Isaak Phillips – McKeen's Hockey

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

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

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

1 - Lukas Reichel LW

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

2 - Frank Nazar C

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

3 - Kevin Korchinski D

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

4 - Sam Rinzel D

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

5 - Drew Commesso G

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

6 - Wyatt Kaiser D

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

7 - Alec Regula D

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

8 - Ethan Del Mastro D

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

9 - Paul Ludwinski C

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

10 - Arvid Soderblom G

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

11 - Isaak Phillips

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

12 - Colton Dach

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

13 - Nolan Allan

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

14 - Gavin Hayes

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

15 - Alex Vlasic

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

16 - Ryan Greene

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

17 - Landon Slaggert

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

18 - Josiah Slavin

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

19 - Michal Teply

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

20 - Jaxson Stauber

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

TOP 15 PROSPECTS: CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS – RANK: #22 – TIER IV

McKeen's Hockey — Fri, 10 Sep 2021 15:54:11 +0000

Chicago Blackhawks

OSTRAVA, CZECH REPUBLIC - DECEMBER 28: Germany vs Czech Republic preliminary round action of the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship at Ostravar Arena on December 28, 2019 in Ostrava, Czech Republic. (Photo by Andrea Cardin/HHOF-IIHF Images)

Lukas Reichel - LW

The second German first rounder in 2020 after Ottawa’s Tim Stützle, Reichel enjoyed a fantastic 20-21 season, taking a huge step in not only his maturity and statistical development, but by going from a 2nd/3rd line winger in the 19-20 season to a first line center for DEL champion Eisbären Berlin. Teaming up with former NHL draft pick Marcel Noebels and Olympian Leo Pföderl, Reichel’s line proved to be the cream of the crop in the DEL and Reichel saw his production jump by eight points and +19 in just five more games than his already impressive draft year output. His winter - and Team Germany’s - may have even been better had a bout with Covid and the tourney regulations regarding respective Covid protocols not prevented him from participating in the WJC.

After winning the league championship, Reichel - the nephew of former NHLer Robert Reichel - found himself in a top six role for Team Germany at the men’s World Championships, putting up six points and a +5 in nine total games, although most of those points were collected in the first two games. A heavy check to the head in Game 3 against Kazakhstan ended his day but didn’t knock him out of the tournament. Still, he wasn’t quite the same player afterwards, gaining just one more point along the way. Reichel signed his ELC shortly thereafter and is expected to remain in Berlin for the 21-22 season. Another performance in a top line gig similar to last season could very well have him on the fast track to an NHL job with Chicago, although his NHL breakthrough may just have to come on the wing. - CL

Landon Slaggert - LW

Slaggert is a funny player. The son of one of Notre Dame’s assistant coaches (technically, an associate head coach), and a graduate of the USNTDP program, he gets most of his attention for being an agitator. Some play to score, but Slaggert loves to tussle. Physicality is the point. He will regularly go out of his way to make a hit and create a memory in the mind of the opposing player. And yet, almost unnoticed, he put up close to one point per game as a freshman on a pretty mediocre team, finishing third on the Fighting Irish in points, between only his older brother Graham, and Alex Steeves, who signed as a free agent with Toronto.

So, what is he really? In all honesty, once he turns pro, you can expect the agitating side of his game to be the focal point for his development. His elite energy level is perfectly suited for a bottom six role, neutralizing the opposition’s top scoring forwards at even strength and on the penalty kill. But even in a lower line role, he should be an impactful player for his team. He has quickness in his feet, and flashes above average hand-eye coordination, and the ability to execute the odd bit of magic with his stick. He doesn’t have Brad Marchand upside, but if he is put in a situation where he plays as the third wheel with two other skill guys, he will leave that impression on occasion. - RW

Wyatt Kalynuk - D

Already 20-years-old when he was drafted by Philadelphia, Kalynuk was not compelled to stay on campus for the full four years to become a free agent, instead walking away after a very strong junior campaign, signing with the Blackhawks as a free agent. It would then be an understatement to say that his professional debut exceeded expectations. An offensive-oriented puck moving skilled defender, he topped the point-per-game mark over eight games in the AHL and came four NHL games away from losing prospect eligibility status. In fairness, his ice time in the NHL was fairly sheltered, playing third pairing minutes, although his ice time did gradually increase as the season progressed, and he was the recipient of regular time on the power play.

This year’s Chicago roster will look very different from what he accustomed to as a first-year player, as the turnover on the blueline is especially acute. As good as Kalynuk looked last year, he cannot be said to be guaranteed the same role in 2021-22, even if he did more than hold his own. The top four seems fairly locked up between newcomers Seth Jones and Jake McCabe, along with holdovers Connor Murphy and Calvin De Haan, with five youngsters competing for the remaining three NHL jobs, including former top prospect Ian Mitchell, and the player immediately following Kalynuk on this list. The tools are there for Kalynuk to succeed, but to cement his spot, he will need to convince the coaching staff that he does not need to be limited in his deployment. - RW

Nicolas Beaudin - D

The 2020/21 season was an extremely successful one for the former first round pick out of Drummondville. He lit up the AHL in his sophomore season, earning an extended call up with the Blackhawks where he performed very admirably in a third pairing role, even seeing some powerplay time. He then closed out the season by helping Canada win gold at the World Championships, again in a third pairing role.

Beaudin’s skating ability has always been his calling card and the key to his success. Originally drafted as primarily an offensive defender, Beaudin has worked hard to be more consistently engaged in the defensive end. He is not the biggest defender, but he has added strength to help him win those battles near the crease and along the wall and he has learned how to use his mobility to be better at defending transitional attacks. It appeared that Beaudin would be a shoo-in to start the year with the Blackhawks, however management brought in Seth Jones, Jake McCabe, and Caleb Jones this offseason. That likely pushes Beaudin to the AHL yet again, where he would be one of the Hawks’ top call-up options. His upside is probably that of a #4-5 defender who can play the powerplay and this potential should be reached within the next two seasons. - BO

Alec Regula - D

While the offensive production certainly did not carry over from London in his first AHL season, Regula did draw strong reviews for his work in the defensive end, improving significantly over the course of his rookie year with Rockford. The hulking, right shot defender even earned a late season call up to Chicago, as a reward for his strong play.

Originally acquired in a trade from Detroit for Brendan Perlini, Regula had developed into a very versatile player in the OHL before turning pro. He was being utilized in the bumper position on the powerplay. He was anchoring the penalty kill. He could be on the ice in any situation. As a first year pro, Regula played it relatively safe offensively, working to make quicker decisions with the puck as he adjusted to the pace of play. As he gains confidence and adjusts, he still may become more involved as an offensive player. At face value, his size, physicality, and mobility make him an ideal defensive defender for the modern NHL. With a strong start to the next AHL season, Regula could position himself to be the first call up to Chicago should the Hawks suffer an injury to their d-core. Otherwise, they will likely opt to be patient with the big rearguard, hoping that he can develop into the dominant two-way defender that he was with the London Knights. - BO

Drew Commesso - G

Bearing in mind the small sample, Commesso was one of the better goalies in the Hockey East conference as a freshman last season. As a USNTDP grad, who got better and better as his draft year wore on, but given his abbreviated post-draft season, there isn’t much change to his scouting report, other than the fact that he still hasn’t proved – or been able to prove – that he can handle a starter’s workload. He has average size, solid athleticism, and keeps his feet moving over the course of the game. The area of his game in which he has shown the most potential is actually in his puck handling, as he has long enjoyed skating out of his crease to play the puck, and he does it quite well.

There are some who are very high on Commesso and some who are not yet convinced that he represents the best future bet for Chicago between the pipes. Given his playing time so far, both viewpoints are reasonable, especially considering his steady performances. Chicago seems to also be on the fence so far, as reports were out there connecting them to one of this year’s draft class’ two big goalie prospects (Jesper Wallstedt and Sebastian Cossa), although those died down when they traded down as part of the Seth Jones deal. Commesso clearly has NHL starter upside, but we will need a full season of collegiate hockey to feel secure in that projection. - RW

Colton Dach - C

The younger brother to budding Chicago Blackhawks star Kirby Dach, Colton is following in his brother’s footsteps by playing with the Saskatoon Blades and by being selected by Chicago at the draft. Dach’s game improved significantly in his second year in the WHL as he averaged a point per game in a secondary scoring role for a very deep Blades team.

Like his brother, Colton’s offensive potential and projection are quite high because of his size (6’4, 205lbs) and skill combination. Dach has the ability to dominate shifts down low because of how well he protects the puck, and he is adept at finding soft spots in coverage without the puck. Scouts also like Dach’s versatility as he has shown an ability to successfully play the wing or center, adapting his game to suit the needs and requests of his team and coaching staff. However, at this point, Colton does not skate quite as well as his brother. There is room for improvement in his explosiveness and in the dynamics of his stride (East/West). This would allow him to be a more consistent offensive player and more successful when operating at a quicker pace. Colton could also stand to be a more consistent physical player, as he does not always use his size to the best of his advantage. Most definitely a project who will require patience, Dach does have extremely alluring potential. - McKeen’s Draft Guide 2021

Nolan Allan - D

As witnessed with a strong supporting performance at the Under 18’s for Canada, Nolan Allan has a chance to be a long time stay at home NHL defender. He combines good size and reach with excellent mobility and physical intensity, making him a very efficient and consistent defensive player. While he was a bit of a surprise first round selection, it is easy to see why the Blackhawks valued him so greatly.

Allan’s four-way mobility is excellent, as his stride, in addition to his pivots, are clean and efficient. This allows him to be very effective defending in transition, as he steps up quickly to address attackers, often forcing dump-ins because forwards are unable to get around him. Allan is also a physically aggressive player who picks his spots well to go for the big hit and who rarely misses an assignment near the crease; he can be suffocating. He is your classic modern day NHL stopper. However, Allan’s offensive potential appears to be limited due to his lack of innate puck skill. He can clear forecheckers with his feet but needs to be paired with a more confident puck handler to help initiate clean exits. Inside the offensive zone, Allan will often elect to dump pucks into the corner and rarely jumps up into the play to hold the line or keep pucks in, opting to play an extremely conservative brand of defense. Perhaps as he gains confidence, these tools will grow. As of right now, Allan likely projects as a quality third pairing defender who can anchor a penalty killing unit. - McKeen’s Draft Guide 2021

Ethan Del Mastro - D

The expectations for Del Mastro heading into this OHL season were pretty high after he showed such great progression in his rookie season, finishing the year as one of Mississauga’s best defenders. However, due to the OHL cancellation, the only game action Del Mastro saw this year was at the U18’s where he helped Canada win gold. While he started slowly in more of a third pairing role, he eventually earned the trust of the coaching staff and became a very valuable member of that gold medal winning squad.

The main allure of Del Mastro is that he skates significantly better than the average 6’4, 205 lbs, physically imposing defender. His long strides are both smooth and powerful, allowing him to pick up speed quickly. Del Mastro also relishes the opportunity to play the body and is extremely physically aggressive. This gets him into penalty trouble at times, but this is the trade-off for a player who prides himself in being difficult to match up against. While Del Mastro does show potential as a puck mover because of his linear power, his offensive skill set is currently most effective when kept simple. Just how high his offensive upside is remains to be seen. Does he have the vision, creativity, or hands to be a strong two-way force or is he more likely to become a stay-at-home defender at the NHL level? Del Mastro will be a leader for the Mississauga Steelheads this year and should see considerable ice time in all situations, aiding in his development as a two-way player. - McKeen’s Draft Guide 2021

Evan Barratt - C

A prospect who has been mostly under the radar since his time with the USNTDP, Barratt has slowly and gradually improved his overall game, but the pace of improvement has been so slow and gradual, that it has been barely perceptible. In his time with the program, he was overshadowed by the likes of Quinn Hughes, Brady Tkachuk and Josh Norris, even though Norris was the only one who outproduced him. Playing for Penn State may have continued to keep his expectations lowered, as the school still lacks the cache of the premier college programs, unlike conference rivals Notre Dame, Michigan, and Minnesota.

There was some mild buzz during and after his 43-point sophomore campaign, but Barratt’s inclusion with the American WJC entry had a diminishing impact on his standing, and his scoring regressed to around one point per game in his final season on campus. Barratt’s first pro campaign was again a quiet one, yet only two members of the IceHogs topped his output. You may have also noticed a trend here, in that Barratt consistently puts up solid numbers – not team leading, but close – yet the numbers themselves are not eye-popping, and the way he gets there isn’t exciting, so he is overlooked. Even if it’s boring, he has a good shot, and though he may seem plodding, he plays hard and gets his licks in. The upside is moderate, but he’ll earn it without fanfare. - RW

Michal Teply - LW

The 6’3 playmaking winger started his pro career last year, however he struggled with Rockford as he adjusted to the speed and strength of pro players. He will hope to be better in his sophomore campaign and will try to earn more offensive responsibility this season.

MacKenzie Entwistle G

Entwistle may not have the potential to be a top six player at the NHL level, but he has everything you want from an elite level bottom six player. The competitive two-way forward can play any position and is ready for a full-time role at the NHL level this season.

Wyatt Kaiser - D

A third-round selection in 2020 out of high school, Kaiser had a terrific freshman year for UMD last year, earning a spot on the NCHC all-rookie team. The smooth skating two-way blueliner is a prospect on the rise in the Blackhawks system.

Isaak Phillips - D

With the OHL on hiatus, Phillips was able to play in the AHL a year early and, perhaps surprisingly, he was extremely effective as a first-year pro. Blessed with high-end physical tools, Phillips showed great progression as an offensive player last year, to go with his already refined defensive approach. With a full AHL season on the horizon, Phillips is another Blackhawks prospect trending upwards.

Jakub Galvas - D

After spending two years in Liiga as an everyday player, the Czech defender will head to North America for the first time this year to play with Rockford in the AHL. Far from a flashy player, Galvas succeeds as a two-way defender because he keeps things simple.

OHL in the AHL: Part Four – Jan Mysak (Montreal), Isaak Phillips (Chicago), Quinton Byfield (LA), Arthur Kaliyev (LA)

Brock Otten — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 21:57:04 +0000

In a normal season, players from the CHL under the age of 20 (save for the odd player granted exceptional status like Joe Veleno) would not be eligible to play in the AHL due to the agreement with the Canadian Hockey League. However, 2021 has been anything but normal. While many draft eligible players from Ontario have gone overseas to play and advance their development, OHL players that were already drafted into the NHL have been granted the opportunity to play in the AHL while they await the start-up of the Ontario Hockey League. 28 players who would have otherwise been sent back to the OHL, have started their pro careers early. For many, the results have been terrific, and this experience has done wonders for their development.

As part of a seven-part series, I will be evaluating the performances of each of those 28 players.

Jan Mysak - Laval Rocket

Center/Left Wing, 5’11, 175lbs

OHL Rights: Hamilton Bulldogs

NHL Rights: Montreal Canadiens

Statistics: 4gp, 1g, 0a, 1p, 0pim, 0(+/-)

When we last left him:

A late arrival to Hamilton last year, Mysak proved himself to be an extremely versatile player for the Bulldogs in limited action before the shutdown. He played center and the wing. He played in all situations. He was on the ice whether Hamilton was down a goal or up one. This well-rounded profile helped him to become a mid-second round selection by Montreal at the 2020 NHL Draft. Mysak is at his best when he is able to drive the net. He has terrific body control and balance and is consistently able to put defenders on his back and generate chances from the goal area. His shot release and scoring instincts are also strengths. Ultimately, Mysak needs to keep his physical intensity at a high level, as he showed a tendency to be a passenger too often, especially when playing the wing. Scouts will also look for Mysak to develop more as a playmaker, improving his vision and ability to create for his linemates when defenders take away those net drives from him. This is crucial to his likelihood of sticking as a center at the next level.

2021 McKeen’s Yearbook Grades

Skating: 55

Shot: 55

Skills: 60

Smarts: 55

Physicality: 50

Assessing his AHL play:

Much like he did in Hamilton, Mysak has been playing both center and the wing for Laval so far The sample size to work with has been pretty small, with Mysak seeing little special teams time, and playing on the third/fourth line. However, in Mysak fashion, he is getting himself scoring chances and doing the best that he can to make an impression in hopes of playing more often (four out of nine games thus far).

Mysak’s energy level through those four games has been extremely high. He is being active on the forecheck. He is playing physical in all three zones, looking to make his presence felt in puck pursuit. He is competing hard in all three zones and battling in the defensive zone to take away time and space from opposing players, getting his stick in passing lanes and winning battles along the wall. He is even trying to get his body in shooting lanes and blocking shots. The Laval coaching staff has to be happy with his overall effort level.

As an offensive contributor, he has not been nearly as noticeable. He has gotten himself a few good scoring chances by being advantageous and keeping his feet moving. However, his time of possession metrics have been pretty much non-existent. He is spending very little time with the puck on his stick, instead hanging out in the slot hoping to get a pass or hop on a loose puck. If the Rocket lose possession, he is right in there, battling to get it back. But if his linemates have the puck, he seems hesitant to leave the slot to provide support, or hesitant to take chances with the puck in the neutral zone to try to gain the blueline himself, instead opting to dump the puck in. Obviously, with how good his shot is, you want Mysak fighting for position near the crease. However, you would also like to see him try to utilize his creativity and ability to create with the puck on his stick, instead of simply being a passenger who relies on his linemates to create for him. He did this for his single goal on the year, scoring in Mysak fashion with a net drive. As he gains confidence, the expectation would be that he becomes more consistently involved offensively.

Game Tape:

*Mysak wears #18 for the Laval Rocket

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In this clip, Mysak applies great pressure on the forecheck, helping to force the neutral zone turnover. Then as the trailer, he gets a terrific scoring chance from the slot. Unfortunately, he fires it wide. Obviously, you want to see him hit the net here, but it is a terrific chance for him in his kitchen.

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No question, Montreal probably does not want Mysak blocking shots like this, exposing his face and upper body. However, you have to admire the courage here and the willingness to put himself in the line of fire to keep the game tied in the third period. Unfortunately, the shot block is for nothing as Belleville scores seconds later, off the shot block.

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Another great scoring chance for Mysak, this time on a two on one. The defender takes away the pass from Mysak and he is stoned by Joey Daccord on the wrist shot, as he tries to go top shelf. Daccord plays this perfectly, so you have to commend him on that. At the OHL level, we saw Mysak drive the net and look to finish with a deke on many opportunities like this and that may have been the right play, especially with Daccord out so aggressively to take away his shot.

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His first AHL goal is very much a Mysak style goal. Attacks the zone with speed, gets a pass back and takes it to the Senators net, finishing on the backhand in tight. This goal was recently and hopefully it helps Mysak to gain more confidence to try to be creative with the puck more often.

AHL Performance Grade: B-

Continuing in the OHL:

The best thing about Mysak’s play in the AHL is the improvement in the consistency of his play away from the puck and his overall energy level. An intelligent two-way player, it will be interesting to see him take this back to the OHL. However, it will also be great to see Mysak be more confident and comfortable as a puck carrier, possessing the ability to create his own scoring chances. The Bulldogs should be a better and more dangerous offensive team this season, with Mysak being a leader for them. He should have a terrific season and be among the OHL’s goal scoring leaders in what is sure to be a short year.

Isaak Phillips - Rockford IceHogs

Defense, 6’3, 194lbs

OHL Rights: Sudbury Wolves

NHL Rights: Chicago Blackhawks

Statistics: 9gp, 2g, 2a, 4p, 4pim, -3

When we last left him:

Usually, draft eligible players with late September birthdays are among the most advanced in any draft crop due to the fact that they have more experience than those younger than them. However, Phillips is the outlier. Blessed with terrific athletic tools, which includes the combination of height, reach, and excellent mobility, Phillips is a lot more raw than your average defensive prospect. He is still learning how to best use his size and quickness at both ends of the ice to dominate in the way that he potentially could. However, since arriving in the OHL, Phillips has been a standout in the defensive end as OHL attackers have difficulty escaping his clutches or beating him one on one. Offensively, he has shown flashes of being a capable puck mover and his shot has also shown potential as a weapon. All of these details made Phillips one of the most intriguing defensive prospects available at the 2020 Draft, where he was selected in the fifth round by Chicago.

2021 McKeen’s Yearbook Grades

Skating: 60

Shot: 50

Skills: 50

Smarts: 50

Physicality: 50

Assessing his AHL play:

Refreshingly, Phillips has been playing significant minutes for Rockford, seeing time in all situations (including the third most PK time per game among Rockford defenders behind only Cody Franson and Lucas Carlsson). He has certainly made some mistakes in his nine games in the AHL, but the Rockford coaching staff is sticking with him through these mistakes and allowing him to truly grow and learn.

Truthfully, Phillips has actually been way more effective from an offensive perspective, compared to a defensive one. Considering where we left him in the OHL (from a development and confidence perspective), this is surprising. One would have thought that he would be playing a safe game in the defensive end, perhaps lacking the confidence to be aggressive offensively. This has not been the case, whatsoever. Phillips has been aggressive in jumping up into the play; pinching deep in the offensive zone to seek out scoring opportunities. He is shooting a lot and trying to get his shots on the net. He is active in leading the rush out of the defensive zone and is looking to push deep across the redline to gain the offensive zone, using his size, reach, and quickness to help maintain possession through the neutral zone. Needless to say, he has been impressive with the puck. That said, turnovers have been an issue. This aggressiveness is leading to him being stripped of the puck, both in the neutral zone, and in the defensive zone (in the face of forecheckers). At this point, it is simply a matter of Phillips continuing to learn when to be aggressive and when a quick exit pass or dump out/in is the best course of action.

From a defensive perspective, Phillips has had some growing pains. To no one’s surprise, he looks good defending one on one, because his size, reach, and four-way mobility are huge assets. Even at the pro level, he is very difficult to maneuver around. However, there have been some lapses in judgment (puck watching, puck chasing, blown assignments in the defensive end) that have resulted in the puck ending up in the back of Rockford’s net. Additionally, while Phillips has been playing significant minutes on the penalty kill, there have been instances of Phillips not being aggressive enough in challenging shooters, affording them too good of a chance from the home plate area...and again, those chances are ending up in the back of Rockford’s net. Just like in the OHL, there is a need for Phillips to be more consistently aggressive in taking away space, be it in open ice or along the wall. The potential is sky high for Phillips as a defensive stalwart, but more refinement is clearly needed.

Game Tape:

*Phillips wears #41 for the Rockford IceHogs

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As mentioned, Phillips is doing a good job of being aggressive with his shot and is getting his shots through traffic to generate further scoring chances. Here, following a faceoff win, he shows good composure to get this shot off in the face of pressure and it results in a goal for Rockford from a rebound.

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A tremendous play here from Phillips on the powerplay. These are the types of aggressive plays you see from the league’s best powerplay QB’s like Cale Makar. He beats one forward up high, dishes off and cuts right to the net, receiving the pass back for a terrific scoring chance. His quickness is just so deceptive and as you see, he is great at protecting the puck with his size, confident on his forehand and backhand.

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In this clip, Phillips’ defense of this two on four is not likely to be used in many textbooks. Phillips got caught watching the puck, losing sight of the Cleveland forward driving the net on the right side. A lack of communication between three Rockford players guarding the slot is surely to blame too. However, Phillips needs to pick up that player driving the net. By the time he figures it out, he gets himself all turned around and Zac Dalpe has an easy tap in on what should not have been a high end scoring chance for Cleveland.

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Here, Phillips just does not move the puck quick enough out of his zone and he turns the puck over, resulting in a goal for Grand Rapids. Whether he did not feel comfortable making that bank pass on his backhand, or incorrectly identified a gap he could exploit with his feet, the end result was not great. No coach is going to want to stifle Phillips’ growing confidence and creativity, however, he will learn to pick his spots better and know when he has the time and when he does not.

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This clip combines good with bad. Another turnover from Phillips, this time in the neutral zone. However, he stays with the play and ends up driving the middle and finishing off a beautiful goal, his first as a professional. Again, his puck protection ability is top notch and he really surprised the Chicago defense with how quickly he hit that gap.

AHL Performance Grade: B-

Continuing in the OHL:

Phillips’ time in the AHL has been a terrific experience for him. His offensive confidence level appears to be riding an all-time high and hopefully that gets carried over to the OHL season with Sudbury. The last few seasons, the Wolves have been searching for that permanent fixture as a QB (using Imports or youngster Jack Thompson) on the powerplay and it would be great to see him take on that role more consistently. Additionally, he can learn to balance his newfound offensive aggressiveness and his focus and commitment to the defensive end, becoming a two-way stalwart. Hopefully he can take that next step as a physical player and really start to take over games the way that he is capable of.

Quinton Byfield - Ontario Reign

Center, 6’4, 215lbs

OHL Rights: Sudbury Wolves

NHL Rights: Los Angeles Kings

Statistics: 13gp, 1g, 6a, 7p, 8pim, -15

When we last left him:

The most recent second overall selection at the NHL Entry Draft, Byfield is coming off a solid draft year season with the Sudbury Wolves that saw him lead the team in scoring. The powerful 6’4 forward oozes offensive potential because of his size and skill combination. He has the ability to dominate entire shifts down low, using his quick feet and hands to keep control while putting defenders on his back. His vision and playmaking ability are also major assets, as he often draws multiple defenders to try to slow him down, but identifies the passing lanes that open up early, anticipating gaps in coverage. This really allows him to elevate the play of those who play with him. Moving forward, scouts want to see Byfield explore his ability to dominate physically more consistently. His positioning away from the puck is sound, but if he were more aggressive and assertive, it would help him to be more effective in all situations. Additionally, Byfield can fall back on his passing tendencies too often and will need to be more assertive as a shooter too, making him a more well-rounded offensive player. At this year’s World Junior Championships, we saw Byfield really up his physical intensity level and it helped him have a very solid performance for Canada, earning a silver medal.

2021 McKeen’s Yearbook Grades

Skating: 60

Shot: 55

Skills: 65

Smarts: 65

Physicality: 55

Assessing his AHL play:

In a lot of ways, the Los Angeles Kings likely see the OHL delay as a positive for Byfield, who gets an opportunity to play top six minutes in the AHL, when he otherwise would not have been afforded that opportunity. The Reign have been giving Byfield all the ice time that he can handle. He has been centering one of the top lines, playing routinely with the likes of other top prospects Tyler Madden, Samuel Fagemo, and fellow OHL alumni Akil Thomas. He has been playing on the top powerplay unit. He has even been seeing consistent time on the penalty kill. Needless to say, Ontario and LA are making sure that Byfield is getting all the experience he can before returning to the OHL.

There are certainly components to Byfield’s game that have translated seamlessly. He looks great in transition and confident carrying the puck. He seems to be generating at least one or two high end scoring chances per game by using his size and speed to drive wide, just as we have become accustomed to in the OHL. He looks more confident in using his shot, even if the results don’t show it at this point (one goal through 13 games). The big revelation has been Byfield’s work near the crease. He is really showing well playing net front, often taking up position there on the powerplay and even strength and is proving to be an absolute load for opposing pro defenders to handle. He scored his goal from there through hard work and determination and he has set up others from that spot. He seems to be routinely drawing double teams when he drives the middle or sets up there and this is only opening up more ice for his linemates. This is something we have been waiting to see become a consistent part of his game at the OHL level. A negative that does continue to pop up is how well Byfield navigates odd man rushes. He seems to overthink these opportunities (both in the OHL and the AHL) and plays seem to die on his stick when high end scoring chances would otherwise be created.

The one area of Byfield’s game that has had some difficulty transitioning is the way that he typically dominates below the goal line. At the OHL level, behind the net and deep in the corners is typically his office. As mentioned, he can dominate entire shifts from that area. However, at the AHL level, he is having difficulty establishing and keeping possession there, as pro defenders are gaining inside leverage on him or using poke checks more effectively against him, neutralizing his ability to work the cycle. It is easy to forget (because of his size) that Byfield is still a teenager and that he is still growing into his game. Perhaps it should come as no surprise that he is not dominating possessions the way that he typically would against other teenagers. This is a great learning experience for him, because it has forced him to become more involved without the puck and learn to dominate the net front area more consistently, an identifiable next step for him previously.

Surprisingly, the Reign have been absolutely atrocious this year (last place in the entire AHL). For all the talent that roster possesses, they seem to be lacking a spark and from watching some of their games, the defensive end has been a bit of a nightmare for them. Byfield could certainly be lumped into that group, as he needs to learn to be harder on puck carriers and to utilize his size and strength more effectively from a defensive perspective. He has also struggled at the faceoff circle, winning around 40 percent of his draws. There have been moments where he has dialed up the physical intensity as a forechecker and backchecker, in a way that we saw at the World Juniors, but again it has been inconsistent. Ultimately, finding a way to have that motor running at 100 percent all of the time, is going to be the key to unlocking his potential as a future superstar.

Game Tape:

*Byfield wears #55 for the Ontario Reign

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/1-quinton_byfield_-_3rd_period_1_48_-_2_10.mp4

A really nice sequence for Byfield here as he scores his first pro goal. He applies pressure on the forecheck and helps to force a turnover. Then he makes a skilled play to maintain possession in front of the net and puts home the goal on the second effort. Again, Byfield has the potential to dominate the front of the net, especially on the powerplay, and it is great to see him making a concerted effort to get to that space.

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Another skilled play made by Byfield when net front, this time a terrific blind back pass that results in a goal for Ontario on the powerplay. You have to love how Byfield gets inside position on the defender here to ensure that he can accept the pass. He takes a cross check and makes a very creative play to set up the goal. Again, he could make a living from this spot at the NHL level.

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Absolutely love the effort by Byfield on this shift. Shows off his speed on the zone entry. Fights through the check of Simon Benoit to get the puck in deep. Continues to fight for positioning and eventually comes up with the turnover, getting the puck to Blaine Byron in the corner who sets up the goal. As stated, if Byfield can find a way to be consistently dialed in physically, these are the types of plays that he could make on a shift by shift basis.

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Earlier, I talked about how Byfield needs to improve his decision making when leading odd man rushes and this is a great example. Granted, his linemates do not do a great job of spacing here, but Byfield also kills the play by being indecisive. He had many options on this two one one (maybe considered a three on two), but killing all momentum to put on the brakes, allowing San Jose’s backcheckers to recover was not the correct one.

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There are a lot of instances like this exact play scattered across his 13 pro games thus far. At the junior level, Byfield is recovering that dump in behind the net and maintaining possession for a large chunk of time, often resulting in him creating a scoring chance for himself or a linemate. However, at the pro level, he is having trouble gaining and keeping possession from behind the net and is being too easily separated from the puck.

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We finish with another very nice sequence from Byfield here. He explodes up ice, going end to end, generating a scoring chance for himself. Ontario maintains possession and he eventually makes a very skilled play through the middle, going skate to stick before setting up Sean Durzi for a good chance from the point.

AHL Performance Grade: B-

Continuing in the OHL:

Byfield’s development at the AHL level has to be considered a sizable stepping stone for him as it pertains to dominating at the OHL level. Because he has not been able to dominate time of possession the way that he normally does, deep in the offensive zone, it has forced him to become a better offensive player away from the puck and made him challenge himself to be more of a consistent factor through the middle and near the crease. Returning to the OHL, the hope would be that Byfield continues to use his size to bully defenders near the crease, all the while regaining his ability to create through the cycle against weaker opponents. The game should be able to slow down for him and the expectation would be that he instantly becomes one of the OHL’s elite forwards and a top candidate for the Red Tilson trophy.

Arthur Kaliyev - Ontario Reign

Left Wing, 6’2, 190lbs

OHL Rights: Hamilton Bulldogs

NHL Rights: Los Angeles Kings

Statistics: 13gp, 1g, 5a, 6p, 6pim, -2

When we last left him:

At this point, it seems like Kaliyev has been playing in the OHL for a decade. Already with a career 126 goals in the league over three seasons, he has become one of hockey’s most polarizing prospects. The shot is deadly, as you may expect from someone who scores as often as he does. However, his overall offensive skill set is generally underrated. He can create his own scoring chances with his creativity and skill, and his passing touch and vision are under appreciated. Ultimately, the same two features of his game are most criticized: pace and intensity level. His overall skating ability is only average and there are concerns that he will not be able to drive play at the pro level the way that he does at the OHL level, limiting him to being more of a triggerman dependent on chemistry. Additionally, his wavering intensity level and commitment as a three-zone player, makes some scouts wonder if he will be able to work hard enough to earn those scoring chances at the NHL level. Either way, he has been a standout at the OHL level and a standout at the last two World Junior Championships and as such, is still considered one of the elite offensive prospects in the game.

2021 McKeen’s Yearbook Grades

Skating: 50

Shot: 65

Skills: 60

Smarts: 55

Physicality: 45

Assessing his AHL play:

Much like Quinton Byfield, Kaliyev has been seeing significant ice time for the Reign. He has been playing on the top powerplay unit and seeing consistent time alongside the likes of fellow top prospects Rasmus Kupari, Tyler Madden, and former WJC teammate Alex Turcotte. Given the kind of ice time he is receiving and the kind of playmakers he is playing with, one would postulate that his single goal through thirteen games would mean that he is playing pretty poorly. But is that the true story?

On one hand, Kaliyev has been extremely unlucky. He has not had a lot of puck luck so far this season (have any of the Ontario Reign?). Watching him play, he has hit several posts/cross bars this year. After returning from Los Angeles (scoring a goal in his first NHL game), Kaliyev seemed to be really flying high and playing well; creating scoring chances for himself in transition and finding gaps in coverage to earn scoring chances. There was an extra jump to his game. However, some of those posts, good saves, and his overall inability to find the back of the net really seems to have deflated his confidence level and his play has dropped off because of it. For lack of a better term, the cliche, “he is gripping his stick too tight,” is one hundred percent apt. He is now seeing a large chunk of his shots blocked as he is taking too long to release the puck, especially on the powerplay. When he is getting his shot through, it is missing the net completely. He is just overthinking things and needs to get back to playing instinctively.

The rest of his game has certainly shown that it needs further refinement too. Much like the rest of the Ontario Reign, he has struggled defensively. His lack of explosiveness and elite conditioning has shown most at the defensive end, as he has struggled with his defensive assignments, especially at the back end of shifts. Lately, he has also struggled to get consistent puck touches and as such, has disappeared for stretches of games. His skill level certainly continues to shine through in certain instances, but his game is not at a level that we are accustomed to.

Saying all of this, it is important to remember that we are evaluating Kaliyev on only 13 games at the pro level. This is not a damnation of his NHL potential. He is an incredibly talented offensive player and more specifically, a terrific natural goal scorer. He could easily be a consistent 30 goal scorer for the Kings for many years. However, this small sample size has certainly shown that he still has several components to his game that need to improve before he becomes a quality pro hockey player and is able to reach that high ceiling.

Game Tape:

*Kaliyev wears #34 for the Ontario Reign

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This is a clip of Kaliyev’s only goal in the AHL this year. On a 5 on 3, he takes a nice pass from Byfield, steps up into the slot and buries a wrist shot. This is textbook Kaliyev. I suppose the only issue here is that Kaliyev's only goal this year for Ontario came while on a two-man advantage. That is not exactly positive.

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As mentioned, an underrated component of Kaliyev’s game is his vision and passing ability. He is more than just a triggerman. He shows a nice burst of speed here in the offensive zone, drawing the attention of multiple defenders. He then finds Rasmus Kupari at the net for the goal.

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This is most definitely not the best effort that you are going to see on the backcheck. Kaliyev looks exhausted trying to track down the Silver Knights player (former London Knight Paul Cotter) and barely puts forward an effort to disrupt his ability to drive the net or shoot. Ultimately, Cotter scores and it is not a good look for Kaliyev.

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In this clip, we see some of the limitations with Kaliyev’s skating ability as a pro. He gains the offensive zone and sheds the check of the Bakersfield player, but is not able to start the engine again to get himself in better shooting position. Then he fires the puck wide. If he had put that wrister on net to the pads far side, he might have generated a rebound that could have been put home by the Ontario player driving the net, hoping for that very outcome.

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You can just tell that Kaliyev’s timing and confidence is off with plays like this. Gets a great look with the one timer from his office near the dot and fires it a mile wide. In other instances, he is stopping that puck first and then firing it into opposing defenders shin pads. It is definitely possible that the pace of play and the recovery ability of AHL defenders is affecting his timing and forcing him to rush his chances. But it is more likely that he is just frustrated over how bad his luck has been and it has resulted in a dip in confidence.

AHL Performance Grade: C

Continuing in the OHL:

What is the best for Kaliyev moving forward? Would he really learn anything from a return to the OHL? Of course, he still has many things to work on. But these areas of weakness have long been identified, and quite frankly, the OHL and playing against weaker and slower opponents may not be enough to challenge him to improve those areas. He can be an impact player in the OHL with some bad habits. He cannot be a consistent impact player at the AHL level with those same bad habits. If he returns to Hamilton, Kaliyev immediately becomes one of the best offensive players in the league and he could potentially lead the league in goal scoring. However, there is always the chance that the Kings call up Kaliyev and keep him on the roster, sheltering his minutes from the fourth line and giving him powerplay opportunities. He will not be eligible to play on the taxi squad, as CHL players cannot be on the taxi squad if their league has started (similar to the AHL). With Los Angeles in the playoff hunt, can they afford to keep Kaliyev around?

McKeen’s 2020-21 Hockey Yearbook: Chicago Blackhawks Top 20 Prospects

Sun, 22 Nov 2020 20:32:18 +0000

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

Ian Mitchell, D (57^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 1)

Mitchell is on the smaller side but is more solid and able to play hard against top opponents. He does not have the flash of some previous top Chicago prospects, but his upside is very high nonetheless and his floor is high as well. His tools all rate as average or better, but his hockey sense and instincts help everything play up, giving him a package that is greater than the sum of its parts. A right-handed shot, he can play on both sides of the point, something helped along by very strong lateral mobility. His defensive footwork is solid as well, and Mitchell generally finds himself in the right spot to nullify most chances against, allowing him to be trusted against much bigger players. He has even been known to drop the occasional opponent with a big hit, belying his compact stature. Mitchell still has the puck moving chops that saw the Blackhawks use a late second rounder on him out of the AJHL in 2017, but as he has greatly refined the rest of his game in college, he now looks like a potential #2/3 defender in short order. – RW

Lukas Reichel, LW (17^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Reichel was deemed worthy of a first-round selection because of his strong performance in the DEL last year, his high-end IQ as an offensive player, and his well-rounded approach to the game. His best asset is the way he thinks the game. He is excellent at finding space in the offensive zone, playing with resilience through traffic. He flashes play driving ability but appears much more comfortable as a strong complementary scoring winger. His pro-level goals have largely come from dirty areas, which makes it easy to see his game translating to the next level. Reichel also excels down low and when working the half wall as his agility is excellent, which makes him tough to pin. His board work has been outstanding, and he shows no worries in using his body to protect the puck, holding his own against extreme physical pressure from men despite his relatively light weight. His skill level is good but not elite. The same could be said for his speed and functional success in transition. - BO

Alec Regula, D (Trade: Oct. 28, 2019. Originally: 67^th overall, 2018 [Detroit]. Previous ranking: 2)

A hulking right shot defender; Regula possesses a unique skill set. He moves extremely well, possessing both power and fluidity in his stride. His ability to play in the buffer position on the power play gives Regula addition means of contributing. He uses quick hands to finish off plays in tight, with a forward’s touch. He is an incredible asset in his own end because of his reach. He was among the league leaders in takeaways per game last year and he suffocates attacking forwards because of that mobility and reach combination. One area that really improved for him was his decision making with the puck in the defensive end. His poise and patience improved and as such, he cut down on his giveaways and improved his ability to start the breakout effectively. The Hawks should be elated to have added Regula to their prospect stable, following a deal from Detroit. He projects as a second pairing, all situations defender who could move quickly through the system, so long as his processing ability holds up to the speed of the pro game. – BO

Drew Commesso, G (46^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Commesso’s specialty is not just allowing his own defenders to start a counterattack from the defensive faceoff dots, but he will regularly shove the puck past the blueline, on the tape to give the rush a major kickstart. Commesso’s numbers have been impressive, with save percentages of .917 and .920 at the different levels played by the USNTDP last year. He cannot be compared to his predecessor, Spencer Knight, but he is a good goaltender in his own right. He has decent size, is agile and plays an athletic game with quick limbs. He keeps his composure in tough situations and rarely lets a bad goal get him down. The Boston University commit has yet to face a heavy workload. There are also elements of his game that will need marked improvement, including his coverage of the posts, where he can leave too many holes, or his ability to control rebounds, preventing second and third chances. - RW

Pius Suter, C/LW (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Jul. 16, 2020. Previous ranking: 3)

Following five years in the ZSC Lions program, Suter signed with Chicago after an NLA scoring title and MVP season. He is a relentless puck hound, pushing the pace and attacking. He does the majority of his damage within a few feet of the net. Of course, his finishing ability and shot are also strengths and it is what makes him a successful and consistent goal scorer. He is also a competitive two-way player who uses his strong skating ability to apply back pressure and force turnovers. These traits make Suter a terrific penalty killer. He still has to prove his slight frame will not hinder his play in the NHL. Even if the offensive skill set does not fully translate, there is certainly a good chance that Suter can become a valuable bottom six forward because of his speed and tenacity. Look for him to make an immediate impact (in some shape or form) for Chicago next year. – BO

Landon Slaggert, C (92^nd overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

His game is pure high energy grinder, but Slaggert also has sneaky skills in his mitts. You will first notice him when he bumps an opponent off the puck along the boards, but you should also note how he picked up the puck himself after forcing the turnover and proceeded to flip it stealthily to a linemate streaking up the opposite wing. Son of a coach, he is eminently coachable. Playing with higher end players, it is clear how Slaggert’s subtle skills can play at a higher level. That said, he will be better as a playmaker than a finisher thanks to his vision and reading. That ability to read the ice also helps him immensely on the other side of the puck, where he is an asset to his team. He is a fun player to watch and easier to appreciate than most prospects with his nondescript point totals. He is a swift skater who follows the play and never gives up on the puck. He is a future NHL’er who should be able to fit in wherever he is needed, up or down the lineup. – RW

Wyatt Kalynuk, D (Free Agent, signed: Jul. 16, 2020. Originally: 196^th overall, 2017 [Philadelphia]. Previous ranking: 4)

Not drafted until his third year of eligibility, Kalynuk did a lot well, but nothing spectacularly at the time. Three years at Wisconsin later, the last of which saw him wearing the “C”, the pick looks like a Ron Hextall era steal, even if the Flyers will never reap the rewards from that shrewd bit of scouting. As an overager, Kalynuk was eligible to leave school early and declare free agency, which he did this summer, finally signing with Chicago in July. The Blackhawks are getting a solid two-way defender with sneaky puck skills and a solid point shot, who uses stick and body positioning for defensive stops. He is a good enough skater to keep up with most, without being dynamic. Kalynuk reads the game well and tends to make the right decision to help extend possession for his team. The Blackhawks would be well-served to give him a half to a full season in the AHL to acclimatize to the speed of the professional game, but it should not be long until he is ready for a third pairing role in the NHL, with room for additional minutes on either or both of the special teams units. - RW

Evan Barratt, C (90^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 5)

Barratt couples a heavy game with good hustle and a very strong, effective shot to help tilt the ice in his team’s favor. Nominally a center, he is most effective playing along the boards and behind the net, suggesting a future move to the wing. A top player in his age group with the national program before he was drafted, he got off to a slower start in college hockey, but picked things up as a sophomore, earning a spot on the American WJC team, and he maintained those gains as a junior. He has learned to better utilize his very strong wrist shot, even finding opportunities to shoot from a distance. Barratt follows his shots to the net, getting rebounds and making goalies uncomfortable. He mostly plays a North-South game, although he is not averse to circling back to create room or a different attack angle. Some time on the farm should allow him to get in work both at center and the wing, finding a spot that works best for him within the organizational structure. His versatility and energy would be a boon to the team as an affordable talent in a bottom six role. - RW

Michal Teply, LW (105^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 6)

Teply has become an enigmatic forward for the ICE. At times he controls the ice with his size, good speed, and flashes of elite level hands and shooting ability, while other nights he is a passenger on a team with a lot of good talent. Plus/minus isn’t a great stat but Teply was second worst on the team in that regard. It shows his play away from the puck still needs some work. When Teply is on his game he is on the forecheck pressuring opponents, establishing the cycle game and making skilled net drives. He is a volume shooter and has pretty good vision from the wall toward the middle of the ice. He isn’t an overtly physical player despite having dominant size and doesn’t always play with the intensity you would hope to see. He has all the physical tools and flashes moments where he puts it all together however they are too infrequent to project future NHL stardom just yet. - VG

Lucas Carlsson, D (110^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 7)

Over the past two seasons, Carlsson has been Rockford’s number-one defenseman. He plays top-pair minutes coupled with time on both special teams’ units, putting up points and learning the intricacies of North American defensive play. This has helped the Swede go from fringe farmhand to a legitimate future NHLer. Aggressive with the puck but calm without it, the 23-year-old has a high stress threshold and never seems to panic defensively, waiting patiently for a chance to stick check, hit, or lock someone up against the boards at the right time. He is not particularly quick but plays with pace, carrying the puck through the neutral zone and making defenders miss with his edgework and fantastic hands. He loves to push the play forward and join the rush as a trailer but prefers to pass in most situations instead of using his below-average shot. His lack of skating speed is the only thing pushing him back from being an immediate NHL defenseman, and with the way he plays, his inability to close on top-end forwards might be an issue. For now, he has impressed his way up the depth chart and could possibly make the Chicago roster out of training camp next season. - TD

Brandon Hagel, LW (Free Agent, signed: Oct. 30, 2018. Originally: 159^th overall, 2016 [Buffalo]. Previous ranking: 9)

After ripping up the WHL for 102 points in his final year with Red Deer, Hagel made a quick adjustment to the pro ranks in his first full year in the AHL. His 19 goals led the Rockford roster and earned him a short NHL stint at just 21 years old, but don’t let those goal numbers fool you, as he is a dual-threat passer and scorer. Initially a Buffalo Sabres sixth rounder who went unsigned, Hagel has speed and shooting ability that makes him a playmaker and someone who has to be played tight and hard by defenders. While he is not a blazer, he skates well with his light and lanky frame to drive play. Without the puck, he competes for net-front position and has the poise to operate in that area against stronger players. A fine defensive player, he kills penalties for Rockford and can play deep in the zone at even strength. Without many flaws in his skillset, it was encouraging to see his offense really shine in his first AHL year. A long future as a checking line, depth-scoring winger who can match up against any other line seems inevitable after some more AHL time. - TD

Artur Kayumov, LW (50^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 10)

A former second round selection, Kayumov has been developing slowly, but well, in Russia and recently finished his second full season in the KHL with Lokomotiv. Among U23 players, his 16 goals were second behind top NHL prospect Kirill Kaprizov in the league last year. The 5-11” winger is a dangerous goal scorer because of his quickness, skill level with the puck, and his powerful release. Currently unsigned by Chicago, Kayumov has a contract with Lokomotiv until the end of 2021-22, and if recent events have told us anything, it would appear likely that he plays out that contract before making the jump to the NHL for 2022-23. While this does seem pretty far down the road, Kayumov could be worth the wait and does project as a top six goal scorer and a high impact player, as his game is already practically devoid of any significant weaknesses. - BO

Nicolas Beaudin, D (27^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 11)

One of the QMJHL’s top defensemen in 2018-19, Beaudin was relied upon by Drummondville for basically everything. He played top pair minutes, including both special teams, and was a key factor in everything they did in the offensive zone with his 49 assists being second among all defenders in the Q. His transition to the AHL, playing the same style, was a struggle. He had difficulty putting up points at the higher level and did not seem to improve his pace of play with the puck, which is concerning for a more offensively oriented defenseman. The former first rounder showed why he was taken with such a high 2018 pick; his vision and maturity are both top notch. He sees the game exceptionally well and plays with ice in his veins. He is so good at maneuvering around the ice, waiting for lanes to open and finding his teammates. He defends well with his smarts, which keeps his gaps even and effective and his stick play is great. Patience is arguably his biggest strength, but that lack of assertiveness is worrying as he is a 5-11” defender who might top out as a tweener without more pace to his game. - TD

Jakub Galvas, D (150^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 12)

Galvas had a rather promising season with Jukurit in the Liiga. The Czech defenseman started really well which set expectations high, but ultimately, he was unable to maintain that level of play and faded somewhat as the season went on. The main issues were a lack of consistency and inability to win one-on-one battles on a regular basis. He must be more assertive and stronger in his own end. That said, he also brought many good elements to the team. He is a smooth-skating defenseman, light on his skates and has good four-way mobility. He moves effortlessly around the ice. Not only is his skating fluid, but he also handles the puck with ease, has swift hands and good puck control to operate in tight quarters. He displayed flashes of skill, but those occasions were few and far between in the past season. He has one year remaining on his contract with the Finnish club. - MB

Andrei Altybarmakyan, RW (70^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 13)

Another high draft selection out of Russia by the Blackhawks, Altybarmakyan, similarly aged to Kayumov, has actually signed with Chicago and appears ready to make the jump to North America after a strong KHL season with HK Sochi. The 5-11” winger plays a heavy game and does the majority of his work in tight by driving the net and playing in the slot. With a well-rounded toolkit, Altybarmakyan projects as a middle six winger who can use his speed and power to drive the pace and open up space. Given the state of the pandemic and the uncertainty surrounding the AHL season, it appears there is a chance he stays in the KHL next year on a loan from Chicago, as his rights were recently traded to SKA. But he certainly seems much closer to making an impact in the NHL than Kayumov, if only due to contractual elements. – BO

Philipp Kurashev, LW/C (120^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 15)

A point-per-game player with Quebec of the QMJHL before graduating to the Chicago pro system, Kurashev’s game is one with insane offensive skills that can be inconsistent from shift-to-shift. For the Swiss World Junior team in 2019, he was one of the tournament’s best players and exhibited exactly what his game is in a nutshell, dynamic scoring potential but only in short flashes. He has puck-handling skill, decent speed, and a bullet shot that can beat goalies from distance. He is deadly with the puck on his stick on the power play and can pass better than he is given credit for. He will need to be better off the puck, as he can wander away from the play and fail to find open ice, and he is not much of a helper defensively. He is an undoubted boom or bust prospect, and with more consistency can be a top-six scoring winger, but with none, might not stick long-term at all. – TD

Niklas Nordgren, RW (74^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 18)

As a smaller winger without great skating ability, there is a great deal of risk with Nordgren, that if he isn’t putting up big numbers, he will not be able to contribute at the highest levels. He has a strong shot, but it isn’t elite. He is an impressive stick handler, but he lacks a real dynamic element with the puck. He reads the game well but is not a strong enough defender to project a shut-down role or heavy rotation on the penalty kill. Perhaps most concerning is that Nordgren, despite his solid collection of tools, has yet to really break out in men’s league hockey in Finland. He has been spending the bulk of the previous four seasons playing in Finland’s top U20 league, contributing well over one point per game, but has done barely anything in Liiga across 41 games. Still not signed to an NHL contract, Nordgren will need to take that next step sooner than later. - RW

Michael Krutil, D (110^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

A big, right-handed defender, Krutil has yet to receive much playing experience outside of the Czech junior ranks. While he may not have the high-end potential of some other defenders ranked higher up Chicago’s organizational ladder, his size, physicality, and mobility make him an attractive stay at home defenseman option. He skates well enough to evade pressure in the defensive end with the puck and shows fluid four-way agility that allows him to stay ahead of attackers in transition. He also has good reach and makes life very difficult for skilled players in the corners and middle of the ice. He plays a very safe and simple game that fits within team structure and does not take chances with the puck. He has NHL potential as a PK anchor and third pairing defender. Drafted by Kelowna in the most recent CHL Import Draft, there is a chance he moves over to North America this year once play safely resumes. - BO

Isaak Phillips, D (141^st overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Another bigger blueline body from the 2020 draft class, Phillips is a 6-3” defender who possesses intriguing athletic tools. His mobility is an asset, especially when you combine it with his reach. He is very difficult to beat in transition because his gap control is excellent. He has the potential to develop into a high-quality defensive player at the next level. However, his game is also extremely raw. He is not as decisive with the puck as you would like to see. His physical intensity level wavers and he can get lost in his coverage assignments from time to time. He shows flashes of serviceability across all of his tools, but rarely shows more than that, other than his skating, although the steps forward he took in his draft year were promising. Patience will be required, but the pay-off could definitely be large if he can fully harness his athleticism. - BO

MacKenzie Entwistle, C/RW (Trade: Jul. 12, 2018. Originally: 69^th overall, 2017 [Arizona]. Previous ranking: UR)

While Entwistle is further along in his development – closer to reaching his ceiling – than at least the half dozen prospects immediately ahead of him on this list, we cannot rank him any higher as that ceiling is rather modest and there is less of a chance for Entwistle to exceed those projections than the younger players we have chosen ahead of him. He has plus-plus size, which he knows how to utilize, he is fleet of foot, and plays an effective and reliable two-way game. While he stepped forward a touch in his final year of junior hockey, and he was slightly more productive in his professional rookie season than anticipated, Entwistle’s ability to drive the play offensively has never been demonstrated for any lengthy stretch. His hands are OK, but he has struggled to finish too often. Even though he is more likely to play in the NHL than the next half dozen or more higher up this list, it is exceedingly difficult to see him as anything more than a versatile, fourth line energy forward. - RW

OHL: Isaak Phillips, D, Sudbury (2020)

Brock Otten — Fri, 05 Jun 2020 11:52:21 +0000

Reading this report will make one thing plainly obvious, which is that Isaak Phillips is a very difficult player to project currently because of how raw his skill set is. He possesses such great potential as a shutdown defender because of his size and mobility. And he is not devoid of offensive skill either, flashing the ability to carry the puck confidently. However his game still lacks consistency. With patience, a large payoff is possible. Phillips is exactly the type of player that NHL scouts covet in the mid rounds.

Isaak Phillips	2020 NHL Draft Eligible
Position: D, Shoots: L	H/W: 6-3", 194lbs
Stats to Date: (GP-G-A-PTS-PIMS)	Sudbury Wolves, OHL (63-9-17-26-27)

Isaak Phillips of the Sudbury Wolves. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Skating: The allure of Phillips from a scouting standpoint is that he is 6-3” and moves exceptionally well. He covers so much ground with relatively little effort because of his stride length and the fluidity of his four way mobility. It is rare to see him knocked off stride, as you may see occasionally from other less coordinated larger defenders. As a defensive player, Phillips skating ability is such an asset because of how difficult he is to get around and because of how quickly he can close in on players and pucks down low. He is still learning how to use his skating ability as an offensive player, even as a late born 2001. Grade: 60

Shot: Phillips has a heavy shot when he has the time and space to unleash it. With his big 6-3 wingspan, he has not yet mastered a quick release and because he is not completely confident in it, he is not an aggressive shooter. With his strong mobility, there is always the chance that he can learn to open up shooting lanes with his feet and become a more assertive offensive player. However, right now, it is hard to project Phillips as a significant goal scorer from the back-end. Grade: 50

Skills: Every once in a while, Phillips will go for a skate with the puck, cruising from end to end with relative ease. This teases potential for him to have a much greater impact with the puck than he does. As it is, he can protect the puck well with his size as he cuts through the neutral zone, however he does not have the hands to maintain possession through sharp cuts to avoid traffic. This leads to deferrals or dump ins. Additionally, Phillips could stand to work on his exit pass, making quicker decisions with the puck in his own end, or learning to use his mobility more effectively to give him the time to survey the ice. Grade: 50

Smarts: Phillips’ indecisiveness at both ends can be hard to place. Does this stem from a lack of confidence or a lack of on ice intelligence and vision? Even as a late 2001 born player, his skill set is so raw that it is hard to predict his high end potential. Defensively, he exhibits a high IQ. With his mobility and reach, he can keep attackers to the outside. His gap control is solid. However, his anticipation and reads could still improve, especially as it pertains to using his stick to disrupt passing lanes. Offensively, he plays a safe game. He is just as likely to chip pucks out or defer to his partner (commonly Jack Thompson) than he is to attempt a breakout. Grade: 50

Physicality: At this point, Phillips is primarily a stick on puck defender. He keeps attackers at bay with his reach and uses his feet to mind his gaps well. However, he could stand to use his size more assertively. As forwards draw closer to the net or get behind him, he can have difficulty tying them up. Additionally, he could stand to be more physical along the wall to help separate players from the puck; pointing again to a lack of tenaciousness. He does throw the odd check and he also shows signs of being a difficult player to match up against. However, if he wishes to be a defensive stalwart at this level and the next, he will have to learn to use his size to become better at taking away space and separating opposing players from the puck. Grade: 50

Overall Future Projection (OFP): 52.5

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

2019-20 OHL Preview

Brock Otten — Wed, 25 Sep 2019 01:03:50 +0000

The 2019/20 OHL season is already underway, but it is not too late to preview some of the top teams and top players in the league this year. Who are the Championship contenders? Who are the top NHL prospects playing in the league this year? Who are the top NHL draft prospects for 2020? Keep reading to find out.

Graeme Clarke of the Ottawa 67''s. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Eastern Conference

Championship Contenders

Ottawa 67’s

While there have been some losses up front for the 67’s (Sasha Chmelevski, Tye Felhaber, Kody Clark, Kyle Maksimovich, Lucas Chiodo all graduated), the defending Eastern Conference Champions do return their entire blueline and one of their starting goaltenders. Kevin Bahl (Arizona), Noel Hoefenmayer (UFA), Merrick Rippon (2020), Nikita Okhotyuk (New Jersey), Hudson Wilson (UFA), and Alec Belanger (2020) all return and should give the 67’s a chance to repeat as the top defensive team in the Ontario Hockey League (the 67’s led the league in goals against in 2018/19). Additionally, Cedrick Andree (2020) mans the crease again, a year after finishing fourth in the OHL in wins, despite splitting time late in the year with Michael Dipietro after the latter’s acquisition from Windsor. While the club’s secondary scoring remains a bit of a mystery, the top line of Austen Keating (UFA), Marco Rossi (2020), and Graeme Clarke (New Jersey) should score a ton. Management also has a boatload of draft picks (five 2nd rounders and five 3rd rounders over the next three seasons) to make moves should they require upgrades.

Sudbury Wolves

This is the Quinton Byfield (2020) show. Last year, the Wolves were led by one of the best goaltending performances that the league has ever seen from Buffalo prospect Ukka-Pekka Luukkonen. But this year, top 2020 NHL draft prospect Byfield is ready to be the catalyst and one of the best players in the OHL. Sudbury has surrounded him with enough veteran talent too, that includes Carolina draft pick Blake Murray (Carolina). But preventing goals may be the Achilles Heel of this team heading into the year. The defense is on the younger side, and neither Christian Purboo (2020) nor Mitchell Weeks (2020) have proven to be strong starting netminders. Keep an eye on two 2020 draft prospects in Jack Thompson (2020) and Isaak Phillips (2020) here, as they will be seeing a ton of minutes and could rocket up draft boards with strong performances. In a slightly weaker division, look for Sudbury to overcome some holes and earn home ice in the first round.

Peterborough Petes

Unfortunately for Peterborough, they play in the same division as the 67’s, which means one of these teams will finish third in the Conference. But Peterborough should be considered the second-best team in the East right now, even with the Ryan Merkley (San Jose) conundrum surrounding the team. The Sharks first rounder awaits a trade from the Petes after the club decided to go in a different direction. This could no doubt be a distraction, but Peterborough is a very talented team. Nick Robertson (Toronto) leads the way and is a serious candidate to lead the league in scoring and win the Red Tilson as the league’s most outstanding player. Hunter Jones (Minnesota) is a candidate to win the newly named Jim Rutherford award as the league’s top goaltender. Declan Chisholm (Winnipeg) is a top candidate to win the Max Kaminski as the league’s top defender. There is star power at every position, in addition to depth. This team is going to score a lot, and like Ottawa, they have a bevy of draft picks in the cupboard that they could use to improve further.

Oshawa Generals

While there are some serious questions surrounding the quality of goaltending Oshawa could receive this year, there are no questions about the talent level playing in front of said goaltender(s). The Generals return nearly their entire defense from a year ago, led by two NHL draft picks, Gio Vallati (Winnipeg), Nico Gross (NY Rangers), in addition to top 2020 draft prospect Lleyton Moore (2020). At forward, Serron Noel (Florida), and Allan McShane (Montreal) are the stars, but a strong supporting cast surrounds them. Look for Noel to have an absolutely monster year from an offensive perspective. His size and skill combination is so difficult for some of the league’s smaller defenders to handle. If the Generals do falter and find themselves in the middle of the pack, look for them to trade away some of their graduating players like Noel, McShane, and Vallati, in order retool for next year when the team’s goaltending could be addressed more definitively.

Barrie Colts

The Colts are a real wild card heading into the year. They underachieved last year, but a lot of that had to do with some injuries. Additionally, coach Dale Hawerchuk had to step away during training camp due to health concerns, so management brought in veteran Warren Rychel to steer the ship. Despite the turmoil, this is a very talented team. Ryan Suzuki (Carolina) should be better equipped to handle the pressure of being a top offensive option, and Matej Pekar (Buffalo) is healthy and off to a great start. On defense, Tyler Tucker (St. Louis) should be one of the better defenders in the league. Look out for rookie Brandt Clarke (2021), who is an immediate impact player and is the favorite to take home the league’s Emms Family Trophy as the top rookie after leading the OHL in preseason scoring...as a blueliner. Barrie may also have the best goaltending tandem in the OHL with Jet Greaves (2020) and Arturs Silovs (Vancouver) manning the crease. Don’t be surprised if Barrie pushes Sudbury for the Central Division.

Standings Prediction:

Ottawa
Sudbury
Peterborough
Oshawa
Barrie
Mississauga
Hamilton
North Bay
Niagara
Kingston

Western Conference

Championship Contenders

Saginaw Spirit

Cole Coskey of the Saginaw Spirit. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Make no bones about it, this year’s Saginaw Spirit are one strong team. At the heart of the Spirit is Red Tilson contender and top 2020 draft prospect Cole Perfetti (2020). He could be a candidate to lead the league in scoring and is such an electric player in the offensive end. There is also a strong supporting cast of characters including NHL draft picks Damien Giroux (Minnesota), Blade Jenkins (NY Islanders), Nicholas Porco (Dallas), Cole Coskey (NY Islanders), and Mason Millman (Philadelphia). The real wild card here is whether the New York Islanders send star defender Bode Wilde back to the OHL for another year, even though he is eligible to play in the AHL. Another name to watch is goaltender Tristan Lennox (2021), who was a standout at the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup this summer, but is not eligible for the NHL draft until 2021 because of an October birth date. This year’s Spirit team has to be considered the favorite in the West because of their depth and star power.

Kitchener Rangers

It has become abundantly clear that the Kitchener Rangers intend to compete for an OHL Championship this year because of how aggressive they have been already in making key additions to the club. This summer they brought in Axel Bergkvist (Arizona) and Ville Ottavainen (2020) through the Import Draft, and goaltender Jacob Ingham (Los Angeles) through trade. All three figure to be key components. In particular, those imports will help the Rangers defense move the puck more efficiently, an area that they struggled with last year. Recently, Kitchener also traded for OA Liam Hawel (UFA), who is a big upgrade to their top six forward group. Up front, Riley Damiani (Dallas), Greg Meireles (Florida), and Jonathan Yantsis (UFA) will be star players and all three have a chance to be near the top of the OHL scoring race. This is a very well constructed group with no glaring weakness.

London Knights

There was a lot of discussion in OHL circles last week when the London Knights were named the top team in the CHL in the preseason rankings heading into the year. Many, myself included, felt that this was not warranted. This is a London team with a completely rebuilt defense that outside of Alec Regula (Detroit), has almost no OHL experience (save Gerard Keane (2020) and his limited playing time last year). Additionally, Regula is out with a concussion and star forward Liam Foudy (Columbus) is set to miss 4-6 weeks with an upper body injury. That is not a recipe for early season success. That said, this is a talented group. Connor McMichael (Washington) should be in for a big year and will look to carry the load and help this team through some opening season challenges.

Flint Firebirds

They could not be in the OHL basement forever, right? As Flint’s high end draft selections gain more experience, this could be a very dangerous team that should break out in a big way. The team brought in veteran Anthony Popovich (UFA) to man the crease, fresh off winning an OHL Championship with Guelph last year and his veteran presence should help. Ty Dellandrea (Dallas), assuming he is returned from the Stars, will be one of the OHL’s top players and a leader at both ends of the ice. Look for Vladislav Kolyachonok (Florida) and Dennis Busby (Arizona) to really break out on the back-end, too, and have terrific seasons. Another unheralded player is Jake Durham (UFA), who returns as an OA after a breakout season last year. He has already started strong and could be among the league leaders in goal scoring. This is another well rounded team.

Erie Otters

Much like Barrie in the Eastern Conference, the Otters are being underrated in many preseason polls up to this point. This is a team that is near the top in goals returning from the previous year, and while they may not have the star power up front of other teams in the Conference, they are a very efficient unit. On the back-end though, they most definitely have a star in Jamie Drysdale (2020), who is a potential top 10 selection for this year’s NHL draft. He is an electric skater and is my preseason selection for the Max Kaminski, given to the league’s top defender. At forward, look for Hayden Fowler (2020) and Maxim Golod (2020) to breakout in a big way, too. Do not sleep on this team.

Standings Prediction

Saginaw
Kitchener
London
Flint
Erie
Windsor
Sault Ste. Marie
Owen Sound
Sarnia
Guelph

Ty Dellandrea of the Flint Firebirds. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Top NHL Prospects to Watch

Ty Dellandrea, Flint (Dallas)

Seems likely to stick around for a few games in Dallas, but has the captaincy in Flint waiting for him upon his return. Strong two-way center who will be able to better showcase his offensive abilities this year.

Arthur Kaliyev, Hamilton (Los Angeles)

Fell at the draft to the second round, but is one of the best goal scorers in the OHL. Will look to show scouts that he can play with more pace this year and improve his engagement level without the puck.

Philip Tomasino, Niagara (Nashville)

With a rebuild in Niagara likely, one has to wonder if he finishes the year with the IceDogs. Tomasino should see a nice increase in production this year with more powerplay time and another year of added strength.

Thomas Harley, Mississauga (Dallas)

Has had a very strong training camp with Dallas, but will return to Mississauga where he will look to improve his play in the defensive zone to match his dynamic offensive ability and skating stride.

Ryan Suzuki, Barrie (Carolina)

While his brother Nick starts his pro career, possibly even in the NHL, Ryan will look to lead the Barrie Colts to a division title. Ryan is an exceptional playmaker, but he will look to play more between the dots this year and increase his intensity level.

Serron Noel, Oshawa (Florida)

Noel is a physical specimen who can dominate because of his size and skill combination. The power winger drives play through the middle of the ice.

Liam Foudy, London (Columbus)

Speed is the name of Foudy’s game. He will miss the start of the year with an injury, but will look to become a more consistent offensive player upon his return.

Akil Thomas, Niagara (Los Angeles)

Like Tomasino, it seems unlikely that Thomas finishes the year in Niagara. He will be a highly coveted player because of his playmaking ability.

Nick Robertson, Peterborough (Toronto)

Because of his skill level with the puck and his tenacity without it, Robertson is one of the most exciting players to watch in the OHL. If he can stay healthy, he should have a monster season.

Connor McMichael, London (Washington)

McMichael is a versatile forward who profiles best as a goal scorer. The Washington Capitals first rounder will likely need to do a lot of heavy lifting early in the year for London.

Wild Card #1 - Barrett Hayton, Sault Ste. Marie (Arizona)

It seems very likely that Hayton spends the year in Arizona as a checking line player. Should he return to Sault Ste. Marie on the other hand, he will be one of the top players in the OHL and the top NHL prospect.

Wild Card #2 - Bode Wilde, Saginaw (NY Islanders)

With the option to keep Wilde in the AHL for the season because he was drafted out of the USDP, it seems likely that that occurs. However, should he return to the OHL, Wilde will be able to play with an incredibly talented offensive group in Saginaw and would be a favorite to lead the league in defensive scoring.

Wild Card #3 - Ryan Merkley, Peterborough (San Jose)

The Merkley trade watch is still on. Still in San Jose’s camp as he awaits a new OHL team, Merkley’s talent level is undeniable. But his attitude has him about to play for his third OHL team in as many years.

Quinton Byfield on the Sudbury Wolves. Photo courtesy of the OHL.

Top 2020 NHL Draft Prospects to Watch

Quinton Byfield, Sudbury

The name Eric Lindros has been thrown around recently because of how dominant Byfield can be below the hashmarks. His skating ability is tremendous for such a big player.

Jamie Drysdale, Erie

Drysdale is a beautiful skater himself and he uses this to impact the game both offensively and defensively. So hard to pin down in his own end, he is a breakout machine.

Cole Perfetti, Saginaw

“Goal” Perfetti, as TSN’s Craig Button calls him, is an offensive dynamo because of how well he processes the game with and without the puck.

Marco Rossi, Ottawa

Rossi is as slippery as an eel in the offensive end. He is undersized, but he plays with a lot of jam and has the skill set to match.

Jacob Perreault, Sarnia

A surprise cut from the Canadian Hlinka/Gretzky team, Perreault, the son of former NHL’er Yanic, is a terrific goal scorer who understands how to play without the puck in the offensive zone.

Antonio Stranges, London

Armed with an elusive 10 to 2 skating stride, dynamic puck skill, and a wicked backhand, Stranges is a human highlight reel. What kind of progress can other parts of his game make this year?

Jean Luc Foudy, Windsor

Brother to London’s Liam, Jean Luc is an equally gifted skater. As dangerous as he is as a playmaker in transition, Foudy will need to show that he can play through traffic more effectively.

Will Cuylle, Windsor

Power winger with a nice goal scorer’s touch. Cuylle has drawn comparisons to NHL’er James Van Riemsdyk for that reason. Needs to find a way to impact the game when he is not scoring.

Jaromir Pytlik, Sault Ste. Marie

With Hayton in Arizona, at least to start the year, the pressure will be on Pytlik to carry the offensive load in the Soo. After only playing half of last year, scouts will get a better look at him this year.

Ryan O’Rourke, Sault Ste. Marie

Hard-nosed defensive stalwart who will be looking to prove that he can be a two-way defender and possesses the offensive upside to be a high NHL draft pick.

Isaak Phillips – McKeen's Hockey

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

TOP 15 PROSPECTS: CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS – RANK: #22 – TIER IV

OHL in the AHL: Part Four – Jan Mysak (Montreal), Isaak Phillips (Chicago), Quinton Byfield (LA), Arthur Kaliyev (LA)

McKeen’s 2020-21 Hockey Yearbook: Chicago Blackhawks Top 20 Prospects

Ian Mitchell, D (57^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 1)

Lukas Reichel, LW (17^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Alec Regula, D (Trade: Oct. 28, 2019. Originally: 67^th overall, 2018 [Detroit]. Previous ranking: 2)

Drew Commesso, G (46^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Pius Suter, C/LW (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Jul. 16, 2020. Previous ranking: 3)

Landon Slaggert, C (92^nd overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Wyatt Kalynuk, D (Free Agent, signed: Jul. 16, 2020. Originally: 196^th overall, 2017 [Philadelphia]. Previous ranking: 4)

Evan Barratt, C (90^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 5)

Michal Teply, LW (105^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 6)

Lucas Carlsson, D (110^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 7)

Brandon Hagel, LW (Free Agent, signed: Oct. 30, 2018. Originally: 159^th overall, 2016 [Buffalo]. Previous ranking: 9)

Artur Kayumov, LW (50^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 10)

Nicolas Beaudin, D (27^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 11)

Jakub Galvas, D (150^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 12)

Andrei Altybarmakyan, RW (70^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 13)

Philipp Kurashev, LW/C (120^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 15)

Niklas Nordgren, RW (74^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 18)

Michael Krutil, D (110^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Isaak Phillips, D (141^st overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

MacKenzie Entwistle, C/RW (Trade: Jul. 12, 2018. Originally: 69^th overall, 2017 [Arizona]. Previous ranking: UR)

OHL: Isaak Phillips, D, Sudbury (2020)

2019-20 OHL Preview

Isaak Phillips – McKeen's Hockey

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

TOP 15 PROSPECTS: CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS – RANK: #22 – TIER IV

OHL in the AHL: Part Four – Jan Mysak (Montreal), Isaak Phillips (Chicago), Quinton Byfield (LA), Arthur Kaliyev (LA)

McKeen’s 2020-21 Hockey Yearbook: Chicago Blackhawks Top 20 Prospects

Ian Mitchell, D (57th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 1)

Lukas Reichel, LW (17th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Alec Regula, D (Trade: Oct. 28, 2019. Originally: 67th overall, 2018 [Detroit]. Previous ranking: 2)

Drew Commesso, G (46th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Pius Suter, C/LW (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Jul. 16, 2020. Previous ranking: 3)

Landon Slaggert, C (92nd overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Wyatt Kalynuk, D (Free Agent, signed: Jul. 16, 2020. Originally: 196th overall, 2017 [Philadelphia]. Previous ranking: 4)

Evan Barratt, C (90th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 5)

Michal Teply, LW (105th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 6)

Lucas Carlsson, D (110th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 7)

Brandon Hagel, LW (Free Agent, signed: Oct. 30, 2018. Originally: 159th overall, 2016 [Buffalo]. Previous ranking: 9)

Artur Kayumov, LW (50th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 10)

Nicolas Beaudin, D (27th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 11)

Jakub Galvas, D (150th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 12)

Andrei Altybarmakyan, RW (70th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 13)

Philipp Kurashev, LW/C (120th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 15)

Niklas Nordgren, RW (74th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 18)

Michael Krutil, D (110th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Isaak Phillips, D (141st overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

MacKenzie Entwistle, C/RW (Trade: Jul. 12, 2018. Originally: 69th overall, 2017 [Arizona]. Previous ranking: UR)

OHL: Isaak Phillips, D, Sudbury (2020)

2019-20 OHL Preview

Ian Mitchell, D (57^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 1)

Lukas Reichel, LW (17^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Alec Regula, D (Trade: Oct. 28, 2019. Originally: 67^th overall, 2018 [Detroit]. Previous ranking: 2)

Drew Commesso, G (46^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Landon Slaggert, C (92^nd overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Wyatt Kalynuk, D (Free Agent, signed: Jul. 16, 2020. Originally: 196^th overall, 2017 [Philadelphia]. Previous ranking: 4)

Evan Barratt, C (90^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 5)

Michal Teply, LW (105^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 6)

Lucas Carlsson, D (110^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 7)

Brandon Hagel, LW (Free Agent, signed: Oct. 30, 2018. Originally: 159^th overall, 2016 [Buffalo]. Previous ranking: 9)

Artur Kayumov, LW (50^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 10)

Nicolas Beaudin, D (27^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 11)

Jakub Galvas, D (150^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 12)

Andrei Altybarmakyan, RW (70^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 13)

Philipp Kurashev, LW/C (120^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 15)

Niklas Nordgren, RW (74^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 18)

Michael Krutil, D (110^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Isaak Phillips, D (141^st overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

MacKenzie Entwistle, C/RW (Trade: Jul. 12, 2018. Originally: 69^th overall, 2017 [Arizona]. Previous ranking: UR)