Hampton Slukynsky – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2026 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #27 Los Angeles Kings – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 18:00:13 +0000

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 26: Canada's Carter George #30 tends the net in the first period against Czechia during Preliminary Round - Group B action at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship at 3M Arena at Mariucci on December 26, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. (Photo by Tim Austen/IIHF)

Prospect System Ranking – 27th (Last Year - 24th)
GM: Ken Holland Hired: May 2025
COACH: D.J. Smith (Interim) Hired: March 2026

What was once considered one of the league’s premier prospect pipelines has quickly thinned into one of the NHL’s more shallow systems. Unfortunately for the Kings, that decline in organizational depth has coincided with limited postseason success, including four consecutive first-round exits. The most significant blow to the depth chart came just prior to this year’s Olympic break, when Los Angeles moved its top prospect, Liam Greentree (36th), in a blockbuster deal to acquire Russian superstar Artemi Panarin. While the trade carries clear long-term implications for the organization’s prospect pool, it does represent a calculated gamble to add elite talent capable of immediately elevating the Kings’ offensive ceiling.

With Greentree no longer in the system, Los Angeles does not feature a prospect within McKeen’s Top 100. Goaltender Carter George (111th) now stands as the organization’s most intriguing young asset and highlights what has quietly become one of the stronger goaltending pipelines in the league. George is one of three netminders among the club’s top six prospects at McKeen’s, joined by Hampton Slukynsky (176th), who has enjoyed an impressive NCAA career that includes a national championship and a 45–14–2 record with Western Michigan. Meanwhile, Erik Portillo continues to provide reliable depth within the organization at the AHL level in Ontario. Another intriguing name between the pipes is Petteri Rimpinen, part of a nine-player 2025 draft class that represented one of the Kings’ larger prospect hauls in recent years. That group also includes Henry Brzustewicz (148th) and Vojtech Cihar (170th), both of whom appear on McKeen’s Top 200 list.

Although Los Angeles still holds valuable draft capital, which includes three second-round selections in 2026, recent additions such as Artemi Panarin and veteran Scott Laughton signal an organization intent on remaining competitive in the near term. Whether that approach ultimately lifts the Kings back into contention or keeps them stuck in the league’s competitive middle tier remains to be seen.

NHL	RNK	PLAYER	POS	AGE	HT/WT	2024-25 TM	GP	G(W)	A(L)	PTS(GAA)	PIM(SPCT)
LA	1	Carter George	G	20	6-1/195	OS-Soo (OHL)	46	23	17	2.73	0.907
LA	2	Henry Brzustewicz	D	19	6-2/200	London (OHL)	59	19	35	54	57
LA	2	Henry Brzustewicz	D	19	6-2/200	Ontario (AHL)	5	0	0	0	8
LA	3	Vojtech Cihar	LW	19	6-1/180	Kelowna (WHL)	31	12	19	31	14
LA	3	Vojtech Cihar	LW	19	6-1/180	HC Energie Karlovy Vary (Czechia)	27	4	4	8	8
LA	4	Hampton Slukynsky	G	20	6-1/180	Western Michigan (NCAA)	39	27	11	2.30	0.915
LA	5	Kenny Connors	C	23	6-0/190	Ontario (AHL)	65	15	26	41	30
LA	5	Kenny Connors	C	23	6-0/190	Los Angeles (NHL)	2	0	0	0	0
LA	6	Erik Portillo	G	25	6-6/210	Ontario (AHL)	30	18	7	2.45	0.907
LA	7	Jared Woolley	D	20	6-4/215	Ldn-Kit (OHL)	66	12	24	36	74
LA	8	Jimmy Lombardi	C	19	6-0/185	Flint (OHL)	65	36	36	72	69
LA	9	Koehn Ziemmer	RW	21	6-0/205	Ontario (AHL)	57	11	13	24	27
LA	10	Jared Wright	RW	23	6-1/180	Ontario (AHL)	54	17	13	30	11
LA	10	Jared Wright	RW	23	6-1/180	Los Angeles (NHL)	23	0	4	4	4
LA	11	Kristian Epperson	LW	20	6-0/180	Denver (NCAA)	40	11	11	22	14
LA	12	Ryan Conmy	RW	21	5-9/190	Boston College (NCAA)	35	9	18	27	10
LA	13	Martin Chromiak	LW	23	6-0/185	Ontario (AHL)	71	28	28	56	14
LA	14	Petteri Rimpinen	G	20	6-0/175	Kiekko-Espoo (Fin-Liiga)	35	13	11	2.29	0.911
LA	15	Jakub Dvorak	D	21	6-5/205	Ontario (AHL)	45	4	3	7	41

1. Carter George, G, Soo Greyhounds (OHL)

The jury is still out on George’s 2025/26 season. The first half saw a bit of regression on a rebuilding Owen Sound Attack team, in addition to a disappointing WJC performance for Canada. However, since being dealt to the Soo Greyhounds, George has been lights out and played well during this year’s OHL playoffs. George isn’t the biggest netminder, but he’s very quick, and he tracks the play well, showing intense focus as a competitor in the crease. His composure was evident in his end of the year cup of coffee with Ontario of the AHL last year, where he was electric as an underage pro. Next season, he’ll start his pro career, and expectations are pretty high for George in the Kings’ organization. However, this is also an organization with two other terrific goaltending prospects. While George still looks like the front runner to develop into LA’s future starter, he’ll need to continue to show progress to keep up, especially if Slukynsky decides to sign after his sophomore season.

2. Henry Brzustewicz, D, London Knights (OHL) (Currently with Ontario Reign, AHL)

Brzustewicz has had a nice breakout season in his draft year plus one, thanks to the graduation of Sam Dickinson to the San Jose Sharks. He’s taken charge of the London Knights blueline and actually has a chance to lead the team in scoring when all is said and done this year. He’s playing in all situations and gaining valuable experience that will help him blossom into a potential two-way defender at the NHL level, too. Brzustewicz is mobile, physically assertive, and has a big point, which he uses to help generate scoring chances. His game hasn’t been without its warts this year at both ends; he’s still a raw, longer-term project. However, if all goes right, Brzustewicz has a chance to develop into a long-term NHL defender who could be a jack of all trades type for the Kings. He’ll return to the Knights next year, where he should be one of the better defenders in the OHL, in addition to being a key member of the United States’ WJC team.

3. Vojtech Cihar, LW, Kelowna Rockets (WHL)

Vojtech Cihar came over to the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets after being named the MVP of the 2026 World Junior Championship. He’s had a solid start to his tenure in Kelowna, although maybe not quite the offensive numbers that you would expect from the World Junior MVP. It took Cihar a little bit to adjust to the new league, but he is looking more and more comfortable with every game he plays. He is being trusted in a penalty killing role in Kelowna as well. Drafted out of the Czech pro league, Cihar was known for his hard-working mentality and physical approach. However, his offensive game has taken massive steps forward, as evidenced by that strong WJC performance. Now, his game is centered around his smarts and his skill with the puck. He is constantly in the right area and is able to find teammates in moments that many players can’t. As his offensive game continues to evolve, Cihar’s projection has moved from more bottom six type, to potential middle six type.

4. Hampton Slukynsky, G, Western Michigan (NCAA) (Currently with Ontario Reign, AHL)

Slukynsky has been a proven winner. In his first full USHL season, he won USHL goalie of the year and won the Clark Cup. He then followed that up by joining Western Michigan University, where he once again played incredibly well. He helped lead Western Michigan to the NCHC title and won the National Championship. He also won the Gold Medal with the US in the U20 World juniors, where he was once again spectacular in net. This season has been much of the same. Slukynsky has very controlled movements, with excellent poise and patience to limit mistakes. He has excellent lower body strength and flexibility that allows him to cover the entire bottom of the net efficiently and be difficult to move off his spots amidst chaos. When it comes to projecting his future role, his smaller frame will likely give him some issues at higher levels against better shooters, but his poise and athleticism, along with his ability to hardly waste any movement, are all NHL traits that should translate. His winning pedigree is hard to ignore and that ability to rise to the occasion at every stop could get him into those future roles.

5. Kenny Connors, C, Ontario Reign (AHL)

A fourth-round pick in 2022 who spent 3 years at UMass Amherst, Connors earned his first NHL call-up in his first ever pro season. Connors was clicking at a point–per-game pace when he was called up by the Kings and did enough as a two-way player to earn a look with the big club. Connors was able to earn the trust of his coaches in Ontario thanks to his sound defensive game, positional ability, and general awareness when he doesn’t have the puck on his stick. Overall, Connors is a cerebral player, as he was able to develop that aspect of his game over the course of his collegiate career, and it’s already shown up as a plus factor for him in pro hockey. The question now becomes if he can add any sort of offense to his game, which would certainly raise his ceiling at the NHL level. However, even if he doesn’t, Connors’ combination of size and skill could help him carve a solid pro career.

6. Erik Portillo, G, Ontario Reign (AHL)

Portillo has seen his performance dramatically improve this season, pulling his save percentage solidly above .900 after having failed to do so in his sophomore AHL season. Portillo has always been known to stay deeper in the net, which is often the case with Swedish goaltenders. While that often burned him last year, Portillo has found a better balance this season, and it has allowed him to fully leverage his massive 6’ 6” frame. Lateral quickness and overall agility remain a bit of a concern, as Portillo’s feet and hands can sometimes lag behind the play. However, he does a great job of setting himself into a strong initial position. The more that he can increase his battle level and second save ability, the more his prospects of becoming an NHL goalie will increase. Portillo has done a better job this season of cutting down the shooter’s angle when he needs to; however, against faster and more skilled NHL competition, his reaction time and overall quickness will be further tested. There remains an intriguing goalie prospect here.

7. Jared Woolley, D, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)

The big and athletic defender from the Knights has developed extremely well since being a sixth-round selection of the Kings. The second half of last season really saw Woolley blossom as a confident two-way threat, and that has carried over to this year, where he has already set personal bests in every offensive category. Finishing the year with the Kitchener Rangers, Woolley has taken a bit of a backseat offensively in the name of being more of a defensive anchor, but it hasn’t altered his NHL outlook. He’ll turn pro next season, and what the future truly holds for him remains to be seen. Given his rapid improvement level and athletic build, it would be unwise to put a cap on his NHL upside. A standout at recent Kings’ development camps, Woolley is very well liked within the organization and it does appear likely that he’ll develop into an NHL player in some capacity. Los Angeles will probably get a better read on his offensive upside next year as a first-year pro.

8. Jimmy Lombardi, C, Flint Firebirds (OHL)

A McKeen’s favourite at last year’s draft, we ranked him 59th. Lombardi has been a breakout star in the OHL this year for the upstart Flint Firebirds. With the supporting staff improving around Lombardi, he has embraced a leadership role as a two-way standout, and the offensive production has become incredibly consistent. A skilled and creative pivot who excels in transition, Lombardi has even more room to blossom as he continues to add strength to his frame and power to his stride. As mentioned, Lombardi is also a competitive two-way player who can excel in any situation. With such a well-rounded skill set, there are a lot of different paths to the NHL for him. Originally committed to Michigan, Lombardi recently signed his ELC and that likely eliminates him from NCAA contention next year. As such, he appears headed for another year in the OHL where he should continue to show growth as an offensive contributor. Lombardi could be a sneaky candidate to lead the league in scoring next season.

9. Koehn Ziemmer, RW, Ontario Reign (AHL)

After a consistent run with the Prince George Cougars of the WHL, Ziemmer, a former third round selection, turned pro this year with Ontario. Ziemmer’s calling cards have always been his high end shot and his high energy, physical approach. He projects as a potential half wall powerplay option because of his quick release. He’s also an intelligent player who can find soft spots in coverage and operate as a solid complementary piece because of his work ethic and supporting skill/touch. The biggest need for Ziemmer has always been to improve his quickness and explosiveness and that remains to this day. It was evident at the pro level this year that he needs to upgrade his skating to be a consistent offensive contributor at higher levels. Additionally, he’ll need to continue to improve his strength and conditioning to find consistent success as a physical power winger the way that he did in the WHL. Much like how LA has been patient with a similar player in Francesco Pinelli, the Kings will need to be patient with Ziemmer. With a few more years in the AHL, he could develop into that middle six goal scorer who can play a variety of different roles.

10. Jared Wright, RW, Ontario Reign (AHL)

The 2022 sixth-round pick is turning in a rookie pro season that belies his draft position, as he is fourth in goal scoring on the Ontario Reign . After spending three years at the University of Denver, Wright is on pace for 20 goals in the AHL in his first season out of college, which is the testament to the longer developmental path that he has taken. The offensive production is particularly exciting given that Wright himself has described himself as more of a checker, able to contribute in all three zones without the puck. Couple that with a strong work ethic and a great skating stride, and Wright clearly has the foundation of a game that should translate to a depth role in the NHL. Yet, if he can continue to build on the offensive season that he has had, then there is certainly a conversation to be had as to whether his ceiling in pro hockey may be higher than once thought. Wright could develop into a solid bottom-six player for the LA Kings down the line.

11. Kristian Epperson, LW, University of Denver (NCAA)

Epperson made the jump to the NCAA this year with Denver after a breakout season with Saginaw of the OHL last year. He’s a high energy, complementary offensive piece who projects as a middle six winger in the future.

12. Ryan Conmy, RW, Boston College (NCAA)

While undersized, Conmy has found success as a complementary offensive player at the NCAA level, first with New Hampshire, and now with Boston College after a transfer.

13. Martin Chromiak, LW, Ontario Reign (AHL)

Chromiak has improved steadily over four AHL seasons and has now put himself in position to earn a possible spot on the Kings. The issue for Chromiak is that he doesn’t project well as a bottom six piece, which means that he’ll need to prove that he can hack it as an offensive contributor.

14. Petteri Rimpinen, G, Kiekko-Espoo (Liiga)

Was Rimpinen a flash in the pan? That’s the million dollar question as he has failed to replicate his breakout season from last year. He doesn’t have the size teams are looking for these days, but he’s an elite athlete in the crease. Hopefully he gets back on track next season.

15. Jakub Dvorak, D, Ontario Reign (AHL)

Big stay at home defender with practically no offensive upside. However, he could possibly develop into an asset on the PK and as a dependable third pair type.

McKeen’s 2025-26 Hockey Pool Yearbook Feature – Fantasy Prospect Rankings

Peter Harling — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 19:47:09 +0000

ST. LOUIS, MO - APRIL 12: Boston defenseman Cole Hutson (44) handles the puck during the championship game of the NCAA D1 Frozen Four between the Boston University Terriers and the Western Michigan Broncos on April 12, 2025, at Enterprise Center, St. Louis, MO. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire)

When preparing for a fantasy draft or evaluating prospects for a trade in your fantasy league you need to understand the difference between rankings, and fantasy rankings. The difference can be subtle, or significant depending on your leagues scoring and format. Generally speaking, fantasy rankings are based on projected point production. I have found that the vast majority of readers who read and follow my work are in dynasty keeper leagues with peripheral stats, or bangers leagues. The following rankings are based on projected point production and include added value to players who can contribute other stats, such as hits, blocks, PIMs, and faceoff wins. In fantasy hockey, we have a limited number of prospect roster spots and as such I put higher value on prospects who have a quicker ETA to the NHL or have superstar upside. This will help you identify the top 30 forwards, 20 defencemen and ten goalies to target in your fantasy leagues. To be considered a prospect skaters must be under 26-years-old as of September 15th, 2024, and have played in under 60 career games, or less than 35 in a single season. For goalies, less than 30 career games played, or 15 in a single season.

Forwards

1 - Ivan Demidov, RW – Montreal Canadiens

Demidov made his NHL debut with much anticipation and expectations, and he did not disappoint with a two-point showing in his first game. There is a lot of hype surrounding Demidov and if he lives up to the potential, he could very well go down as one of the all-time scoring leaders in Montreal and flirt with 1,000 career points, joining the ranks of legends like Guy Lafleur, Jean Beliveau, and Henri Richard.

2 - Ryan Leonard, C – Washington Capitals

The big man on campus was the Hockey East Player of the Year and scoring champion with 49 points in 37 games at Boston College. He also captained Team USA to a WJC Gold Medal and then made his NHL debut in Washington scoring his first career goal. Leonard will be an NHL regular starting in the 2025-26 season and should be a Calder contender in his rookie season. His value in multi-category leagues is even higher.

3 - Isaac Howard, LW – Edmonton Oilers

Hot off a Hoby Baker Award winning season as a senior with Michigan State, Howard and the Lightning were at a contract impasse. Rather than lose him as an unrestricted free agent this summer, the Lightning traded him to the Oilers. Howard should see an opportunity to crack the Oilers roster in a top six role given their lack of prospect depth. His new ELC will fit in the Oilers budget and playing with either Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl could push Howard into the forefront of the Calder race.

4 - Beckett Sennecke, RW – Anaheim Ducks

A late season surge pushed Sennecke up the draft ranking all the way to third overall in his draft season. He has carried that momentum into hi D+1 season scoring 86 points in 56 games for the Generals. Don’t make the same mistake Team Canada made by erroneously omitting him from the 2025 WJC roster, Sennecke is a play driving forward with tremendous hockey sense and skill as well as size at 6-foot-4. Sennecke has another year of junior eligibility but could make the Ducks roster as soon as this season.

5 - Michael Misa, C – San Jose Sharks

Drafted second overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, Misa has been the first overall selection in all my fantasy drafts and mock drafts. Misa has been a highly anticipated fantasy prospect since becoming the latest OHL exceptional status recipient. He has a Memorial Cup Championship on his resume, is coming off a 134-point campaign and will spend his D+1 season developing in the NCAA against bigger, stronger, faster competition that will only make him more NHL ready for his ETA of 2026-27.

6 - Jimmy Snuggerud, RW – St. Louis Blues

After posting 51-points as captain of the Minnesota Golden Gophers and a finalist for the Hoby Baker, Snuggerud made a splash in the NHL with the Blues. Playing in the Blues final seven regular season games, he notched four points and then duplicated that performance in the playoffs. Snuggerud looks to be a lock for a top six role with the Blues and could be a solid Calder sleeper candidate if his early chemistry with Robert Thomas continues.

7 - Gabe Perreault, LW – New York Rangers

A lot of super-star players have come from the USNTDP, but Perreault holds the single season point record with 132 points in the 2022-23 season. Perreault just completed his sophomore season at Boston College and posted 16 goals and 32 assists in 37 games with the Eagles. He also was a key player in the USA WJC Gold Medal with 10 points in seven games. Perreault is a dynamic playmaker that also has a nose for the net and can finish. He played in five NHL games to close the season and while not a lock to make the Rangers out of training camp, he is their top prospect and a fantasy must own.

8 - Berkley Catton, C – Seattle Kraken

Catton was the 2024 draft class leading scorer with his 115-points, which puts him in the company of an elite group of players the likes of Sidney Crosby, Patrick Kane and Connor Bedard to post such lofty production in their draft year. I am not suggesting that Catton has that kind of NHL and fantasy value, but he is the Krakens most dynamically gifted offensive player and has tremendous upside.

9 - Ilya Protas, LW – Washington Capitals

When the Capitals drafted Alexei Protas’ younger brother in the third round, it might have appeared to be a pick motivated by nepotism. Then Ilya moved from the USHL to the OHL with the Windsor Spitfires and had a breakout season to the tune of 50 goals, and 124 points (second in OHL scoring) and now looks like a steal of a third-round pick. Since he was drafted from the USHL, he can move up to the AHL for the coming season and further his development. Look for the Protas brothers to be a force in the Nations capital for the foreseeable future.

10 - Tij Iginla, LW – Utah Mammoth

The first pick in Utah’s franchise history, Iginla was on pace for a stellar D+1 season with 14 goals and 31 points in 21 games with Kelowna before a hip injury ended his season early. After surgery, the expectation is that he will return to Kelowna for an important season of development in the WHL, and with Canada at the WJC before he joins the NHL. Tij was drafted higher than his father, Hall-Of-Famer and Calgary legend Jarome Iginla, can Tij match his old mans career status?

11 - Porter Martone, RW – Philadelphia Flyers

Two things stand out with Martone: his dynamic offensive game and his size. However, for all you banger leaguers reading, don’t be fooled to think he is going to rack up hits and PIM’s as that is not really his game. He is a finesse playmaking winger. Martone has committed to take his development to Michigan State in the NCAA for his D+1 season in hopes that playing against older, stronger and better competition will make him NHL ready for the 2026-27 season.

12 - James Hagens, C – Boston Bruins

The consensus number one ranked prospect heading into the 2025 draft was Hagens. He played his draft year in the NCAA with Boston College and despite posting solid numbers as a freshman, he was unable to keep pace with Macklin Celebrinis’ pace from the previous season, and he fell on draft day to the Bruins. It is quite possible that Hagens ends up being the best fantasy prospect from his draft class, but he will return for at least one more year in the NCAA. Look for a spike in his production and for him to challenge for a Hoby Baker nomination.

13 - Cayden Lindstrom, C – Columbus Blue Jackets

Lindstrom is a unicorn as a 6-foot-4, 214-pound center that scored 46 goals and 46 points in 32 games with Medicine Hat in his draft year. He combines skill, skating, smarts, and size in such a rare and dominant package. A well documented herniated disc back injury that ended his draft season after 32 games and all but eliminated his D+1 season minus a few playoff, and Memorial Cup games is the other side of his story. Lindstrom will play the coming season in the NCAA with Michigan State where he will try to regain his health, conditioning and further his development. If he can realize his massive potential, he has franchise upside and would be a dominant player in multi-category leagues. Or, he could have a set back from his back injury and follow Nolan Patrick’s career path. High risk, but high reward potential.

14 - Arseni Gritsyuk, RW – New Jersey Devils

Gritsyuk may be a sleeper prospect, but don’t sleep on the Russian sniper. He is coming in hot from the KHL where he posted 17 goals and 44-points in 49 games. While he was only a fifth-round pick from the 2019, the now 24-year-old is NHL ready and will step into a top six role in New Jersey. He may not have the same offensive upside as some of the players in the range of his ranking but given his advanced development the wait time is zero, which moves the needle.

15 - Dalibor Dvorsky, C – St. Louis Blues

The AHL can be a meatgrinder that chews up and spits out teenage hockey prospects. Despite that, Dvorsky played last year as a 19-year-old and posted 21 goals and 45 points in 61 games with Springfield and was second in league rookie scoring. Dvorsky also shone at the WJC last year with Slovakia, scoring nine points in just five games. His play earned him an NHL cup of coffee, two games but he failed to record any points playing limited minutes. Dvorsky still needs more AHL development, but his promising development suggests the 10^th overall pick from the 2023 draft is well on his way to becoming an NHL regular and a fantasy must own player.

16 - Jonathan Lekkerimaki, RW – Vancouver Canucks

His first full season in North America was a success as the Canucks 2022 15^th overall pick split time between the NHL and Abbotsford in the AHL. In the AHL he posted 28 points in 36 games and another seven in 16 playoff games en route to a Calder Cup Championship. In his 24 NHL games the Swedish winger posted six points while averaging 12:30 of ice time. Expect him to be a full time NHL player this year and to see elevated minutes, leading to numbers similar to what he produced in the AHL.

17 - Brad Nadeau, RW – Carolina Hurricanes

The Hurricanes must feel like the drafted a top ten player with their 30^th overall pick from 2023. As a freshman in his D+1 season at University of Maine, Nadeau posted 19 goals and 46 points in 37 games. He followed up that with an impressive rookie season in the AHL to the tune of 32 goals and 58 points in 64 games with the Chicago Wolves. His underwhelming production at the WJC with Canada was curious, but the entire team underwhelmed. Nadeau made his NHL debut on April 16^th and earned his first career point against Montreal. Look for his sophomore season to see more NHL opportunities as he plays his way into a top six role with the Canes.

18 - Anton Frondell, C – Chicago Blackhawks

Drafted third overall by the Hawks in 2025, the Swedish center brings size at 6-foot-1, 205 pounds, a high-level hockey sense, and skill level to his game. He would be better slotted as a second line center at the NHL level as his two-way game is more his calling card as opposed to a go-to offensive driver. The 18-year-old will likely play two more seasons in the SHL before crossing over to North America, meaning a little more wait time and a limited offensive ceiling compared to his draft status.

19 - Danila Yurov, RW – Minnesota Wild

The 21-year-old Russian saw his production dip from 0.79 to 0.54 points per game in the final year of his KHL contract. Despite the disappointing production, with 209 career KHL games of development he has signed with the Wild and will play in North America to the delight of fantasy managers who roster Yurov. With Yakov Trenin, Vlad Tarasenko, and Kirill Kaprizov providing some fellow Russian support, he should adjust quickly and could play his way into a top six role sooner than later.

20 - Caleb Desnoyers, C – Utah Mammoth

Desnoyers could be the most underrated player in the 2025 draft, which says a lot sine he was selected fourth overall. A 6-foot-2 center Desnoyers has excellent hockey sense, size, skating, skill and compete. He has played a key role and produced all season starting with a point per game to lead Canada to Gold at the Hlinka. He was the first line center for Team CHL at the Prospects Challenge and was a point per game again. With his club team in Moncton, he posted 84-points in 56 games and lead the Wildcats in playoff scoring with 30-points in 19 games to be named playoff MVP, and a league championship. He is the best two-way player, and that takes nothing away from his offensive game.

21 - Rutger McGroarty, C – Pittsburgh Penguins

After being acquired from the Jets for Brayden Yager, McGroarty made his pro debut and impressed, splitting time between the NHL and AHL. In Wilkes-Barre/Scranton he played 60 games, notching 14 goals and 39 points. While he only played in eight NHL games, he impressed with three points, playing a physical game as well showing he can have an impact away from the puck. With the Pens looking to rebuild, he is a corner stone player going forward, starting now.

22 - Quentin Musty, RW – San Jose Sharks

Musty had a frustrating season. It began by holding out for a trade from Sudbury in the OHL. A deal never happened so he resumed playing and scored 59 points in 33 games before an injury put him on the shelf until the playoffs. He returned for game two but despite four points, the Wolves were swept in four by Kingston. He will turn pro now and play his rookie season in the AHL. The 6-foot-2 winger has size and played a power game at the OHL; he could be an impactful top six winger with his size and shot.

23 - Calum Ritchie, C – New York Islanders

When the Islanders acquired Ritchie at the NHL trade deadline, he instantly became their top prospect. Ritchie started the season in the NHL with the Avalanche where he played seven games and scored his first career goal with his signature shootout move (a spectacular deke as he fakes the shoot like he fanned then quickly backhands it home). He returned to the Oshawa Generals where he dominated with 70 points and 50 PIM in 47 games and led the Generals back to a league championship rematch vs London. Ritchie should be a regular on Long Island this fall.

24 - Matthew Savoie, RW – Edmonton Oilers

The Oilers added Savoie in a trade with Buffalo, and he instantly became the Oilers top prospect. Savoie is an undersized forward at 5-foot-9, 179 pounds but he is also a prolific offensive player. He posted some hefty point totals in the WHL and in his first full pro season, he scored 19 goals and 54 points in 66 games in Bakersfield. He made his debut in Edmonton as well, playing in four games and recorded his first career point. He has the skill to play and produce in the NHL, but size is a concern.

25 - Igor Chernyshov, LW – San Jose Sharks

The big Russian winger made the move to North America after the Sharks selected him with the first pick of round two in the 2024 NHL Draft. His debut was delayed following an off-season shoulder surgery, but when he resumed playing with Saginaw in the OHL he dominated with 19 goals and 55 points in just 23 games. Saginaw was eliminated in the first round, and he was called up to play two AHL games with the Barracuda. It is expected he will play the coming season in the AHL, to further his development, but he has NHL top six winger upside with his size, skating and shooting ability.

26 - Easton Cowan, C – Toronto Maple Leafs

The Leaf's top prospect is poised to bring his game to the NHL for the coming season. In his final year in the OHL with the London Knights, Cowan led the OHL in playoff scoring (39-points in 17 games), added a second straight league championship, and led the Memorial Cup in soring to lead the Knights to victory. He is slightly undersized at 5-foot-11, 185 pounds but he plays a physical game to complement his dynamic skill and vision.

27 - Andrew Cristall, LW – Washington Capitals

A true boom-or-bust player. Cristall is as dynamic an offensive player as you will find. His career WHL point production is off the chart with 412 points in 248 games (1.66 points per game). He finished his WHL career with Spokane in the playoffs where he scored 21 goals and 41 points in 19 games. How could such a dominant player be a bust? He is just 5-foot-10 and 183 pounds as the NHL trends towards size again. Also, his defensive game and compete level is a liability. These factors kept him off the Canada WJC roster. If he plays in the NHL, he will be great, but there have been plenty of prolific junior scorers that never made the NHL.

28 - Cole Eiserman, RW – New York Islanders

“Goal” Eiserman is a polarizing player. His offensive upside is significant. He is the all-time NTDP goal scoring leader, was a key player for USA winning Gold at the 2025 WJC with seven points. As a freshman at Boston University, he scored 25 goals and 36 points in 39 games. His play away from the puck is where scouts have concerns with his game. Eiserman will return for his sophomore season with the Terriers where he will continue to score goals, and more importantly develop his overall game.

29 - Jake O’Brien, C – Seattle Kraken

Perhaps the player from the 2025 draft class with the most upside is O’Brien. The 6-foot-2 center has tremendous vision and hockey sense, a late June birthday means he has plenty of development road head where his potential can grow. While his physical game is lacking as his slender 176-pound frame needs to fill out, there are very few flaws in his game overall.

30 - Liam Ohgren, LW – Minnesota Wild

Ohgren made his North American debut last season and had a tremendously successful rookie season in the AHL scoring 37 points in 41 games on a poor Iowa Wild team. His play earned him an NHL audition of 24 games, but he was limited to an average of 11:06 in ice time and only managed five points. Ohgren should be ready for a bigger role in Minnesota, and his point production should increase with more playing time.

Defence

1 - Zayne Parekh, RD – Calgary Flames

Parekh dominated the OHL in his draft year and then returned for his D+1 season and posted 33 goals, 107 points and 96 PIM. He was an egregious omission from the Team Canada WJC roster and made his NHL debut on April 17^th scoring his first career NHL goal in a 5-1 win over LA. Parekh is still junior eligible as a 19-year-old but is almost assured to be a full time NHL player this season. It should not take long for him to secure a top four pairing and first power play role in Calgary. Parekh could have a similar rookie season as Lane Hutson had and be a Calder candidate.

2 - Cole Hutson, LD - Washington Capitals

Hutson 2.0 is a similar player to his older brother Lane. Cole is developing in the NCAA at Boston University and posted 48 points in 39 games in his freshman season. His real breakout however was on the World stage with USA at the WJC where he led the tournament in scoring with 11 points in seven games. Cole has another season with the Terriers coming up before he is ready to join the Capitals in the NHL. When he arrives, it is not out of the question for him to have the same impact Lane Hutson had, or even better.

3 - Matthew Schaefer, LD – New York Islanders

The top pick from the 2025 Draft class has signed with the Islanders, and all signs point towards him making the Islanders out of training camp and becoming an NHL rookie. A shoulder injury limited him to just 17 games in Erie last season, so a return to the OHL would not be the worst scenario for his long-term development.

4 - Zeev Buium, LD – Minnesota Wild

All Buium does is win. At 19-years-old his trophy case already includes a World Championship, an NCAA Championship, two WJC Golds and a U-18 Gold. Buium made his NHL debut in the playoffs and recorded his first career point playing in four games. Buium is not only a lock to make the Wild roster, but he should also be a top pairing impact player right out of the gate.

5 - Alexander Nikishin, LD – Carolina Hurricanes

The 23-year-old Russian blueliner has been one of the most anticipated players to come from the KHL for several years. The 6-foot-4, 216-pound defender captained SKA St. Petersburg for two seasons and posted career KHL stats of 54 goals and 177 points in 288 games. He has signed in Carolina and made his NHL debut in the playoffs, earning his first career point in four games. He will have to compete with Shane Gostisbehere and K’Andre Miller for top power play deployment but count on Nikishin playing big minutes in his rookie season.

6 - Artyom Levshunov, RD – Chicago Blackhawks

The 2024 second overall pick only played 18 NHL games in his rookie season, but as a 19-year-old he produced 22 points in 52 AHL games with Rockford. Can he breakout as the Hawks top pairing and first power play quarterback in his sophomore season? He will have to outplay Sam Rinzel and Kevin Korchinski to do so, but it is a real possibility as soon as this fall.

7 - Luca Cagnoni, LD – San Jose Sharks

All Cagnoni is missing to be ranked higher is size and draft pedigree. At 5-foot-9 he comes up short by todays NHL standards, and as a fourth-round pick, he lacks the golden ticket first round picks get. However, his on-ice production speaks volumes, scoring 16 goals and 52 points in 64 games as a AHL rookie with the Barracuda. Cagnoni is the future first power play quarterback in San Jose on a unit that will include Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith and Michael Misa. Cagnoni could be a fantasy beast!

8 - Sam Dickinson, LD – San Jose Sharks

Where will Dickinson play in the 2025-26 season? He posted 91 points in 55 games, won a second consecutive OHL Championship and a Memorial Cup Championship. He has another year of junior eligibility remaining, so the AHL is not an option, but has signed an NHL contract so the NCAA is not an option either. He has nothing left to learn in the OHL, so he looks ready to make the jump to the NHL.

9 - Axel Sandin-Pellikka, RD – Detroit Red Wings

ASP is a rising star and the Wings top prospect. The 5-foot-11 right shot defender has tremendous poise on the ice, sees the ice very well, carries the puck and dictates the play with authority. After a solid SHL career of 52 points in 107 games including an SHL Championship, he made his debut in the AHL to close the season. A full year of AHL development is to be expected under GM Steve Yzerman, but a future blueline anchored by Mo Seider, Simon Edvinsson and ASP sets up the Red Wings for a decade.

10 - Tristan Luneau, RD – Anaheim Ducks

After injury limited Luneau to just 13 combined AHL and NHL games in his rookie season, he returned in 2024-25 to post near point per game production with the Gulls with 52 points in 59 games. The 6-foot-1 right shot offensive defenceman has great upside, but he also has his work cut out for him to crack the Ducks top four with competition the likes of Jacob Trouba, Jackson Lacombe, Olen Zellweger, and Pavel Mintyukov.

11 - Carter Yakemchuk, RD – Ottawa Senators

There were a lot of skeptics when Ottawa selected the 6-foot-4 right shot offensive defenceman at seven ahead of Zayne Parekh, Zeev Buium and Sam Dickinson at the ’24 Draft. A lot of those critics were silenced when Yakemchuk nearly made the Sens roster after a tremendous preseason performance. He was returned to the WHL for his senior year and was slightly underwhelming seeing his point totals dip and failing to be make the Canadian WJC roster. His pro career will begin, likely in Belleville for a season before assuming the top pairing role on the right side in Ottawa next to Jake Sanderson.

12 - Sam Rinzel, RD – Chicago Blackhawks

Rinzel had a breakout season in 2024-25. It was not just his 10-goal, 32-point performance as a sophomore at University of Minnesota, but his nine game NHL audition in which he averaged over 23 minutes of ice time including an average of 2:24 powerplay time on ice where he delivered five points. The 21-year-old is the early favorite to be the first power play quarterback heading into the upcoming season. Don’t sleep on Rinzel, he has some big upside.

13 - Seamus Casey, RD – New Jersey Devils

The 5-foot-10 right shot offensive defenceman had a strong rookie season starting in the NHL with an eight-game run with the Devils where he posted three goals before an AHL assignment. Overall, he racked up 18 points in 30 AHL games and finished the season back in the NHL with New Jersey. With Dougie Hamilton, Luke Hughes, and Simon Nemic in the fold, getting ice time, let alone power play time will be difficult barring injury.

14 - Scott Morrow, RD – New York Rangers

Acquired from Carolina along with a first and second round pick in the K’Andre Miller trade, Morrow could fill the gap from Miller out of camp behind Adam Fox on the Rangers second pairing. Morrow had a strong rookie season the year prior posting 39 points in 52 games with the Chicago Wolves and had a 14-game NHL run with the Hurricanes scoring six points.

15 - Logan Mailloux, RD – St. Louis Blues

Acquired from Montreal for Zac Bolduc this summer, Mailloux is now the top defensive prospect in the Blues system. Mailloux is NHL ready after a second AHL campaign with 80 points and 165 PIM in 135 career games, and five points in eight career NHL games. Mailloux will no longer be considered a prospect as he will make the Blues roster full time, and battle Justin Faulk and Cam Fowler for top power play deployment.

16 - David Reinbacher, RD – Montreal Canadiens

The 6-foot-2 Austrian defender made a splash in his AHL debut in 2023-24 when he posted five points in the final 11 games in Laval. Injuries kept him out of action until he returned for the Olympics with Austria and finished the season again in the AHL with Laval. His six points in 13 playoff games with the Rocket are promising but a nearly full season lost to injury suggest he may need a time in the AHL before he is ready for Montreal. The departure of Logan Mailloux improves his stature in Montreal.

17 - Oliver Bonk, RD – Philadelphia Flyers

Widely considered to be a shutdown defender, a red flag in fantasy, Bonk has considerable fantasy value. At 6-foot-2 he has decent size and can play a physical role and contribute hits and blocks. But he has also contributed significant offensive numbers with 150 career regular season points in 189 games with the London Knights. Bonk was deployed as the net front presence on the power play regularly with London and was tried as the first powerplay quarterback for Canada at the WJC. His pro career will begin with a season in the AHL with Lehigh Valley before he becomes a top four NHL regular.

18 - Tanner Molendyk, LD – Nashville Predators

Nashville has a strong track record of drafting and developing top quality NHL defencemen. Tanner Molendyk is the latest and he nearly made the Predators out of training camp last year before returning for his final year in the WHL. He was a point per game player with Saskatoon and Medicine Hat and at the Memorial Cup. Molendyk will be an AHL rookie this season, but it likely won’t be long before he is patrolling the Predators blueline in a top four capacity.

19 - Hunter Brzustewicz, RD – Calgary Flames

His fantasy value took a big hit when the Flames drafted Zayne Parekh. Brzustewicz is an offensive defenceman that posted a 92-point season in the OHL, and in his AHL rookie campaign last year impressed with five goals and 32 points in 70 games with the Wranglers. Brzustewicz was a key piece in return from the Elias Lindholm trade so the Flames are invested, he has great offensive and fantasy upside, but the Parekh addition will take some of that critical power play ice time up.

20 - Tom Willander, RD – Vancouver Canucks

After two seasons in the shadow of a Hutson with the Boston University Terriers, Willander may be an underrated fantasy defenceman. With all the top offensive deployment at BU going to the Hutson’s, lane and Cole, Willander still managed to produce 49 points in 77 career games with the Terriers. His play with Sweden at the WJC was impressive as well with five points in seven games. Willander is a strong skating, puck moving two-way defender with offensive upside. Willander was signed by the Canucks and will start his professional career in the AHL with defending Calder Cup Champions Abbotsford.

Goalies

1 - Yaroslav Askarov – San Jose Sharks

The Sharks are building something special and Askarov should be a key piece of that puzzle. A top ranked goalie prospect for years, the move from Nashville and out from under Juuse Saros, gives Askarov has the opportunity to seize a starting role in San Jose. With the young core and foundations now in place, it’s just a short matter of time before this team becomes a powerhouse, and Askarov is a fantasy star.

2 - Jesper Wallstedt – Minnesota Wild

There is no sugar coating this, Wallstedt had a terrible season posting brutal numbers in both the AHL, and NHL in his third season in North America. Despite the setback, Wallstedt remains an elite goalie prospect and with the Wild building a defence that consist of Brock Faber, Zeev Buium, and David Jiricek the future still remains very bright.

3 - Jacob Fowler – Montreal Canadiens

It is difficult to understand how Fowler was not the top goalie selected in his draft year. Five other goalies went before he was selected 69^th overall in the third round of the 2023 NHL Draft. Since then, he has established himself as an elite prospect playing at Boston College in the NCAA. Fowler has won a WJC Gold Medal with USA, a Hockey East Championship, and was named the Goalie of the Year winning the Mike Richter Award. Fowler is trending to be the next great Montreal Canadiens goalie following the likes of Ken Dryden, Patrick, Roy and Carey Price.

4 - Ilya Nabokov – Colorado Avalanche

A late bloomer, Nabokov was drafted in 2024 by the Avalanche after a breakout season in the KHL as a 21-year-old, where Nabokov won a Gagarian Cup and playoff MVP. Nabokov has signed his ELC with Colorado but has been loaned back to play the 2025-26 season in the KHL to ensure he gets playing time. Expect him to finish the season in the AHL as the KHL season ends in March, allowing him a small sample of North American hockey before being full time in 2026-27.

5 - Sebastian Cossa – Detroit Red Wings

The Wings 2021 15^th overall draft pick has now played three full seasons of professional hockey with time in the ECHL, AHL, and he made his NHL debut in December with a 6-foot-5 shootout win over Buffalo. The past two seasons have been consistent and strong for Cossa, playing 40+ games in Grand Rapids and posting 20+ wins. The addition of John Gibson suggests that Detroit thinks he needs a little more development before he becomes their starting goalie.

6 - Drew Commesso – Chicago Blackhawks

On last years list I suggested Commesso was on track to develop into the Hawks starting goalie for the Connor Bedard glory years. Since then, the Hawks acquired Spencer Knight, and he appears to be the incumbent franchise goalie for the foreseeable future. Commesso had another impressive year of development in the AHL and is still quite capable of being an NHL starting goalie. Where and when are less certain now.

7 - Trey Augustine – Detroit Red Wings

The Red Wings added insulation to their goaltending future when they selected Augustine 41^st overall in 2023. Since then, he has been developing with Michigan State U. in the NCAA with a career record of 42-16-6, two Big Ten Championships and two WJC Gold Medals with USA. Augustine will play his junior season with the Spartans and will also need some AHL development time. He is further away than Cossa, but his upside could be higher.

8 - Niklas Kokko – Seattle Kraken

Kokko made his North American debut last season, and it was a strong one posting a 20-10-2 record in the AHL with a 2.26 GAA and .913 SV%. His strong play earned him an NHL recall, and he had a rough start coming in to relieve Joey Daccord in a 7-2 loss to the Blues where he allowed two goals on six shots. With Grubauer and Daccord under contract for the next two seasons, the 21-year-old Finnish netminder can continue to develop in the AHL with Coachella. He is a prospect on the rise.

9 - Mikhail Yegorov – New Jersey Devils

The Devils selected the Russian goalie from the USHL with their second-round pick in 2024 and Yegorov started his D+1 season back in the USHL with Omaha. Committed to Boston University in the NCAA, the Terriers were having goaltending concerns and brought “Big Mike” in just in time for the Bean Pot Tournament where he was outstanding leading the Terriers to victory. Yegorov played in 18 games total with an 11-6-1 record and 2.15 GAA. Still only 19-years-old, the 6-foot-5 netminder is a long way from the NHL, but he is showing tremendous potential.

10 - Hampton Slukynsky – Los Angeles Kings

Perhaps Slukynsky is still a little under the radar and not quite a household name in less deep dynasty leagues, but that is about to change. Selected 118^th overall by the Kings, Slukynsky posted a 19-5-1 record as a freshman at Western Michigan and a sparkling 1.90 GAA. His trophy case includes USHL Goalie of the Year, Championships from the USHL, NCAA National and NCHC, and Gold Medals with USA from the U-18, WJC and World Championship. He is still just 20-years-old and needs a lot of development time before the NHL, but his stock is rising fast!

MCKEEN’S 2025-26 NHL YEARBOOK – LOS ANGELES KINGS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #24

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 11:59:33 +0000

PARADISE, NV - JUNE 28: Liam Greentree is drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the first round during the Upper Deck NHL Draft on June 28, 2024 at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Speer/Icon Sportswire)

Prospect System Ranking – 24th (May 2025 - 25th)
GM: Rob Blake Hired: April 2017
COACH: Jim Hiller Hired: February 2024

The Los Angeles Kings’ prospect depth has taken a hit in recent installments, dropping 10 spots over the last two seasons. That’s the natural cost of seeing nearly all of your top-ranked prospects graduate in quick succession. Quinton Byfield, Brandt Clarke, Jordan Spence, Alex Turcotte, Samuel Helenius, and Akil Thomas have all taken steps forward at the NHL level, ushering in a new wave of youth for the big club.

Leading what remains of the pipeline is Liam Greentree, a late 2024 first-round pick who vaulted from 86th in our rankings. His 119-point campaign with the Windsor Spitfires made him one of the OHL’s top performers, pairing size with an elite scoring touch.

Beyond Greentree, the brightest spots lie in goal. Erik Portillo is already an established AHL starter, while Carter George and Hampton Slukynsky bring significant promise. George’s numbers dipped this season on a weak Owen Sound team, but he remains a top goaltending prospect and has already transitioned to the Ontario Reign. Slukynsky, meanwhile, enjoyed a storybook year—earning an NCAA Championship with Western Michigan, All-Tournament and All-Rookie honours, and a World Junior gold medal.

The Kings added nine more names at the 2025 draft, headlined by Henry Brzustewicz, taken 31st overall. He joins second-round pick Vojtech Cihar (second round, 59th overall) and third-rounder Kristian Epperson (third round, 88th overall) in rounding out the team’s top 15 prospects.

The silver lining for L.A. is that they’ve avoided mortgaging their future for short-term gains. While they lack a second-round pick in 2026, they still hold seven selections in the upcoming draft and remain in the enviable position of icing a strong playoff contender while continuing to add young talent.

For now, the Kings find themselves outside the “mushy middle” of prospect rankings—not a deep system, but one with enough quality in key spots, especially in goal, to keep the future intriguing.

Los Angeles Kings Top-15 Prospects

1 - Liam Greentree

This past season couldn’t have gone a whole lot better for Greentree, the 26th overall selection last year. He emerged as one of the top offensive players in the OHL, which in turn helped the Windsor Spitfires capture a division title. Greentree is such an intelligent offensive player. He understands how to best utilize his skill set on the puck and off of it. He’s calculated in his approach and difficult to separate from the puck thanks to his skill and frame. His pace of play really improved this year too, thanks to a stronger and more explosive stride. He still has work to do in terms of speed and explosiveness to be a top scorer at the professional levels, but his progress has been encouraging. Another year in the OHL next year would do wonders for Greentree as he continues to improve his skating and two-way game on a strong Windsor team. Additionally, he should be an offensive leader for the Canadian WJC team. This looks like a very strong pick by the Kings as Greentree has the sense and skill to be a high scoring winger for them in the near future.

2 - Carter George

On talent alone, Carter George stands as one of the NHL’s best goalie prospects. As an 18-year-old, he is already very refined technically and is far ahead of his peers and even many of his seniors in that aspect. His positioning, footwork, anticipation, and intelligence are all elite whilst being calm and composed. His only downside is that athletically, he is closer to average, but it is still very sufficient for the NHL level. With how he plays, he won’t need to play athletically, but he’s still proven he can pull the rabbit out of the hat when needed. George plays a lot like Henrik Lundqvist in the way he positions himself to read and react to play. Everything he does is fluid, methodical, precise, and done with intensity. He just finished his second year as a two-time arguable best OHL goaltender and even dipped his toe in the AHL and showed out. Continuing down this path, it should come to no one's surprise that he ends up as an elite NHL goalie.

3 - Henry Brzustewicz

The Kings’ first-round selection in 2025, Brzustewicz is a bit of a blank canvas waiting to be modeled. The “tools” are all present. He skates well. He has good size. He can make creative plays with the puck in the name of creating offence, especially inside the offensive zone, a trait that makes him a potential power play quarterback. The same could be said of a quality point shot. Defensively, he is physically engaged and shows a willingness to take away time and space, consistently winning those 50/50 battles for the puck or positioning. However, what’s not present is the consistent execution of all of these tools. Brzustewicz is raw in this regard; his lower IQ grades are what prevented him from being drafted higher. He’ll return to London this year and should take on a very large role for the Knights. Under the tutelage of the Hunters, expect Brzustewicz to improve his decision making, execution, and consistency.

4 - Hampton Slukynsky

Slukynsky, much like his fellow prospect George, is a very controlled, highly efficient goalie. While he may not possess high-end speed or athleticism, his positioning and skating are so good that it doesn’t matter. He also boasts some elite tracking, allowing him to make a variety of glove saves and use it to consistently keep up with play. His real strength comes from how calm he is. Nothing breaks Slukynsky; everything is very purposeful, and precision is of the utmost importance. Again, much like George, Slukynsky doesn’t possess any detrimental weaknesses. At worst, sometimes he can be down a little early on a tight play, but he remains very calm and in control. All of this has helped him continue a strong development curve of being the best USHL goalie and then being elite in the NCAA, where he led Western Michigan to its first national championship. While Slukynsky will have strong competition if he stays in LA, the Kings could be seen with two starting level goalies on their hands.

5 - Koehn Ziemmer

A nasty ankle tear in November 2023 threw a wrench into Ziemmer's ongoing development but coming back to Prince George for his overage year helped him get things back on track, as he once again got to play a Top six forward role on one of the league's better teams. And funnily enough, because skating was never his strong suit before he didn't have to make any major stylistic adjustments upon returning. His game is built around his control of the puck: protecting it with his strength and wide balance until he can whip a hard and accurate shot or pass. He has a real dog-on-a-bone mentality when he's battling for puck possession down low in the offensive zone. Even though Ziemmer needs to stay pigeonholed in his style in order to be effective, he's still a good specialist and there are jobs in the NHL for guys who play like he does.

6 - Erik Portillo

Portillo’s staple is being a very calm and positional goalie. He shows great positional awareness and good play reading to predict passes and player movements. However, in his exceeding calmness, he seems to lack a competitive edge. He generally doesn’t move with much intensity and in this past year, seemed to almost not be fully engaged with his games. Despite being a good skater, the lack of intensity can cause him to be a bit behind on plays, and he struggles to make big saves on cross-ice passes. He also tends to make some questionable decisions in his save selection, opening up when sliding or just completely misreading the situation because he wasn’t able to track the puck. He took a major step back this past season in Ontario after being very impressive the year prior, which calls into question his future with the organization. His skill set could be translated to an NHL role if honed properly, but severely lacking intensity can be a serious concern, especially how he could get buried behind other goalie talent in LA.

7 - Ryan Conmy

Conmy excelled in his freshman and sophomore seasons at the University of New Hampshire—scoring 31 points in 34 games (2023–24) and improving to 33 points in 34 games (2024–25). Conmy is an intelligent, fast, hardworking winger with solid shot placement, offensive instincts, and tenacity on the puck. He finds open ice, generates offence, and plays bigger than his 5-foot-10 frame. This is why he played in all situations at New Hampshire. Now at Boston College, following a transfer for his junior season, Conmy will benefit from higher level teammates. With his blend of speed, shot accuracy, and two-way capability, he projects as a bottom-middle six NHL winger with upside on special teams. Continued offensive growth and reliable defensive play will be key to unlocking his pro potential. His play at BC this year will indicate whether he is ready to sign his ELC and turn pro, or whether a senior year would be beneficial.

8 - Jared Woolley

Is Woolley a serious breakout candidate this year with the London Knights? His game really took off in the second half of the season and into the playoffs, as he emerged as a two-way force in the OHL. He’s going to get more ice time and responsibility this coming season and that could translate to a serious increase in offensive production. There’s a very real possibility that Woolley pairs with new Kings’ prospect Henry Brzustewicz on the top pair of London. For Woolley it’s all about continuing to refine his skill set. Continue to improve his mobility and linear quickness as a skater. Continue to improve his decision making with the puck and ability to start the breakout. Continue to improve his composure and reads in the defensive end. The 6-foot-5 defender has the upside to be an impactful NHL player in some capacity, and this season should give us a better indication of what his true ceiling is as a two-way player.

9 - Francesco Pinelli

Pinelli was a prolific scorer in junior, but he hasn’t quite found his game at the next level yet. This year, his offensive output only slightly improved in his second full season with the Reign. Francesco loves to shoot, and that’s evidently his best trait, closely followed by his creativity with the puck. He’s created many chances this season (and potted numerous assists) by getting to the netfront and ripping shots off loose pucks and rebounds. His stickhandling is deceptive and hard to read, and combined with his above-average speed, it makes him a big threat in space. When Francesco gets into one-on-one situations with goalies, it’s tough to stop him, as he has a deep bag of tricks and finishing moves. Pinelli averaged around 15 minutes per game this season, a number the Kings are likely hoping will increase as he works into a full-time top six role. LA has struggled to turn its once-great prospect pool into an NHL roster, and Pinelli may be another casualty of their development shortcomings.

10 - Kristian Epperson

The 2023-24 season was not a good one for Epperson. He ended up getting demoted from the NTDP’s U18 team and subsequently was not drafted in 2024. The 2024-25 season was the exact opposite. The move to Saginaw of the OHL proved to be an excellent move for his development as he gained instant chemistry with star forward Michael Misa and after a terrific year, the Kings selected Epperson in his second go-around at the draft. Epperson brings consistent energy on and off the puck and he is skilled enough to both finish off plays and create them; he’s the ideal complementary piece on a scoring line. There’s a need for his quickness and strength on the puck to improve further and that’s why the move to the University of Denver next year is an intelligent one for him. Expect him to spend a few years in the NCAA before turning pro. If all goes well, the Kings will have a potential middle six piece on their hands.

11 - Petteri Rimpinen

At 6-foot-0, Rimpinen has to compensate for his lack of stature with quicker reaction time and agility. He made the jump to Liiga last season, posting respectable numbers into the playoffs. Now, he’ll look to take another step this season in Liiga for Kiekko-Espoo.

12 - Caeden Herrington

Herrington has the kind of tools that get scouts excited, standing 6-foot- 2 as a right shot defenceman who isn’t afraid to get physical. He put up 16 goals in the USHL last season thanks to his penchant for joining the rush and getting shots off. He’ll join the collegiate ranks this season at the University of Vermont, where he’ll need to smooth out his overall game and skating to become pro-ready.

13 - Vojtech Cihar

Cihar was a top sixty pick for LA, and it’s not hard to see why. He competes for pucks but matches that with an exciting set of hands and a nose for scoring chances. Slightly on the smaller end, he’ll need to continue to build up his physical tools to let the skill shine through at the pro North American level. He’s slated to spend another season playing in the pro Czech ranks.

14 - Jimmy Lombardi

Add Lombardi’s name to the list of CHL prospects making the jump to the NCAA this season, as he’s slated to suit up for the University of Michigan after spending two years in the OHL. Lombardi never quite established himself offensively for Flint, but his skill level was obvious with a smooth set of hands. The NCAA will allow him to develop physically and add the missing two-way elements to his game.

15 - Jakub Dvorak

Dvorak is a towering, rangy defenceman who made the jump from Czechia to the AHL last season. With his combination of size, mobility, and a clean first pass, there is bottom pair NHL potential. As a second-round pick, the Kings are probably hoping for a bit more than that, and he’ll look to take another step forward in the AHL this season.

2025 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: #25 LOS ANGELES KINGS – Top 15 NHL Affiliated Prospects

Wed, 21 May 2025 19:47:45 +0000

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Los Angeles 25 Prospects

MCKEEN’S 2024-25 NHL YEARBOOK – LOS ANGELES KINGS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #21

Introduction - Dave Hall, Profiles - Josh Bell — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 18:00:21 +0000

_{PITTSBURGH, PA - FEBRUARY 18: Los Angeles Kings Defenceman Brandt Clarke (92) passes the puck during the second period in the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Los Angeles Kings on February 18, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire)}

Prospect System Ranking – 21st (Previous Rank - 15th)
GM: Rob Blake Hired: April 2017
COACH: Jim Hiller Hired: February 2024

Once considered one of the league’s premier pipelines, the Los Angeles Kings’ pool of young talent has gradually taken steps back. However, our fifth-ranked prospect, Brandt Clarke, continues to prop them up quite nicely. Fresh off his official rookie year in Ontario, Clarke fell just shy of contributing at a point-per-game clip with 46 points in 50 games. At 21, he’s poised to secure a permanent role on the Kings’ blueline, joining recent graduate Jordan Spence on the big club’s defence.

Goaltender Erik Portillo (140th) showed tremendous promise in his rookie AHL season, posting the fifth-best win total league wide with a 24-11-3 record. The addition of NHL veteran Darcy Kuemper and now 2024 second-rounder Carter George (236th) adds competition both in the short and long term, but the former Michigan Wolverine has unsurprisingly tracked well. Portillo recently signed a three-year contract with the Kings.

In the 2024 NHL Draft, the Kings managed to snag tremendous value at 26th overall, selecting the Windsor Spitfires’ captain Liam Greentree (87th). Coming off a 90-point OHL season, the Oshawa native tracks well to become a dual-threat contributor for the Kings. Considering the team had only four picks in 2024, they hit big on value with each of their two affirmed mentioned picks (Greentree and George)

While the remaining depth chart continues to offer substance with longstanding names like Alex Turcotte (182nd), Martin Chromiak, and Akil Thomas, the outlook is a distant cry from where it was just a few seasons ago. Then again, graduating names like Quinton Byfield and Arthur Kaliyev (RFA) and trading away Gabe Vilardi will certainly have that type of impact.

Despite making just four picks in the 2024 NHL Draft—first, second, fifth, and sixth rounds—GM Rob Blake has retained most of the team’s future draft capital, except for a 2025 second rounder. The big question now is whether these assets will be used to keep Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty’s Stanley Cup dreams alive or if the team will take a step back to retool while awaiting the full emergence of the Byfield and Clarke era.

Los Angeles Kings Top-15 Prospects

1. Brandt Clarke

Bypassing the CHL for the AHL, Brandt Clarke's pro debut with the Ontario Reign was a learning experience. The offensively gifted defenceman (eighth overall pick in 2021) surprised many with his strong play, leading all AHL rookie defenders in assists (36 and 46 points in 50 games) and earning a spot on the All-Rookie Team. Clarke's offensive instincts and poise with the puck were on display, showcasing the offensive potential that had scouts buzzing pre-draft. However, questions about his defensive awareness and overall physicality remain. While he's not a liability, some consistency issues cropped up throughout the season. The Kings likely view Clarke's season as a success. He adapted well to the pro game and showed flashes of NHL-caliber ability. Another year in the AHL seems likely to refine his defensive game, but a late-season NHL call-up wouldn't be a shock. Clarke's future remains bright, and his offensive potential is undeniable. The key will be solidifying his defensive play and becoming a complete two-way force.

2. Liam Greentree

Greentree had been a standout for McKeen’s throughout his draft year, making an impact for a struggling Windsor Spitfires team despite limited skating skills. His potential draws a parallel with Dallas’ Jason Robertson, suggesting a similar upside if an NHL team remains patient with his development. Though his skating needs work, Greentree shows commitment and leadership as an OHL captain. His stride and posture are decent, but he struggles with speed, which could improve with better strength and conditioning. Offensively, Greentree’s puck skills are exceptional—he deftly avoids pressure and excels in battles along the wall, showcasing strong hands and a powerful wrist shot. His game sense is sharp, minimizing turnovers with quick decisions. However, his two-way play and physicality need improvement. Despite a less impressive U18 performance, Greentree remains a high-upside prospect with the potential to evolve into a top six NHL contributor.

3. Erik Portillo

Erik Portillo's arrival in the pros wasn't without its growing pains. Signed by the Kings after a stellar college career at Michigan, Portillo spent his season with the AHL's Ontario Reign. His AHL numbers (24 wins, 0.918 SV%) were solid, and continued to impress as he improved on his NCAA numbers from the year prior. There were flashes of the netminder who dominated college hockey, but consistency remained elusive. While Portillo's raw talent is undeniable, his pro adaptation has been a learning curve. Questions linger about his ability to handle the faster pace and increased workload of the NHL. The Kings likely view him as a long-term project, but another year in the AHL to refine his game seems like the most likely course. Patience will be key for both Portillo and the Kings organization and the netminder continues to develop and improve on his game.

4. Alex Turcotte

Alex Turcotte's 2023-24 campaign was a season of split results. The Kings' 2019 first rounder started with a brief NHL stint, notching four points in 20 games. While the production was decent, consistency remained elusive. Turcotte struggled to carve out a permanent role and found himself back in the AHL with the Ontario Reign. There, his offensive light shone brighter. He amassed 29 points in 35 games, showcasing his impressive skillset. However, questions about his defensive awareness and overall decision-making lingered. Turcotte's future hinges on ironing out these inconsistencies. The tools are there – his skating and offensive instincts are undeniable. But can he become a reliable two-way contributor? The Kings will be watching closely this season to see if Turcotte can take that next step. There is a risk that he may never reach the potential that was placed on him as a fifth-round pick though.

5. Carter George

Carter George had an impressive 2023-24 season marked by remarkable consistency. He led Canada to gold at the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup and was a key player for the Owen Sound Attack in the OHL, keeping them competitive in many games. He closed the year with another gold at the U18 World Championship, earning top goaltender honours. Although George lacks the high-end mobility and size that scouts often seek (standing at 6-foot-1), his play tracking and positioning are exceptional. He consistently covers his angles and shows excellent body control, improving his rebound control significantly over the season. An underrated strength is his puck handling; he operates confidently as a third defender, greatly aiding the transition game. His size is a concern, but his technical skills and puck management make him a standout prospect. With continued development, George has the potential to be the top goaltender coming from this draft class.

6. Francesco Pinelli

Francesco Pinelli is a dynamic and creative center with a high offensive ceiling. He boasts exceptional speed and agility, allowing him to dance around defenders and create scoring chances in tight spaces. His vision and anticipation are elite, consistently identifying soft spots in coverage and delivering precision passes to exploit them. His shot is accurate and heavy, making him a threat from anywhere on the ice. He is an impressively well-rounded and complete player, though his mental makeup stands out as his strongest quality. He's very focused and driven and maintains an even keel through the times where things get tougher. With continued development, Pinelli has the potential to become a top six forward and a key contributor on the Kings' power play. His upside as a playmaking center with a scoring touch makes him one of the most exciting prospects for the Kings.

7. Jakub Dvorak

Jakub Dvorak is a physical defenceman with a compelling combination of size, speed, and skill. Featuring a wide wingspan, he excels at shutting down opponents' attacks, using his quick feet and active stick to intercept passes and clear the zone. His vision and anticipation allow him to spark transition play, and his accurate shot makes him a threat from the point. He's also a physical presence, using his size and strength to win battles and protect his teammates. Looking like a future beast on the penalty kill, he eats up time and space with his long reach and affinity for board work. With continued development, he has the potential to become a top four defenceman and a key contributor on the Kings' blue line. His upside as a reliable, two-way defender should help him get there.

8. Samuel Fagemo

Samuel Fagemo's 2023-24 season was a tale of two leagues. In the AHL with the Ontario Reign, he was a force. Fagemo tore up the league, leading the Reign in goals (43) while showcasing his power play prowess (16 goals). His offensive dominance earned him a brief call-up to the NHL with both the Kings and Predators, where things were less rosy. Fagemo only managed one goal in eight combined NHL games, highlighting the gulf between AHL dominance and NHL success. While his skating and physical tools translate well, his decision-making needs refinement at the highest level. Fagemo's future hinges on translating his AHL success. Can he develop the hockey IQ to complement his offensive arsenal? Another strong AHL season could earn him a longer NHL look, but consistency and decision-making will be his biggest tests.

9. Koehn Ziemmer

Drafted 78th overall by the LA Kings in 2023, Koehn Ziemmer continued his development with the Prince George Cougars of the WHL. While a mid-season injury sidelined him for a stretch, Ziemmer put up an impressive 31 points in just 23 games. His scoring touch remains a strength, with a knack for finding the net (11 goals). However, consistency remains an area for improvement. There were stretches where he dominated offensively, followed by periods of quieter production. The Kings inked Ziemmer to a three-year entry-level contract in November, signaling their belief in his future. His skating, a past weakness, has shown improvement, but further refinement is needed for the NHL level. His defensive awareness is a work in progress as well. Overall, 2023-24 was a season of steady progress. He'll likely spend another year in the WHL to refine his all-around game. If he can improve his consistency and defensive play, Ziemmer could develop into a solid middle-six forward for the Kings.

10. Hampton Slukynsky

Hampton Slukynsky is a talented and athletic goaltender with a high ceiling. He boasts exceptional quickness and agility, allowing him to cover a lot of ground in the crease and make highlight-reel saves. His vision and anticipation are also impressive, as he consistently reads plays and positions himself to cut off shooting lanes. He has a penchant for the highlight reel save because of his play-reading ability and because he never quits on a save, always competing for sight lines and pushing to make those second/third chance saves. His glove hand is particularly strong, and he shows poise and confidence in his game. A classic butterfly netminder, he does have a tendency to scramble in his crease and can be taken out of position. With continued development, Slukynsky has the potential to become a backup goaltender in the NHL due to his upside as an athletic and agile netminder.

11. Akil Thomas

Akil Thomas is a dynamic forward with exceptional skating and playmaking skills. His sharp hockey sense and ability to create scoring opportunities make him a constant offensive threat. Thomas excels in transition and has a knack for finding open space. While he could improve his defensive game, his offensive creativity and vision highlight his potential as a future top six NHL forward.

12. Martin Chromiak

Martin Chromiak’s 2023-24 season was a solid but unspectacular progression for the Kings prospect. Drafted 128th overall in 2020, he recorded 32 points (15 goals, 17 assists) in 70 games with the Ontario Reign, showing offensive versatility. While his powerful skating and scoring ability were evident, consistency and game awareness remain concerns. Chromiak’s future depends on improving his consistency and decision-making to potentially secure a spot in the Kings' bottom six. The 2023-24 season was a good start, but he needs to build on it with a more complete performance.

13. Aatu Jamsen

Aatu Jamsen is an intriguing forward with excellent offensive instincts and creativity. His impressive vision and playmaking skills allow him to set up scoring opportunities effectively. Jamsen’s skating is smooth, and he demonstrates a strong hockey IQ. While he could work on his defensive game and physicality, his offensive upside and potential make him a promising prospect for future NHL contributions.

14. Jack Hughes

Jack Hughes stands out with his exceptional skating and offensive creativity. His vision and playmaking abilities allow him to create scoring opportunities and drive the attack. While he needs to refine his defensive game and consistency, Hughes' high hockey IQ and dynamic skills make him a promising prospect with significant NHL potential.

15. Otto Salin

Otto Salin is an adept defenceman with impressive puck-moving skills and a keen offensive instinct. His smooth skating and agility allow him to transition play effectively and contribute to the power play. While his defensive positioning needs refinement, Salin’s vision and ability to generate offence from the blue line highlight his potential as a future NHL contributor.

MCKEEN’S 2024 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #21 Los Angeles Kings – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Josh Bell — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 18:55:13 +0000

Los Angeles Kings Defenseman Brandt Clarke (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire)

Long heralded as one of the best prospect systems in the NHL, recent success with three successive playoff appearances has caused them to slip way down to 21st overall. They still boast No. 3-ranked Brandt Clarke on defence as the crown jewel of their prospect group and should join recently graduated prospects Quinton Byfield, Arthur Kaliyev, Rasmus Kupari, Tobias Bjornfot, and Jordan Spence. Alex Turcotte has seen his rank diminish due to injury concerns, a slight build and average skating, whether his initial promise will be able to deliver in the pro rank. Samuel Fagemo remains a sniper, whose skills can’t be taught, but an adventurer without the puck, and it remains to be seen if he can put it together despite a strong season in the AHL. A big bright spot of the season was Alex Laferriere, who made the roster out of training camp and never looked back.

General manager Rob Blake, in the chair since 2017, has not been overly active on the trade front, preferring to focus on the free agent market, acquiring Kevin Fiala, Philip Danault, Viktor Arvidsson, as key pieces in recent years. He did, however, make a big deal last offseason, acquiring Pierre-Luc Dubois for promising young pieces Gabe Vilardi and Rasmus Kupari. He also managed to re-sign Vladislav Gavrikov, a trade acquisition from a 2022-23. All of this may signal a more aggressive push in coming seasons to move picks and prospects than he has been willing to do so far. Blake has his core and will work around it in pursuit of a championship.

RNK	PLAYER	POS	AGE	HT/WT	TM	Acquired	GP	G(W)	A(L)	PTS(GAA)	PIM(SPCT)
1	Brandt Clarke	D	21	6-2/185	Ontario (AHL)	`21(8th)	50	10	36	46	49
					Los Angeles (NHL)	`21(8th)	16	2	4	6	10
2	Erik Portillo	G	23	6-6/210	Ontario (AHL)	T(Buf-3/23)	39	24	11	2.50	0.918
3	Samuel Fagemo	RW	24	6-0/195	Ontario (AHL)	W(Nsh-11/23)	50	43	19	62	26
					Nsh-LA (NHL)	W(Nsh-11/23)	8	1	0	1	0
4	Francesco Pinelli	C	21	6-1/185	Ontario (AHL)	`21(42nd)	67	13	7	20	24
5	Jakub Dvorak	D	18	6-5/205	Swift Current (WHL)	`23(54th)	21	2	8	10	12
					Bili Tygri Liberec (Czechia)	`23(54th)	19	2	1	3	20
6	Alex Turcotte	C	23	5-11/185	Ontario (AHL)	`19(5th)	35	10	19	29	12
					Los Angeles (NHL)	`19(5th)	20	1	3	4	6
7	Koehn Ziemmer	RW	19	6-0/205	Prince George (WHL)	`23(78th)	23	11	20	31	11
8	Martin Chromiak	LW	21	6-0/185	Ontario (AHL)	`20(128th)	70	15	17	32	38
9	Kasper Simontaival	RW	22	5-9/180	KalPa (Fin-Liiga)	`20(66th)	56	17	16	33	20
10	Hampton Slukynsky	G	18	6-1/180	Fargo (USHL)	`23(118th)	33	28	3	1.86	0.923
11	Aatu Jamsen	RW	21	6-2/160	Pelicans (Fin-Liiga)	`20(190th)	36	14	11	25	16
12	Samuel Helenius	C	21	6-6/200	Ontario (AHL)	`21(59th)	69	8	11	19	53
13	Jack Hughes 2	C	20	5-11/170	Boston University (HE)	`22(51st)	38	7	12	19	12
14	Kenny Connors	C	21	6-0/190	Massachusetts (HE)	`22(103rd)	37	7	15	22	14
15	Akil Thomas	C	24	5-11/170	Ontario (AHL)	`18(51st)	64	22	24	46	41
					Los Angeles (NHL)	`18(51st)	7	3	1	4	2

1. Brandt Clarke, D, Ontario Reign (AHL)

Bypassing the CHL for the AHL, Clarke's pro debut with the Ontario Reign was a learning experience. The offensively gifted defenseman (eighth overall pick in 2021) surprised many with his strong play, leading all AHL rookie defenders in assists (36 and 46 points in 50 games) and earning a spot on the All-Rookie Team. His offensive instincts and poise with the puck were on display, showcasing the offensive potential that had scouts buzzing pre-draft. However, questions about his defensive awareness and overall physicality remain. While he's not a liability, some consistency issues cropped up throughout the season. The Kings likely view Clarke's season as a success. He adapted well to the pro game and showed flashes of NHL-caliber ability. Another year in the AHL seems likely to refine his defensive game, but a late-season NHL call-up wouldn't be a shock. His future remains bright, and his offensive potential is undeniable. The key will be solidifying his defensive play and becoming a complete two-way force.

2. Erik Portillo, G, Ontario Reign (AHL)

Erik Portillo's arrival in the pros wasn't without its growing pains. Signed by the Kings after a stellar college career at Michigan, he spent his season with the AHL's Ontario Reign. His AHL numbers (24 wins, .918 SV%) were solid, and impressively improved on his NCAA numbers from the year prior. There were flashes of the netminder who dominated college hockey, but consistency remained elusive. While his raw talent is undeniable, his pro adaptation has been a learning curve. Questions linger about his ability to handle the faster pace and increased workload of the NHL. The team likely view him as a long-term project, but another year in the AHL to refine his game seems the most likely course. Patience will be key for both Portillo and the organization.

3. Samuel Fagemo, RW, Ontario Reign (AHL)

Samuel Fagemo's season was a tale of two leagues. In the AHL with the Ontario Reign, he was a force. He tore up the league, leading the team in goals (43) while showcasing his power-play prowess (16 goals). His offensive dominance earned him a brief call-up to the NHL with both the Kings and the Predators, where things were less rosy, after he was claimed on waivers from LA, only to be put back on waivers by Nashville a month later. The Kings took him back into the fold. He only managed one goal in eight combined NHL games, highlighting the gulf between AHL dominance and NHL success. While his skating and physical tools translate well, his decision making needs refinement at the highest level. His future hinges on translating his AHL success. Can he develop the hockey IQ to complement his offensive arsenal? Another strong AHL season could earn him a longer NHL look, but consistency and decision-making will be his biggest tests.

4. Francesco Pinelli, C, Ontario Reign (AHL)

5. Jakub Dvorak, D, Swift Current Broncos (WHL)

Jakub Dvorak is a skilled and physical defenseman with a compelling combination of size, speed, and skill. Featuring a wide wingspan, he excels at shutting down opponents' attacks, using his quick feet and active stick to intercept passes and clear the zone. His vision and anticipation allow him to spark transition play, and his accurate shot makes him a threat from the point. He's also a physical presence, using his size and strength to win battles and protect his teammates. Looking like a future beast on the PK, he eats up time and space with his long reach and affinity for board work. With continued development, he has the potential to become a top-four defenseman and a key contributor on the Kings' blue line. His upside as a reliable, two-way defender should help him get there.

6. Alex Turcotte, C, Ontario Reign (AHL)

Alex Turcotte's 2023-24 campaign was a season of split results. The Kings' 2019 first rounder started with a brief NHL stint, notching four points in 20 games. While the production was decent, consistency remained elusive. He struggled to carve out a permanent role and found himself back in the AHL with the Ontario Reign. There, his offensive light shone brighter. He amassed 29 points in 35 games, showcasing his impressive skillset. When healthy and at his best he is a two-way possession specialist, always in the right position, and always making the right decisions with the puck. However, questions about his defensive awareness and overall decision-making lingered. Turcotte's future hinges on ironing out these inconsistencies. The tools are there – his skating and offensive instincts are undeniable. But can he become a reliable two-way contributor? The Kings will be watching closely next season to see if Turcotte can take that next step.

7. Koehn Ziemmer, RW, Prince George Cougars (WHL)

Drafted 78th overall by the Kings in 2023, Koehn Ziemmer continued his development with the Prince George Cougars of the WHL. While a mid-season injury sidelined him for a stretch, he put up an impressive 31 points in just 23 games. His scoring touch remains a strength, with a knack for finding the net (11 goals). However, consistency remains an area for improvement. There were stretches where he dominated offensively, followed by periods of quieter production. The Kings inked him to a three-year entry-level contract in November, signaling their belief in his future. His skating, a past weakness, has shown improvement, but further refinement is needed for the NHL level. His defensive awareness is a work in progress as well. Overall, 2023-24 was a season of steady progress. He'll likely spend another year in the WHL to refine his all-around game. If he can improve his consistency and defensive play, Ziemmer could develop into a solid middle-six forward.

8. Martin Chromiak, C, Ontario Reign (AHL)

Martin Chromiak's 2023-24 season wasn't a headline grabber, but it was a solid step forward for the Kings prospect. Drafted 128th overall in 2020, he spent the entire year with the Ontario Reign. He chipped in with 32 points (15 goals, 17 assists) in 70 games, showcasing his offensive versatility. While the point totals are decent, inconsistency remains a question mark. There were stretches where his powerful skating and knack for creating scoring chances were on full display. However, disappearing acts also cropped up, raising concerns about his overall game awareness. Chromiak's future hinges on refining his consistency. If he can elevate his decision-making and become a more well-rounded player, he has the tools to crack the Kings' bottom-six in the coming seasons. This season was a building block, but the next step requires a more complete performance.

9. Kasper Simontaival, RW, KalPa (Liiga)

Finnish winger Kasper Simontaival continued his development in the Liiga with KalPa this season. After a career-high 33 points (17 goals, 16 assists) in 56 games, the Kings' 2020 third rounder solidified his reputation as an offensive weapon. His elite playmaking and quick hands remain his biggest strengths, as he consistently creates scoring chances for himself and his linemates. However, consistency remains a question mark. While flashes of brilliance are undeniable, there are stretches where he disappears offensively. Additionally, his defensive play, while improved, still isn't a major selling point. The Kings face a decision: bring him over next season or let him refine his game in Finland. Regardless, Simontaival's offensive potential is undeniable. The key will be ironing out his inconsistencies and becoming a more well-rounded player.

10. Hampton Slukynsky, G, Fargo Force (USHL)

Hampton Slukynsky is a talented and athletic goaltender with a high ceiling. He boasts exceptional quickness and agility, allowing him to cover a lot of ground in the crease and make highlight-reel saves. His vision and anticipation are also impressive, as he consistently reads plays and positions himself to cut off shooting lanes. He has a penchant for the highlight reel save because of his play reading ability and because he never quits on a save, always competing for sight lines and to push to make those second/third chance saves. His glove hand is particularly strong, and he shows poise and confidence in his game. A classic butterfly netminder, he does have a tendency to scramble in his crease and can be taken out of position. With continued development, Slukynsky has the potential to become a backup goaltender in the NHL due to his upside as an athletic and agile netminder.

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

MCKEEN’S 2023 NHL DRAFT – FINAL RANKINGS – TOP 224 Plus Honourable Mentions

McKeen's Scouting Team - Director of Scouting, Brock Otten — Sun, 28 May 2023 16:20:45 +0000

It’s that time! The McKeen’s scouting staff has finalized our final rankings for the 2023 NHL Draft ahead of the release of our draft guide in a few weeks. As per usual, our list runs 224 players deep to match the number of selections in the draft, but we have included over 300 players when you include our Honorable Mentions.

Much to the surprise of no one, Connor Bedard remains our top ranked player, as he has been all season long. In fact, our top three remains unchanged from our midseason rankings with Adam Fantilli and Leo Carlsson holding down the second and third spots, respectively. There has been one change in our top five with Will Smith leapfrogging Matvei Michkov into the fourth position following his dominant second half and U18’s.

Russian defender Dmitry Simashev remains our top ranked blueliner but has now moved into the top ten. His combination of size, mobility, physicality, and improving offensive skill set is going to be alluring to NHL teams and we feel that his upside is the highest in a weaker crop for defenders.

A trio of Swedish players are among our biggest risers from our midseason list, with Tom Willander, Anton Wahlberg, and David Edstrom all jumping up into the first round. All three were excellent in the second half of the season, which culminated with strong performances at the U18’s. Willander, in particular, has a huge fan in our Director of Scouting, Brock Otten. “If you were to ask me who my favourite defender in the draft class is, I’d probably say Willander. He rarely makes a poor play and I believe that we are underappreciating his potential as an NHL defender because of how efficient and safe his game can be. I would be shocked if he does not become a quality second pairing guy at the NHL level and I don’t think the other defenders ranked in the first have that same assurance,” said Otten.

Another massive jumper in our list is Hamilton Bulldogs winger Nick Lardis. 98th on our midseason list, Lardis now finds himself ranked just inside of our first round. His play with Hamilton, following a trade from Peterborough has vaulted him up draft boards, including ours. His combination of quickness and scoring ability gives him a solid projection at the NHL level.

Despite having two goaltenders inside of our first round at midseason (Carson Bjarnason and Michael Hrabal), we ended the year with none. Trey Augustine is now our top ranked netminder, ranked in the mid second round. However, Augustine, Bjarnason, Hrabal, and USHL Clark Cup MVP Jacob Fowler are all closely ranked in that range.

Look for the release of our 2023 Draft Guide in the next couple weeks. It will include all of our rankings and reports, a mock draft, a preview of the 2024 NHL Draft, and much more.

As a subscriber, link to our full ranking with links to the player pages here - McKeen's Draft Rankings - You can download the ranking as an excel file as well.

RANK	PLAYER	POS	HT/WT	DOB	NATION	TEAM	GP-G-A-PTS
1	Connor Bedard	C	5-10/185	17-Jul-05	Canada	Regina (WHL)	57-71-72-143
2	Adam Fantilli	C	6-2/195	12-Oct-04	Canada	Michigan (B1G)	36-30-35-65
3	Leo Carlsson	C	6-3/200	26-Dec-04	Sweden	Orebro (SHL)	44-10-15-25
4	Will Smith	C	6-0/175	17-Mar-05	USA	USN U18 (USDP)	59-51-75-126
5	Matvei Michkov	RW	5-10/170	9-Dec-04	Russia	SKA St. Petersburg-HK Sochi (KHL)	30-9-11-20
6	Zach Benson	LW	5-9/160	12-May-05	Canada	Winnipeg (WHL)	60-36-62-98
7	Dalibor Dvorsky	C	6-1/200	15-Jun-05	Slovakia	AIK (HockeyAllsvenskan)	38-6-8-14
8	Ryan Leonard	RW	5-11/190	21-Jan-05	USA	USN U18 (USDP)	56-50-43-93
9	Dmitri Simashev	D	6-4/200	4-Feb-05	Russia	Loko Yaroslavl-Loko-76 Yaroslavl (MHL)	33-1-11-12
10	Matthew Wood	RW	6-3/195	6-Feb-05	Canada	Connecticut (HE)	35-11-23-34
11	Oliver Moore	C	5-11/185	22-Jan-05	USA	USN U18 (USDP)	60-31-43-74
12	Colby Barlow	LW	6-0/195	14-Feb-05	Canada	Owen Sound (OHL)	59-46-33-79
13	Nate Danielson	C	6-1/185	27-Sep-04	Canada	Brandon (WHL)	68-33-45-78
14	Axel Sandin Pellikka	D	5-11/180	11-Mar-05	Sweden	Skelleftea (Swe J20)	31-16-20-36
15	Daniil But	LW	6-5/200	15-Feb-05	Russia	Loko Yaroslavl-Loko-76 Yaroslavl (MHL)	32-18-14-32
16	David Reinbacher	D	6-2/185	25-Oct-04	Austria	Kloten (Sui-NL)	46-3-19-22
17	Eduard Sale	LW	6-1/170	10-Mar-05	Czech	HC Kometa Brno (Czechia)	43-7-7-14
18	Samuel Honzek	LW	6-3/185	12-Nov-04	Slovakia	Vancouver (WHL)	43-23-33-56
19	Mikhail Gulyayev	D	5-11/170	26-Apr-05	Russia	Omskie Yastreby (MHL)	22-2-23-25
20	Lukas Dragicevic	D	6-1/190	25-Apr-05	Canada	Tri-City (WHL)	68-15-60-75
21	Gabe Perreault	RW	5-11/165	7-May-05	USA	USN U18 (USDP)	62-53-79-132
22	Otto Stenberg	C	5-11/180	29-May-05	Sweden	Frolunda (Swe J20)	29-11-15-26
23	Tom Willander	D	6-1/180	9-Feb-05	Sweden	Rogle (Swe J20)	39-4-21-25
24	Calum Ritchie	C	6-2/185	21-Jan-05	Canada	Oshawa (OHL)	59-24-35-59
25	Andrew Cristall	LW	5-9/165	4-Feb-05	Canada	Kelowna (WHL)	54-39-56-95
26	Gavin Brindley	C	5-8/165	5-Oct-04	USA	Michigan (B1G)	41-12-26-38
27	Bradly Nadeau	LW	5-10/165	5-May-05	Canada	Penticton (BCHL)	54-45-68-113
28	Anton Wahlberg	C	6-3/195	4-Jul-05	Sweden	Malmo (Swe J20)	32-14-13-27
29	Riley Heidt	C	5-10/180	25-Mar-05	Canada	Prince George (WHL)	68-25-72-97
30	Brayden Yager	C	5-11/165	3-Jan-05	Canada	Moose Jaw (WHL)	67-28-50-78
31	David Edstrom	C	6-3/185	18-Feb-05	Sweden	Frolunda (Swe J20)	28-15-13-28
32	Nick Lardis	LW	5-10/165	8-Jul-05	Canada	Pbo-Ham (OHL)	69-37-28-65
33	Kasper Halttunen	RW	6-3/205	7-Jun-05	Finland	HIFK (Fin-Liiga)	27-0-1-1
34	Jayden Perron	RW	5-9/165	11-Jan-05	Canada	Chicago (USHL)	61-24-48-72
35	Oliver Bonk	D	6-2/175	9-Jan-05	Canada	London (OHL)	67-10-30-40
36	Quentin Musty	LW	6-2/200	6-Jul-05	USA	Sudbury (OHL)	53-26-52-78
37	Trey Augustine	G	6-1/185	23-Feb-05	USA	USN U18 (USDP)	28-1, 2.14, 0.925
38	Tanner Molendyk	D	5-11/185	3-Feb-05	Canada	Saskatoon (WHL)	67-9-28-37
39	William Whitelaw	RW	5-9/170	5-Feb-05	USA	Youngstown (USHL)	62-36-25-61
40	Ethan Gauthier	RW	5-11/175	26-Jan-05	Canada	Sherbrooke (QMJHL)	66-30-39-69
41	Gracyn Sawchyn	C	5-11/160	19-Jan-05	USA	Seattle (WHL)	58-18-40-58
42	Carson Bjarnason	G	6-3/185	30-Jun-05	Canada	Brandon (WHL)	21-19, 3.08, 0.900
43	Aram Minnetian	D	5-11/190	19-Mar-05	USA	USN U18 (USDP)	61-7-24-31
44	Michael Hrabal	G	6-6/210	20-Jan-05	Czech	Omaha (USHL)	9-13, 2.86, 0.908
45	Jacob Fowler	G	6-1/215	24-Nov-04	USA	Youngstown (USHL)	27-9, 2.28, 0.921
46	Oscar Fisker Molgaard	C	6-0/165	18-Feb-05	Denmark	HV 71 (SHL)	41-4-3-7
47	Carson Rehkopf	LW	6-1/195	7-Jan-05	Canada	Kitchener (OHL)	68-30-29-59
48	Beau Akey	D	5-11/170	11-Feb-05	Canada	Barrie (OHL)	66-11-36-47
49	Danny Nelson	C	6-3/200	3-Aug-05	USA	USN U18 (USDP)	61-20-26-46
50	Etienne Morin	D	6-0/180	9-Mar-05	Canada	Moncton (QMJHL)	67-21-51-72
51	Felix Nilsson	C	6-0/175	22-Jun-05	Sweden	Rogle (Swe J20)	36-19-22-41
52	Maxim Strbak	D	6-1/205	13-Apr-05	Slovakia	Sioux Falls (USHL)	46-5-13-18
53	Jakub Dvorak	D	6-5/205	25-May-05	Czech	Bili Tygri Liberec (Czechia)	24-0-2-2
54	Carey Terrance	C	6-0/175	10-May-05	USA	Erie (OHL)	67-30-17-47
55	Jesse Kiiskinen	RW	5-11/180	23-Aug-05	Finland	Pelicans (Fin-U20)	31-20-23-43
56	Mathieu Cataford	C	5-11/185	1-Mar-05	Canada	Halifax (QMJHL)	68-31-44-75
57	Roman Kantserov	RW	5-9/175	20-Sep-04	Russia	Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk (MHL)	45-27-27-54
58	Tristan Bertucci	D	6-1/170	12-Jul-05	Canada	Flint (OHL)	63-11-39-50
59	Andrew Gibson	D	6-3/195	13-Feb-05	Canada	Soo Greyhounds (OHL)	45-7-14-21
60	Caden Price	D	6-0/185	24-Aug-05	Canada	Kelowna (WHL)	65-5-35-40
61	Charlie Stramel	C	6-3/215	15-Oct-04	USA	Wisconsin (B1G)	33-5-7-12
62	Coulson Pitre	RW	6-0/170	13-Dec-04	Canada	Flint (OHL)	59-25-35-60
63	Adam Gajan	G	6-2/165	6-May-04	Slovakia	Chippewa Steel (NAHL)	19-12, 2.57, 0.917
64	Hoyt Stanley	D	6-2/185	4-Feb-05	Canada	Victoria (BCHL)	53-4-34-38
65	Andrew Strathmann	D	5-10/190	27-Feb-05	USA	Youngstown (USHL)	56-3-35-38
66	Hunter Brzustewicz	D	5-11/185	29-Nov-04	USA	Kitchener (OHL)	68-6-51-57
67	Luca Pinelli	C	5-8/165	5-Apr-05	Canada	Ottawa (OHL)	67-29-34-63
68	Cam Allen	D	6-0/195	7-Jan-05	Canada	Guelph (OHL)	62-5-20-25
69	Tanner Ludtke	C	6-0/185	27-Nov-04	USA	Lincoln (USHL)	57-32-34-66
70	Theo Lindstein	D	6-0/180	5-Jan-05	Sweden	Brynas (SHL)	32-1-1-2
71	Koehn Ziemmer	RW	6-0/205	8-Dec-04	Canada	Prince George (WHL)	68-41-48-89
72	Carter Sotheran	D	6-3/195	26-Jun-05	Canada	Portland (WHL)	68-4-19-23
73	Arttu Karki	D	6-1/175	8-Dec-04	Finland	Tappara (Fin-U20)	36-13-26-39
74	Albert Wikman	D	6-0/190	10-Mar-05	Sweden	Farjestads (Swe J20)	43-2-10-12
75	Quinton Burns	D	6-1/180	14-Apr-05	Canada	Kingston (OHL)	54-2-27-29
76	Nico Myatovic	LW	6-2/180	1-Dec-04	Canada	Seattle (WHL)	68-30-30-60
77	Jeremy Hanzel	D	6-0/190	27-Feb-03	Canada	Seattle (WHL)	66-13-35-48
78	Easton Cowan	RW	5-10/170	20-May-05	Canada	London (OHL)	68-20-33-53
79	Juraj Pekarcik	LW	6-2/185	12-Sep-05	Slovakia	HK Nitra (Slovakia)	30-0-3-3
80	Denver Barkey	C	5-8/160	27-Apr-05	Canada	London (OHL)	61-22-37-59
81	Martin Misiak	RW	6-2/195	30-Sep-04	Slovakia	HC Nove Zamky (Slovakia)	29-1-9-10
82	Drew Fortescue	D	6-1/175	28-Apr-05	USA	USN U18 (USDP)	61-1-25-26
83	Felix Unger Sorum	RW	5-11/170	14-Sep-05	Sweden	Leksands (Swe J20)	42-10-36-46
84	Lenni Hameenaho	RW	6-0/175	7-Nov-04	Finland	Assat (Fin-Liiga)	51-9-12-21
85	Kalan Lind	LW	6-0/160	25-Jan-05	Canada	Red Deer (WHL)	43-16-28-44
86	Rasmus Kumpulainen	C	6-2/190	8-Aug-05	Finland	Pelicans (Fin-U20)	41-11-23-34
87	Alex Ciernik	LW	5-11/175	8-Oct-04	Slovakia	Sodertalje-Vasterviks (HockeyAllsvenskan)	25-3-9-12
88	Alexander Rykov	RW	6-0/175	14-Jul-05	Russia	Chelmet Chelyabinsk (VHL)	20-4-7-11
89	Scott Ratzlaff	G	6-0/175	9-Mar-05	Canada	Seattle (WHL)	25-8, 2.15, 0.918
90	Yegor Rimashevsky	RW	6-3/200	1-Feb-05	Belarus	MHK Dynamo Moskva (MHL)	29-13-13-26
91	Jesse Nurmi	LW	5-10/165	7-Mar-05	Finland	KooKoo (Fin-U20)	41-21-29-50
92	Kaden Hammell	D	6-1/175	12-Mar-05	Canada	Kam-Evt (WHL)	67-8-18-26
93	Jayson Shaugabay	RW	5-9/155	4-May-05	USA	Warroad (USHS-MN)	31-33-63-96
94	Noel Nordh	RW	6-2/195	25-Jan-05	Sweden	Brynas (Swe J20)	38-13-14-27
95	Gavin McCarthy	D	6-1/180	2-Jun-05	USA	Muskegon (USHL)	42-8-19-27
96	Tyler Peddle	LW	6-0/195	28-Jan-05	Canada	Drummondville (QMJHL)	64-24-17-41
97	Francesco Dell'Elce	D	6-0/165	23-Jun-05	Canada	St. Andrew's (CHS-O)	51-20-42-62
98	Timur Mukhanov	LW	5-8/170	17-Jun-05	Russia	Omskie Krylia (VHL)	31-4-4-8
99	Larry Keenan	D	6-3/185	15-Mar-05	Russia	Culver Academy (USHS-IN)	49-11-26-37
100	Emil Jarventie	LW	5-9/165	4-Apr-05	Finland	Ilves (Fin-U20)	21-8-11-19
101	Matthew Mania	D	6-1/180	11-Jan-05	USA	Sudbury (OHL)	67-10-28-38
102	Juha Jatkola	G	6-1/175	12-Sep-02	Finland	KalPa (Fin-Liiga)	20-11, 2.16, 0.903
103	Zach Nehring	RW	6-3/180	7-Mar-05	USA	Shattuck-SM (USHS-MN)	48-34-40-74
104	Austin Roest	C	5-9/175	22-Jan-04	Canada	Everett (WHL)	60-32-46-78
105	Hedqvist, Isac	C	5-10/165	22-Mar-05	Sweden	Lulea (Swe J20)	41-14-20-34
106	Stephen Peck	G	6-2/170	18-Jan-05	USA	Avon Old Farms (USHS-CT)	28GP, 1.26, 0.948
107	Yegor Klimovich	RW	5-9/160	14-May-05	Russia	Sibirskie Snaipery Novosibirsk (MHL)	36-19-30-49
108	Nikita Susuyev	RW	6-0/170	6-Feb-05	Russia	MHK Spartak Moskva (MHL)	38-11-17-28
109	Ethan Miedema	LW	6-4/205	22-Mar-05	Canada	Wsr-Kgn (OHL)	68-20-32-52
110	Luca Cagnoni	D	5-9/180	21-Dec-04	Canada	Portland (WHL)	67-17-47-64
111	Jakub Stancl	LW	6-3/200	10-Apr-05	Czech	Vaxjo Lakers (Swe J20)	35-11-6-17
112	Aydar Suniev	LW	6-1/200	16-Nov-04	Russia	Penticton (BCHL)	50-45-45-90
113	Ty Henricks	LW	6-4/205	28-Jun-05	USA	Fgo-Mus (USHL)	47-9-10-19
114	Yegor Vinogradov	C	6-2/180	17-Apr-03	Russia	Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)	53-7-10-17
115	Yegor Sidorov	RW	5-11/180	18-Jun-04	Belarus	Saskatoon (WHL)	53-40-36-76
116	Will Vote	RW	5-8/155	22-Feb-05	USA	USN U18 (USDP)	60-16-29-45
117	Brandon Svoboda	C	6-3/210	4-Feb-05	USA	Youngstown (USHL)	59-16-10-26
118	Axel Landen	D	6-1/185	29-Mar-05	Sweden	HV 71 (Swe J20)	44-10-6-16
119	Alexander Hellnemo	G	6-2/180	5-Jan-04	Sweden	Skelleftea (Swe J20)	15-8, 2.32, 0.916
120	Nikita Nedopyokin	C	5-10/185	22-Mar-05	Russia	SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)	37-14-18-32
121	Brady Cleveland	D	6-5/210	1-Apr-05	USA	USN U18 (USDP)	54-0-6-6
122	Ondrej Molnar	LW	5-10/170	8-Feb-05	Slovakia	Erie (OHL)	34-4-15-19
123	Noah Dower Nilsson	LW	6-0/175	25-Apr-05	Sweden	Frolunda (Swe J20)	37-26-28-54
124	Jordan Tourigny	D	5-10/165	28-Feb-05	Canada	Shawinigan (QMJHL)	67-6-35-41
125	Cole Knuble	C	5-11/175	1-Jul-04	USA	Fargo (USHL)	57-30-36-66
126	Erik Pahlsson	C	6-0/170	9-Apr-04	Sweden	HV 71 (Swe J20)	46-26-37-63
127	Eric Pohlkamp	D	5-10/200	23-Mar-04	USA	Cedar Rapids (USHL)	59-16-35-51
128	Dylan MacKinnon	D	6-1/185	12-Jan-05	Canada	Halifax (QMJHL)	61-6-17-23
129	German Tochilkin	LW	6-2/180	24-Sep-03	Russia	Kunlun Red Star (KHL)	21-4-2-6
130	Jake Fisher	C	6-1/180	27-Mar-05	USA	Cretin-Durham Hall (USHS-MN)	29-34-29-63
131	Damian Clara	G	6-6/215	13-Jan-05	Italy	Farjestads (Swe J20)	17-17, 2.79, 0.903
132	Aiden Fink	RW	5-9/155	24-Nov-04	Canada	Brooks (AJHL)	54-41-56-97
133	Bogdan Konyushkov	D	5-11/175	20-Dec-02	Russia	Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)	64-2-23-25
134	Yegor Zavragin	G	6-2/185	23-Aug-05	Russia	Mamonty Yugry (MHL)	11-6, 2.49, 0.920
135	Ty Halaburda	C	5-11/175	22-Apr-05	Canada	Vancouver (WHL)	66-21-16-37
136	Cole Burbidge	LW	6-1/160	26-Aug-05	Canada	Saint John (QMJHL)	68-19-31-50
137	Daniil Karpovich	D	6-3/210	6-Dec-04	Belarus	Avto Yekaterinburg (MHL)	47-10-25-35
138	Andrei Loshko	C	6-1/175	7-Oct-04	Belarus	Chicoutimi (QMJHL)	67-22-48-70
139	Beckett Hendrickson	C	6-1/175	24-Jun-05	USA	USN U18 (USDP)	51-13-21-34
140	Alex Pharand	C	6-3/205	1-May-05	Canada	Sudbury (OHL)	67-18-21-39
141	Zeb Forsfjall	C	5-9/170	16-Jan-05	Sweden	Skelleftea (Swe J20)	34-8-14-22
142	Joe Connor	C	5-9/170	31-Mar-05	USA	Avon Old Farms (USHS-CT)	28-21-23-44
143	Samuel Urban	G	6-1/195	1-May-05	Slovakia	Team Slovakia U18 (Svk2)	1-13, 4.51, 0.897
144	Mazden Leslie	D	6-0/195	15-Apr-05	Canada	Vancouver (WHL)	66-12-38-50
145	Maxim Fedotov	D	5-10/170	22-Jan-02	Russia	Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)	64-9-17-26
146	Joey Willis	C	5-10/170	14-Mar-05	USA	Saginaw (OHL)	68-15-29-44
147	Artyom Kashtanov	C	6-6/190	9-Dec-04	Russia	Avto Yekaterinburg (MHL)	43-15-25-40
148	Angus MacDonell	C	5-9/180	11-May-05	Canada	Sar-Mis (OHL)	64-29-12-41
149	Konstantin Volochko	D	6-0/170	19-Jun-05	Belarus	Dinamo-Shinnik Bobruysk (MHL)	46-8-12-20
150	Hannes Hellberg	LW	6-0/175	19-Jun-05	Sweden	Leksands (Swe J20)	42-34-23-57
151	Carsen Musser	G	6-4/215	19-May-05	USA	USN U18 (USDP)	14-6, 3.07, 0.890
152	Yaroslav Tsulygin	D	6-0/160	19-May-05	Russia	Salavat Yulaev Ufa (KHL)	44-0-2-2
153	Thomas Milic	G	6-0/180	14-Apr-03	Canada	Seattle (WHL)	27-3, 2.08, 0.928
154	Arno Tiefensee	G	6-4/190	1-May-02	Germany	Adler Mannheim (DEL)	13-10, 2.43, 0.910
155	Quinn Mantei	D	5-11/180	23-Apr-05	Canada	Brandon (WHL)	67-2-23-25
156	Matthew Soto	RW	5-10/180	31-Aug-05	Canada	Kingston (OHL)	54-15-27-42
157	Matt Copponi	C	5-10/165	3-Jun-03	USA	Merrimack (HE)	37-14-15-29
158	Vojtech Port	D	6-2/170	3-Aug-05	Czech	RD-Edm (WHL)	48-4-13-17
159	Michael DeAngelo	LW	5-11/180	19-Nov-04	USA	Green Bay (USHL)	52-11-24-35
160	Matteo Mann	D	6-5/225	31-Dec-04	Canada	Chicoutimi (QMJHL)	45-0-5-5
161	Paul Fischer	D	6-1/190	30-Jan-05	USA	USN U18 (USDP)	55-4-17-21
162	Hudson Malinoski	C	6-0/175	19-May-04	Canada	Brooks (AJHL)	44-16-53-69
163	Brad Gardiner	C	6-0/180	6-Mar-05	Canada	Ottawa (OHL)	68-19-20-39
164	Zaccharya Wisdom	RW	6-0/175	29-Apr-04	Canada	Cedar Rapids (USHL)	59-28-20-48
165	Jonathan Castagna	C	6-1/185	20-Apr-05	Canada	St. Andrew's (CHS-O)	50-29-43-72
166	Tanner Adams	RW	5-11/185	2-Sep-05	USA	Tri-City (USHL)	49-12-21-33
167	Grayden Siepmann	D	5-10/185	26-May-04	Canada	Calgary (WHL)	61-9-34-43
168	Axel Hurtig	D	6-3/200	10-Jun-05	Sweden	Rogle (Swe J20)	34-2-6-8
169	Ian Scherzer	C	6-0/180	3-Jul-05	Austria	Rogle (Swe J20)	30-3-4-7
170	Ryan Conmy	RW	5-9/190	23-Oct-04	USA	Sioux City (USHL)	60-33-29-62
171	Ethan Hay	C	6-1/190	15-Jan-05	Canada	Flint (OHL)	64-17-11-28
172	Rodwin Dionicio	D	6-2/205	30-Mar-04	Switzerland	Nia-Wsr (OHL)	50-15-35-50
173	Josh Van Mulligen	D	6-2/180	26-Jul-05	Canada	Medicine Hat (WHL)	68-1-8-9
174	Nikita Ishimnikov	D	6-3/195	21-Apr-05	Russia	Avto Yekaterinburg (MHL)	41-11-7-18
175	Justin Kipkie	D	6-4/190	28-Jul-05	Canada	Victoria (WHL)	67-8-25-33
176	Sawyer Mynio	D	6-1/175	30-Apr-05	Canada	Seattle (WHL)	68-5-26-31
177	Brady Stonehouse	RW	5-9/180	6-Aug-04	Canada	Ottawa (OHL)	68-37-20-57
178	Hunter Anderson	LW	5-9/175	28-Apr-05	USA	Shattuck-SM (USHS-MN)	48-52-47-99
179	Spencer Sova	D	6-0/185	10-Jan-04	Canada	Erie (OHL)	68-16-23-39
180	Oliver Tulk	C	5-7/170	19-Jan-05	Canada	Calgary (WHL)	68-24-36-60
181	Isac Born	C	5-11/165	7-Jul-04	Sweden	Frolunda (SHL)	36-2-3-5
182	Beau Jelsma	C	5-9/175	28-Apr-04	Canada	Barrie (OHL)	67-31-30-61
183	Carmelo Crandell	RW	5-11/170	2-Mar-05	Canada	Sherwood Park (AJHL)	49-17-37-54
184	Stanislav Yarovoy	LW	6-2/195	26-Aug-03	Russia	Vityaz Moscow Region (KHL)	45-9-7-16
185	Elliot Stahlberg	LW	6-0/185	29-Mar-05	Sweden	Farjestads (Swe J20)	35-9-12-21
186	Ivan Anoshko	C	5-11/170	7-Oct-04	Belarus	Dinamo-Shinnik Bobruysk (MHL)	53-21-32-53
187	Jake Livanavage	D	5-10/175	6-May-04	USA	Chicago (USHL)	48-6-30-36
188	Adrian Carnebo	D	6-2/185	1-May-04	Sweden	Djurgardens (Swe J20)	43-7-28-35
189	Jaden Lipinski	C	6-3/205	2-Dec-04	USA	Vancouver (WHL)	66-19-32-51
190	Ian Blomquist	G	6-2/185	29-Mar-03	Sweden	Vasteras (HockeyAllsvenskan)	4-11, 2.97, 0.904
191	Emil Pieniniemi	D	6-2/170	2-Mar-05	Finland	Karpat (Fin-U20)	31-1-12-13
192	Oskar Asplund	D	5-11/175	18-Nov-03	Sweden	Almtuna (HockeyAllsvenskan)	49-6-24-30
193	Daniil Davydov	C	5-11/165	6-Mar-04	Russia	MHK Dynamo St. Petersburg (MHL)	47-11-35-46
194	Victor Sjoholm	D	5-9/175	8-Jul-03	Sweden	HV 71 (Swe J20)	37-2-8-10
195	Aron Jessli	LW	5-11/185	29-Oct-04	Norway	Pickering (OJHL)	52-25-43-68
196	Adam Dybal	G	6-1/165	2-Sep-05	Czech	Karlovy Vary (Czechia U20)	29-15, 1.85, 0.942
197	Jonathan Fauchon	C	5-10/170	13-Jan-04	Canada	Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)	53-25-40-65
198	Luke Mittelstadt	D	5-11/175	22-Jan-03	USA	Minnesota (B1G)	38-5-16-21
199	Owen Beckner	C	6-1/175	27-Feb-05	Canada	Salmon Arm (BCHL)	53-17-33-50
200	Ilya Kanarsky	G	6-2/165	6-Dec-04	Russia	AKM-Junior Tula Region (MHL)	4-19, 3.59, 0.919
201	Braeden Bowman	RW	6-1/205	26-Jun-03	Canada	Guelph (OHL)	54-33-39-72
202	Luke Coughlin	D	5-9/170	11-Apr-05	Canada	Rimouski (QMJHL)	37-5-14-19
203	Norwin Panocha	D	6-1/185	24-Feb-05	Germany	Eisbaren Juniors Berlin (DNL U20)	34-6-16-22
204	Cole Brown	LW	6-2/180	27-Apr-05	Canada	Hamilton (OHL)	60-17-25-42
205	Tomas Suchanek	G	6-0/180	30-Apr-03	Czech	Tri-City (WHL)	27-14, 3.05, 0.912
206	Vadim Moroz	RW	6-2/185	20-Nov-03	Belarus	Dinamo Minsk (KHL)	39-5-9-14
207	Davis Burnside	RW	5-11/175	22-Sep-03	USA	Ohio State (B1G)	40-14-7-21
208	Maros Jedlicka	C	6-1/185	23-Oct-02	Slovakia	HKM Zvolen (Slovakia)	39-17-18-35
209	Gavyn Thoreson	RW	5-8/180	30-Oct-04	USA	Andover High (USHS-MN)	31-41-56-97
210	Austin Burnevik	RW	6-3/200	3-Jan-05	USA	USN U18 (USDP)	43-6-13-19
211	Elmeri Laakso	D	6-1/185	19-Jul-04	Finland	SaiPa (Fin-Liiga)	32-4-7-11
212	Frantisek Dej	C	6-4/200	28-Feb-05	Slovakia	HC Modre Kridla Slovan (Slovakia2)	24-8-13-21
213	Matvei Maximov	C	6-0/175	18-Jan-05	Russia	MHK Dynamo Moskva (MHL)	48-18-19-37
214	Connor Levis	RW	6-1/190	5-Oct-04	Canada	Kamloops (WHL)	68-27-40-67
215	Teddy Townsend	C	5-10/160	2-Sep-05	USA	Eden Prairie (USHS-MN)	27-14-25-39
216	Petter Vesterheim	C	5-11/165	30-Sep-04	Norway	Mora (Swe J20)	41-12-27-39
217	Justin Gill	C	6-1/190	27-Jan-03	Canada	Sherbrooke (QMJHL)	68-44-49-93
218	Alex Weiermair	C	6-0/190	10-May-05	USA	USN U18 (USDP)	55-11-15-26
219	Jan Sprynar	RW	6-1/175	26-Feb-05	Czech	Rimouski (QMJHL)	60-23-17-40
220	Ty Higgins	D	6-0/185	26-Sep-04	Canada	Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL)	68-13-28-41
221	Tom Leppa	C	6-0/175	31-Jul-05	Finland	Jokerit (Fin-U20)	45-19-12-31
222	Aaron Pionk	D	6-1/175	16-Jan-03	USA	Waterloo (USHL)	60-12-24-36
223	Hampton Slukynsky	G	6-1/180	2-Jul-05	USA	Warroad (USHS-MN)	28-1, 1.47, 0.941
224	Noah Erliden	G	5-10/170	9-Sep-05	Sweden	HV71 (Swe J20)	10-8, 2.93, 0.912
HM	Matthew Andonovski	D	6-1/200	14-Mar-05	Canada	Kitchener (OHL)	67-0-16-16
HM	Gleb Artsatbanov	G	6-2/170	2-Mar-04	Ukraine	Sparta Praha (Czechia U20)	13-10, 1.95, 0.938
HM	Cale Ashcroft	D	5-10/200	5-Aug-04	Canada	Tri-City (USHL)	62-8-29-37
HM	Alex Assadourian	LW	5-8/170	24-Jul-05	Canada	Sby-Nia (OHL)	66-12-29-41
HM	Arvid Bergstrom	D	5-11/160	12-Jun-05	Sweden	Djurgardens (Swe J20)	41-2-21-23
HM	Kevin Bicker	LW	6-0/175	29-Jan-05	Germany	Jungadler Mannheim (DNL U20)	20-10-11-21
HM	Philippe Blais-Savoie	D	6-0/185	10-Jun-05	USA	Tri-City (USHL)	61-2-9-11
HM	Linus Brandl	C	5-11/185	1-Apr-05	Germany	Jungadler Mannheim (DNL U20)	32-25-22-47
HM	Finn Brink	LW	5-9/180	6-Apr-05	USA	Maple Grove (USHS-MN)	31-31-38-69
HM	Yaroslav Busygin	D	6-3/185	14-Feb-03	Russia	Vityaz Moscow Region (KHL)	42-1-2-3
HM	Kalle Carlsson	C	6-0/175	2-Mar-05	Sweden	Orebro (Swe J20)	44-11-24-35
HM	Adam Cedzo	RW	5-10/165	23-Feb-05	Slovakia	HC Ocelari Trinec (Czechia U20)	39-23-23-46
HM	Aiden Celebrini	D	6-1/185	26-Oct-04	Canada	Brooks (AJHL)	47-5-16-21
HM	Andon Cerbone	C	5-8/150	13-Apr-04	USA	Oma-Yng (USHL)	64-24-39-63
HM	Chase Cheslock	D	6-3/210	25-Oct-04	USA	Rogers High (USHS-MN)	28-4-27-31
HM	Sam Court	D	5-10/180	7-Jan-04	Canada	Brooks (AJHL)	52-13-59-72
HM	Adam Csabi	LW	5-10/160	17-Feb-05	Czech	SaiPa (Fin-U18)	28-16-15-31
HM	Nathaniel Davis	D	6-1/185	15-Nov-04	Canada	Burlington (OJHL)	45-10-26-36
HM	Nathan Day	G	6-2/180	4-Feb-05	Canada	Flint (OHL)	17-10, 3.91, 0.874
HM	Kocha Delic	C	5-10/185	11-Mar-04	Canada	Sudbury (OHL)	46-22-30-52
HM	Tyler Duke	D	5-8/180	19-Jul-04	USA	Ohio State (B1G)	40-4-8-12
HM	Filip Eriksson	C	6-0/170	5-Nov-04	Sweden	Vaxjo Lakers (Swe J20)	11-5-5-10
HM	Jiri Felcman	C	6-4/190	17-Apr-05	Czech	Langnau U20 (Sui-U20-Elit)	40-10-21-31
HM	Samuel Fiala	C	6-1/170	9-Apr-05	Czech	Bili Tygri Liberec (Czechia U20)	44-19-9-28
HM	Mans Forsfjall	D	6-0/180	30-Jul-02	Sweden	Skelleftea (SHL)	52-2-12-14
HM	Cooper Foster	C	5-11/170	4-Jun-05	Canada	Ottawa (OHL)	63-19-17-36
HM	Salvatore Guzzo	RW	6-0/185	17-Apr-05	USA	USN U18 (USDP)	58-17-11-28
HM	Michael Hagens	D	5-11/170	18-Feb-05	USA	Chicago (USHL)	60-9-17-26
HM	Sam Harris	LW	5-11/190	14-Oct-03	USA	Sioux Falls (USHL)	56-30-26-56
HM	Jack Harvey	C	5-10/175	31-Mar-03	USA	Chicago (USHL)	62-40-34-74
HM	Bogdans Hodass	D	6-2/200	13-Apr-03	Latvia	Medicine Hat (WHL)	56-11-24-35
HM	Ryan Hopkins	D	6-1/180	15-Apr-04	Canada	Penticton (BCHL)	48-10-39-49
HM	Ewan Huet	G	6-0/170	8-Feb-05	Switzerland	Lausanne (Sui U20-Elit)	14-12, 2.73
HM	Gustaf Kangas	C	6-0/175	27-Jul-05	Sweden	Vasteras (Swe J20)	27-7-13-20
HM	Sean Keohane	D	6-3/180	4-Nov-04	USA	Dexter Southfield(USHS-MA)	32-4-12-16
HM	Oiva Keskinen	C	6-0/175	28-Feb-04	Finland	Tappara (Fin-U20)	38-20-21-41
HM	Ruslan Khazheyev	G	6-4/200	20-Nov-04	Russia	Belye Medvedi Chelyabinsk (MHL)	8-8, 2.38, 0.923
HM	Matteo Koci	D	6-0/165	7-Jun-05	Czech	HC Energie Karlovy Vary (Czechia U20)	36-7-13-20
HM	Ryan Koering	D	6-3/185	11-Feb-05	USA	Eden Prairie (USHS-MN)	27-6-10-16
HM	Cameron Korpi	G	6-2/150	26-May-04	USA	Tri-City (USHL)	13-4, 2.52, 0.911
HM	Sergei Kosovets	D	6-5/250	17-Jul-02	Russia	HK Sochi (KHL)	26-2-2-4
HM	Artyom Kudashov	D	6-0/160	10-Jan-05	Russia	MHK Dynamo Moskva (MHL)	42-2-7-9
HM	Roman Kukumberg	LW	6-0/185	21-Mar-05	Slovakia	HC Modre Kridla Slovan (Slovakia2)	33-5-6-11
HM	Emil Kuusla	LW	5-9/165	11-Jan-05	Finland	Jokerit (Fin-U20)	36-18-17-35
HM	Jani Lampinen	G	6-2/185	14-Feb-03	Finland	Kiekko-Espoo (Fin-Mestis)	15-6, 2.35, 0.902
HM	Charles-Alexis Legault	D	6-3/205	5-Sep-03	Canada	Quinnipiac (ECAC)	40-2-7-9
HM	Aiden Long	LW	6-3/190	13-Mar-05	Canada	Whitecourt (AJHL)	50-19-27-46
HM	Connor MacPherson	RW	6-0/170	2-Mar-05	Canada	Leamington (GOJHL)	43-28-35-63
HM	Matthew Mayich	D	6-2/185	21-Dec-04	Canada	Ottawa (OHL)	64-5-17-22
HM	Donovan McCoy	D	6-0/200	11-Oct-04	Canada	Peterborough (OHL)	65-2-11-13
HM	Cole Miller	C	6-4/175	4-Feb-05	Canada	Edmonton (WHL)	61-10-9-19
HM	Lucas Moore	D	5-9/180	7-Jun-05	Canada	Hamilton (OHL)	65-3-25-28
HM	Josh Nadeau	RW	5-7/145	22-Oct-03	Canada	Penticton (BCHL)	54-44-66-110
HM	Alexei Noskov	G	6-2/205	13-Nov-04	Russia	Taifun Primorsky Krai (MHL)	7-26, 3.86, 0.905
HM	Owen Outwater	LW	6-2/160	4-Jan-05	Canada	Kingston (OHL)	62-16-25-41
HM	Joe Palodichuk	D	6-0/165	26-Feb-03	USA	Fargo (USHL)	44-8-21-29
HM	Petr Pavelec	LW	6-0/200	10-Feb-05	Czech	HC Vitkovice (Czechia U20)	46-8-5-13
HM	Oliver Peer	RW	6-0/165	9-Mar-03	Canada	Windsor (OHL)	63-22-45-67
HM	Chris Pelosi	C	6-1/180	6-Mar-05	USA	Sioux Falls (USHL)	43-13-6-19
HM	Matthew Perkins	LW	5-11/175	21-Jan-04	Canada	Youngstown (USHL)	60-15-29-44
HM	Nico Pertuch	G	6-2/200	29-Jul-05	Germany	EV Landshut (DNL U20)	15GP, 3.57
HM	Dominik Petr	C	6-2/165	30-Apr-05	Czech	Lukko (Fin-U20)	18-1-0-1
HM	Chase Pietila	D	6-1/180	3-Mar-04	USA	Youngstown (USHL)	60-7-29-36
HM	Chase Pirtle	RW	6-2/185	8-Mar-05	USA	Mount St. Charles 18U AAA (USHS-RI)	47-20-24-44
HM	Benjamin Poitras	C	5-10/175	18-Jul-05	Canada	Sioux City (USHL)	61-14-24-38
HM	Connor Punnett	D	6-1/200	16-Jun-03	Canada	Barrie (OHL)	66-14-34-48
HM	Ivan Remezovsky	D	6-1/165	8-Feb-05	Russia	SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)	45-0-13-13
HM	Charlie Robertson	G	6-3/165	2-Apr-05	Canada	North Bay (OHL)	12-6, 3.17, 0.892
HM	Pier-Olivier Roy	D	5-9/175	5-Mar-04	Canada	Victoriaville (QMJHL)	68-6-62-68
HM	Rainers Rullers	C	6-4/195	11-Dec-04	Latvia	Zemgale (Fin-Mestis)	46-4-6-10
HM	Bennett Schimek	RW	5-11/180	15-Apr-03	USA	Providence (HE)	37-11-9-20
HM	Zach Schulz	D	6-1/195	14-Jun-05	USA	USN U18 (USDP)	51-1-9-10
HM	Magomed Sharakanov	D	6-1/200	11-Oct-04	Russia	MHK Dynamo Moskva (MHL)	44-7-25-32
HM	Cam Squires	RW	5-11/165	11-Apr-05	Canada	Cape Breton (QMJHL)	67-30-34-64
HM	Julius Sumpf	C	6-1/175	11-Jan-05	Germany	RB Hockey Juniors (AlpsHL)	23-9-9-18
HM	Alexander Suvorov	RW	5-9/160	30-Nov-02	Belarus	Severstal Cherepovets (KHL)	47-13-11-24
HM	Gabriel Szturc	C	5-11/185	24-Sep-03	Czech	Kelowna (WHL)	56-24-55-79
HM	Nikita Telegin	C	6-1/155	21-Jun-05	Russia	Belye Medvedi Chelyabinsk (MHL)	22-6-4-10
HM	Patrick Thomas	C	5-11/160	21-Aug-04	Canada	Hamilton (OHL)	66-17-39-56
HM	Hudson Thornton	D	5-11/180	4-Nov-03	Canada	Prince George (WHL)	68-23-51-74
HM	Jiri Tichacek	D	5-9/170	30-Jan-03	Czech	Rytiri Kladno (Czechia)	39-0-6-6
HM	Djibril Toure	D	6-6/200	5-Jun-03	Canada	Sudbury (OHL)	57-5-11-16
HM	Tuomas Uronen	RW	5-11/180	19-Mar-05	Finland	HIFK (Fin-U20)	39-20-23-43
HM	Noa Vali	G	6-0/160	19-Apr-05	Finland	TPS (Fin-U20)	17-8, 2.38, 0.912
HM	Nicholas Vantassell	RW	6-4/195	18-Apr-04	USA	Green Bay (USHL)	62-19-18-37
HM	Visa Vedenpaa	G	6-2/170	11-May-05	Finland	Karpat (Fin-U20)	31GP, 0.886
HM	Evgeny Volokhin	G	6-3/170	6-Apr-05	Russia	Mamonty Yugry (MHL)	20-6, 2.12, 0.927
HM	Declan Waddick	C	5-10/170	24-Jan-05	Canada	Niagara (OHL)	64-28-21-49
HM	Saige Weinstein	D	6-0/180	30-May-05	Canada	Spokane (WHL)	57-4-14-18
HM	Ethan Whitcomb	LW	6-4/190	13-May-04	Canada	Muskegon (USHL)	53-24-24-48
HM	Raul Yakupov	RW	6-1/180	21-Jun-04	Russia	Reaktor Nizhnekamsk (MHL)	49-32-29-61

2023 NHL DRAFT: Top “Tier 2” players available for the draft this year (AJHL, BCHL, CAHS, CJHL, OJHL, USHS) with video – Part Two – Goaltending and Defense

Brock Otten — Sun, 26 Mar 2023 12:31:57 +0000

McKeen's Director of Scouting, Brock Otten, provides a close examination of all the top "Tier 2" players available for the draft this year (USHS, CJHL, etc). The second in the series highlights the goaltenders and defense.

Goaltenders

MONCTON, NEW BRUNSWICK - DECEMBER 28: Adam Gajan #30 of Slovakia stretches to make a save against USA in Preliminary Round - Group B action at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship at Avenir Centre on December 28, 2022 in Moncton, New Brunswick. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/IIHF)

Adam Gajan

Goaltender - Chippewa (NAHL)/Green Bay (USHL)

6’4, 176lbs

Grades: Athleticism: 55, Compete/Temperament: 60, Play Reading: 55, Technique: 50, Rebound Control: 50, Puck Handling: 50

OFP: 53.75

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/adam_gajan_-_3rd_period_30_50_-_31_2.mp4

Notes: Gajan exploded onto the draft radar with his performance at the World Junior Championships for Slovakia, capturing the tournament’s top goaltender award. In his second year of draft eligibility, the move to North America has done wonders for Gajan’s confidence and development and it has put him in contention to be one of the first netminders off the board in June. He has mostly played with Chippewa in the NAHL (along with a cup of coffee with Green Bay in the USHL) and recently committed to the University of Minnesota-Duluth for next year. Gajan’s combination of size, athleticism, and compete makes him incredibly intriguing. He battles for sight lines. He is aggressive in challenging shooters. He never gives up on a play and routinely makes second and third chance saves. He covers post to post very well for a larger netminder and is able to play more of a hybrid style because of how well he moves in and out of the butterfly. The focus of his development moving forward should be on his body control. He has a tendency to overcommit or overslide, taking him out of position. This means that his angles are not always perfect. Additionally, because he can get a bit “scrambly,” his rebound control can be inconsistent. The College route is actually a great one for Gajan to take. It will allow him to focus on adding more strength to his frame to improve his control. It will allow him time to iron out some technical inconsistencies over potentially four years with UMD. History has shown it can be a bit dangerous to overrank or overrate goaltenders based purely on their WJC performances, but Gajan looks to be different.

Stephen Peck

Goaltender - Avon Old Farms (USHS-Prep)

6’2, 175lbs

Grades: Athleticism: 50, Compete/Temperament: 55, Play Reading: 55, Technique: 55, Rebound Control: 55, Puck Handling: 45

OFP: 53

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/stephen_peck_-_2nd_period_17_17_-_17_30.mp4

Notes: Avon Old Farms was an absolute wagon this year and were rarely beaten in the prep loop. One of the main reasons for that was the play of netminder Stephen Peck. Calm and composed in the crease, Peck already exhibits advanced technical traits. His movement is very refined in the crease and he covers his angles well, ensuring that he does not over slide or overcommit. His rebound control is especially impressive. He controls shots to his chest well and has a good glove hand, swallowing up perimeter shots without giving up second chance opportunities. Peck battles for sight lines and is consistently aggressive in coming out to the top of his crease to challenge shooters. There’s definitely some room for improvement in his agility and quickness post to post. This would give him a better chance of making those second and third chance saves. However, he limits those currently and at the prep level, this does not hurt his performance. A draft pick of the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL, one has to figure that the currently uncommitted Peck will suit up in the USHL next year before deciding on an NCAA program. The last time a netminder was drafted solely out of the prep scene was 2015 (unless you count Dominic Basse in 2019 out of South Kent Selects) when Mike Robinson was taken by San Jose (3rd round), Joey Daccord was taken by Ottawa (7th round), yet Peck seems to be firmly on the draft radar and with good reason. Let’s not forget that a netminder by the name of Jonathan Quick was taken out of Avon Old Farms back in 2005.

Hampton Slukynsky

Goaltender - Warroad High (USHS-MN)

6’1, 170lbs

Grades: Athleticism: 50, Compete/Temperament: 60, Play Reading: 55, Technique: 50, Rebound Control: 45, Puck Handling: 45

OFP: 51.5

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/hampton_slukynsky_-_2nd_period_15_34_-_15_46.mp4

Notes: One of the top netminders in the U.S. high school loop, Slukynsky also happens to play for one of the best teams in Warroad High. He doesn’t see a ton of rubber, but his composure and consistency in the crease are integral components of Warroad High’s success this year. Slukynsky was also one of the U.S.’ goaltenders at the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup this summer, where he played well. He has a penchant for the highlight reel save because of his play reading ability and because he never quits on a save, always competing for sight lines and to push to make those second/third chance saves. A classic butterfly netminder, Slukynsky does have a tendency to scramble in his crease and can be taken out of position. He will need to improve his rebound control to limit those second/third chance opportunities. For a “smaller” netminder, he could also stand to improve his quickness post to post, as sometimes he doesn’t get enough power on his pushes to cover his angles completely, or quick enough. However, Slukynsky is fairly young for the draft (July birth date) and fairly physically immature. As he fills out and further improves his conditioning, his skating should improve further. Next season he will play in the USHL with Fargo before heading to Northern Michigan the following year. NHL teams may wait to see how he plays in the USHL before opting to use a draft selection on him. However, NHL teams may also be incredibly impressed with his mind and maturity in the crease and be eager to work with him to improve other areas. Slukynsky has great upside and should definitely be considered a sleeper for this year’s draft.

Defenseman

Francesco Dell’Elce

Defense - St. Andrew’s College (CAHS)

6’0, 160lbs

Grades: Skating: 55, Shot: 50, Skills: 50, Smarts: 55, Physicality/Compete: 50

OFP: 52.5

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/francesco_dell_elce_-_1st_period_0_38_-_0_50.mp4

Notes: Dell’Elce, a UMass commit, is an intelligent and smooth skating puck moving defender. He is an effortless four way mover and a strong linear attacker, something that he uses exceptionally well to create space for himself on the attack. His agility is extremely impressive, and with his ability to stop and start on a dime, he evades forecheckers easily at the prep level. Dell’Elce also does a great job of varying his pace. This allows him to survey the ice to locate passing lanes. By attacking both North/South and East/West, he becomes a very tough cover as he slices up the neutral zone. Dell’Elce also looks comfortable running the point of the powerplay. He uses his mobility to his advantage to work his way in tight, often beating the top layer of pressure. His point shot is good, but it is his scoring instincts and ability to get to the inside that have led to his high scoring totals this year. As a defender, Dell’Elce defends pace well. He often neutralizes transitional attacks and has a good stick and gap control. He will occasionally assert himself physically, but he seems much more comfortable as a stick on puck defender at this time. This brings us to Dell’Elce’s weakest area, which is defending the net front. He can struggle to tie up opposing forwards near the crease and he will need to add strength to his frame to consistently win positional battles at higher levels. It looks like Dell’Elce will play in the BCHL (with Penticton) or in the USHL next year before going to UMass in 2024, which is a smart play on his part to allow him to mature physically before such a large step in a tough conference. Overall, I’m not entirely convinced that his puck skill and creativity are strong enough to be a true offensive standout at the NCAA and NHL levels, but his mobility and vision are real assets. There’s definitely a chance that he could develop into a Calvin de Haan type of player with patience.

Hoyt Stanley

Defense - Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL)

6’2, 196lbs

Grades: Skating: 55, Shot: 50, Skills: 55, Smarts: 50, Physicality/Compete: 50

OFP: 52.25

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/hoyt_stanley_-_2nd_period_15_40_-_16_10.mp4

Notes: After missing most of last year with a concussion, Stanley has returned this year as, essentially, a BCHL rookie. He possesses an intriguing blend of size, skill, and mobility from the back end (in addition to playing the right side). He has long, powerful strides that help him chew up ground quickly and he blends puck skill with his speed to be an effective puck carrier. Stanley routinely leads the charge up ice in transition and often gains the offensive blueline with ease. However, his impressive rushes often fail to create significant scoring chances and he can miss open teammates and good passing options when attacking, leading one to wonder how well he sees the ice. Does that impact his offensive upside and ability to utilize his tools as he progresses up the hockey ladder?

Defensively, he defends pace quite well with his length and mobility. He also takes good routes to pucks in pursuit and wins the majority of his 50/50 battles by applying himself physically. He is not an overtly physical player, per say, but he does engage to gain leverage. However, much like his play with the puck, Stanley can have lapses of judgment in the defensive end and can play with too much complacency when defending the middle of the ice. He could stand to be more aggressive given his length and quickness, but instead, can let opponents dictate the play and pace. Additionally, Stanley has a big point shot and he does well to open up shooting lanes with his feet. However, too often his shot gets blocked or fired wide. He needs to do a much better job of hitting the net, keeping point shots low. All that said, are these limitations in his game currently a result of his inexperience? Or do they point to a lack of awareness/IQ? Stanley is headed to Cornell, a program that will do well to help him be more assertive defensively. The tools are impressive, and the upside is high if you believe Stanley can make large strides in his decision making as he plays more at the higher levels.

Larry Keenan

Defense - Culver Military Academy (USHS-Prep)

6’3, 185lbs

Grades: Skating: 57.5, Shot: 55, Skills: 55, Smarts: 45, Physicality/Compete: 50

OFP: 52.125

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/larry_keenan_-_1st_period_17_16_-_17_33.mp4

Notes: Yes, Keenan is related to the St. Louis Blues legend of the same name; he’s his grandson. Raw would be the best word to describe this powerful defender with a commitment to UMass. His upside is through the roof. Keenan is both an effortless and powerful skater from the back end. Given his 6’3 frame, he covers so much ground with his movement capabilities. He’s always looking to lead or jump up into the attack and he can strike quickly with how powerful he is coming off the line. Keenan also has a big point shot which is a primary weapon for him to create offense. He one times pucks cleanly and has great shooting mechanics, squaring himself to his target and getting pucks to the net. His hands are also good, allowing him to control the puck at full speed as he attacks the offensive zone. Blending his quickness, puck protection ability (thanks to his frame), and silky hands, Keenan can be a difficult player to stop from gaining the line. Due to the combination of the aforementioned, Keenan’s upside as an offensive defender is significant. However, as mentioned, his game is very raw.

He’s very much a project (although what prep player isn’t?). His decision making currently leaves a lot to be desired. A riverboat gambler of sorts, he needs to pick his spots better to activate or attempt to challenge opposing defenders. Considering his level of skill, you can live with the odd turnover if he is creating scoring chances, however he may get eaten alive at the NCAA level (and above) without refinement in his approach.

The same could be said about his defensive play. He flashes ability in his own end thanks to his mobility affording him the ability to play aggressively. However, he is currently too passive at times and is simply not consistently tough enough to play against below the hash marks. With his roving tendencies, he can get himself taken out of position and, at times, can be too complacent in returning to coverage. With his frame, he should eventually develop into a more consistent physical player, but it may take time. Without question, Keenan deserves to be an NHL selection and is very likely to be one. He has the bloodlines. He’s headed to a great program that has had success developing defenders recently. His upside is significant. He’s just a ways away and will require patience.

Ryan Koering

Defense - Eden Prairie High (USHS-MN)

6’3, 175lbs

Grades: Skating: 55, Shot: 45, Skills: 50, Smarts: 50, Physicality/Compete: 55

OFP: 51.75

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ryan_koering_-_3rd_period_23_11_-_23_23.mp4

Notes: The allure of Koering will unquestionably be his combination of mobility and size. An excellent athlete, Koering covers ground quickly and efficiently with strong, powerful strides in all four directions. While he doesn’t possess the kind of skill needed to be a consistent puck mover, he can lead the attack with his feet alone, exploding across the opposing blueline by driving wide and beating flat footed defenders. In the defensive end, his mobility helps him to defend aggressively. He consistently steps up early on attackers, squashing plays in the neutral zone before they develop, and he will play the body in open ice, especially near his own blueline. With his length, mobility, and physical potential, his upside as a defensive defender is very high. Koering does quarterback the Eden Prairie powerplay and his feet do help him move the puck efficiently. His point shot does not appear to be a significant weapon for him, as he often opts for a quick snap shot under pressure that rarely finds the target.

A Mr. Hockey finalist, Koering is effective as an offensive defender at the high school level, but one does wonder what his offensive upside would be. He can get bottled up in his own end and turnovers can result. He does not seem to possess the hands to escape heavy forecheckers and his breakout pass efficiency is inconsistent under duress. Additionally, as a defensive player, he can have lapses of concentration, where his aggressive approach backfires on him as he fails to recover to defend down low or near the net front. His net front coverage will need to improve, and he will need to become more consistently physical below the hash marks to truly reach his excellent potential as a Drew Helleson stay at home type. Koering is slated to attend Colorado College.

Nathaniel Davis

Defense - Burlington (OJHL)

6’2, 185lbs

Grades: Skating: 55, Shot: 50, Skills: 50, Smarts: 47.5, Physicality/Compete: 55

OFP: 51.625

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Notes: Davis, a right shot defender with size, is an intriguing athlete with the potential to impact play at both ends as he continues to improve. He was a third pairing defender for Canada East at the World Junior A Challenge and played reasonably well in a limited role. Since being drafted by the Soo Greyhounds out of the Toronto Titans of the GTHL, Davis has both filled out and grown, making him a pretty solid and reliable player in his own end for Burlington, improving significantly from last year. He skates quite well, especially laterally and linearly, which allows him to have a positive impact on the transition game. His confidence has really grown over the course of the year as a carrier and transporter, and he is now jumping up in the play consistently to try to create. His hands are good, but not great. He can make players miss when in motion, blending skill and speed well, but when static, his hands become a little more rigid and he can get bottled in at both ends.

From a defensive perspective, he’s definitely a physical player and that’s an asset. He shows flashes of being a really good transitional defender, but his backwards footwork can get sloppy at times, and he also can struggle to be decisive about his aggressiveness, causing his gaps to be poor. Sometimes he can get himself all turned around in the defensive end too, from chasing hits, chasing the puck, or simply missing assignments by puck watching. Other times, he looks the part of a crease clearer and someone who is very tough to win one on one battles against below the hash marks. At the end of the day, you have to view Davis as what he is, a very raw, but intriguing athlete who is still trying to figure out what kind of defenseman he wants to be and can be. With the right development program and under the right tutelage, he has upside as a pro defender.

The million-dollar question is…what is his next step? He could sign with the Greyhounds and play in the OHL. However, I think that route is far-fetched. He would have done that already, especially given the rebuilding nature of the Soo’s roster currently. More likely he heads south of the border to the NCAA, but he does not have a commitment currently. Would he be interested in going to play in the USHL next year to possibly open up more opportunities for him before deciding on a program? If I’m an NHL team with an extra late round pick or two, I’d definitely look at throwing one Davis’ way and then helping him with his next steps. This is a player who oozes athleticism and whose development trajectory has been steep thus far.

Aiden Celebrini

Defense - Brooks Bandits (AJHL)

6’1, 190lbs

Grades: Skating: 50, Shot: 45, Skills: 50, Smarts: 50, Physicality/Compete: 60

OFP: 51.5

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Notes: Yes, Aiden is the older brother of 2024 top prospect Macklin Celebrini. He is a hard-nosed and aggressive defender with a commitment to Boston University, much like his brother. He relishes the opportunity to play the body and consistently makes life difficult by taking away time and space from the opposition. He moves fairly well in all four directions and is strong on his edges to make him difficult to maneuver around. He will occasionally lead the attack out of the offensive zone and does show some potential as a puck mover, but generally plays a simpler game. Overall, his game needs refinement. He has a tendency to chase the play and the big hit, which can take him out of position in the defensive end. He also can get bottled up with the puck in the defensive end, either from poor scanning habits or because he’s not making quick enough decisions with his breakouts. With decent size, mobility, physicality, all from the right side, there is some potential for Celebrini to develop into a usable defensive defender at the next level. It seems likely that Aiden will join Macklin with Chicago of the USHL next year before going to Boston University, as they own his rights. There was actually some thought he would play with Chicago this year, but he ended up being released from training camp due to Chicago’s depth. Under the right tutelage, there are some workable physical traits. However, don’t expect Aiden to have anywhere close to the kind of upside that his brother possesses.

Ryan Hopkins

Defense - Penticton Vees (BCHL)

6’1, 183lbs

Grades: Skating: 50, Shot: 50, Skills: 45, Smarts: 55, Physicality/Compete: 55

OFP: 51.25

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Notes: Hopkins was ranked as a 7th rounder by us at McKeens last year after a strong rookie year with Penticton, but he ultimately went unselected. He has returned to Penticton this year, improving on his offensive production and confidence with the puck. The University of Maine commit is the defensive anchor for the first place Vees, playing 22 minutes a night and in all situations. He has greatly improved his point shot this year, giving him an offensive weapon that can project to the next level. He one times pucks cleanly and does a great job getting pucks on net with a hard, low point shot. The majority of his offensive production this year has been generated from his shot or the threat of his shot. Hopkins remains an aggressive defender too, someone who loves to lean on opposing forwards, making them earn every inch of ice. He steps up early on attackers and he defends well below the hash marks. Unfortunately, his skating hasn’t really improved much from a year ago. His transitional footwork still needs improving and he could still stand to be a little more explosive out of the gate to help him get to pucks first. This was likely one of the main reasons why Hopkins was not selected last year. His puck skill remains below average too, as he elects to keep plays simple most of the time. Quick, clean exits are a strength, but don’t expect him to lead the rush or consistently beat layers of pressure to keep pucks in. That said, there are still some pro level attributes wrapped up in Hopkins’ game. His upside may not be significant, but there is a path for him to develop into a Riley Stillman level third pairing defender should his skating improve over his years at Maine. Scouts would have surely been flocking to Penticton this year and it’s possible that he hears his name called late this time around.

Sam Court

Defense - Brooks Bandits (AJHL)

5’10, 190lbs

Grades: Skating: 50, Shot: 50, Skills: 55, Smarts: 50, Physicality/Compete: 50

OFP: 51

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Notes: In more ways than one Court reminds one of Zach Bookman, who shredded the AJHL in his final year of draft eligibility last year. They have similar size, similar strengths/weaknesses, and both spent the previous year playing in the U.S. prep scene. Unfortunately, Bookman went unselected (but has since had a terrific freshman year at Merrimack), but hopefully Court can hear his name called. Court’s biggest strength are his hands. Even without high end linear quickness and speed, he manages to carve up open ice with his ability to miss sticks and make quick cuts. His lateral quickness and confidence on his edges gives him escapability when holding the offensive blueline and this, in combination with his vision and passing precision, makes him a terrific powerplay quarterback. His offensive skill set was on full display at this year’s World Junior A Challenge where he was one of the better defenders at the event. Defensively, he is aggressive to try to overcome his size and skating disadvantages. This leads to him being out of position at times, but with development and strong coaching he could become an asset at both ends. Headed to the University of New Hampshire next year, Court is a long-term project…like any player on this list. With some improvements to his athleticism and refinements to his playing style, he should develop into a quality offensive blueliner at the NCAA level, at the very least.

Sean Keohane

Defense - Dexter Southfield (USHS-Prep)

6’4, 194lbs

Grades: Skating: 55, Shot: 45, Skills: 50, Smarts: 50, Physicality/Compete: 50

OFP: 50.75

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Notes: A Harvard commit, Keohane is a massive defender with an intriguing athletic skill set. He’s a solid skater for such a big, young defender and his mobility serves as the foundation for his game and success on the ice. More of a stick on puck defender, Keohane has a good stick in the defensive end and his reach can be very disruptive. He’s a solid transition player who can make a good breakout pass to clear the zone quickly or use his feet to aid in the exit. This season he has become more assertive offensively and is using his quickness to jump up into the play more. He will activate off the blueline to hold pucks in and he will work the give and go to get into the slot. Once he gets moving and escapes his own zone, stopping him with the puck in the neutral zone can be a difficult task for prep players due to how strong he is on the puck and how well he skates for his size. I’m not entirely sure the offensive ceiling is extremely high. His point shot is hard, but he can struggle with his release and his accuracy leaves a lot to be desired. He’s not likely to be much of a scorer from the point at the higher levels. Additionally, his vision and creativity with the puck in the offensive zone is somewhat limited. As a defensive player, I’d love to see him use his size to be more of a physically dominant player. Again, his reach and mobility combination is impressive at stopping transitional attacks, but he has the potential to be a real defensive stalwart if he can get stronger off the puck and be tougher to play against. Harvard is a really interesting landing spot for him. Ian Moore, perhaps a similar kind of projectable player to Keohane, has had success recently coming out of the Prep loop. NHL teams will be intrigued by the athletic tools, but he is very much a long-term project.

Warren Clark

Defense - Steinbach (MJHL)

6’5, 185lbs

Grades: Skating: 50, Shot: 50, Skills: 55, Smarts: 45, Physicality/Compete: 50

OFP: 49.75

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Notes: Clark is a really interesting case because of his late growth spurt and the somewhat non-traditional market he currently plays in. The MJHL hasn’t had an NHL draft pick since 2018 (Matthew Thiessen). Yet, Clark is bound to generate some NHL interest because of his profile. He has jumped from around 5’11 to 6' 5 the last few years, he has some really intriguing athletic tools, and he plays the right side. Clark gallops up the ice and chews up ground quickly, blending skilled control and pace well. This allows him to be a difference maker as a transitional leader. In a lot of ways, Clark bears some resemblance to Montreal Canadiens defender Logan Mailloux in that regard. Clark also shows nice skill working the point and when holding the offensive blueline, often beating the initial layer of pressure to help get pucks on net or work the puck down low. The rest of his game is a major work in progress. His four-way mobility is awkward and his backward skating mechanics need work. He can have trouble defending pace because of his tendency to get caught flat footed. He also needs to be more decisive in the defensive end. His gap control is inconsistent, and he doesn’t win enough puck battles down low for a player of his size. As a puck carrier, his decision making leaves some to be desired. He can have some very impressive rushes, but they can result in turnovers as he tries to attack defenders head on, rather than alter his pace or utilize his teammates. All that said, I could easily see an NHL team using a late round selection on Clark. He has already improved massively (no pun intended) over the last few years, has intriguing athletic potential, and is headed to a good program at St. Cloud State. Most definitely a long term project, the NCAA route will allow him to slowly grow into his frame.

Hampton Slukynsky – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2026 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #27 Los Angeles Kings – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Prospect System Ranking – 27th (Last Year - 24th) GM: Ken Holland Hired: May 2025 COACH: D.J. Smith (Interim) Hired: March 2026

1. Carter George, G, Soo Greyhounds (OHL)

2. Henry Brzustewicz, D, London Knights (OHL) (Currently with Ontario Reign, AHL)

3. Vojtech Cihar, LW, Kelowna Rockets (WHL)

4. Hampton Slukynsky, G, Western Michigan (NCAA) (Currently with Ontario Reign, AHL)

5. Kenny Connors, C, Ontario Reign (AHL)

6. Erik Portillo, G, Ontario Reign (AHL)

7. Jared Woolley, D, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)

8. Jimmy Lombardi, C, Flint Firebirds (OHL)

9. Koehn Ziemmer, RW, Ontario Reign (AHL)

10. Jared Wright, RW, Ontario Reign (AHL)

11. Kristian Epperson, LW, University of Denver (NCAA)

12. Ryan Conmy, RW, Boston College (NCAA)

13. Martin Chromiak, LW, Ontario Reign (AHL)

14. Petteri Rimpinen, G, Kiekko-Espoo (Liiga)

15. Jakub Dvorak, D, Ontario Reign (AHL)

McKeen’s 2025-26 Hockey Pool Yearbook Feature – Fantasy Prospect Rankings

Forwards

1 - Ivan Demidov, RW – Montreal Canadiens

2 - Ryan Leonard, C – Washington Capitals

3 - Isaac Howard, LW – Edmonton Oilers

4 - Beckett Sennecke, RW – Anaheim Ducks

5 - Michael Misa, C – San Jose Sharks

6 - Jimmy Snuggerud, RW – St. Louis Blues

7 - Gabe Perreault, LW – New York Rangers

8 - Berkley Catton, C – Seattle Kraken

9 - Ilya Protas, LW – Washington Capitals

10 - Tij Iginla, LW – Utah Mammoth

11 - Porter Martone, RW – Philadelphia Flyers

12 - James Hagens, C – Boston Bruins

13 - Cayden Lindstrom, C – Columbus Blue Jackets

14 - Arseni Gritsyuk, RW – New Jersey Devils

15 - Dalibor Dvorsky, C – St. Louis Blues

16 - Jonathan Lekkerimaki, RW – Vancouver Canucks

17 - Brad Nadeau, RW – Carolina Hurricanes

18 - Anton Frondell, C – Chicago Blackhawks

19 - Danila Yurov, RW – Minnesota Wild

20 - Caleb Desnoyers, C – Utah Mammoth

21 - Rutger McGroarty, C – Pittsburgh Penguins

22 - Quentin Musty, RW – San Jose Sharks

23 - Calum Ritchie, C – New York Islanders

24 - Matthew Savoie, RW – Edmonton Oilers

25 - Igor Chernyshov, LW – San Jose Sharks

26 - Easton Cowan, C – Toronto Maple Leafs

27 - Andrew Cristall, LW – Washington Capitals

28 - Cole Eiserman, RW – New York Islanders

29 - Jake O’Brien, C – Seattle Kraken

30 - Liam Ohgren, LW – Minnesota Wild

Defence

1 - Zayne Parekh, RD – Calgary Flames

2 - Cole Hutson, LD - Washington Capitals

3 - Matthew Schaefer, LD – New York Islanders

4 - Zeev Buium, LD – Minnesota Wild

5 - Alexander Nikishin, LD – Carolina Hurricanes

6 - Artyom Levshunov, RD – Chicago Blackhawks

7 - Luca Cagnoni, LD – San Jose Sharks

8 - Sam Dickinson, LD – San Jose Sharks

9 - Axel Sandin-Pellikka, RD – Detroit Red Wings

10 - Tristan Luneau, RD – Anaheim Ducks

11 - Carter Yakemchuk, RD – Ottawa Senators

12 - Sam Rinzel, RD – Chicago Blackhawks

13 - Seamus Casey, RD – New Jersey Devils

14 - Scott Morrow, RD – New York Rangers

15 - Logan Mailloux, RD – St. Louis Blues

16 - David Reinbacher, RD – Montreal Canadiens

17 - Oliver Bonk, RD – Philadelphia Flyers

18 - Tanner Molendyk, LD – Nashville Predators

19 - Hunter Brzustewicz, RD – Calgary Flames

20 - Tom Willander, RD – Vancouver Canucks

Goalies

1 - Yaroslav Askarov – San Jose Sharks

2 - Jesper Wallstedt – Minnesota Wild

3 - Jacob Fowler – Montreal Canadiens

4 - Ilya Nabokov – Colorado Avalanche

5 - Sebastian Cossa – Detroit Red Wings

6 - Drew Commesso – Chicago Blackhawks

7 - Trey Augustine – Detroit Red Wings

8 - Niklas Kokko – Seattle Kraken

Prospect System Ranking – 27th (Last Year - 24th)
GM: Ken Holland Hired: May 2025
COACH: D.J. Smith (Interim) Hired: March 2026