Hunter Shinkaruk – McKeen's Hockey

Calgary – System Overview

Ryan Wagman — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 20:51:11 +0000

Goaltending is, for many analysts, the last black box of player scouting and evaluation. Goalies that look great at 18 all too often fizzle out before they are 23. Goalies to whom no one gave a second thought at 18 sometimes end up as the best of all. For every Carey Price (5th overall, 2005), there is a Henrik Lundqvist (205th overall, 2000). For every Roberto Luongo (4th overall, 1997), there is a Pekka Rinne (258th overall in his third year of eligibility, 2004). The Pittsburgh Penguins were also well schooled in this phenomenon, as Marc-Andre Fleury (1st overall, 2003), was supplanted in the postseason, in two consecutive seasons, by Matt Murray (83rd overall, 2012).

To combat this general uncertainty, teams have a few different approaches. Some teams largely neglect goalies on draft day and subsequently stock their organization with free agents and/or late round flyers. The Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks and the Edmonton Oilers are examples of this approach. The Dallas Stars were, too, until flipping that on its head with one of their first round picks this year.

Some teams make a point of adding a goalie or two every year, essentially hoping to throw a lot of “stuff” on the wall until something sticks. The Toronto Maple Leafs having taken that approach of late, as have the Winnipeg Jets and the Colorado Avalanche. If none work out, the team can always fill the NHL slots with veteran pickups and continue to throw darts.

Other teams take a similar approach, buying in bulk, but with more of an emphasis on using premium picks on goalies. Again, they will generally not work out, but at least the team will know that they gave it their best shot. The New York Islanders have four netminders in their system that they selected in the top four rounds. The Flyers are extremists, with three third rounders and two second rounders vying for future time in the crease. And there are the Flames, with a third rounder and two second rounders in the system as well as two others signed as high profile undrafted free agents.

The Flames are approaching the time where these prospects will be put to the test. While they acquired two NHL veterans in the offseason, presumed starter Mike Smith has two years left on his contract, while Eddie Lack is in the final season of his. Thankfully, of the five young goalies in the system, two rank very highly and two others were also under consideration for the top 20. This is not to say that when an opportunity arises one of Jon Gillies or Tyler Parsons will be tapped for it, or that they would succeed if they were, but it does reflect some foresight on the part of the Flames’ brass, taking higher calculated gambles on young netminders when there was an expected need at the NHL level in the near future.

Juuso Valimaki of the Tri-City Americans.

1 Juuso Valimaki – Calgary’s most recent first round pick is two-way defender who combines a high skill level with effectiveness in his own end. Already possessing and NHL-sized frame, Valimaki is a strong skater and is not shy about playing in a physical style in all zones. With two full seasons of WHL play already in his rearview mirror, Valimaki has more than proven that he can succeed at a high level in North America and there may be more room to round out his game before rising to the NHL.

2 Adam Fox – A dynamic blueliner with the USNTDP when the Flames nabbed him with a third round pick in the 2016 draft and that has quickly been elevated into one of the steals of that draft class. He is a first-rate offensive blueliner who can both lead or support the rush. His stickhandling is near elite among his fellow defensemen. He was the runaway leader among all NCAA defensemen in points with 40 – as a freshman. If he was anywhere but Harvard, he would likely already have signed an ELC.

3 Mark Jankowksi – It is not often that a first round draft pick spends a full four years playing college hockey before turning pro, but Jankowski was one such creature. After four years with Providence, a run which included an NCAA title in his junior year, Jankowski was more than ready for the AHL, with 56 points good for second among rookies in the league. He has plus acceleration, very nice hand-eye coordination and dangerous hands. Looks NHL ready.

4 Spencer Foo – An undrafted winger from Edmonton, Foo blew up in his junior season at Union College and elected to turn pro instead of completing his NCAA eligibility, which also meant passing up on the chance to team up with younger brother Parker. He has high end top speed, combined with plus acceleration. Tricky with the puck, he goes right at defenders, forcing them to react. Possesses surprising strength from an average-sized body.

Tyler Parsons of the London Knights. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

5 Tyler Parsons – One of the most athletic netminders not yet in the NHL, Parsons is unbelievably competitive. He does not play with a traditional technical style, but is a master scrambler, which, when combined with his below average (by modern standards) size, will bring Dominik Hasek to mind, at least stylistically. He is incredibly difficult to beat down low and gets post to post with great quickness. As a late birthday, he is eligible to move on to the AHL this year.

6 Jon Gillies – A college teammate’s of Jankowski at Providence, Gillies was reunited with the big center last year in Stockton. Coming off a miserable rookie pro season, limited to seven games due to injury, is well stays square to the shooter, with controlled lateral movements. Has long legs that he uses well and is skilled at hugging the posts, leaving shooters little to aim at.

7 Dillon Dube – A hustler with some offensive chops, Dube plays an aggressive style of game that is well suited to a third line, energy type role as a professional. While he gets to top speed quickly, his best attribute is his hockey sense, particularly away from the puck. Not very big, he is feisty and is not at all averse to playing in the dirty areas. Still tends to try to do too much on his own, either not looking to his linemates, or misreading their intentions.

8 Oliver Kylington – The most divisive prospect in the Flames system, the Swedish-born blueliner has elite speed but suffers from a chronic inability to read opposing forwards and thus gets caught out of position with frequency. To his credit, he has spent the past two seasons playing as a teenager in the AHL, a very, very rare occurrence. He also showed much improvement in his ability to creative drives with his speed and puck movement. He is still a wildcard, although getting closer to the NHL.

HELSINKI, FINLAND - JANUARY 2: Sweden's Rasmus Asplund #18 stickhandles the puck away from Slovakia's Filip Lestan #27 during quarterfinal round action at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images)

9 Rasmus Andersson – Short but stocky, Andersson had a solid rookie pro season with Stockton after acclimating to the North American game for two years with Barrie. Although not a speedster, his skating has improved noticeably since his draft year. While he has a nice wrist shot that he will step up from the point to fire on net, his puck play is more impressive. Adequate in his own end with decent positioning and instincts. Not a physical player, per se, but his checks pack punch.

10 Hunter Shinkaruk – A former first round pick of the Vancouver Canucks, Shinkaruk has established himself as a solid secondary scorer after three AHL seasons. He has speed to spare, with strong puck skills and enough of a shot to be a threat. Although undersized, he has some chip to his game, as he shows no fear of going into the corners for loose pucks against bigger opponents. He has little left to prove in the AHL and is ready for a more extended NHL look.

11 Andrew Mangiapane – Yet another point producer coming off a strong rookie season in the AHL, Mangiapane was drafted by the Flames in his second year of eligibility after putting up 104 points for a competitive Barrie squad. He was even better the following year, with two more points in nine fewer games. He plays bigger than his size, but being very small, that says only so much. He has plus offensive vision and his success will be predicated on his production.

12 Daniel Pribyl – One of two players, along with netminder David Rittich, signed by the Flames out of the Czech hockey last offseason, Pribyl’s first season in North America was marred by injury, but he showed sparks of the talent the Calgary hoped it was getting when he was healthy. He sees the ice very well, provides strong puck pressure in the neutral and offensive zones and puts his heavy frame to good use. He will not be a top six player, but can play in a lower role.

13 Emile Poirier – One of three players selected by Calgary in the 2013 first round, Poirier has had the roughest career to date of the trio. In three pro seasons, his point production has steadily dropped from 42 points, to 29 and down to 17 (albeit in only 43 games) last year. A few weeks ago, he admitted to struggling with addiction issues. If his personal problems are being taken care of, his speed and offensive talent may finally shine through. The context is worth giving him another chance to live up to his potential.

Adam Ruzicka of the Sarnia Sting. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

14 Adam Ruzicka – In a good day, Ruzicka can be a dominant player, using his size, skating and puck skills to run roughshod over his opponents. He has a quick shot release and can snipe with his wrister. The reason why he lasted on the draft board until the fourth round and sits at #14 on this list is that those good days do not come around often enough. He was a no-show in the WJC and in the OHL playoffs, although hinted at his talent once more in the WU18. He can make us all look stupid.

15 Brett Kulak – After splitting last season between Calgary and Stockton, Kulak barely qualifies for this list. He has decent size, good mobility and plays a physical brand of hockey. These are all fine things. On the down side, he makes questionable decisions both on and off the puck and is not a threat when he winds up to fire a shot from the point. He is what he is: a decent option for a team to have as its seventh defenseman.

16 Morgan Klimchuk – Along with Poirier and Sean Monahan, Klimchuk completes the Flames’ three first round picks from the 2013 draft. After a horrid first AHL season, Klimchuck rebounded nicely last year, with 43 points in 66 games. He has a nice blend of offensive skills, including solid drive, decent vision and passing skills and a promising shot release. There does not yet seem to be room for him in Calgary, but it is too early to call him a bust.

17 Matthew Phillips – It is fitting that the organization that turned Johnny Gaudreau into a star would take a chance on a WHL powerhouse who is only 5-7”, 160. That’s right, Phillips has to look up to Gaudreau. An offensive powerhouse with Victoria of the WHL, he skates well and has plus puck skills. Although he scored 87 goals in the last two seasons, he is a better playmaker than shooter. He will have to prove he belongs at every new level.

18 Rushan Rafikov – Finally getting his career going in the KHL, Rafikov’s team, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl recently signed him to a two year extension. Projects at around average in all facets of the game, with only his shot peaking clearly above that line. With Calgary rather stocked on the blueline, both in the NHL and below, he is probably going to develop further with a bigger role in Russia for now. Consider this ranking a “forget-me-not”.

19 Josh Healey – The other NCAA free agent signing made by Calgary this offseason, the Edmonton native played for four years at Ohio State, increasing his point production each year (5->9->21->25). Very comfortable carrying the puck up the ice, he is a solid skater with a high panic threshold. He could stand to play with more urgency, but performs well in his own zone, working to keep his man to the outside. He does not have a high ceiling, but is fairly safe as prospects go.

20 Linus Lindstrom – Considered a smart two-way center in his draft year, Lindstrom struggled mightily to produce even a fraction of the offense in the SHL as he did in SuperElit, finishing the year with only six points in 50 games for Skelleftea. He still flashes promising puck skills and ability to read the play in all three zones, but his skating is average at best and his shot and physical game are both below that mark.

Although the system’s depth of talented goaltenders earns top billing here, with seven defensemen in the top 20, including both of the top two, Calgary should be strong at the back for years to come. And that is without even addressing the fact that the Flames have a top five at the NHL level (Giordano, Hamilton, Brodie, Hamonic, and Stone) that rivals any other team in the league. As they are all locked up for at least three more years, the team can afford to be patient with their next generation.

NHL Prospect Watch: Calgary Flames

Ryan Wagman — Tue, 17 May 2016 22:57:15 +0000

After a pretty disappointing season for their AHL team, the Calgary Flames can rest more easily knowing that three of the top prospects in the system were not yet at the minor pro level. We won’t spend too much time discussing Andrew Mangiapane, a steal of a sixth rounder last summer. While undersized, Mangiapane plays a big game, coupling puck skills, a high hockey IQ and tenacity that should leave Flames’ execs satisfied that he will not shy from the tighter game in the pros. As he was drafted in his second year of eligibility, Mangiapane is already 20 years old and is signed to his ELC. He will join Stockton next year coming off two straight 100 point seasons for Barrie.

Mark Jankowksi, C, Providence (NCAA) (21^st overall, 2012)

A surprise first rounder when drafted in 2012, Jankowski spent the full four years playing for Providence, a period of time which included an NCAA championship in his junior season. Never an elite scorer, Jankowski nevertheless shows a robust tool set that suggests an ability to produce as a professional. He has filled out his frame during his collegiate career and while still lean, there is enough strength to remain effective. That said, he will not be a physical player.

The Hamilton native is comfortable on the cycle and has strong hands which allow him to maintain puck control even when the opposing defenders are keyed on him and pressuring him. Beyond strength, his hands are also rather quick and soft. He can corral misplaced passes that would be giveaways when given to inferior players and quickly turn those pucks towards the net with some zip. Speaking of zip, Jankowski’s top attribute is his shot. He has a high end release, able to get elevation, power and placement from a single touch. He sees shooting lanes well, excelling at getting the puck through screens and on the net. He is also a plus skater with good edge work and strong top speed. While his hands are soft, he is not the type to dazzle with creative puck wizardry, but he does handle it well, and as alluded to before, he is trustworthy as a puck carrier. Jankowski turned pro shortly after the conclusion of his senior year and gave the Flames brass hope for the future with six points in his first eight AHL games at the tail end of the Stockton season. While Jankowski is a natural center, he has plenty of experience at left wing and that is his clearest path to the NHL. He would benefit from a full (or near full) season in the AHL to ensure his pace has acclimated, but profiles as a potential second line winger sooner than later.

Brandon Hickey, D, Boston University (NCAA) (64^th overall, 2014)

A disappointing sophomore season for the BU Terriers aside, Brandon Hickey remains a mobile rearguard who should be firmly in the Flames plans for the near future. From the Edmonton suburb of Leduc, Hickey was scouted out of the Spruce Grove program in the AJHL. His freshman season with BU was tremendous with 17 points in 41 games, lining up with another elite prospect in Jack Eichel. With the Terriers unable to replace Eichel (no collegiate program could) Hickey’s offensive numbers suffered, dropping to eight points in 36 games. On the bright side, he gained some attention from Hockey Canada – a relative rarity among collegians – and was selected to represent his country during the WJC.

Hickey’s best attribute is his ability to lead a rush. A plus skater, he can pick a lane to exit his own zone and eat up ice on his way to the other side. His passes are crisp and he is not averse to letting one of his teammates make the zone entry when a better lane exists. His slap shot is great and his wrist shot is strong enough to suggest a solid point man down the line. Unlike many teenaged offensive blueliners, Hickey is also an asset off the puck. He keeps tight gaps on his opponents and maintains an active stick, both to strip pucks as well as to serve as an outlet for teammates who have already won the puck. He can be physical as well, although he is short of punishing. He would need to pack on 15-20 more pounds to reach that level. As of this writing, Hickey has not signed an ELC, and it is likely that he will return to BU for a third season. If his production can return to the levels of his freshman campaign, he will likely turn pro next summer. It says here that he will exceed those figures and compete for a spot on the Calgary blueline for the 2017-18 season. A number two defender is not out of the question, but it is more likely that he settles in as a solid option for the second pairing, contributing on both ends of the ice.

Adam Ollas Mattsson, D, Djurgarden (SHL) (175^th overall, 2014)

Unfortunately for AOM and the Flames, the young blueliner missed a good chunk of the season with injury, masking what had otherwise been a year of steps forward for the hulking teenager. A prominent member of Sweden’s entry at the World Juniors until the aforementioned injury hit him early in the medal round. Very much a defensive defenseman, he can nonetheless move the puck well and showed during the big tournament that he can join the rush as a puck carrier.

For the most part, though, this will not be a D-man who will ever earn much if any time on the power play. He will earn penalty killing shifts and appeal to his coaches through his willingness to step in front of slap shots. He spent most of his healthy days this year playing in the SHL, but his role in the men’s league was relatively minor, indicating that he would have been better off developing for one more year in the SuperElit (Sweden’s top junior league). At year’s end, he was healthy for the junior playoffs and was at times a dominating force, according to Hockey Prospectus author Jimmy Hamrin. Although rather far from being NHL-ready, Ollas Mattsson has the upside of a shutdown defender with a good first pass.

Oliver Kylington, D, Stockton (AHL) (60^th overall, 2015)

Another Swedish blueliner in the system, the slight Kylington may be the single highest upside player of any position in the Calgary organization. Like Ollas Mattsson profiled above, Kylington played with men as a teenager, in Kylington’s case, with Stockton of the AHL. Playing with adults is nothing new for the blazing skater, as he has appeared in SHL games at the age of 16. As can be expected with any teenager in the AHL, Kylington underwent significant growing pains this year, as partially seen in his meagre total of 12 points in 47 games.

Somewhat undersized at 6-0”, 183, Kylington does not look to have the frame to get much broader. That said, according to Hockey Prospectus Jason Lewis (who assisted with the reports of many of the AHL players in this system), he does not play down to his size and will happily engage with opposing forwards in front of his own net. He is not very effective yet in that regards, but he has not yet been a pushover. In fact, he has generally shown positive traits in his own end, with good positioning, and an understanding of how to use his stick to defend. He can also keep very tight gap control, as his skating prowess means that he will rarely be beaten with speed alone. He can be an offensive asset, and I would expect far greater numbers in the AHL next year (he is definitely not yet ready for a full-time NHL gig), as he can handle the puck and is electric when leading the rush, but he needs to show more creativity and better vision for lines of attack before he will have earned the type of trust that comes with top four minutes. Another area in need of improvement is in transition. While his hockey sense is good enough at times, he needs to do a better job of anticipating occasions of the puck going back the other way and prepare to defend, instead of chasing after lost causes or poorly considered pinches. Considering his age and his natural skating ability, along with the league’s move towards mobility over brawn, and it is easy to see why the Flames braintrust would be excited about his future. As long as they are patient, they should be rewarded.

Patrick Sieloff, D, Stockton (AHL) (42^nd overall, 2012)

Originally drafted out of the USNTDP with a reputation as a bruiser, Sieloff finished his junior career with the Windsor Spitfires before joining the Flames organization. Unfortunately, the Ann Arbor native missed most of his rookie pro season, and a good chunk of his follow up attempt to injury. Finally relatively healthy, Sieloff took big strides forward this year, cutting back on his penalty minutes significantly and even earned a late-season, one game call-up to Calgary, scoring his first goal in the process.

Although less reckless, Sieloff is still a very aggressive defenseman, always on the lookout for a big hit. He is a plus skater who lacks in puck skills, but will join the rush thanks more to his strong first step quickness and acceleration than to his offensive ability. His shot is decent from closer distances, but is not much of a weapon from the point. Like Ollas Mattsson, Sieloff will not be an offensive defenseman going forward, but unlike the other blueliners profiled above, he is close to ready for an NHL job and should tempt the new Flames bench boss – whoever that is – to push one of Dennis Wideman or Ladislav Smid out of the lineup. He does need to hone his instincts a bit more, like more young defensemen, learning when to channel his aggressiveness and when to make a more conservative decision, but there is reason to believe that Sieloff is ready to break into the regular six.

Emile Poirier, LW/RW, Stockton (AHL) (22^nd overall, 2013)

When I referred to a disappointing season in Stockton in the introduction, Poirier was one of the main culprits leading to that assessment. A former first round pick, Poirier’s production dropped nearly fifty percent form his rookie AHL season to his follow-up, going from 42 points in 55 games, to 29 points in 60 games this year. He was good enough last year to rank in Hockey Prospectus’ top 100 prospect list (#90), he is now at risk of falling out of the top ten for Calgary.

Oddly enough, in spite of diminished offensive returns, the part of the game wherein Poirier struggled most this year was in his own zone, as he would fall into the trap of puck watching and simply floating aimlessly. He still showed good offensive sense, anticipating openings well and is a plus stickhandler with a decent wrist shot up his sleeve. Thankfully for his future prospects, the Montreal native is still a tough customer who has a bit of nasty to his game. If his offensive acumen does not return, that truculence (don’t forget that the Flames’ president is Brian Burke) will earn him some chances to win an energy role. He would be above average in that role, but it would be a disappointment, as he had shown much more in the past.

Hunter Shinkaruk, LW, Stockton (AHL) (24^th overall, 2013, acquired in a trade with Vancouver for Markus Granlund)

Acquired by Calgary in an under-the-radar trade from Vancouver, for whom he had fallen out of favor as a first rounder from a previous regime, Shinkaruk has the potential to emerge as a bright spot from an otherwise dismal season. A former high-end scorer in the WHL, he took big strides forward in his second full AHL season, raising his offensive production from 34 points in 71 games with Utica last year to a combined 51 points in 62 games this year between Utica and Stockton as well as three points in eight NHL games between Vancouver and Calgary.

Fitting an underlying theme of the prospects profiled here, Shinkaruk has some chip to his game, which enhances his underlying skill. He is a good skater with solid first step quickness and a nose for the puck. He can be elusive when skating with the puck and is comfortable carrying the mail from his own zone to the other end. The Calgary native is a weapon on the rush whether passing to an open teammate or taking the shot himself. Although still undersized (5-11”, 181), he is unlikely to get much bigger, so the decision on his immediate future should be based on his hockey readiness, instead of physical preparedness. Barring a big offseason acquisition, he could find himself with an opportunity to win a second line job in the Fall.

Young Stars Tournament Review – Penticton, B.C., September 11th – 14th

Andrew Levangie — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 19:00:16 +0000

The hype was real and McDavid skated. When the dust settled and the people could focus on other players not wearing number 97, this year was a year for progress and for debuts at the Young Stars tournament. After sitting out with injuries last year Canucks fans got to see Jake Virtanen and Jared McCann, even if they missed out on college bound Brock Boeser. Flames fans can rejoice as Sam Bennett picked up right where he left off and the first showing for OHL defenseman Rasmus Andersson was as strong as anyone who skated for them in a while. With a loaded Jets squad stepping up and finally giving their team something to cheer about in their last game of the weekend, with disappointing starts from Josh Morrissey, Nick Petan, and Nik Ehlers. However, their lackadaisical play allowed for a big weekend from goaltender prospect Connor Hellebuyck and gave CHL import player Michael Spacek a place to make a name. Enjoy some prospect updates on some of your favorite players, and some not so well known guys who are taking steps in the right direction.

Winnipeg Jets

Michael Spacek- LW/RW

The Czech national was an instant stand out on a lacklustre Jets team, a responsible player who is aware of roaming defenders and offering back up. Skates with a purpose in a powerful head first manner showing a tenacious ability to pursue loose pucks and an aggressive rusher when carrying in transition, shows poise and confidence with the puck and protects well. An import pick of Red Deer, his showing should put him on the map sooner than later as a force not to be taken lightly in the WHL. He will be depended on for offense and should become more of household name as they build toward the Memorial Cup.

Ryan Olsen – C

Word from Winnipeg media was that Olsen had adjusted his off-season training and it has appeared to pay off. A quicker skater than he had previously shown in the WH, with a noticeable pick up in his first 3-4 strides. A knack for breaking up plays and grinding down low, making life very difficult on his opponents. Had some offensive chances that were created out of hard work and strong puck pursuit. His positioning and defending are strong and doesn’t give up any easy plays. Positioned himself up the depth charts and could one day fill a solid bottom six role.

Josh Morrissey – LD

As always skating and passing were on display but its time to see the “next step” and must build pro habits into his game on a regular basis. He has a tendency to skate himself into trouble by moving into positions that limit him options for outlets and skating lanes, needs to drive the play at defenders more often and remain unpredictable. Jaws at other teams in an unnecessary way that makes it look like its more important than playing. Shot is as good as ever from the blue line in, picks shooting lanes with precise accuracy and controls the zone very well both at even strength and with the man advantage. Delivered a glimpse of what could be during 3-on-3 OT - a place he should thrive. All in all a disappointing weekend for Morrissey despite some glimpses of his best in the last game. He will need to take a spot on the Jets to be a full time player, but likely bound for the AHL until he plays with the switch on every shift.

Marcus Karlstrom- RD

Tall and rangy with a long reach and a skinny frame, Karlstrom plays a quiet game with a skilled efficiency. Holds a wide stance and edges well, while remaining fluid in his stride, although could get lower and really drive the puck forward. Small, skilled plays open options for him, especially when clearing the zone and looking for options up ice. Outlet passes are well above average and might be the his biggest strength. Reads off partner well, makes himself available as an option by adjusting his position to be open, especially as a hang back option when a rush fails. Showed ability to plays both side of the ice and both special teams. Certainly a project player with a need to fill out and get stronger, but shows a good intelligence for the game and is worth keeping an eye on.

Calgary Flames

Sam Bennett – C

Its always as advertised with Bennett, everything about him was strong this throughout the tournament and he looks poised to make a strong run at Flames camp this year,and not only make the team, but be a significant contributor. Up to 6’1 and 190lbs his work ethic is putting him in a place to withstand the rigors of the NHL season. He battled and dished out the body contact with ease and pursued the puck like a bulldog, not taking a shift off this tournament. Precise multi-directional skating and blistering wrist shot were both on display along with his heads up passing ability. People are focused on the names Eichel and McDavid, but at the end of the season if Bennett finishes as the top rookie it should not shock anyone. 11 NHL playoff games were a learning experience and a major building block toward a successful career.

Rasmus Andersson - LD

Plays the game with pace and looks like a bit of steal at 53^rd overall in 2015, helps to pad the already loaded defensive depth of the Flames. Doesn’t seem interested in letting any opponent define the pace of the game, looking to lead and be a catalyst, and can be heard talking and communicating throughout the all three zones, helping direct the play. Work ethic is on display when defending, with no problem taking it to players of all sizes, not backing down from a battle. Strong reads on the offensive blue line with a ripping shot and a quarterback mindset - smart short plays open space to make quick plays in an up tempo fashion. Owns a strong IQ and instincts for the game with good habits. Easily the best Flames defender in this tournament, and should be a standout in the OHL this year with all the tools to be a pro.

Oliver Kylington - LD

The slick skating defenseman, who fell quite low to 60th on draft day ,after being ranked all over the board, is certainly a work in progress. Something the Flames can work with based on their depth on the backend, there is some raw skill there, but Kylington would be best served heading to the WHL for more Junior level development. His speed was on display at times showing a strong puck rushing ability, quickly driving up ice and giving defenders some fits in transition. In his own end he looks confused at times, unsure of positioning and unwilling to compete with forwards in front of the net or deep along the boards. Can be tentative and rush his decisions when other players are closing on him, leading to poor decisions and turnovers. Showed he is adept at controlling the offensive blue line and flashed some quality instincts with man advantage. Would be well served on a stacked Brandon team for a long playoff run under Brad McCrimmon.

Andrew Mangiapane – LW

Flames may have found a diamond in the rough, after seeing a kid like this play I have no idea how 30 NHL teams passed on him so many times, unless you favor size above all. Soft, soft hands were on display for the Barrie product during the Youngstars. Drew first line duties in the games he played and did not look out of place, important part is he could keep up his when making plays and showed a knack for creating either a shot or offering up a good pass. Uses his head well to look off defenders. Offensive numbers more than doubled in his second OHL season and Calgary would be smart to let him dominate and see if he can continue a strong development curve.

Edmonton Oilers

Leon Draisaitl – C

Lined up at center for this tournament, was a little overshadowed by McDavid in his first game, something he’ll have to get used too. Saw a few habits in his game that were still apparent in junior hockey and will need to be ironed out before he becomes an everyday pro. Often remains stationary on the half boards and telegraphs with his eyes, needs to move his feet more often and learn to look off defenders to become less predictable. Passing ability is pro level and dazzles off the rush with precision. Known as a pass-first guy, he can certainly fire a quick and powerful wrist shot - as he continues to develop he’ll need to keep defenders guessing by respecting his passing. Looked more motivated as the weekend drew on and he was the main option for Oilers offence. The pace of his skating is good and the game slows down around him, acceleration is still not great and becoming more explosive would help his game. Should bounce between AHL and the NHL this year as he’s now a pro from here on out.

Alexis Loiseau – C

One of the most competitive players to touch the ice all weekend, immediately standing out with strong skating ability and bulldog mentality for loose pucks and the front of the net. Some players have a knack for making thing happen, and you get that feeling when you key in on Loiseau - who is looking like great poster boy for the late bloomer tagline. Not viewed out of place much, he owns a high hockey IQ, which helps his drive to create by thinking and not over playing. Surprising ability to finish had five points in the last game of the weekend, the Oilers maybe have found someone who can create some needed depth in the AHL this year. He can provide a chippy bottom six forward with some offensive upside that earns every inch of ice for his team.

Vancouver Canucks

Jake Virtanen – RW

Not many players make you feel their presence like Virtanen. The always tough to play against winger is a pain, with his nuisance style of play and strong ability to body check the opposition in a ferocious manner. Brings a high energy level, always going hard and competing shift to shift, often targeting the oppositions best players. Packs a powerful shot that holds weight and wants to go through the goalie instead of picking a corner, but it must be respected. Slightly underrated as a passer as it important to guard his shot. Considered a new-age power forward, a battler that skates hard and grinds it out in front of the net and would look good as a complement to skilled players. Possesses the potential to be a marquee member of the Canucks youth movement and could one day find himself on a line with the Sedin twins as the perfect fit for one touch scoring chances and taking some of the defensive focus off them. He will need to brush up on his defensive zone play but has the physical tools and speed to challenge for the big club

Hunter Shinkaruk - LW/C

Shinkaruk always leaves you looking for a little more. His development seems to have stalled slightly even, with his health concerns behind him and a season of AHL hockey under his belt. He still seems plagued with trying to do too much and playing himself into trouble instead of consistently looking for teammates and creating chemistry. Watching him play you can tell he wants the puck and wants to make plays, but he still looks tentative at times making his way to the front of the net for dirty scoring chances - while the perfect play doesn’t always happen. Has a great shot but often settles for a low percentage shooting area. Skating is good, but doesn’t seem to have progressed greatly from junior, as a smaller player he needs a high-end separation gear to create openings. Must have a productive AHL year and put his tools into action to show some progress, players are passing him on the depth charts and his chances could be running out.

Brendan Gaunce - LW

Looking to be a fixture on the left wing Gaunce has shifted from the middle ice and appears to have taken a stride forward in his development. Chalked with NHL size at 6’3 and 213 lbs, his biggest question mark was his skating and he has made strides in this area, appearing more fluid with stronger pivots and directional changes. Quickness is developing, allowing for a good push getting up ice and into the soft offensive areas for a dart and attack offensive. Responsible in his own end he doesn’t make it easy to play against him, showing a strong defensive acumen. Plays a two-way game and can work to shut down top line players, often enjoys the challenge of playing against high end forwards and taking away their time and space. Looks good carrying the puck, aids in moving the flow of play up ice, shows intelligence when making decisions and making pays with the puck. Progressing as a viable option for the big club, looks to be responsible player that will chip in offensively and make the smart play instead of the easy play

Young Stars Classic reports on Johnny Gaudreau, Sam Bennett & others

Andy Levangie — Sun, 21 Sep 2014 17:44:40 +0000

PENTICTON, B.C. -- Some of these players I was seeing live for the first time, while others I have watched several times before; some household names and high picks and some under-the-radar prospects. All in all, I came away presently surprised with quite a few individuals, but these are some players that stood out for me.

Johnny Gaudreau -- We’ve all heard the hype and seen the highlights of 'Johnny Hockey' even earning himself highlight-of-the-night honours on TSN. This weekend was no exception for the former Boston College star .. possesses calculated offensive instincts with an ability to think that split second ahead of defenders .. dynamic puck skills showing strong control in tight areas, constant heads-up play makes him difficult to read when looking to shoot or set up teammates .. sneaks around the ice without the puck, sliding into scoring areas undetected to create scoring chances with a pro-level shot .. slippery and elusive, yet shies away from physical contact leading to impromptu turnovers to avoid big hits .. glued at the hip to Sam Bennett all weekend, the pair certainly have the individual games that seem to complement each other with some obvious chemistry .. his skill could put him into the NHL especially as the Flames need offence although he will likely require some AHL seasoning as well.

Sam Bennett -- Bennett’s game takes him all over the rink, strong in all three zones during the rookie tournament and didn’t look at all over-matched or out of place .. skating is the highlight of his game for me, pivoting, edging and balance are elite level .. controls the puck at high speeds, shifts weight effectively and maintains momentum while sliding past defenders .. very effective when skates are heal-to-heal with head up and body open, creating deception and un-telegraphed moves .. doesn’t shy away from physical play, throws hits and plays well through contact and in high-traffic areas .. constantly buzzing around the oppositions crease .. performs well with high emotions or when making up for mistakes - as in after taking a penalty - as he seems to become a more effective and assertive player when he has chip on his shoulder .. is Bennett too good for the CHL - yes, quite possibly .. add in some World Junior games and physical strengthening and it could be a very good year outside the NHL, however it sounds like the Flames will give him every chance to make it.

Keegan Kanzig -- When people see a defensemen at 6-foot-7 and 240 pounds - they will always turn heads based on size alone .. since my first viewings of Kanzig two years ago, his game has grown in leaps and bounds .. initially, what was seen was a lanky defender with poor balance and a choppy skating stride .. this weekend I saw was a much stronger player, far more balanced and stable on his skates with a punishing physical game, an active stick and a useful reach that broke up passes and clogged lanes .. everyone seemed to be gunning for Kanzig clearly the biggest guy on the ice, looking to prove themselves and impress management .. never seemed fazed or ready to back down from a challenge dropping the gloves with several players throughout the weekend .. not a defensive scorer, his offensive game still has the potential to grow as his shot from the point has improved in velocity and release .. will likely anchor the defence on what should be a very good Victoria Royals team although he is still a few years away .. worked his way from a fringe prospect to being a meaningful piece of the Flames pipeline.

Hunter Shinkaruk -- Easily one of the bright spots for a Canucks team that faired pretty poorly over the weekend .. played like he was out to prove his doubters wrong by asserting himself as a threat to score and driving himself into high traffic and punishing areas .. his injury (hip) issues look to be behind him now as the last time I viewed Shinkaruk was about a month before his surgery and he was labouring and slow .. this weekend, his quickness had fully returned as was evident in his first 3-4 strides .. protected the puck well in the opposition zone and by using his body effectively to shield off defenders and battle into high-percentage scoring areas .. showed a knack for driving to the net and not always looking for the pretty finish .. going to the tough areas drew some distain from opposing defenders but Shinkaruk was up for the challenge, standing up for himself and his teammates .. will need to continue this aggressive approach in order to be an effective scorer at the pro level and be able to compete for space on the ice .. Canucks management pointed to Shinkaruk as a bright spot on a team in need of offence and, after this weekend, cracking the opening day roster is not out of the question.

Jordan Subban -- Never a crushing physical presence, the steady and cerebral game of Subban doesn’t exhibit incredible flash - yet his intelligent play will nevertheless take him places .. makes smart plays and rarely panics when making a quick decision .. assertive play with quick puck movement helps avoid dangerous situations, such as when keeping pucks in at the offensive blueline .. looks to think one move ahead .. in an era where skilled defenders are becoming fashionable, Subban is a growing asset in zone exits, possessing a very good first pass and the ability to carry the puck out or jump into the play to force pucks deep and help keep the offense turning .. angles off players well with good gap control and keeps an active stick when defending .. looks to be stronger and more stable leaning on defenders with his smaller frame albeit has bulked up to around 185 pounds .. likely bound for another year leading Belleville in the OHL.

Bogdan Yakimov -- A center with pro level experience (33 KHL games) that skates at 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds will always attract my attention and Yakimov was no exception .. a big body who works well down low and on the cycle, fights off defenders and guards the puck with his thick frame is certainly something the Oilers could use more of .. possesses a pro-level release that springs nicely off his stick and hits the net accurately .. at times Yakimov looked like a man against boys as he muscled his way around the offensive zone with players bouncing off of him .. showed some chemistry with fellow Russian Vladimir Tkachev as the duo were a driving force that pinned opposing defences in their own zone .. the biggest area of improvement required for Yakimov has to be his skating .. acceleration is average at best and he doesn’t appear fluid on his skates, stride looks choppy .. however once he has a head of steam his momentum carries and he can find a fast top gear - though it just takes a while to get there and sometimes he arrives late .. Oilers fans should be cautiously optimistic about Yakimov, he certainly showed dominance at times against fellow youngsters and does have some pro-level tools .. let's see how he fares against stronger NHLers - though his 12 pts in 33 KHL games as a 19-year-old could forecast some success.

Vladimir Tkachev -- Small but mighty, after a few minutes of seeing Tkachev move around the ice you are wondering why no one took a flyer on this kid in the 2014 draft .. everyone else's mistake might be the Oilers gain .. dramatically undersized at 5-foot-10 and 160 pounds, this kid is a wiz with the puck and possesses soft hands and natural talents that can't be taught .. a driving offensive force who carries the puck at high speeds and always appears in control, shifty and hard to track .. Tkachev is elusive but drives the play in more of a north-south style of game .. doesn’t rely just on his speed but also uses patience as he has the ability to slow the game down, handle the puck and look for options to open up .. crisp and accurate passing and a whipping wrist shot that can surprise coming from such a small frame .. his quickness is a big asset taking only a few strides to break up to full speed .. doesn’t play very well against the wall or when standing still because he’s so light he is easily separated from the puck .. his success came when staying in constant motion and making the opposing defenders chase .. opens up space for teammates by attracting attention .. made a couple of aggressive backchecks over the weekend that showed a commitment to defence, and proved in a productive 20-game QMJHL debut last season that he’s willing to learn the North American game .. undrafted signee cost the Oilers nothing and injected more high-end skill into their system .. will attend main camp but can he keep it up against pros is the big question.

Darnell Nurse -- An active defender whose head is constantly on a pivot .. Nurse didn’t disappoint at either end of the rink, clogging lanes and using efficient body position, often with one hand on his stick .. creates an active presence and makes forwards question whether they have time and space .. controlled gaps very well, utilizing a wide stance that creates stability .. compact leg movements show good acceleration in both forward and reverse strides .. commands attention at the offensive blueline, if given time and space, and can work the puck to open forwards or put it on net with a quick wrist shot or hard slapshot .. his windup speed could use a little work or Nurse may find himself hitting shot blocker more than the net .. gap control and a punishing physical game are both assets .. closes quickly on players and makes them pay when they come into his space, although he needs to find the point of aggression without crossing the line .. Nurse is too good for the OHL so he’s another guy who will be given every chance to make the big club.

Nikolaj Ehlers -- Boasting an extremely high-end skill level, Ehlers dazzled the highlight reel at the Young Stars with a few amazing goals .. there is no denying his elite speed and acceleration - and that Ehlers would quickly become one of the fastest skaters in the league if he stepped into the NHL this season .. can beat any defender to the outside and then uses strong edge work to cut inside displaying good balance and precise blade control .. handles the puck very well at high speeds showing strong control in open ice or in tight spaces .. his shot has a minimal windup and rockets off his stick in a deceptive manner than can fool goalies from a distance or in close .. once you realize he's shooting the puck - it's often already in the back of the net .. frequently a one-man show on offence, Ehlers could utilize his teammates more instead of trying to skate past everyone in his way .. noticed a few instances he would attempt to skate around multiple defenders only to run out of room and leave open teammates waiting for passes, thus resulting in a turnover .. his speed has a knack for drawing defenders and making them chase him out of their position, however he must learn to create scoring chances for others as well .. not many top-nine spots available in Winnipeg - so will have to battle Nic Petan and Adam Lowry to make the Jets.

Josh Morrissey -- Although scoring and games played was the big talk for Morrissey from the past year, it was his skating ability that shone brightest this past weekend .. shows a clean smooth stride going both forward and reverse .. closes on players quickly - minimizing their time and space .. displays a knack for counter-attacking and in using his skating or passing prowess to relieve pressure .. at points during games I had to go looking for Morrissey on the ice, not because he’s not contributing but because he was rarely found out of position .. not afraid to push the pace or jump into the play - and kept his game a little on the safe side, which showed a dedication to a team game and developing as a complete player .. should be able to collect points at the next level with his sharp passing skills, quick wrist shot and accurate slapshot .. with little left to prove at the WHL level, the questions is whether Morrissey can withstand the rigors of the more physical pro game .. if so, maybe the Jets have another rookie contributor on the backend like they did last year.

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As always thanks for reading..

Follow me on Twitter @AndyLevang

Or email me at thehockeyuniverse@gmail.com

2013 NHL Draft: Falling Prospects

David Burstyn — Fri, 17 May 2013 20:50:04 +0000

The microscope which these prospects play under is huge, and their shortcomings don’t go unnoticed.

Once considered a first-round pick, Guelph forward Jason Dickinson fired goose eggs offensively and saw his stock plummet as a result. Western Hockey League defencemen Ryan Pulock and Shea Theodore each left scouts with more questions than answers, while Ryan Kujawinski’s omission on Canada’s under-18 team spoke loudly about how far he’s fallen.

Finnish defenceman Rasmus Ristolainen can fall back on his statistics only so far. His play was mired with inconsistency down the stretch.

Here are the prospects whose draft stock have fallen this year.

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Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Jason Dickinson (W/C, 2013), Guelph

Unable to participate fully in the U18 World Championships due to an injury .. factor in a long scoring drought in the regular season, which was capped off with a sub-par performance in the playoffs, and his draft stock tumbled.

Ryan Pulock (D, 2013), Brandon

May own the best point shot in the draft .. however, skating woes appear to be troublesome, as does his lack of physical aggression .. injuries derailed his season.

Hunter Shinkaruk (LW, 2013), Medicine Hat

No questioning his sheer ability to generate offence and speed levels .. however, he pulled a disappearing act in the second round of the WHL playoffs and doesn’t always pay the price to record his points, nor does he back-check with any enthusiasm.

Shea Theodore (D, 2013), Seattle

Has a bomb of a point shot but stagnated in the second half of the season before coming apart at the seams in Seattle’s opening round loss to Kelowna despite being up 3-0 in the series .. looked completely lost at times for Team Canada at the U18 World Championships.

Hudson Fasching (RW, 2013), USNTDP

Despite an impressive showing at the U18 World Championships, Fasching failed to build on his point totals this year .. his skating also saw limited improvement since the beginning of the season.

Ryan Kujawinski (C/W, 2013), Kingston

Returned to playing wing in the playoffs and started to scratch the surface of his potential .. however, he took way too many nights off and was omitted from Team Canada’s U18 team in favour of ’96-born teammate Sam Bennett.

Stephen Harper (LW, 2013), Erie

Was pegged as a top-40 prospect to start the season but failed to play with any type of consistency throughout the year and barely managed to reproduce his offensive totals from his rookie season.

Rasmus Ristolainen (D, 2013), TPS

Despite leading a weak TPS in defenseman scoring, his stock dropped due to his wayward play towards the end of the year, as he didn’t play with any emotion and lacked a physical edge.

McKeen’s 2013 NHL Draft Rankings – March

McKeen's Staff — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 23:25:38 +0000

Perception is everything when it comes to scouting 17 and 18-year-old hockey players - and the only real certainty is that you just don't know how a player will turn out.

The microscope intensifies at this time of the season - with six months in the books - as every facet of a player's game being dissected and chewed up and whatever is left - in the words of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - must be the truth.

However, along with clarity also comes skepticism and doubts about whether they will ultimately fall short of fulfilling potential.

As is the case with every draft class, the shine has rubbed off for some of this year's first-round candidates, having had holes and shortcomings exposed.

Initially presumed a sure-fire NHL prospect, but now veering towards 'boom-or-bust' territory.

Certainly Russian thoroughbred Valeri Nichushkin headed down that path before restoring his stock with a 'man-against-boys' performance at the U-18 Five Nations earlier this month in Sweden. Nichushkin entered this season as a probable top ten pick, so his major rise is more a re-adjustment than a sudden epiphany.

GAUTHIER SOMEBODY THAT I USED TO KNOW

Rimouski center Frederik Gauthier is one of the developing wildcards for this draft. There was talk over the opening months that Gauthier might challenge the top 10 as he appeared to be shaping into a big two-way force. However, since suffering a broken jaw, his play has regressed alarmingly with the edgy physical side he displayed earlier giving way to a more tentative version. He's also let his defensive play slide, an area once considered a given area of strength.

There are also growing concerns about Prince Albert blueliner Josh Morrissey and specifically whether he will develop the strength and jam to defend at the next level. There's not much push-back to his game and his lean body is getting knocked around pretty good as the playoff race thickens.

Medicine Hat winger Hunter Shinkaruk can expect a similar rough ride against NHL bodies, however his stock has softened over questions about his vision and game sense - even despite the impressive stat totals. A strong playoff push from Shinkaruk would help put him back in the top-ten discussions.

It hasn't been a great campaign for Andre Burakovsky of Malmo, a significant faller in this month's McKeen's top 30 rankings. A detailed report on Burakovsky and his progress to date will be published shortly on the site.

THERE A NURSE IS IN THE HOUSE

Along with Nichushkin, another heavy mover this month was Sault Ste Marie defenseman Darnell Nurse whose game has blossomed recently under the tutelage of Greyhounds coach and former NHLer Sheldon Keefe. Nurse has advanced his game further than many of his peers - and ditto for Halifax wizard Jonathan Drouin whose progress appears to have no bounds. Drouin is currently riding a phenomenal 24-game scoring streak (22-32-54) - and has left no choice but to bump him ahead of injured teammate Nathan MacKinnon.

The only newcomer to the top 30 this month is Owen Sound defenseman Chris Bigras, a steady riser all season, bumping Guelph's Jason Dickinson.

RANK	LAST	PLAYER	POS	HT/WT	BORN	TM (LG)	GP-G-A-PTS
1	1	Seth Jones	D	6-3/205	10-3-1994	Portland (WHL)	55-10-38-48
2	3	Jonathan Drouin	LW	5-11/185	3-28-1995	Halifax (QMJHL)	43-37-57-94
3	2	Nathan MacKinnon	C	6-0/180	9-1-1995	Halifax (QMJHL)	41-28-41-69
4	4	Elias Lindholm	C	6-0/190	12-2-1994	Brynas (Swe)	48-11-19-30
5	5	Aleksander Barkov	C	6-2/210	9-2-1995	Tappara (Fin)	49-21-25-46
6	6	Ryan Pulock	D	6-0/210	10-6-1994	Brandon (WHL)	53-14-29-43
7	7	Sean Monahan	C	6-2/190	10-12-1994	Ottawa (OHL)	50-26-43-69
8	19	Valeri Nichushkin	RW	6-4/195	3-4-1995	Traktor (KHL)	18-4-2-6
9	15	Darnell Nurse	D	6-3/190	2-4-1995	Sault Ste Marie (OHL)	60-11-25-36
10	8	Adam Erne	LW	6-1/195	4-20-1995	Quebec (QMJHL)	60-25-41-66
11	10	Rasmus Ristolainen	D	6-3/205	10-27-1994	TPS Turku (Fin)	47-2-11-13
12	11	Valentin Zykov	LW	6-0/210	5-15-1995	Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)	59-35-34-69
13	13	Anthony Mantha	RW	6-4/200	9-16-1994	Val d'Or (QMJHL)	60-45-37-82
14	9	Hunter Shinkaruk	LW	5-10/180	10-13-1994	Medicine Hat (WHL)	57-32-41-73
15	17	Mirco Mueller	D	6-3/185	3-21-1995	Everett (WHL)	54-6-19-25
16	22	Robert Hagg	D	6-2/200	2-8-1995	MoDo (Swe)	25-0-1-1
17	14	Nikita Zadorov	D	6-5/230	4-15-1995	London (OHL)	54-5-17-22
18	20	Alexander Wennberg	C	6-1/190	9-22-1994	Djurgardens (Swe 2)	45-14-17-31
19	12	Frederik Gauthier	C	6-5/210	4-26-1995	Rimouski (QMJHL)	55-19-37-56
20	23	Bo Horvat	C	6-0/200	4-5-1995	London (OHL)	59-28-27-55
21	21	Max Domi	C	5-9/195	3-2-1995	London (OHL)	56-35-40-75
22	16	Andre Burakovsky	LW	6-1/180	2-9-1995	Malmo (Swe 2)	42-4-7-11
23	18	Josh Morrissey	D	6-0/185	3-28-1995	Prince Albert (WHL)	62-15-28-43
24	27	Kerby Rychel	LW	6-1/200	10-7-1994	Windsor (OHL)	60-35-42-77
25	24	Curtis Lazar	C	6-0/195	2-2-1995	Edmonton (WHL)	65-34-18-52
26	25	Zachary Fucale	G	6-1/180	5-28-1995	Halifax (QMJHL)	39-5-2, 2.39
27	26	Linus Arnesson	D	6-1/190	9-21-1994	Djurgardens (Swe 2)	30-0-1-1
28	28	Eric Comrie	G	6-1/170	7-6-1995	Tri-City (WHL)	20-14-3, 2.62
29	29	Ryan Hartman	C	5-11/185	9-20-1994	Plymouth (OHL)	51-23-34-57
30	NR	Chris Bigras	D	6-0/190	2-22-1995	Owen Sound (OHL)	59-6-25-31
		* Goalies (W-L-T, GA)

McKeen’s 2013 NHL Draft midterm rankings

MCKEEN'S STAFF — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 20:49:53 +0000

The lockout ended, the NHL returned, and draft watchers were treated to a World Junior feast.

January was indeed a special month - and especially for Portland Winterhawks' blueliner Seth Jones, who emphatically claimed top spot in the McKeen's midterm rankings for the 2013 NHL Draft.

No. 1 had been up for grabs heading into the Christmas break, as the likes of Jones and Jonathan Drouin had effectively closed the gap on frontrunner Nathan MacKinnon.

The race was expected to remain a close one - and perhaps even come down to the final wire.

However, Jones broke from the pack with captivating performances at both the WJC and Top Prospects Game.

Historically, underagers are usually 'seen but not heard' at the under-20 world juniors, but not this year as the top five ranked prospects were all on display - and featured prominently.

Jones sparkled throughout, taking control of games with his prodigious talents and helping guide Team USA to a gold medal - playing in a top pairing with Buffalo draft pick Jake McCabe.

It wasn't the only eye-catching performance as a number of draft-eligible players made definitive statements on the world stage.

Mirco Mueller of the Everett Silvertips displayed remarkable poise for a 17-year-old while handling a heavy load for Switzerland, impressive sixth-place finishers. The biggest riser on our midterms, Mueller led the Swiss with a plus-7 rating to rank fifth overall at the tournament - and then followed up with another striking effort at the Top Prospects Game.

A pair of Swedes - Alexander Wennberg and Linus Arnesson - also seized the moment in Ufa, Russia, and have consequently cracked the first round.

The Djurgarden teammates grew in stature as the tournament progressed, and particularly Arnesson who thrived after being thrust into a main role with key blueline injuries to Jonas Brodin, Hampus Lindholm, and Oscar Klefbom.

Yet another youngster making waves at the WJC's was big Russian winger Valeri Nichushkin, the hero of the bronze-medal game. Nichushkin certainly flashed high-end individual skills that will likely bump him up on some lists, however he did not do enough in our opinion to dispel questions about his consistency, team play, and overall vision.

In fact, he slips to third among the Russians, surpassed by bullish winger Valentin Zykov who continued to rampage up the charts and now is pushing the top ten. The Baie-Comeau star has points in every game this month (12-10-16-28) - aside from the Top Prospects Game - including a six-point effort against Rouyn-Noranda.

Another mover this past month was Rimouski pivot Frederik Gauthier, currently second in QMJHL rookie scoring behind Zykov. The 6-foot-5 pivot vaults up the No. 12 spot having made significant gains in his overall game.

Quebec Remparts winger Adam Erne is the lone newcomer to the top 10 - sliding into the No. 8 slot.

Three OHLers also climbed the rankings having drawn plenty of praise for their steady development - those being Darnell Nurse (Sault), Bo Horvat (London), and Ryan Hartman (Plymouth).

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RANK	LAST	PLAYER	POS	HT/WT	BORN	TM (LG)	GP-G-A-PTS
1	2	Seth Jones	D	6-3/205	10-3-1994	Portland (WHL)	40-9-27-36
2	1	Nathan MacKinnon	C	6-0/180	9-1-1995	Halifax (QMJHL)	37-26-36-62
3	3	Jonathan Drouin	LW	5-11/185	3-28-1995	Halifax (QMJHL)	31-24-38-62
4	5	Elias Lindholm	C	6-0/190	12-2-1994	Brynas (Swe)	40-7-17-24
5	4	Aleksander Barkov	C	6-2/210	9-2-1995	Tappara (Fin)	41-18-21-39
6	9	Ryan Pulock	D	6-0/210	10-6-1994	Brandon (WHL)	40-10-21-31
7	6	Sean Monahan	C	6-2/190	10-12-1994	Ottawa (OHL)	40-18-36-54
8	13	Adam Erne	LW	6-1/195	4-20-1995	Quebec (QMJHL)	48-21-38-59
9	7	Hunter Shinkaruk	LW	5-10/180	10-13-1994	Medicine Hat (WHL)	47-30-32-62
10	8	Rasmus Ristolainen	D	6-3/205	10-27-1994	TPS Turku (Fin)	39-2-10-12
11	22	Valentin Zykov	LW	6-0/210	5-15-1995	Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)	49-32-30-62
12	17	Frederik Gauthier	C	6-5/210	4-26-1995	Rimouski (QMJHL)	43-16-35-51
13	10	Anthony Mantha	RW	6-4/200	9-16-1994	Val d'Or (QMJHL)	47-38-31-69
14	12	Nikita Zadorov	D	6-5/230	4-15-1995	London (OHL)	44-3-14-17
15	20	Darnell Nurse	D	6-3/190	2-4-1995	Sault Ste Marie (OHL)	49-10-20-30
16	11	Andre Burakovsky	LW	6-1/180	2-9-1995	Malmo (Swe 2)	33-3-4-7
17	NR	Mirco Mueller	D	6-3/185	3-21-1995	Everett (WHL)	43-5-18-23
18	15	Josh Morrissey	D	6-0/185	3-28-1995	Prince Albert (WHL)	48-13-22-35
19	19	Valeri Nichushkin	RW	6-4/195	3-4-1995	Traktor (KHL)	17-3-2-5
20	NR	Alexander Wennberg	C	6-1/190	9-22-1994	Djurgardens (Swe 2)	36-12-13-25
21	18	Max Domi	C	5-9/195	3-2-1995	London (OHL)	47-28-36-64
22	16	Robert Hagg	D	6-2/200	2-8-1995	MoDo (Swe Jr)	23-9-11-20
23	NR	Bo Horvat	C	6-0/200	4-5-1995	London (OHL)	49-23-23-46
24	14	Curtis Lazar	C	6-0/195	2-2-1995	Edmonton (WHL)	51-23-14-37
25	24	Zachary Fucale	G	6-1/180	5-28-1995	Halifax (QMJHL)	31-5-2, 2.49
26	NR	Linus Arnesson	D	6-1/190	9-21-1994	Djurgardens (Swe 2)	22-0-1-1
27	26	Kerby Rychel	LW	6-1/200	10-7-1994	Windsor (OHL)	48-26-25-51
28	29	Eric Comrie	G	6-1/170	7-6-1995	Tri-City (WHL)	20-14-3, 2.62
29	NR	Ryan Hartman	C	5-11/185	9-20-1994	Plymouth (OHL)	39-19-22-41
30	23	Jason Dickinson	C	6-1/180	7-4-1995	Guelph (OHL)	47-15-22-37
		* Goalies (W-L-T, GA)

2013 NHL Draft – Top 30 Comments

McKeen's Staff — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 09:08:42 +0000

1) Nathan MacKinnon, C, Halifax (QMJHL) - Multi-faceted gamebreaker equipped with speed, power, a cunning shot - and the ability to process and execute at sonic tempo. His nine-game goal streak in October is the longest in the league so far (14-5-19).

2) Seth Jones, D, Portland (WHL) - Powerful and skilled with tremendous skating speed and range. Few blueline prospects have ever possessed this kind of athleticism and raw natural physical ability - and he's still just scratching the surface.

3) Jonathan Drouin, LW, Halifax (QMJHL) - Rarely takes a back seat to top-rated linemate Nate MacKinnon and often drives the bus with his mesmerizing speed and skill set. Cracking Canada's U20 World Junior team as an underager is yet another feather in the cap.

4) Aleksander Barkov, C, Tappara (Fin) - An instinctive, methodical forward with remarkable poise and polish. The ceiling here may be limitless given his rare accomplishments at such a tender age - as an impact scorer in the Finnish SM-liiga as a 17-year-old.

5) Elias Lindholm, C, Brynas (Swe) - Top junior-aged scorer in the Swedish Elitserien and key catalyst on the point of the Brynas power play. A diverse all-around forward with skill, imagination, a fiery competitive streak - and the goods to go first overall.

6) Sean Monahan, C, Ottawa (OHL) - A clutch performer who shows up when the games matter most. Continues to produce offense without last season's strong support cast, though was set back by a 10-game suspension for an errant elbow.

7) Hunter Shinkaruk, LW, Medicine Hat (WHL) - A dynamic top-end talent who can turn defenders with a blinding change of pace and lightning-fast stick skills. Emerging as prime attraction for the Tigers and helping fill the void of departed super-scorer Emerson Etem.

8) Rasmus Ristolainen, D, TPS Turku (Fin) - Impressively averages 20-plus minutes per game as an 18-year-old in the Finnish SM-liiga. Looks to be among the safer picks as he's a big, strong, aggressive blueline leader who can be relied on in any situation.

9) Ryan Pulock, D, Brandon (WHL) - A 'jack-of-all-trades' defenseman equipped with a cannon of a slapshot. Thrives offensively driven by sharp anticipation but needs to continue tightening up in down-low defensive situations. (Pictured above)

10) Anthony Mantha, RW, Val d'Or (QMJHL) - Lethal sniper boasting a rare mix of size, mobility and shooting abilities. Gives goalies nightmares thanks to a dynamic release, however he needs to play with more intensity away from the puck.

11) Andre Burakovsky, LW, Malmo (Swe 2) - Sent NHL tongues wagging with standout international performances at the Ivan Hlinka and 4 Nations tournies. Pure offensive talents are impressive featuring terrific skating speed and a big-game wristshot.

12) Nikita Zadorov, D, London (OHL) - Enormous rearguard is slowly learning 'on the job' and continues to improve his defensive reads and involvement. A growing contributing factor in the Knights' current unbeaten streak before reporting to Russia's WJC camp.

13) Adam Erne, LW, Quebec (QMJHL) - Vaulting up the charts and proving our preliminary ranking was on the low side. Creative playmaker with power, skill, and a ferocious appetite for the puck - can go around or through opponents.

14) Curtis Lazar, C, Edmonton (WHL) - Tough full-menu forward who augments his game by playing staunch defense and doing all the little things away from the puck. Finding the net again with seven goals in eight December games after a dry November (12-0-6-6).

15) Josh Morrissey, D, Prince Albert (WHL) - Instrumental in anchoring this season's turnaround in the standings for the Raiders, from last place to first. Dynamic skater and puck rusher, but lack of size and defensive holes can appear cavernous at times.

16) Robert Hagg, D, MODO (Swe J20) - Struggled at the 4 Nations Tournament in November, yet has the ingredients to be a solid two-way defenseman as he hits, can log the puck up ice, and packs a rocket point shot. Effort level can be higher in key defensive times.

17) Frederik Gauthier, C, Rimouski (QMJHL) - Dominated Midget last season taking his team to within a win of the Telus Cup, then bypassed a Harvard University commitment. Large, energetic two-way pivot - but hasn't been as intense since returning from broken jaw.

18) Max Domi, C, London (OHL) - An offensive tyrant playing on the top line of the OHL's best team - the recently-unbeatable London Knights - currently on a 21-game streak. Easily climbs higher with improved emphasis placed on his play without the puck.

19) Valeri Nichushkin, RW, Traktor (Rus) - Boasts arguably the best package of size, speed and, skill, but his stock is tempered by the 'Russian' factor plus doubts about how much vision there is. Showed lots of flash but not much substance in Canada-Russia Challenge.

20) Darnell Nurse, D, Sault Ste Marie (OHL) - Excellent athleticism and character - has the tools to be a quality shutdown defender at the next level if he can add weight to a slender frame. Gradually learning to simplify his game - and that 'less is best' in his case.

21) J.T. Compher, C, NTDP (USA) - Plays a hard, 'take-no-prisoners' style of game and can also punish opponents on the score sheet. Beginning to come around after being derailed early this season by concussions.

22) Valentin Zykov, LW, Baie-Comeau (QMJHL) - Russian import acclimatized instantly to the QMJHL and has been turning heads since the opening whistle with enticing mix of skill, power, and moxy. An absolute tank of a player impossible to knock off the puck.

23) Jason Dickinson, C, Guelph (OHL) - Curiously fell off the grid through November and December, raising concerns about his intensity and work ethic. Expect the freefall to continue unless he starts to play with more jam and gets involved.

24) Zachary Fucale, G, Halifax (QMJHL) - Likely the first goalie off the board given attractive raw natural technical abilities. Record is stellar - leads Q with 21 wins - for the country's top team - although his personal stats are a bit underwhelming.

25) Jacob de la Rose, LW, Leksands (Swe 2) - Starting to find his way as a 17-year-old Swedish rookie in the second-tier Allsvenskan. Projects as valuable complementary player who plays a spirited game and does all the little things. Offensive ceiling is the unknown.

26) Kerby Rychel, LW, Windsor (OHL) - Slightly off his goal production from last season and not playing with the same type of determination or intensity either. Needs to ramp up his defensive efforts - and pick up the footspeed and skating.

27) Hudson Fasching, C, NTDP (USA) - There's appealing size and raw natural ability here yet he is still plagued by inconsistency leaving viewers uncertain as to which player will show up. His skating also needs to show improvement.

28) William Carrier, LW, Cape Breton (QMJHL) - Solid two-way winger ran up impressive 11-game point streak through mid-Nov (8-11-19) for lowly Screaming Eagles. Struggled along with team since then though - minus-15 in past 11 games

29) Eric Comrie, G, Tri-City (WHL) - All-competitive workhorse has appeared in 31 of 34 games so far this season for Americans. Great technician with excellent game-reading abilities and lateral quickness - among best-skating goalies available in draft.

30) Steven Santini, D, NTDP (USA) - An effective defender with a healthy mean streak - and heavy hits that destroy opponents - ideal complement for a puckmoving partner. Safer pick is showing steady improvement this season and continues to get better each game.

LEGEND: DEC., 2012 RANK) PLAYER, POS, TM (LG)

2013 Top 30 NHL Draft Rankings – Dec, 2012

MCKEEN'S STAFF — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 08:18:24 +0000

Nathan MacKinnon is safe - for the time being.

The Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia native stayed atop the McKeen's December rankings for the 2013 NHL Draft, but with less margin for error now after exceptional performances from his main challengers for the first-overall spot.

Aleksander Barkov leads Tappara with 14 goals and sits among the top ten scorers in the Finnish SM-liiga - and padded a whirlwind month by taking home MVP honours at the U-20 4-Nations Tournament last month in Sundsvall, Sweden (3-0-3-3).

However, it was the play of the gold medal-winning host Swedes which left an even bigger impression with the NHL scouting fraternity. Specifically Elias Lindholm (3-1-1-2) and Andre Burakovsky (3-0-1-1), as the duo were dominant whenever they were on the ice - in spite of unassuming stat lines.

MacKinnon's lead was compromised the most though by Halifax linemate Jonathan Drouin.

Peel your eyes away from the Ste-Agathe, Quebec native if you can. His overall game has shown remarkable growth since the beginning of the season, his tempo and decision-making speed seemingly increasing with each passing game. The knock on Drouin coming in was his ordinary size along with associated concerns on whether he survives an 'inside' game at the NHL level.

Well, you can't hit what you can't catch - or so it goes - and Drouin has been a blur in the offensive zone. Teammates such as MacKinnon have been the benefactors of Drouin's inspired work on both sides of the puck. He makes those around him better by creating space using his intellect and skating superiority.

Rounding out the Fab Five - and not to be outdone - is stud Portland blueliner Seth Jones, the son of former NBA star Popeye Jones, who is starting to figure it out after a tentative start in his WHL debut.

Jones posted an impressive nine-game assist streak (9-2-12-14) and is looking ever more comfortable on the ice and resembling the player that took over games last season with the U.S. National Team Development Program.

After MacKinnon, pick one of the next four names out of a hat - and NHL clubs are sure to get an outstanding prospect.

Whichever player winds up fifth overall on draft day, they join an impressive list of current and potential future NHL stars to go in the No. 5 slot over the past decade; Morgan Rielly, Ryan Strome, Nino Niederreiter, Brayden Schenn, Luke Schenn, Karl Alzner, Phil Kessel, Carey Price, Blake Wheeler and Thomas Vanek.

RANK	LAST	PLAYER	POS	HT/WT	BORN	TM (LG)	GP-G-A-PTS
1	1	Nathan MacKinnon	C	6-0/180	9/1/1995	Halifax (QMJHL)	30-22-30-52
2	2	Seth Jones	D	6-3/205	10/3/1994	Portland (WHL)	31-8-20-28
3	9	Jonathan Drouin	LW	5-11/185	3/28/1995	Halifax (QMJHL)	24-19-29-48
4	4	Aleksander Barkov	C	6-2/210	9/2/1995	Tappara (Fin)	31-14-14-28
5	3	Elias Lindholm	C	6-0/190	12/2/1994	Brynas (Swe)	32-6-15-21
6	5	Sean Monahan	C	6-2/190	10/12/1994	Ottawa (OHL)	26-13-24-37
7	7	Hunter Shinkaruk	LW	5-10/180	10/13/1994	Medicine Hat (WHL)	31-19-25-44
8	6	Rasmus Ristolainen	D	6-3/205	10/27/1994	TPS Turku (Fin)	28-2-5-7
9	8	Ryan Pulock	D	6-0/210	10/6/1994	Brandon (WHL)	30-10-19-29
10	15	Anthony Mantha	RW	6-4/200	9/16/1994	Val d'Or (QMJHL)	34-28-22-50
11	18	Andre Burakovsky	LW	6-1/180	2/9/1995	Malmo (Swe 2)	22-1-3-4
12	13	Nikita Zadorov	D	6-5/230	4/15/1995	London (OHL)	31-2-10-12
13	21	Adam Erne	LW	6-1/195	4/20/1995	Quebec (QMJHL)	34-19-25-44
14	11	Curtis Lazar	C	6-0/195	2/2/1995	Edmonton (WHL)	34-14-10-24
15	12	Josh Morrissey	D	6-0/185	3/28/1995	Prince Albert (WHL)	35-8-17-25
16	14	Robert Hagg	D	6-2/200	2/8/1995	MODO (Swe J20)	23-9-11-20
17	17	Frederik Gauthier	C	6-5/210	4/26/1995	Rimouski (QMJHL)	30-13-21-34
18	20	Max Domi	C	5-9/195	3/2/1995	London (OHL)	34-18-27-45
19	10	Valeri Nichushkin	RW	6-4/195	3/4/1995	Traktor (Rus)	8-0-2-2
20	23	Darnell Nurse	D	6-3/190	2/4/1995	Sault Ste Marie (OHL)	35-6-17-23
21	22	J.T. Compher	C	5-11/185	4/8/1995	NTDP (USA)	22-3-5-8
22	NR	Valentin Zykov	LW	6-0/210	5/15/1995	Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)	35-22-14-36
23	16	Jason Dickinson	C	6-1/180	7/4/1995	Guelph (OHL)	34-12-17-29
24	19	Zachary Fucale	G	6-1/180	5/28/1995	Halifax (QMJHL)	21-3-1, 2.58
25	26	Jacob de la Rose	LW	6-2/190	5/20/1995	Leksands (Swe 2)	27-4-2-6
26	24	Kerby Rychel	LW	6-1/200	10/7/1994	Windsor (OHL)	35-19-13-32
27	25	Hudson Fasching	C	6-2/215	7/28/1995	NTDP (USA)	24-6-7-13
28	27	William Carrier	LW	6-1/200	12/20/1994	Cape Breton (QMJHL)	34-16-26-42
29	30	Eric Comrie	G	6-1/170	7/6/1995	Tri-City (WHL)	16-12-3, 2.64
30	NR	Steve Santini	D	6-1/210	3/7/1995	NTDP (USA)	24-0-8-8

* Goalies (W-L-T, GA)

McKeen’s Top 30 – November, 2012

McKeen's staff — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 20:51:41 +0000

Sweden stole the draft headlines in 2011, and this past summer it was defensemen taking the spotlight - with eight of the top 10 picks.

Next June, it could very well be the QMJHL grabbing all the attention.

The 'Q' is back - and in a big way.

Led by the Halifax trio of Nathan MacKinnon, Jonathan Drouin, and top-rated goalie Zach Fucale - seven players from the revitalized QMJHL earned spots in the McKeen's preliminary rankings for the 2013 NHL Draft.

Four other forwards have also stepped up to claim top-round berths - Val d'Or sniper Anthony Mantha, big Rimouski pivot Frederik Gauthier, gritty shooter Adam Erne, and strong-skating William Carrier.

It would mark quite a turnaround for a league that produced just one lone first-rounder last time - Russian import Mikhail Grigorenko.

The 'Q' factor is one of the storylines emerging so far in a draft year that is showing signs of being above-average in quality - and possibly special.

Certainly this draft class are shooting the lights out across junior - and beyond - with three of our top 10 flourishing in European pro leagues in Elias Lindholm, Aleksander Barkov, and Rasmus Ristolainen.

Maintaining or climbing the rankings won't be an easy task however since the depth of talent for 2013 exceeds what we've witnessed over the past few drafts.

Normally, in an average crop year, there are about 15-20 players that initially stand out as distinct first-round candidates.

There won't be any passengers this time around - with at least 40 'A' grade prospects waging battle for a coveted top-30 placing.

We can expect movement among the top tier as well heading into a busy month of November - a key time for NHL scouts to assess how players respond as the level of play elevates.

It's shaping up to be quite a race - in spite of the dampening effect of this tortuous NHL labour dispute.

Really, all we can do is drown ourselves in the World Juniors - and the draft - and hope the powers that be come to their senses - soon.

MCKEEN'S 2013 NHL DRAFT RANKINGS (NOV, 2012)

RANK	PLAYER	POS	HT/WT	BORN	TM (LG)	GP-G-A-PTS
1	Nathan MacKinnon	C	6-0/180	9/1/95	Halifax (QMJHL)	16-18-11-29
2	Seth Jones	D	6-3/205	10/3/94	Portland (WHL)	13-4-6-10
3	Elias Lindholm	C	6-0/185	12/2/94	Brynas (Swe)	19-5-8-13
4	Aleksander Barkov	C	6-2/205	9/2/95	Tappara (Fin)	19-10-9-19
5	Sean Monahan	C	6-2/195	10/12/94	Ottawa (OHL)	14-6-16-22
6	Rasmus Ristolainen	D	6-3/205	10/27/94	TPS Turku (Fin)	17-0-5-5
7	Hunter Shinkaruk	LW	5-10/165	10/13/94	Medicine Hat (WHL)	18-11-14-25
8	Ryan Pulock	D	6-0/210	10/6/94	Brandon (WHL)	16-7-11-18
9	Jonathan Drouin	LW	5-11/185	3/28/95	Halifax (QMJHL)	10-10-13-23
10	Valeri Nichushkin	RW	6-4/195	3/4/95	Chelmet (Rus 2)	15-8-2-10
11	Curtis Lazar	C	6-0/195	2/2/95	Edmonton (WHL)	15-8-3-11
12	Josh Morrissey	D	6-0/185	3/28/95	Prince Albert (WHL)	16-3-11-14
13	Nikita Zadorov	D	6-5/230	4/15/95	London (OHL)	14-0-4-4
14	Robert Hagg	D	6-2/195	2/8/95	MODO (Swe J20)	17-5-9-14
15	Anthony Mantha	RW	6-3/200	9/16/94	Val d'Or (QMJHL)	15-15-13-28
16	Jason Dickinson	C	6-1/180	7/4/95	Guelph (OHL)	15-8-9-17
17	Frederik Gauthier	C	6-4/215	4/26/95	Rimouski (QMJHL)	17-10-10-20
18	Andre Burakovsky	LW	6-1/180	2/9/95	Malmo (Swe 2)	16-0-2-2
19	Zachary Fucale	G	6-1/180	5/28/95	Halifax (QMJHL)	12-1-0, 2.53
20	Max Domi	C	5-9/195	3/2/95	London (OHL)	15-7-13-20
21	Adam Erne	LW	6-1/195	4/20/95	Quebec (QMJHL)	15-11-13-24
22	J.T. Compher	C	5-11/180	4/8/95	NTDP (USA)	6-2-1-3
23	Darnell Nurse	D	6-3/190	2/4/95	Sault Ste Marie (OHL)	16-4-9-13
24	Kerby Rychel	LW	6-1/200	10/7/94	Windsor (OHL)	17-10-5-15
25	Hudson Fasching	C	6-3/195	7/28/95	NTDP (USA)	13-3-5-8
26	Jacob de la Rose	LW	6-2/190	5/20/95	Leksands (Swe 2)	16-1-0-1
27	William Carrier	LW	6-1/200	12/20/94	Cape Breton (QMJHL)	17-10-16-26
28	Shea Theodore	D	6-2/185	8/3/95	Seattle (WHL)	14-4-7-11
29	Bo Horvat	C	6-0/200	4/5/95	London (OHL)	15-6-5-11
30	Eric Comrie	G	6-0/175	7/6/95	Tri-City (WHL)	9-6-2, 2.46
	* Goalies (W-L-T, GA)