Ivan Chekhovich – McKeen's Hockey

AHL Western Conference 2019-20 Season Preview

Tom Dorsa — Thu, 17 Oct 2019 19:20:02 +0000

The new hockey season is finally upon us, and with it, comes the return of the American Hockey League, which serves as the primary development league of all 31 National Hockey League franchises.

As the AHL’s 31 teams prepare to clash over the long winter stretch, hoping to lift the Calder Cup in June, their NHL parent clubs are bulking up their farm team’s rosters with some of their best and brightest prospects.

With the NHL season up and running, the rosters for the AHL teams in each organization are coming to fruition. The solid mix of veterans with familiar faces alongside some exciting, exuberant youthful prospects of many teams are giving fans in the AHL’s member cities hope for the present and the future, while giving NHL fans faces to look for as potential replacements for the parent clubs, if and when the need arises.

Let’s take a team-by-team look at the competitors in the AHL’s Western Conference, beginning with last season’s conference champions.

(Team rundown is listed by 2018-19 point totals, and are not a projection of 2019-20 conference standings.)

Chicago Wolves (Vegas Golden Knights)

The Wolves, who paced the Western Conference with a 44-22-6-4 record in the regular season, lost their two leading scorers from last season over the summer. Daniel Carr, whose 71 points in 52 games led the AHL in points per game (1.37) last season, departed for the Nashville Predators system, while T.J. Tynan (led the league with 59 assists) joined the Colorado Avalanche organization.

Head coach Rocky Thompson might have trouble finding the same scoring, but will not have any issue on the blue line, with a defensive corps headlined by some top prospects like Nic Hague (4th in McKeen’s Vegas farm system rankings), Zach Whitecloud (6th), and Jake Bischoff (8th) all manning the defensive zone. Hague and Bischoff are presently up with Vegas, but both should spend significant time on the farm this year.

Chicago should maintain a spot near the summit of the Central Division standings, bolstered by all-world defense and solid goaltending.

Prospects to watch (quotes from the 2019-20 McKeen’s Hockey Yearbook):

Nicolas Hague

“[T]he 2017 second-rounder has can’t-miss shutdown potential in a two-way package. His lanky, 6-6” frame makes him nearly unbeatable at the blueline, as his length and mobility give him a package that can compete with any AHL forward for space in the defensive zone.”

Lucas Elvenes

“[A] smooth skater with soft hands. He has skill, and his inconsistent scoring is a product of him being more of a perimeter player, as he likes to create from the outside and that play isn’t always there and his creativity isn’t enough in those instances.”

Dylan Coghlan

“[A]n impactful offensive-defenseman by virtue of his skating, his atomic bomb of a slapshot, and his vision and playmaking, which allow him to quarterback a power play unit. His ceiling is as a middle-pair puck-rusher, but we will have to see how he does with an increase in tougher minutes on a depleted AHL Chicago this season.”

Bakersfield Condors (Edmonton Oilers)

The Condors made American Hockey League history last season with a stretch of 17 consecutive wins between January 12 and March 1. The win streak is tied for the second-longest in the 83-year history of the AHL, and allowed the Condors to soar (pun intended) to the Pacific Division regular season title.

Though they fell to the San Diego Gulls in the second round of the Calder Cup Playoffs, Bakersfield enjoyed its most successful season since the Oilers moved its primary development affiliate from Oklahoma City to Kern County, California, scoring more goals (242) and allowing fewer (182) than ever before.

With a solid group of top prospects from a deep Edmonton farm system, the Condors can be expected to contend alongside their California rivals for another Pacific Division crown.

Prospects to Watch (quotes from 2019-20 McKeen’s Hockey Yearbook):

Tyler Benson

“A speedy and creative forward, the former second-rounder’s natural playmaking ability — driven by top-notch vision, decision-making, and very crisp and accurate passes — can carry play from both the left wing and from the center position.”

Kailer Yamamoto

“A highly creative, smooth-skating winger, the former first-rounder creates plays out of thin air and is intense on the puck at all times. The quick-handed forward possesses strong hockey sense and the ability to drive play and carry a line from his position with his speed and vision.”

Cameron Hebig

“The undersized center plays a solid 200-foot game, exhibits mature offensive anticipation, has lightning-fast hands, and possesses a pro-level wrist shot, albeit a criminally underused one.”

Milwaukee Admirals (Nashville Predators)

After failing to make the playoffs in 2017-18, the Admirals returned to the postseason scene, losing to the Iowa Wild 3-2 in a five-game set. Riding a 14-game point streak through a hard Spring schedule, the Admirals made an improbable climb from seventh to second in the Central Division to end the season.

Milwaukee, celebrating their 50th season in the North American pro scene, look to rebound with an influx of solid Nashville prospects. Though AHL staples Adam Helewka and Dustin Siemens departed in the offseason, the introduction of prospects Rem Pitlick and Jeremy Davies (a New Jersey prospect traded in the P.K. Subban deal) will boost the offense.

Goaltender Troy Grosenick, one of the AHL’s best, will be back in the Admirals crease with a deeper team in front of him and head coach Karl Taylor.

Prospects to Watch (quotes from 2019-20 McKeen’s Hockey Yearbook):

Eeli Tolvanen

“His shot is mesmerizing, with speed, a wicked and deceptive release, and insane accuracy, while his skating has improved to compliment has lethal shooting. His excellent touch for the puck gives him an underrated playmaking game as well, as his hands can create space for himself and teammates while his elite stick skills enable him to dish passes over with ease.”

Rem Pitlick

“As solid as his shot is, Pitlick is also a clever playmaker, with good vision as he flies down the wing towards the net. While he will take risks to create offense, he is responsible in his own end, and has been a trusted penalty college for the University of Minnesota.”

Frederic Allard

“A former point-per-game blueliner in the QMJHL, his speed, shot, and offensive vision all grade out as average or better. He sees the ice and anticipates plays at a very mature level, and he has legitimate top-four potential if he can work on his defensive game, with his puck-moving and skating playing big roles in his projected big-league value.”

Iowa Wild (Minnesota Wild)

For the first time since the team formerly known as the Houston Aeros moved to Iowa, fans in Des Moines were treated to postseason hockey from an Iowa Wild team that won more games (37) and scored more goals (242) than in any past season.

The offense was paced by usual suspects like team captain Cal O’Reilly, but goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen carried the defensive efforts of the club with poise and consistency. First-year head coach Tim Army’s group knocked off Milwaukee in the first-round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Although the AHL club made few big-name acquisitions in the offseason, their returning players should keep them afloat in their search for a postseason spot in the Spring of 2020.

Prospects to Watch (quotes from 2019-20 McKeen’s Hockey Yearbook):

Nico Sturm

“He has great size and skates very well, with intriguing puck skills to boot. He is close to ready and has a third line ceiling.”

Kaapo Kahkonen

“His calm, composed mentality in the crease bodes well for his highly-athletic, technically-refined butterfly style, and his maturity as a young netminder was on display for all of last season in Des Moines. From a talent standpoint, he projects to be a midtier NHL starter in the near future.”

Louie Belpedio

“A right-handed, puck-moving defenseman is an untouchable prospective asset to any organization, but throw in some offensive upside and a veteran level of composure, and you have a surefire future NHLer. His smarts are top notch, and his speedy skating and vision make his mission of exiting the zone as fast as possible an easy one most times.”

Grand Rapids Griffins (Detroit Red Wings)

The Griffins are a team that benefits mightily from the Red Wings’ aggressive style of prospect development. A year after the debut of Filip Zadina -- the sixth overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft -- Grand Rapids will say hello to Joe Veleno and Moritz Sieder, two more first-round picks.

Add in Michael Rasmussen and Evgeny Svechnikov, you can argue that the Griffins have the most young, raw talent in the game, and head coach Ben Simon is prepared to put it all to use. Only three years removed from a Calder Cup championship (2016-17), the Griffins look primed for another run at the AHL equivalent of the Stanley Cup.

The Griffins fell victim to Chicago, the eventual conference champions, in the first round of last season’s playoffs.

Prospects to Watch (quotes from 2019-20 McKeen’s Hockey Yearbook):

Filip Zadina

“His intense skating speed, technical footwork skill, and elite shooting prowess [are] capable of changing the game on every shift. Furthermore, even if the numbers don’t pop, the fact that he did it all as a teenager is incredibly impressive.”

Moritz Sieder

“Big, mobile right-shot defenseman who oozes confidence and has great hockey sense. He has the quickness to join the rush and he does so in a timely manner. The German blueliner is very gifted offensively, possessing high-level passing skills and a strong shot selection.”

Evgeny Svechnikov

“He is a beast with the puck, able to get inside position on anyone and his control and balance are incredible for his size. He doesn’t shy from playing hard defensively. We will have to see if his injuries continue to hold him back when he returns this season, but if his health holds -- and his consistency improves -- he can be a middle-six scoring wing in the NHL.”

San Jose Barracuda (San Jose Sharks)

In their four years at SAP Center (after formerly playing in Worcester, MA), the Barracuda have never missed the playoffs. A beacon of consistency in the minor leagues in spite of an NHL club that is a perennial contender, there is no reason San Jose shouldn’t be hosting postseason games next Spring.

With the additions of Noah Gregor, Sasha Chmelevski, and Ivan Chekhovich -- along with a formidable returning core of players -- the Sharks boast a reinvigorated prospect pool ready to make things happen at the AHL level.

The Barracuda led the Pacific Division for much of the season before the Condors went on an incredible 17-game winning streak; San Jose finished second, four points behind Bakersfield. San Jose fell three games to one to San Diego in the first round of the playoffs.

Prospects to Watch (quotes from 2019-20 McKeen’s Hockey Yearbook):

Joachim Blichfeld

“[I]s a natural scorer with very good offensive instincts, has a great shot, and plays a pretty good all round game. He should be able to translate his game to a higher level of play. He will start as a bottom six forward, and could move up to a top six role if he settles in and produces even a portion of his WHL production.”

Sasha Chmelevski

“He is the type of forward who can excel in any situation and this versatility will make him an NHL player sooner rather than later. His best asset might be his shot release, which is lightning quick. But he is more than just a goal scorer, as he processes the game very well and is especially dangerous in transition with his ability to make quick decisions with the puck.”

Antti Suomela

“He still has the potential to be a top-six forward; a lethal skater and often deadly setup man, Suomela can contribute in many ways, even without the puck, as his anticipation for where the play is flowing is unreal. He still has the potential to be a top-six forward; a lethal skater and often deadly setup man, Suomela can contribute in many ways, even without the puck, as his anticipation for where the play is flowing is unreal.”

Manitoba Moose (Winnipeg Jets)

In their four years in Winnipeg, the Moose have played in the playoffs just once, missing the postseason last year with a very young and inexperienced team. With some of their younger players expected to make a leap this season, the Moose should be much improved.

Getting Sami Niku back to the AHL club is a major boost. Last season, Niku made the Jets roster but was a healthy scratch for the majority of the NHL campaign, and instead the mobile, smart defender will get some valuable reps instead of wasting away in the press box.

Youthful goalie Mikhail Berdin is anticipated as the club’s number-one goalie, and seems capable of the job after success in a somewhat-limited role last year. Head coach Pascal Vincent, the winner of the 2018 Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award as the AHL’s most outstanding coach, is back behind the bench of the Jets’ affiliate.

Prospects to Watch (quotes from 2019-20 McKeen’s Hockey Yearbook):

Logan Stanley

“The physical beast is one of the tallest prospects (or player of any level) in hockey, and his high-end defensive game leans heavily on his near-incomparable length. With his long and impassable gaps, active stick, and ability to take any opposing forward off the puck, his defensive game is one that seems NHL ready at just 20 years old.”

Michael Spacek

“As one of the finest defensive players in the Winnipeg system, Spacek has a clear NHL future due solely to his hard work and intensity in all three zones, but he can be better than a defensive specialist. The Czech native’s high-end two-way game has translated well from the WHL to pro hockey, as his shot, passing skill, and of course, his maturity and responsibility as a defender has impressed in the Winnipeg system.”

Mikhail Berdin

“Extremely athletic and hard-nosed, Berdin plays a fundamentally refined game that minimizes high-danger chances. He also possesses the last-resort agility to shut down anything that he can’t immediately get to.”

Texas Stars (Dallas Stars)

A year removed from winning the Western Conference and coming just a game away from taking home the franchise’s second Calder Cup, the Stars missed the postseason last year amid injuries and recalls toward the end of the season.

In addition, Texas has bid farewell to their two longest tenured players this offseason. Travis Morin, the 2014 AHL Most Valuable Player, retired from pro hockey while Justin Dowling, the team’s captain last season, made the Dallas roster out of training camp and seems primed to stick in the NHL.

With that transition brings youth and excitement into head coach Derek Laxdal’s lineup, as 11 first-year pros will compete in their rookie season with the Stars, including goaltender Jake Oettinger and forward Riley Tufte, both former first-round picks.

Prospects to Watch (quotes from 2019-20 McKeen’s Hockey Yearbook):

Jason Robertson

“At his best, Robertson is a monster in possession who prolongs offensive zone time because of how well he protects the puck. He also possesses terrific instincts, a great release, and a high skill level with the puck that makes him a very complete offensive player.”

Jake Oettinger

“Not only is Oettinger one of the top prospects in the Dallas system, the 20-year-old is firmly among the elite goaltending prospects in the sport. He is a 6-5” behemoth in the crease, but with the mental composure of a veteran and the agility of an NHL starter, boasting one of the most impressive packages of netminding skill in the game today.”

Joel L’Esperance

“The 6-2” center plays a high-energy game in all three zones, forechecks hard, and has some solid technical skating skill for a big man. He has a splendid wrist shot and a hockey IQ that is as high as his experience from the college ranks would suggest.”

San Diego Gulls (Anaheim Ducks)

After a somewhat surprising run to the Western Conference Finals that ended with a loss to Chicago, head coach Dallas Eakins was given a promotion to the Anaheim Ducks and now serves as the bench boss of the Gull’s NHL parent club.

What that means is, like with Texas, a lot of transition and a lot of unknown. Kevin Dineen was hired as the head coach in the offseason and now oversees a team with a lot of turnover from the year prior. Prospects like Hunter Drew and Andrew Morand will lead the club from the side of youth, while AHL scoring phenom Andrew Poturalski joins the fray after a Calder Cup championship with Charlotte.

The 2019-20 Ducks sure look like the 2018-19 Gulls, and San Diego will have to rediscover an identity to be in contention for a postseason spot as the winter turns to spring again.

Prospects to Watch (quotes from 2019-20 McKeen’s Hockey Yearbook):

Joshua Mahura

“A crisp, accurate, and heads-up passer, the 2016 third-rounder is a beast in transitional play, and is never afraid to start -- or join -- an offensive rush. Solid vision of up-ice development is aided by his tight gaps, which can force turnovers at the blue line and spark a chance the other way.”

Antoine Morand

“Knows where to be on the ice. He is a creator who distributes very well and can run an offense. He is a solid skater with great agility and strong edgework, but his size is a question mark going forward. Morand will have to bulk up to have extended success at the NHL level.”

Andrew Poturalski

“A decisive, speedy playmaker with quick hands and high-end vision, the 25-year-old possesses a ceiling of a depth scoring forward with potential to have a ton of success on the power play.”

Rockford IceHogs (Chicago Blackhawks)

The IceHogs failed to qualify for the postseason in a transformative 2018-19 campaign that saw their NHL parent club make many internal moves that trickled down to Rockford. Most notably, Jeremy Colliton getting a midseason promotion from AHL bench boss to NHL headman, leaving Derek King and crew without much time to implement their voices on the room.

Now, King will get a full season as head coach and an influx of well-regarded prospects at his disposal. Adam Boqvist and Nicolas Beaudin, two 2018 first-round picks, will man the blue line, while returning goaltenders Collin Delia and IIHF World Championships winner Kevin Lankinen can hold down the fort in the crease.

Prospects to Watch (quotes from 2019-20 McKeen’s Hockey Yearbook):

Aleksi Saarela

“Saarela is a hard-working, dynamic player who wins battles and moves so efficiently that his energy stays high throughout the entirety of each game. He is a great shooter and his accuracy is impressive which makes him a tough opponent to stop. He is an all-around fun and creative player to watch and with his hockey sense and skill, he has the potential to be a top six forward and lead a team despite his size.”

Adam Boqvist

“An elite offensive defender, Boqvist has the requisite tools to be a high scorer in the NHL. His skating stride is not only smooth, it is powerful, and it allows him to take risks by jumping up into the rush quite frequently. He also possesses fantastic scoring instincts for a defender, sliding down into the slot or using his agility to open up shooting lanes for himself at the blueline.”

Dylan Sikura

“From the standpoint of raw skating, he was one of the best in the AHL and in this very deep farm system. His playmaking has long been his calling card, and he loves to make space for teammates with his speed only to pass it off. He is a smaller center, but does not shy away from doing the dirty work on both ends of the rink.”

Colorado Eagles (Colorado Avalanche)

After winning two straight Kelly Cups in their final two years of action in the ECHL, the Eagles wasted no time bringing Calder Cup playoff action to Loveland, Colorado in their first season of AHL play. Finishing fourth in the Pacific Division before losing to Bakersfield in round one, it was a terrific start for an AHL expansion team.

Eagles head coach Greg Cronin has arguably a deeper team in the dressing room this season, and the Eagles can be expected to not only reach the postseason again, but perhaps go even deeper. Losing top scorer Andrew Agozzino and starting goaltender Pavel Francouz is a pain, but the addition of veterans T.J. Tynan and Erik Condra, as well as prospect Calle Rosen and the health of Conor Timmins bring balance to the club.

Like the Avalanche above them, they’re a team that preaches chaos and excitement over anything else. They’re incredibly fun.

Prospects to Watch (quotes from 2019-20 McKeen’s Hockey Yearbook):

Martin Kaut

“Although his offensive game was stagnant, his defensive game -- where his value is most apparent -- needed no adjustment from Europe to the North American style. His incredible rink sense make him a pest on the puck, and his willingness to play deep in the defensive zone is an unteachable, immeasurable talent.”

Shane Bowers

“Bowers is the type of player that specializes in performing the little things, doing the grunt work while his linemates hog the glory. He can accelerate the cycle game, bringing the puck in from the perimeter and putting a scoring chance in motion. He plays with energy and can be used in all situations.”

Logan O’Connor

“He is a wonderful skater with the acceleration of a top-line scorer, and possesses the smarts and discipline to consistently make a major impact in all three zones. His versatility is his strongest weapon, as he can play all three forward spots -- up and down the lineup -- with surprising effectiveness.”

Tucson Roadrunners (Arizona Coyotes)

Injuries bit the Roadrunners hard near the end of the 2018-19 season, and the team narrowly missed the playoffs directly because of it. In particular, the losses of defenseman Kyle Capobianco and forwards Michael Bunting and Nick Merkley all hit head coach Jay Varady hard, but the team is full of depth and excitement if their health cooperates.

This team won the Pacific Division title in 2018, with several of those players still suiting up in Tucson brick red and black. In their fourth year in Arizona, they should be expected to contend for the Pacific crown once again, so long as heavily-revered goaltending prospect Adin Hill can play up to his level.

Prospects to Watch (quotes from 2019-20 McKeen’s Hockey Yearbook):

Nick Merkley

“Agile and athletic, he has the edgework and plus acceleration to make up for his small, albeit stocky, stature. His creativity with the puck is fueled by his elite hands, and his shot is an ever-evolving weapon. It is difficult to tell what kind of player Merkley is going to be, but if he can finally stay healthy, the 22-year-old has the skill and potential to be a future top-six winger.”

Adin Hill

“At 6-6”, Hill’s size is the first thing that jumps out about the 2015 third-rounder, but his incredible technical refinement and immeasurable mental composure are major bright spots in the development of the Coyotes’ goaltender of the future. With both AHL Tucson and the NHL club, Hill displayed his excellent total package as a near-term big-leaguer.”

Tyler Steenbergen

“His 200-foot game, defensive responsibility, and effectiveness as a bottom-six, penalty-killing guy who can play all three forward spots reliably gives him something many players of his ilk have not: a surefire NHL ceiling.”

San Antonio Rampage (St. Louis Blues)

While no St. Louis Blues fan will trade their first and only Stanley Cup last season for a better prospect pool, the Blues are certainly lacking in terms of a competitive AHL team. Their 2018-19 season started about as poorly as their parent club’s, and the Rampage never got above a .500 winning percentage at any point of the season.

But a new year always brings promise and hope. Prospect winger Klim Kostin, a 2017 first-round pick, had a solid preseason with St. Louis and brings to his third season in the AHL a quest to be more disciplined and consistent, while goaltender Ville Husso looks for redemption after a disastrous season in 2018-19.

Prospects to Watch (quotes from 2019-20 McKeen’s Hockey Yearbook):

Ville Husso

“Husso had a horrendous season that further damaged his falling prospect stock. After a strong 2017-18 campaign, the Finn went 6-18-0 with a 3.67 GAA and .871 Sv% in 2018-19, eventually losing the clear-cut starting job to a slew of random cast-offs that featured Binnington and Jared Coreau. Husso still has the raw skill to make a name for himself, including his athleticism, size (and more importantly, the way he uses it), and his ability to read plays as they develop and position himself accordingly.”

Klim Kostin

“Though he went through another underwhelming AHL season, the 6-3”, 212lbs 20-year-old impressed scouts with his body control, momentum on his skates, and his physical, power-forward game. A fast shot and nifty puck-protection skills make Kostin a fun player to watch when he gets to enter the zone with momentum, though his lack of speed and assertiveness can hold him back.”

Mitch Reinke

“His speed allows him to frequently exit the defensive zone, while his vision and hockey sense give him the instincts to put the puck in the right place. He can jump into the play and let off his strong, accurate wrist shot, but he is more of a facilitator than anything.”

Stockton Heat (Calgary Flames)

Since moving to Stockton from Glens Fall, New York, the Flames have not won a single playoff series. With their NHL parent club in a “win now” window, it has obviously been difficult for Stockton to establish a consistent winner in the AHL.

And with Calgary bulking up the big-league club for another potential run at the top seed in the Western Conference playoffs, Stockton head coach Cail MacLean has his work cut out for him again. Especially without Jusso Valimaki, who tore his ACL in offseason training and is expected to miss the entire 2019-20 season, several others with the AHL Flames will need to step their games up this year.

Prospects to Watch (quotes from 2019-20 McKeen’s Hockey Yearbook):

Dillon Dube

“Shifty and quick on his feet, the former captain of Team Canada at the World Junior Championship exhibited plus value as a playmaking passer while also playing as a forceful, self-assured shooting option. His undersized frame is not a hindrance to his highend rough-and-tumble, forechecking game, as his play in the cycle is where he really shines as a passer and in-tight puck-handler.”

Matthew Phillips

“Grading out as an above-average skater and shooter, the Calgary native can impact games with his slippery skating, tricky shot release, and plus vision to create lanes for his linemates. At just 5-7” and 155 pounds, his physical game obviously lags, but he can be effective enough at separating himself from opposing defenders against the boards.”

Tyler Parsons

“A master scrambler, Parsons lacks technical refinement but more than makes up for it with competitiveness, play-tracking, and the reflexes to complement his all-out style of goaltending. The 2017 WJC gold medalist needs nothing more than a clean bill of health to continue his ascent up the ranks of NHL goaltending prospects, as the 2016 second-rounder projects to be a mid-tier NHL starter, but with more room to grow.”

Ontario Reign (Los Angeles Kings)

The Reign suffered through a dreadful 2018-19 season, one that became increasingly hard as the campaign continued, with the Kings recalling many Ontario’s best players.

Matt Luff, Carl Grundstrom, and Austin Wagner joined L.A.’s forward group, Sean Walker and Matt Roy saw time on the blue line, and Cal Petersen played in the crease at some points in the year. Using a core of inexperienced defensemen, ineffective forwards, and whoever else the Reign could snag from ECHL Manchester was not a recipe for success.

New additions Jaret Anderson-Dolan (2017 second-rounder) and Rasmus Kupari (2018 first-rounder) hope to turn the tide, to say nothing of the possible return to help of 2017 first rounder Gabriel Vilardi, bringing excitement to San Bernardino county. The Reign could be a sneaky playoff team, or just die out early like last season, but unpredictability can be entertaining, at least.

Prospects to Watch (quotes from 2019-20 McKeen’s Hockey Yearbook):

Rasmus Kupari

“His greatest asset is, without doubt, his skating. Highly agile on his skates, he can make tight turns and cuts and he possesses strong edge control. He stops and starts well and has excellent top-end speed. He can maneuver with the puck in tight spaces and has a lot of puck skill as well.”

Gabriel Vilardi

“He possesses a great size and skill package down the middle and is a terrific playmaker who thinks the game at a high level and really can dominate possession down low. He is just so strong and difficult to separate from the puck. Vilardi played only four games for Ontario last year because of a lingering back injury that appears to be threatening his promising career.”

Jaret Anderson-Dolan

“Anderson-Dolan had a tough season last year battling injuries, but managed to finish the season strong. He finished the season by putting up 20 goals and 43 points in 32 games for the [Spokane] Chiefs, and 15 in 13 games in the playoffs, demonstrating that his multi-tool impact was still there.”

San Jose Sharks 2019-20 Prospect Review: Top 20

Sat, 14 Sep 2019 13:10:26 +0000

As a team that is always in the midst of contention, the Sharks have long been in the habit of trading away draft picks as well as prospects in order to strengthen their current NHL roster and keep their window of contention open just that much wider. Think the recent trades for Erik Karlsson and Evander Kane and remember that there were others.

To illustrate this point further, they have not had a full complement of seven draft picks since 2015 – coincidentally their last year not in the playoff picture – and of their two first rounders in the four drafts since then, one (Josh Norris, 2017) was traded away in the Karlsson trade.

Compounding the lack of picks in the San Jose pipeline, a number of the players chosen have not panned out and while it is too early to place the bust label on many of them, it is fair to say that all too many of the Sharks’ recent picks have not trended in the right direction as far as their development has been concerned.

Even at the time of drafting a number of these players, it seemed clear that they were taking flyers on long shots, players who had aspects to their game to recommend them, but also had red flags. Think of 2018 pick Jasper Weatherby’s great numbers in the BCHL, but also his more advanced age. Or think of 2017 pick Jake McGrew’s performance as a teen in Southern California, but also that he missed his entire draft year to injury. 2018 pick Zachary Emond, a netminder, showed promise when he played, but he was a backup. Or think of 2015 second rounder Jeremy Roy. A smart and poised two-way defenseman but with a big knee injury already on his resume. More followed.

To help supplement a system lacking picks, the Sharks have scoured the free agent market for additional prospects. Of the 48 players currently defined as “prospects” in the San Jose system, an eye-catching 17 were brought into the system as free agents. Mostly of the undrafted sort, although a few had been previously selected by other teams at the draft and either never signed, or, in one case, signed but never received a second contract and is still prospect-eligible.

While free agent additions can always add depth to any system, and the hockey world is full of late bloomers who make legit careers for themselves, the downside is that these players were passed over for a reason. Sometimes similar reasons as the long shot draftees I discussed a couple of paragraphs above, and sometimes others.

Like with many of the Sharks’ long shot draft picks, many of the free agent signings will not pan out as full time NHLers. And of those that do, most will be playing on the bottom half of the lineup. Even with those caveats in mind, the gambit is thus far a positive one for this organization. Five of the 20 players listed here were acquired as free agents, including two netminders who aim to follow in current NHL starter Martin Jones’ footsteps, as he, too, entered the professional ranks as a free agent signee. -Ryan Wagman

San Jose Sharks center Antti Suomela (40) (Photo by Nick Turchiaro/Icon Sportswire)

1 Ryan Merkley, D (21^st overall, 2018. Last Year: 2) One of the most polarizing prospects on the planet, Merkley can dazzle with his skating ability and offensive talents, but can frustrate with his on ice composure and defensive commitment. Not even a trade from Guelph to Peterborough could alleviate those concerns. Merkley is competitive and plays the game with a chip on his shoulder. At times, when things do not go according to plan, his competitive nature turns to frustration that is expressed in negative ways on the ice. However, Merkley is extremely talented. His four way mobility is among the best of any defensive prospect, as he uses his agility to create both passing and shooting lanes. He is a dynamic puck carrier who can have a very large impact on the game. As such, patience is required on the part of San Jose and their development coaches. Merkley may always be a high risk, high reward defender, but in the right environment he could thrive as a primary puck mover and powerplay quarterback who can elevate the offensive play of those around him. - BO

2 Sasha Chmelevski, C (185^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 5) Chmelevski is a very pro ready prospect because of how he has been able to round out his game over the course of his OHL career. He is the type of forward who can excel in any situation and this versatility will make him an NHL player sooner rather than later. His best asset might be his shot release, which is lightning quick. But he is more than just a goal scorer, as he processes the game very well and is especially dangerous in transition with his ability to make quick decisions with the puck. His skating will probably need to continue to improve in order for him to hit his high end potential as a top six forward at the NHL level. But at the very worst, he seems like a safe bet to be a steady middle six option for San Jose, perhaps as early as the coming NHL season. - BO

3 Yegor Spiridonov, C/LW (108^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) Spiridonov had a good season in Russia, scoring almost a point a game in the Russian junior league and playing more than 20 games on the international stage with the U18 national team, including at the Gretzky Hlinka Cup and the WU18. He was one of the top scorers for his team at the U18s, where he made a strong impression that most likely convinced the Sharks to take him with a relatively high pick. The Magnitogorsk native is a solid two-way center with good size and with a good knack for playing hard along the boards. He has also good hands and solid skates, that allow him to protect the puck while in the offensive zone. Spiridonov is a good passer and a decent scorer, but his top quality is his two-way ability. Hopefully, he will get some pro experience next year. - ASR

4 Dylan Gambrell, C (60^th overall, 2016. Last Year: 3) An fast and highly intelligent center, Gambrell’s versatility and playmaking make him the prototypical middle-six pivot the Sharks need for the future. He possesses the sensational top speed and plus edgework necessary to drive past defenders, and his intelligence and hockey sense make him a lethal playmaker. The accuracy of his wrist shot can be a weapon on the power play and in transition, though he is more of a facilitator. Gambrell -- with his great maturity and presence on defense -- projects more as a depth center and penalty-killing maestro than anything else, as his shot and vision are solid, but not top-six quality. That fact can be worrisome out of a former second-rounder and near point-per-game AHL player, but that is where his game is at right now. - TD

5 Ivan Chekhovich, LW (212^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 9) The QMJHL’s second-leading scorer is a sniper of the highest order. His 43 goals were beaten by teammate Nathan Légaré by two, but the Russian winger has an excellent wrister with a big sweeping motion. His four playoff points tied for second-best on the Drakkar in their disappointing seven-game loss in the opening round. Chekhovich turned that into a positive, with a strong end of the season with the Barracuda. It was the second year in a row that he joined the pro squad at the end of the year, and impressed both times. Chekhovich’s skating is powerful, and he pairs it with good edgework. Like most young forwards, he needs to get bigger and stronger, and he needs work away from the puck, but if his offensive potential continues to flourish at the AHL level, he is an NHL triggerman waiting to strike in San Jose. - MS

6 Noah Gregor, C (111^th overall, 2016. Last Year: 4) Playing in the WHL as a 20 year old you need to dominate the league to show you have the tools to make it to the pro game. More often than not Gregor showed that, although some nights he was inconsistent with his effort. What he excels at is a speed game where he can go at defenders with the puck. He is a very good puck handler who can shoot the puck hard and with good accuracy. He is a bit too small to be called a “power forward” but he is strong and is willing to take the puck to the net. He projects as a guy who plays bottom six minutes with some penalty kill time. - VG

7 Joachim Blichfeld, RW (210^th overall, 2016. Last Year: Not ranked) Blichfeld capped off his WHL career by putting up a whopping 53 goals and 114 points in 68 games for the Winterhawks. He was a real standout for Portland, and also impressed on the international stage with Denmark in two previous WJCs. Blichfeld is a natural scorer with very good offensive instincts, has a great shot, and plays a pretty good all round game. He will take his game up to the AHL as he will skate for the Barracudas this season, giving him a good taste at the professional level where he should be able to translate his game to a higher level of play. He will start as bottom six forward, and could move up to a top six role if he settles in and produces even a portion of his WHL production.- KO

8 Jonathan Dahlen, LW/C (42^nd overall, 2016 [Ottawa]. Last Year: 5 [Vancouver]) With crazy quick hands and the hockey IQ to put them to use on the attack, Dahlen has an exciting game that packs a punch in his small frame. He is an expert playmaker with a pair of scintillating hands and the lateral mobility to play up his otherwise sluggish skating speed, and is becoming more comfortable with unleashing his speedy shot. A predator on the forecheck, the 21-year-old can become a very good energy line player and depth scorer in time, but there are questions to be had on his work ethic and effort level, as he is already on his third organization, and his departure from Vancouver was an ugly one. If he shows well in training camp, he could be in contention for an NHL roster spot this fall. - TD

9 Antti Suomela, C (Undrafted free agent, signed Jun. 6, 2018. Last Year: 11) At the end of the 2017-18 NHL campaign, a small bidding war over Suomela, the Liiga scoring champion that season, was waged by a multitude of stateside organizations. The hype was justified, but as the 2018-19 season went forward, we saw how poorly the raw, fascinating skill of the 25-year-old translated to the North American game at the NHL level. His speed and skill were on display early in the season, but he ate up healthy scratches and wound up in the AHL by December. He still has the potential to be a top-six forward; a lethal skater and often deadly setup man, Suomela can contribute in many ways, even without the puck, as his anticipation for where the play is flowing is unreal. With some NHL spots up for grabs in San Jose this season, he could be the guy to count on for depth scoring. - TD

10 Josef Korenar, G (Unsigned free agent, signed Jul. 13, 2017. Last Year: Not ranked) Imagine being a 21-year-old unsigned free agent who effectively stole the starting job for a postseason-qualified AHL team, in spite of minimal pro experience beforehand; that is what Josef Korenar did in 2018-19, starring for the AHL San Jose Barracuda and exhibiting the potential to be the Sharks’ goaltender of the future. The AHL All-Star showed otherworldly smarts and play-reading vision in his first full year in the pros, complimenting a highly athletic and controlled style in the crease. His rebound control can be spotty, as his tool selection still needs some work, but that is a teachable quality. Expect him to get the bulk of starts with the Barracuda in 2019-20, with a non-zero chance of an NHL appearance after the troublesome years of netminders Martin Jones and Aaron Dell last season. -TD

11 Mario Ferraro, D (49^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 6) Always playing second fiddle to his superstar collegiate teammate Cale Makar, Ferraro could have returned as the big man on campus now that Makar has turned pro. Instead, Ferraro is taking his own creative, puck moving game to the pros as well. Although undersized, he plays with tremendous energy, while not neglecting his duties in his own zone. One of three Minutemen to wear the C last year, he leads by example with a strong point shot and attention to detail in his own end, allowing him to be used on both special teams’ units. There are still some raw elements to Ferraro’s game, but his strong collection of tools might allow him to play as high as the second pairing, as he is the type for whom the total package may be better than the sum of their parts. - RW

12 Artemi Knyazev, D (48^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) Knyazev got the green light from Saugeneens’ coach Yanick Jean a lot in his first North American season, and he impressed offensively from the back end. His 34 points were second best among blueliners on his team, and the leader was an overager. The Chicoutimi team struggled to score at times, and Knyazev was a factor when they did put the puck in the net. He is an offence-first defender, who skates very well and covers a lot of ice for a smaller-sized player. Not only fast, he is agile and reaches top speed quickly. He can start or finish the offence, as proven by his great first pass and his 13 goals on the season. Knyazev is still a bit of a project, and will need to grow, but he has the foundation to be a solid powerplay contributor and speedy defender at the NHL level. - MS

13 Dillon Hamaliuk, LW (55^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) After starting the season very strong, Hamaliuk suffered a serious knee injury as a result of a knee on knee on hit that limited him to 31 games last season. He did put up 11 goals and 26 points in 32 games in that span, and played a very dominant physical game. He is your prototypical power forward, who also plays with a lot of speed and energy. He has a great shot, strong net presence, and plays a solid two-way game. His injury really affected his draft status, as he would have been a possible first round pick. Hamaliuk should have a career year after being moved to Kelowna in the offseason. With the Rockets hosting the Memorial Cup, he will be showcased and put in the spotlight where he should flourish. He projects to be a power forward with top six potential, if he should prove fully recovered with no loss to his skating ability. - KO

14 Andrew Shortridge, G (Undrafted free agent, signed Apr. 3, 2019. Last Year: IE) Shortridge is a 6-4” goalie who hails from Anchorage, Alaska. He just finished up a very successful three-year run with Quinnipiac University and was voted the ECAC Goaltender of the Year (Ken Dryden Award) and was also named as a Richter Award Finalist last season; he had a career-high and NCAA best .940 save percentage and a good run in the playoffs to boot. He is good at making that first save and gobbling up the puck. He is smart, he anticipates well and tracks the puck very well in traffic. Shortridge is also very athletic and can make the big saves that eventually win games. As he is thin at 185 pounds, he needs to get stronger before he can move beyond the Barracuda. - RC

15 Karlis Cukste, D (130^th overall, 2015. Last Year: 16) After four years in North America, the Latvian import seems to have grown accustomed to the style and pace of play. The high penalty minute totals of his freshman year at Quinnipiac are a thing of a past, while his offensive impact has increased. He lacks any true impact skills, but he is a fine skater and excels at skating the puck out of trouble. Cukste plays a fine two-way game, not bringing much in the way of flash, but playing steadily at both ends and keeping unforced errors to a minimum. He is expected to return to school for a final season, this time wearing the A on his chest, but the Sharks should be making clear that they will offer him a contract upon the completion of his collegiate eligibility. He has NHL upside. - RW

16 Jayden Halbgewachs, LW/C (Undrafted free agent, signed Dec. 28, 2017. Last Year: 12) Undrafted and signed by the Sharks near the midway mark of his electric, 129-point 2017-18 season with WHL Moose Jaw, the former junior scoring champion showed flashes of brilliance in his first pro year, but on the flip side, an utter lack of consistency and assertiveness. His elite positioning away from the puck, nifty wrist shot, and slippery hands make Halbgewachs a sneaky killer on offense. He loves to dangle through traffic and set up below the hash marks, where his intelligence and passing skill come into play, but his undersized, 5-8” frame, inability to beat defenders due to a lack of speed, and defensive insufficiencies make him a frustrating player to watch. He can still be a skilled depth scorer at the NHL level, but not without major upgrades in his game. - TD

17 Scott Reedy, C/RW (102^nd overall, 2017. Last Year: 15) When you see Reedy at his best, he almost seems dynamic. He has great size, eye catching speed, and can be a possession machine, creating zone entries and maintaining the puck even under physical duress. The tools are certainly there for him to be a legitimate contributor at the highest level. The problem is that he has been regressing – at a slow rate, but regression all the same – since his year with the USNTDP U17 squad. At that time, he was receiving cameos with the U18 team and looking like the next big thing. But Reedy underwhelmed in his draft year and now through two seasons with the Golden Gophers, he has not surpassed seven goals in a season and his assist rate has fallen. He still has a chance to play in a bottom six role, but he needs to step it up to reach even that level. - RW

18 Jeremy Roy, D (31^st overall, 2015. Last Year: 7) Roy’s career to this point, even dating back to his junior days, has been defined by injuries. It is very difficult to get into any kind of developmental rhythm when your body is failing you, but the potential for him to be an impact NHL defenseman is still there, just with a grain of salt. His smarts and puck skills scream big-minute NHL blueliner, while his size helps sustain a solid package of three-zone reliability and potency. He is not a very good skater, but has active feet and decent agility to play up his skating. Maybe the 22-year-old who has never played in an NHL game is a bust, but consider that the 58 games Roy played with AHL San Jose are the most he has laced up for in one season since his 2013-14 season in the QMJHL. Injuries have plagued him, but he is building health and strength and could still have an NHL future. - TD

19 Nick DeSimone, D (Undrafted free agent, signed Mar. 30, 2017. Last Year: 17) In terms of raw skill, there are not many players in the Sharks farm system that would outclass DeSimone. An offensively-oriented right-handed blueliner, he is aggressive at all times, uses his lanky, 6-2” frame to get inside position on the puck, and possesses the surprisingly quick wheels capable of blowing by defenders. With his blazing shot and craftiness with the puck, the Union College product became a mainstay on the Barracuda power play over the course of the 2018-19 campaign. Of course, raw skill does not just up and make you a great player, and the 24-year-old is a case study on that. Lacking defensive discipline and good decision-making in his own zone, he can be someone that drags his defense partner down and has his team playing unnecessary minutes in the defensive zone. – TD

20 Alexander True, C (Undrafted free agent, signed Jul. 18, 2018. Last Year: not ranked) An undrafted forward signed to an entry-level contract last year, True made the Sharks’ decision to put him on the NHL books a great one with a breakout year with AHL San Jose. The lanky 22-year-old formed into somewhat of a power forward threat in the top minor league last season, posting a career high in points that dates back into his WHL days (66-24-31-55). The Danish hybrid forward plays on both sides of the special teams, drives even-strength offense at will, and creates plays for his teammates with his intense cycle game. He is a subpar skater in almost every fashion, but can play a decent forechecking/depth scoring role in the NHL if he works on his shooting and defensive discipline. - TD

MCKEEN’S 2019 NHL DRAFT GUIDE: Lavoie at the top of the QMJHL crop

Mike Sanderson — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 13:01:09 +0000

Another year, another Moosehead atop McKeen’s QMJHL rankings.

It was an up-and-down season for Raphaël Lavoie, who struggled at times to find consistency amid an ever-changing lineup due to injuries, but the tall Quebecker hit his stride in the second half of the season and tore it up in the playoffs.

The right winger’s 20 goals led all QMJHL sharpshooters by six, and his hot play, especially in the first three rounds, were pivotal for the Mooseheads in their President’s Cup final appearance.

Raphael Lavoie. Photo courtesy of the QMJHL.

He projects as a big body forward at the next level with a deft offensive touch. His shot has improved with his confidence, and by the end of the year he was more willing to fire anywhere in the offensive zone. His long legs give him a slick stride that allows him to pick up speed in a hurry, making him hard to contain, and that was evident in the playoffs. With his size and stance, he has a great ability to create protection for the puck from defenders, and keep the defence honest when attacking him.

It’s his size and speed, along with his results offensively, that make him a tantalizing prospect at the next level. His physical play and hands could use some work, but he has produced at a great clip in the 2019 calendar year. While he does have history as a center, he has not played center in over a calendar year in junior hockey, and would need to be re-acquainted with the position if a team wishes to see him at the pivot going forward.

One would be remiss to skip over the plethora of Mooseheads taken high in recent NHL drafts. The Moose have had six players taken among the top nine picks in five of the last six years, including Nathan MacKinnon and Nico Hischier at the top of the table in 2013 and 2017, respectively. The Mooseheads have had eleven first round picks in their 25-year history, and a majority have come in the last six years. The 2019 Memorial Cup hosts have seen the spotlight on their team again this year as junior hockey’s holy grail tournament took place in the port city.

While there may have been doubts throughout the season as to whether Lavoie would be the top prospect in the league, those debates have been quashed. Lavoie will be the first QMJHL player picked in June in Vancouver.

Samuel Poulin. Photo courtesy of the QMJHL.

The second pick behind Lavoie has some distance, but Samuel Poulin of the Sherbrooke Phoenix makes the best case over the competition. He also had a great playoff as a one-man show in the Phoenix’s first round win over Blainville-Boisbriand, and was by far the team’s best player in the post-season.

Poulin has a pedigree that is not matched by many in the draft – his father Patrick played 11 seasons in the NHL, notably with the Montreal Canadiens. The lesser Samuel has the smarts of an NHLer already, and takes care of his own zone. He is a 200-foot player; taking care of his own zone while also chipping in offensively with 76 points a 14 in 10 games in the playoffs, tells the story of a smart, strong offensive player with a thick body at 208 pounds.

While Poulin’s NHL offensive skills may not be a top-line level, he has a floor as a prospect that will see him make an appearance at the NHL level. His smarts and skills are too good to be denied, and he can use his many skills to find a home at the top level.

Jakob Pelletier. Photo courtesy of the QMJHL.

Behind him is the third of the QMJHL forwards, Moncton’s Jakob Pelletier. Pelletier is listed at 5’9” tall, but he plays like he’s 6’4”. He crashes the net, hits on the forecheck, and is always contributing on the ice. His greatest asset is his work ethic, as he keeps his feet moving constantly and is always in a position to affect the game. His 89 points in the regular season were nothing to scoff at, either.

Unfortunately for Pelletier, injury troubles bookended his season, as he suffered a wrist injury with Team Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup to start the campaign, and then undertook a lower-body injury crashing the net in game one of the post-season. While he was healthy between those two ailments, it did affect his season as he was clearly wounded in the playoffs and the wrist injury ended his time with Canada in the tournament. His three points in seven games in the playoffs were a result of basically playing on one leg. He has an outside shot at being selected on the draft’s first night if a team really likes his intangibles, but he is likely a candidate for early Saturday selection in the second round.

Three potential first round hopefuls are a far cry from last season, where four players were picked in the opening round and another, Halifax’s Jared McIsaac, picked early in the second round. Beyond the big players, our next player at McKeen’s is Baie-Comeau’s Nathan Légaré, who we have as a potential third rounder. The drop off between Pelletier and Légaré is significant.

Nathan Legare. Photo courtesy of the QMJHL.

Légaré is a strong forward who plays a power game and scores his goals in front of the net. He is a meat-and-potatoes player who has the size to move up already. He is strong on his skates and holds position well. He is physical and an imposing presence on the ice. Once he is in position, he unleashes his heavy shot that led him to second in Q goals with 45 on the year. He was the finisher on a strong top line for Baie-Comeau along with San Jose prospect Ivan Chekhovich and Tampa Bay hopeful Gabriel Fortier. Légaré placed fourth in league scoring with 102 points on the year, while Chekhovich was runner-up.

At this point, blueliners should be hitting their mark on the draft board. Moncton’s Jordan Spence is the leader of the pack in this regard. His skating speed is elite, and he handles the puck with a lot of poise. Spence was the QMJHL’s nominee for CHL rookie of the year. While his defensive game needs work, he is one year separated from playing junior A, proving how much growth he has made in a year after going undrafted in his first QMJHL year of eligibility. Spence has great passing and his skating covers a lot of his deficiencies that he will finetune as he grows.

Artemi Knyazev of the Chicoutimi Saguenéens is a defenceman similar to Spence without the speed, but perhaps smarter on the offensive blueline. He moves the puck sharply and crisply, and was leading the offence from the blueline the moment he stepped on North American ice.

Other second-day hopefuls include Saint John’s Maxim Cajkovic, Charlottetown’s Nikita Alexandrov, Rouyn-Noranda’s Alex Beaucage and Shawinigan’s Valentin Nussbaumer. There is likely only to be one netminder from the QMJHL selected, and that is Rimouski’s Colten Ellis.

With the June draft on the horizon, attention shifts to the 2020 NHL Draft, and one of the biggest prospects to come from the league in a long time – Alexis Lafrenière of the Rimouski Oceanic. The 2018-19 CHL’s player of the year had 105 points in 65 games this season. His birthdate is a late one, or else he would be in the debate with Jack Hughes and Kaapo Kakko for the top spot in the draft this season. Lafrenière is an extremely smart player and a very creative player off the wing.

QMJHL Playoff Preview: Huskies leaders of the pack in the President’s Cup playoff

Michael Sanderson — Wed, 20 Mar 2019 13:23:49 +0000

The Rouyn-Noranda Huskies are looking to complete what they could not in 2016: win a Memorial Cup.

They may just have the team to do it, but first they need to lay waste to the rest of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

That’s what they did in the regular season. Boasting three players from that 2016 Memorial Cup squad in league-leading scorer Peter Abbandonato, minute-eating defender Jacob Neveu and record-setting netminder Samuel Harvey, the Huskies set the record for most wins in a single season with 59 wins in 2018-19. Raphael Harvey-Pinard played five games for that 2016 Huskie crew in the regular season and was the team’s second leading scorer this year.

The Huskies are a very strong defensive unit that moves the puck fast and plays with intensity. They lost just one game in the 2019 portion of the schedule.

Noah Dobson, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies.

Rouyn-Noranda made it count in the mid-season trading period as well, trading all of their picks in the first-through-fourth rounds in the next three seasons to acquire three players – Joel Teasdale from the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, Louis-Filip Côté from the Québec Remparts, and Noah Dobson from the defending Memorial Cup champion Acadie-Bathurst Titan. Teasdale boasts 42 points in 29 games, and Dobson added 36 in 28.

The Titan will not be defending their crown, as they missed the playoffs this season, allowing for a new champion that could be wearing red and black. The Huskies have another piece from last year’s champs: head coach Mario Pouliot joined the team, taking over as head coach and GM.

Joe Veleno, Drummondville Voltiguers

Another team in red and black, the Drummondville Voltigeurs, are the yin to the Huskies yang in terms of contending combatants. While the Huskies dominate with defensive play and timely scoring, the Voltigeurs try to outscore the opposition, and were very successful at it, especially in the second half. The Volts led the league in goals with 338 on the strength of Detroit pick Joe Veleno’s 104 points and Maxime Comtois’s 48 points in just 25 games.

They have the forward depth to put most teams to shame. Nicolas Guay has been an excellent winger with 40 goals. Gregor MacLeod was picked up at the beginning of the season from Québec and put up 84 points. Félix Lauzon’s two-way play was magnified by his 80 points, and Dawson Mercer, not draft-eligible until 2020, had 64 points with his blazing speed and great defensive instincts. This playoff season could be Mercer’s breakout party with the responsibility Steve Hartley and the Volts coaching staff put on his shoulders.

The Huskies, not to be outdone, outscored every team but Drummondville in the regular campaign.

Drummondville and Rouyn-Noranda both benefit from a different playoff format this year, as well. Due to travel issues, the league decided to toss out the previous 1-vs-16, 2-vs-15 format for a conference set-up, putting the league’s 12 Quebec-based teams in three divisions of four, and the Maritimes all in a single division of six. The two western-most divisions were shuffled into the Western Conference, while the East Division and the Maritime teams were linked into the Eastern Conference.

This plan creates an imbalance in the conferences, so the possibility of a crossover exists; if the ninth-best Eastern Conference team has more points than the eighth-best Western Conference team, the Eastern team joins the west for the playoffs, and the eighth-best Western team misses the playoffs. The tenth-based team in the east, if they too have more points than the remaining team in the west, could also cross over.

This possibility nearly happened, with the Saint John Sea Dogs tied in points and holding the tiebreaker over the Shawinigan Cataractes on the league’s final day of the regular season. The Sea Dogs lost in regulation, while the Cataractes lost in overtime, putting them one point ahead of the Dogs and into the final playoff spot. Shawinigan, who made the playoffs despite a 0-14-1-0 record in their final 15 games, will take on the Huskies, a team that has only lost eight times all season.

The first round will be 1-vs-8, 2-vs-7 and the second round will pit the four winners, highest remaining seed playing lowest remaining seed. The third round will be a free-for-all, with the team’s left over ranked by record and seeded one-through-four regardless of conference, and lastly the winners of the third round will meet in the league final.

The possibility of the best two teams meeting in the final is still there, and the two best teams in terms of points, Rouyn-Noranda and Drummondville, will have an easier ride than most one- and two-seeds.

The talent disparity between the Eastern and Western Conferences this year was a sight to behold, perfectly demonstrated by the Sherbrooke Phoenix. The Phoenix, with 77 points, finished third in the west and will have home ice against the Armada. Given the same results, if Sherbrooke was in the east, they would have finished in eighth place, and would be playing the Conference-leading and Memorial Cup hosting Halifax Mooseheads. Quite a jump in competition, and on the road, no less.

The Mooseheads overtook the Baie-Comeau Drakkar to win the East crown on the final day, and they will have home-ice assured for the first two rounds. While they received some criticism for potentially not doing enough during the mid-season trading period, making the fewest trades of any team, the Mooseheads are coming in with a very strong outfit that had a better 2019 than 2018. Head coach Eric Veilleux and the personnel struggled at times in terms of game-plan; Veilleux is a more defensive coach and the players he is directing are more offensive-minded, but he does his best coaching in the playoffs, and has a league final in 2013 and a Memorial Cup championship in 2012 to his credit.

Jared McIssaac

Samuel Asselin, acquired from the Titan in the season’s first week, had an excellent campaign and was the most consistent Moosehead over the 68 games, firing a league-topping 48 goals and 86 points for Halifax. Anaheim prospects Benoît-Olivier Groulx and Antoine Morand both shone in the regular season as well, with 80 and 70 points, respectively. Arnaud Durandeau kept pace as well, as the Islanders hopeful had 73 points of his own. Detroit prospect Jared McIsaac was second in defenceman points with 62 in 53 games. Having Edmonton prospect Ostap Safin back in the lineup in March after missing several months with recurring hip issues is a major boost to the scoring touch of the team.

Fans will keep a close eye on Raphael Lavoie, projected as potentially the league’s biggest draft prospect for this June’s NHL draft. Lavoie had a very hot February with 24 points in the month, and while he was kept off the scoresheet in his last three games, needs a big playoff and Memorial Cup to keep himself above the competition, namely Moncton’s Jakob Pelletier and Sherbrooke’s Samuel Poulin.

Ivan Chekhovich

The Drakkar are the Mooseheads’ biggest challengers in the east, and they held the title until the league’s final games. Much like the Huskies, the Volts and the Mooseheads, the Drakkar boast major scoring in their lineup. San Jose prospect Ivan Chekhovich was six points off the league leader in Abbandonato with 105 points, and Nathan Légaré, a 2019 draft hopeful, was tied for eighth in league scoring with 87 points and tied for second in the league with 45 goals. Their top four scorers all scored at least 35 goals, and they beefed up the back end with additions of Keenan MacIsaac from the Titan and Pascal Corbeil of the Armada.

The team did not sit pat with their goaltending either, as GM Steve Ahern acquired three capable goaltenders in Alex D’Orio from Saint John, Dereck Baribeau from Québec and Lucas Fitzpatrick from Shawinigan. Due to Baribeau’s injury in early January sidelining him for the rest of the regular season, D’Orio has been the team’s starting goaltender, and the Penguins’ signee has shown that with a contending team, he is a very good starting goaltender who can handle a lot of shots. The Drakkar do not give up a lot of shots, though, being fourth in the league in shots against at just 26-and-a-half.

Alexis Lafreniere

The Eastern Conference is the side to watch in the first two rounds, as they had seven teams breach the 85-point barrier to the west’s two. The Rimouski Oceanic, upset in last year’s first round by the Moncton Wildcats, bring in Alexis Lafrenière for his second playoff run, and they added big muscle in Calgary prospect D’Artignan Joly to a lineup that already boasted high-flying Tampa signee Jimmy Huntington and defensive leading scorer and Charles-Edouard D’Astous. Lafrenière’s 105 points already secures him as a top prospect for 2020, but he will want to get further than the opening round this time around. The Oceanic will go as far as 2019 prospect Colten Ellis can take them from the red line.

While Charlottetown traded away Arizona first rounder Pierre-Olivier Joseph to Drummondville, they were able to get New Jersey prospect Xavier Bernard in the deal. Matt Welsh is capable of stealing a series in net and would be talked about more in NHL circles if he was taller than 5-11”. A team could still take a flyer on him and be well-off; he never quits on a play and excels in making saves however necessary. Anaheim prospect Hunter Drew has made more great strides in his game, and 2019 potential picks Nikita Alexandrov and Brett Budgell are joined by sharpshooter Daniel Hardie and former Titan forward Jordan Maher for experience. Jim Hulton is a very good coach and an excellent motivator, and he has a group he can mold for a playoff run, despite selling off his best asset.

The Islanders’ first round opponents will be the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, who acquired Derek Gentille and Minnesota prospect Shawn Boudrias at the deadline. Ottawa pick Kevin Mandolese will have to earn his keep in the net against the Isles, and former Titan forward Mitch Balmas, two-time 40-goal scorer, will hope to improve upon his five goals in last year’s playoff run. The Eagles may be a year away, but this would be a very pivotal moment in the growth of this year’s core going forward, and they are more than capable of pulling off an upset.

Chicoutimi was a player in the Noah Dobson sweepstakes; as part of a handshake agreement, Dobson was sent to Rouyn-Noranda, but with mostly Chicoutimi draft picks. Those picks were sent to the Huskies by Chicoutimi for facilitation and the ability to acquire William Dufour. The trade was a part of the Titan’s deal for Olivier Galipeau last season; the Sags wanted the ability to re-acquire Dobson next year if faced with the possibility, but also take in Dufour as a potential core piece for the future. If Dobson went through Chicoutimi directly, the Saguenéens would not be able to re-acquire him for three years.

Chicoutimi under Yanick Jean have been rebuilding for a couple of years, but they have three of the first seven picks from last year’s first round on the team in Dufour, Hendrix Lapierre and Théo Rochette. All three have received international attention and will be important building blocks for the team in future years, and this team will gain valuable experience in the post-season, with the potential of netminder Alexis Shank stealing a game or two against Rimouski.

Jakob Pelletier is a player whose game gets better as the chips are down, and he is potentially the Wildcats’ most important player in their playoff push. Jeremy McKenna’s 97 points does not hurt either, but the Wildcats changed coaches in January and struggled to find their game at times this season. They made moves to get better at Christmas but saw a team that sold off players in Charlottetown and a team that more or less stood pat in Chicoutimi, adding just William Dufour and shuffling in Liam Murphy for Jesse Sutton, surpass them in the standings. The team is playing better under the watchful eye of John Torchetti, but the playoffs are a different animal.

Samuel Poulin is also a player who benefits when the checking gets close. He is big, fast and smart, and he can play physical as well as contribute offensively. The Phoenix scored more goals this year than any other year in their history, but do not have a scorer who jumps off the page; Poulin’s 29 goals tied for the team lead, matched by Alex-Olivier Voyer. Poulin will be relied upon heavily in the post-season, but the Phoenix have eight players with 42 points or more in the regular campaign.

The Eastern Conference is a wide-open group with good teams set to pack after the first round, while the West feature the two top teams in the league in the Huskies and the Voltigeurs. One would expect those latter two teams to make it to the final four, but any of the top seven teams in the east could make a run for the President’s Cup.

Who will meet the Mooseheads in Halifax at the 2019 Memorial Cup in May? The Huskies have recent history on their side, and the league’s wins record to boot. 16 more wins to their 59 they have already amassed seems most likely.

Predictions

First Round

Rouyn-Noranda over Shawinigan in 4

Drummondville over Gatineau in 4

Blainville-Boisbriand over Sherbrooke in 7 (with goaltending leading to the mild upset)

Victoriaville over Val d’Or in 6

Halifax over Quebec in 5

Baie-Comeau over Moncton in 5

Rimouski over Chicoutimi in 7

Charlottetown over Cape Breton in 6

Second Round

Rouyn-Noranda over Blainville-Boisbriand in 4

Drummondville over Victoriaville in 6

Halifax over Charlottetown in 7

Baie-Comeau over Rimouski in 6

Third Round

Rouyn-Noranda over Baie-Comeau in 6

Drummondville over Halifax in 7

League Championship

Rouyn-Noranda over Drummondville in 6

2018 CIBC Canada Russia Series: OHL Summary

Shaiyena Côté — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 12:40:50 +0000

Every fall for the past sixteen years leading up to the international U20 tournaments and the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship, the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) hosts a series of six games between the Russian Ice Hockey Federation’s top major juniors and the top major juniors playing in the CHL. These games take place across Canada with two games being played in each of the CHL’s three leagues in six different team centers each year. Team Russia takes advantage of Russian players already in Canada playing for CHL teams by rostering them for games during this series.

The first set of games this year took place against the Western Hockey League (WHL) in Kamloops at the Sandman Centre home of the Kamloops Blazers, with the second game being held at the Langley Events Centre home of the Vancouver Giants. The WHL split the game wins with Russia leaving the series tied at one win apiece before coming here to the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).

The first of the two OHL games was played Thursday November 8^th at the Progressive Auto Sales Arena, home to the OHL’s Sarnia Sting. A few of the players of note rostered with team OHL for the first game were Philadelphia Flyers’ prospects Morgan Frost and Isaac Ratcliffe, Edmonton Oilers’ prospect Evan Bouchard, and Montreal Canadians’ prospect Nick Suzuki. Team Russia’s OHL rostered players included; Edmonton Oilers’ prospects Kirill Maksimov and Dmitri Samorukov of the Niagara IceDogs and Guelph Storm respectively; Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Alexey Lipanov of the Kitchener Rangers and Alexey Toropchenko the St. Louis Blues prospect also from the Guelph Storm, all of whom had the chance to join their countrymen to play against their teammates on the OHL team.

Isaac Ratcliffe of team OHL Photo by Luke Durda/OHL Images

Team OHL got off to a quick start during the first game in Sarnia with Isaac Ratcliffe scoring minutes into the first period off a high slot pass from Arizona Coyotes’ prospect Barrett Hayton of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Ratclliffe’s goal resulted from one of only four shots in the first period, the shot itself was a bullet going high glove. Team Russia seemed a little shaky at the start, but they were most likely just trying to find their legs again after their previous two games in Western Canada. Both teams took some time to gain line familiarity and worked on finding chemistry throughout the first period.

A lot came out of the first period as three out of the four goals of the game were scored in the first. The second and game winning goal for Team OHL came at the end of the period in the form of a penalty shot. A long stretch pass came from the Canadian blueline on a change to forward Mackenzie Entwistle set him off on a break away. Having full possession of the puck with a good scoring chance the right call was made on the Russian defender Saveliy Olshansky who attempted to slow him down, resulting in Entwistle getting a penalty shot. The right shot Chicago Blackhawks’ prospect made no mistake as he whistled the puck past the blocker of the Russian goaltender, Daniil Tarasov, a Columbus prospect, placing it high in the top left corner.

Stepan Starkov of team Russia Photo by Luke Durda/OHL Images

The last goal to come in the first period was scored by team Russia. The goal came from an outside drive deep into Canada’s zone by KHL Sochi centre Stepan Starkov who made a clever backdoor pass back to Boston Bruins’ prospect and Ufa KHL centre Pavel Shen as he waited, open in the slot, to net the one-timer. That goal came with 43 seconds left in the opening period.

The second period had more flow as players on both teams became more familiar with each other and more comfortable with their lines. Yet to be really tested were the special teams as there was only one penalty to team Russia in the first period which was successfully killed off by the Russians as Canada’s power play looked to get a little sharper. The second period saw team Russia getting a little more frustrated as they ended up in the box three times with Toropchenko leading the way with four minutes. Team Canada had a roughing minor handed out to Edmonton Oilers’ prospect Ryan McLeod of the Mississauga Steelheads.

Barrett Hayton of team OHL Photo by Luke Durda/OHL Images

Team OHL worked well on circulating and moving the puck on the power play but failed to net one as Team Russia successfully shut down the Canadian powerplay. Team Russia’s frustration came after Barrett Hayton netted a highlight reel goal on a break with assists from San Jose Sharks prospect Ryan Merkley of the Guelph Storm and Owen Sound’s Brady Lyle. Hayton put his puck handling ability on show as he split the two Russian defenders and slipped through the middle leaving him with few options but to deke to avoid the goaltender’s poke check. Hayton’s goal came with half the game remaining but was enough to hold off the Russian team for another thirty minutes.

The rest of the game was played out in good form with both teams looking to up their offensive chances and shots on net. Although Team Russia excelled at killing penalties and quick breakouts, their efforts were shut down by the physicality and aggressive play of the Canadian defence. The third period ended with zero goals being scored and only six minutes in penalties. Evan Bouchard lived up to the hype about him as he played a very solid game and proved why he was drafted 10^th overall in 2018. He showed off his patience with the puck, ability to win battles along the boards and backchecked well on a Russian breakaway. Despite Team OHL outshooting Team Russia 23 to 19, Team OHL had the opportunity to further their lead but the Russian goaltender Daniil Tarasov of the Supreme Hockey League’s (VHL) Neftekamsk managed to come up with some good saves as the Canadians found holes in the Russian defence. Team OHL came out on top of game one with a final score of 3 – 1 but the next game didn’t not go as planned for the Ontario Hockey League Team as they fell to the Russian team by a larger margin than the Russians did in their previous meeting.

The second game of the two game Ontario series was played on November 12 and was won by Team Russia with Russia scoring four goals and a zero response from the Ontario team, a result which left the majority of the fans in the Tribute Communities Centre in Oshawa, Ontario surprised. Team Russia outshot Team OHL 28 to 23 with the Russians shutting the OHL offence down almost completely in the third period, limiting them to only five shots on goal. The star of the game for Team Russia was their goalie Pyotr Kochetkov who stopped all shots, proving that both of Team Russia’s goaltenders were strong.

Game two saw few roster changes other than the addition of four hometown Oshawa Generals’ players to the lineup; Winnipeg Jets’ prospect Giovanni Vallati was rostered for both games, Florida Panthers’ prospect Serron Noel, undrafted Austen Keating and Boston Bruins’ prospect Jack Studnicka, who wore the ‘C’ for Team OHL, were all new additions to the lineup. Ryan Merkley, Giovanni Vallati, Liam Foudy, Barrett Hayton, MacKenzie Entwistle, Owen Tippett and Ryan McLeod were all dressed for both games.

Alexander Romanov of team Russia Photo by Luke Durda/OHL Images

Game two got off to a quick start for Team Russia as they managed to score 57 seconds in giving them an early lead. Team Russia started with a lot more energy than they had in the previous game, and they were more fired up with a physical presence from the get go. The first period saw ten minutes in penalties in total and two goals from the Russians with one from Montreal prospect Alexander Romanov and the other from Pavel Shen again. Team OHL showed frustration with their lack of productivity and quality chances but were able to keep their penalties to a minimum while making good use of screens in front of the net as they tried to get shots off. MacKenzie Entwistle and Kevin Bahl both picked up penalties for Team OHL while the aforementioned Shen and Veniamin Baranov each picked up penalties for Team Russia. Although Team OHL was down two goals heading into the second period they did not lose their morale playing the second frame and stayed focused and ready to compete with the energized Russians.

The second period was a very entertaining and well played period. Although both teams played a fairly clean game despite a minor penalty given to Team Russia, they were also both kept off the scoreboard. The action bounced back and forth and Team OHL players Studnicka and Ottawa Senators pick Alex Formenton proceeded to stand out for their puck possession skills by making solid passes and getting to the net on rushes. The shots were almost even with the Russians finishing just behind the Canadians in the second as the MVP of the game for Team Russia, goalie Kochetkov put on a show in net turning away all ten good quality chances Team OHL had and flashing the glove multiple times. By the end of the period the OHL players were feeling the pressure of being blanked for another twenty minutes and Team Russia was feeling more confident with their lead.

The end of Team Russia’s Ontario Hockey League stint finished on a high note with the Russians effectively shutting Team OHL down, reducing them to a low five shots on net in the third period and a final score of 4 - 0. Team Russia scored twice as Alexander Yaremchuk and Kirill Slepets both found the back of the net later on in the period to add a softer cushion to their lead. Tempers started to flare a little as Kevin Bahl and Bulat Shafigullin both had roughing penalties and Ryan Merkley ended up with a misconduct penalty. Through all the commotion and short-handed play, Hunter Jones remained calm and collected in his net for Team OHL keeping them in the game as their offence struggled to get the puck down the ice. The period went by slowly for fans who had come to support Team OHL but for the small contingent of Russian fans bearing flags and hats the cheering for their team continued throughout the game and well after the buzzer sounded.

As a final note, the Russian team flew out to Quebec the day following the second game against the OHL for the final two games of the 2018 CIBC Canada Russia Series. Team Russia met the best of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) first on November 13^th in Sherbrooke and played their second game in Drummondville on November 15^th. Four Russian players playing in the QMJHL; Ivan Chekhovich playing for the Baie-Comeau Drakkar, drafted by the San Jose Sharks; Alexander Khovanov playing for the Moncton Wildcats, drafted by the Minnesota Wild; Pavel Koltygin playing for the Drummondville Voltigeurs, drafted by the Nashville Predators and Dmitry Zavgorodniy playing for the Rimouski Oceanic, drafted by the Calgary Flames all joined Team Russia for both games. Russia won both games against the QMJHL (the second game in overtime) to take the six-game series 4 – 2. The fact that Team Russia flew across Canada, played six games in six different cities in ten days against teams made up of different players and still won the series is a possible testament to the strength and skill of Team Russia and the fact that they should not be underestimated in the upcoming World Junior Championship once final team selections are made.

Overall, the play of both teams in the Ontario two-game series was strong and there was a lot of talent showcased on the ice for both Russia and the OHL. Both teams had a few undrafted players to be considered for the 2019 NHL Draft. The 2018 CIBC Canada Russia Series marked the start of development camps and tournaments leading up to the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship to be held jointly in Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia. With that being said, it will be interesting to see the finished product of Team Canada, once the CHL selection process is complete, and Team Russia, come December 26^th when the puck drops to mark the start of the 2019 World Junior Hockey Championship.

QMJHL 2018-19 Preview: Voltigeurs, Oceanic early favourites to join Mooseheads at Memorial Cup

Michael Sanderson — Thu, 04 Oct 2018 11:59:22 +0000

There is one certainty in the 2018-19 QMJHL season: the Halifax Mooseheads have already punched their ticket to the 2019 Memorial Cup.

They printed the tickets, in fact.

Halifax is the host for the CHL’s holy grail tournament in May, and the question is, what team joins them at the big dance?

Two teams have revealed themselves to be the cream of the crop, at least on paper at the onset of the season: the Drummondville Voltigeurs and the Rimouski Oceanic.

Benoit Olivier-Groulx

But Halifax may be the best of them all, with a deep lineup throughout, led by forwards Antoine Morand, Benoît-Olivier Groulx, Jordan Maher and draft-eligibles Raphaël Lavoie and Xavier Parent. They only lack a minute-eater on defence, depending on the progression of blueliners Jared McIsaac, a Detroit pick, and Justin Barron, and a consistent starting netminder, though Chicago pick Alexis Gravel has the potential to steal games. The acquisitions of Ostap Safin and Samuel Asselin only further bolster a strong offensive attack for head coach Eric Veilleux’s group.

Drummondville’s true potential will depend on the potential return of forward Maxime Comtois. The bruising two-way forward has turned a great showing at Anaheim’s camp, and some luck with an injury to Corey Perry, into a chance at some real live NHL games that count this season, and if he were to stick in the pros, it would be a big blow to the Volts’ title hopes. The team is deep beyond him, boasting Joe Veleno and Pavel Koltygin up front, NHL-draftees Xavier Bernard and first-rounder Nicolas Beaudin on the back end, and the league’s best goaltender in Olivier Rodrigue defending the cage. Top to bottom, Drummondville is Halifax’s biggest challenger on paper.

Rimouski has the league’s biggest name in Alexis Lafrenière, who still can’t be picked until the 2020 NHL Draft. Lafrenière has already made a name for himself on the international stage, and will be looking to improve on his 80 points from last season. The Oceanic finished third in the league last year, and holding onto that spot is the least of their expectations. Rimouski was upset in the first round last March, and will look to improve on that and go on a deep run. Adding Jimmy Huntington, Cédric Paré and Olivier Garneau to the fold up front provides strong depth to an already formidable group.

Beyond the big three, there are several clubs that could surprise, including offensive juggernauts in Baie-Comeau and Moncton, and wildcard teams like Charlottetown, Cape Breton and Quebec.

Ivan Chekhovich

The Drakkar started very hot out the gate with strong offensive play, including San Jose’s Ivan Chekhovich and Tampa Bay’s Gabriel Fortier among the top scorers. Undrafted forward Yaroslav Alexeyev, acquired from Sherbrooke in the summer, has already made an impact. Xavier Bouchard leads a middling defense corps, and Kyle Jessiman joins Justin Blanchette in a bit of a loaded crease.

The Wildcats have the horses up front to do damage as well. Last season’s shot leader Jeremy McKenna returns along with Mika Cyr, while undrafted forward Anderson MacDonald, tries to show teams he deserved to be picked last June. They shipped netminder Mark Grametbauer to Bathurst, opting instead to go forward with former Drakkar and Armada goalie Francis Leclerc. Their defence needs work, but stalwarts Jonathan Aspirot and Gabriel Sylvestre head the group.

Pierre-Olivier Joseph of the Charlottetown Islanders. Photo courtesy of the QMJHL.

Charlottetown was slept on a lot at the start of last season, but they surprised and made it to the third round, where they were finally knocked out in seven games by the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada. They hope to build momentum from final four finishes the last two seasons, but if they get off to a cold start, they have two of the best players available for trade at Christmas: Arizona first rounder Pierre-Olivier Joseph and netminder Matt Welsh.

Cape Breton is hungry for a winner, and they acquired 40-goal man Mitchell Balmas and defender Antoine Crête-Belzile to jump to contending status. Ottawa goalkeeper Kevin Mandolese looks to grow this season as the clear number one goalie as Jessiman was traded to Baie-Comeau.

Quebec returns with the biggest wild card in the whole league: new/old head coach and general manager Patrick Roy. Patrick is either loved or hated by every QMJHL hockey fan, but there is no denying he brings excitement and intensity to the product. He adds a few wins to any team he coaches, and will do so here. While Roy’s development record isn’t the strongest in the Quebec league, he is responsible for players like Jonathan Marchessault and Logan Shaw. Potential Minnesota signee Dereck Baribeau and Chicago pick Philipp Kurashev, too.

The league has adjusted their divisions and playoff format this season. Instead of three divisions, there are four. The Maritime Division has six teams, while the 12 remaining squads are split up into three four-team groupings.

Playoffs will be conference based with a 1-plays-8 format, but the 16 best teams will make the playoffs – the conferences will be shuffled so the top 16 will be in the post-season no matter what. This method avoids the top seeds breezing through the first round of the playoffs, and it prevents some of the more extreme travel in the early rounds. However, this format can prevent some monumental upsets, much like 14-seed Moncton defeating third-seed Rimouski last year.

Acadie-Bathurst’s storybook season last year resulted in a Memorial Cup championship, but it’s now time to pay the piper for the party. The Titan acquired netminder Mark Grametbauer to provide some stability in goal but have traded away much of the core from last season’s winning squad.

Noah Dobson on Acadie-Bathurst. Photo courtesy of the QMJHL.

One player to watch is still in a Titan uniform – Islanders first rounder Noah Dobson. The performance of the team in the first two months of the season will depend if the watch is on his talent or his future destination at Christmas time. Teams will be lining up for his services when the mid-season trading period opens up, and there aren’t many teams in the league that would refuse the best defenseman in the QMJHL on their roster for a playoff push.

Tough seasons will be ahead for Chicoutimi and Saint John, but those teams have names to look out for in future drafts – namely Josh Lawrence, William Villeneuve and Jeremie Poirier of the Sea Dogs and Hendrix Lapierre and Théo Rochette of the Saguenéens. They are all up for grabs in 2020 or later.

While there is much time between now and June on the Rogers Arena stage in Vancouver, the first name called from the QMJHL is expected to be Halifax’s Raphaël Lavoie. The Chambly, QC, right winger has great size, speed and hands to succeed at a top-line level in the professional game. He potted 30 goals last season, including a remarkable 10 game winners, and added 33 assists in the full slate of 68 games, and added five points in nine playoff contests.

He does an excellent job of using his 6-4” frame to his advantage as leverage in puck protection, and the long reach to keep the puck away from defenders. With added bulk and physical maturity, he already has the fundamentals to be a strong power forward, puck protector and possession player. He also is adept at firing a strong wrist shot off the rush on the left wing, where he can fire on his off-hand side. At his size, it’s no surprise he is a force in front of the net, either.

While he does have some center potential at the next level, he is an early favourite to receive passes on the right, or left, flank from Antoine Morand, who can most definitely dish with the best in the league. Expect those goal numbers to rise, and the attention with it, by the time the weather heats up in 2019.

Other early favourites to be first rounders include forwards Maxim Cajkovic of the Saint John Sea Dogs, Samuel Poulin of the Sherbrooke Phoenix, Jakob Pelletier of the Moncton Wildcats, Valentin Nussbaumer of the Shawinigan Cataractes, and defender Artemi Knyazev of the Chicoutimi Saguenéens.

All but Nussbaumer featured for their respective national teams at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Edmonton in August, though Pelletier fractured his wrist at the tourney and missed the first week of the QMJHL season.

Cajkovic is a power forward waiting to blossom. He has tremendous confidence in the offensive zone to let go his big shot, one of the best available in the draft, and the speed and soft hands to give him the space needed to get it off. His speed separates him from the pack, as well. He is a leader on the ice for a young Sea Dogs team and can inspire his team with a big hit or a big goal.

Poulin is the son of former NHLer Patrick Poulin. He has had a hot start to the season with the trigger finger, and he is just as strong making plays as scoring. He already has a pro size at 6-1” and 204 pounds, and is strong along the boards. He plays much like his father; strong along the boards, in the offensive zone, and defensively where his speed and anticipation make him deadly on the backcheck or on the penalty kill.

Pelletier has a motor that doesn’t quit and a nose for the net, even with his currently small frame. He has been an emotional leader for the Moncton Wildcats since his first shift in the league, and he always works hard to the final whistle. His hockey sense is off-the-charts, as well. He is a strong playmaker and a great passer, and finds his way into traffic to shoot his shot.

Nussbaumer holds two advantages over his league-mates in his quest to get drafted – he can play all three forward positions, and he has already played against men in his native Switzerland. He had a 26-game cup of coffee with his hometown team, Biel-Bienne, last season, with five goals and six points. He is a late September birthday, which also gives him an edge in performance, though he would have been a very good 2018 pick if he was eleven days older.

Knyazev is an offensively talented defenseman who can move the puck crisply. He is also strong in his own end. He isn’t the biggest defender but can handle the speed of oncoming forwards very well and steer them where they need to go. His transition game is an instant offensive tool, and he doesn’t give up on plays.

The Halifax Mooseheads also owns the rights to Victoria Grizzlies forward and potential first rounder Alex Newhook, but even the enticement of the Memorial Cup was not enough to convince the St. John’s, Newfoundland, native to make the jump to the QMJHL. He is committed to Boston College for next season.

San Jose Sharks Prospect System Overview

Tom Dorsa — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 15:28:27 +0000

Much like the rivals they share a state with, the San Jose Sharks are perennial Stanley Cup contenders. Just two seasons removed from running all the way to the Cup final, the Sharks have most of the same core group of players still making an impact on the active roster and look ready to make another charge for the hardware.

That group, however, is collectively entering the last parts of their prime years. Captain Joe Pavelski is 34, Joe Thornton is 39, Brent Burns is 33, Marc Edouard-Vlasic is 31, and Logan Couture (still elite, still pretty young) is already a sneakily old 29-years-old. Despite their accumulated years, Peter DeBoer's team has no plans of slowing down just yet, coming off another 100-point season, their eighth in the Thornton era.

They made an astute signing in locking Evander Kane down, and got some value from a Mike Hoffman acquisition and re-trade. Their current focus is to prolong an already relatively lengthy competitive window by providing auxiliary support to their aging stars, and that approach has flowed down to the replenishment of the Sharks' prospect pool.

Since they have had just one lottery pick since 2007, they must be savvy in finding late-round value and signing undrafted free agents. With some burgeoning stars in prospects from late rounds, like Sasha Chmelevski, Noah Gregor, and Rudolfs Balcers, they have one area covered, but in terms of top 20 rankings, San Jose is about as proficient in signing skilled undrafted free agents.

With six of their top 20 prospects being free agent signings, the Sharks boast a great deal of talent in finding cheap, experienced, and no-risk prospects that, given their age, could all make immediate NHL impacts. They have also done a stellar job at keeping an abundance of centers in their prospect pools to eventually develop into potential Thornton replacements, starting with top prospect Josh Norris.

The competitive window is still, for now, wide open, and these youngsters are more than capable of providing supplemental value to the veterans of the teal and black in an effort to recapture a spot in the Stanley Cup Final.

1 Josh Norris, C (19th overall, 2017. Last year: 2nd) Having a skilled, two-way center in Logan Couture on the squad has given Sharks fans a taste at what Josh Norris, San Jose's 2017 first-rounder, can be. A special playmaker and a fabulous defensively-inclined centerman like Norris can be of value anywhere in the lineup, but exudes top-six potential with his patience, smarts, and puck-possession game. His physical game is refined for an average-sized center, as he uses his body to retrieve pucks in the defensive zone well. The 19-year-old can stay in college and work on his shot and offensive output with Michigan next season and beyond, which he could definitely stand to do.

Images from the 2018 NHL Draft in Dallas, Texas on Friday June 22, 2018. Photo by Aaron Bell/CHL Images

2 Ryan Merkley, D (21st overall, 2018. Last year: IE) Ryan Merkley's draft stock fell throughout the season leading up to the NHL Draft, as rumors of selfishness and a lack of coachability dropped him to 21st overall. It appears in hindsight that San Jose got a steal, and with just raw talent in mind, Merkley is a top-ten player in the draft class. With explosive speed and angelic passing skills, the Guelph Storm blueliner's mental creativity has the tools to succeed. He is very imaginative with the puck and creates plays from scratch the way few other defensemen in this draft class can. Merkley creates offense like a fourth forward most times but can defend like one too; he'll need to put out more backchecking and defensive effort to improve as a complete defenseman in the future.

3 Dylan Gambrell, C (60th overall, 2016. Last year: 4th) A late second-round pick after San Jose's Western Conference championship campaign in 2016, Dylan Gambrell has already made his presence known in Northern California. The playmaking center appeared in three games with the Sharks after signing his ELC in March, arriving straight from his stomping grounds at the University of Denver, where he won an NCAA championship in 2017. Reliable and responsible in his own end, Gambrell really opens up his game to new realms when he has the puck, when he employs his tantalizing puck protection skills to find teammates with passes. He has sensational top speed and can drive past defenders with his plus edgework. San Jose has a need at fourth-line center and Gambrell could compete for that role in 2018-19.

4 Noah Gregor, C (111th overall, 2016. Last year: 13th) Noah Gregor has had some problems staying healthy over his junior career, but when he's at 100%, the center is an offensive sparkplug. Posting numbers better than a point-per-game in the WHL, the versatile forward has added a finisher's goal-scoring touch to his already fine offensive game, combining scoring capabilities with playmaking excellence. Gregor is also a refined defensive forward, always working his way around the defensive zone to make a difference collapsing on the puck. He has plus wheels and a heads-up visionary gameplay style. The 20-year-old signed his ELC with the Sharks last spring and will make a splash with the AHL club next year.

Sasha Chmelevski

5 Sasha Chmelevski, C (185th overall, 2017. Last year: 10th) Alexander "Sasha" Chmelevski's unpredictable gameplay style can be a double-edged sword, but when he's on, his creativity, high-end skill, and unparalleled hockey sense can make or break a team. The California native is insanely elusive on his skates, has been a lethal power-play triggerman at the OHL level, and has a heavy wrist shot. The other end of that aforementioned sword accounts for his soft style that struggles against more physical defensemen and his play away from the puck, which can cause an abundance of issues in the pro ranks. Chmelevski made his professional debut with the Barracuda last season after inking his ELC, tallying four goals in ten games over the regular season and playoffs.

6 Mario Ferraro, D (49th overall, 2017. Last year: 19th) A relatively unknown offensive defenseman before his 2017 draft year, Ferraro showed potential with the puck in the USHL, got drafted early by the Sharks, and has continued to develop those skills at UMass-Amherst alongside first-rounder Cale Makar. He has great poise, agility, and vision, which allow him to create offensive chances without sacrificing his defensive stature, something that could really pay off in the pros. He scored 23 points in his freshman year in the NCAA despite tough Hockey East competition all around him. Though he plays a pretty large, physical game, Ferraro is severely undersized for a defenseman; thankfully the 19-year-old has a reputation for his incredible work ethic and will do all he can to work around a lack of height.

7 Jeremy Roy, D (31st overall, 2015. Last year: 5th) When his health permits, Jeremy Roy's game is reminiscent of Duncan Keith with his smarts and puck skills, but that health has long been a wild card for the talented blueliner. He suffered a disastrous knee injury that effectively ended his QMJHL career in 2016-17 and played just 20 games with the AHL's Barracuda last season. When he's healthy, he's a difference maker in all three zones, with a particularly impressive offensive sharpness which is fueled by his decision-making intelligence, superb vision, and patience. He isn't a very strong skater – which may have been exacerbated by the injuries - but has plus size that helps him keep opposing forwards in front of him. As the 21-year-old continues to transition to pro hockey, nothing is more important to the development of his game than his health.

8 Radim Simek, D (UDFA: May 23, 2017. Last year: 7th) With a pro pedigree as a free agent signing from Europe, nobody questioned Simek's maturity or his ability to fit into a pro system when he moved into the Sharks program. The only concern was how the four-year Czech Extraliga pro would perform offensively after twice leading all blueliners in goals in the Czech ranks. After a full AHL season, it appears Simek brought his offensive refinement stateside with him. His 27 points was second amongst d-men on the Barracuda despite less ice time than his peers, as his plus-plus skating ability and passing talents earned him power play time down the stretch. He has an electric shot and plays bigger than his 5-11" frame would suggest. At 25 years old, Simek is a contender for a roster spot on a stacked Sharks blueline as soon as this fall.

Ivan Chekhovich

9 Ivan Chekhovich, LW (212th overall, 2017. Last year: 18th) Maybe it was his size (5-10", 176 lbs), maybe it was the infamous Russian factor, maybe it was something else, but in hindsight, Ivan Chekhovich should have been picked well before his spot at 212th overall in 2017. After relative obscurity in the Russian minor leagues, the 19-year-old became a near point-per-game player in the QMJHL and even better through his short stint in the AHL (nine points in six games). He is a dazzling playmaker who is comfortable working at center and on the wings, using his ability to slow the game down and take things over with his intelligence to create offensive chances. As for goal-scoring, he can be an impact player in that regard, as his upper-body strength relative to his size is tremendous and his hands are even better. How the Sharks will evaluate the young left-hander after a full AHL year in 2018-19 remains to be seen, but there's a lot to like about Chekhovich.

10 Maxim Letunov, C (Trade: Jun. 20, 2016 -- Arizona. Last year: 6th) Versatility is the name of Maxim Letunov's game. The UConn forward comfortably plays all three forward positions and both sides of special teams, while retaining the tools that set his game apart from an offensive perspective; those being his crazy fast hands, his plus all-around mobility, and a heavy, accurate wrist shot with a very swift release. With an odd and slight physique (6-4", 185 lbs), Letunov brings a unique physical presence to an already distinctive game. He is great at shoving defenders off in the gritty areas to gain separation as well as driving to the net with his upper-body strength. He has all the tools to succeed in the pro ranks, except for perhaps his offensive reads and patience, which will have to improve fast as his onset into the AHL begins.

11 Antti Suomela, C (UDFA: Jun. 6, 2018. Last year: IE) Over the later parts of the season, reports from Finland indicated interest from a bounty of NHL teams in center Antti Suomela, an undrafted 24-year-old who led the SM-Liiga in points. The Sharks landed the coveted pivot and inked him to an ELC in June, essentially in the same fashion they netted depth-scoring machine Joonas Donskoi, to whom Suomela's game is similar in many ways. He projects to be a middle-six forward with his combination of speed and skill that was unmatched in the Finnish leagues, capable of compiling an abundance of points without sacrificing defensive responsibility. Suomela is mature and experienced enough to immediately crack the Sharks' NHL roster, where he could be a power play setup man. There should be no concerns as to how his game will translate to North America after dominating the top Finnish men's league for years.

12 Jayden Halbgewachs, LW (UDFA: Dec. 28, 2017. Last year: IE) Jayden Halbgewachs' initial draft year was 2015, where he was coming off an unimpressive eight-point in 59-game season with Moose Jaw. Of course, the undersized left-hander blossomed into one of the most prolific pure scorers in the recent CHL history, tallying 70 goals in 72 games while earning an NHL contract with San Jose in the process. He doesn't have great speed, but his agility and sneakiness on his skates play his skating ability up; the real prize is his puck skill, as his hands are as fast as they are elusive, and he can get to anywhere on the ice with the puck still on his stick. Obviously, he has a goal-scoring touch, one powered by his elite positioning skills and a heavy shot for a 5-8" winger. He could be an impact depth scorer in the NHL, or nothing more than a really good junior player with a game that fails to translate to the pros; either way, it's a no-risk, potentially high-reward signing for an intriguing prospect with a high ceiling.

13 Vincent Praplan, LW (UDFA: Mar. 2, 2018. Last year: IE) A major contributor to a championship winning club in the Swiss leagues, Vincent Praplan was one of many shrewd free agent prospect acquisitions made by the Sharks over the past year. A former OHLer who returned to Switzerland after being passed up in his first draft eligible year, the highly-skilled forward maintains a good balance between stout playmaker and potent goal-scorer. He has good vision, crazy quick hands, and incorporates a variety of effective passes to be a solid playmaker and has a fast shot and great positioning away from the puck to score rather routinely. Praplan is a flashy and very well-rounded offensive player, but an undersized forward with a noticeably soft game; he needs to be better at taking hits and moving on, especially as he readjusts to smaller North American ice.

14 Rudolfs Balcers, LW (142nd overall, 2015. Last year: Unranked) The gamble the Sharks took with Rudolfs Balcers in the 2015 draft season has so far been a major success. A fifth-rounder, Balcers had some skill and swiftness, but he was never expected to pan out away from the big European ice. The Latvian paced the Barracuda in goals (23), points (48), and playoff points (four in four games) in 2017-18 after a 77-point campaign with the WHL's Kamloops Blazers, indicating that he has no issue transitioning to North American ice. He is a plus skater with great acceleration and edges, using that to play up his crazy quick hands and great instincts. He is a playmaker at heart, incorporating his high hockey IQ with his creativity with the puck to generate scoring chances at will, but has a solid shot and a goal-scorer's positioning away from the puck. His main issue is size/strength, as 5-11", 173 lbs is very small for a bottom-six depth guy.

Scott Reedy

15 Scott Reedy, C (102nd overall, 2017. Last year: 9th) A hard-nosed, hard-working player with the U.S. National Team Development program, Scott Reedy has continued to boast that effective gameplay style in the NCAA ranks with Minnesota. In a depth role with the Golden Gophers, Reedy posted 15 points in his freshman campaign. He follows in the footsteps of many USNTDP graduates in that he has exceptional hockey IQ and plays best in a depth support role, but his versatility and work ethic could propel him to levels higher than just a depth guy. He hustles to every loose puck with his set of strong wheels, is very solid in retrieving and repurposing pucks along the boards, and has some untapped offensive potential driven by his rapid hands, strong and sturdy power forward moves, and fearlessness in going to the dirty areas on the ice. What Reedy needs is a better first two-step acceleration and a more consistent ability to assert himself into tight games.

16 Karlis Cukste, D (130th overall, 2015. Last year: 12th) Drafted in 2015 as a pure no-risk, high-reward project, early results on Karlis Cukste suggest a reward is in the cards for the Sharks. An impressively calm presence on the blueline for Quinnipiac, the Latvian made the move to North American ice look easy, as his very physical and defense-first playing style followed him smoothly overseas. He has ideal size and superb vision for getting the puck out of his defensive zone, but most importantly, he always remains cool under heavy forechecking duress. With improving mobility, Cukste is fine handling the puck and skating through the neutral zone with it, but mostly sticks to safe, easy plays. The 21-year-old isn't the most talented defenseman at his competition level or on his team, but he has defensive qualities that NHL teams drool over.

17 Nick DeSimone, D (UDFA: Mar. 30, 2017. Last year: Unranked) A big and lofty defenseman at first sight, Nick DeSimone transforms into a powerful forward-esque blueliner at game time. With the puck, the Union College product is never afraid to get involved in things from an offensive perspective, using his concrete upper-body to get position on opposing defenders and drive right to the net in a way similar to Brent Burns stylisically. He impressed in his first full pro season with the Barracuda, flashing that offensive brilliance at times with six goals and 14 assists in what was often a top-pair role. He is a good skater with brawny strides, a plus shooter with a nasty release, and a stupendous power play weapon. His defensive game is not quite complete, but his gaps are solid and his focus in the D-zone is improving. He projects to be a depth puck-mover at the NHL level, but for an undrafted free agent signing, that's a win for San Jose.

18 Linus Karlsson, C (87th overall, 2018. Last year: IE) Linus Karlsson paced the Swedish SuperElit league -- the highest league of junior competition in Sweden -- in points with 52 in 42 games this past season, so it's clear he has some game. The Sharks traded up to pick Karlsson in round three of the 2018 draft, as his offensive game has shown a lot of promise overseas. His game is centered around his nice wrist shot, which he uses at nearly every opportunity, but his play-reading ability is a plus as well. He plays a pretty physical game for a relatively light center, which will only get better as the 18-year-old grows into his body a little. Karlsson will be competing in the Allsvenskan, Sweden's second-tier league, and how the centerman will adjust to a higher level of competition is the biggest question going into 2018-19.

19 Kyle Wood, D (Trade: Jun. 14, 2018 -- Arizona. Last year: 6th -- Arizona) Formerly one of the top prospects in both the Colorado and Arizona systems, Kyle Wood is a new addition to the San Jose pool as somewhat of a recollection project. He has had an All-Star season in the AHL before, tallying 43 points in 2016-17, which included a Tucson-leading 11 power play goals. He's a massive 6-5" blueliner with an offensive mindest, surprisingly swift skating fueled by plus acceleration, and a mean slapshot that has power play catalyst written all over it. However, that skating remains a work in a progress and hasn't considerably improved in his pro career, which is the most likely reason as to why the Coyotes gave up on the right-hander. This season, if he can reignite the AHL All-Star version of himself, and not remain the bottom-of-the-depth-chart afterthought he was for the Roadrunners last year, he can shoot his way back up the prospect list.

20 Jacob Middleton, D (UFA: Sep. 7, 2017. Last year: IE) Jacob Middleton and Nick DeSimone are in basically the same spot as prospects, both being relatively older defensemen with similar games, and it just so happens to be that they played alongside one another on the Barracuda top defense pair. Middleton, a free agent who signed with the Sharks after the Kings -- his draft team -- never inked the big defenseman, led all Barracuda defensemen in points and assists in 2017-18. He is large and lofty, but has serviceable movement to assist his formidable stretch pass and offensive vision. He has a screaming slap shot with a long-winding release and a talent for getting it on net from way outside. At 22, he is mature and experienced, and has the smarts to get it done.

QMJHL President’s Cup Playoff Preview: Can anyone sink the Armada?

Michael Sanderson — Wed, 21 Mar 2018 17:57:08 +0000

The Blainville-Boisbriand Armada are back for more in the 2018 playoffs.

Alex Barre-Boulet.

They led the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League almost from the get-go, boasting two of the top three league scorers in Tampa Bay’s Alex Barré-Boulet and Alexandre Alain and later added a third massive offensive weapon in Ottawa’s Drake Batherson.

Drake Batherson

The Armada won the league by 11 points and were the only team to hit the century mark, with a 107-point season and an impressive 25-3-2-3 record in the 2018 calendar year. Fresh off a President’s Cup finals run last season, the Armada are the team to beat.

Maxime Comtois

Two teams finished the 2017-18 campaign on point streaks of 10-games or more, and those two teams are set up for big runs for the President’s Cup. The Victoriaville Tigres closed out the season with an 11-game winning streak, and they have three scorers in the top-10: Columbus’s Vitalii Abramov, Anaheim’s Maxime Comtois and the undrafted Ivan Kosorenkov. That trio has been the league’s most productive top line since Abramov joined the team from the Gatineau Olympiques in November.

The Acadie-Bathurst Titan have points in their last 10 games, and they added several pieces during the trading period in every role, including forwards Mitch Balmas and Sam Asselin, top-scoring defender Olivier Galipeau and St. Louis prospect goaltender Evan Fitzpatrick. Their recent streak won them the Maritime Division over the dangerous-but-young Halifax Mooseheads.

The races for playoff spots were more subdued than in past years, as the Saint John Sea Dogs and the Shawinigan Cataractes both missed the playoffs by six points under the Val-d’Or Foreurs, and the next team, in 15th, the Chicoutimi Saguenéens, bested the Foreurs by 14.

The Maritimes Division was Halifax’s to lose, and the aforementioned veteran Acadie-Bathurst squad overcame the Mooseheads in the final games. The Armada and the Rimouski Oceanic were leading the West and East Divisions at Christmas and cruised to the titles.

The QMJHL’s President’s Cup playoffs start Thursday, March 22, as the Foreurs take on the Armada in Boisbriand. All other series start on Friday, March 23. The league’s champion will go to Regina for the 100th Memorial Cup tournament at the Brandt Centre in May.

1 Blainville-Boisbriand Armada vs. 16 Val-d’Or Foreurs:

The Armada are just too good in all facets of the game for the Foreurs to handle. Val-d’Or may have had a better chance if they had not sent overage netminder Etienne Montpetit to Victoriaville at mid-season. Mathieu Marquis, who did not initially make the team and took the starting role in January, will face the brunt of the Armada shooters, with rookie Jonathan Lemieux on deck. Marquis has not won a game since February 16, and Lemieux has not won a game in longer than that.

The Armada boast plenty of offence beyond Barré-Boulet at 116 points, Alain at 87 and Batherson at 77. Forward Joël Teasdale notched a point-per-game with 65 points, and blueliner Pascal Corbeil had 51 points from the back-end.

The Armada are a puck-possession team, and there is a good chance that the Foreurs will spend full minutes without the puck during this short series. Since the Q has gone to a 1-vs-16 format, no 16 seed has ever knocked off a top seed. That continues in 2018. Armada in 4.

2 Acadie-Bathurst Titan vs 15 Chicoutimi Saguenéens:

Antoine Morand. Photo by Daniel Doucet/DD Sports Photo

The Titan may be the league’s deepest team. They have the top-two defence scorers in Galipeau and Noah Dobson, along with Adam Holwell in the top-10 among blueliners. Anaheim’s Antoine Morand leads a formidable offence that is gritty, in-your-face and aggressive. They are 9-2-1-0 against teams from the East Division this season, and goalie Fitzpatrick is 17-4 since joining the team in January.

The Sags will need the Kevin Klima coming out party to continue for them to have any chance. After a slow start, Klima, the son of former NHLer Petr, had 75 points after November 1, and his 86 points were best on the team by 37 over teammate Vladislav Kotkov.

The Titan need a big run for the Bathurst market to have long-term sustainability. The market on the north shore of New Brunswick is struggling, and a pair of sellouts at the end of the year are just what the doctor ordered. A long run to reinvigorate the market will help, too. Titan in 5.

3 Rimouski Oceanic vs 14 Moncton Wildcats:

Alexis Lafrenière

The Wildcats were leading the Maritime Division in mid-November until they fell back to Earth and stumbled their way through the rest of the season.

The Oceanic benefitted from their two hotshot rookies in leading scorer Alexis Lafrenière and goaltender Colten Ellis to secure the East Division title. Neither of them are NHL draft eligible this season; Ellis in 2019 and Lafrenière in 2020. Ellis, with five shutouts, was a major reason the Oceanic were the league’s stingiest squad this season.

The series will be most intriguing for a playoff matchup between picks one and three in last June’s QMJHL Entry Draft. Lafrenière has performed as advertised as the next prodigy out of the province of Quebec, and Moncton’s Jakob Pelletier has been a consistent threat for the Wildcats on all ends of the ice with his strong work ethic and high skill level.

Rimouski and Moncton have met five times previously in the QMJHL playoffs, and the Oceanic have won four of the five meetings. Make it five. Oceanic in 5.

4 Halifax Mooseheads vs 13 Baie-Comeau Drakkar:

Jared McIsaac

After the Mooseheads clinched a playoff spot on February 8, they went 9-6-1-0, including some listless efforts against foes they should have handled. That stretch is where the Titan overtook them and grabbed the Maritime crown.

However, the Mooseheads have young talent to burn, including projected first rounders Filip Zadina, Jared McIsaac and Benoît-Olivier Groulx.

The Drakkar have an underrated group of forwards, including San Jose’s Ivan Chekhovich and Jordan Martel. Goaltender Francis Leclerc was picked on up waivers from the Armada, and has taken the bulk of the starts for Baie-Comeau in the second half.

Ivan Chekhovich

Both the Mooseheads and the Drakkar are built with much of the 2016 Q picks in mind, where the Moose took Groulx and McIsaac first and second overall, and the Drakkar had four picks in the opening round and all four – Gabriel Fortier, Xavier Bouchard, Shawn Element and Edouard St-Laurent – have had impacts on the team this season.

The Mooseheads may have a rude awakening later, but they wake up for this series. Mooseheads in 6.

5 Drummondville Voltigeurs vs 12 Cape Breton Screaming Eagles:

Joe Veleno (#90),. THE CANADIAN PRESS IMAGES/Ghyslain Bergeron

The Voltigeurs made only two impactful trades this season, acquiring forwards Connor Bramwell and Joe Veleno, but both moves have paid dividends immediately for the league’s best scoring team.

Bramwell was a point-per-game since being acquired in late November, and Veleno went on a tear after joining the Volts in December. Veleno has 48 points since moving to Drummondville, including a 13-game point-streak.

The pressures of having to be the man in Saint John clearly bothered Veleno at the start of the year, as he struggled handling his shift in role from second-line offensive bit piece to first line two-way center, captain and all-around saviour for a paper-thin Sea Dogs team. He has grabbed back his confidence and is every bit the player scouts expected him to be as the only exceptional status player in Q history.

Cape Breton is a tough team to play against, as they play an aggressive style and forecheck hard. Drummondville, coached by Team Canada gold medal winner Dominique Ducharme, will be ready. Voltigeurs in 5.

6 Victoriaville Tigres vs 11 Gatineau Olympiques:

Since acquiring Abramov from Gatineau on November 17, Victoriaville is 32-10-3-2. Those are title contender numbers from a team that struggled out of the gate, and Abramov’s 78 points in 40 games since the trade is a major reason why.

The first line of Comtois-Abramov-Kosorenkov combined for 245 points on the year, and much of it together. They made their shifts look like the Globetrotters at times with their passing and stickhandling through the opposition. Gatineau is a better defensive team than offensive, but that will not matter. Etienne Montpetit in the Tigres goal will be more than enough to withstand any pressure Gatineau can muster.

Abramov dazzled Gatineau fans for two seasons before wanting a trade to a contender, and now he shows his top form at the Robert-Guertin in an enemy uniform. Tigres in 4.

7 Rouyn-Noranda Huskies vs 10 Sherbrooke Phoenix:

Peter Abbandonato

The Huskies have the league’s best netminder in Samuel Harvey. The overager led the league in both goals-against-average (2.10), and save percentage (.930). In 46 appearances, he only gave up 95 goals and won 30 games.

The Huskies know a thing or two about strong goaltending performances, as Chase Marchand and his 1.35 GAA and record six playoff shutouts took the Huskies to the Memorial Cup final in 2016.

Four members of that team are still in the fold, including Harvey, who was the backup to Marchand. Forwards Rafaël Harvey-Pinard and Peter Abbandonato lead the offence, while strong defenders Taylor Ford and Jacob Neveu round out a solid defence corps.

Netminder Reilly Pickard, swapped one-for-one with Bathurst for Fitzpatrick, has been decent in a Phoenix uniform, and Thomas Grégoire and his 69 points from the back end led a surprisingly balanced attack. This Phoenix team has the most points in their six-year franchise history with 79. They have never won a playoff round. Huskies in 6.

8 Québec Remparts vs 9 Charlottetown Islanders:

Matthew Welsh

The Remparts had one of the league’s hottest starts to the year at 8-1, but have since shown to be a middling outfit this season. Next year, they will be stronger, but this season, goaltending struggles, especially beyond netminder Dereck Baribeau, were a problem at mid-season.

The team acquired overager Antoine Samuel to resolve the netminding woes, and that worked. The Remparts are coming into the playoffs hot, with wins in eight of their last 10 games.

The Islanders, conversely, had a slow start to the season and got better as the schedule progressed. Head Coach and GM Jim Hulton promised the fans they would have a good team this year following a contending team last season that saw his team go to the final four.

This year, the Islanders acquired several key forwards at Christmas to jumpstart the offence, and it has turned their goal-scoring from awful to simply below-average.

The Islanders will go as far as goaltender Matt Welsh will take them. He has the ability to steal a series, and will do so here. Islanders in 6.

****

While no upsets, save 9-over-8, were predicted in the first round, the league goes wild in round number two.

Beware the Victoriaville Tigres, who will upset the Rimouski Oceanic in the second round. Drummondville, with their experience behind the bench, will overtake Halifax in the second round in a tough seven-game series that will be highlighted with Gravel-vs-Rodrigue in net.

By round three, the contenders are left: the Armada, Titan, Volts, and Tigres. Bathurst has the depth to defeat the younger Drummondville, while the Armada are a bit too deep for the Tigres and their dynamite top line.

Expect the unexpected for the President’s Cup. The Titan and their engaged defenders are the first team that can take and keep the puck from the Armada forwards, and they frustrate and overcome the Blainville-Boisbriand squad to win the second President’s Cup in their history.

The Titan are just too deep on the blueline and in goal for the Armada to handle. The CHL’s smallest market will make the trip to Regina for the Memorial Cup in May.

San Jose – System Overview

Ryan Wagman — Fri, 15 Sep 2017 20:53:59 +0000

For teams that are consistently competitive and find themselves perennially entering trade deadline period as buyers, there are a few methods available to help ensure that they have a constant stock of talented younger and cheaper players ready. Some will be needed to supplement the regular roster in depth roles and some will be needed as trade bait when the parent club is trying to fortify the NHL roster for the stretch run.

Some teams focus their scouting on very specific regions, such as how the Washington Capitals dig deep into the WHL and Switzerland. Some teams simply trade draft picks hand over fist, often years into the future, as the Rangers did for years. There are other methods available as well that can be employed by smart teams looking for maximize their assets.

The so-called “moneypuck” approach suggests that teams try to find underappreciated types of assets that will gain in appreciation over time. There are a few avenues available to all teams but utilized by only a few and which still contain value. The Sharks seem to have attacked a few of them.

One avenue is to focus on players who have already been passed over and have shown later development. Looking at the prospects who entered the system as free agents – some drafted and never signed but most who were never drafted – as well as players drafted in their second or third years of draft eligibility, shows that the Sharks have been open to this approach. The top 20 list includes four prospects who were signed by the Sharks as free agents. Amateur free agent acquisitions rarely make big marks in the NHL, but some do and some merely make it as depth players. Considering the number of actually drafted players who never make it at all, gaining depth for free is still a victory and we intend to applaud it.

Second year eligible also feature prominently in this list, as Dylan Gambrell was not drafted until his third time around, just like Adam Helewka. Joakim Ryan was drafted in his second year of eligibility.

Another avenue to drafting undervalued players is to target certain paths to the pros. While San Jose does not shun the CHL by any stretch, they have lately made a habit of finding undervalued players whose path will run through the NCAA ranks. Including players drafted this June, the Sharks have 10 prospects who spent last in the CHL. Looking at players currently in college or in a league that leads to the NCAA, the Sharks have 15. That includes both high picks (including their first three picks this year and their top selection last year) as well as players lower down the organizational pecking order such as four of the final five players they drafted in 2015.

Of course, for any strategy that cuts against traditional approaches, the proof is in the results. The Sharks have maintained their competitive edge at the NHL level, but there has not been a huge influx of prospect talent to supplement the veterans. With Patrick Marleau leaving for Toronto, perhaps one young winger will get the chance this year.

San Jose Sharks right wing Timo Meier (28). (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire)

1 Timo Meier – The Sharks highest pick since drafting Logan Couture in 2007, Meier split his first pro season pretty evenly between the AHL and NHL and came one NHL game short of losing prospect eligibility. Of average height, he is very broad and can be physically dominant when on his game. He has great puck control, combining speed and strength. His acceleration helps his skating play up. Owns a great shot, but was prone to looking for passes too much. May be ready for top six NHL duties.

Josh Norris

2 Josh Norris – A player without a clear weakness to his game, Norris is also a physical specimen. He has special playmaking skills, hiding his intentions and continuously able to surprise opponents with his passes, weighted just so to hit a teammate in stride. He is also a plus-plus defensive player, skilled at regaining possession and pushing the puck in the right direction. While he scored plenty for the USNTDP, his shot is his least impressive attribute. Has top six potential.

3 Danny O'Regan – A great example of a value pick, O’Regan was a fifth rounder playing mostly New England high school hockey in his draft year. He was a top end offensive producer at BU for four years and continued that work with a stellar rookie showing in the AHL, winning the league’s Rookie of the Year award. A solid skater, he has great offensive vision and hands. Will make a lot of highlight reel passes. Also able to finish thanks to a strong wrist shot. Defensively reliable as well.

4 Dylan Gambrell – Aa late bloomer, Gambrell’s game really only took off once he got to Denver and was placed on a great first line with Danton Heinan and Trevor Moore. With both linemates turned pro, Gambrell fit in smoothly with other high end players as a sophomore, and was instrumental in getting the Pioneers a title. Reliable in his own end, Gambrell shines when playing the puck. Has fantastic puck protection skills, plus top speed and shows great snap on his shot from middle range and in.

5 Jeremy Roy – His last two QMJHL seasons were decimated by injuries especially this last season, when he was limited to 10 games for Blainville-Boisbriand. If his knee is recovered the Sharks will have a smooth-skating two-way blueliner with their AHL team. When healthy, can do a little of everything, as helpful to the penalty kill as to the power play. More agile than fast, he is a good passer and flashes high end puck work. His odds have decreased, but it is not yet time to write Roy off.

6 Maxim Letunov – It is uncommon for many players to be traded before they sign ELCs. It is even more rare for a prospect to be dealt twice. Such is the case for Letunov, who was drafted by St. Louis, traded to Arizona and then moved again, to San Jose. An average skater with a well above average offensive skill set, Letunov needs only some internal chemistry (i.e. better offensive reads and reactions) to become a leading NCAA scorer, instead of just a good one.

7 Radim Simek – Signed as a free agent following an impressive performance for the Czech Republic at this year’s World Championships, Simek is a strong, steady skater with above-average awareness in his own zone and an aggressive stick. He profiles as a decent #4/5 defender who can move the puck and plays with a little bit befitting his shorter, yet stocky frame. A top goal scorer from the blueline in the Czech leagues, it is an open question as to how his offensive game will translate in the AHL.

8 Marcus Sorensen – A 2010 draft pick of Ottawa’s, Sorensen did not come to terms with the Senators and stayed in Sweden, slowly and steadily improving offensively until the Sharks brought him over last year. He was a bit overmatched in an NHL cameo, but was a strong AHL producer from the get-go. Although undersized, he is active on the forecheck. Can show some flash and has plus offensive tools in general. Is in line to win a bottom six winger job with San Jose this year.

Scott Reedy of the USNTDP. Photo by Rena Laverty

9 Scott Reedy – Had Reedy performed with the US U18 squad like he did at the U17 level, he would have been drafted significantly higher than the mid-fourth round slot he eventually settled into. Like many USNTDP grads, he has plus hockey IQ, and excels in a supportive role, capable of producing offensively at a middle six level and doing his part to keep the opposition off the boards. As he has matured physically, his once blazing speed has been subdued, but he is still very fast at top speed.

10 Sasha Chmelevski – A somewhat divisive player from the 2017 draft class, Chmelevski is a beguiling puck handler with a strong wrist shot, both of which give him exciting offensive potential. Where the division comes in is in some of the traits that are more indirect in terms of production. His skating lacks that extra step needed to gain clearance from opponents, although it is partially mitigated by strong edges. Secondly, he plays soft. Can be a liability off the puck and struggles against physical defenders.

11 Noah Rod – A preternaturaly mature player who has been playing grown-ups in Switzerland since he was 18, Rod has lately developed into a player who could also be counted on to produce offensively. An agitator at heart, his aggressiveness has contributed to a checkered injury history. A trusted backchecker and forechecker, he is always pressuring his opponent, no matter which side of the puck he is on. His ceiling is as a good skating energy line player. Will play in the AHL this year.

12 Karlis Cukste – Drafted out of Latvia, Cukste has made the transition to the game in North America pretty smoothly, first with a strong season with Chicago in the USHL and followed by a promising freshman campaign with Quinnipiac. He was also Latvia’s most consistent threat on an otherwise overmatched WJC team. A very physical defender, he is strongest in his own end with good gap control and positional play, but is also more than competent with the puck.

13 Noah Gregor – Although injuries ultimately held him back, Gregor was showing promising development in his first post-draft season. A versatile forward with a good engine, he plays with his head up allowing his plus offensive vision to be realized. More a playmaker than a shooter when he was drafted, he has become more skilled at finishing this year as well. Has average size and could stand to be a bit more physical.

14 Filip Sandberg – Although not a big point producer in the SHL, Sandberg was highly touted as a two-way, extremely versatile forward with Swedish champions HV71. Undersized, but strong and aggressive, he skates hard and shows a good shot along with useful puck skills. Quick to loose pucks he was a trusted penalty killer and will have a chance to play right away in a bottom six role for the Sharks.

15 Adam Helewka – A late-bloomer, Helewka exploded offensively in his age 20 season for Spokane, convincing the Sharks to use a fourth round pick on him in the process. Although his first pro year started off slowly, by year’s end, he was showing ability to drive possession thanks to solid vision and patience. He also showed some of his skating chops and it looked like a moderate amount of goal scoring ability as well. He has bottom six potential.

16 Rourke Chartier – A good two-way center, Chartier had a positive first pro season. He was able to demonstrate that his hockey IQ was still an above average trait and his pace of play was up to snuff. Like many high scoring CHL forwards, he used his first AHL foray to grow accustomed to playing further down the depth chart. Given that first step, he will have a chance to play in a more offensively-driven role this year, to see where his ceiling lies.

17 Julius Bergman – Although he has received positive accolades for smooth play for years, Bergman may be the most overrated player in the San Jose system. He is a nice passer and has certainly improved his off the puck play since his OHL days, but this is ultimately a player with few truly above average tools. His skating and shot are both OK, and he holds his own physically, but none of those traits can be considered dangerous. He has yet to prove that he deserves a longer look.

18 Ivan Chekhovich – The Sharks were very lucky to draft Chekhovich as one of the final picks of the draft. By all accounts, he should have gone off the board three or four rounds earlier after following up a strong first season in North America with a dominant performance for Russia at the WU18. Although not physical, he plays bigger than his size and works well near the net. His offensive tools all grade out well with his hands working especially well to set him up for scoring chances.

19 Mario Ferraro – An exciting offensive blueliner with some dynamic qualities, Ferraro emerged last year from relative obscurity to finish second among all USHL defensemen in scoring. Quick with strong puckhandling skills, he plays much bigger than his listed height and weight would suggest. So even though he looks very good rushing the puck up the ice, and works hard on D, he will have to prove himself anew next year playing for UMass-Amherst.

20 Joakim Ryan – A mobile blueliner from Cornell, Ryan has proven that he can contribute offensively from the blueline since finally signing. Last year, he also proved that he could score from the blueline with a solid point shot. What keeps him from ranking higher on this list is a lack of vision. He can handle the puck, but tends to wildness when pressed to pass it off. Also, he struggles transitioning back to defensive work. Finally, at 24, he has limited room left to develop.

Although the Sharks’ system is not the most exciting in the game, it is among the deepest. Drafting heavily from the college-bound ranks, also has typically meant needing patience as their prospects developed, at times slowly. This allows the team to focus on the big picture, letting them be more deliberate with their choices when it is time to promote from within.

2017 NHL Draft Grades: Pacific Division – San Jose Sharks

Ryan Wagman — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 15:45:19 +0000

Shortly after 1:00pm CST, on Saturday, June 24, 2017, the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins selected William Reilly, a defenseman from RPI as the 217^th player selected, bringing the 2017 Entry Draft to an end. With a few days of hindsight between me and the bowels of the United Center, the urge to spew out hot takes flushed away, it is time to analyze the strategies and selections employed by the league’s 31 teams.

The analysis will focus on the first five rounds, as it is clear to most long-time observers that the final two rounds are often taken up with long-shots, favours to regional scouts, among other reasons. I will, of course, call out some astute late picks, but will not judge a team for the names called in the final hour. The apocryphal story of Pekka Rinne, drafted as an eighth round after-thought in 2004 based mostly on his play in game warm-ups. Few other scouts would have seen him at all, and he has had a very good career, which is not yet over. For the most part, though, those picks have little statistical likelihood of having NHL careers and teams should not be judged there.

Each draft class will be graded using the 20-80 scale that we use in our player specific scouting reports throughout the site. In this context, a 50 is essentially an average grade in light of the picks the team had on draft day. A 20 would mean the draft is an unmitigated disaster while an 80 would be the best draft class of all time. As those things can only be truly seen in retrospect, most classes will trend towards 50 at this point, so pay attention to those we see as outliers.

Finally, all grades are incomplete. Actual winners and losers in this draft class will not be known until 2023 at the earliest, after those who will have “made it” will have played out their entry-level contracts. What I am looking at here is whether, knowing what we know now, the drafting team got good value.

RD	#	CS	MCK	PLAYER	P	AGE	HT/WT	TEAM
1	19	34-N	28	Josh NORRIS	C	18	6-1/195	USA (NTDP-18)
2	49	78-N	121	Mario FERRARO	D	18	5-11/185	Des Moines (USHL)
4	102	40-N	60	Scott REEDY	C	18	6-1/205	USA (NTDP-18)
6	159	LV-N		Jacob MCGREW	RW	18	5-10/190	Spokane (WHL) - DNP Inj
6	185	43-N	61	Sasha CHMELEVSKI	C	18	5-11/190	Ottawa (OHL)
7	212	71-N	96	Ivan CHEKHOVICH	LW	18	5-10/180	Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)

RD	#	PLAYER	P	TEAM	GP (W)	G (L)	A (T)	PTS (GA)	PIM (Sv%)
1	19	Josh NORRIS	C	USA (NTDP-18)	61	27	33	60	36
2	49	Mario FERRARO	D	Des Moines (USHL)	60	8	33	41	42
4	102	Scott REEDY	C	USA (NTDP-18)	60	22	21	43	51
6	159	Jacob MCGREW	RW	Spokane (WHL) - DNP Inj
6	185	Sasha CHMELEVSKI	C	Ottawa (OHL)	58	21	22	43	20
7	212	Ivan CHEKHOVICH	LW	Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)	60	26	33	59	14

San Jose Sharks – Draft Grade: 55

Josh Norris, USNTDP, photo by Rena Laverty

USA! USA! USA! The Sharks used four of their six picks in the draft on American born players, as well as one of the others on a Canadian playing in the American heartland, in Des Moines, Iowa. The only player selected by the Sharks who was not American by birth or by location of development was seventh rounder Ivan Chekhovich, a Russian winger who put up strong numbers in the QMJHL before tearing up the WU18 tournament.

Scott Reedy of the USNTDP. Photo by Rena Laverty

Their first round pick was used on USNTDP center Josh Norris, a do-everything player who won nearly half of the competitions at the Draft Combine. His passing game and hockey IQ are especially notable. They drafted his USNTDP teammate Scott Reedy in the fourth round. Reedy was highly anticipated coming into the year after a very strong performance with the U=17 team, but struggled to retain those gains in his draft year as the added boy weight seemed to slow him down some. In between those two, they selected Des Moines blueliner Mario Ferraro, an undersized but dynamic, high energy player. After maxing out on their USHL picks in the first half, their three picks in the draft’s final two rounds were all used on CHL forwards, all of whom have a history of offensive production.

Best value: Alexander Chmelevski, C, Ottawa (6/185): One of two native Californians drafted by San Jose, Chmelevski fell in the draft in part due to playing on a lackluster CHL team. He also had the black mark of a soft game working against him. On the hand, his puck play is high end and some of the moves he pulled in the CHL Top Prospect Game will remain in highlight reels for years to come.

Biggest head-scratcher: Mario Ferraro, D, Des Moines (2/49): I like Ferraro as a prospect, and his dynamic qualities are undeniable. That said, he has a playing style that was well-represented in this draft class (undersized, mobile blueliners) and there were many others still on the board at this time. It is possible that the Sharks, who would have to wait another 53 picks until their next selection feared that Ferraro would be gone by then. That may have been true, but they could have drafted better value in that slot.

Ivan Chekhovich – McKeen's Hockey

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