Ian Moore – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2025-26 NHL YEARBOOK – ANAHEIM DUCKS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #8

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 17:18:19 +0000

Beckett Sennecke #45 of the Oshawa Generals (Kalvin Taylor/Goodall Media)

Prospect System Ranking – 8th (May 2025 - 5th)
GM: Pat Verbeek Hired: February 2022
COACH: Joel Quenneville Hired: May 2025

The Anaheim Ducks missed the playoffs for a seventh straight season in 2024-25, but brighter days are on the horizon. The club’s young core is beginning to ripen, and the prospect pipeline remains among the league’s best.

For the seventh consecutive year, Anaheim made a top 10 selection at the NHL Draft, this time landing Roger McQueen—an imposing talent who might have gone in the top five if not for a lingering back injury. They followed that by selecting Eric Nilson in the second round, another addition to their top 10 prospects list.

The foundation in Anaheim is already strong, with recent graduates Mason McTavish, Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, and a youthful blue line led by Pavel Mintyukov, Olen Zellweger, and Jackson LaCombe. That group will now be guided by Joel Quenneville, a controversial but accomplished head coach whose experience could be the catalyst for a breakthrough.

Several prospects are knocking on the NHL door. Sam Colangelo emerged as a surprise AHL rookie standout, producing 40 points in 40 games for San Diego before earning 32 NHL appearances. On defense, Tristan Luneau impressed with 52 points in 59 AHL games and is pressing hard for a roster spot despite a crowded back end.

Stian Solberg, meanwhile, had a strong audition in the American League to cap off his 2024-25 campaign. His physical game is NHL ready, though he’s still likely a couple of years from making his debut.

In the CHL, Beckett Sennecke continues to headline the system after another stellar year in Oshawa, amassing 209 points in 180 career junior games. With little left to prove at that level, a nine-game NHL audition in 2025-26 seems probable.

With Quenneville’s guidance and a blend of NHL-ready prospects alongside an emerging core, Anaheim appears poised to end its playoff drought. The Ducks’ youth movement is ready to take flight—and contention could arrive sooner rather than later.

Anaheim Ducks Top-15 Prospects

1 - Beckett Sennecke

No one was more shocked to see Sennecke drafted third overall last year than Sennecke himself, which made for some outstanding memes. However, he was worthy of a high selection thanks to his high-end physical tools, high-end skill, and improving frame. He got off to a late start this past year thanks to a foot fracture, but he had a positive draft year plus one as an offensive leader for the Oshawa Generals. He dominated puck touches the way that you would expect, using his soft hands and reach to help protect the puck and prolong possession. He excels near the crease and has worked hard to improve his release, making him more dangerous in the scoring area. As he continues to build strength, his physicality and off puck play is also becoming more consistent. The projection for Sennecke has not changed; he remains a potential top six forward and should challenge for a roster spot as early as this coming season.

2 - Roger McQueen

The concerns that NHL teams had about McQueen's back issues going into the 2025 draft were justified, but at a certain point the potential reward of drafting him outweighed any potential risks. For the Ducks in particular, who have stockpiled a lot of great young assets in recent years, especially at forward, they were perfectly positioned to roll the dice on him when they did, at 10th overall. The big, smooth, versatile pivot brings a variety of different and desirable attributes to the table and could reach quite a high ceiling once he's fully developed, if everything goes according to plan and he can stay healthy. Every NHL team wants more guys with his package of size and skill. After missing so much time last season due to injury his recent decision to join Providence College in the NCAA in the fall is a gamble, as their schedule of games will be much shorter than Brandon's in the WHL, and he'll have a lot of rust to shake off.

3 - Tristan Luneau

Turning the page and hoping for continued luck regarding health, Tristan Luneau will be looking to crack the NHL lineup for the Anaheim Ducks. Two years in a row he’s had stints with the main club and with a good preseason he might be part of the lineup on day one. The Quebec-born defenceman possesses solid skating ability, using lateral and crossover movements to create space for himself offensively. With his good hockey IQ, he scans for the best options in breakouts and supports his team in zone entries. While Tristan is almost point-per-game at the AHL level, he does not possess a dynamic offence that will translate to the NHL. But a future as a top four defenceman playing the second power play unit is not too far off a reach.

4 - Stian Solberg

The jump from Norwegian pro hockey to the SHL was a tricky adjustment to make for Solberg. Yet somehow, the jump to the AHL was seamless. His style of hockey is perfect for North America. The smaller ice surface lets him close gaps quicker and inflict pain on opponents, his favourite thing to do. He’s tapping into some of his upside at the offensive blueline and puck moving through the neutral zone, which was on full display at the World Championships. He still needs to work on his back skating and his defensive reads, but that’ll come with in time. All things considered, he doesn’t look all that far off from NHL ready. For Solberg, the key is to keep doing what you’re doing. Listen to your coaches and trainers, keep getting reps, and keep playing your brand of hard-nosed hockey. It’s a matter of when, not if, Solberg will earn his spot in Anaheim’s bottom four.

5 - Sam Colangelo

Sam took great steps this past season. Making the switch from any junior/college league is tough but Colangelo adjusted quite well. Pretty much had a 50/50 split, he was point per game at the AHL level in 40 games and had solid production at the NHL level when he got called up for 32 stints. For being a bigger guy, Sam has good north-south skating ability. The strength in his skating lies in transitioning through the neutral zone and possesses solid power in his first strides. He’s got a solid shot but it’s not going to beat goalies cleanly on a consistent basis at the NHL level. However, Sam is good at finding open space and with his strong net-front presence he will find opportunities to finish rebounds. His defensive game still needs work, especially if he wants to have a permanent spot with the big club. It’ll be interesting to see if the experience in his first pro year and another summer of training will result in Sam turning into a more complete player.

6 - Tarin Smith

Smith is one of the best-kept secrets in the WHL right now, but that likely won't last for long, especially after he was just invited by Hockey Canada a few months ago to participate in the World Junior Summer Showcase. The Silvertips emerged as the best team in the league this regular season and he was an essential piece of their success, using his explosive skating ability to drive play up ice and create offensive opportunities for both himself and his teammates. While Everett’s playoff dreams were stopped earlier than expected this past spring, the team should be a top championship contender in 202025-26, which will be valuable experience for Smith. Even though the Ducks are loaded with young defenceman, both inside and outside of the NHL, their success with fellow puck-rushers in Jackson LaCombe and Olen Zellweger suggests that they will find ways to utilize Smith's talents whenever he's ready.

7 - Eric Nilson

Nilson’s versatility and two-way play were key factors in Djurgarden sweeping the major Swedish junior championships (J18 and J20) this season. Despite being pushed down the lineup by other talents, Nilson’s upside is immense. He’s an explosive, shifty skater and dynamically skilled on the puck. He reads the game far, far beyond the junior level. He was only held out of pro competition because of his poor physical strength. A major knock on Nilson has been his teenager-like build and his ability to put on weight, but genetics and his commitment to MSU hockey for the 2025-2026 season could completely eliminate those concerns. It should also help him get some strength behind his shot and help him drive inside more. He’ll never hold an NHL job if he never gets bigger, but Nilson could be one of the biggest steals of the draft if his development goes as expected, with his NHL ceiling being that of a second line center who can impact play in all three zones.

8 - Sasha Pastujov

The Anaheim Ducks seem to have an abundance of offensive talent at their minor league club, and Sasha Pastujov is part of that group. Like Sam Colangelo, Sasha was point per game in his second pro season but did not get to spend time with the NHL club. There have been question marks about his skating and off-puck play but Sasha has removed those doubts. He skates hard and consistently gets up to speed in odd man rushes, while also improving his defensive game in both effort and making plays. The shot has always been good, and he continues to score in multiple different ways. It’s going to be a bloodbath to battle for a roster spot with the Ducks but thanks to his progression in his overall game there is a possibility for him to make an impact.

9 - Ian Moore

At 23 years old, Ian Moore is certainly one of the elder statesmen on this list, but the 2020 third-round pick just turned pro after a full four years at Harvard University. Moore, Harvard’s captain in his Junior and Senior seasons, played in all situations for the Crimson. When he was drafted, it looked as if he may be able to parlay his skating and confidence with the puck into a bit more offence, but he has since become a more responsible two-way blueliner. The mobile 6-foot-3 defender supplied some offence at the college level but will not be relied on for many points as a pro. While he isn’t an offensive creator, he can be counted on to move the puck effectively and get it up ice. Defensively, he uses his skating very effectively as a rush defender, which is a deadly combination with his large frame. Moore should be able to contribute in Anaheim as a bottom-pair blueliner within the next year or two.

10 - Lucas Pettersson

It was a tough season for Petterson. The SHL proved to be too tough for him at his current stage of development. He didn’t have enough offensive oomph to play in MoDo’s top six and didn’t have enough physicality or resilience to play in the bottom six. In addition, he was left off of Sweden’s WJC. If it weren’t for his loan to Ostersunds IK in the HA, there would be bust allegations being lodged against him. He racked up 19 points in 29 games and looked like a dynamic talent with sure-fire top six NHL upside. He can push the pace with high-end skill, high-end skating, strong IQ and creativity… he just does it so inconsistently. He also doesn’t have that physical game that you need to stick it at levels beyond the NHL yet. Despite the challenging year, Pettersson signed his ELC and will get another go around in the SHL on loan with Brynäs. There, he’ll be mentored by former NHLers like Jakob Silfverberg and the legendary Nicklas Bäckström. If that doesn’t help him take a big step, I don’t know what will.

11 - Damian Clara

At 6-foot- 6, Clara possesses a strong technical foundation and moves efficiently in the crease. He flashed some potential in a two-game AHL stint last season once his Liiga campaign had concluded. Despite not being the quickest goalie, Clara has NHL potential thanks to his size and technical ability. He will be making the jump to the SHL with Brynas this fall and should be splitting time with long time pro Collin Delia.

12 - Rodwin Dionicio

Dionicio has NHL size at 6-foot- 2, 205 pounds, and has flashed offensively at every level. Yet, a turbulent AHL season saw him return to Switzerland midstream, where he split time in the NLA and the junior level. Dionicio is not a great mover but has the sense and vision to potentially be a third pairing, power play point man in the NHL. He’ll get another crack at AHL duty this season.

13 - Yegor Sidorov

The skilled Sidorov improved as the year went on in the AHL. In the early going, he still flashed junior habits, often flying the zone and cheating for offence. By season’s end, though, he was a much more active forechecker and showed improved strength along the boards. The NHL path in Anaheim might be difficult, but another solid AHL season for the 21-year-old could set him up for NHL duty down the road.

14 - Maxim Masse

Masse has an NHL frame and a solid skating stride. A responsible player, he also possesses a heavy shot and has the hockey sense to find teammates. The only question is how much of that offence in the QMJHL will translate at the next level, but he has the details and work rate to be a long time NHLer. Sidelined by injury last season, expect him to take another step offensively for Chicoutimi this year.

15 - Nathan Gaucher

Gaucher has struggled to replicate his junior production in the AHL, posting 19 points in 56 games in his second pro season. Nevertheless, Gaucher still possesses NHL tools thanks to his size and strength. Although he doesn’t possess a standout offensive trait, he’s a clever passer in small areas and got power play time as a net-front presence in San Diego. Look for him to try to earn a call-up to Anaheim this season.

MCKEEN’S 2023-24 NHL YEARBOOK – ANAHEIM DUCKS – Top 20 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #2

Brock Otten, Derek Neumeier, Chapin Landvogt and Josh Bell — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 13:44:48 +0000

Anaheim Ducks Top 20 Prospects

MONTREAL, QC - JULY 07: Anaheim Ducks pick Pavel Mintyukov shakes Gary Bettman hand during the first round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft on July 07, 2022 at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire)

1. Leo Carlsson - C

Probably one of the most NHL-ready players coming out of the 2023 draft, it was clear that the well-built 6’3” forward was a certainty to be selected between the 2nd and 6th overall pick this summer. But when Anaheim announced his name as the second overall pick, there was a sense of surprise in the air at Bridgestone Arena. The selection becomes less surprising when one considers that Carlsson has been playing SHL hockey since he was a wiry 16-year-old putting up 3-6-9 (G-A-P) numbers in 35 SHL games while already statistically dominating Sweden’s U20 circuit. Now ranked as Anaheim’s top prospect, Carlsson is coming off a year in which his 10-15-25 numbers in 44 regular season games had him only behind Daniel and Henrik Sedin, Elias Lindholm, and Niklas Backstrom (just barely) for the best ever season among first year draft-eligible players in Sweden’s top league pro league. He then proceeded to add nine playoff points to his totals. His season was further rounded off by another 3-3-6 and +5 numbers over seven WJC contests before checking in with 3-2-5 over eight games at the men’s WC. With an ELC in his pocket, a full-time move to North America could happen as soon as this fall.

2. Pavel Mintyukov - LW

The Ducks are surely over the moon that they were able to land a prospect of Mintyukov' caliber with the 10th overall pick in the 2022 draft. Not only does he possess an enormous amount of raw skill, but he also has an ideal frame and doesn't have any significant weaknesses. He went from playing on a high-flying, firewagon Saginaw team to a much more structured Ottawa club, finishing the season leading all OHL defenders in assists (64) and points (88) and winning the Max Kaminsky Trophy as the OHL’s Most Outstanding Defenseman. He shines the brightest with his offensive play and boy does he shine bright, but with the right development work he could become a premiere off-puck defender as well. If he reaches his full ceiling, he will be a true number-one defenseman who logs boatloads of ice time and contributes significantly on both sides of special teams.

3. Lukas Dostal - G

Sometimes playing on a bad team — or even two bad teams — can have its advantages. Both the Ducks and their AHL-affiliate San Diego Gulls squads struggled last season, which made it easier to give more starts to their hotshot young netminder to see what he can do. As it turns out, Dostal can do a lot, even with little to work with. That's not exactly a surprise, given his prior success in Europe, but it's been strongly reinforced more recently. His stats and record last season don't tell the whole story, as he faced high quantity – many of which were high quality - shots at both levels, pulling out some heroic performances to keep games close and even steal a few wins. He's fast, flexible, and does a great job of being controlled with his movements. His mental game is sharp and focused, while also equally competitive and calm. After getting 19 NHL games last season, look for Dostal to make the permanent jump this campaign.

4. Olen Zellweger - D

When you're a small defenseman you have to be very good in multiple areas in order to be successful in the NHL. Luckily for Zellweger (and the Ducks), not only is he good in multiple areas, but he’s also flat-out exceptional in them. His ability to see the ice and read the play in front of him is almost unparalleled for his age group, and he applies that across all 200 feet of ice, whether that's breaking pucks out of his own end, carrying them through the neutral zone, or picking spots to attack offensively. He's poised under pressure but can also unleash a killer instinct. The two-time winner of the WHL’s Top Defenseman Trophy and 2022-23 CHL Defender of the Year, Zellweger is poised to step into the pros and continue standing out.

5. Tristan Luneau - D

Luneau was the first overall pick in the 2020 QMJHL draft, and it's fair to say that he didn't quite live up to those expectations in his first two years in the league. However, the foundation was always there for him to break out, and he did that in a huge way last season, exploding for a team-high 83 points in 65 games and leading Gatineau to one of the best records in the league, resulting in him being named the QMJHL Defenseman of the Year. There's so much to like about his game: his hockey sense is impressive, he has size and reach, his footwork is clean and mechanically sound, he's dangerous with the puck, and he relishes being a leader and top player on his team. There are a lot of different directions where his game can evolve from here.

6. Nathan Gaucher - C

Gaucher plays a very specific style of hockey and fills a very specific kind of role, but his value comes from the fact that he's one of the best prospects in all of junior hockey who regularly takes on that kind of workload and assignment. He's a shutdown center through and through, with everything that entails including lots of penalty killing, closing out leads late in games, taking important faceoffs, defensive matchups against the top players on opposing teams, and dishing out some snarl and physical punishment. All of it culminated in him being named the Best Defensive Forward in the QMJHL last season en route to QMJHL and Memorial Cup championships. He scored at a point-per-game clip in the QMJHL, but that won't be a big part of his game at higher levels. What Gaucher does might not be glamorous work, but he was a first-round pick by the Ducks and appeared in two World Juniors with Canada because he makes a big difference with how he plays.

7. Jacob Perreault - RW

Perrault had a choice of where to play during the 2021-22 season: stay in the AHL under the continued transfer exemption caused by COVID-19, or head back to the OHL. He chose to stay in the AHL and after a season of seemingly stalled progression you may wonder if it was the wrong choice. His raw natural ability in the offensive zone has always been apparent, especially as someone who can finish plays by getting the puck into the back of the net. The questions have always been about his all-around play and transitioning his scoring from a junior style to more of a professional style. As of right now, those questions remain unanswered. In fairness, some injury troubles and a bad team around him haven't helped. There is still untapped potential with Perreault, but the path is steeper than it was previously.

8. Jackson Lacombe - D

LaCombe's 2022-23 season ended in heartbreak, as his top-ranked University of Minnesota team was eliminated in the Frozen Four championship game by Quinnipiac. Even worse, he was on the ice for the overtime goal that sealed it. But you can't fault him for the loss, because he played his heart out, including blocking a shot with his face earlier in the game. That's not a fun way to end an NCAA career, but he is more than ready now to turn pro. Heck, he might even jump straight into the Ducks lineup, because the roster space is certainly there. He is an impressive skater, two-way contributor, fierce competitor, and natural leader, all of which are always valued in the NHL. He doesn't project as a true power play quarterback, but he'll be a guy who finds ways to produce points from the back end.

9. Tyson Hinds - D

Hinds had size and athleticism going for him in his draft year, while the other main elements of his game were still works in progress. But work on them he did, with the help of Anaheim's development staff. A season and a half later he made Canada's roster for the World Juniors, which is an impressive amount of growth for the former third-round pick. The Ducks selected him for his long-term upside, but this much growth this quickly probably surprises even them. The current package he brings is very enticing, adding much-improved puck skill and 200-foot play to his existing size and athleticism. Defensemen like Hinds eat a lot of minutes because they are so versatile. His floor is very high, and the ceiling keeps looking higher and higher as time goes on.

10. Nico Myatovic - LW

Myatovic's game is built primarily around strength and power, and he has an abundance of both. There aren't many, if any, better forecheckers in all of junior hockey. He chases after dump-ins with the momentum of a runaway freight train, and if he can't cleanly win the footrace to the puck, he's more than happy to land a crushing body check or use his long reach to disrupt the opposing defender's attempt at escaping. He's also an expert at killing penalties and defending empty net situations for similar reasons, aggressively applying pressure high in the zone and routinely forcing the puck out and down the ice. It's not like he's a black hole offensively, either. He can handle the puck well enough at full speed to contribute on the rush, and he is legitimately dangerous around the goal mouth because he does such a great job fighting to get there and then to stay there. The way he plays isn't glamorous, but he brings a lot of value to a roster, as evidenced by how much of a difference-maker he was with the Seattle Thunderbirds in their 2023 WHL championship run.

11. Carey Terrance - C

A versatile forward who brings an element of speed, Terrance plays a high energy, two-way game but has upside as a scorer. He returns to the Erie Otters this year as part of a strong, young group on the upswing.

12. Drew Helleson - D

A defense first defender who just completed his first pro year and even got in a few games with Anaheim. With his length and mobility from the right side, Helleson profiles as a steady #4-5 who can anchor a penalty kill and pair well with an aggressive offensive type. He could challenge for a roster spot this year.

13. Noah Warren - D

Recently moved to Victoriaville, the move should help Warren gain more offensive responsibility to help him round out his profile in his final junior season. The former high pick still profiles as a physical, stay-at-home type and still has top four upside.

14. Coulson Pitre - RW

A recent 3rd round selection by the Ducks, Pitre is a competitive, complementary winger. His hockey sense is a major strength and it allows him to pair well with higher skilled play drivers, as he opens up space for them. Should be a go-to offensive player in Flint (OHL) this year.

15. Sasha Pastujov - RW

The real test for Pastujov begins this coming season at the pro level. He has torched the OHL but there are still concerns over his lack of pace and overall skating affecting his transition to the next level. The upside is still high, and this season should give us an indication of how far away he truly is.

16. Calle Clang - G

Acquired from Pittsburgh in the Rakell trade, Clang got his first, small taste of the AHL last year and will continue with San Diego full time in 2023-24. He is unquestionably Anaheim’s top goaltending prospect after Dostal right now and will be given ample time to continue developing.

17. Benoit Olivier Groulx - C

Time is running out for Groulx, a former high selection and QMJHL star. He is no longer exempt from waivers and this upcoming training camp will be a huge one for him. His offensive game has yet to truly develop at the pro level, but he can still offer value as a defensively oriented checker on the bottom lines.

18. Ian Moore - D

Moore, an athletic two-way defender, has progressed well at Harvard through his first two years in college. He is returning for his junior year and the Ducks will be looking for him to take another step offensively. He still likely projects as more of a Drew Helleson-esque stay at home type.

19. Brayden Tracey - LW

This upcoming season will be a huge one for the former first round pick. A talented goal scorer, Tracey’s offensive production at the AHL level has been disappointing thus far. He has had trouble adjusting to the pace of the pro game. His days in the system could be numbered if he does not take a step forward this year.

20. Sam Colangelo - RW

Colangelo is hoping that a transfer to Western Michigan (from Northeastern) for his senior year can help him unlock his potential as a dominant two-way winger. He uses his size well to be disruptive and to protect the puck, but his on-puck play and production has remained inconsistent. He still has middle six upside.

MCKEEN’S 2023 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #2 Anaheim Ducks

Derek Neumeier — Fri, 26 May 2023 13:22:19 +0000

Prospect System Ranking – 2^nd (2^nd last year)

The first year in a new era in Anaheim under Pat Verbeek did not yield the on-ice step forward the franchise was hoping for. They have had three outstanding graduates from the 2019, 2020, and 2021 drafts in Trevor Zegras (9^th), Jamie Drysdale (6^th) and Mason McTavish (3^rd) respectively. First round pick Isac Lundestrom (23^rd) from 2018 has also made the club. They are joined by emerging star, Troy Terry. Verbeek began his tenure moving veterans in Hampus Lindholm and Rickard Rakell for picks including a first (Nathan Gaucher, 22^nd) and three second round picks. He has been relatively quiet since then, but likely to be active around the draft. They secured the second overall pick in the upcoming draft, and are likely to take Adam Fantilli, who would likely go first in most drafts not including Connor Bedard. That will give them a dynamite middle of the ice in Zegras, McTavish and Fantilli that will compete with any team in the league in a few years.

In addition to the second overall pick, they also have six picks in the first three rounds of the 2023 NHL Draft to add to a deep pool of prospects. That pool includes Lukas Dostal, who should graduate to the NHL next season, and represents their future in net, and one of the brightest goaltending prospects in the league. Named the best defenseman in the OHL this past season, Pavel Mintyukov, taken 10^th overall in 2022, showed number one defenseman potential. Olen Zellweger, also named defender of the year in the WHL, is looking one of the steals of the 2021 draft. He is ranked #21 on our list of top prospects and he, Mintyukov and Drysdale will be the core of their defense for years.The Ducks have many of the pieces in place to begin climbing the standings.

Pavel Mintyukov

The Ducks are surely over the moon that they were able to land a prospect of Mintyukov' caliber with the 10th overall pick in the 2022 draft. Not only does he possess an enormous amount of raw skill, he also has an ideal frame and doesn't have any significant weaknesses. He went from playing on a high-flying, firewagon Saginaw team to a much more structured Ottawa club, and while his statistical output has since slowed down the change helped him round out his game while he chases a league championship. He shines the brightest with his offensive play and boy does he shine bright, but with the right development work he could become a premiere off-puck defender as well. If he reaches his full ceiling, he will be a true number-one defenseman who logs boatloads of ice time and contributes significantly on both sides of special teams.

2. Lukas Dostal

Sometimes playing on a bad team — or even two bad teams — can have its advantages. Both the Ducks and their AHL-affiliate Gulls have struggled this season, which has made it easier to give more starts to their hotshot young netminder to see what he can do. As it turns out, Dostal can do a lot, even with little to work with. That's not exactly a surprise, given his prior success in Europe, but it's been strongly reinforced now. His stats and record on the season don't tell the whole story, as he has faced high quality and quantities of shots at both levels, pulling out some heroic performances to keep games close and even steal a few wins. He's fast, flexible and does a great job of being controlled with his movements. His mental game is sharp and focused, while also equally competitive and calm. Expect him in the NHL full time next season.

3. Olen Zellweger

When you're a small defenseman you have to be very good in multiple different areas in order to be successful in the NHL. Luckily for Zellweger (and the Ducks), not only is he good in multiple different areas, he's flat-out exceptional in them. His ability to see the ice and read the play in front of him is almost unparalleled for his age group, and he applies that across all 200 feet of ice, whether that's breaking pucks out of his own end, carrying them through the neutral zone, or picking spots to attack offensively. He's poised under pressure but can also unleash a killer instinct. The reigning WHL defenseman of the year is well on his way to a repeat of that award, and with his padded resume of big-game hockey he shouldn't be phased at all by the bright lights of the Memorial Cup.

4. Jacob Perreault

Perrault had a choice for where to play in the 2021-22 season: stay in the AHL under the continued transfer exemption caused by COVID-19, or head back to the OHL. He chose to stay in the AHL, and after a season of seemingly stalled progression it's hard to wonder if it was the wrong choice. His raw natural ability in the offensive zone has always been apparent, especially as someone who can finish plays by getting the puck into the back of the net. The questions have always been about his all-around play and transitioning his scoring from a junior style to more of a professional style. As of right now, following a setback points-wise, those questions remain unanswered. In fairness, some injury troubles and a bad team around him haven't helped. There is still untapped potential with Perreault, but the path is steeped than it was previously.

5. Nathan Gaucher

Gaucher plays a very specific style of hockey and fills a very specific kind of role, but his value comes from the fact that he's one of the best prospects in all of junior hockey with that kind of workload and assignment. He's a shutdown center through and through, with everything that entails: lots of penalty killing, closing out leads late in games, taking important faceoffs, defensive matchups against the top players on opposing teams, and dishing out some snarl and physical punishment. He does score at a point-per-game clip in the QMJHL, but that won't be a big part of his game at higher levels. What Gaucher does might not be glamorous work, but he was a 1st-round pick by the Ducks and appeared in two World Juniors with Canada because he makes a big difference with how he plays.

6. Tristan Luneau

Luneau was the 1st overall pick in the 2020 QMJHL draft, and it's fair to say that he didn't quite live up those expectations in his first two years in the league. However, the foundation was always there for him to break out, and he did that in a huge way this season, exploding for a team-high 83 points in 65 games and leading Gatineau to one of the best records in the league. They're still going strong in the playoffs and could realistically win it all. There's so much to like about his game: his hockey sense is impressive, he has size and reach, his footwork is clean and mechanically sound, he's dangerous with the puck, and he relishes being a leader and top player on his team. There are a lot of different directions where his game can evolve from here.

7. Jackson Lacombe

LaCombe's 2023-24 season ended in heartbreak, as his top-ranked University of Minnesota team was eliminated in the Frozen Four championship game by Quinnipiac. Even worse, he was on the ice for the overtime goal that sealed it. But you can't fault him for the loss, because he played his heart out, including blocking a shot with his face earlier in the game. That's not a fun way to end an NCAA career, but he is more than ready now to turn pro. Heck, he might even jump straight into the Ducks lineup, because the roster space is certainly there. He is an impressive skater, two-way contributor, fierce competitor and natural leader, and all those attributes are always valued in the NHL. He doesn't project as a true powerplay quarterback, but he'll be a guy who finds ways to produce points from the back end.

8. Tyson Hinds

Hinds had size and athleticism going for him in his draft year, while the other main elements of his game were still a work in progress. But work on them he did, with the help of Anaheim's development staff. A season and a half later he made Canada's roster for the World Juniors, which is an impressive amount of growth for the former 3rd-round pick. The Ducks selected him for his long-term upside, but this much growth this quickly probably surprises even them. The current package he brings is very enticing, adding much-improved puck skill and 200-foot play to the existing size and athleticism. These kinds of defensemen eat a lot of minutes because they are so versatile. His floor for Hinds is very high, and the ceiling keeps looking higher and higher as time goes on.

9. Drew Helleson

The 2022-23 season has been aggressively unkind to the San Diego Gulls, and a campaign like that is usually hardest on defensemen. However, lessons can still be learned through struggle, and that will be what Helleson, a rookie professional, will need to focus on. If anything, he can contrast it with the success has already gotten to experience in his career, first with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program and then Boston College. Getting a taste of both winning and losing will help him better understand what it takes to achieve the former. His best attributes are his smarts, work ethic and competitiveness, and he backs them up with a reasonably well-balanced skill package. While his overall profile might not seem very exciting, any coach worthy of his clipboard will know the value of a player like this.

10. Noah Warren

Warren's story is very similar to Hinds': a big, athletic defenseman out of the QMJHL who is still a little on the raw side but could be a very special player down the road with the right training, experience and development. Getting to play on one of the best teams in the league this season is a good kickstart in some ways, though Gatineau's competition for ice time among blueliners — especially on the powerplay — isn't exactly ideal for him. Regardless, his game would always lean more to the defensive side than the offensive side in any environment, and focusing on that isn't necessarily a bad thing, since he has all the tools necessary to become an elite shutdown defender one day. Anaheim's prospect pipeline is loaded with defensive depth, so they'll give him plenty of time to round out his game as much as possible at the lower levels.

MCKEEN’S 2023 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #9 Arizona Coyotes

Derek Neumeier — Mon, 22 May 2023 15:11:54 +0000

There has been a lot of losing in the desert over the years with only one playoff appearance in 11 years. That should translate to a lot of high draft picks to populate the prospect pipeline. They did have to forfeit a second-round pick in 2020 and a first in 2021, GM Bill Armstrong’s first draft in the driver’s seat. Nonetheless, development has been an issue as many high picks have just not reached their potential compared to where they were drafted. Only four graduations in Janis Moser, Matias Maccelli, Barrett Hayton, and Kevin Bahl in the last five drafts. They may all be fine NHL’ers but few home runs. 2019 11^th overall pick Victor Soderstrom has not made the leap yet and seems stagnant as a prospect.

Since Armstrong has been in charge, they have added two blue chip prospects, including the number one overall prospect on our McKeen’s list in Logan Cooley. He is followed closely by number six ranked Dylan Guenther. Last year’s 11^th overall pick, Conor Geekie ranks #49 on our list, and brings size, strength, puck skills, hands and a good shot in an intriguing package with the right development. Jan Jenik would likely have joined the graduate list in a breakout season if not for injuries. The Coyotes have 12 picks in the first three rounds of the next two drafts, 2023 and 2024. Armstrong has been busily gathering those in trades. How he deploys them may best be seen in his flipping three picks (#27, #34, #45) for the 11^th pick, in which he grabbed Geekie after getting Cooley third. He has extracted reasonable prices in moving his veterans, but how he and the organization handle the development of these promising pieces going forward will be critical if they are ever to be competitive. That is how we will know change has indeed arrived in Arizona.

TEMPE, AZ - NOVEMBER 26: University of Minnesota Forward Logan Cooley (92) looks to break up a pass during a College Hockey game between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Arizona State Sun Devils on November 26th, 2022, at Mullett Arena in Tempe, AZ. (Photo by Zac BonDurant/Icon Sportswire)

Logan Cooley

Cooley grew up in Pittsburgh during the peak of Sidney Crosby's career, and it's almost uncanny how much of the former's game has been clearly influenced by the latter. While the University of Minnesota center doesn't project to become a generational player like Sid is, his game is built around a very similar foundation: ample lower body strength and balance, excellent hockey sense, tenacious competitiveness, sublime puck skill, commitment in all three zones and an advanced maturity for how he conducts himself. There were some scouts in the industry who argued for him to be the first prospect picked in the 2022 draft, and that argument is even stronger now than it was a year ago. Arizona is trying to build things from the ground up (figuratively and literally), and Cooley is about as good as it gets for a foundational piece to build around.

2. Dylan Guenther

Guenther started his 2022-23 season in the NHL and looked right at home, scoring at a nice clip. When Arizona let him go to the World Juniors and then back to the WHL afterwards it wasn't done as a punishment — it was to let him stretch his legs a little more, add a gold medal that he didn't already have, maybe get a healthy crack at the Memorial Cup after injuries held him out last year, and come back to the NHL an even better player next year. It must feel like a punishment to all the junior-aged players he's going up against, though, because he's basically too good for this level now. He was lighting up the WHL playoffs in Seattle and barely looked like he was breaking a sweat doing it. He should enjoy the moment, because once he's back in the NHL he won't be leaving again.

3. Conor Geekie

Geekie did not seem to progress very much this season compared to last season, which is concerning when you consider the incredibly favourable situation he is in, playing on a dominant Winnipeg Ice team. With talented linemates to work with, and opposing defense spread thin with too much to handle, it should have been a feast for a prospect with such an overflowing toolbox. Instead, he blended into the scenery more than he stood out. Luckily for the Coyotes, though, there is still a ton here for their development staff to work with. His puck skills, hands and shot are all high end, and he should be able to make improvements with his skating ability and using his size and strength to bully opposing defenses in the cycle. When all the cylinders are firing for him at the same time, he's one of the scariest prospects in the country, and getting that to happen more frequently is the long-term focus.

4. Jan Jenik

It's a real shame that Jenik has battled through injury issues this season, because if he had stayed healthy he was on course to have a big breakout season in the NHL. He is one of the most well-rounded and complete players in the Coyotes organization, and it's hard to find any real faults in his game. Coaches love to send him over the boards in various situations because he's always around the puck or involved in the play, battling or thinking his way into earning copious puck touches, and when he gets to work in the offensive zone, he is very hard to contain thanks to his size, puck skill and offensive versatility. Everything about his game just screams long-term professional. Expect him to see a lot of NHL minutes next season if he is healthy.

5. Victor Soderstrom

After three seasons in North America Soderstrom has still yet to establish himself as a full-time NHLer, and questions are beginning to arise about where things are going to go with his career next. It's never a good sign when a player hits a plateau season over season in his early 20s. His mobility and hands are both still assets, but he is having trouble utilizing them in ways that make a positive difference. The offensive production isn't really coming along, and he's struggling with defending and moving pucks out of trouble. At the same time, the whole organization is going through growing pains, so further patience is needed to fully analyze the situation. The Coyotes want Soderstrom to be a key piece on their roster and will likely give him more chances to prove that he can be one.

6. Josh Doan

Doan finds himself in a truly unique situation, not just as the son of a former NHLer who was drafted by the same organization that his father starred for, but also because he is already playing in the same state that his dad helped bring hockey to for the first time. But if the built-in expectations and scrutiny created any unwanted pressure, the younger Doan certainly doesn't show its effects. If anything, he seems to relish being a future face of hockey in Arizona. His game presents a three-zone blend of skill, grit and leadership, and there is little question where he gets that from. He'll be a huge part of this organization for years to come, both as someone who can log a lot of ice time in all situations, and also as someone that can help instill a culture and identity in the locker room.

7. Maveric Lamoureux

Lamoureux missed the first half of his season due to injury, and once he was healthy joined a Voltigeurs team that has struggled to climb out of the basement of the league. But what matters most is that he's playing again, and in an important role, because he is very much a long-term project who needs as much ice time as possible if he's going to reach his full potential. It's so rare to find a prospect of this size who has this much raw skating ability, but that kind of player usually takes a long time to grow into his body and figure out the necessary small-area skill. The hope is that his reach and range will help him eventually grow into a space-dominating player who can log Top 4 minutes without having to expend as much energy as other defenders moving around the ice.

8. Julian Lutz

EHC München did a fantastic job of developing young Buffalo Sabres winger John-Jason Peterka, and the Coyotes are hoping that the same environment — which notably features a few former NHLers on the roster — will have similar benefits on Lutz. It has been a tough couple of years for the highly touted German winger, as injuries have limited his games played and, in turn, held back his growth. He possesses a high-end shot and the frame and hands to protect pucks, but the actual goals haven't materialized for him much lately because he's still working on how to get into prime shooting spots against top competition. Correcting his stiff skating stride and gaining more agility will be his main focuses moving forward, as right now it's too easy to gap up on him and neutralize him from the play.

9. Artyom Duda

Duda is a real jack-of-all trades defenseman, and already plays a very professional style of game that is responsible yet effective. He's the type of blueliner who you don't notice often, good or bad, but usually ends up with a few points on the score sheet. He's just very efficient with his puck touches, moving the play up the ice over and over with minimal mistakes, and then helping find ways to crack opposing defenses from the blueline in. It doesn't have to be exciting work, so long as it leads to more goals scored than goals allowed, which he accomplishes. He's even started slowly doing that at Russia's higher levels, too, spending about half of his 2022-23 season in his nation's top two pro leagues and holding his own. He might even have what it takes to move to the KHL full-time next year.

10. Aku Raty

The older brother of Vancouver Canucks prospect Aatu Räty, Aku isn't as purely talented as his younger sibling, but the argument could easily be made that he's a more well-rounded player. He was drafted for attributes like his forechecking, consistent effort and responsible off-puck play, but maybe there is some brotherly sharing of tips and tricks going on, because he played his way up the lineup into a Top 6 role this season and didn't look out of place at all, emerging as one of the top scorers for Ilves. After a season like that in a professional league, combined with his ability to thrive as a Bottom 6 winger, it's easy to project Räty as an eventual NHLer, with the possibility that he could become a true core piece on a team's roster. Championship teams can't be made up of entirely star players, after all.

MCKEEN’S 2022-23 NHL YEARBOOK – ANAHEIM DUCKS – Top 20 Prospects

Contributors: Brock Otten, Dylan Krill, Arlo Schulz, Eloi Biondi, Ethan Hetu, — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 17:50:18 +0000

VANCOUVER, BC - NOVEMBER 09: Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish (37) is checked by Vancouver Canucks left wing Nils Hoglander (21) during their NHL game at Rogers Arena on November 9, 2021 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire)

1 - Mason McTavish C OHL

The 3^rd overall selection in the 2021 NHL Draft, Mason McTavish has proved himself worthy of the pick ever since the day he was drafted. Coming into the draft, McTavish’s draft stock had risen dramatically, and was a bit of a surprise to some when he was selected 3rd overall, but since then, he has shined and looks like a very promising prospect that will be a big part of a young Ducks future core. McTavish’s journey in the last two years has been anything but ordinary. During his draft year with the OHL shutdown, McTavish opted to go play pro in Europe in the Swiss League. During his 13 games he put up 11 points (9G,2A). After his time in Europe, McTavish was selected to play for Team Canada in the U18 WJC and had a very successful tournament with 11 points (5G,6A) in seven games. During the 21-22 season, McTavish seemed to be playing everywhere possible. Spending nine games in the NHL, three in the AHL, 29 in the OHL between two teams, 5 games in the Olympics and also played in the U20 WJC, winning gold as the captain. Two of McTavish’s best assets are undoubtedly his elite shot and puck control. McTavish’s shot has always been his best tool, finding ways to find the back of the net at every level he’s played. His blend of strength and creativity make him dominant with the puck on his stick. Being able to drive his way to the net and show little difficulty controlling in traffic. He has the hands to beat opponents one-on-one consistently. Moving into this year, McTavish will have the opportunity to take a leap into a full-time role in the NHL. - DK

2 - Pavel Mintyukov D OHL

The 10^th overall selection in the 2022 NHL Draft, Pavel Mintyukov is looking to have another big year in the OHL after having a very successful season with Saginaw, putting up 62 points (17G,45A) in 67 games. Mintyukov was one of the most diverse prospects in the NHL draft because of his unique style of play. His talent is unquestionably high-end, but the way he utilizes his tools makes some scouts think that he won’t be as effective in the NHL, and even a liability at times. His aggressive offensive game makes him dangerous with the puck on his stick, but there are times he’s over-aggressive which results in him out of position. Despite being highly talented offensively, he is still strong defensively and is able to shutdown plays with both his stick and physicality, both in the defensive zone and in transition. Mintyukov’s best assets are his offensive awareness and playmaking. He has the ability to create high danger chances consistently and he does so with great poise, never looking overwhelmed, making his ceiling very high. Going into next year, Mintyukov will play another year in the OHL and look to take a step forward to become more of a complete defenseman. He will likely be in a much better situation as well, with a much more competitive Saginaw Spirit team which will help boost his confidence. With more confidence and better players to play with, Mintyukov has the potential to become the best defenseman in the OHL this year. - DK

3 - Olen Zellweger D WHL

It was a meteoric rise to stardom for Zellweger in his draft+1 year. After being plucked in the 2^nd round by the Ducks in 2021, the undersized blueliner exploded for 78 points in just 55 games with the Silvertips and followed up with a strong performance at the IIHF under-20 tournament, earning a gold medal in the process. Perhaps we should have seen this breakout coming; Zellweger had a strong finish to his 2020-21 season and was one of the fastest risers in that year’s draft class. An effortless skater, Zellweger’s meal ticket is his escapability. His high panic threshold combined with decent vision and strong distribution skills makes him the ideal puck manager for zone exits. Zellweger can play either side of the ice with ease and took another step forward offensively last year, showing that he can be a powerplay weapon. Like many young players of his stature, Zellweger needs to improve his physical play and engage more often, not just along the boards but also in front of his net in tying up opposing forwards, for example. His positioning defensively is also still erratic from time to time, but Zellweger possesses a high hockey IQ that will allow him to learn and absorb the nuances of his position quickly. He is one of the youngest players from his draft class and oozes upside and potential. He is likely slated to return to junior for one more season in Everett. - AS

4 - Lukas Dostal G AHL

After a second consecutive strong season in the AHL, Dostal has cemented his place among the best goaltending prospects outside of the NHL. The former winner of the Urpo Ylonen award (best netminder in the Finnish Liiga), Dostal appears to be an injury/trade (of Gibson/Stolarz) away from being an NHL starter. The 6’2 netminder combines athleticism and aggressiveness to dominate the crease. He moves extremely well laterally and has excellent agility, allowing him to be aggressive in challenging shooters outside of the blue paint. This helps him to cut down angles and battle for sight lines, given that he is only “average”-sized compared to today’s ideal goaltender. He also possesses a strong glove hand that helps him to take away the upper portion of the net. At this point, Dostal has proven himself at every level outside of the NHL. He dominated the Finnish men’s league. He’s put forward two strong seasons in the AHL. He even earned his first NHL victory this past season against the Detroit Red Wings, making 33 saves in a shootout win. At this point, the only thing keeping him out of the NHL is the fact that Anaheim already has two quality NHL netminders. Knocking on the door, it’s a matter of when, not if, Dostal becomes a permanent NHL’er. His ceiling is that of one of the best goaltenders in the NHL. - BO

5 - Jacob Perreault RW AHL

Perreault’s second AHL season went much better than his first, especially when you consider that under normal circumstances, he would not have been able to play in the AHL. Still age eligible for the OHL, Perreault was able to continue to play with San Diego (along with some other OHL-eligible players) because he played in the league last year through an exception. He looked significantly more confident with the puck this past year, showing a consistent ability to drive play (with pace) thanks to his speed and skill combination. Additionally, he still has that big shot that makes him such a strong finisher (even if the 14 goals in the AHL might not suggest that). Another big difference for Perreault this year was the increase in physical intensity. He was a much more willing combatant in the corners and trying to get to the net by playing through traffic. This added physicality will most definitely help him to become an NHL player. Moving forward, Perreault will just need to continue to improve his decision making with the puck and his effort across all three zones. He earned a one game look with Anaheim last year and certainly deserves to get more games this coming season. While penciling him in as a full time NHL player in 2022/23 may be slightly optimistic, there is no doubt that he is trending in the right direction and looks like a future top six winger for the Ducks. - BO

6 - Nathan Gaucher C QMJHL

Nathan Gaucher was considered by many as the top prospect coming out of the QMJHL for the most recent 2022 NHL Draft. Without many surprises, he was selected 22^nd overall by the Anaheim Ducks. What makes Gaucher so enticing to NHL teams is not his flashy skills or finesse, but much more the little details about his game that makes him extremely projectable to the next level. Gaucher is a relentless forechecker. He uses his body in very smart ways to separate the opponent from the puck or deliver heavy checks. Gaucher pairs this physical aspect of his game with very good north-south skating. His strides are long and powerful and permit him to win a lot of races to loose pucks and to power his way through in transitions. Gaucher also possesses a great sense of anticipation for the game. He can frequently prevent plays by doing well-timed interceptions as well as some crafty passes to teammates. He played a very important role in Patrick Roy’s Quebec Remparts this season by being utilized in all situations. Gaucher’s very effective two-way game awarded him the Guy Carbonneau Award as the best defensive forward at 18 years old. Gaucher's strong two-way play also helped him secure a spot on the 2022 Team Canada squad, where he helped them win gold. Gaucher will return next season once again with a strong Quebec Remparts team where they’re expecting to make a good run.

7 - Henry Thrun D US

Henry Thrun was a fourth-round pick at the 2019 NHL draft, getting selected by the Ducks just outside of the top-100 picks. Thrun was a member of an extremely talented US National Team Development Program and has since continued his development at Harvard University. With the Crimson, Thrun has grown to be the team’s most heavily used, reliable defenseman. Thrun played nearly 25 minutes per night at Harvard last season and was by far the team’s highest-scoring blueliner. Thrun’s on-ice profile is built on a strong foundation, which is Thrun’s ability to make quick reads and turn those quick reads into simple, effective plays. On each shift, in each situation, Thrun will quickly see what he wants to do, and execute his envisioned best play without much delay or hesitation. He’s decisive, and his reliance on quick decision-making has meant that the minutes he plays are, generally speaking, safe. He’s not the sort of player who will look to flip a game on its head and take over a shift, imposing his will on an opponent. Instead, Thrun quickly accepts the current state of the game and looks to make the best possible play within his given parameters of each shift. There’s value in that approach, namely in its consistency, reliability, and overall safety. But as a number-one defenseman, which is the role he plays at Harvard, he can sometimes leave you wanting more. His scoring numbers in college were great, but his numbers rarely came as a product of his own creation, rather he piled points as a safety valve for his teammates, helping them play at their best in the offensive zone. Overall, the positives in Thrun’s game are definitely notable, and if he can continue to play his style of game, he could see himself playing in the NHL sooner rather than later, likely with a career as someone who can anchor a third pairing and contribute as a safe special team’s option. - EH

8 - Jackson Lacombe D US

One of the byproducts of the Anaheim Ducks’ stellar drafting in recent years is some highly talented prospects aren’t getting the level of attention or respect they’d likely receive were they drafted into organizations with thinner prospect pools. Jackson Lacombe might be one of those prospects, as the Ducks have such a talented crop of young blueliners that it’s easy for some to forget that Lacombe has a place in their blueline’s future as well. Lacombe was drafted near the top of the second round at the 2019 draft and has spent the three seasons after his draft selection at the University of Minnesota. Lacombe’s first year as a Gopher was uneven, but he’s really come into his own as he’s gotten some more games under his belt. The six-foot-one left-shot blueliner led all Gopher defensemen in scoring last season and has blossomed into a high-end college defenseman. Lacombe’s development has been encouraging, and the reputation he once had as a dangerous offense-first blueliner has given way to a more balanced profile as he’s rounded out the other elements in his game. Before, Lacombe’s reputation as a “dangerous” offensive defenseman extended to both teams, as he was just as likely to create a scoring chance for his teammates as he was to give way to a scoring chance for his opponents. Now, Lacombe’s game has found more balance, and he’s gotten better at utilizing his size and positioning to give defensive value. The recklessness in his game still rears its head, and that raises questions about how well he’ll fare in his own end as a pro. But the offensive talent is there, and if he can weather the storm against professional opposition, he can have an NHL career. - EH

9 - Drew Helleson D US

Drew Helleson is the sort of prospect one might easily envision playing all four years in college before making a transition to the professional game. Helleson didn’t do that, signing with the Anaheim Ducks after just his third season as a Boston College Eagle. Helleson’s eagerness to jump to the professional game speaks to his style and who he is as a prospect. As a senior, Helleson set new career-high marks in offensive production and minutes played. His stock as a prospect steadily rose, and the improvement in his overall reputation is reflected in his selection to the United States’ squad for the Beijing Winter Olympics. Helleson is a defense-first prospect, but not one that’s too outdated to have upside in the modern NHL. Despite his crease-clearing shutdown style, Helleson has two-way chops to his game. He’s a good skater, gets around the ice well, and has the mobility you want from defensemen today. He can help a team in transition and demonstrates great poise when both leading and defending against rushes. In his own zone, Helleson uses his size to stymie opposing chances and can properly diagnose a developing play and move quickly to diffuse it. His offensive style might take some time to translate to the pro game, as the safety and simplicity he provides on the defensive side of the game bleeds into his offense, leading him to be more conservative than he needs to, a trait that will hurt his productivity against talented pro defenders. Helleson is a relatively safe prospect, with the floor of a capable bottom-pairing defensive specialist. If he can work out how to contribute on offense as a pro, he can potentially become a contending team’s fourth defenseman. - EH

10 - Noah Warren D QMJHL

The 6’5” defenseman is big-bodied and plays a very defense-oriented type of game. Playing this season alongside fellow Anaheim draft pick Tristan Luneau, they both formed one of the best defensive duos in the QMJHL last season. Warren is also an excellent skater for his size, as he had one of the best results in the straight-line skating tests at the CHL top prospects combine. This combination of size, skating, and a sound defensive game made Anaheim pick him even higher than teammate Tristan Luneau. Warren should look to improve his offensive game and his decision-making for years to come. How much of his offensive potential can be unlocked? He can dazzle occasionally as a puck rusher, showing an ability to use his strong stride to lead the attack. However, there are many moments where he does not look skilled enough or poised enough to be a point producer. With Quebec this season, hopefully he can take steps forward to proving that he can be more than just a stay-at-home type. At the very least, his combination of physicality, size, and mobility should make him a #4-6 defender for the Ducks in the future. - EB

11 - Tristan Luneau

An intelligent and mobile two-way defender, the focus for Luneau will be to stay healthy this season after injuries derailed his draft year.

12- Brayden Tracey

His development in the WHL appeared to have plateaued, but his first pro season was a success. His offensive awareness makes him a strong complementary player.

13 - Sam Colangelo

A big, power winger, Colangelo is coming off of a strong sophomore season. His ability to prolong possession down low is impressive and he will be looking to take yet another step forward as a junior at Northeastern this season.

14 - Sasha Pastujov

Once established inside the offensive zone, Pastujov can be a major offensive weapon. His shot is a major asset. However, his skating still needs to be upgraded in order for him to become a top six forward at the pro level.

15- Benoit-Olivier Groulx

A competitive two-way forward, Groulx split the year between Anaheim and San Diego last season. His versatility and tenacity make him a likely bottom six forward.

16 - Calle Clang

Acquired as part of the Rakell to Pittsburgh trade, Clang is starting to look the part of a potential NHL netminder. He will look to be a starter in the SHL this season before crossing the pond.

17 - Sean Tschigerl

A speedy forward with a big shot, Tschigerl is coming off a strong season on a young Calgary (WHL) team. The focus this season will be on him to reach another level as a team leader on the Hitmen.

18 - Ian Moore

Moore is a dependable two-way defender at Harvard who shows strong defensive potential, especially because of his combination of length and mobility.

19 - Hunter Drew

Drew has emerged as a potential NHL player after improving every year of his first three pro seasons. He is very versatile with the ability to play defense and forward and brings consistent physicality.

20 - Urho Vaakanainen

Acquired in the Hampus Lindholm deal with Boston, Vaakanainen is a former first rounder by Boston who has a chance to be a solid third pairing defensive defender for the Ducks.

2022 IIHF World Junior Championship Preview

Zack Szweras — Tue, 09 Aug 2022 13:26:09 +0000

World Juniors’ Preview

Group A:

There is going to be a ton of competition out of this group, between Canada, Finland and Czechia. With this tournament being held in August, there will be omissions of players attending NHL training camp with the hope of making their respective NHL rosters. It will be interesting to see which countries will benefit the most from this.

Czechia

Line Projections

Jiri Kulich – Michal Gut – Jan Mysak

Ivan Ivan – Gabriel Szturc – Petr Hauser

Martin Rysavy – Matyas Sapovaliv – Jaroslav Chmelar

Tomas Urban – Matous Mensik – Jakub Kos

Stanislav Svozil – David Jiricek

Jiri Tichacek – Stepan Nemec

Tomas Hamara – David Spacek

Jan Bednar

Tomas Suchanek

Czechia is entering this tournament with one of the more complete group of defencemen. Highlighted by Columbus Blue Jacket’s prospects David Jiricek and Stanislav Svozil, it will be tough to get around their big-bodied defence. On top of that, Tomas Hamara, David Spacek and Jiri Tichacek can provide offence from the blueline. Currently David Jiricek did not travel with the team as he tested positive for COVID.

To complement their defence, they also have NHL drafted forwards spread through their lineup. The most notable names include Jiri Kulich, who was recently selected 28th in the 2022 entry draft from the Buffalo Sabres, Jan Mysak the Canadiens prospect who produced this year for the Hamilton Bulldogs on their way to win the OHL cup and Matyas Sapovaliv, the playmaking power forward taken in the 2nd round of this year’s draft by the Las Vegas Golden Knights. Everett Silvertips’ center Michal Gut will look to provide his improved playmaking, likely playing alongside goal scorers Kulich and Mysak.

Lastly, they will be looking for solid goaltending from Detroit Red Wings’ prospect Jan Bednar. With all their skill in their top-six forwards and on their blueline, Czechia will have to hope their depth can hold up and keep up with powerhouses like Finland and Canada.

Canada

Josh Roy – Mason McTavish – Connor Bedard

Kent Johnson– Logan Stankoven – Tyson Forester

Brennan Othman – Ridley Greig – William Dufour

Will Cuylle – Elliot Desnoyers – Nathan Gaucher

Donovan Sebrango – Olen Zellweger

Ryan O’Rourke – Lukas Cormier

Ronan Seely – Jack Thompson

Dylan Garand

Brett Brochu

While the Canadian team looks drastically different from the cancelled January World Juniors, they still have a strong chance of going far in this tournament. Offensively, Canada is loaded with the likes of Mason McTavish, Kent Johnson, Logan Stankoven and of course, 2023 projected first overall pick, Connor Bedard. Mason McTavish looked dominant in the January World Juniors. Using his combination of size, speed and skill to bully opponents, he will look to continue his success. The potential pairing of Kent Johnson and Logan Stankoven should be extremely fun to watch, as Johnson has elite skill often undressing defenders and Stankoven dominated the WHL last year, winning not only the WHL but the CHL player of the year award. Lastly, who can forget the name Connor Bedard, the 17-year-old phenom is coming off a season in which he produced 100 points in 61 WHL games and don’t forget he became the second 16-year-old to score a hat trick for Canada in the cancelled January World Juniors since some guy named Wayne Gretzky.

Defensively, Canada took a large blow losing both Kaiden Guhle and Owen Power, however they still have plenty of talent with Olen Zellweger, Ryan O’Rourke and Lukas Cormier. Olen Zellweger took his offensive game to another level last year producing 78 points in 55 games as an 18-year-old. He will see time running Canada’s powerplay. O’Rourke is a strong two-way defenceman who never takes a shift off, always trying to be involved, whether it’s a big hit, transition pass or a poke check to change momentum. O’Rourke will likely be paired with Lukas Cormier as Cormier is an extremely gifted offensive defenceman. While O’Rourke can bring strong defensive presence, Cormier will look for opportunities to transition the puck and join the odd man rush.

The final question for Canada is their goaltending. They are coming into the tournament with three solid options in Dylan Garand, Brett Brochu and Sebastian Cossa. All indications point to Garand and Brochu battling it out for the starting goaltending position. No matter who takes the net, Canada should be comfortable with all options available. Canada will be a team to beat this tournament.

Slovakia

Line Projections

Maros Jedlicka – Jakub Demek – Adam Sykora

Servac Petrovsky – Oleksiy Myklukha – Matej Kaslik

Samuel Honzek – Dalibor Dvorsky – Roman Faith

Oliver Stumpel – Peter Repcik – Lubomir Kupco

Rayen Petrovicky – Viliam Kmec

Adam Stripai – Maxim Strbak

Simon Groch – Boris Zabka

Tomas Bolo

Patrik Andrisik

Slovakia has taken a large hit from the tournament being held in August rather than December as top prospects Juraj Slafkovsky, Simon Nemec and Filip Mesar are not on the roster as they focus on NHL training camps. With that being said, there are still plenty of names worth watching. Looking at the forwards, Slovakia will be leaning on New York Rangers’ forward Adam Sykora to generate offence, who has made a strong impact on all international teams for Slovakia over the past year. Besides Sykora, Slovakia will be looking at Maros Jedlicka, who had a strong season in Slovakia, Minnesota Wild’s prospect Servac Petrovsky and Vegas

Golden Knights’ prospect Jakub Demek to provide support. The biggest name to watch for Slovakia, however, will be 2023 draft eligible Dalibor Dvorsky. Dvorsky as of now is seen as a top 10 talent in the upcoming draft and continues to find success internationally. The blueline is truly taking a toll with 2nd overall pick Simon Nemec opting not to participate in this tournament. Slovakia will look to rely on Rayen Petrovicky to give them top pairing minutes and solid defence from the backend. With the lack of depth, another 2023 draft eligible, Maxim Strbak, will be asked to step up to the plate. Strbak was a large piece of the Slovak team that won silver medal at the 2021 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and looks to make his name known as someone to keep an eye on during his draft year.

Finally, in net Slovakia will most likely look towards 20-year-old Tomas Bolo as the starter for the team. Bolo has consistently played for Slovakia in international play and played well for Slovakia at the start of the cancelled World Juniors this past January. Overall, Slovakia will be an exciting team to watch, but will need to overcome the lack of depth in order to compete in a strong Group A.

Finland

Line Projections

Roni Hirvonen – Aatu Raty – Joakim Kemell

Ville Koivunen – Samuel Helenius – Brad Lambert

Roby Jarventie – Juuso Maenpaa – Kasper Simontaival

Eetu Liukas – Oliver Kapanen – Kalle Vaisanen

Petteri Nurmi – Topi Niemela

Eemil Viro – Ruben Rafkin

Aleksi Heimosalmi – Kasper Puutio

Leevi Merilainen

Jani Lampinen

There is legitimate competition between Finland and Canada for the top team in this Group A. Finland is loaded with a ton of talent up front, with every player in their projected top-six being selected in the 1st or 2nd round in their NHL draft. Both Aatu Raty and Brad Lambert have a chip on their shoulder to score this tournament as they each went into their draft years as projected top three picks and ended up sliding down on draft day. Finland is also lucky to have some strong playmakers on offence as Roni Hirvonen and Ville Koivunen have both proven their ability to set teammates up in Liiga. When Finland is looking for someone to bury the puck, the first option will almost always be Joakim Kemell, the elite goal scorer started last season on an absolute tear and finished with 15 goals in 39 Liiga games while battling through injuries in his draft year.

Transitioning to defence, Finland is lucky to be anchored by the player awarded best defenceman in the 2020 World Juniors in Toronto Maple Leafs’ defenceman Topi Niemela. Niemela is likely to be paired with defensive defenceman and Montreal Canadiens’ prospect Petteri Nurmi in order to give Niemela the comfort to get involved in the offensive game. Another name to watch closely on the blue line is Carolina Hurricanes’ prospect Aleksi Heimosalmi, who is an extremely strong skater that thrives in the transition game. Finland is backing it all up with Ottawa Senators’ prospect Leevi Merilainen as the projected starter. While he struggled in his first year playing for the Kingston Frontenacs, Merilainen has produced during his time with the international squad. It will be extremely exciting to see the skill of this Finnish team.

Latvia

Line Projections

Girts Silkalns – Klavs Veinbergs – Arni Ravinskis

Peteris Purmalis – Dans Locmelis – Sandis Vilmanis

Felikss Gavars – Martins Lavins – Darels Durkurs

Rainers Darzins – Raimonds Vitolins – Danils Andersons

Ralfs Bergmanis – Niks Fenenko

Harijs Brants – Rihards Simanovics

Bogdans Hodass – Gustavs Ozolins

Bruno Bruveris

Patrick Berzins

In a strong Group A, Latvia seems likely to finish in the bottom of the standings. While there are still talented players on this team, it would take a miracle for Latvia to advance to the quarterfinals. Taking a look at the forwards, Latvia will likely pair MHL teammates Girts Silkalns and Klavs Veinbergs together. Continuing the teammate trend, Dans Locmelis and Sandis Vilmanis will likely see a large amount of ice time together for Latvia coming off a strong season together playing in the J20 league producing 34 and 32 points, respectively. Both Locmelis and Vilmanis were recently drafted in the 2022 NHL draft, Locemlis was taken in the 4th round by the Boston Bruins and Vilmanis was selected in the 5th round by the Florida Panthers.

Latvia’s blueline will be anchored by 17-year-old defenceman Niks Fenenko. Fenenko went undrafted in the 2022 NHL draft despite having a fairly solid season playing the QMJHL scoring 40 points in 62 games. Projected to partner with Fenenko is University of Vermont commit, Ralfs Bergmanis. Although he is only 5’10”, Bergmanis is willing to throw his body around and disrupt play. The likely starter in net for Latvia will be 20-year-old Bruno Bruveris, who spent the past year playing with Cedar Rapids of the USHL, posting a 3.02 GAA with a .873 SV%. It would be an upset to see Latvia make the quarterfinals let alone win a game in this tough Group.

Group B:

Group B is expected to be dominated by two powerhouses in the United States and Sweden. It will be exciting to see if any of Germany, Switzerland or Austria can challenge either powerhouse and shake up the group. Even with losing players due to NHL training camps, the United States and Sweden are still positioned to make it far in this tournament.

United States

Line Projections

Matthew Knies – Logan Cooley – Matthew Coronato

Landon Slaggert – Thomas Bordeleau – Carter Mazur

Sasha Pastujov – Hunter Mckown – Brett Berard

Red Savage – Charlie Stramel – Mackie Samoskevich

Wyatt Kaiser – Sean Behrens

Tyler Kleven – Ian Moore

Jacob Truscott – Brock Faber

Remington Keopple

Andrew Oke

The United States are coming into this tournament with an extreme amount of talent on both the offensive and defensive side of the ice. While they may have one of the most talented rosters entering the August World Juniors, they have one major concern, the goaltending. No matter which goaltender starts the tournament for them, it will be an undrafted goaltender. Before we dig deeper, let us take a look at their firepower upfront. It will be extremely exciting to be able to see a line consisting of Matthew Knies, Logan Cooley and Matthew Coronato. All three have played for the USNTDP and each are considered offensive forces.

On top of that, the US finally will be able to have Thomas Bordeleau play for them as he unfortunately missed the last several World Juniors. The depth of the US forwards is something to be amazed at. Players like Sasha Pastujov and Mackie Samozkevich, each have immense skill and will provide scoring depth throughout the lineup. In addition, 2023 draft eligible Charlie Stramel looks to have made a strong impression and has carved out a role on this team. It will be interesting to see how this boosts his draft stock entering his draft year.

Taking a look at the US defence, it may be one of the most talented pools of defenceman in this tournament. There are many reliable names defensively on the backend including captain Brock Faber, Tyler Kleven, Jacob Truscott and Wyatt Kaiser. Offensively, the US will lean on Sean Behrens and Ian Moore to pinch and provide odd man rushes from the blueline. It is extremely important for their defence to play up to the level that many expect them to as they are going to play behind lesser named goaltenders in Remington Keopple and Andrew Oke. Keopple, the older of the two goalies, played this past season with Des Moines of the USHL, putting up a 3.06 GAA and a .896 SV%. Oke, who is only 18, had a worse season playing for a poor Saginaw team in the OHL. He produced a 4.63 GAA with a .848 SV%. If the US can protect their goaltenders they will be in for a long run.

Switzerland

Line Projections

Simon Knak – Joshua Fahrni – Jonas Taibel

Fabian Ritzmann – Joel Henry – Marlon Graf

Attilio Biasca – Micolas Baechler – Kevin Nicolet

Joel Marchon – Mats Alge – Tim Muggli

Giancarlo Chanton – Noah Delemont

Nick Meile – Dario Sidler

Rodwin Dionicio – Arno Nussbaumer

Noah Patenaude

Andri Henauer

The battle for the third spot in Group B will be a close one to watch and Switzerland will have to rely on a mix of veteran and youth to avoid relegation. The most notable forward for Switzerland is 20-year-old Nashville Predators’ prospect Simon Knak who has split time between the WHL and the Swiss National League. Knak has a knack for forechecking, often using his skating ability to provide pressure to puck carriers hoping to pounce on loose pucks. Switzerland will also rely on the youth, with 17-year-old Jonas Taibel likely playing top line minutes. He finished the previous season with the Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL, producing 21 points in 57 games.

On the backend, Switzerland will turn to 20-year-old Noah Delemont to cover significant minutes for them. Delemont is calm cool and collected on the ice, which allows him to scan theice and use his strong vision to pass the puck. Like their forwards, Switzerland will again look to the youth and 18-year-old Nick Melie, who has been a consistent part of Switzerland’s international teams, producing four points in nine games at the U18’s. Switzerland is most comfortable with their goaltending. Noah Patenaude has proven to be reliable, playing for Saint John in the QMJHL producing a 2.96 GAA and a .914 SV%. With a little luck and strong goaltending, Switzerland has the chance to steal a couple games.

Germany

Line Projections

Alexander Blank – Danjo Leonhardt – Josef Eham

Markus Schweiger – Joshua Samanski – Justin Volek

Haakon Hanlet – Bennett Rossmy – Maciej Rutkowski

Thomas Heigl – Luca Hauf – Yannick Proske

Maksymilian Szuber – Luca Munzenberger

Adrian Klein – Maximilian Glotzl

Arkadiusz Dziambor – Korbinian Geibel

Florian Bugl

Niklas Lunemann

Germany was one of the unfortunate teams that were heavily affected by having the tournament moved from January to August as they had to replace seven players from the January roster. On offence, Germany will be leaning on Alexander Blank, Danjo Leonhardt and Josef Eham. Alexander Blank was off to a hot start for Germany in January scoring 3 points in 2 games before it was cancelled. Leonhardt, on the other hand, had a strong season playing in the Alps Hockey League finishing the past season with 35 points in 32 games. Both Leonhardt and Eham are teammates for RB Hockey in the Alps Hockey League and their chemistry should be used on a line together. Eham, like Leonhardt, had a great season finishing with a 1.14 point per game.

Defensively, the go-to player for Germany will be Luca Munzenberger. The former 3rd round pick of the Edmonton Oilers played the previous season for the University of Vermont. At Vermont, Munzernberger has polished his defence working on his gap control. Projected to play across from Munzenberger is Maksymilian Szuber who spent the majority of the season in the DEL playing for EHC Munchen. Szuber, an Arizona Coyotes’ draft pick, is a large raw defenceman who uses his body to his advantage.

In net, Germany will rely on 20-year-old Florian Bugl who dominated the Alps Hockey League last season producing a 2.27 GAA and a .916 SV%. Bugl looked fairly sturdy in January in his lone game in the cancelled World Juniors. Germany will be in a strong battle to avoid relegation and make the quarterfinals.

Austria

Line Projections

Oskar Maier – Leon Wallner – Moritz Lackner

Jonas Dobnig – Ian Scherzer – Senna Peeters

Fin Vann Ee – Luca Auer – Maximilian Hengelmuller

Tim Geifes – Janick Wernicke – Nico Kramer

Tobias Sablattnig – Martin Urbanek

David Reinbacher – Christoph Tialler

Lukas Horl – Lukas Necesany

Leon Sommer

Thomas Pfarrmaier

Similar to Switzerland and Germany, Austria will be trying to avoid relegation and will fight for a spot in the quarterfinals. The majority of Austria’s offence will be ran through Oskar Maier and Leon Wallner. Maier was named captain of the RB Hockey team in the Alps hockey league last year, finishing the season with 24 points in 27 games. Wallner, on the other hand, played his season in Sweden in the J20 league, producing 37 points in 28 games. An exciting name to watch for Austria this World Juniors is 2023 draft eligible Ian Scherzer. Last season, Scherzer excelled in the Swedish J18 league scoring 15 points in 17 games. He will be using this tournament as a platform to get himself noticed by NHL scouts.

Austria’s backend will be fortified by the youth with the likes of 19-year-old Tobias Sablattnig and 17-year-old David Reinbacher. Sablattnig spent the majority of the season in the Alps Hockey League where the 6’0” defenceman was able to put up 16 points in 37 games. Reinbacher has spent the past season between the U-20 Elit league and the Swiss League. The 2023 draft eligible put up a combined 33 points in 50 games and will look to use this tournament as a platform to get drafted.

Lastly, the net will be occupied by Leon Sommer who played for a poor Steel Wings Linz of the Alps Hockey league allowing 3.16 GAA while carrying a .910 SV%. Austria will hope their youth will be able to step up and lead their team to a few victories.

Sweden

Oskar Olausson – Daniel Ljungman – Fabian Lysell

Isak Rosen – Theodor Neiderbach – Jonathan Lekkerimaki

Linus Sjodin – Ake Stakkestad – Daniel Torgersson

Oskar Magnusson – Victor Stjernborg – Albert Sjoberg

Simon Edvinsson – Helge Grans

Leo Loof – Mans Forsfjall

Emil Andrae – William Wallinder

Jesper Wallstedt

Calle Clang

The other power house in Group B, Sweden has an enormous amount of talent up front and will look to lean on their skill to bring them a medal. The projected first line of Oskar Olausson, Daniel Ljungman and Fabian Lysell will be looked upon to set the offensive tone for Sweden. Olausson and Lysell both have a combination of speed and skill, which they use to transition the puck and attack the offensive zone. Ljungman has proven to be a good two-way centre who will provide support on both sides of the ice. Sweden still has options down the line including a pair of first round picks in Buffalo Sabres’ prospect Isak Rosen and Vancouver Canucks’ prospect Jonathan Lekkerimaki. Both these players spent a large chunk of the previous season in the SHL in limited roles and were still able to produce.

The backend is where Sweden will excel, anchoring it will be none other than 6’6” Detroit Red Wings’ prospect Simon Edvinsson who has a unique combination of size, physicality and speed. Opposite of Edvinsson should be Helge Grans, the two-way defender uses his speed and long reach to close gaps and attack forwards turning over possession. To show the depth on this defence, the projected bottom pairing, Emil Andrae and William Wallinder, should make a large impact for Sweden. Andrae is an extremely skilled offensive defenceman who put up 33 points in 41 games in the Hockey Allsvenkan league. His partner Wallinder is a big bruising 6’4” defenceman who will crush any player in his way.

In net is where Sweden has the largest advantage though, with Minnesota Wild’s prospect Jesper Wallstedt. Wallstedt improved on his draft year season playing 22 games in the SHL and putting up ridiculous numbers with a 1.98 GAA and a .918 SV%. It is going to be extremely difficult to score on Sweden in this tournament.

WJ Predicitons

Group A

Canada

Finland

Czechia

Slovakia

Latvia

Group B

Sweden

USA

Germany

Switzerland

Austria

Quarterfinals

Canada over Switzerland

Finland over Germany

Czechia over USA

Sweden over Slovakia

Semifinals

Canada over Finland

Sweden over Czechia

Medals

Sweden – Gold

Canada – Silver

Finland – Bronze

Tournament MVP – Connor Bedard

Best Forward – Mason McTavish

Best Defenceman – Simon Edvinsson

Best Goaltender – Jesper Wallsted

All-Tournament team

F – Connor Bedard

F – Mason McTavish

F – Logan Cooley

D – Simon Edvinsson

D – Topi Niemela

G – Jesper Wallstedt

2021-22 TOP 15 PROSPECTS: ANAHEIM DUCKS – RANK: #2 – TIER 1

McKeen's Hockey — Fri, 10 Sep 2021 14:58:51 +0000

Anaheim Ducks

Depth and an elite top end with top ten prospects and five in the top 55. Had Zegras and Drysdale each played even one more game, the Ducks system would only drop to the second tier, a testament to the aforementioned depth.

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 10: Anaheim Ducks Left Wing Trevor Zegras (46) in action during a game against the Los Angeles Kings played on March 10, 2021 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire)

Trevor Zegras - C

The top prospect in the sport, Zegras would have been ineligible for this list if he had played in even one additional game this past season for Anaheim. If his 13 points in 24 games NHL debut told us anything, it is that he can play in this league. His WJC MVP run (18 points in seven games for the Gold Medal winning Team USA) told us that he can dominate against the best of his peer group of U20 hockey players. His 21 points in 17 AHL games as a teenager also told us that he can dominate against men when he is given the freedom to be creative. You see, creativity is what Zegras does best. His playmaking game is among the best to come through recently, especially if you eliminate the McDavid types who create scoring chances mostly through sheer speed.

Zegras is a good skater, very good on occasion, but his edges are more impressive than his pure speed. Given a decent trigger man to play with, he could lead the NHL in assists for a good long while. Beyond that sublime skillset, he also grew as his own finisher last year, forcing opponents to respect his shooting abilities more, which in turn gives him more room to make the pass. Zegras is not only a future first line center, but he is a future All Star and Hart Trophy candidate. He will lead the Ducks back into contention in the near future. - RW

Jamie Drysdale- D

One of the top young defenders in the game, Drysdale took advantage of the opportunity to play in the AHL this year with the OHL on hiatus. An immediate impact player and top defender with San Diego, Drysdale lived up to the hype of being selected sixth overall a year ago. As such, it was not long before he got the call to Anaheim to play with the pro team and by season’s end, he was averaging well over 20 minutes per game and running the top powerplay for the Ducks.

An elite level skater, Drysdale uses his mobility to be an impact player at both ends of the ice. A high-level thinker and problem solver, he should have no problem in the defensive end as he bulks up. This was evident already this season as Drysdale looked stronger and more confident physically to handle larger pro players down low and near the crease. As early as next season, he should become a standout top four defender for Anaheim and have his name whispered in the same breath as the other top young defenders in the game like Cale Makar, Adam Fox, and Quinn Hughes. His upside remains as a top ten NHL defender and a potential Norris trophy winner. - BO

Mason McTavish - C

Coming into his draft year (which was filled with turmoil due to the OHL delay and subsequent cancellation), McTavish worked extremely hard to improve the areas of his game that scouts had identified as potential areas of weakness. His skating improved significantly, and McTavish learned to make better decisions with the puck in the offensive zone, displaying more patience and poise as a playmaker. He now possesses the confidence to wait out opposing defenses and dominate possession down low to draw in multiple defenders before dishing off. Of course, the highlight of McTavish’s game is most certainly his shot and scoring ability. Armed with a lightning quick wrist shot, McTavish is lethal from anywhere because of his release and precision. McTavish also profiles as a strong two-way center, a role that he seemed to thrive in at this year’s Under 18’s.

For these precise reasons, the Ducks made him the third overall selection this year. Given his size, strength, awareness, and improving stride, he has a chance to develop into a very difficult player to match up against and the kind of player who can provide serious versatility to his future coaches. He could slot in behind Trevor Zegras to give Anaheim a dynamic one/two punch at center, or he could play on Zegras’ wing to clear space and finish off plays. McTavish is someone who probably only needs another year at the OHL level before he is ready to make the jump to the NHL and he perfectly represents the kind of power center that NHL scouts are clamoring for in the modern era. - McKeen’s Draft Guide 2021

Jacob Perreault - RW

With the Sarnia Sting on hiatus this year, Perreault played for San Diego in the AHL, when he otherwise would have been sent back to the OHL by Anaheim in his post draft year. The 27th overall selection in the 2020 NHL Draft, Perreault performed admirably as an 18/19-year-old in a men’s pro league. His goal scoring production was not quite at the level one would have expected, especially considering his elite level shot and scoring instincts. However, he did show improvements in his ability to play with pace and became a more consistently engaged two-way player.

According to various reports, the “underage” players who played 20+ games in the AHL this past season will be granted special exemptions to continue in the AHL for the upcoming season. That means that unless Anaheim decides to send him back to Sarnia, his OHL days are over. Perreault will continue to work on becoming a more consistent contributor, improving his play away from the puck and his effectiveness in playing through traffic. He projects as a top six goal scoring winger who could be a lethal triggerman on the powerplay. - BO

Lukas Dostal - G

No question, Dostal has emerged as one of the top goaltending prospects on the planet. The Czech netminder was the 2019/20 Liiga goaltender of the year as a 20-year-old and then was somehow even better this past season. He had a .941 save percentage IIlves before making the jump to the AHL with San Diego, where his .916 save percentage was top five in the league as a rookie in North America. Needless to say, the Ducks have to be pretty happy with his progress at this point and are feeling pretty comfortable with the idea of Dostal being the heir apparent to John Gibson in the Anaheim crease.

Dostal is known for his aggressiveness as a netminder as he is confident in his quickness and athletic ability. He will come way out to the top of the blue paint to cut down angles and he recovers quickly to keep himself square, following the play. Due to this aggressiveness, he can be prone to some scrambling like tendencies, but he never gives up on a puck and has enough size (6’2) to take away the upper portion even when he appears down and out. It is likely that we see Dostal play another full year in San Diego as a starter before he makes the jump to Anaheim to learn from Gibson. He has the potential to be one of the best goaltenders in the NHL. - BO

Benoit-Olivier Groulx - C

The former Halifax Mooseheads standout (although he did close out his QMJHL career with Moncton) is coming off of a very successful first pro season with San Diego. He finished third in scoring for the Gulls, showing off his strong two-way abilities and high-end awareness. The competitive forward brings serious versatility to his coaches and that could allow him to move quickly through the Ducks’ system.

Groulx is the kind of player who has few weaknesses. He competes hard in all three zones. He protects the puck well in the offensive zone and has high end vision as a playmaker. He finds his way to the net and can excel through traffic. Really, the only area of his game that he has needed to improve since being drafted is his speed and explosiveness. However, his skating has definitely improved over the past few seasons, helping to explain his solid pro debut. The Ducks are a rebuilding team and competition in training camp will be fierce. While it is likely that Groulx starts the year in the AHL again, there is a chance that he could earn a spot given his versatility. His projection remains that of a middle six forward, who probably starts his NHL career in a checking line role before building confidence. - BO

Olen Zellweger - D

One of the true breakout stars at this year’s World Under 18’s, Zellweger used that platform to help him become an early second round selection by Anaheim this year. Zellweger’s calling card is his skating ability. Armed with an effortless stride and fantastic edgework, Zellweger is an extremely difficult player for defenders to pin down. He escapes the forecheck well because he takes great routes to dump ins and spins off potential checks. There is no panic to his game, and he is able to buy time and space by turning or spinning away from pressure. With his desire to push the pace, he is always looking up ice, quickly making an outlet or using his speed to exit the zone and start the breakout. Additionally, his strength on his edges and his lateral quickness allows him to walk the blueline with ease, making him such a confident and competent powerplay QB.

Where Zellweger can sometimes struggle is in the defensive end. On the smaller side (at 5’10, 174lbs), he will need to increase his physical intensity level to make him more effective at winning battles in traffic. The progression of his play in the defensive end will definitely dictate whether Zellweger becomes more of a powerplay specialist or a top four NHL defender. He will return to the WHL this year and has a chance to be one of the league’s top scoring defenders. While he may yet be a few years away from playing for the Ducks, his potential is vast if Anaheim is patient. - McKeen’s Draft Guide 2021

Henry Thrun - D

Harvard shutdown their hockey program this past season due to the pandemic, forcing Thrun to re-evaluate his options after his exceptional freshman season. Thrun decided to return to the USHL, where he spent two seasons with the USNTDP leading up to his draft year. Of course, he couldn’t return to the program, but Dubuque held his league rights, and he spent time there, working on his game, and making sure that he was in game shape to represent his country at the WJC. His time in Dubuque shouldn’t be looked at too deeply, no matter how great he was – and he was, with almost one point per game, on top of a strong, shut-down defensive game – as he had already established himself at a higher level and was only really there for the reps.

While his knack for getting on the scoresheet was not there at the WJC, he still played a critical role for the Gold Medal winners, particularly in the realm of transitioning from defense to offense. He can skate the puck out from pressure in his own end, although he looks a tad more comfortable making the D-to-D pass out of danger. He gaps very well and knows how to use his stick to generate turnovers. Thurn’s two-way game will return to Harvard this year, and frankly, he should dominate. He has all of the tools to play in a middle pairing at the NHL level, and he could get there sooner than many expect. - RW

Jackson Lacombe - D

A little under-the-radar in his pre-draft days mostly with the Shattuck St. Mary’s program, Lacombe has made several very impressive strides in the two seasons since Anaheim tabbed him with an early second round pick. Of course, if talking about Lacombe and strides, we must delve for a moment into his skating, the clear high point of his player profile. As a North-South skater, he is fine or better, better especially when we consider his frame, which is both long and broad. But more than straight-ahead speed, we need to focus on his lateral mobility. Whether with the Golden Gophers, or with Team USA at the WJC, his ability to walk the blueline laterally, evading coverage and finding seams for high-low passes, or for him to skate the puck in deeper, Lacombe has been really impressive.

This trait, with which he has grown increasingly confident in the last year, helped Lacombe increase his points production by over 50% in more than 25% fewer games. In his own end, he positions himself well, and demonstrates that he knows how to use his big frame to successfully battle for positioning behind his net. A workhorse with Minnesota, he may not have the characteristics to be a top three defender as a pro, but it wouldn’t take much in terms of additional development for Lacombe to be worthy of such a projection. He is likely to turn pro at the end of his upcoming Junior season. - RW

Sam Colangelo - RW

Normally, a freshman season like the one Colangelo just experienced would result in the player in question facing a precipitous drop in prospect rankings. His power game, so dominant in the USHL, was simply not there. He also looked like a gifted sniper before the draft, but failed to score with Northeastern, and his only goal of the year was a point-blank one-timer he nailed against Austria in the WJC, where he otherwise was used in a pure depth role, playing fewer than eight minutes per game in four of the seven games of the event.

The challenge in judging him now, is that his time at the WJC was his first bit of hockey anywhere since prior to the pandemic, and while he failed to score for Northeastern, he was able to get his shot off, putting 26 pucks on the net in his eight collegiate games. He played a little timid, more than is suitable for his style, and between the tiny sample size and the herky-jerky roster placement, he just never was able to get comfortable. Quite frankly, Colangelo deserves a mulligan for last year. Until he proves otherwise, he still projects as a middle six, all situations power winger. We just might need to wait an extra season than we had originally anticipated. - RW

Brayden Tracey - LW

Since being drafted by the Ducks in the first round, his development has really plateaued, including posting under a point per game in the WHL this past season and putting up a goose egg in the AHL. A skilled, offensive winger, he needs to get his game back on track as a full time pro this year.

Sasha Pastujov - RW

In a surprising turn of events, this 2021 third round selection turned his back on a commitment with Notre Dame to sign with Anaheim recently. It likely means that he will head to the OHL next year (where Guelph holds his rights). Pastujov is at his best when playing near the net and will look to improve his ability to play with pace in the OHL.

Ian Moore - D

A Clark Cup champion with the Chicago Steel of the USHL this past year, Moore really improved from the start of the year to the finish. A smooth skating two-way defender, he will attend Harvard this year and should be a big part of their blueline for the next few NCAA seasons.

Axel Andersson - D

Andersson is a solid puck moving defender who split the previous year between the Allsvenskan and the AHL. Acquired from Boston in the Ondrej Kase deal, Andersson will play full time in the AHL this year and projects as a potential powerplay QB.

Blake McLaughlin - LW

A talented playmaking forward, McLaughlin has improved in each of his first three NCAA seasons for the University of Minnesota. He will return for his senior year and should still be on Anaheim’s radar to sign following the conclusion of the upcoming college season.

USHL: 2020-21 Playoff Preview – Expect Entertaining Hockey with Chicago a Clear Favourite

Ryan Wagman — Fri, 30 Apr 2021 15:27:15 +0000

If there is an exception to the across-the-board negative impact of COVID-19 on the world of hockey, it may rest in the USHL. As north of the border, the three leagues of the CHL were in disarray – at best – the USHL, played a fairly “normal” year.

Sure, the league proceeded without the participation of the Madison Capitals (regional COVID restrictions) or the Cedar Rapids Rough Riders (a Derecho huffed and puffed and blew the arena down), but the rest of the league played (an approximately) 54 game schedule with rather few disruptions.

Not only that, but in terms of quality, the league was better than ever, as a number of players who had expected to suit up for Canadian teams – both CHL and Jr. A – were given an opportunity to play for various USHL teams as their regular leagues were delayed indefinitely, or outright cancelled. Those bonus players included some that were drafted already, including Cross Hanas, Bear Hughes, and Danil Gushchin*. Other drafted players came in from the Ivy League schools, who did not play a hockey schedule this year. In addition to the likes of Henry Thrun, Jack Malone, and Austin Wong coming to the USHL after some time in college, others like Sean Farrell and Alex Laferriere, who had intended to start collegiate life this year, were forced to stay back for one more year in the Midwest.

*Gushchin, who had played the previous two seasons with Muskegon, was expected to play in Ontario with Niagara for the 2020-21 season, but with the OHL in permanent statis, he was loaned back to the Lumberjacks, where he put up his best season yet.

And then there were the draft-eligible ringers who unexpectedly joined the league and played so well that they have legitimate first round consideration at the end of it. I am thinking, of course, of Cole Sillinger, who joined Sioux Falls, before it was known when, or if, the WHL would get going, and Ayrton Martino and Jack Bar, who had played in Ontario last year and had been planning on playing in the BCHL this year before Canadian restrictions pushed them to the USHL, with Omaha and Chicago, respectively.

Of course, there were many other unexpected players in the league this year, with those mentioned only scratching the surface of the most famous names.

So, before we preview the postseason, which begins this Friday (Apr. 30), let’s pour one out for the six teams that didn’t make, and give a word to the top 1-3 draft eligible players from those squads.

Team USA

One point behind Dubuque for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference – although far further back via points percentage (.510-.481), the USNTDP team that would have played in the USHL playoffs had they made it would have been the U17 team. The best of that group – Rutger McGroarty, Isaac Howard, Ryan Chesley, Lane Hutson, Charlie Stramel and others – are playing with the U18 team in Texas at the WU18 tournament. No draft eligibles but remember those names for next season.

Youngstown Phantoms

By points percentage, easily the weakest team in the league. The aforementioned Jack Malone, a Vancouver draft pick, was far and away the top performer on the team, which is to be expected from a player with a year at Cornell under his belt. Among first year draft eligibles, Japanese import Yusako Ando was the most notable, although his second year in the league was worse than his first. He can create for others, but he doesn’t skate well enough to make up for his slight 5-7” frame. The only other draft eligible who ever made a positive impression on me from this roster was blueliner Austen May. The Providence commit is on the small side, but he is really fleet of foot and shows decent attention to detail off the puck.

Des Moines Buccaneers

Despite the presence of three drafted players – Alex Laferriere (LA), Noah Ellis (Vgk), and Lucas Mercuri (Car), the Buccaneers struggled this year, particularly in terms of putting the puck in the net. The drafted guys were all solid, but too few of the rest of the roster could match their output. Perhaps things would have been different if Paul Davey hadn’t of left mid-season for a stint back home in Connecticut. Davey and Scout Truman were the two most notable first time draft eligible on the roster, but neither really put their stamp on the season. If there are to be any Buccaneers drafted this year, they will be among the redraft candidates. To that end, file away the names of Matt Choupani and Remington Koepple. Choupani is a forward who lacks much in the way of physical tools but can play the puck well. Koepple is a goalie who had decent numbers in his first year in the league, although he has only average size and athleticism and he chocked in the BioSteel game, hurting his standing for some.

Lincoln Stars

The Stars went heavy on the ringers partway through the season. Cross Hanas was already mentioned, but he was just one of four players brought in from the WHL Portland Winterhawks, joining Clay Hanas (no relation), Jack O’Brien, and James Stefan, as well as Charles-Alexis Legault from West Kelowna in the BCHL and Michael Mastrodomenico from AAA hockey in Quebec. Simply put, the shuffled team never gelled, and the newcomers couldn’t get into the swing of the USHL.

O’Brien was the biggest disappointment. There was some expectation that he could be a high round pick this year, but one goal and six assists in 23 games ended that sentiment. Blueliner Legault didn’t hurt his stock too much, as he still has great size and skates well and shoots from his right side. Stefan, son of former first overall pick Patrik Stefan, had enough moments to maybe convince some team to call his name in the late rounds. A kind word also to big bruising winger Gleb Veremeyev. Veremeyev isn’t an offensive threat, but one of the top PIM players in the league is a threat, nonetheless. The USHL is not a very physical league, and when a player has that size and plays with that snarl, he sometimes gets drafted, such as we saw with Nick Capone last year and Martin Pospisil in 2018.

Waterloo Black Hawks

Generally contenders, the Black Hawks find themselves out of the playoffs for the first time since 2014-15, and only the second time in 14 seasons for which there were playoffs. Fielding one of the smaller and least experienced lineups in the league, this just wasn’t their year. Their one drafted player, Toronto’s Wyatt Schingoethe, regressed heavily from his strong draft year. The team cycled through goalies, with three seeing significant minutes. Remember the name of Emmett Croteau, the best performing of their netminders, as he won’t be draft eligible until 2022.

Among players eligible this year, the most impressive were second time eligible defenseman Cooper Wylie, a USHL rookie, who can play the puck and skate well enough to make his ornery game effective, if not spectacular. He could be drafted. On the other hand, David Gucciardi, acquired in an early season trade from Youngstown, will be drafted. His game is raw, and his mistakes are often critical, but he has tools, and his instincts are good enough to think he can be a good one if he relies on his instincts all the time.

Sioux Falls Stampede

The Western Conference bottom feeders are a mystery. In the last USHL playoffs, the Stampede took home the title. In addition to their usual solid team, this year they brought in the highest profile ringer in Cole Sillinger, who didn’t disappoint, with a team leading 46 points despite only playing in 31 games. He is a sniper with an NHL style game who will be back in the WHL next year. The USHL rarely sees a player of his caliber, whether talking about skill or about reading the game, yet he couldn’t drag the Stampede upwards on his own. I would be surprised if he isn’t the first player from this year’s USH: crop to play in the NHL.

Defender Brent Johnson was one of the better draft eligible defenders in the league as well. A power play specialist with good wheels and an ornery side, his season ended right before the BioSteel All American Game due to a shoulder injury, but could hear his name called in the 50-80 range of the draft if his medicals hold up.

Although not as high profile, I also have time for second time eligible, defenseman Nate Schweitzer, who can do a lot well, but nothing spectacularly, and winger Mike Citara, who can skate and shoot. I don’t expect either to be drafted, but I wouldn’t be surprised if either was.

The Playoffs

The format this year is simple. The top four teams from each conference made it in. All series are best-of-threes. Top seed plays the fourth seed, and second seed plays the third seed. All games are hosted by the higher seed. One series per weekend until one team lifts the Clark Cup. Let’s go!

Western Conference

Jack Peart. Photo Dan Hickling, Hickling Images

#1 Tri-City Storm vs #4 Fargo Force

The Western Conference was incredibly tight at the top with the playoff picture not being settled until the final weekend of the regular season. The points percentage difference between Tri-City and Fargo (32 percentage points) was less than between Fargo and fifth place Des Moines (34 percentage points).

Fargo was the third best defensive team in the league, although Tri-City was the best at keeping the puck out of its net. Neither team is known for filling their opponents’ nets either, but both had generally done enough to walk away with points more often than not. In fact, they are quite evenly matched. The difference in these three games (outside of home ice advantage) is likely to rest in special teams. Fargo was mediocre on both the power play and the penalty kill, while the Storm were strong with the man advantage and almost impregnable on the penalty kill, leading the league with a breathtaking 88.3% kill rate. To Fargo’s credit, they have played far more of their season at 5-on-5 than Tri-City. And they will have to do that again this weekend to keep their season alive.

Beyond the expected close games, another reason to watch this series is the head-to-head matchup between two very interesting and talented draft eligibles. On Fargo, that would be Tristan Broz, a two-way center with a good motor and the vision to be a power play weapon. The Minnesota commit ran away with the scoring lead on his team. His numbers would be even more impressive if he had more talented teammates to play with. On Tri-City, the man of the hour is Matthew Knies. Knies started his season painfully slow, but ended it on fire, with 20 points in his final 11 games. Knies has heavier feet, but a very mature build and at his best, can take over the game. He will join Broz with the Golden Gophers next year.

Knies and Broz are not the only intriguing draft eligible players in this series. In fact, Fargo blueliner Jack Peart has a very good chance to be the highest drafted player in this series. The St. Cloud State commit split his season between Fargo and Grand Rapids High School (Mn). He is a good skater with a very strong first few steps, who plays with preternatural poise. He controls the puck like a much older player and plays a strong 200-foot game. Had Peart spent the entire season in Fargo, the final standings may have looked very different. For Fargo, also keep an eye on Aaron Huglen, a Buffalo draft pick who returned from over a full year on the sidelines after around a third of this season was done and has played a skilled game ever since.

On Tri-City, Knies is joined by a pair of intriguing draft eligible players in Hunter Strand and Carter Mazur, the latter of whom is a second time eligible player. Strand is a USNTDP alum, whose late birthday prevented him from being drafted last year. The Alaska native is a great skater and plays a patient game with the puck. Mazur has more of an East-West style game, helped along by plus edges. He can play the pest role as well and retains utility off the puck. Strand and Mazur both outscored Knies this year, but Knies already had a big reputation through his big pre-draft year and his run to end the year keeps him top of mind.

Prediction: Fargo in three. A mild upset to be sure. The return of Peart helps Fargo just as much as the loss of top blueliner Guillaume Richard hurts Tri-City. Richard is currently representing Team Canada at the WU18s in Texas. Neither team has stellar goaltending, but Fargo’s Brennan Boynton should be able to roughly match Tri-City’s Todd Scott.

#2 Omaha Lancers vs #3 Sioux City Musketeers

Both Omaha and Sioux City put up 63 points in 53 games, but their paths to getting there could scarcely have been more different. Consider that Omaha’s goal differential was a mediocre +13, while Sioux City outscored their opponents on aggregate by 35 goals, with the league’s best – by far – defense.

The two teams are both led by high end goaltending, each starting one of the three drafted netminders in the league. For Sioux City, that man is the Swiss Akira Schmid, a New Jersey prospect, while Montreal draftee Jakob Dobes, from Czechia, mans the pipes for Omaha. Dobes was a true workhorse for the Lancers, playing in 47 of the team’s 53 games, while Schmid played roughly two-third of the time for Sioux City, as his back up was more reliable.

Schmid will need to be at his best in this series, however, as Omaha has one of the biggest offensive weapons in the league at their disposal in Ayrton Martino. Martino joined the club shortly after the calendar flipped into 2021 and took the league by storm, with the fifth best points-per-game ratio in the USHL (1.47). A great skater with a fantastic shot, Martino did not let his slight frame prevent him from dominating, and his playmaking game is just as strong as his finishing ability. If Sioux City can shut Martino down, the Lancers don’t have too many other weapons at their disposal as their secondary scoring is largely in the hands of USHL veterans like Ryan Lautenbach, Nolan Renwick and Zach Dubinsky. The Omaha roster is one of the oldest in the league.

Sioux City, on the other hand, has a few more weapons at its disposal. Detroit draft pick Chase Bradley and New Jersey pick Ethan Edwards were both in the team’s top four in scoring, while Buffalo pick Matteo Costantini showed well after joining the league mid-season. Although the Musketeers don’t have a draft eligible player the likes of Martino, don’t sleep on defenseman Shai Buium. A USHL rookie out of the Shattuck-St. Mary’s program, he combines quick hands with smooth, if not quick, feet. He plays a strong two-way game and if he were a better skater (he isn’t bad, but he isn’t great), we would be hearing more people call for him as a first round type of talent. As is, he has enough raw skill to dream on a big, late-blooming future. I am also keeping an eye on redraft candidates defenseman Daniel Laatsch and center Justin Hryckowian. Laatsch is a USNTDP alum who has great size and some burgeoning skill, but is still raw, while Hryckowian has a fun skill game, but an injury-filled history and a sub-optimal build.

Prediction: Sioux City’s depth overcomes Martino’s solo skill in three games.

Western Conference Final Prediction: Sioux City over Fargo in three games. Sioux City is just too difficult to score against and has enough offensive weapons to get the job done.

Eastern Conference

Matthew Coronato. Photo by Dan Hickling, Hickling Images

#1 Chicago Steel vs #4 Dubuque Fighting Saints

By all accounts, this should be a washout. Chicago is, by great lengths, the top team in the USHL. They enter the postseason on an eight-game undefeated streak, and won 38 of 54 games this year, often by wide margins. Their goaltending has been shoddy at times, but far more often than not, they were able to outscore their troubles and their total of 265 goals scored was 24 more than the runners-up. Dubuque, on the other hand, won only 24 of 51 games, securing the final playoff spot in the east thanks to a win in their final game coupled with a loss from the U17 USNTDP squad.

If Dubuque is to have a hope in this series, look to their defensive players. Goalie Lukas Parik, a Los Angeles draft pick, struggled since joining the team, in late-January from the Czech second division, but shut out Green Bay in his final game, reminding us of what he is capable. On the blueline, fellow LA pick Braden Doyle teams up with Anaheim draft pick Henry Thrun to give the Fighting Saints a pair of weapons. Up front, Dubuque has a balanced attack, but the man to watch is Robert Cronin. While too old to be drafted this year Cronin is a late bloomer with speed and skill who will be a good follow next year once he joins the University of New Hampshire. The boy to watch, on the other hand, is Matthew Savoie. The 17-year-old is a 2022 draft eligible, who should have been playing in the WHL, but the uncertainty in that league led him to Dubuque, where he immediately played a central, and at time dominating, role. He’s going to be really fun to watch next year.

Looking at draft eligibles for this summer, keep your eyes on Connor Kurth and Andrei Buyalsky. Buylasky is actually the same age (born three days later) as Cronin, but as he is considered a foreign player (this is his first season in North America), the Kazakhstani forward is draft eligible while the American Cronin is not. Buyalsky is an impressive skater with impressive finishing ability. Kurth, on the other hand, has no particular big attributes to his game, but he finds a way to put up good numbers. He has a very stocky build but moves well enough regardless.

Moving on to Chicago, almost every skater on the roster is worthy of mention. Start with Montreal draft pick Sean Farrell, a USNTDP alum who would have been with Harvard this season had the Crimson actually played. Instead, he put up a breathtaking 101-point season for the Steel. His playmaking ability is simply unfair to most opponents on most nights. Then there is Matthew Coronato, a likely first round pick, who scored 48 goals in 51 games. Sure, it helps to have Farrell playing on your team, but the two actually rarely played together at even strength. Coronato is an offensive dynamo, who is content to cycle on his own for multiple full loops of the offensive end before he sees a seam to exploit.

Then there is Jack Bar, a late add to the roster from the BCHL. After a brief period acclimating to the league, he began to dominate. The defenseman likes to get deep into the offensive zone but is also a physical and committed defender. He has some first round upside. Of course, I also have to mention Mackie Samoskevich, who at one time was seen as a better draft prospect than Coronato. Samoskevich struggled somewhat after a midseason injury but is another gifted playmaker and a fantastic skater to boot.

I don’t want to get into the weeds too much, but I also expect Josh Doan (son of Shane), Ryan Ufko, and Jackson Blake to be drafted this summer, and Jack Harvey being drafted wouldn’t surprise me either. Anaheim draft pick Ian Moore has been impressive in his first season in the USHL, and 2023(!!) eligible forward Adam Fantilli is a burgeoning superstar. As good as everyone else already mentioned on this roster is, Fantilli’s upside is the highest. I am talking top three in the draft upside.

Prediction: Chicago in two, barring a complete breakdown in net. Chicago in three if the goalies stumble.

#2 Muskegon Lumberjacks vs #3 Green Bay Gamblers

A testament to how tight the West is, the Muskegon-Green Bay series is the second most lopsided duel after Chicago-Dubuque, with .040 percentage points separating the Lumberjacks and the Gamblers. Muskegon plays an up-tempo, high-event game with red lights going off at both ends. Green Bay is best when they keep goals to a minimum, and actually ended the season with the fewest goals allowed in the conference.

Green Bay’s chances are led by a pair of Boston Bruins’ draft picks in defender Mason Lohrei and center Jake Schmaltz. The latter is a two-way forward, who after three seasons in the USHL, has figured out how to be a factor offensively. He does a lot of little things well but lacks any dynamic elements. Lohrei was a surprise second rounder last season but has grown his game even more this year. He is big, skates very well, has a big point shot and plays a tough game at all ends. The Gamblers will go as far as he can take them. Vancouver draft pick Jackson Kunz and Vegas pick Jackson Hallum are also on the roster, and while both have shown the ability to provide secondary offense, neither can make things happen on their own. 2022 eligible Ryan Greene is an interesting player, but if there is a wild card in Green Bay, it is Camden Thiesing. The Tennessee native combines skill with grit, finishing third in the league in PIMs. He will work to make things happen on his own, and when he stays out of the penalty box, he is dangerous.

Led by San Jose draft pick Danil Gushchin, Muskegon is incredibly entertaining. Gushchin is a dynamo, who is not the most consistent player, but when he is involved and engaged, is one of the top handful of forwards in the league. He is joined by a deep roster of talented players, a few of whom should be drafted this summer, many of those in their second year of eligibility. The best of that secondary bunch is center Cameron Berg. Berg finished last year hot after a slow start and didn’t miss a beat coming into this year. He has a high-end wrist shot and knows how to create space for himself to rip one off. Winger Quinn Hutson is another second-year eligible forward who made waves this year. The type of player to get to the right spot at the right time, he knows how to finish what his linemates create. On the blueline, there are a trio to watch. The offensive blueline is Jacob Guevin, a power play specialist, whose production overshadows his average tools. Alex Gagne and Hank Kempf are bigger, more physical blueliners who make life difficult for attacking forwards. I could see all three drafted this summer.

Prediction: Muskegon in three games.

Eastern Conference Final prediction: Chicago in three games over Muskegon. This would be an immensely entertaining series.

Clark Cup Final Prediction: Chicago over Sioux City in three games. It’s really hard to bet against the Steel this year.

McKeen’s 2020-21 Hockey Yearbook: Anaheim Ducks Top 20 Prospects

Sat, 14 Nov 2020 17:58:17 +0000

This article is our final top 20 ranking of the Anaheim Duck Prospects and will be included in our McKeen's 2020-21 NHL Yearbook releasing on December 4th. For an overview of the Ducks prospect system prior to the NHL Draft please refer to Ryan Wagman's article here You can also read the review of their Draft performance versus the McKeen's final rankings here

Trevor Zegras, C (9^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 1)

Trevor Zegras makes everything look effortless. The forward spent two seasons with the USNTDP, winning a gold medal with the U.S. in the U17 WHC and a bronze in the U18 as souvenirs. This season he also played in the WJC, leading the tournament in assists with nine and was named as one of the U.S.’ top three players in the event. He also earned a spot on the Hockey East All-Rookie Team. Zegras entered Boston University as a true freshman and led the Terriers’ rookies in scoring. He is almost impossible to contain in the offensive zone and makes everything he does look easy with his excellent vision. One of his best assets is as a playmaker - he is an excellent passer and makes the puck float. He has quick hands and is always in the right place at the right time. On top of his preternatural passing ability, he is also an excellent scorer with a quick release on his shot that can fool goaltenders easily. The Ducks were suitably impressed and coaxed him off campus at the end of this first season. The NHL beckons. – JS

Jamie Drysdale, D (6^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: N/A)

It was definitely a good year for the 5-11” defender from Toronto. Internationally, he captained Canada to a silver medal at the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup in the summer, and he played a regular role on route to gold at the WJC. With Erie in the OHL, Drysdale wore an ‘A’ and finished just under the point-per-game mark at 0.98, far and away the best mark by a U18 defender in the league. His skating ability is something to marvel at. Drysdale takes great routes to dump-ins and is able to transition from backward to forward stride so smoothly, rarely getting pinned in his own end. After retrieving, he takes only a few strides to hit full speed, dictating the pace. His mobility is also a huge asset working just inside the blueline, making forwards defending high look silly, allowing him to break down defensive coverage as others scramble to cover him. Drysdale also possesses terrific vision with the puck. In his own end, he always has his head up, looking up ice and can stretch the play with a breakout pass just as well as he can with his feet. – BO

Jacob Perreault, RW (27^th overall, 202. Previous ranking: N/A)

Perreault has hit the 30 goal mark the last two seasons, including scoring 39 this year in only 57 games. A natural center, he has played primarily on the wing during his junior career and is a gifted goal scorer. He projects as a top six goal scorer at the NHL level because of the quality of his shot; easily one of the best in the recent draft class. He loves to work down low, especially with the man advantage. When given an inch, he will take a mile and is aggressive in bringing the puck closer to the slot to create a better shot angle. He routinely beats goaltenders clean up high because of his quick and deceptive release. Perreault also looks to set up on the wing for one-time opportunities, where he can unleash a quick, powerful, and accurate slap shot. His hands and puck skills are very good overall, and he can create his own scoring chances in transition by attacking the middle, beating defenders one on one. He has yet to fully develop an ability to utilize his speed to be a consistent weapon, often slowing down to make cuts or to re-evaluate his options. - BO

Lukas Dostal, G (85^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 2)

Dostal’s first full season with Ilves was a huge success story. He started the season somewhat slowly, but eventually performed at a very high level. The Czech netminder was given the Urpo Ylonen award as the league’s best goalie. He gave Ilves a chance to win every night. He is athletic with quick reactions and the ability to make the occasional desperation save. He moves quickly and effectively post to post and can make extension pad saves. He uses his stick and blocker well to deflect rebounds into the corner. He also traps pucks well into his body. He gets set quickly for initial shot attempts and reads shooters well. On high danger shots, he is often able to even anticipate shooters’ intentions and make the saves as needed. When the puck is dumped in, Dostal will go behind the net to stop the puck. He moves the puck to his teammates with firm and simple passes. Dostal is known as a hard worker who takes time off the ice to study opposing players. In the past season, he solidified his position as one of the top European goalie prospects. - MB

Benoit-Olivier Groulx, C (54^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 3)

The best compliment to Groulx’s game is his attention to detail. He does all the little things necessary to win. A mid-season trade highlighted his value, as he took a top line role in every situation right away for the contending Moncton Wildcats. Groulx was recognized as the best defensive forward in the league, while also putting up over one point-a-game. He is an excellent face-off man, great positionally in the offensive and defensive zones, a great passer and playmaker who involves his linemates expertly. The downside for Team Canada’s last cut for the WJC roster is his skating, which is just okay, and could hold him back at the highest level, especially as a center. Even so, his smarts could carry him to a very good professional career. No matter where Groulx tops out, he will be an impactful player. He will figure in the Ducks plans going forward regardless, as he has already inked his entry-level contract. The AHL is his next challenge, a test for his pro-ready game. What is certain is that he will work hard for the opportunity. If his skating improves, he should be a strong two-way center at the NHL level. - MS

Isac Lundestrom, C/LW (23^rd overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 4)

While he does not possess the scoring prowess of Rickard Rakell or the polished stability of Hampus Lindholm, both previous Anaheim first rounders from Sweden, Lundestrom is the prototypical auxiliary player, providing immense value as a compliment to a more offensive forward. Responsible and smart, he is becoming just what the Ducks envisioned when they took the centerman out of the SHL. With quiet self-confidence, Lundestrom excels in a two-way role. His skating is serviceable with plus acceleration, which plays up his swift and deceptive hands and passing game. Though he could be more of a high-octane offensive forward, he has shown a great wrist shot and a desire to have the puck in transition. The high-IQ 20-year-old shines brightest on defense, where he is willing to take - and initiate - contact to keep the puck out of danger, and leads backchecks with ferocity. He was trusted with some significant time against the opposition’s primary scoring lines with AHL San Diego, earning a 15-game trial run playing the same role. He can absolutely become a second-line two-way force alongside a more offensively-oriented player in the near future. - TD

Brayden Tracey, LW (29^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 5)

Tracey had an excellent camp in Anaheim last season, where he was one of the last players cut, which typically leads to a drop off in play when returning to Junior. Despite that, he jumped out of the gate, potting an impressive eight goals and eight assists in his first eight games back, including back-to-back hat tricks. Where Tracey showed the most growth was in driving play. Where he was often a passenger in his draft year, he was carrying his line last season, especially impressive from the wing. His ability to carry the puck and to back defenders off opened up time and space for his linemates to attack, enabled his young center to find his legs. His skating allowed for zone exits, zone entries and a high pace of play through the neutral zone. When his line was on the ice he was able to handle the extra defensive attention. His playmaking skills are underrated as he has great touch on his passes and above average vision. Tracey is still a shooter at his core and has an excellent release that enables him to score from distance, off the rush, or from a deadly one-timer. – VG

Sam Colangelo, RW (36^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: N/A)

Colangelo has NHL size and strength and is a solid skater who demonstrates the ability to make sharp cuts and looks downright deadly curling off the wall to attack the slot. He has soft hands that work well in tight spots. He was integral to the Chicago Steel’s team-wide offensive dominance, but he was not necessarily the driver. He had points in 35 of his 44 games and only once was he held off the scoresheet twice in a row, but was on a team was so deep, the opposition often focused their shutdown defenders against the a different scoring line. Furthermore, even when Colangelo would get on the scoresheet, it was not always due to his own strong work as he could go for games at a time without doing much of notice. When he is noticed, it is because he is dominating. His North-South game is still in demand in the modern speed-skill NHL, and his game meshes well with speed-skill players. He might only need two seasons at Northeastern to prove his readiness for the pros. - RW

Jackson Lacombe, D (39^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 6)

Among the biggest risers one year out from the 2019 draft class, Lacombe made a very intriguing jump from playing for Shattuck-St. Mary’s to the University of Minnesota, finishing the year on the Big 10 All Rookie team. The thing that sticks out most for Lacombe is his composure, on or off the puck. He is a very smooth skater and has a plan when exiting his own zone. By the end of his freshman season, he had surpassed the standing of 2019 first rounder Ryan Johnson on the roster and was also receiving special teams work. I expect him to take another big step forward as a sophomore while his timeline to making an impact at the professional level has seemingly moved up from 2024 to 2023 or even 2022. Between his skating, play reading, and diverse offensive tools, Lacombe is projecting as a potential second pairing defender sooner than later. - RW

Axel Andersson, D (Trade” Feb. 21, 2020. Originally: 57^th overall, 2018 [Boston]. Previous ranking: 7)

The slick-skating defender did not see his offensive potential translate into a ton of points in his first season in North America, but it did not stop the Ducks from acquiring him from the Boston Bruins at the trade deadline this season. The Bruins dealt Andersson as they are loaded on the blueline in the pipeline, and the Ducks could use another defender in the coffers. The strong Swede is a confident puck-mover and plays with an aura of control in his game. He does a great job at keeping attackers in front of him and steering them away from his goal. He hung on as an extra defenseman in the American league to start the season, which proves how his game will translate to the pros. Andersson projects as a solid positional blueliner who can chip in offensively, but more as a no-nonsense, middle-pairing, all-situations defenseman rather than a flashy star. He will be a jack-of-all-trades defender at the top level, with no true outstanding skills, but no glaring weaknesses, either. - MS

Blake McLaughlin, LW (79^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 8)

Although McLaughlin has yet to fully live up to the potential he showed in his draft year, his first two collegiate campaigns at Minnesota have been strong, if not dominant, and his sophomore season was a small step in the right direction. The play driving winger still needs to bulk up before he can be ready for the professional game, and additional consistency will also only be to his benefit. On the other hand, his play off the puck has grown more reliable, and his agility and puck handling ability have worked to make him a legit weapon offensively. He reads the play well, draws defenders to himself, and can keep opponents on their toes, dancing around them, or drawing a penalty in the attempt. There is another level that I think McLaughlin can get to as a playmaking winger, and if and when he does, he could fight for a top nine role at the highest level. Until then, we have to admit that he could be a boom-or-bust prospect. - RW

Henry Thrun, D (101^st overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 9)

Thrun, an alumnus of the U.S. NTDP, joined the program after playing prep hockey. He is an offensive defenseman who held his own in his freshman year of collegiate hockey and was named to the ECAC All-Rookie Team. He also earned a gold medal at the U17 WHC and bronze at the U18 WJC. Harvard’s trust in Thrun’s abilities were evident by his appearance on the team’s first penalty kill unit - a big vote of confidence for a rookie. He also runs point on the power play, another big responsibility for a rookie. He has a big frame and is physical, but he needs to pump his legs to move, but he can still join in on the rush. His speed and his laser passes help him set up his teammates and are part of what makes an offensive defenseman. Thrun is a also good stickhandler but he needs to work on staying on his feet in his own zone as he continues in his development. - JS

Ian Moore, D (67^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: N/A)

Right off the bat, we know that Moore will require a great deal of patience as he develops and refines his game. Four years (one in the USHL, three in college) is the likely minimum before he turns pro, much less proves ready to play in the NHL. He is a tall defender who skates very well, both in terms of speed and agility. He likes to push the pace to get the puck into the offensive end, and he shoots from the right side as well. Also of note is that his big offensive numbers notwithstanding, his game may actually be more refined off the puck. Moore positions himself well in his own end and uses a tight gap and a good stick to wedge opposing forwards towards the boards. As much as he likes to play an offensive game, he can be prone to forcing plays and playing impatiently. The bad habits from play against lesser prep school competition will have to be ironed out of his game sooner than later. This diamond is still very much in the rough. - RW

Josh Mahura, D (85^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 10)

One of the most lethal offensive defensemen during his WHL heyday, Mahura has started to find a groove with that style in the AHL. A plus skater and a high-end puck mover, he was heating up as a top-pair defender with San Diego (seven points in the last eight games) before the AHL cancelled the remainder of the 2019-20 season. Mahura has shown some promise in transition for Anaheim in his 28 career NHL appearances over two seasons, displaying some fearlessness with the puck. What is most important in his development is just that faith and confidence, because the skill is there. In addition to his puck-moving and skating prowess, the 22-year-old plays tight gaps with more strength in man-to-man battles than his lighter frame suggests, and he has become better at shutting down passing lanes in the defensive zone. Anaheim is likely holding him back until he can play with consistency in all three zones, and if that day comes, the 2016 third rounder would make a solid bottom-four defender with offensive upside. - TD

Chase De Leo, C (Trade: Jun. 30, 2018. Originally: 99^th overall, 2014 [Winnipeg]. Previous ranking: 11)

Growing up less than 20 miles from Anaheim’s Honda Center, De Leo cheered for the Ducks as a kid. He has suited up for his childhood team twice and led their AHL team over the past two seasons. Surely, he has some satisfaction with where he has gone in his career, but at 24, his story is not quite over. One of the most complete offensive players in the system, De Leo has very quick feet and a rapid shot that is particularly effective from in tight. The lefty is not limited in strength in spite of his 5-10” frame and can effectively run a cycle or drive the net without issue. However, De Leo is not much of an option on defense and seems to play with more energy and puck-play on the wing compared to center. He has essentially been the same player for three years and, while not impossible, is unlikely to stick in the NHL long-term as much more than an injury replacement. He can be an elite quad-A player for the next ten years, but not much else. - TD

Antoine Morand, C (60^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 12)

After captaining the Halifax Mooseheads to a Memorial Cup appearance in his final QMJHL season, Morand struggled in his first pro campaign. His lack of size was a glaring issue and he shied away from competing physically for that reason, which is fairly concerning. But otherwise, the 21-year-old showed some offensive skill and decent potential as a middle-six center with AHL San Diego. Fast and smart, his agility and passing skill stand out most. Capable of carrying the puck and eluding defenders with it at top speed, he displays soft hands and excellent foot quickness to get a step on his opposition. He has been trusted with late faceoffs and protecting a lead in the final minutes of a game, which speaks to his quiet, mature demeanor. Admittedly, Morand is a very tough player to project; in certain games he will exhibit top-six scoring ability but then look invisible on the next five shifts. Finding some consistency in his raw, talented package could allow him to sneak into a top-nine role in the future with Anaheim, but his performance must first improve. - TD

Jack Badini, C/LW (91^st overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 13)

A former third round pick, Badini recently signed with the Ducks after three years at Harvard. The Connecticut native also spent two and a half years in the USHL, where he won a championship with the Chicago Steel. A center, Badini’s scoring statistics might not look so impressive, but that shouldn’t stop anyone from seeing his value. A former member of the ECAC All-Rookie team, he has seen playing time on both Harvard’s power play and penalty kill. His skating requires power strides, but he is a really quick skater. When he is on his game, his passes are powerful and crisp and he can thread them in difficult situations. His speed, plus his quick, direct passes make him a shorthanded scoring threat. He also moves around well in the defensive zone. At the next level, Badini projects as a defensive, power forward. - JS

Trevor Janicke, C (132^nd overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 14)

Janicke would not have made the top 15 with many other organizations, but the Ducks thin out quickly, leaving us room to talk about one of the smaller players in the system. He has a period early in the season where he looked like a potential steal, with seven points over a four game stretch, including three games against Big 10 opponents, but could not maintain that momentum as the season dragged on and he had streaks of nine and six games without points later in the year. I fact, in the 18 games he played for the Fighting Irish after 2020 kicked in, Janicke was limited to three points. Some of the cold spell was luck-related, and he still flashed the skills that saw him drafted in the first place. He is a triggerman who can also dish and has soft hands. With half of Notre Dame’s top six turning pro, he will have a bigger chance to make an impact as a sophomore. – RW

Artyom Galimov, LW (129^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: N/A)

The fourth time was the charm for Galimov, who was neglected over three consecutive drafts before the Ducks finally selected him in the fifth round this year. A hard-working, two-way winger who landed on the Russian national team radar last year, making the WJC roster, lost none of his admittedly meager scoring touch moving from the junior league (MHL) to the KHL and was named KHL rookie of the month in October. His follow up KHL campaign, now underway, is showing more of the same two-way, complimentary offense style game. Galimov is a fine skater with an impressive East-West game and good edges. His mature game, particularly his reliability on the other side of the puck and on the PK could translate well to a depth role in North America as soon as his contract expires at the end of next season. His ceiling and floor are both in bottom six roles. - RW

Bryce Kindopp, RW (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 3, 2020. Previous ranking: 15)

Kindopp has a lot to like about his game. In Everett the total buy-in to team defense is the best in the WHL and Kindopp has been a big part of that. He is effective along the wall, both breaking up the opponent’s cycle and generating his own. He has a good release on his shot but is an effective scorer mainly because of how he positions himself and drives to the net. He is willing to pay the price to get to the net and has the size to stay there as the play progresses. He has a knack for sliding off pressure to give himself space to elevate and finish from in close. On the rush he can score but he isn’t a speedster. His skating has improved enough to get a look, but it is part of why he wasn’t drafted. The most impressive thing with Kindopp has been his steady progression, with minutes, goals per game, shots per game, and points per game having improved year over year. - VG

McKEENS NHL DRAFT GUIDE – FINAL MOCK DRAFT 2020 – TWO ROUNDS

Ryan Wagman and Brock Otten — Sat, 26 Sep 2020 13:48:42 +0000

I know, I know. You are not here for the preamble, so I will keep it extremely brief. For this mock, we are only looking at the part of the first round for which we know the order. That is, the top 29 picks, split amongst the teams that are no longer contending for the Stanley Cup. The 30th pick will go to the team that loses in the Stanley Cup Finals, and the Champions will pick 31st. Notably, Western Conference champs Dallas own their first round pick, while Eastern Conference champs Tampa’s pick belongs to San Jose as a result of the Barclay Goodrow trade. For the sake of timing, we are completing this mock with the presumption that the Lightning, with the better regular season pedigree, and one win away, will win.

We had to wait out a pandemic and two stages of a draft lottery to get here. In the first stage, we saw the third pick going to Ottawa, the pick they received from the currently hapless San Jose Sharks in the Erik Karlsson trade. The second pick was secured by the Los Angeles Kings. The first pick was reserved for a placeholder team, one of the eight teams who appeared in the play-in round but could not break through to the official first round of the postseason.

Those eight teams all had equal 12.5% (1 in 8) chances of winning the top pick, the lottery for which was held a few weeks ago. The New York Rangers won the honors. After the top three picks, the rest of the 4-15 set is set by regular season record. Picks 16-28 were also be decided by regular season record, including all teams who were knocked out in the first or second rounds of the postseason.

The picks made here are not based on insider intelligence, but through an understanding of the players available, and our knowledge of team tendencies and needs.

Let’s Draft!

1. New York Rangers - Alexis Lafreniere, LW, Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL)

There is a very reasonable argument to be made that the highest upside among the 2020 draft class actually belongs to Quinton Byfield. I have time for that argument, considering positional value (Byfield is a center and Lafreniere is a let winger), age (Lafreniere is a late ’01 born, while Byfield has an August 2002 birthdate, giving Byfield 10 extra month of physical development to come), and size (Lafreniere has good size, Byfield is a physical specimen). That said, I would not hesitate in the slightest to select Lafreniere here.
Lafreniere is ready to step right into an NHL roster and play a top six role on day one. The six years of team control that the Rangers would have would all be valuable years and they would be starting immediately. Byfield, on the other hand, may be ready to play in the NHL right now, but he would likely need a season or so before he can start to impose himself on the game. This is basically a parallel to the two players’ respective roles on the Canadian WJC roster. Both made the team, but Lafreniere was the tournament MVP, while Byfield barely saw the ice by the end. Although a winger, Lafreniere will soon be making his linemates better, much like John Tavares used to do across town in Long Island. RW

2. Los Angeles Kings – Tim Stutzle, LW, Adler Mannheim (DEL)

After Lafreniere, the gap in expected value between Stutzle and Byfield is slight at best. The Kings organization has a vested interest in German hockey, holding ownership over the Eisbaren Berlin franchise. At minimum, that should give them added comfort in terms of what they would be getting in Stutzle, likely more so than any other team. Stutzle’s game works at top pace, and he has enough elements to be plugged in anywhere in the lineup right away and work his way into a top line role in due time. As an added bonus, Stutzle will be able to maintain game shape in Germany until the NHL is up and running once again. RW

3. Ottawa Senators (from San Jose Sharks) - Quinton Byfield, C, Sudbury Wolves (OHL)

We know that Lafreniere will not be available at this slot, giving Ottawa the easiest selection of the draft here. They simply take whoever is left on the board between Lafreniere, Stutze and Quinton Byfield. There is a pretty clear drop off in expected future value after these three in this first round. In this scenario, Byfield falls in Ottawa’s lap, and they will not be complaining to get a player they could begin grooming to be their future top line center. Physically overwhelming at the junior level, Byfield has the tools to continue dominating at the NHL level, although many believe that he needs to process the game a gear quicker to allow for all of his tools to play to their capacity at the top level. Ottawa will need more patience with Byfield than the Rangers or Kings would need with Lafreniere or Stutzle, but the payoff will be worth it. RW

4. Detroit Red Wings – Cole Perfetti, C, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

The Red Wings are the biggest losers with the draft lottery outcomes. After one of the worst seasons by any team this century, they certainly had to be hoping for a shot at one of the top three, even if the top pick was out of reach. Even though there is a drop off after the top three, the Red Wings will still get a high-end player at #4. There have been numerous rumors connecting the Wings with Perfetti, who has been playing just up the road from Detroit in Saginaw. There are good arguments to be had for Detroit to pick one of the big Swedes in this draft class, but Perfetti offers a better organizational fit for Detroit as the top center outside of Byfield. There is also something to the comp between Perfetti and Brayden Point, one of Detroit GM Steve Yzerman’s biggest draft prizes from his time atop the Tampa Bay organization. Patience will be important for Detroit with Perfetti – as it would be for anyone available at this point in this scenario – but he has first line center upside. RW

5. Ottawa Senators - Jake Sanderson, D, USNTDP (USHL)

The inclination here is to connect the Senators with one of the big Swedes considering the team’s history with drafting franchise changers from Sweden (Erik Karlsson, Daniel Alfredsson) and both Raymond and Alexander Holtz would be good fits at this stage of the draft. But before making the easy choice, I should point out that the Senators’ scouting staff is not at all the same as the staff that picked Karlsson and Alfredsson. The team has only drafted two players out of Sweden in the previous four drafts. If the Senators go to Sweden it wouldn’t be crazy, and they would more than likely draft Raymond in that case. But with Byfield already a Senator in this scenario, I like them drafting the top defenseman in the draft class. Sanderson and Drysdale are very close in our rankings, a matter of taste, really, and I think Sanderson is more likely here as the Senators under Pierre Dorion tend to go with bigger, more physical players. Sanderson has a clear physical edge on Drysdale at this stage in their respective careers. Sanderson is moving on to North Dakota next season, where he will be playing alongside former Sens’ first rounder Jacob Bernard-Docker. That could be the start of a long-term relationship between the two high end blueline prospects. RW

6. Anaheim Ducks - Jamie Drysdale, D, Erie Otters (OHL)

Drysdale is both arguably the best player available in this scenario, and fits a clear need for the Ducks, who have seen their once vaunted blueline depth dwindle in recent years due to some trades that didn’t exactly work out. The Ducks haven’t used a top pick on an OHL’er since drafting Max Jones in the 2016 first round, but Drysdale would bring a new dimension to their transition game, generally helping make Anaheim a faster paced team. He could reasonably be ready for the NHL by 2021-22. RW

7. New Jersey Devils – Lucas Raymond, LW, Frolunda HC (SHL)

A very good outcome for the Devils, Raymond would give the young team a third potential game breaking talent to go along with their two recent first overall picks Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier. Raymond is a truly dynamic puck player who can make things happen on any given shift and has excelled playing against youth, even if he has struggled to assert himself playing against men in the SHL. There are scenarios where Raymond is already off the board a few picks before New Jersey gets the chance, so they will take this if things play out like this. If Raymond is gone, I see them going to the other Swede, Alexander Holtz over one of the defensemen taken fifth and sixth. RW

8. Buffalo Sabres - Marco Rossi, C, Ottawa 67s (OHL)

The Sabres are once again entering a new regime. The Jason Botterill anti-CHL drafting is a thing of the past. New GM Kevyn Adams has no track record to look to for speculation about how the team might draft. There is a general sense though that metrics will play a deeper role in their selections, especially considering the mass layoffs among the Buffalo scouting staff. So the player who le the OHL in assists and points would be a good fit in that regards. Rossi’s overall hustle and grit would also help make Buffalo tougher to play against, giving opponents a second line after Eichel’s to worry about. RW

9. Minnesota Wild – Yaroslav Askarov, G, Neva St. Petersburg (VHL)

While not as much of a wild card at the draft as the new-look Sabres, this will also be the first draft for new Minnesota GM Bill Guerin, who had been an assistant GM with Pittsburgh for the five seasons prior to this one. He would certainly have seen the value of drafting goalies, but the Penguins had only one first round pick in his time as AGM. The Wild also have new Co-Directors of Amateur Scouting in P.J. Fenton and Darren Yopyk. Had the Penguins given their 2020 first rounder to Minnesota instead of deferring to their 2021 pick, I might have gone in a different direction here, but given the choice between a potential franchise goaltender (Askarov), and a few wingers who project as top six (Anton Lundell, Alexander Holtz, Jack Quinn), I see Guerin and company going with the one who can help define a franchise. RW

10. Winnipeg Jets – Alexander Holtz, RW, Djurgardens IF (SHL)

I get the sense that the Jets would sign off on this scenario in a heartbeat. It would not be hard to imagine an alternate scenario wherein Holtz is off the board at pick 5/6. Three years ago, the Jets drafted a big, skilled winger playing in Sweden named Kristian Vesalainen. Vesalainen has been jerked around since being drafted, spending time in the NHL, AHL, KHL and Liiga. Holtz is not the physical specimen that Vesalainen was, but his offensive instincts are more refined, and his draft year production put Vesalainen’s to shame. Holtz’ toolkit is robust and deep such that even though he is best known for his finishing skills, he can contribute in all facets. He may not be far at all from the NHL. RW

11. Nashville Predators – Jack Quinn, RW, Ottawa 67s (OHL)

With the level of talent still available levelling off, I see Poile and company looking for a player who can help sooner than later. While there aren’t any immediate contributors available, Quinn may be pretty close. The Predators showed no compunction in going to the OHL for their first rounder last year, and Philip Tomasino has taken huge steps forward in his first post draft year. Adding Quinn to a collection of prospects up front including Tomasino, Eeli Tolvanen, Egor Afanasyev, Rem Pitlick and others would give the Predators more offensive skill on the way than perhaps at any other time in franchise history. RW

12. Florida Panthers – Braden Schneider, D, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)

Dale Tallon is on the way out in South Florida and TBD is taking his place. With that much uncertainty surrounding the organization, I would generally proceed with a strict “Best Player Available” mantra. There are three forwards and two defenders who are all pretty close in terms of expected future value. In this case, I don’t mind going heavy on positional need, as most of the Panthers’ top prospects after 20191 first rounder, goaltender Spencer Knight are forwards, while the system is very shallow on the blueline. The organization is especially shallow on the right side of the blue line, so I will give the edge to Braden Schneider here over lefty Kaiden Guhle. But in truth, either would be a solid fit. RW

13. Carolina Hurricanes (from Toronto Maple Leafs) – Anton Lundell, C, HIFK (Liiga)

If the Hurricanes, under own Tom Dundon, are adamantly opposed to drafting a defenseman in the first round, I have a hard time imaging them springing for a goalie either. With three forwards of note to consider, I see them drafting the Finn Anton Lundell over either of Seth Jarvis or Dawson Mercer as the Hurricanes and Finnish prospects have been de rigueur for quite some time now. Also, Lundell is very good, plays a mature, NHL near-ready game, and has the versatility to play anywhere in the lineup, up or down the lines, at center or on the wing. I could also see the Hurricanes being the high team on Russian forward Rodion Amirov, but Lundell’s overall game, predicated on skills and smarts, would be hard to resist here. RW

14. Edmonton Oilers – Seth Jarvis, C, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)

Look for the Oilers to continue to build organizational depth up front, as the team has long had a hard time putting the puck in the net without one or both of McDavid or Draisaitl on the ice. The German connection could be a thing if the Oilers were interested in JJ Peterka but recall that Draisaitl was drafted out of the WHL. Instead, I see them staying closer to home. Both Portland’s Seth Jarvis and Kamloops’ Connor Zary could be good fits here. While Zary could be a good fit in the way he can help control a slower tempo, with a speedy star like McDavid on the roster, the faster option is a better fit. Jarvis could be moved to the wing to play in the top six, or kept up the middle, allowing Edmonton to eventually move Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to a permanent top six wing position. Either way, Jarvis will make the Oilers that much more dangerous game in and game out. RW

15. Toronto Maple Leafs (from Pittsburgh Penguins) – Rodion Amirov, LW, Salavat Yulaev Ufa (KHL)

Given Toronto’s stated preference for speed, skill, and smarts in their prospects, some of the available options at this point are not great fits, such as defender Kaiden Guhle, or forwards Connor Zary or Dawson Mercer. The Leafs could really go in many different directions here, including trading down a ew spots to gain additional assets, but if I am keeping the pick, the best fits Toronto’s profile is Russian forward Amirov. He is physically underdeveloped, but his skill game is top six worthy, he reads the ice at a very mature level and can play at a good clip as well. Considering Toronto’s recent run of free agent signings from the KHL (Ozhiganov, Mikheyev, Barabanov), we know they are comfortable with bets on Russian talent. RW

16. Montreal Canadiens – Hendrix Lapierre, C, Chicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL)

One of the reasons I have respected how Montreal has drafted in the Bergevin era, is that they are willing to place bets on players from leagues outside the norm. Last year alone, they drafted players playing in Denmark and AAA in Alberta. This pick would not meet that definition, but it is a home run swing, nonetheless. Once Lapierre’s injury was reported to have been a neck injury and not a second concussion, some worries over his future were alleviated. There is also the slow start to his year to be considered, but coming into the season, many had assumed that the skilled playmaker would be long gone by this point. If Lapierre recovers his previous trajectory, this would be a big win. RW

17. Chicago Blackhawks – John-Jason Peterka, LW/RW, EHC Munchen (DEL)

Chicago would jump on Askarov if the Russian netminder somehow fell this far. Seeing as how he is not, and the strength of the system is defensemen – 7 of the club’s top 15 prospects is a blueliner, and that count doesn’t include Boqvist – look for the Blackhawks to add scoring depth. Two years ago, they signed Dominik Kahun as a free agent out of EHC Munchen in Germany. That worked out pretty well. Peterka is more of a scorer than the playmaking Kahun, but he also has a very reasonable top six projection. RW

18. New Jersey Devils (from Arizona Coyotes) – Kaiden Guhle, D, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)

With Lucas Raymond already under wraps, and another first rounder coming up, the Devils can afford to diversify their approach, hearken back to the drafting of Ty Smith, and draft another defenseman from the WHL in the middle of the first round. Guhle is a much different style of defender than Smith but could be a compliment to him as the other left handed defender in the top four. Guhle skates well and is one of the more physical defenders in this draft class. RW

19. Calgary Flames – Connor Zary, C, Kamloops Blazers (WHL)

The Flames need offensive talent for a second wave, especially if Johnny Gaudreau’s days are getting shorter in Calgary. Other than 2019 first rounder Jakob Pelletier, the cupboard is conspicuously empty. They could be opportunistic in this scenario and grab a future top six center in Connor Zary. His footspeed prevents him from being taken higher, but he reads the game very well and plays a positioning and puck skill game that doesn’t rely on being faster than opponents. Winger Dawson Mercer would also be a very worthy possibility here. RW

20. New Jersey Devils (from Vancouver Canucks) – Dawson Mercer, RW, Chicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL)

In this scenario, the Devils have already stocked up their system with Lucas Raymond and Kaiden Guhle. In adding Mercer to their group, they get another talented winger who could team up in a few years with recent high-end picks like Nico Hischier, Jack Hughes, and Michael McLeod. Mercer isn’t as flashy as Raymond – or as the centers – but he has excellent touch with the puck, and a highly advanced sense of where to be in the offensive zone to generate the most positive impact for his team. The WJC gold medalist from the 2020 event, he could be ready for the NHL faster than most other players still available. RW

21. Columbus Blue Jackets – Mavrik Bourque, C, Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL)

If Columbus, which has not had their full complement of picks in recent years, as they have pushed to be a competitive playoff team, can be said to have a type, it is for instinctive forwards who play versatile games that could fit up and down the lineup. If there is a player available right now who could follow in the footsteps of Alexandre Texier and Liam Foudy, Bourque fits the bill. He has high end puck skills and instincts and plays a gritty game that maximizes his tools. The system is currently weaker on the blueline, but the draft class is forward heavy and those who should be considered in this range are already off the board (Schneider, Guhle). The dropoff in forward talent between this pick and when Columbus picks again (4th round) is far steeper than the dropoff among blueline prospects. RW

22. New York Rangers (from Carolina Hurricanes) – Jan Mysak, C, Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL)

Contrary to popular belief, the New York Rangers 2020 draft class will be judged on more than just what they get out of presumptive first overall pick Alexis Lafreniere. I often advocate for a diversified portfolio when teams make multiple picks in the first round, but four of the top 6 prospects in the Rangers’ system prior to the draft were defensemen, and the forwards available here are better anyway. Mysak fits in the Rangers’ worldview, considering their heavy lean towards European talents in the first round of late. While the skilled Czech pivot spent the second half of the season in the OHL with Hamilton, the first half of his draft year was played out against men in his homeland. The relative success of Filip Chytil should give the Rangers’ brass comfort in the Czech option and Mysak has outproduced his strong skill set for a while now. RW

23. Philadelphia Flyers – Dylan Holloway, RW, Wisconsin Badgers (NCAA/Big 10)

Both the Ron Hextall and Chuck Fletcher regimes have been very comfortable scouting the college bound talents and seven of the club’s top 15 prospects heading into the draft spent last year playing NCAA hockey. As such, the club would have had many extra opportunities to scout Holloway, who spent his first year of eligibility playing for the Badgers, occasionally outshining recent first round picks like Alex Turcotte (LA), Cole Caufield (Mtl), and K’Andre Miller (NYR). Holloway plays a powerful North-South game with speed and skill. When he remembers to slow the game down, his non-stop motor helps his tools play up. He can fit in an energy role if top six spots are unavailable. RW

24. Washington Capitals – Lukas Reichel, LW, Eisbaren Berlin (DEL)

Outside of 2019 first rounder Connor McMichael, the Capitals have a pretty downtrodden system, with a clear lack in offensive talent. Never a team to shy away from European prospects, Reichel is one of the players that could benefit from the late draft. The German dynamo has started his 2020-21 season very strong in international play, continuing on his upward trajectory in his “natural” draft year. The whole is greater than the sum of the parts with Reichel, and he might be no more than one year away from pushing for an NHL job. RW

25. Colorado Avalanche – Noel Gunler, RW, Lulea (SHL)

The Avalanche have done well in recent drafts by just seeing where the chips fall in front of them and then taking advantage of the best talent available. Thinking back to how Alex Newhook had some doubters at the time because of his being prominently left off some Canadian teams in international competition. Perhaps a similar bit of context will make it easier for the Avalanche to pull the trigger on Noel Gunler, who is seemingly always a late cut on various Team Sweden rosters. Gunler’s offensive tools are all high end and with a bit of glue to pull it all together over the next few years as part of an increased role with Lulea in the SHL, could turn out to be one of the best value picks of the entire 2020 draft class. RW

26. St. Louis Blues – Brendan Brisson, C, Chicago Steel (USHL)

St. Louis has spread the love in terms of where they have drafted from in recent years, although they have seemed to shy away from Finland in recent years. That said, the system is altogether lacking in high end talent at this time, with many of their best having graduated to the NHL. Brisson offers an exciting, point-producing talent who will require patience as he heads of the play for the Michigan Wolverines as soon as Big 10 hockey picks back up. Brisson has line driving capabilities but will need time to mature physically. RW

27. Anaheim Ducks (from Boston Bruins) – Sam Colangelo, RW, Chicago Steel (USHL)

The Ducks already have a defenseman in this scenario, in Jamie Drysdale. If they take Colangelo now, it is because they suspect he might not be around for their next pick (#36) as the Chicago winger is one of the few power forwards in this draft class. Further, the Ducks always take players with connections to the Steel (Jack Badini in 2017, Blake McLaughlin in 2018, and Jackson Lacombe in 2019). The Ducks still value players who play heavy games as in the golden days of the Pacific Division and Colangelo has enough skill with his sandpaper to fit in the more modern game. RW

28. Ottawa Senators (from New York Islanders) – Ridly Greig, C, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)

In our scenario here, the Senators have already drafted Quinton Byfield and Jake Sanderson. Anything else is gravy, really. On poutine. The Senators under Pierre Dorion like players who are hard to play against. I can’t say that I disagree with that preference, even in the first round, where upside is king. At the very least, a skilled player who is tough to play against can find a home down the lineup if he doesn’t reach his perceived ceiling. A late bloomer, in the sense that he needed a few months into his draft year to find his stride, Greig is certainly tough to play against, despite his still growing frame. Greig is among those who have moved over to Europe (in his case, Sweden) to stay in game shape during the COVID-delays. RW

29. Vegas Golden Knights (from New York Islanders) – Helge Grans, D, Malmo J20 (SuperElit)

The Golden Knights may be among the top half dozen teams in the NHL, but their organizational depth betrays their expansion team status. Only three years into their existence, they were so good so soon that they have already traded away the bulk of the future advantage that similar teams tend to receive. A big right-handed shooter who could have given his draft stock a tangible boost with a good U18 performance, Grans plays a tight two way game, although his off puck play is currently more advanced than his offensive ability. If he can meld all of his tools together, he profiles as a strong option for the second pairing at maturity. RW

30. Dallas Stars – Kasper Simontaival, RW, Tappara U20 (Jr. A SM-liiga)

Edmonton Oil Kings’ center Jake Neighbours feels like a Dallas type pick, but this team really needs some dynamic players in their lineup. Someone who can dangle through some opponents and has a knack for scoring. This team has long honed in on Finland and Simontaival certainly knows how to put the puck in the net, owning one of the most lethal shots in the draft class. He would offer a different look to anything currently in the system. RW

31. San Jose Sharks (from Tampa Bay Lightning) – Justin Barron, D, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)

After pick 20 or so, the talent level of available prospects starts to flatten out considerably. So, you go with a player that makes you comfortable. Barron’s fans suspect he would have been long off the board by this point had he not missed a large chunk of the season to a scary blood clot issue. Now recovered, he could bring the Sharks a well-rounded, right-handed shot from the blueline who can take care of things in both ends. San Jose has heavily scouted the QMJHL in recent years, too, so they will surely have a good read on Barron. RW

32. Detroit Red Wings - Jacob Perreault, RW, Sarnia Sting (OHL)

It would certainly be a bit of a surprise if Perreault falls outside of the first round, but scouts are definitely concerned about the consistency of his effort level at both ends of the rink and the ability to get the most out of his skill set. One of the best goal scorers available, his upside is quite high and it’s why he could easily slot inside the top 20 too. The Wings snag him with the first pick of the second round, envisioning a potential powerplay set up that includes Perreault as the triggerman alongside the likes of Perfetti and Zadina. BO

33. Ottawa Senators - Ryan O’Rourke, D, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)

O’Rourke is best described as a throwback style defender, whose game would have fit in well during the 1980’s-90’s. He plays the game hard and makes the opposition earn every inch of ice against him. However, his offensive upside may have been hidden given his role with the Greyhounds last year. His decision making with the puck is high end and he projects as a top four two-way defender in the future. Between the selection of Jake Sanderson in the first round and O’Rourke in the second, Ottawa is set to become a very difficult team to play against in a few years. BO

34. San Jose Sharks - Luke Evangelista, RW, London Knights (OHL)

Might be a bit of a shock to see Evangelista drafted ahead of a few other higher ranked OHL players, but don’t sleep on this breakout star for the London Knights. There are certainly NHL teams who see him as a potential first round selection and put a ton of stock into the London and Dale Hunter development program. San Jose would have seen a lot of Luke last year while checking in on the progress of Ryan Merkley and are likely to have been impressed with what they saw. A well-rounded winger, Evangelista’s potential as a playmaker could be higher than currently envisioned. BO

35. Los Angeles Kings - Dylan Peterson, C, USNTDP (USHL)

Peterson is the kind of player who NHL teams love a lot more than the independent scouting community. A big center who skates extremely well, Peterson profiles as both a potential playmaker and shutdown center, depending on how his development in college goes. No doubt, scouts would have taken notice of his improvement over the course of last year; the cancellation of the World U18’s likely hurt his chance of creeping into the first round with a strong performance. However, looking at the make-up of their division and conference rivals in the West, the Kings know that they will eventually need big forwards who can skate like Peterson. BO

36. Anaheim Ducks - Tyson Foerster, RW, Barrie Colts (OHL)

After taking Jamie Drysdale in round one, the Ducks turned their attention to goal scoring in the second round by selecting Barrie winger Tyson Foerster. Armed with one of the best shots in the draft, Foerster is lethal on the powerplay. His lack of a dynamic skating stride keeps him out of the first round, but his potential is too much to turn down in the early second. As he works to improve his pace and round out his game, Foerster could easily become a top six forward at the NHL level. BO

37. Nashville Predators (from New Jersey Devils) - Tyler Kleven, D, USNTDP (USHL)

No question, Tyler Kleven is another defender who NHL scouts are bound to like more than scouting agencies or independent scouts. While his offensive upside may be limited, the combination of his size, skating ability, and physicality, makes him a good candidate to develop into a modern-day shutdown defender. Nashville seeks to re-emerge as a tough team to play against again, a moniker that they held firmly a decade ago, but have lost touch with in recent years. This has caused a slide down the standings. Kleven, along with Dante Fabbro, can give the Preds those rocks on the back end that can allow players like Josi space to roam. BO

38. Buffalo Sabres - William Wallinder, D, Modo J20 (SuperElit)

Definitely a polarizing player for this year’s draft, Wallinder has physical tools in spades. A high-end mover from the back-end, he can dazzle at times and this has some scouts wondering about his high end potential if they are patient. The word patient is used because Wallinder is still learning to utilize his skill set, a fact that has other scouts questioning his IQ and vision on the ice. Whether you like him or not, defenders like Wallinder always go high in the draft because all it takes is for one franchise to believe in his potential. Buffalo, hoping to hit the jackpot, rolls the dice on the big Swede. BO

39. Minnesota Wild - Luke Tuch, LW, USNTDP (USHL)

When his brother Alex was draft eligible, and subsequently a first round selection, he was universally ranked in that first round range. While Luke does not appear to have the offensive upside of his brother, he is ranked as a possible second round selection by many publications (even if we have him well outside that range). Given Alex’s strong playoff performance this year and that bubble hockey proved that size, skill, and toughness still wins in the playoffs, look for Luke to be drafted earlier rather than later. After rolling the dice on Askarov in round one, Minnesota looks to secure a sure-fire NHL player here. BO

40. Winnipeg Jets - Jack Finley, C, Spokane Chiefs (WHL)

One of the biggest players in the draft and also one of the youngest available, Finley’s raw potential is most certainly alluring. A potentially dominant playmaker down low once he fills out, Finley is a player who was starting to trend upwards before the WHL season was halted. Jack Finley’s father, long time NHL defender Jeff Finley, is a scout with Winnipeg, so there are obvious connections to the organization on top of him being a high upside selection. BO

41. Carolina Hurricanes (from New York Rangers) - Ty Smilanic, LW, USNTDP (USHL)

Smilanic is best described as an enigma because depending on what night you see him on, he could be one of the best or one of the worst players on the ice. If he can iron out some of those consistency issues, he could develop into a high-end offensive producer at the NHL level; no one doubts his skill level with the puck. Carolina, looking to add another skilled winger to their prospect pool, takes a chance on Smilanic. BO

42. Nashville Predators - Topi Niemela, D, Karpat (Liiga)

After taking Tyler Kleven with their first second round selection, the Predators took a different approach with their second pick in the round, selecting Finnish offensive defender Topi Niemela. A skilled playmaker from the back-end, Niemela may be lacking in the physical tools that Kleven possesses, but his high IQ and safe game allows him to move the puck effectively and it is easy to see his game translating well to the NHL level. BO

43. Florida Panthers - Marat Khusnutdinov, C, St. Petersburg (MHL)

Looking for a potentially elite two-way center, the Panthers select Russian forward Marat Khusnutdinov with their second-round pick. A powerful skater, Khusnutdinov is both a talented playmaker and a hard-working defensive center. There are some who question his upside as a top six forward, and because of that, the lure of the KHL is a real concern. However, there is no doubting that he deserves to be a top 50 selection and Florida makes a great pick here. BO

44. Toronto Maple Leafs - Jean Luc Foudy, RW, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

It is definitely possible that the Leafs opt for a forward with a little more size who skates well (like Torgersson or Jarventie) at this position, however Foudy may be too alluring for Leafs’ management to pass up. After playing against his brother Liam in this year’s playoffs and seeing his speed make him one of Columbus’ most effective players, the Leafs opt for Jean Luc. Adding speed to the current lineup (and system) has to be a priority and JL Foudy is one of the draft’s quickest. He has time to iron out some of the concerns about his game (perimeter play, defensive consistency, shot confidence), and if Toronto is patient, he could turn out to be a steal. BO

45. Detroit Red Wings (from Edmonton Oilers) - Drew Commesso, G, USNTDP (USHL)

Askarov is very clearly the top goaltender available this year, but the second goalie off the board is much more of a mystery. There are a lot of players in contention for that honor. One of them is Drew Commesso, the starter for the U.S. U18 team. Commesso was consistently a standout in the USHL this year and has all the tools that teams are looking for in a potential starter. Looking to improve the team’s prospect depth at the position, Detroit takes the Boston University commit in hopes that he can be their goalie of the future. BO

46. Chicago Blackhawks (from Pittsburgh Penguins) - Nico Daws, G, Guelph Storm (OHL)

It is very possible that goaltenders go back to back at this spot in the second round, given the lack of goaltending depth in both Detroit and Chicago’s system. Looking for a goalie who is closer to the show, Chicago selects Nico Daws, an OHL netminder in his final year of eligibility. The OHL goaltender of the year, Daws improved his conditioning last offseason and the results were incredible. A massive netminder at 6’4, 200lbs, Daws looks and plays the part of a future standout for the Hawks and a possible replacement for Corey Crawford. BO

47. Montreal Canadiens - Jake Neighbours, LW, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)

Neighbours, ranked inside or near the first round by nearly every publication (including us) takes a bit of a tumble at the draft due to a perceived lack of upside. However, he plays the kind of heavy game that the Canadiens are looking to inject into their system and lineup. Even if he only tops out as a high end third line winger, he could provide value to Montreal in that role. BO

48. Montreal Canadiens (from Chicago Blackhawks) - Ian Moore, D, St. Marks (USHS)

Montreal has taken two high end prep school defenders in recent drafts (Struble and Harris), so why not make it a trifecta? With so many selections this year, Montreal is most definitely going to select some players who will require patience (and also not require a contract offer for several years). Moore fits the bill. A high-end skater from the back-end, it remains unknown how Moore’s skill set will translate to a higher level. However, he is set to play for Chicago (USHL) this year and then attend Harvard the following year; two fantastic programs. This is the kind of high upside selection that teams with many picks always make. BO

49. Arizona Coyotes - Pick Forfeited

This selection was forfeited by Arizona as punishment for breaking league rules surrounding the individual testing of draft eligible players.

50. Calgary Flames - Daniel Torgersson, LW, Frolunda J20 (SuperElit)

Playing out of the West, and with some great power forward type prospects available in this range, it is very possible that the Flames try to inject size and skill into the organization with this selection. Will Cuylle could be a possibility, but Calgary opts for a better skater in Torgersson. Like any potential young power forward, consistency is an issue but the potential reward here is high. BO

51. Los Angeles Kings (from Vancouver Canucks) - Jeremie Poirier, D, Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)

No question, someone could take a chance on Poirier a heck of a lot earlier than this. He is one of the draft’s top offensive defender prospects. His ability to QB the powerplay and jump up into the rush is elite. However, concerns over his defensive commitment and four-way mobility could push him down the board on draft day. The Kings have one of the NHL’s best farm systems so they can afford to take the chance that Poirier can eventually put his skills to use at the NHL level. BO

52. Ottawa Senators (from Columbus Blue Jackets) - Thomas Bordeleau, C, USNTDP (USHL)

Bordeleau, the son of former NHL’er Sebastien, is an undersized, but well-rounded offensive center out of the U.S. Development program. The University of Michigan commit has one of the quickest releases in the draft class and his play through traffic really improved over the course of the last USHL season. The concern that his skating is not dynamic enough, given his lack of size, pushes him down the draft board slightly, but he ends up as a great selection for the Senators. BO

53. Carolina Hurricanes - Tristen Robins, C/RW, Saskatoon Blades (WHL)

Some draft publications have Robins in the first round. Some have him in the fourth round. Where will he truly fall come draft day? Our second-round ranking seems like a more likely reality. What is unquestionably true, however, is that Robins was one of the best players in the WHL in the second half of last season before the stoppage. If an organization is convinced that he can stick down the middle and that his offensive upside places him as a top six forward, he could go higher. Carolina is known to put a premium on hockey sense, over physical tools (at times) and it is very possible that they are the team that selects him. BO

54. Philadelphia Flyers - Will Cuylle, LW, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

They may not be the Broadstreet Bullies anymore, but the Flyers will always be a team that looks to assert themselves physically. That said, this is also a team that finds themselves in the bottom half of the league in hits over the last three seasons. Adding a physical power forward like Will Cuylle would make a lot of sense. Cuylle may not have had the kind of offensive season that was expected of him, but he still possesses the upside to be a high-end middle six winger and is a better goal scorer than the numbers would indicate. BO

55. San Jose Sharks (from Colorado Avalanche) - Danil Gushchin, W, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)

One of the NHL’s weakest farm systems, compounded by the fact that they gave up the third overall selection this year, San Jose will look to swing for the fences on a few selections this draft. Enter Danil Gushchin. A highly skilled offensive player, Gushchin is the definition of a boom or bust pick. When he is on, he is electric. When he is off, he is invisible. He will suit up with Niagara of the OHL this year and will look to develop more consistency in helping a young team make the playoffs. For San Jose, he can be a possible difference maker if his development goes according to plan. BO

56. Detroit Red Wings (from Washington Capitals) - Brock Faber, D, USNTDP (USHL)

Even with the selection of Moritz Seider last year, and a few good young defenders in the system, the Wings are likely to continue to add quality blueliners to the organization at this year’s draft. Faber is a favourite in the analytics community because of his offensive efficiency. An intelligent two-way defender, Faber’s high IQ is likely to interest Detroit due to the decision-making issues some of their current young defenders have. BO

57. Montreal Canadiens (from St. Louis Blues) - Shakir Mukhamadullin, D, Ufa (MHL)

The whipping boy of the internet scouting community, Mukhamadullin certainly has his detractors. Many believe that he will never be able to properly utilize his physical tools because he does not think the game well enough. However, he remains...a defender with high end physical tools and that alone will draw the interest of NHL scouts. His strong start to the KHL season does not hurt either. A few years ago, Montreal rolled the dice on another raw Russian defender (Romanov) and that has worked out pretty well so far. Seeing them do it again is not farfetched. BO

58. Boston Bruins - Ozzy Wiesblatt, RW, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)

A high energy winger who excels on the forecheck and in pushing the pace, it is not hard to see why the Boston Bruins could have interest in Wiesblatt. Universally ranked higher by scouts, Wiesblatt falls a bit in a similar way to Jake Neighbours, because of a perceived lack of upside. However, Boston has never been shy to select highly probable NHL players over those with higher upside but higher bust potential. BO

59. OTT (via NYI) - Martin Chromiak, W, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)

After coming over to the OHL at the mid-way point of last season, Chromiak really found his game alongside the talented Shane Wright and fellow 2020 draft eligible prospect Zayde Wisdom. A terrific support player due to his vision and ability to control the wall, Chromiak has even more to show us as a potential offensive leader. As he gains confidence, look for his goal scoring ability to become a highlight of his skills package. Ottawa would have likely seen a lot of Chromiak this year, given the close proximity and his skill set would fit in well with the team’s current young core. BO

60. Los Angeles Kings (from Vegas Golden Knights) - Pavel Gogolev, LW, Guelph Storm (OHL)

If there is a team in the NHL who loves to take a chance on second- and third-year eligible players it is the Los Angeles Kings. One of the best available this year is Guelph Storm winger Pavel Gogolev, who emerged as one of the top offensive players in the OHL last year. Once a one-dimensional goal scorer, Gogolev has worked hard to add other layers to his game and it should make him an attractive top 100 selection this October. He could move quickly through LA’s system too, even if it is incredibly strong and deep. BO

61. Ottawa Senators (from Dallas Stars) - Zayde Wisdom, RW, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)

After taking Chromiak a few picks earlier, the Senators opt for his teammate and linemate in Zayde Wisdom with this pick. Wisdom is a hard-working complementary piece who plays a very well rounded game. This is a kid who is highly motivated and continues to work hard to improve his game. It is not hard to see him becoming an NHL player. The question is, will the Senators still be bad enough to earn a shot at Shane Wright in 2022? BO

62. Tampa Bay Lightning - Roby Jarventie, LW, Koovee (Mestis)

While Tampa Bay may opt for a high upside defender here such as Wyatt Kaiser, Emil Andrae, or Anton Johanesson, they instead take the enigmatic Jarventie. Jarventie is the kind of winger that all NHL teams are looking for these days; big, quick, and a skilled scorer. Yet, he disappears for stretches and his international performances have left some to be desired. However, Tampa, without a first rounder, sees the upside here and hopes that he can help to offset that loss by developing into a high-end NHL scorer. BO