Givani Smith – McKeen's Hockey

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MCKEEN’S 2020 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – DETROIT RED WINGS – ORGANIZATIONAL RANK: 14

Sat, 19 Sep 2020 13:44:17 +0000

Detroit Red Wings

While the hiring of Detroit legend Steve Yzerman to take over as team GM from departed Hall of Famer Ken Holland has brought a lot of optimism to Red Wings fans everywhere, those good vibes are leavened by the state of the organization that he has taken over. We all know how bad the team was at the NHL level this year – and for the three years prior. The Red Wings were easily the worst team in the league this year, a season which surely ranks among the handful of worst seasons in the salary cap era.

Unfortunately, the problems ran deeper than the aging NHL roster. While there are young players like Dylan Larkin, Anthony Mantha, Tyler Bertuzzi, and Filip Zadina and Hronek who should still be able to play important roles once the Wings return to contention, the roster had far more players who must be long gone before the future is now. Jimmy Howard, Justin Abdelkader, Valtteri Filppula, Jonathan Ericsson, Frans Nielsen, Darren Helm, Luke Glendening, Trevor Daley. Many of that last group of players have connections to grander days in the past, but collectively they have little to suggest that they could contribute to winning again in the future.

The Red Wings aren’t the only team that has set up a long-term residence in the NHL basement. Ottawa and Los Angeles have spent enough time with them there in recent seasons, but none of them wants to relive the experiences of the Edmonton Oilers (seemingly finally over) or the Buffalo Sabres, as true long timers. Unfortunately for the Wings, they are the farthest from getting out of this hole.

This cannot be blamed on Yzerman at all, considering how recent was his return to Detroit. But while the late-era Holland Wings had a literal ton of picks to work with (11 in 2017, and 10 in 2018, also securing 11 picks for Yzerman’s first Detroit draft in 2019), they did not take full advantage of their draft hauls*.

*Yes, I know it’s still too early to fully judge draft outcomes from 2017-18.

For a team that built a dynasty on the backs of later picks like Pavel Datsyuk (171^st, 1998), Henrik Zetterberg (210^th, 1999), Tomas Holmstrom (257^th, 1994), and many others after the first, making it easier for the club to trade away first rounders to keep chasing the highs of victory (the team didn’t have a first rounder between 2001 – 2004, and missed the first round four more times between 06-12).

If you have a long history of succeeding against the odds, you might start to believe in your own magic. The Wings were very invested in the early days of European scouting, particularly in Russia, but also with great success in Sweden. 20-30 years ago, it would have been fair and correct to note that the Wings had an edge when it came to drafting from Europe, even if not all of their value picks were Europeans.

Looking at their recent drafts (since 2010), the only players outside of their first round picks to have accrued at least 200 games in the NHL are Calle Jarnkrok, Petr Mrazek, Andreas Athanasiou, Mattias Janmark, while Tyler Bertuzzi will join them in his next game. It is unlikely that others – at least in the first half of the decade – will join them.

Towards the end, even the top half of the draft has been a letdown. I am looking directly at the 2017 draft, headed by Michael Rasmussen at ninth overall. It is too early to call him a bust, but expectations are WAY down. And the team didn’t even hold on to five of their 11 picks, letting their rights expire without offering a contract.

Yzerman’s first draft looks good so far – including seven players listed below – but he still has a lot of building to do before the Red Wings can return to their glorified recent past.

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 25: Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider (53) handles the puck during the first period in the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Detroit Red Wings on September 25, 2019, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire)

Moritz Seider, D (6^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 3)

Seider’s career within the Red Wings organization started with shock and awe; jumping from the mid-teens on the large majority of draft boards all the way up to sixth overall in the 2019 NHL Draft, nobody was more surprised than the big German. However, while the pick was a big surprise, Seider has shown that he is absolutely worth the hype required of a top-ten selection.

One of the most polished teenage players in the recent history of the AHL, the 6-4”, 207lb rearguard’s game is predicated upon smarts, two-way excellence, and physicality. He required minimal adjustment when he came stateside for his first AHL season. Capable of eating heavy minutes against the top opposing forward line, he is adept at positioning his stick well and using his length to shut down high danger shot and pass angles. He is supremely competitive and can be a pest to play against. A smooth skater, his technical refinement -- specifically his lateral mobility and skating momentum -- is incredibly impressive for someone his size.

A power play quarterback with Grand Rapids last season, his offensive instincts allow him to slide passes onto his teammates’ stick blades with ease. Although he can be a bit aggressive with his puck movement, he has the mobility and defensive refinement to back track if needed.

Still just 19, Seider is a near-term number-one defenseman who could receive Norris Trophy votes in his prime as a shutdown man capable of chipping in 30-40 points at the highest level. With Detroit out of the postseason picture for a while, they can afford to be patient with Seider, who will play for Mannheim of the German league until North American hockey resumes. - TD

Jared McIsaac, D (36^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 4)

McIsaac has a ton of offensive potential and can control a game from the back end with his skating and puck moving abilities, and he can hit like a freight train. Though his goal total was down, his shot is very powerful from the point and it has eyes. He has fully healed from shoulder surgery and he should be good to go for his first pro season this coming year.

It did take a while for McIsaac to come back from his injuries, which he suffered in the early part of 2018-19, and played with through the rest of that season and the Memorial Cup, but he was a strong contributor to the Moncton Wildcats after a mid-season trade this past season. McIsaac adds a ton of positive skills to the blueline of any team; he can carry a pairing, he can play as a puck rusher or as a stay-at-home type, he is solid along the boards and at keeping pucks in at the point.

The main weakness in his game, as it has been throughout his junior career, is the consistency in his decision-making. Some shifts for McIsaac are struggles in the defensive zone, and some of his passes don’t quite end up where he intends them to go. He can grow out of this and be a very reliable defender, as the skillset is completely there, it is just a matter of the mental game.

Additionally, until he fills out, he projects as more of an offensive puck mover than a two-way defender at the top level. If he grows another couple inches and adds 20 pounds, he can be that strong two-way blueliner.

McIsaac was easily one of the most talented defensemen in the QMJHL the past three seasons and has a long pro career ahead of him. - MS

Albert Johansson, D (60^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 6)

Detroit took notice of Johansson’s strong second half of his draft season and picked him late in the second round. This is already looking like a good pick. He showed steady development last season and earned a regular spot in the SHL.

He is a smart two-way defenseman who reads the play and plays with both poise and finesse. His transition to senior hockey went smoothly as the more structured hockey suited him. He played a bigger role during the season with 15-18 minutes per game, on a strong SHL team at the end of the season. Johansson’s offensive game is borderline elite and I can see him becoming a 0.5 ppg player. That said, he lacks a strong shot and his stick handling is not elite, but above average.

His passing and hockey sense are his best characteristics. Johansson is also a good skater. He moves smoothly and does not need to use much energy to keep his speed up. He can make quick turns and gets up to speed quickly and can travel easily with the puck. His shot is okay, but he rarely scores from the blueline. He scored two goals from outside the circles last season and both were at junior level. His shot selection is okay, and he needs some work on his accuracy.

Defensively, he turns his head and reads the play well. He plays with aggression and good gap control. He is not in any way a liability when he is on the ice; On the contrary he plays a good team game with good decision-making. He has signed with Detroit but will play another year in the SHL which will be good for him. Johansson is a solid top four defenseman prospect. - JH

Robert Mastrosimone, LW (54^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 5)

Mastrosimone may have been outshined by fellow freshman Trevor Zegras during his rookie season at Bosotn University, but Mastrosimone has skills of his own to appreciate. He spent two seasons in the USHL, during which he was named to the USHL All-Rookie team and also was part of the WJAC-19 championship team. He may not have been a prolific scorer in his first season, but the second-round draft pick was still able to contribute and he earned himself a spot on the power play.

Hockey sense and skating are his best attributes. Mastrosimone isn’t the fastest player out there, but he still has speed, is still a smooth skater and seemingly never stops moving, as his motor makes up for most of what his feet may lack. He also has great vision and almost has a sixth sense for knowing where his teammates will be. He has slick and soft hands and is adept at corralling passes, even if they are unruly.

He can struggle against more physical opponents who can too easily push him off the puck, but he is not afraid to use his body. With added bulk, this shortcoming could yet subside. He is creative — sometimes too creative, but it is better for him to try than to stifle his creativity.

At just 19 years old, Mastrosimone has time to solidify his game and improve his size and defensive ability. He projects to be more of an energy forward with skill at his peak despite his stature. - JS

Joe Veleno, C (30^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 2)

As the first and thus far only player in the current form of the QMJHL’s history to be granted exceptional status, and one of only six CHL players to ever earn that honor (John Tavares, Aaron Ekblad, Connor McDavid, Sean Day, Connor Bedard), there are reasonably high expectations and pressure around the development of Veleno, an unlikely Red Wings draft pick who fell from the top-10 to 30th overall in 2018’s draft. Those expectations only rose after Veleno’s 2018-19 season with Drummondville, where he scored 104 points and led the league in points per game.

While his rookie pro season with a young, struggling Grand Rapids Griffins club was not overly impressive, he showed just what his game can and will be at the NHL level. A smart and skilled centerman with tremendous puck-handling ability, the 20-year-old was as dangerous as a distributor as he was as a shooter. Capable of slowing the game down with the puck and finding the right place to put it, his instincts allow him to command play offensively and put defenders on their heels.

As someone who covers the ice well as a skater, with his hunchbacked style which makes him hard to push off coupled with high-level acceleration, he is a superb backchecker who kills penalties and can end plays in the defensive zone with his physical aggression. With no real flaws in his game and a mature presence at a young age, he projects as a top-six, two-way center. He will need to show off his offensive upside with some appearances on an AHL scoresheet more consistently to make his jump to the NHL. - TD

Antti Tuomisto, D (35^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 8)

The University of Denver commit is a breakout machine and excels in offensive transitions. He shows a lot of patience with the puck and has the poise to look for a good passing lane instead of making a hasty decision. His vision is very good, and he shows offensive imagination as well. Although he could be quicker and more explosive from a standstill, he moves pretty well given his large frame. He battles hard and does not shy away from contact but could use his size more effectively to his advantage.

His development curve is heading straight up as he has developed immensely over the last two seasons. Tuomisto has the tools to make an impact in college right away. - MB

Jonatan Berggren, LW/RW (33^rd overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 7)

Berggren has had two tough seasons since being drafted 33rd in 2018. He looked good this season but saw his season end early due injury and he has only played about 40% of the games over the last two seasons in SHL. This has, of course, slowed his development but before his season-ending injury in January he had earned himself a 15 minute per game role for Skelleftea.

He is a small winger with strong skating and work ethic. He has strong lower-body balance and elite speed. His skating technique is excellent. His offensive game relies greatly on his skating even if he has good puck skills. He is at his best on the rush and needs to work on his game when the game is standing still. He is a good playmaker but could work on his shot. He only scored four goals last season and all of them were within a meter from the goal crease.

A middle six prospect who will need at least one more full year in Sweden before stepping over to North America. - JH

Keith Petruzzelli, G (88^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: UR)

Petruzzelli got off to a rocky start as a freshman at Quinnipiac and split starts for his first two years. But he emerged into the starter role as a junior, where he improved his save percentage markedly. He tracks the puck well and squares up to shots. On the downside, while he gigantic, Petruzzelli lacks speed in his lateral movement which at times puts him out of position. He plays with a calm demeanor but does tend to scramble when he gets caught out of position. Petruzzelli also likes to flash his glove.

He needs to work on his speed and his lateral movements within the crease during his senior season to convince the Red Wings to give him an ELC. - JS

Seth Barton, D (81^st overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: UR)

As a freshman, Barton contributed little offensively to UMass-Lowell. In his sophomore year, he showed a lot more ability to contribute at the other end. Barton also played on both the penalty kill and the power play, where he resided on the blue line.

He is not extremely fast, but he is a smooth skater. He is very patient, especially when facing pressure from opposing players. While he could be calmer on the backcheck, he is still effective at defending, even in one-on-one situations. Barton is a good stickhandler and he makes quick and direct passes.

At 6-2”, Barton can make more use of his size, which he will have the opportunity to do next season as a junior for the River Hawks. - JS

Elmer Soderblom, LW/C (159^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

A 6-7” winger with soft hands. Soderblom was a beast in the SuperElit this season and could score at will with his hard shot and big body. He also got a chance to play senior hockey in both SHL and Allsvenskan, but in a small role and he did not produce.

Soderblom is a long-term project who needs to find his way to success with his huge body. His skating and puck handling are both OK, but with his size he is often expected to be physical force. Last year in junior hockey he instead used his big body to cover the puck and to create goals and scoring chances, and he was very hard for opponents to stop.

With an adjustment period I can see him excel quickly at the senior level as well, and I can see a future NHL player in him playing a Fredrik Modin-style role. Soderblom is not overly physical but is strong around the net. He is not a sure thing but is a good bet as a 6th rounder. - JH

Kirill Tyutyayev, LW (190^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

More of a passer than a shooter, but Tyutyayev has a nose for the net and he is good on the power play. His skating is a nice mixture of agility and fluidity. His forward stride could be more explosive, but I would not consider this a significant issue. He displays situational awareness and recognizes the opportunities to pressure defensemen.

Considering his size, he is a long shot to make the NHL, but he has potential. He will play for Yunost Minsk in the top Belarussian league next season. - MB

Yevgeni Svechnikov, LW (19^th overall, 2015. 2019 Rank: 11)

When he is healthy, he has been a fine player at the AHL level, but not necessarily a top forward as he was once projected to be. At 6-3”, he plays a heavy, power forward game predicated upon his one-on-one moves and ability to shield off the puck at speed and against the boards. He loves to drive to the greasy areas and engage physically with anyone in his path.

He can make plays for his teammates but prefers to use his shot and power to create his own chances. A fair skater for his size, he didn’t lose a step following his knee surgery and can get up to speed well, although his top speed lags a bit.

He has not shown he can be a long-term NHL player, but the potential is still there for Svechnikov as a bottom-six depth scorer. - TD

Albin Grewe, RW (66^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 9)

He still can make good use of a scoring chance, but he can´t be the offensive driver at higher levels. Next season he will go to play in the OHL with Saginaw and should be a strong player for them. I can see him being a point per game player there. Most important is that he works on his game and finds himself a role that he can translate to higher levels. The tools are good, all things considered. - JH

Givani Smith, RW (46^thoverall, 2016. 2019 Rank: UR)

Looking at Smith’s body of work, it is pretty obvious how he impressed the Red Wings’ brass; he is a damn hard worker and a physical beast, both on and off the puck. He has harnessed some of his high-level one-on-one moves and now better incorporates his body into the play offensively, which buys him and his linemates some time for high-danger chances.

His skating and conditioning have improved some since he first came up to the AHL and he has turned into a consistent checking line option at the NHL level, where he played with veteran Justin Abdelkader in more than a dozen games.

The 22-year-old will not develop into the offensive force once expected out of him as a 2016 second-rounder, but he will be a formidable auxiliary forward for a Red Wings team with an abundance of young talent in the works. - TD

Otto Kivenmaki, C (191^st overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 19)

Kivenmaki had a difficult season which included being surprisingly left off from the Finnish World Juniors roster. In February, he suffered a season-ending injury in the Liiga.

There is no doubt the center has skill, but there are some concerns surrounding his game. He needs to utilize his teammates more effectively. Too often in the past season, he would carry the puck for overly long periods, instead of giving quick and simple passes to dictate the tempo of the game. His game can be very ineffective which is frustrating, because he has the abilities to create and produce more.

He is a strong, smooth skater and can carry the puck well through the neutral zone. He does not possess high-level top speed, something I would like to see from a smaller forward like him. Kivenmaki has ways to go and will need time to improve his overall game in Finland. The upcoming season will be very important for him. - MB

AHL West Report: Life without Brannstrom, Kahkonen living the Wild life, plus much more

Tom Dorsa — Fri, 08 Mar 2019 12:55:35 +0000

With the National Hockey League's annual trade deadline falling in late February, the teams in the American Hockey League are prone to change from the fall out. Prospects being shipped from one place to another with a flurry of deals can change the face of that star youngster's career, as well as the fate of their respective teams.

Youthful players have to prove their worth with new teams, while pre-established players in the same dressing room have to fight for an increase in ice time. All of this battling occurring while the team prepares itself to ink fresh NCAA and junior hockey graduates to late-season ATOs can make for a hectic scene for fans and scouts alike.

So, in this piece, we'll check in on the best and brightest prospects in the AHL's Central Division, one of two divisions in the Western Conference.

Chicago Wolves (Vegas Golden Knights)

CLEVELAND, OH - JANUARY 26: Chicago Wolves defenceman Nic Hague (2) plays the puck during the second period of the American Hockey League game between the Chicago Wolves and Cleveland Monsters on January 26, 2019, at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire)

Life without Erik Brannstrom -- who was sent to Ottawa as part of the Mark Stone trade -- might be hard to adjust to for the Chicago Wolves, but luckily, the Golden Knights have stockpiled a bounty of top prospects playing in the AHL.

Especially Nic Hague (fourth in our preseason rankings of Vegas prospects), who has done yeoman's work in keeping the Wolves atop the Central Division standings, taking on heavy, all-situation minutes in the wake of the Brannstrom trade. His skating is still a big issue, and players can drive past the lefty blueliner pretty easily, but his raw, 6-6" size makes Hague (10-14-24) nearly unbeatable low in the zone, where he shuts down the cycle well and forces opposing forwards into turnovers.

Goaltender Oskar Dansk (14th) doesn't quite have the stats to show it, but the technical aspects of his game have improved in the AHL this season. He is moving well laterally and staying on his feet to challenge shots, as well as becoming a better puck-handler. At 25 years old, Dansk (17-9-1, 2.86 GAA, .896 Sv%) has little development left to do, and instead should settle into an NHL backup role eventually, when his health will cooperate.

Other defensemen of interest are Jake Bischoff (5th) and Zach Whitecloud (12th), who are now both playing up in the lineup thanks to the absence of Brannstrom. Bischoff (2-9-11) is a solid two-way guy with potential to man an NHL second-unit power-play, based on his plus foot speed and creativity, but his willingness to take hits and his improved gaps and reads have led to more defensive zone deployment this season. He has been called up by the Golden Knights a few times already but has yet to see NHL ice time.

Whitecloud (6-17-23) has a lower ceiling than Bischoff, but arguably a far higher floor. The 6-2" defenseman is seeing power play time for the Wolves as he has worked on his assertiveness offensively, and is already a very well-rounded d-man he works hard in the defensive zone and has a very active stick. The first NCAA free agent signing in Knights history is due for a recall.

Iowa Wild (Minnesota Wild)

Though the Iowa Wild have been a steady force near the summit of the Central Division standings this season, their team is led mostly by pro hockey veterans, and few top prospects are really shining for this club. Iowa's three leading scorers are Cal O'Reilly (32 years old), Gerald Mayhew (26), and Kyle Rau (26), while top-tier prospects Luke Kunin (2nd) and Jordan Greenway (3rd) have essentially graduated to the NHL.

However, goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen (7th) has been perhaps the class of AHL netminding this season, and after an All-Star Classic appearance, has continued his torrid 2018-19 season. The 22-year-old has been dynamic behind a relatively thin defensive core, using his enhanced play-reading abilities and athleticism to carry the load for the club.

Grand Rapids Griffins (Detroit Red Wings)

Not much has gone right for the Detroit Red Wings this season, but if anything has, it is the development of their top-tier prospects. Unlike most rebuilding teams, who will have their prospects marinate in the junior leagues for years, Detroit has shown a willingness to give guys like Filip Zadina (1st), Michael Rasmussen (3rd), and Filip Hronek (7th) a chance to prove themselves in the pro ranks at a young age.

It is an admirable development strategy, one counter to their traditional practice of slow-walking prospect development, and the results have been promising to this point, with Zadina's curious 2018-19 season leading the charge. After a very slow start, the 2018 draft's sixth-overall selection started funneling shots on goal and using his plus-plus foot speed to impact games. He has been a solid power-play option and a middle-sixer whose Griffins run specific sets so as to utilize his speed and deft hands.

A guy on the opposite spectrum is fellow forward Givani Smith (18th), whose lack of top-end skill has really shown this season. A former second-round pick taken, seemingly, for his fiery physical game, which has paid off on the Grand Rapids penalty kill, Smith (4-3-7) has struggled in any role besides that shorthanded deployment. He is an alright skater, but his usage on Grand Rapids' fourth-line (when he isn't being healthy scratched), is pretty indicative of his shortcomings.

Texas Stars (Dallas Stars)

After being a black ace for the Texas Stars' run to the Calder Cup Finals last season, goaltender Philippe Desrosiers has had a memorable stretch as of late. He spent considerable time in the ECHL to start the season, as he did last season, but has enjoyed a resurgence as a split-starter with fellow netminder Landon Bow in the Texas crease.

Desrosiers (not ranked) has appeared in nine out of Texas' last 12 games, and in that stretch, has posted a 2.43 GAA and .913 Sv%. He has been noticeably better at reading plays, and comes out to the lip of the crease to challenge opposing shooters more often.

Undrafted, free-agent signing Joel L'Esperance (not ranked) has lit up the AHL this season, to the tune of 29 goals. The big-bodied, versatile centerman has earned a recall to Dallas and has appeared in six NHL contests, just a year removed from signing an ATO out of Michigan Tech. Though L'Esperance (29-15-44) likely will never be a pure scorer at the NHL level, his offensive skills are underrated, and he can fill out a second power-play unit for a long time.

Another surefire NHLer, Roope Hintz (9th) is essentially finished with AHL hockey and has graduated to Dallas. It's a well-deserved promotion for perhaps the best pure skater in the organization, as his foot speed, stride length, and top speed are all well above league-average. The former second-round draft pick (9-13-22 in the AHL) has a wicked wrist shot and also quite a bit of chemistry with Denis Gurianov, which could help accelerate the development of the Russian.

Rockford IceHogs (Chicago Blackhawks)

After being squeezed out of ice time due to a resurgent Blackhawks team making a late-season playoff push, youthful defenseman Henri Jokiharju was assigned to Rockford and immediately became an impact player in an AHL team in a tight postseason race of their own. The former WHLer (2nd) has posted 12 points (1-11-12) in 13 games since being sent down.

Though he could stand to better take a hit, his skating, shot, defensive intelligence, and transitional game are at an NHL level at just 19 years old. He is probably better suited to get increased ice time with the IceHogs than to play on the third pair in Chicago, as the Blackhawks brass want the Finn to develop into an all-around defenseman, similar to (though with not as high a ceiling as) Duncan Keith.

Though his 15-game ride in the NHL was underwhelming, centerman Luke Johnson (19th) has taken major strides in his development this season. Mostly a two-way defensive forward with some creativity, Johnson (13-13-26) has become more assertive on offense and has earned himself some time on the Rockford second power play unit. His NHL game will be more of honing in on his best qualities, the Marcus Kruger-esque fourth-line checking role.

Milwaukee Admirals (Nashville Predators)

Though the Admirals lost one of their leading scorers, Emil Pettersson, in a trade with the Coyotes, they acquired forward Adam Helewka in the same deal, and Helewka (17th in Arizona's preseason prospect rankings) has been money for the thin Milwaukee forward core. Though he can be inconsistent and now joins a more stacked organization, the Canadian forward remains very intriguing.

With 11 points (4-7-11) in 10 games since joining the club, Helewka has been driving play at 5-on-5 with his creativity and hustle, though his skating is a major issue. He has a goal-scoring package to him, and he kills penalties for the Admirals, making him a very useful AHL player, even if he has a limited NHL-caliber ceiling.

Defenseman Alexandre Carrier (8th) continues to be an assist machine, and a forward's best friend at even strength and on the power play. As an undersized defenseman with middle-pair potential, his game will have to be one of that style, and his puck-moving skills and foot quickness fall in line with that. Luckily, that's just what Nashville asks of its defensemen in the Peter Laviolette system, and his playing style can help the NHL team in that regard.

Manitoba Moose (Winnipeg Jets)

With a team that has lost some top prospects over the course of the season, such as Kristian Vesalainen (1st), Jack Roslovic (2nd), Mason Appleton (3rd), and Sami Niku (4th), Michael Spacek (9th) has been leading the way. The 2015 fourth-rounder has zeroed in on becoming a more well-rounded player this season, and has focused less on shooting and more on playmaking.

For a guy whose shot is a weapon on the power play, his commitment to improving as a passer has shown so far in 2018-19, as he is on pace for a career high in points (8-26-34) by virtue of those 26 helpers. His hockey sense plays up his average skillset, and he probably is best suited for a depth shooting role. Though he has an undersized frame, he has been solid as a checking-line forward at times.

Though the speed and energy of JC Lipon (20th) can be infectious at times, he has been stagnant as a prospect and it is hard to make anything of him. After experiencing a nine-game NHL trial three seasons ago, he has not been back to the top league since, and at 25, he really can't do any more improving.

He lacks high-end skills to compliment his speed, and has embraced the role of a fighter on his team, which can often be a death sentence for a young player's future. Once a depth forward for the Canadian World Junior Championships team, Lipon (10-14-24) looks more like a career AHLer than anything at this stage in his development.

San Antonio Rampage (St. Louis Blues)

The top-rated European prospect from the 2017 draft, Klim Kostin has taken a pretty considerable step backwards in a 2018-19 season that has been anything but good to San Antonio. Kostin (2nd) has been a quiet player offensively, has taken a ton of penalties, and is not being nearly as assertive from a physical standpoint.

There is still a lot of promise in Kostin, who is seen by the Blues as an untouchable prospect, especially considering he is only 19 years old and this is already his second full AHL season. However, Kostin (7-11-18) will need to ramp us his intensity in the offensive zone and his willingness to shoot the puck to live up to the initial hype. He will never be an elite skater, but he can be a go-to power forward.

Jordan Kyrou (3rd) has been a bright spot on an otherwise bleak Rampage team this season, leading the club with 41 points (16-25-41) in as many games, carrying with him his offseason prowess from his junior days. However, Ville Husso (7th) has been worrisome and horrid this season.

Husso is supposed to be one of the best goaltending prospects in the sport, but was surpassed on the Rampage depth chart and outperformed by Jordan Binnington and Jared Coreau. Husso (6-14-0, 3.45, .881) has the raw tools, but has lost a step in terms of play-reading and competitiveness.

Detroit Red Wings Prospect System Overview

Ryan Wagman — Sat, 15 Sep 2018 18:57:52 +0000

In 2016-17, the Red Wings missed the postseason for the first time in a quarter century. They missed again, more emphatically, last year, with their 73 points on the season falling 26 points shy of the final wild card spot.

While the team was seemingly clinging to their postseason hopes through at least mid-season in 2016-17, there was no question that they were not “going for it” last year. They did not quite tank, but they self-identified as sellers as the trade deadline neared and their most prominent off-season acquisition heading into 2017-18 was the one and only Luke Witkowski.

Now that they are a full season past the denial stage of mourning/rebuilding, we can see how the organization is planning to return the Red Wings to a place of prominence in the NHL. On the one hand, they were able to leverage some diminishing assets in 2016-17 to acquire additional draft picks, selecting 11 times in total. On the other hand, all of their extra selections came after the top two rounds. Picking four times in the third round is nice, but having extra picks in the first and/or second is better.

So while Detroit only had 10 draft picks this year, the extra picks were far more significant. In 2017, the Wings second pick was 38^th overall. This year, they selected four times by the time the 38^th pick was taken. They made seven of the first 84 picks. Not only that, but the drafting strategy the Wings took on this year was more centered on skill than on players who fit a certain role. They chose for upside instead of safety.

Not that anything was wrong with the selection of Michael Rasmussen ninth overall last year. Everyone loves 6-6” centers who are mobile and dangerous from the dots on down. On the other hand, he has long dealt with recurring injuries and an outsized portion of his production has come on the power play. He just might not be Eric Lindros.

Their next two highest picks of their 2017 draft class were blueliners who are more notable for IQ and two way play than any sort of dynamism. Systems need those players, and NHL teams need them too, but they are not the types of prospects on whom you can plan a rebuild.

With their first four picks of the 2018 draft, the Red Wings added players who all could have easily fit in the first round and do project as players who could be central to the next playoff team in Detroit.

Detroit looks to have another season of selling in store in 2018-19, but with the ascent of some of the products of the last two draft classes looking to be ready to contribute by 2019-20, as well as the maturation of previous draft hauls, such as Dylan Larkin, Anthony Mantha, and Tyler Bertuzzi, they can now focus on building a team that will not just be competitive, but with some luck, could be an elite franchise again. The path back to greatness will not be linear, but at least they can now envision it.

Filip Zadina

1 Filip Zadina, LW (6^th overall, 2018. Last Year: IE) While we can understand the motives of Montreal, Ottawa, and Arizona in taking Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Brady Tkachuk, and Barrett Hayton with the third, fourth and fifth picks of the draft, respectively, we remain convinced that Zadina was the third best player in the 2018 draft class, closer to Andrei Svechnikov at number 2 than might be believed. He grades at a very high level as a skater, shooter, puck handler and for his hockey IQ. He plays with grit, energy, and a true nose for the net. Even if Zadina plateaued after two thirds of the QMJHL season with Halifax, the level he had been playing at for months is one that few ever achieve at any level. The fact that he upped his output when the lights were brightest suggests he could make good on the chance to make the NHL roster right away. Zadina is a building block.

2 Joe Veleno, C (30^th overall, 2018. Last Year: IE) The first and thus far only player granted “Exceptional Player” status by the QMJHL, Veleno played a mature game with Saint John, filling a middle six role up the middle as the Sea Dogs won the QMJHL title in 2017. Unfortunately, he slumped badly to kick off his draft year, as the only player of note left on a team in the beginning of a tear-down. He particularly struggled putting the puck in the net. After a midseason trade to Drummondville, with the pressure of being The Man off his shoulders, his season took off again and he more than doubled his goalscoring while improving his rate of helpers as well. Detroit was surprised to see him available at the end of the first round, and his high end skating, playmaking, and hockey IQ all suggest that he could one day be a number one center, with the second line as his floor.

3 Michael Rasmussen, C (9^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 1^st) While it was fair to consider Rasmussen an overdraft at ninth overall in 2017, there is no question but that he profiles as an impact center in the NHL. If there were doubters, his performance in the WHL playoffs last season, with a ridiculous 33 points in 14 games, put such concerns to rest. He is an average skater, even considering his size, which might prevent him from being a true fist line center, but he is an incredible sniper and can be impossible to strip of the puck. That his strength comes with soft hands is a bonus. The Red Wings are expected to give him every chance to make the NHL out of camp this year. He will probably need to be eased into life in the NHL with sheltered shifts, but he should be a top six staple within two seasons.

4 Jared McIsaac, D (36^th overall. Last Year: IE) After being fortunate to nab Zadina at sixth overall in the first round, Detroit returned to Halifax with their second second rounder, taking all around blueliner Jared McIsaac. A fantastic skater who does everything at an above average level, he has already represented Canada at the WU18 tournament twice. It was not too long ago that McIsaac was considered the best offensive defenseman in the QMJHL (ahead of Noah Dobson). With Halifax expected to ramp up as they prepare to host next year’s Memorial Cup, expect McIsaac to put up a copious amount of points and gain even experience in the spotlight. If there is a future first pairing defender in this system, this is it.

Jonatan Berggren

5 Jonatan Berggren, LW/RW (33^rd overall, 2018. Last Year: IE) One of the better skating forwards in the 2018 draft class, Berggren put up crazy numbers in the Swedish junior ranks and was one of the breakout stars of the WU18 tournament, but lasted to the second pick of the second round due to a lack of muscle and a lack of experience at the senior level. In his 10 games in the SHL, he failed to get his name on the scoresheet. He should see more time with Skelleftea’s senior team this year, and his skating and puck skills both graded very highly and will be his tickets to the NHL. His other attributes around average, but he shows flashes of a strong shot and enough vision to suggest a top six projection within a few years.

6 Dennis Cholowski, D (20^th overall, 2016. Last Year: 4^th overall) Before leaving St. Cloud St. after his freshman season to sign an ELC with Detroit and proceed to play in the WHL with prince George and then Portland, Cholowski was easy to overlook, whether it was due to playing in the BCHL in his draft year, or due to minimal offensive production in college. That changed when he left for Major Junior. Nearly reaching one point per game in the rough WHL will do that. Cholowski is a highly skilled puck mover, with very high hockey IQ and the ability to play any number of roles at the highest level. He lacks a thundering shot, which may keep him from the first power play unit, but between his ability to read the game, move the puck in the right direction and play at a high pace, he could do most other things.

7 Filip Hronek D (53^rd overall, 2016. Last Year: 6^th) Were it not for an amazing draft class, Hronek could easily have been ranked among the top three in this system. Drafted in the second round after struggling to make an impact as an 18 year old in the Czech men’s league, Hronek came to the OHL and had zero adjustment period to the North American game. One year later, his transition from the OHL to the AHL went just as smoothly. He is a very good puck rushing blueliner who could stand to recognize danger a little better. He has also been sheltered, so his ability to play tough minutes is still a question. Those warts aside, he plays a very mature game with the puck and is not very far at all from the NHL.

8 Evgeni Svechnikov, LW (19^th overall, 2015. Last Year: 2^nd) Most players who performed as Svechnikov did last year in the AHL would be hard pressed to appear in a top 20 at all, much less in the top ten of a system as deep as Detroit’s. But even as his point per game average fell from 0.69 to 0.4 in AHL action, he still has a full set of tools, along with youth, to allow him to project into a top six at the NHL level with greater consistency and compete level. To his credit, he did not look completely out of place in a 14 game trial in the NHL, during which he scored his first two goals. He is very talented with the puck on his stick, with a long reach and strong hands and has a quick shot release. He is not bad away from the puck either. All the tools are there, he just needs to show the want to put them together.

9 David Pope, LW (109^th overall, 2013. Last Year: 19^th) The longest tenured prospect in the top 20, David Pope is the epitome of a late bloomer, who truly blossomed over his final two season at Nebraska-Omaha, with 72 points over those 69 games and a Hobey Baker nomination as a senior. Pope has a big frame, and is no more than an average skater, but he packs a very strong shot and above average puck handling skills as well as a sharp hockey mind. Late bloomer or not, he is already 23 and will have to prove himself soon. If he cannot do it within a full AHL campaign, it might never happen, but with some trade assets at LW in the NHL who could be moved by the deadline, we are optimistic.

10 Ryan O’Reilly, C/RW (98^th overall, 2018. Last Year: IE) To get a steal at the draft, you have to be willing to bet on a player’s upside overcoming his red flags. There are many players out there who are OK at a lot of things, but great at nothing, but only a few who can demonstrate high end tools, even if it is packaged with some subpar ones. O’Reilly, a Texas native, fits that mold. At is best, he has an NHL caliber shot, along with above average skating and puck handling. On the other hand, he can shy away from the game away from the puck and his effort level can waver. His instincts can also hurt him at times. With another year in the USHL in store before attending the U of Denver, Detroit will have a lot of time to let O’Reilly hone his game.

Joe Hicketts

11 Joe Hicketts, D (UDFA: Sep. 24, 2014. Last Year: 9^th) Little Joe Hicketts, packs a big punch despite being one of the smallest blueliners in pro hockey at 5-8”, 180. While his sophomore campaign in the AHL was not as statistically impressive as his rookie season was, he still profiles as a pretty safe third pairing blueliner who is very close to NHL ready. He plays a surprisingly physical game, is strong on his stick, and positions himself well to disrupt opponent attacks. Although he lacks a big shot from the point, he is patient and poised with the puck and is quick on his feet. He will be in consideration for the #6/7 role in Detroit this season.

12 Keith Petruzzelli, G (88^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 8^th) By all accounts, Petruzzelli struggled in his first year with Quinnipiac. The anointed starter as a freshman for the Bobcats, a handful of poor performances caused him to lose the job to Andrew Shortridge. Perhaps we temper our previous enthusiasm a touch, but we still believe in Petruzzelli, particularly as his play ticked back up in the second half of the season. A lanky 6-6”, he has above average athleticism and played a competitive game in the net. The funny thing about goalies is that one extra save every two games can be the difference between fantastic and subpar. One save per game is the difference between sub and superstar. The heat will be on higher this year, but Petruzzelli has the tools to make it work.

13 Gustav Lindstrom, D (38^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 13^th) Drafted by the Red Wings in the second round in 2017 as a mature beyond his years defender who spent his draft year playing with men in Allsvenskan, he showed enough development in his first post-draft year to maintain that projection. He has very good puck control and a dangerous wrist shot, even if his involvement in the offense has been somewhat muted thus far. Although he needs to get stronger, he also showed some more hints of the ability to play a more physical game this year. The Wings have already signed him to an ELC, although Lindstrom is expected to spend next season playing in the SHL, with Frolunda.

Alec Regula

14 Alec Regula, D (67^th overall, 2018. Last Year: IE) At one time a USHL player committed to the University of Michigan, Alec Regula left the Chicago Steel after playing a supporting run in their Clark Cup Championship and spent his draft year in the OHL, with the London Knights. Seeing as how his offensive game blossomed while retaining his reputation for strong play in his own zone, it looks to have been a wise career choice. Although he lacks any specific impact tools, his overall collection, tied together by an advanced hockey mind, make the whole greater than the sum of the individual parts. He has ideal size, plus mobility and is strong on the puck. He might stay below the radar, but he has NHL upside.

15 Filip Larsson, G (167^th overall, 2016. Last Year: unranked) The Red Wings took a flyer on Larsson despite rather poor numbers in his draft year in the SuperElit and at the WU18s. Actually, his numbers were horrific in the latter. Since then, however, Larsson’s stock has taken off. He improved his save percentage with Djurgarden’s U20 team from .872 to .925 and was named the top goaltender in the USHL after a .941 save percentage in 30 games for Tri-City, which earned him a spot on Sweden’s WJC squad. He has average size, but moves around his crease at a solid level and does not give up on a play. He will have every chance to claim the starting job next year at the University of Denver.

16 Malte Setkov, D (100^th overall, 2017. Last Year: unranked) The towering Setkov left his native Denmark to improve his hockey fortunes with Malmo in Sweden at the age of 15. 6-6” and lanky, he is nonetheless a fairly strong skater and shows signs of upside in terms of puck skills and hockey IQ. When he keeps his game simple, he can be a very effective defender, able to get the puck out of his own zone and begin the transition, while making life difficult for opponents through a heavy game. At his worst, he seems uncoordinated and overthinks things, leading to bad decisions with the puck, or falling out of position. After spending most of last year in the Swedish second division, he will have a bigger opportunity to spend time in the SHL.

17 Libor Sulak, D (UDFA: May 24, 2017. Last Year: unranked) Undrafted despite solid performances growing up in the Czech hockey system, even spending his first draft eligible season in the Russian junior ranks, Sulak caught the eyes of Red Wings scouts in his age 22 season, his second season in the pan Central Europe EBEL. A fantastic skating blueliner, the Wings loaned him to Pelicans, in Finland’s top men’s league to continue his path. A very impressive season in Liiga followed, with 32 points in 42 games, eighth among all league defenders, and second among them in points per game. He even contributed a pair of assists in his two game cameo in the AHL with Grand Rapids. He needs to make some adjustments to his game off the puck, but he should be ready to spend the full season in North America.

18 Givani Smith, RW (46^th overall, 2016. Last Year: 5^th) Givani Smith, whose older brother Gemel had his first full year in the NHL last year with Dallas, is the embodiment of the trend in drafting to avoid limited skill power players in the early rounds. A former second round pick, the younger Smith has a near elite physical game, but lacks any other attributes that project as more than average. Outside of a star turn in the postseason last year with Kitchener, he has never reached 0.7 points-per-game in his OHL career. Between his size and his strength, he will continue to get chances, and there are some power forwards who simply take longer to realize their ceilings, but it is currently hard to see more than a bottom six grinder in Smith right now.

19 Dominic Turgeon, C (63^rd overall, 2014. Last Year: unranked) Unlike many of the other players on this list, Turgeon is not a big upside guy. He is a middle six center in the AHL who projects as a likely fourth liner in the NHL. Son of former first overall pick and landmark Hall of Very Good player Pierre Turgeon, Dominic is not so much a chip off the old block, but he has enough mobility and hockey IQ to play a definite NHL role as soon as this season. He received his first five game sin the NHL last season, and should be in line for a fair bit more next season. He has just enough offensive ability to stick.

20 Otto Kivenmaki, C (191^st overall, 2018. Last Year: IE) It is easy to go under the radar when you are only 5-8”, 150, or when you have never appeared for your country in a prominent international tournament. Missing much of the second half to injury and then signing a three year contract with Assat between the end of the season and the draft also likely nicked Kivenmaki’s draft stock. But despite the red flags, Kivenmaki is a very fast, very skilled center who plays with a fearlessness belying his stature. He scored at a point per game pace in the Jr. A SM-liiga (Finland’s top U20 league) and should move on to the senior Liiga this year.

OHL Playoff Preview: Greyhounds pacing the pack

Brock Otten — Thu, 22 Mar 2018 20:51:07 +0000

The 2018 Ontario Hockey League playoffs kick off this week after the regular season wrapped up this past weekend. Heading into the playoffs, the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds are the clear favorites to come out of the OHL and represent the league at the Memorial Cup in Regina. They have spent the vast majority of the season as the top ranked team in the CHL, one of only two teams to chart the entire season (along with Blainville-Boisbriand of the QMJHL). But competition is always fierce and there are no sure bets in the OHL. Let us now take a look at each first round match-up.

Eastern Conference

#1 - Hamilton Bulldogs vs. #8 - Ottawa 67’s

Season Series: Hamilton leads 5-0

Will Bitten of the Hamilton Bulldogs. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Analysis: The Conference Champion Bulldogs face off against the 67’s after the Steelheads won on the final Sunday, securing the number 7 seed. Hamilton has been the cream of the crop of the Eastern Conference for the vast majority of the season. They have been extremely active in trades this year to give them the best chance of coming out of the East. The Bulldogs added Robert Thomas (St. Louis), Riley Stillman (Florida), Nic Caamano (Dallas), Ryan Moore, and Nic Mattinen (Toronto) to an already stacked lineup, giving Ottawa an extremely daunting challenge in round one. This team rolls three powerhouse offensive lines with Matthew Strome (Philadelphia), Will Bitten (Montreal), Mackenzie Entwistle (Arizona), Marian Studenic (New Jersey), and Brandon Saigeon being other top options. Forward Arthur Kaliyev (2019) is another name to watch. He is the first 16 year old to score 30 goals in the OHL since Alex Galchenyuk and he is a potential lottery pick next year as a power winger. In net, the Bulldogs boast one of the OHL’s most improved players this year in Kaden Fulcher (Detroit).

Kevin Bahl of the Ottawa 67's. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Ottawa, on the other hand, is a very young team. In a few years’ time, they could be Memorial Cup contenders. They could have five players drafted in the first three rounds this year (Kody Clark, Mitchell Hoelscher, Merrick Rippon, Kevin Bahl, and Carter Robertson). Offensively, they are paced by Sasha Chmelevski (San Jose), Travis Barron (Colorado), Austen Keating (2018) and Tye Felhaber. Chmelevski was a much hyped prospect who fell hard at last year’s draft (all the way to the 6th), but he has returned much stronger this season. His play away from the puck has greatly improved and it has taken his game to another level. But for all their talent offensively, the 67’s have had a very difficult time keeping the puck out of their own net this year. Overager Olivier Tremblay has not provided the stability that the team had hoped for when they brought him in early this year.

This one has all the makings of a quick series. This Ottawa team, as talented as they are young, is not yet ready for this type of challenge. The Bulldogs are one of the deepest teams in the OHL and their offensive firepower is likely to overwhelm an inexperienced defense and inconsistent netminder. One particular thing worth watching is the 67’s struggling penalty kill going up against one of the league’s best powerplay units from Hamilton. This has to be troubling for Ottawa because they also happen to be one of the league’s most undisciplined teams. And while Ottawa does have some great young offensive talent, the Bulldogs have one of the oldest defensive units in the league and are likely to limit the offensive chances of the 67’s. I look for Robert Thomas to have a big series here (and a big playoff performance overall). His points per game has taken a big dip since joining the Bulldogs, but I think he explodes this postseason.

Prediction: This Hamilton team is just too experienced and too talented for the 67’s. They have the advantage in nearly every area and should dominate. If Ottawa was getting better goaltending, I would say that they might be able to steal a game or two, but I do not even see that happening. Hamilton in 4.

#2 - Barrie Colts vs. #7 - Mississauga Steelheads

Season Series: Mississauga leads 4-2

Michael McLeod of the Mississauga Steelheads. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Analysis: If I was a betting man, I would bet that this is the match-up that Barrie wanted to avoid in the opening round. In fact, it was probably the match-up every team wanted to avoid in the first round. Mississauga has underachieved all season long, but they have shown some signs of finally coming to life the last month or so. Offensive talent is not to be questioned. Their first two lines include names like Michael McLeod (New Jersey), Ryan McLeod (2018), Owen Tippett (Florida), Trent Fox, Albert Michnac (2018), and Mathieu Foget. This group of six matches up well against any top six in the Eastern Conference and it helps to explain why the Steelheads are the third highest scoring team in the Conference. And this excludes their leading scorer, defenseman Nic Hague (Vegas), who was the first OHL defender to score 30+ since Allan Rourke. But keeping the puck out has been a challenge at times. Swedish import and defensive stalwart Jacob Moverare (Los Angeles) has been injured and that has really challenged their younger defensive players to play more minutes than they are ready for. Furthermore, young netminder Jacob Ingham (2018) has had an awful sophomore season that has seen him essentially lose the starting job to Emanuel Vella.

Andrei Svechnikov of the Barrie Colts. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

This is potentially trouble because Barrie is the highest scoring team in the Conference and the 3rd highest scoring in the OHL. Their first line of Andrei Svechnikov (2018), Aaron Luchuk (Ottawa), and Dmitry Sokolov (Minnesota) has been absolutely shredding teams of late. The supporting offensive cast includes guys like Ryan Suzuki (2019), Jason Willms (2018), and Zach Magwood who work extremely hard in all three zones and bring energy that exhausts the opposition so that the first line can go to work. The Colts do not have any stars on the blueline, but they are a tight knit unit who work well with Barrie’s forwards to play a terrific team defense. In net, overager Leo Lazerev starts and while he does not necessarily win any games outright for the Colts, he is a mostly reliable presence. It should be noted that he has yet to win an OHL playoff series in his career and probably goes into this match-up with just as many question marks as Mississauga’s tenders.

There is no question that this is not your average #2 versus #7 seed match-up. This is especially true when you consider the fact that Mississauga largely dominated the season series, winning all three games in the new year by a combined score of 18-10. For whatever reason, the speed of Mississauga’s forwards gives the defense of Barrie a tough time and Lazerev has an .840 save percentage against the Fish this season. This is complicated even more by the fact that Andrei Svechnikov has been suspended for the first four games of the series for a head check. But I admit, I have a tough time picking Mississauga to win this series. I do not trust their defense to be able to handle Barrie’s depth up front. And if these games go to an offensive shootout like they did in the regular season, I think Barrie ends up coming out on top this time. Mississauga’s Mathieu Foget has also been suspended for the first four games of the series and his loss might actually be felt more because of Mississauga’s lack of depth. His acquisition really triggered the turnaround for the team. Barrie also needs to stay out of the box. In the regular season, they gave Mississauga almost double the amount of powerplays that they received and it cost them dearly with the Steelheads clicking at over 30% with the man advantage. If they can stay out of the box, and Lazerev can make a few saves, I still like Barrie to come out on top.

Prediction: The result of this series would not surprise me either way, even with the difference in seeding. But depth is critical in the playoffs and Barrie has the advantage there. I am excited to see how the Svechnikov/Luchuk/Sokolov unit handles the pressure of the playoffs. Svechnikov, in particular, can really cement himself as the #2 prospect available in the draft with a strong postseason performance once he returns from suspension (as long as Barrie does not get swept). Barrie in 7.

#3 - Kingston Frontenacs vs. #6 - North Bay Battalion

Season Series: Kingston leads 3-1

Gabriel Vilardi of the Kingston Frontenacs. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Analysis: This is an intriguing match-up because of how differently these two teams approached the OHL season. Kingston brought in Gabe Vilardi (Los Angeles), Max Jones (Anaheim), Cliff Pu (Buffalo), Sean Day (New York Rangers), and Mitchell Byrne at the deadline to bolster an already solid line-up and make them contenders to come out of the East. While they failed to secure a division banner, the results post deadline have been mostly extremely positive. A healthy and re-invigorated Vilardi has provided the biggest boost, as his 1.87 points per game in Kingston is second to only Jordan Kyrou (St. Louis) in the OHL. His strength, on and off the puck, makes him a dominant force in all three zones and the type of player who works to tire and grind out opposing defenses.

Justin Brazeau of the North Bay Battalion. Photo by Terry Wilson /OHL Images,

The North Bay Battalion were sellers at the deadline this year, shipping out veterans Cam Dineen (Arizona), and Brett McKenzie (Vancouver). Those moves only worked to light a fire under the Battalion roster and the team actually improved their record in the New Year thanks to the play of new acquisitions Matthew Struthers (2018), and Jake Henderson, as well as veterans Justin Brazeau (2018), and Adam Thilander (2018). Brazeau, in particular, is a player to watch. The 6-5” winger finished just inside the Top 20 of league scoring and was named as the East’s most underrated player in the recent coaches poll that was released.

If we are measuring up these two teams, we need to give the edge to Kingston in nearly every area. The Fronts lead the season series 3-1, winning the three most recent games (February on). The biggest advantage Kingston has is in net with Jeremy Helvig (Carolina) manning the crease. The overager and veteran netminder has 19 OHL playoff games under his belt and is unquestionably one of the league’s top netminders. Meanwhile, the Battalion will rely on either Christian Propp (2018) or Julian Sime, who have a combined zero OHL playoff appearances. Kingston also has a heavy advantage on special teams, with their powerplay and penalty killing units operating at a higher level. With Robertson and Vilardi operating down low on the powerplay, North Bay is going to need to stay out of the box to have any chance in this series. One wild card to keep an eye on is the health of Max Jones. Jones has been out since the end of January after undergoing surgery on a broken finger. It is likely he returns at some point in these playoffs and he can be a major x-factor.

Prediction: Ultimately, Kingston’s experience and leadership should carry them to a relatively easy victory in this match-up. Gabe Vilardi and Sean Day won a Memorial Cup together last year. Mitchell Byrne won an OHL Championship last year. And Cliff Pu and Max Jones won an OHL Title and Memorial Cup in 2016. Kingston in 5.

#4 - Niagara IceDogs vs. #5 - Oshawa Generals

Season Series: Tied at 1 game apiece

Akil Thomas of the Niagara IceDogs. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Analysis: Two teams that do not see a ton of each other match-up in round one. Niagara and Oshawa also happen to be two of the hotter teams in the OHL heading into the playoffs. The IceDogs are a team that rely on speed and energy to play an up tempo and offensively oriented style of game. They get after it on the forecheck and have a powerplay that has been much improved since the acquisition of overager Sam Miletic (Pittsburgh) from London. On top of Miletic, Niagara has a trio of offensive weapons that they rely on in Kirill Maksimov (Edmonton), Akil Thomas (2018), and Ben Jones (Vegas).

Jack Studnicka of the Oshawa Generals. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Oshawa, on the other hand, prefers to slow things down and grind it out in the offensive end. Their fearless leader is Jack Studnicka (Boston), an excellent two-way center who makes an impact in so many different ways. A pair of first time draft eligible forwards support Studnicka; Serron Noel (2018), and Allan McShane (2018). Defenseman Matt Brassard (Vancouver) is also critical to their offensive success. He was one of the highest scoring defenders in the league in the second half and finished the year 7th in defensive scoring.

If we are truly comparing these two teams, it is difficult to determine who has a clear advantage. In goal, the nod should be given to Oshawa and their starter Kyle Keyser (Boston). Keyser has been a stable presence in net this year, definitely more so than Stephen Dhillon who has struggled for Niagara this year, or the inexperienced Colton Incze. Up front, I give the slight edge to Niagara because of their explosiveness and depth. On defense, the two teams boast slightly inexperienced units who are mobile, but can be mistake prone. Ultimately, I see two things possibly tipping the favor in Niagara’s direction. The first is special teams play. As mentioned, Niagara’s powerplay has been performing at a high level lately and Oshawa has one of the league’s worst penalty killing units. The second is home ice advantage, which Niagara owns after finishing the regular season on a 7 game winning streak.

Prediction: With home ice advantage, better special teams play, and a slightly more explosive offense, I like Niagara to win this series. Their goaltending concerns me slightly, but between Dhillon or Incze, they should be able to make enough big saves to at least get the IceDogs into the second round. But this one will be close. Niagara in 7.

Western Conference

#1 - Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds vs. #8 - Saginaw Spirit

Season Series: SSM leads 7-1

Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League. Photo by Terry Wilson

Analysis: The juggernaut Greyhounds kick off their Memorial Cup push against the Saginaw Spirit, whose five game losing streak to end the season forced them down the standings and into this first round match-up. Sault Ste. Marie has nine NHL draft picks on their roster and two more potential first rounders for 2018. Up front, Boris Katchouk (Tampa Bay), Taylor Raddysh (Tampa Bay), Jack Kopacka (Anaheim), Tim Gettinger (New York Rangers), Barrett Hayton (2018), and the underrated Hayden Verbeek pace the attack. But the real star is OHL 2nd leading scorer Morgan Frost (Philadelphia), one of the breakout stars of this season. On the backend, the Hounds are equally strong, led by Conor Timmins (Colorado), and Rasmus Sandin (2018). Neither seem to make a mistake with the puck and both are just as good in their own end as they are offensively. In net, Matthew Villalta (Los Angeles) has been a steady presence who makes the saves when he needs to.

Evan Cormier of the Saginaw Spirit. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Saginaw’s strength actually starts in net where overager Evan Cormier (New Jersey) keeps the Spirit in a lot of games that they do not deserve to be in. This is important because the Spirit struggle to score goals. They were only one of three teams in the OHL to not score 200 goals on the season and the other two finished dead last in their conferences (Flint and Sudbury). Furthermore, their powerplay was a league worst 14.7%. There is definitely some offensive talent on this team, but the team’s best days are ahead of them as guys like Blade Jenkins (2018), Nicholas Porco (2019), Ryan Stepien (2020), Aidan Prueter (2020), and Damien Giroux (2018) gain experience. In fact, the team’s only NHL drafted forward, Brady Gilmour (Detroit) finished 9th in team scoring.

In all honesty, this series should not be close and is not likely to be close. The Spirit have a talented young roster, but they are not currently an equal to the Greyhounds. Sault Ste. Marie has the advantage in nearly every area except maybe goaltending. Even then, Evan Cormier can only do so much. Heck, we might see the Greyhounds score more shorthanded goals than the Spirit score powerplay goals in the series.

Prediction: I want to say that Evan Cormier can do enough to steal a game for the Spirit in this series, but I cannot even see the Spirit winning a game. The Greyhounds are just too strong. SSM in 4.

#2 - Kitchener Rangers vs. #7 - Guelph Storm

Season Series: Kitchener leads 5-3

Logan Brown of the Kitchener Rangers. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Analysis: This is an interesting first round match-up between two teams that did not end the regular season the way they wanted to. Kitchener, a strong team all season, struggled down the stretch, although managed to hang on to their Division crown. Meanwhile, the Guelph Storm were one of the league’s worst teams in the last few months that saw them lose their grip on the #6 spot in the West. Kitchener loaded up at the deadline by bringing in Logan Brown (Ottawa), Givani Smith (Detroit), Mario Culina, and Austin McEneny. I think it would be fair to say that Kitchener is still waiting to see the best out of three of those four, with Culina playing well so far as a starter. It has been the guys around all season like Adam Mascherin (Florida), Kole Sherwood (Columbus), Joseph Gareffa, Logan Stanley (Winnipeg), and Riley Damiani (2018) that have been driving the team’s success. Moving into the playoffs, it will be about whether the newer faces can finally find chemistry or not. The health of defensive stalwart Connor Hall (Pittsburgh) could also impact the series.

Ryan Merkley of the Guelph Storm. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Guelph, as mentioned, has also struggled down the stretch, especially when it comes to preventing goals. Goaltender Anthony Popovich (2018) appeared to tire of late after seeing a huge jump in workload this season. The defensive group, led by Ryan Merkley (2018), and Dmitri Samorukov (Edmonton) also struggled, to the point where Merkley was a healthy scratch at times down the stretch. The Storm do have a hard working forward group who is capable of icing multiple scoring lines. The offensive leaders are unquestionably Isaac Ratcliffe (Philadelphia) and Cam Hillis (2018), who along with Alexei Toropchenko (St. Louis) form a quality first line.

Looking at this series a little more under the microscope, it is probably closer than people are making it out to be. The special teams match-up pretty well. Neither team has a dominant goaltender that one would qualify as a game-changer (no offense meant to Culina or Popovich). Both teams struggled down the stretch with team chemistry issues. The tipping point for me is experience. The Rangers have the clear advantage there, especially on the defensive end. Guys like Logan Stanley and Austin McEneny, who won a Memorial Cup together with Windsor last year, should really help to stabilize things, even without Connor Hall. I also look for longtime Rangers like Mascherin or Connor Bunnaman (Philadelphia) to really step up offensively to get this team over the first round hump.

Prediction: As mentioned, I feel like Kitchener’s experience advantage will help them come out on top in this series. I also feel that they have a much better team defense approach that likely plays out better for success in the playoffs. Guelph has talent, but they play a very high risk game that, without a ton of playoff experience, could be their undoing. It will be close, but Kitchener in 6.

#3 - Sarnia Sting vs. #6 - Windsor Spitfires

Season Series: Sarnia leads 5-1

Michael DiPietro of the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Analysis: No offense meant to the rest of the Windsor Spitfires, but this match-up is about two things. The Sarnia offense (2nd best in the OHL) versus the goaltending of Michael DiPietro (Vancouver). The dynamic DiPietro is one of the few goaltenders in the OHL who is capable of stealing a series victory for his team. The Spitfires rebuilt, dealing off the majority of their veterans held over from their Memorial Cup victory last year, but decided to hang on to their star netminder for this reason. They battle hard in the offensive end behind the likes of Curtis Douglas (2018), Cole Purboo (2018), Cody Morgan (2019), Luke Boka, and Matthew MacDougall (2018). And they play smart in their own end thanks to Connor Corcoran (2018), Nathan Staios (2019), Grayson Ladd (2019), and Zach Shankar. But this team has zero NHL drafted players outside of DiPietro and are incredibly inexperienced.

Jordan Kyrou of the Sarnia Sting. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

The Sting, conversely, were one of the biggest buyers throughout this OHL season, bringing in talented veterans like Cam Dineen (Arizona), Jonathan Ang (Florida), and Michael Pezzetta (Montreal). The lifeblood of the team is Jordan Kyrou (St. Louis), the league’s leader in points per game this year and possibly the best offensive player in the OHL. He is currently zero for three in first round appearances and is likely to do everything in his power to finally reach the second round (and beyond). You could likely argue that overager Justin Fazio is the team’s second most important player in the series, especially considering that he has to match-up against DiPietro. The margin for error is slim.

One of Sarnia’s biggest strengths is on the powerplay where Kyrou, Adam Ruzicka (Calgary), and Drake Rymsha (Los Angeles) have a combined 34 powerplay goals this year. Problem is, Windsor takes among the least amount of penalties in the OHL so as long as Windsor can continue to stay out of the box, Sarnia is going to need to beat DiPietro 5 on 5. The question I have is, how will Windsor manage to score goals, at least enough goals to win this 7 game series? It will not be with the man advantage either (likely) as the Sting have the league’s top penalty killing unit. I am slightly worried about Sarnia’s inexperienced defense though, but that concern is more directed towards round two or three (if the Sting advance that far). Sarnia will need big guys like Ruzicka, Pezzetta, Jordan Ernst, and Hugo Leufvenius (2018) to crowd DiPietro’s space as much as possible and really make him uncomfortable. Shoot, shoot, and shoot some more. Windsor fans can tell you, sometimes the best way to beat Michael DiPietro is through sheer luck and bad bounces.

Prediction: As much as I want to predict a Windsor victory, I do not see it in the cards. DiPietro will steal a few games and he will make Sarnia sweat. But the offensive firepower of Sarnia, combined with the inexperience of Windsor’s defense is likely to give the Sting too many scoring chances for the Spitfires’ star netminder to handle. Sarnia in 6.

#4 - Owen Sound Attack vs. #5 - London Knights

Season Series: London leads 4-2

Evan Bouchard of the London Knights. Photo by Terry Wilson/OHL Images.

Analysis: As is usually the case, the 4/5 matchup in the Western Conference looks to be the closest match-up of the first round, and subsequently the most difficult to prognosticate. London traded off the vast majority of their big guns to retool to fight another day. Instead, the team played inspired hockey down the stretch led by a host of younger players eager to make their mark. When talking about London, we have to start with defenseman Evan Bouchard (2018), the lifeblood of the Knights. His 87 points are the highest by a blueliner since Ryan Ellis hit the 100 point mark in 2011. The speedy Alex Formenton (Ottawa) is also playing the best hockey of his OHL career thus far with 12 goals in 14 games to close out the regular season. And you cannot talk about London without mentioning how good the “kid” line of Liam Foudy (2018), Billy Moskal (2018), and Nathan Dunkley (2018) has been since the trade deadline. This trio was challenged to step up their games with increased ice time and they all responded accordingly.

Owen Sound Attack of the Ontario Hockey League. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Owen Sound, on the other hand, was expected to be one of the top teams in the OHL this year but struggled to keep their star players healthy all year and subsequently struggled to perform consistently. That is, until the last few months when they have been, arguably, the OHL’s best. This team is scary good when healthy and they are now finally healthy. They roll three outstanding scoring lines, including a top unit of Jonah Gadjovich (Vancouver), Kevin Hancock (2018), and Nick Suzuki (Vegas) that has been one of the OHL’s best over the last two seasons. They also have one of the OHL’s top offensive blueliners in Sean Durzi (2018), who if he did not get injured, likely could have challenged Bouchard for the defenceman scoring title. It is in net where Owen Sound has struggled this season as Olivier Lafreniere and Mack Guzda (2019) have battled to find consistency. No question, Owen Sound has to have their offense rolling to win because they are not going to win many 2-1 games.

So who has the advantage going into this match-up? Experience wise, the nod has to be given to Owen Sound...and by a wide margin. The Attack are returning the vast majority of a roster that lost in the Conference finals last season. The Knights are an extremely well coached team, but they are relying on a lot of rookies and sophomores in key roles and that can often prove to be a recipe for disaster in the postseason. The deciding factor in this series probably comes down to the goaltending. So long as Owen Sound can get at least adequate goaltending from one of Lafreniere or Guzda, they should win this series. But if their goaltending struggles and team is forced to constantly play catch-up, the series tips in London’s favor, a team with nothing to lose.

Prediction: I have to give the nod to Owen Sound here because now that they are fully healthy, they look like a tough team to stop. This is especially true for a team as inexperienced as London; even if they are extremely talented. The Attack can get the saves they need to win this one, even if London pushes them and makes them sweat. Owen Sound in 6

OHL Finals Prediction

When the field is finally narrowed down to two teams who battle it out for OHL supremacy, I expect those two teams to be the Kingston Frontenacs and the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.

From the East I like Kingston for a couple reasons. The first is experience. As I already alluded to, they have a lot of players on that roster who have already won a Memorial Cup or OHL Championship (or both). That type of leadership goes a long way in the playoffs. The second is special teams play. The great Scotty Bowman always said combined special teams play was a great indicator of postseason success. Well the Fronts have the best powerplay in the league and the second best penalty kill. The third is goaltending. Jeremy Helvig is a veteran netminder who is about as consistent as they come. I have a ton of confidence in his ability to make saves when he needs to.

From the West, I like the Soo Greyhounds as they have looked about as dominant as anyone in the OHL has over the last few years. Their 116 points is the most since Barrie put up 116 in 2010. This team has it all. Special teams success. Good goaltending. Speed. Physicality. But most of all...depth. Drew Bannister’s players rarely seem to take a shift off and they rarely make mistakes with the puck. That composure at both ends of the ice makes them the favorite.

For the OHL Title, I am taking the Soo Greyhounds to win their first J. Ross Robertson Cup since they won back to back championships in the early 90ś.

State of the CHL: The Ontario Hockey League

Brock Otten — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 16:07:48 +0000

Frontrunners Load Up at the Trade Deadline

Showdown in the East Division

This year’s OHL trade deadline was exceptionally busy with over 40 players and 70 draft picks moved. OHL fans have become accustomed to the proverbial arms race with many teams in the Western Conference loading up at the deadline each year. So it was remarkably refreshing to see two Eastern Conference teams step up and be among the league’s top buyers. And it just so happens that both of these teams, Hamilton and Kingston, play in the East Division.

Kaden Fulcher of the Hamilton Bulldogs. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Hamilton has been the cream of the crop in the Eastern Conference for the majority of this season. Thanks to some great goaltending from Detroit prospect Kaden Fulcher, a deep defensive unit, and balanced scoring, the Bulldogs have held the lead atop the Conference for several weeks and have held a place in the CHL Top 10 for seven weeks running.

It was also the Bulldogs who struck early on, capitalizing on a hot start, by bringing in forwards Nic Caamano (Dallas) and Ryan Moore from Flint in a blockbuster deal. These two helped Hamilton increase their division lead over Kingston to double digits as we approached the deadline. But it didn’t stop Hamilton from continuing to build by adding defenders Riley Stillman (Florida) and Nic Mattinen (Toronto), in addition to London’s Robert Thomas (St. Louis). The Thomas add, in particular, is huge. The gold medalist from the most recent World Junior Hockey Championships is a dynamic offensive player who also happens to be terrific in all three zones and can play in all situations. He gives the Bulldogs one of the top centerman in the entire OHL.

However, do not tell the Frontenacs that the division is locked up already. With overager and Hurricanes prospect Jeremy Helvig in his last OHL season, Kingston decided to go all in and make a run for an OHL Championship. They owe it to their dedicated fan base, having lost in the Conference Semi-finals the last two years. In fact, Kingston has never made a trip to the OHL Finals and hope to re-write that part of history this year.

Gabriel Vilardi of the Kingston Frontenacs. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Kingston brought in star forwards Gabe Vilardi (Los Angeles), Max Jones (Anaheim), and Cliff Pu (Buffalo) to insulate offensive dynamo Jason Robertson (Dallas). They also added former exceptional status grantee Sean Day (NY Ramgers) to an already large, and menacing blueline. The addition of Vilardi was a risky one, considering he had yet to play this year due to back surgery. But the early results have been fantastic as the Kings’ first rounder is showing little rust and has 14 points in 9 games.

As this article is being written, Hamilton’s lead over Kingston in the division remains double digits with just over 20 games left to play. The two teams will meet only one more time this regular season, on Friday, February 23rd in Kingston. Even if the division may be a tall order for the Frontenacs, they look poised to overcome Barrie or Niagara (who are battling for the Central Division) to take that coveted 3rd spot in the Conference heading into the playoffs. That would mean, pending no upsets, we could see a Hamilton/Kingston Eastern Conference final and that would be one heck of a series.

Catching Up to SSM in the West

Meanwhile, the Western Conference also saw a few teams loading up, in this case to try and catch the Soo Greyhounds atop the standings. While the regular season crown may be a far-fetched goal, Sarnia and Kitchener each brought in a host of talented players in order to push Sault Ste. Marie come playoff time.

Jordan Kyrou of the Sarnia Sting. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Sarnia has been one of the league’s most surprising teams this season. Thanks to superstar Jordan Kyrou (St. Louis), who was leading the league in scoring before leading Canada in scoring at the World Junior Championships, and OA goaltender Justin Fazio, the Sting have been pushing the Greyhounds all season long. It was becoming apparent (especially with Kyrou and Adam Ruzicka [Calgary] away at the WJC’s) that their depth just was not at the same level as the Soo’s. So before their hot start fizzled away, the team went out and brought in Jonathan Ang (Florida), Michael Pezzetta (Montreal), and Cam Dineen (Arizona). This gives them two terrific scoring lines, and the puck moving defender and PP Quarterback that they sorely lacked.

Kitchener, on the other hand, has had a firm grasp on the Midwest Division all season, thanks to the disappointing starts of London and Owen Sound and the rebuild of the Erie Otters. This was despite not having a ton of confidence in their goaltending. It has been the worst kept secret in the league that the Rangers were out to improve their goaltending at this year’s deadline. Fans were shocked when it was not Michael Dipietro (Vancouver), Dylan Wells (Edmonton), or another star netminder brought in, but overager Mario Culina, who had actually spent time with Ryerson University (of USports) earlier this year after he failed to catch on with an OHL team this offseason. Yet the early results have silenced critics and arm-chair scouts. Culina remains perfect with the Rangers and even sported a shutout streak of over 150 minutes recently.

The Rangers also brought in hulking center Logan Brown (Ottawa), veteran defender Austin McEneny, and power forward Givani Smith (Detroit) to ensure that they hold off all on-comers in the division.

The question is, even with the moves Kitchener and Sarnia have made to shore up any weaknesses, are they in the same league (metaphorically of course) as the Greyhounds?

Greyhounds The Team to Beat

That, of course, brings us to the Greyhounds, the top ranked team in the entire CHL, and owners of a 23 game win streak earlier this season. You would be hard pressed to find a single person who believes that any other team in the OHL is the frontrunner for this year’s OHL Championship, even with the bevy of deals made by other competitors.

Rasmus Sandin of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

The Greyhounds boast the league’s current leading scorer in Morgan Frost (Philadelphia). They have the league’s second leading goal scorer in Boris Katchouk (Tampa Bay). They have two of the highest scoring defenders in the league (points per game) in Conor Timmins (Colorado) and Rasmus Sandin (2018). They have the current goals against average leader in Matthew Villalta (Los Angeles) manning the pipes. They have the league’s second best powerplay at over 25%. They also have a remarkable 17 shorthanded goals so far (the Saginaw Spirit have 25 powerplay goals this year as a comparison). Get the drift yet? This is one heck of a dominant team.

Yet, the Hounds were not content to stand pat at this year’s trade deadline. They acquired veterans Taylor Raddysh (Tampa Bay) and Jordan Sambrook (Detroit) from the Erie Otters, who have a combined 89 games of playoff experience. This includes winning an OHL Championship last season. Raddysh showcased terrific chemistry with Boris Katchouk at this year’s World Juniors and will make an already stacked powerplay that much stronger.

The OHL playoffs will begin the week of March 19th and it will be then, and only then, when we will find out if a team can usurp the Greyhounds; if all those moves and all the young assets jettisoned out were worth it. But one thing is certain, the favorite to represent the OHL in Regina at this year’s Memorial Cup is still Sault Ste. Marie.

Don’t Sleep on

Steelheads look to Repeat on Last Year’s miracle second half

Last year, the Mississauga Steelheads were the near unanimous selection to take the OHL’s Eastern Conference in preseason polls. Yet at midseason, they found themselves near the bottom of the Conference. Miraculously, they exploded in the second half, played up to their capability, took the Central Division, and ultimately the Eastern Conference title come playoff time.

Michael McLeod of the Mississauga Steelheads. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

This year, the Steelheads were picked by many to repeat as Eastern Conference champs and Division winners. Yet again, they had a disappointing start to the year and find themselves near the bottom of their division. Many expected them to sell off a few key assets (like Michael McLeod [New Jersey] or Nic Hague [Vegas]) and rebuild. Instead they stayed the course, made a few minor acquisitions (like Mathieu Foget, Reagan O’Grady, and Cole Carter), and are suddenly blazing up the standings again. Since the Foget deal, the Steelheads are 6-2, with victories against Sault Ste. Marie (ending the latter’s 23 game win streak), Kitchener, Kingston, and division leaders Barrie.

Do they have another remarkable comeback in them? I would say that it is unlikely. Last year, the Central Division was atrocious with Mississauga as the only team above .500. This year, the Barrie Colts and Niagara IceDogs are playing excellent hockey and made some key acquisitions themselves. The better question is, do any of these Eastern Conference contenders want to see the Steelheads in the opening round(s) of the playoff? A very likely scenario could be a first round match-up between Kingston and Mississauga, or a second round match-up with Hamilton. And if the Steelheads continue to close out the regular season on a high note, we may not even be able to consider them as underdogs.

Owen Sound Attack Better than standings show

Another team that has underwhelmed this year is the Owen Sound Attack. They were able to return, fully intact, one of the league’s most dangerous lines from last year; Nick Suzuki (Vegas)-Jonah Gadjovich (Vancouver)-Kevin Hancock. And even though they were losing their captain, Santino Centorame, and their starting goaltender, Michael McNiven (Montreal), the expectation was that they had the depth to counteract those losses.

But it’s been a frustrating year for the Attack and its fans. Injuries have been an issue, especially with Hancock and Gadjovich both missing significant time. And finding a replacement for McNiven has been near impossible. They picked up Zach Bowman from Sudbury this offseason, but he left the team at midseason for personal reasons. Then they recently acquired Olivier Lafreniere from Ottawa, but he has since injured his groin and is out long term. So the reigns have been given to 17 year old rookie Mack Guzda.

However, the Attack are finally healthy again with Hancock returning to the lineup recently. They went out and got Brett McKenzie (Vancouver) from North Bay to improve their second line. Import (and Flyers pick) Maksim Sushko is playing terrific hockey since returning from the World Juniors. And Aidan Dudas (2018) and Sean Durzi are in the middle breakout seasons as stars in the OHL. The team looks to be turning a corner and certainly has the talent and experience to do damage in the playoffs, even if they draw one of the big three (Sault Ste. Marie, Kitchener, or Sarnia) in the first round. Like Mississauga, this is a potentially dangerous team come playoff time; and one capable of pulling off an upset.

Re-Tooling to Fight Another Day

London and Windsor start the cycle

Having already discussed many of the contenders loading up at this year’s deadline, one had to ask, “where are all these players coming from?” The answer this year is rare, as perennial contenders the London Knights and Windsor Spitfires sold off assets. The Knights traded Robert Thomas, Max Jones, Cliff Pu, and Sam Miletic (Pittsburgh), while the Spitfires traded Logan Brown, Gabe Vilardi, Sean Day, and Austin McEneny. While it has not been uncommon for these two to sell off assets, it has been rare for it to occur in the same year. We have to go back to the 2001-02 season (16 years ago) to see neither London nor Windsor with home ice advantage in the opening round of the playoffs. With the Knights and Spitfires currently sitting 4th and 6th (respectively) right now, that is an entirely possible outcome.

Even then, this is not a normal sell-off. We’re looking at two firmly established playoff teams with a chance of finishing in the top four of the Conference, selling off assets. The question is...why? And the answer is the reason why London and Windsor have remained such competitive forces in the OHL over the last 15 years (they combine for five of the last six OHL Memorial Cup victories). Spitfires GM Warren Rychel gave an interview recently where he was asked about the concept of re-tooling. His response was that it made no sense to be in limbo. You either need to be competitive for first, and if you won’t be, then you might as well finish lower in the standings and get assets that can help you finish first again in the near future. This is the credo that the Knights and Spitfires have lived by and it is the reason why they have been able to win so many championships in recent years.

Curtis Douglas of the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

This year is a perfect example. London and Windsor trade off their best veteran players and pick up three outstanding young players (each), in addition to a boatload of high end draft picks. These young players (like Nathan Dunkley [2018] or Curtis Douglas [2018]) are already good players and they slide into the line-up and contribute. Both London and Windsor now have three recent first round picks (among the top 2001 born players in the province) in their lineups, allowing them to grow together and improve under the tutelage of excellent coaching staffs. With a boatload of draft picks, they also are not afraid to take a chance on the top American players available in hopes that they eventually commit to the Ontario Hockey League. And you better believe that with high selections at this year’s Import Draft, both of these franchises will be selecting high end talents.

That is what separates the Knights and Spitfires from many of the other franchises in the OHL. They hate mediocrity. They aspire for a Championship. And if they do not feel that they can achieve that, they cut and run and bring in as many future assets as they can, even if it means an early playoff exit. It also might mean trading off players who still have potential service time, like Robert Thomas or Gabe Vilardi. If these two return to the OHL next year, they will be among the better players in the league. However, it is also possible that they make their respective NHL rosters and then London and Windsor would have received nothing for them (like the Guelph Storm, who are still feeling the effects of not getting anything for Robby Fabbri a few years ago after he left early for St. Louis).

Other OHL teams become obsessed with merely making the playoffs in hopes that anything can happen. But the way teams load up (call it the NBA super team effect), it’s a pipe dream for most. Would you not rather bring in three quality young players and maybe lose in the first round, than keep your veterans, get swept in the second round and then lose them for nothing when they graduate?

The Race for Quinton Byfield

Erie, Sudbury, & Flint battle for the highly touted youngster

As many teams hunt for a conference crown, division title, and playoff spot, an equally important battle is occurring at the bottom of the OHL standings; the race for the Jack Ferguson recipient. And this year, the crown jewel appears to be quite a special player. His name is Quinton Byfield and he’s a 6-3”, 200lbs center who seems destined to become the league’s next true superstar. Many consider him to be one of the better talents to come out of the province in recent years.

The race for Byfield is occurring between three teams, all of whom have different storylines. Those three teams are the Erie Otters, Sudbury Wolves, and Flint Firebirds.

Erie is rebuilding after four straight years of excellence on the backs of the likes of Connor McDavid, Dylan Strome, and Alex DeBrincat. This includes an OHL Championship last year. A player like Byfield would accelerate the rebuild nicely and spoil the Otters’ fanbase yet again with another potential generational talent.

Sudbury, on the other hand, is stuck in what seems to be a perennial rebuild. They’ve drafted first, second, and seventh the last three years and once again find themselves at the bottom. With new ownership, and new management in place, things are finally starting to look up for this once storied franchise. A dominant power center like Byfield would be just what the doctor ordered to get this team back near the top of the standings, perhaps even as early as next year.

Lastly, Flint is still looking to escape the shadow of the controversy that dominated their inaugural season. 2016/17 saw them take a significant step forward but this year has been a step in the wrong direction and suddenly the team is rebuilding again (after trading away top talent like Nic Caamano, Ryan Moore, and Nic Mattinen). But this is a very talented young team that is bound to explode either next year or the year after. Forgive me if you have heard this before, but Quinton Byfield is the star this franchise needs in order to climb out of mediocrity.

A Broken System

OHL Teams Will Soon Trade for the Unborn

As previously mentioned, over 70 draft picks changed hands this trade deadline. Due to crazy circumstances, over half of those picks are from beyond the year 2020. This includes the movement of draft picks from the year 2026, 2027, and 2028. Yes, that is correct. A 5 year old was traded this January.

For those that find this absurd, you would be correct. In the Western Hockey League and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, teams cannot move draft picks that far in advance. And unlike the OHL, teams are also permitted to move their first round draft picks. Let us examine some major moves in all three leagues this trade deadline to compare the effect this has. Kale Clague moved for two quality young players, two first round picks, and a 2nd round pick. Drake Batherson went for three solid young players and a first round pick. Robert Thomas went for a top young player, four 2nd rounders and two 3rd rounders. Because of the high prices and inability to move first rounders, teams like Hamilton and Kingston are almost completely devoid of 2nd round picks for the foreseeable future. Hamilton has two 2nd rounders this year, but then does not own one until 2026 after that. Kingston does not have a 2nd round pick until 2026.

The prices being paid for these players who are essentially rentals, has also spiraled out of control. Let us examine some past deadline deals in the OHL for perspective.

In 2012, the London Knights and Niagara IceDogs battled for an OHL Championship. The Knights brought in rugged two-way star Austin Watson from Peterborough at the deadline at the cost of a moderate young player, two 2nd round picks, and a 4th. Meanwhile, Niagara brought in power forward Brett Ritchie at the cost of three 2nd round picks.

In 2000, perhaps the largest trade in OHL history up until that point occurred and that was the trade of Jason Spezza from Mississauga to Windsor. In return, Mississauga got four players (none could be considered among Windsor’s top young players, save maybe Ryan Courtney), a 2nd round pick and a 6th round pick.

Needless to say, things are changing and these trades are getting out of hand. We’re seeing upwards of six quality draft picks in addition to a team’s top young player changing hands in exchange for one player.

Just what the OHL can do to rectify this remains to be seen, if they wish to rectify it. Would allowing teams the option of trading first rounders lower the cost? What about putting a restriction on how far in advance draft picks can be moved? Regardless, it no longer makes sense for the OHL to differ from the WHL and QMJHL in accordance with transaction limitations. This broken system needs to be fixed. How soon before we get a draft pick trading hands where said future draft pick is not even born yet?

Detroit – System Overview

Ryan Wagman — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 09:14:04 +0000

For years, the Detroit Red Wings deservedly held the reputation of being among the most astute drafters in the game. The rosters of those teams that famously went to 25 consecutive playoffs were littered with not only players that were developed in-house, but many of whom were mid and late round draft picks. Notable players drafted by the Red Wings after the second round include Vladimir Konstantinov (11th round, 1989), Sergei Fedorov (4th round, 1989), Niklas Lidstrom (3rd round, 1989), Slava Kozlov (3rd round, 1990), Mike Knuble (4th round, 1991), Tomas Holmstrom (10th round, 1994), Pavel Datsyuk (6th round, 1998), Henrik Zetterberg (7th round, 1999), Jonathan Ericsson (9th round, 2002), Valtteri Filppula (3rd round, 2002), Johan Franzen (3rd round, 2004), and Gustav Nyquist (4th round, 2008).

In addition to the remarkable run of middle and late round success experienced by the organization, notable about the above players is that, for all but Knuble, they were drafted out of Europe, particularly Sweden and Russia. The folks responsible for those selections deserve as much applause as we can give. But for all of their success drafting Europeans late, the Wings, like all other franchises, drafted many players in the later rounds who never panned out, including players from Europe as well as North America. Witness the 2011 draft class, whose top impact player (Dmitri Bykov) spent one season in the NHL before returning to Russia. Or 1996. The Red Wings got 49 games out of first rounder Jesse Wallin, and a grand total of zero out of the remaining eight players drafted.

Looking at their past few draft classes, the ones whose products are largely featured in this space, we can see that the Wings have continued to invest heavily in Europeans in the 3-7 rounds. Between 2011-2016, the Red Wings made 31 total selections in those rounds. 16 of the players taken were Europeans. I am no Don Cherry, bemoaning the growing wave of Europeans taking up spots from good old Canadian boys, but in Detroit’s case, there seems to have been the feeling that what worked in the past will continue to work in perpetuity. That had a magic touch with Europeans.

What they missed was that an undervalued edge that they once had was no longer undervalued across the NHL. High-end European players were no longer there for the taking. Russians were no longer so unwilling to come over to North America. The Europeans available after the second round were generally no better than the North Americans available at that point and could not promise any special value. And so we see that, despite such a heavy lean into Europeans in recent drafts, only three of the top 20 were actually drafted out of European leagues. With nine selections between the third and seventh rounds this year, the Red Wings may have learned that lesson. The sample is very small, but with only one of the nine drafted from a European league, the Red Wings seem to be ready to draft for talent, wherever it may be found.

Another downside to their recent approach, whether due to geographical lean, or simply how things have shaken out, is that the Detroit system, while deep in prospects that have NHL upside, is virtually bereft of true high-end, dynamic players. Of course, they have also very rarely had high picks, what with their long-time playoff streak finally coming to an end this past season, but they rarely were able to grab players who have developed into more than they had seemed on draft day. At present, none of the following twenty players, the top twenty in the pipeline, project as more than second line/second defensive pairing players.

1 Michael Rasmussen – A big player with skill, Rasmussen has uncommon touch for a man of his size (6-6”, 215). He is especially effective in the cycle when he is able to get a shot off from the half-wall on in. The Red Wings used a top ten pick on him despite the questions about the wrist injury that shortened his season and the fact that an outsized portion of his draft year production came on the power play. Needs to prove he can be a force at 5-on-5.

2 Evgeni Svechnikov – To Svechnikov’s credit, his 51 point rookie pro season (fourth among AHL rookies) ensured that no one would forget the talents that are inherent in the player drafted 19th overall in 2015. He plays a heavy game, has a very strong shot and plus puck protection skills. Despite the skill set, watching him this year, there was a sense that he would take shifts and games off and his intensity would waiver noticeably. His next hurdle will be consistency.

3 Tyler Bertuzzi – Essentially, the inverse of Svechnikov. Bertuzzi plays a very intense brand of hockey, which he supplements with enough skill to profile as a highly productive pest. In spite of injuries limiting his time on ice in his second season with Grand Rapids, Bertuzzi’s point production increased and he was lights out in a Calder Cup run. Can play in all situations and should be ready for his first full NHL season.

Dennis Cholowski

4 Dennis Cholowski – After a single season with St. Cloud State, the Wings signed Cholowski away from college. He will need at least two seasons before he is ready for the NHL, but the former first rounder is mobile and very steady in the back. He already demonstrates plus ability to read game situations and should be the type of player who is far more valuable in real life than in fantasy hockey.

5 Givani Smith – Although his scoring has yet to take off, stuck as he has been on a moribund Guelph team in the OHL, Smith, the Wings’ 2016 second rounder, has a power forwards’ build and playing style. A strong skater for his size, he has untapped puck skills and has been reliable in all situations for the Storm. Penalty minutes are a problem, as his exuberance often spills over into belligerence, but the tools are there for added offensive output given better teammates. This could be a big year for Smith.

6 Filip Hronek – Drafted only a few picks after Smith in 2016, Hronek had a stellar first season in North America, playing with Saginaw of the OHL, scoring over one point per game. Generally on the right side of the puck, Hronek’s effectiveness is easy to underappreciate, as he shows many of the little things that should allow him to move quickly through the system. He has plus mobility and very good puck moving skills.

7 Axel Holmstrom – Not related to longtime Red Wing Tomas Holmstrom, Axel’s game will remind many Wing’s fan of their former hero. While injuries made this past season (his third in the SHL) a write-off, he came to North America before the year ended and should spend most of next season in Grand Rapids. Not a great skater and not a threat from a distance, he is effective because he is next to impossible to dislodge from the crease. Great reads and soft hands.

8 Keith Petruzzelli – Although none of the skaters in the system project as first line/first pair players, Petruzzelli has the potential to one day be a starting netminder. That day is far into the future, but the future Quinnipiac goalie has incredible size, plus athleticism and a high compete level. He needs to also prove that he can hold up under a big work-load, as his 37 games played this year were a career high.

9 Joe Hicketts – A rare high-profile undrafted free agent out of the CHL, Hicketts fails the eye test, standing only 5-8”, 174. But he makes those inches count. On the offensive side of the game, he is aggressive and effective, sensing openings and attacking them. Off the puck, he needs a responsible partner as he will pull himself out of position chasing a play, but he uses his stick well and plays bigger than his size.

10 Vili Saarijarvi – Undersized (not as much as Hicketts, but still quite small), Saarijarvi has put up points from the blueline wherever he has gone. His amateur career ended on a strong note, with 15 points in Mississauga’s run to the OHL finals. He can be soft off the puck, but his plus mobility and puck moving skills will give him a good chance to be an impact player.

11 Ryan Sproul – Had injuries not made last season a near write-off, Sproul would not likely be eligible for this list. After three full AHL seasons, he spent all of last year in the NHL, but only got into 27 games. His ceiling may be that of a third pairing NHL defender, but he is already there. Does not have any standout tools, but has enough of everything that he should not be a liability in a sheltered role.

12 Jordan Sambrook – Another blueliner who does a little bit of everything, Sambrook was an instrumental player in Erie’s run to the OHL championship and the Memorial Cup title game. A two-way defenseman who has been pivotal on both special teams units, he will have to prove this year that he can continue to produce offensively on a much depleted OHL team. Another good year will move him up this list more than a few spots.

13 Gustav Lindstrom – The Wings’ 2017 second round pick, Lindstrom has strong puck skills and a high hockey IQ, made more interesting by the fact that he has only been playing in a competitive league for three years. He was competent as a rookie teenager in the Allsvenskan and there is more room for growth with this prospect than with most of the others in this region on the list.

14 Martin Frk – Exposed to waivers last year, Frk, a former Wings’ second rounder was claimed by Carolina. He got into only two games with the Hurricanes before they, too, exposed him and the Red Wings re-claimed their man. He spent another season with Grand Rapids and continued to prove that he is ready for an NHL chance. He has an NHL shot, but the rest of his game fails to excite. His career will be dictated by the percentages.

15 Jared Coreau – In his fourth season as a pro, after signing as a free agent out of Northern Michigan, Coreau finally received an NHL opportunity, appearing in 14 games for the Red Wings, shutting out both Montreal and L.A. A big body who guards his posts well and does a respectable job controlling rebounds, he is limited by his lack of athleticism, which affects his lateral movements. The team likes him, and exposed Petr Mrazek in the expansion draft, confident in Coreau’s ability to take over the backup job. Vegas passed over Mrazek, though, and barring a trade, Coreau will spend another season on the farm.

16 Zach Gallant – With strong acceleration and a wide array of shots to choose from, Zach Gallant, a third round pick from this year’s draft is one to watch. He has a tendency to vary his effort level from period to period, but at his best, is a strong 200 foot player wo plays a physical game. Stronger at moving the puck up the ice than at executing offensive zone entries.

17 Kasper Kotkansalo – The first of four third round picks made by Detroit this year, Kotkansalo held his own as a tough minutes defenseman with a struggling Sioux Falls squad in the USHL. He has limited offensive tools, but has loads of hockey smarts and a pro-sized frame. He will be taking his mature, relatively mistake-free game to Boston University next season.

18 Lane Zablocki – The last of Detroit’s third rounders on this list, Zablocki was potent offensively for both Regina and Red Deer in his draft year. Despite his plus numbers with both teams, his tools do not suggest a high end scorer as a pro. If anything, his physical game is his most impressive attribute thus far in his young career.

19 David Pope – A sleeper pick whose offensive game finally show signs of life in his third season at Nebraska-Omaha. Although the offensive improvement is nice, his off-puck game is even more impressive. A good penalty killing winger and a disruptive forechecker.

20 Dylan Sadowy – After a lost rookie professional season, Sadowy will either be way higher on this list next year, or way off. A strong offensive producer with a plus shot at the OHL level, he deserves at least one full, healthy season in the AHL before writing him off.

There are several more players besides the twenty above who were considered for inclusion, including Chase Pearson, Dominic Turgeon, Robbie Russo and Malte Setkov. This is a deep system, with many players who could play roles on future Red Wigs’ teams. In a salary cap world, it is important to be able to fill out the bottom half of the roster with lower cost, preferably homegrown, players and the Wings are positioned to do just that. Unfortunately, as mentioned above, they lack in players who look to be future team leaders. Dylan Larkin, once considered a future centerpiece, took a step back in his sophomore campaign. Anthony Mantha and Andreas Athanasiou are still young but neither has yet staked a claim in the top six.

This system-wide shortage is a consequence of drafting to type. In addition to over-drafting Europeans for much of the past decade, the Wings seem to overvalue size and a power game with their forwards and quiet competence among defensemen. Neither are bad things, per se, but they need more variety to round out a competitive NHL roster going forward.

NHL Draft Review and Grades: Detroit Red Wings

McKeen's Hockey — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 14:39:39 +0000

Dennis Cholowski

Detroit made the right call in figuring BCHL defenceman Dennis Cholowski would be available with the 20^th pick, unloading Pavel Datsyuk’s contract and picking up the 53^rd overall pick in the process to select Filip Hronek, a defenceman ranked in McKeen’s top 40, and almost as highly regarded as Logan Stanley, who was picked before Cholowski with one of the picks between 16-20. Cholowski rose on the draft boards all season, impressing scouts with his mobility, sense and elite puck skills.

RND	PICK	RNK	PLAYER	POS	CTY	HT/WT	TEAM
1	20	18	Dennis Cholowski	D	CAN	6-0/170	Chilliwack (BCHL)
2	46	69	Givani Smith	RW	CAN	6-2/195	Guelph (OHL)
2	53	38	Filip Hronek	D	CAN	6-0/165	Hradec Kralove (Cze)
4	107	NR	Alfons Malmstrom	D	SWE	6-2/190	Orebro (Swe)
5	137	114	Jordan Sambrook	D	CAN	6-1/190	Erie (OHL)
6	167	NR	Filip Larsson	G	SWE	6-1/180	Djurgardens (Swe)
7	197	NR	Mattias Elfstrom	LW	SWE	6-3/195	Malmo (Swe)

Givani Smith at the 2016 NHL Draft in Buffalo, NY on Saturday June 25, 2016. Photo by Aaron Bell/CHL Images

Hronek piqued scouts’ interest with his poised play in both the Czech Elite League and the World Juniors who has the upside to crack Detroit’s top four once he fills out. Givani Smith was selected higher than projected after a 42-point season…but his size, competitiveness and rugged style will be a welcome addition to an underside Wings lineup.

Jordan Sambrook at the 2016 NHL Draft in Buffalo, NY on Saturday June 25, 2016. Photo by Aaron Bell/CHL Images

Jordan Sambrook climbed draft charts in the second half of the OHL season, giving the Wings a third defence prospect with a legitimate shot at one day earning NHL time. Alfons Malmstrom and Mattias Elfstrom are Detroit’s sleeper Swedish picks... almost an annual draft rite.Grade – B+: when you include the Datsyuk salary dump due to moving down..hard not to give them a respectable passing grade...Cholowski and Hronek may well be in their top 4 in a few years.

OHL Prospect Watch: Amadio fit for Kings, Nylander the next

David Burstyn — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 02:06:34 +0000

Mike Amadio was rewarded with an NHL contract this week by the Los Angeles Kings.

The timing is appropriate given the steady progress of the North Bay Battalion captain over the course of his four-year OHL career. A third-round pick in the 2014 NHL Draft, Amadio fits the mould of a Los Angeles player as he is a big, skilled forward who is difficult to play against due to his relentless work in the offensive zone.

He is poised to lead the team in scoring for a second straight season and finish among the top 10 scorers in the league having set career-best numbers including 48 goals, double his totals from 2014-15.

North Bay Coach/GM Stan Butler carefully weighed his options at the OHL trade deadline before opting to keep his star player. Butler has thrust Amadio into all situations this season playing both special teams, and the Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario native has done an admirable job stepping up and assuming responsibilities.

He excels driving scoring lanes and taking the puck hard to the net which has benefited his linemates especially the gritty Matthew Santos who has soared to breakout highs flanked on his right side. At times however, Amadio can be guilty of doing too much and holding onto the puck too long. The Battalion lost a number of key players to graduation last summer with the likes of Nick Paul, Ryan Kujawinski and Nick Moutrey, and Amadio has more than shouldered the offensive load.

A big body who is strong on his skates and stick which should enable him to play an effective down-low cycle game at the pro level. Notably strong making plays on his weak side; Amadio takes advantage of defencemen who underestimate his ability to drive the lane on his backhand and surprise goalies with his backhand shot in traffic. A bow-legged skater with power, Amadio isn't exactly a burner yet skates well enough to make an impact and stay involved in the play. He will need to make some upgrades to better prepare himself for the pros.

Amadio has matured and developed well over the past two years since the Battalion’s run to the OHL finals in 2014 - the club's first year in North Bay. He understands what it takes to prepare himself game in and game out, and has earned a reputation for showing up when games matter most.

He co-led the Battalion in playoff points last year and looks determined for another long run this year in the post season.

Here are notes and observations on some other prospects on the McKeens watch list.

Jordan Kyrou (2016), RW, Sarnia

It is both perplexing and alarming that Kyrou hasn't put up better numbers this season (61-15-29-44), considering the skill and playing time he receives. A fixture on the top line and given plenty of power-play minutes, he oozes skill and eagerly takes the puck to the net. He likes to attack the side of the goal and shows good bursts of speed to step into a better position. Constantly looking to push the boundaries of the space he is provided, Kyrou seldom settles on the first option which has made him a bit too predictable in his play at times. He simply does not shoot enough as his shot is still relatively weak. Where Kyrou succeeds is by utilizing his speed and hands to draw players out of position with a timely pass. His game tends to get away from him at times when he stops doing the little things like moving his feet or battling along the boards for loose pucks. He is still relatively under-developed physically and consequently doesn't always show the required enthusiasm in down-low situations. Kyrou does compete but it is sporadic. Nonetheless, he an enticing player due to his disposition, electric speed, and ability to make plays, albeit he tends to leave one wanting a little more.

Alexander Nylander (2016), LW, Mississauga

Produced a respectful showing at the U20 World Junior Championship despite not capturing a medal following a loss to Team USA in the bronze-medal game. The younger son of former NHLer Michael Nylander led Team Sweden with nine points - good for sixth overall in tournament scoring. Nylander's performance was impressive in a tournament usually dominated by 19-year-old's yet still overshadowed, remarkably, by four of his draft peers finishing above on the leader board - Tkachuk, Matthews, Laine and tournament leader Puljujarvi. Slowed down a bit since the world juniors but remained a viable offensive force who makes plays exploiting an intelligence to see all options. Nylander excels as a pick-pocket artist as he cleverly gets behind opponents and plucks the puck away; a skill that he has perfected. On the flip side, his determination to get the puck is not always matched by his willingness to take the puck to the front of the net. Instead he elects to curl and cut back looking for a pass and can be a little too cute at times. Nylander is exceptionally fast even though his skating does not jump off the page, and plays a mature game with the puck, snapping pinpoint passes and sporting a good wrist shot. It will be an interesting to see how he performs in the playoffs however as he has shown an aversion to getting hit.

Givani Smith (2016), RW, Guelph

Acquired last season from Barrie, the former first-round pick of the Colts in the OHL Priority Selection (13th overall) fit in immediately for the Storm and was one of their better players down the stretch including a productive playoff (9-2-3-5). Smith is a throw-back player who plays hard and isn’t afraid to mix it up - an approach that has drawn six fighting majors and 128 penalty minutes this season - second-most in the OHL. Menacing on the ice, he intimidates players - even those considerably older than him. His skating is only average however; there's not much jump to his game albeit he helps to compensate with above-average upper-body athleticism which allows him to make plays and buy more time/space for himself. Looks slightly awkward when handling the puck and better served by going to the dirty areas and manufacturing a cycle. Will surprise with the occasional nice pass but is more apt to takes more advantage of his shot. Helped bolster his draft stock with nine goals during an eight-game January bust-out, though cooled thereafter with just three goals in his next 20 games. Still a long shot, yet a player worth exploring as he gives you a decent depth option who won't need reminders to play hard.

Youngblood: World Under-17 Hockey Challenge Preview

Brendan Ross — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 18:36:02 +0000

Currently known as the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, the international tournament has underwent a name change from the Quebec Esso Cup (in 2011) and most recently, Hockey Canada has decided to change the format of its own team entries into the tournament. For the first time in 2014, rather than sending five provincial teams (Ontario, Quebec, Pacific, Atlantic and Western) to compete, Hockey Canada has opted to combine players from across the nation into three competitive teams - Red, White and Black. Canadian players will now have the opportunity to play alongside talented competitors from other provinces. For example, Ontarian Jakob Chychrun will be taping Nova Scotian Mitchell Balmas with passes rather than laying him out in the corner. The Under-17 Hockey Challenge is the first step in Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence that is used to help identify talent for the Under-18 and National Junior Team and it has seen over 1400 National Hockey League draft picks come through the tournament.

Tournament organizers have moved up the Challenge on the calendar to November to avoid conflict with the World Junior Championships that runs over the holiday season. For the first time since Windsor hosted in 2012, the tournament returns to Ontario and the world’s top hockey talents have arrived in Sarnia, Canada as the border-town city, in collaboration with nearby Lambton Shores, is ready to host the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

Group A consists of two Canadian teams (Canada White and Canada Black), Finland and last year’s bronze medalists Russia while Group B will feature Canada Red, Slovakia, Sweden and the defending champions, Team USA. For more information on World Under-17 Hockey Challenge schedules and rosters, visit the tournament website.

The majority of participants are born in the 1998 age group and these players have spent months going through evaluations to reach their goal of donning their nation’s sweater. The following breakdown of teams will help to familiarize the general public with some of the names to watch. Here are just a few of the top talents skating in the #WU172014.

Team USA (Roster)

Knocking the four-time gold medalists off of the podium will prove to be a difficult feat as Team USA enters this tournament with a very talented roster, including 20 of 22 players who compete with the US National Under-17 Team. Non-National Under-17 skaters Spokane's Kailer Yamamoto and 6-foot-3 Riley Tufte (Blaine High School) will replace injured forwards Zach Walker and Graham McPhee. The Americans won’t have to fight through chemistry issues with such familiarity and with them icing five University of Michigan commits in Nick Pastujov, James Sanchez, William Lockwood, Griffin Luce and Luke Martin. In addition, Everett Silvertips draftee Patrick Khodorenko, London Knights first round selection Max Jones and Boston University commit and USNTDP leading scorer Clayton Keller are expected to help Pastujov and Sanchez with the offensive production. Towering netminders Joseph Woll and Minnesotan Jake Oettinger won’t surrender much net for the opposition and with Griffin Luce, Luke Martin, Plymouth Whalers’ hopeful James Greenway, Chad Krys (Moncton Wildcats prospect) and Harvard commit Adam Fox patrolling the blueline teams will be in tough against the champs.

Team SWEDEN (Roster)

Just like his older brother William Nylander (Maple Leafs draft pick), Alexander Nylander is an immensely skilled forward and has the ability to create space for him to showcase his elite puck skills, vision and shot. Playing alongside Nylander on the AIK U20 team, Jesper Bratt is a two-way forward with speed to burn and a blue-collar work ethic. Undersized and physically raw defenseman Alexander Andersson owns some slick hands, shrewd hockey sense and a poised approach that helps spark the offense and quarterback the powerplay. Committed to the University of Minnesota, William Fällström is a complete two-way competitor who offers a good level of physicality and the awareness to be trusted in critical game moments.

Sweden is a team that lacks a true individual standout but the squad is comprised of some solid depth full of smart and competitive players. Look for Oskar Steen, a shifty winger with a quick release and some untapped offensive upside, and Linus Weissbach to act as forwards who have an ability to create offense on their own. Jacob Cederholm, younger brother to Vancouver Canucks draftee Anton, has already suited up in the SHL and will help the Swedes defend their zone. Niklas Andersson, the son of current Los Angeles scout and former NHLer Niklas Andersson, is already off to a hot start with the HV71 U18 team picking up six goals and 14 points through 10 games. It could be a coming out party for 5-foot-6 defenseman Oliver Horrsell as this offensive blueliner certainly knows how to fill the score sheet. Lastly, pivot Tim Wahlgren should earn plenty of minutes as his great hockey intelligence and sense for the game is evident in all three zones. Both of Sweden’s goaltenders, Filip Gustavsson and Gusten Lundh have the size and big-game pedigree to provide Sweden with great stability between the pipes.

Team FINLAND (Roster)

Without forwards Jesse Puljujärvi, Patrik Laine, defensemen Olli Juolevi and Jusso Välimäki, the Finns will unfortunately be missing some of their top talents from the `98 age group. However, Finland is a nation that has been pumping out some great prospects and their entry isn’t without talent. Kristian Vesalainen and Urho Vaakanainen are two of Finland`s top underagers. Vesalainen is already skating at 6-foot-2 and offers up confident puck skills, suffocating physicality and an impact shooting arsenal. Emil Oksanen is a skilled right-shooting forward playing for Blues Espoo and his game features a deceptive shot that seems to find the net with regularity. The 6-foot-1 left shooting Tappara forward Otto Mäkinen is the former teammate of Patrik Laine and he`s got an advanced playmaking skill set, featuring soft hands and creative vision. Look for Finland to rely upon their depth and play some defensive hockey, much like they`re known for, to compete in Group A.

Team RUSSIA (Roster)

The Under-17 tournament provides an opportunity for the North American hockey world to be introduced to the up-and-coming talent from overseas. As a result, there isn’t much familiarity with these players coming into the World U17 Hockey Challenge. Headlining the Russian team are forwards Dmitri Sokolov and Vitali Abramov. Undersized but extremely skilled, Vitali Abramov is considered a potential first round talent for the 2016 NHL Draft and he`s off to a great start with Belye Medvedi Chelyabinsk (MHL) scoring six goals and eight points (12 games). As good as Abramov is, it`s Dmitri Sokolov who projects as a potential Top 10 selection for the 2016 draft. The 6-foot-2 forward has racked up nine goals and 10 points through 13 games with Omskiye Yastreby Omsk (MHL). Russia will lean heavily on Sokolov and Abramov to provide the bulk of scoring but 6-foot-4 forward Nikita Popugaev (not to be confused with 5-foot-8 teammate Nikita O. Popugaev), Vladimir Kuznetsov and Vyacheslav Shevchenko should offer good secondary support.

Team SLOVAKIA (Roster)

Much like the Russian squad, Slovakia`s entry is a bit of a mystery. Forward Samuel Solensky is a pint-sized offensive making noise with HC Liberec`s U20 team with six goals and 16 points through the club's first 20 games. Viliam Cacho is a 5-foot-9 forward who has noteworthy playmaking skills and the offensive prowess to be considered a prospect for the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. Cacho racked up eight goals and 44 points in 37 games playing up with Dukla Trencin's U20 club. Keep an eye on underagers Milos Roman, Patrik Hrehorcak and Adam Ruzicka to see how they handle the competition against older opponents.

Team CANADA WHITE (Roster)

The first of Canada’s three tournament entries may just be the most popular, at least among local fans. With Sarnia hosting the event, local fans can come out to cheer on their 2014 1st-overall selection in Jakob Chychrun and 2nd-round forward Jordan Kyrou as key members of Canada White. Chychrun and Kyrou have already stepped up in their rookie seasons and are playing top minutes. In addition to the familiar Sting faces, fans can expect to get excited about Ottawa 67`s two-way threat Travis Barron, Erie`s Taylor Raddysh, Moose Jaw's Brett Howden and high scoring BCHLer Tyson Jost.

Charlottetown winger Mitchell Balmas (who replaces the injured Hunter Moreau), Saginaw Spirit defender Keaton Middleton (who replaces Josh Mahura) and Soo Greyhounds top 2014 pick Anthony Salinitri (who replaces Dillon Dube) are excited about their renewed opportunity.

The strength of Canada White comes from their outstanding defensive core which starts with Jakob Chychrun, Medicine Hat's David Quenneville (brother of New Jersey Devils 2014 1st rounder John), Luke Green of Saint John, Gabriel Bilodeau of Val d'Or and ends with the outstanding Samuel Harvey in net.

Team CANADA BLACK (Roster)

Donning the black threads for Canada is potential Top 10 2016 NHL Draft prospect and 2013 1st-overall WHL pick Tyler Benson (Vancouver Giants), 2013 2nd-overall WHL selection Sam Steel (Regina Pats) and a slew of OHL 1st-rounders in Brandon Saigeon (Belleville Bulls), Matthew Hotchkiss (Guelph Storm), Chris Paquette (Niagara IceDogs), Zach Poirier (North Bay Battalion), Cliff Pu (Oshawa Generals) and Reagan O'Grady (Kingston Frontenacs). Canada Black features some underrated scoring depth with the likes of Nolan Volcan (Seattle Thunderbirds), Pascal Laberge (Gatineau Olympiques) and Pierre-Luc Dubois (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles) who are all off to strong starts in their respective junior leagues.

On the blueline, look for Brandon Wheat Kings Kale Clague, Shawinigan's Samuel Girard, London Knights' Tyler Nother to help solidify the defensive zone in front of 6-foot-4 goaltender Stuart Skinner (Lethbridge Hurricanes) and Reilly Pickard (Baie-Comeau Drakker) who will share crease duties.

Team CANADA RED (Roster)

A quick glance down the roster for Canada Red will certainly appear as if Hockey Canada formed an All-Ontarian team as 11 players are from the Ontario Hockey League including exceptional defender Sean Day (Mississauga Steelheads), a potential 2016 Top 3 draft prospect. Joining Day on the blueline from the OHL is the intelligent Matthew Timms (Peterborough Petes), big tough Windsor Spitfire Logan Stanley and slick skating Knight Victor Mete. On the front lines, dazzling puck rusher Michael McLeod (Mississauga Steelheads), dangler Tye Felhaber (Saginaw Spirit), sniper Adam Mascherin (Kitchener Rangers), clutch forward William Bitten (Plymouth Whalers), power forward Givani Smith (Barrie Colts) and top 2016 prospect Logan Brown (Windsor Spitfires) will all represent the OHL. In total, eight of the OHL's Top 20 selections from the 2014 draft are competing for Canada Red.

Beyond the tremendous "potential" firepower from the Ontario top picks (McLeod, Mascherin, Felhaber and Brown), Canada Red may have three of the most productive 98s in the nation in Wheat Kings forward Nolan Patrick (15-4-8-12), William Bitten (13-3-6-9) and Kamloops Blazer Jake Kryski (16-5-6-11).

Blueline soldiers outside of Ontario will consist of BCHL stud Dante Fabbro, Sherbrooke's Thomas Gregoire and Victoriaville's Guillaume Beck - all fantastic defensive prospects. With goaltenders Dylan Wells (Peterborough Petes) and 6-foot-4 Phoenix puckstopper Evan Fitzpatrick in net, goals against should be held to a minimum.

On paper, Canada Red may have the best opportunity to end the red and white's three year drought of a World Under-17 Hockey Challenge gold medal. If I were a betting man (and I am), I would look towards Canada Red as the best chance to unseat the Americans.

With exhibition play slated to kick off Halloween night and the tournament commencing on Sunday, the shores of Lake Huron will be home to some outstanding world-class talent looking to make their country proud in hopes of taking home the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge gold medal.

Follow @RossyYoungblood on Twitter as he covers the entirety of the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

Givani Smith – McKeen's Hockey

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MCKEEN’S 2020 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – DETROIT RED WINGS – ORGANIZATIONAL RANK: 14

Detroit Red Wings

Moritz Seider, D (6th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 3)

Jared McIsaac, D (36th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 4)

Albert Johansson, D (60th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 6)

Robert Mastrosimone, LW (54th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 5)

Joe Veleno, C (30th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 2)

Antti Tuomisto, D (35th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 8)

Jonatan Berggren, LW/RW (33rd overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 7)

Keith Petruzzelli, G (88th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: UR)

Seth Barton, D (81st overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: UR)

Elmer Soderblom, LW/C (159th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

Kirill Tyutyayev, LW (190th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

Yevgeni Svechnikov, LW (19th overall, 2015. 2019 Rank: 11)

Albin Grewe, RW (66th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 9)

Givani Smith, RW (46th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: UR)

Otto Kivenmaki, C (191st overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 19)

AHL West Report: Life without Brannstrom, Kahkonen living the Wild life, plus much more

Detroit Red Wings Prospect System Overview

OHL Playoff Preview: Greyhounds pacing the pack

State of the CHL: The Ontario Hockey League

Frontrunners Load Up at the Trade Deadline

Showdown in the East Division

Catching Up to SSM in the West

Greyhounds The Team to Beat

Don’t Sleep on

Steelheads look to Repeat on Last Year’s miracle second half

Owen Sound Attack Better than standings show

Re-Tooling to Fight Another Day

London and Windsor start the cycle

The Race for Quinton Byfield

Erie, Sudbury, & Flint battle for the highly touted youngster

A Broken System

OHL Teams Will Soon Trade for the Unborn

Detroit – System Overview

NHL Draft Review and Grades: Detroit Red Wings

OHL Prospect Watch: Amadio fit for Kings, Nylander the next

Youngblood: World Under-17 Hockey Challenge Preview

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Moritz Seider, D (6^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 3)

Jared McIsaac, D (36^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 4)

Albert Johansson, D (60^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 6)

Robert Mastrosimone, LW (54^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 5)

Joe Veleno, C (30^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 2)

Antti Tuomisto, D (35^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 8)

Jonatan Berggren, LW/RW (33^rd overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 7)

Keith Petruzzelli, G (88^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: UR)

Seth Barton, D (81^st overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: UR)

Elmer Soderblom, LW/C (159^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

Kirill Tyutyayev, LW (190^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

Yevgeni Svechnikov, LW (19^th overall, 2015. 2019 Rank: 11)

Albin Grewe, RW (66^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 9)

Givani Smith, RW (46^thoverall, 2016. 2019 Rank: UR)

Otto Kivenmaki, C (191^st overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 19)