-10-16-26
46	Kevin Korchinski	D	Seattle (WHL)	6-1/185	21-Jun-04	32-4-24-28
47	Gleb Trikozov	RW	Omskie Yastreby (MHL)	6-1/185	12-Aug-04	17-9-8-17
48	David Goyette	C	Sudbury (OHL)	5-11/170	27-Mar-04	32-12-18-30
49	Owen Pickering	D	Swift Current (WHL)	6-3/180	27-Jan-04	34-6-15-21
50	Lian Bichsel	D	Leksands (SHL)	6-5/215	18-May-04	13-0-1-1
51	Paul Ludwinski	LW	Kingston (OHL)	5-11/175	23-Apr-04	28-6-13-19
52	Jordan Dumais	RW	Halifax (QMJHL)	5-8/165	15-Apr-04	30-16-31-47
53	Aleksanteri Kaskimaki	LW	HIFK (Fin U20)	6-0/185	6-Feb-04	22-15-14-29
54	Luca Del Bel Belluz	C	Mississauga (OHL)	6-1/180	10-Nov-03	33-18-27-45
55	Ryan Chesley	D	USN U18 (USDP)	6-0/195	27-Feb-04	32-2-5-7
56	Danny Zhilkin	C	Guelph (OHL)	6-2/185	19-Dec-03	27-10-14-24
57	Isaiah George	D	London (OHL)	6-0/195	15-Feb-04	29-1-9-10
58	Rieger Lorenz	LW	Okotoks (AJHL)	6-1/185	30-Mar-04	43-28-39-67
59	Tyler Duke	D	USN U18 (USDP)	5-8/180	19-Jul-04	27-1-7-8
60	Mattias Havelid	D	Linkopings (SHL)	5-9/170	1-Jan-04	12-0-0-0
61	Arseni Koromyslov	D	SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)	6-3/180	3-Nov-03	22-0-8-8
62	Jack Hughes 2	C	Northeastern (NCAA-HE)	6-0/165	2-Nov-03	22-5-4-9
63	Lane Hutson	D	USN U18 (USDP)	5-8/150	14-Feb-04	33-4-25-29
64	Gavin Hayes	RW	Flint (OHL)	6-1/175	14-May-04	30-8-9-17
65	Otto Salin	D	HIFK (Fin-Liiga)	5-11/185	7-Mar-04	5-0-1-1
66	Hunter Haight	C	Barrie (OHL)	5-10/175	4-Apr-04	24-8-6-14
67	Antonin Verreault	LW	Gatineau (QMJHL)	5-8/165	28-Jul-04	29-8-18-26
68	Cameron Lund	RW	Green Bay (USHL)	6-2/185	7-Jun-04	30-11-9-20
69	Bryce McConnell-Barker	C	Soo Greyhounds (OHL)	6-1/185	4-Jun-04	34-11-12-23
70	Brennan Ali	C	Lincoln (USHL)	6-1/195	9-Feb-04	2-0-0-0
71	David Spacek	D	Sherbrooke (QMJHL)	6-0/170	18-Feb-03	27-5-20-25
72	Angus Booth	D	Shawinigan (QMJHL)	6-0/175	27-Apr-04	30-1-20-21
73	Jake Livanavage	D	Chicago (USHL)	5-9/160	6-May-04	32-2-25-27
74	Markus Vidicek	C	Halifax (QMJHL)	5-10/160	21-Mar-04	30-9-18-27
75	Matthew Seminoff	RW	Kamloops (WHL)	5-10/160	27-Dec-03	30-15-18-33
76	Kasper Kulonummi	D	Jokerit (Fin U20)	6-0/175	1-Mar-04	25-2-16-18
77	Vinzenz Rohrer	RW	Ottawa (OHL)	5-10/160	9-Sep-04	30-9-14-23
78	Elias Salomonsson	D	Skelleftea J20 (Swe J20)	6-1/170	31-Aug-04	24-8-9-17
79	Liam Arnsby	C	North Bay (OHL)	5-10/180	20-Nov-03	32-8-10-18
80	Daniil Orlov	D	Sakhalinskiye Akuly (MHL)	6-2/180	21-Dec-03	44-8-18-26
81	Quinn Finley	LW	Madison (USHL)	6-0/170	8-Aug-04	14-5-5-10
82	Topi Ronni	C	Tappara (Fin U20)	6-1/180	5-May-04	21-7-11-18
83	Jordan Gustafson	C	Seattle (WHL)	5-11/180	20-Jan-04	29-13-18-31
84	Tyler Brennan	G	Prince George (WHL)	6-4/190	27-Sep-03	8-11-2, 3.34, .902
85	Cole Spicer	C	USN U18 (USDP)	5-10/175	13-Jun-04	31-10-12-22
86	Ryan Greene	C	Green Bay (USHL)	6-1/175	21-Oct-03	28-10-16-26
87	Topias Leinonen	G	JyP (Fin U20)	6-4/215	19-Jul-04	17GP, 2.17, .919
88	Alexander Suzdalev	LW	HV 71 J20 (Swe J20)	6-2/175	5-Mar-04	31-11-22-33
89	Pano Fimis	C	Niagara (OHL)	5-10/175	17-Jun-04	27-5-14-19
90	Spencer Sova	D	Erie (OHL)	6-1/185	10-Jan-04	30-2-12-14
91	Yoan Loshing	C	Moncton (QMJHL)	5-9/160	29-Feb-04	19-8-5-13
92	Jack Devine	RW	Denver (NCHC)	5-11/175	1-Oct-03	19-2-12-14
93	Ruslan Gazizov	RW	London (OHL)	5-11/185	21-Jan-04	20-5-11-16
94	Jackson Dorrington	D	Des Moines (USHL)	6-2/190	13-Apr-04	27-3-7-10
95	Jorian Donovan	D	Hamilton (OHL)	6-1/180	5-Apr-04	31-3-9-12
96	Jere Lassila	C	JyP (Fin U20)	5-9/170	8-Mar-04	13-7-4-11
97	Tucker Robertson	C	Peterborough (OHL)	5-11/190	22-Jun-03	31-19-23-42
98	Noah Warren	D	Gatineau (QMJHL)	6-5/215	15-Jul-04	29-3-9-12
99	Zakary Lavoie	RW	Mississauga (OHL)	5-11/170	15-Mar-04	31-10-15-25
100	Boston Buckberger	D	Brooks (AJHL)	5-10/175	1-Jun-03	42-11-9-20

2022 NHLDRAFT: MCKEEN’S MID-SEASON RANKING – TOP 32

Brock Otten — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 20:58:52 +0000