Jacob Bernard-Docker – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2023-24 NHL YEARBOOK – OTTAWA SENATORS – Top 20 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #20

Brock Otten, Derek Neumeier, Chapin Landvogt and Josh Bell — Sun, 08 Oct 2023 14:04:24 +0000

OTTAWA, ON - FEBRUARY 11: Ottawa Senators Center Ridly Greig (17) before a face-off during second period National Hockey League action between the Edmonton Oilers and Ottawa Senators on February 11, 2023, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)

Top 20 Ottawa Senators Prospects

1. Ridly Greig

Greig’s path has continued to climb upwards since he started in the WHL and that trajectory is a big reason why he’s going to be a graduate from this list in short order. The forward wrapped up a strong WHL career in 2021-22 as the captain of the Brandon Wheat Kings, putting up 63 points in only 39 games, while also helping Canada to a gold medal at the World Juniors. He’s practically the epitome of the “Pesky Sens'' as a hard-fought, gritty player who is absolutely fearless, while playing a highly competitive brand of hockey. At the same time, he brings an impressive shot, and hands that look softer and softer every time he hits the ice. Greig is already playing in the NHL after starting last season with a strong showing in the AHL and it seems that he’ll there stick as a middle-six asset and fan favorite.

2. Zach Ostapchuk

A bit of a surprising selection by the Senators when they called his name 39th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, Ostapchuk has spent the last two seasons proving doubters wrong. On top of two World Juniors appearances where he won two gold medals, his WHL career has taken off. In 2021-22, he was named captain of the Vancouver Giants and showed that he’s a big-game player, taking his game to another level in the playoffs, where he contributed nearly two points-per-game. With over a point per game last season, he looks too good for the WHL now and is ready to take the next step. Ostapchuk is hard on the puck, brings a physical edge, and plays a solid two-way, slightly defensive-leaning game. He also has great speed and is capable of generating great plays. His game looks like it will translate very well as a bottom nine winger.

3. Mads Sogaard

Standing at a hulking 6-7”, Sogaard doesn’t need to do much in the net to stop the puck. Drafted 37th overall in 2019, the Danish goaltender made the interesting jump from the NAHL to the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers, where he had a very good rookie season. He spent one more season in the WHL, performing well, before the pandemic hit. He started the 2020-21 season in Denmark and played very well, before jumping to the AHL at the end of the year. He spent more of 2021-22 in the AHL getting used to the pace and he split his time fairly evenly between the AHL and NHL last season. He moves well but can let through a bad goal a little more often than one would like. His path to the NHL may have been a little faster than anticipated as Sogaard is still pretty raw, but it looks like he’s now in the NHL to stay.

4. Egor Sokolov

Another prospect that fits the mould of a Senator, Sokolov made the jump from Russia to the QMJHL in 2017-18, his draft year. He had a solid rookie year but was ultimately passed over in the NHL Draft. He took a step forward with the Cape Breton Eagles the following year but was once again passed over. In his final year of draft eligibility, his game took a big leap in the right direction , with 92 points in 52 games, and the Senators took notice, calling his name 61st overall. He immediately made the jump to the AHL, emerging as one of the Belleville Senators' top players ever since. At 6- 3”, 223 pounds, he’s a big body who is so hard to knock off the puck, he knows how to get to the dangerous areas, and has a great shot. Sokolov’s skating is a little slow and rough, but he has the tools to slide in as a bottom six forward.

5. Lassi Thomson

Drafted 19th overall in 2019, it hasn’t seemed to come together for Thomson and that has to be a concern moving forward, with reasonable doubts not that he ever will live up to expectations. Making the jump from Finland to the WHL in his draft year, Thomson slid in seamlessly with the Kelowna Rockets, putting up good numbers and looking comfortable in doing so. After the draft, he headed back to Finland to play in the Liiga, looking ready to take a step forward in the first season before struggling in the second. He moved back to North America in 2020-21, and has mainly stuck in the AHL ever since. His game is more defensive leaning at this point, bringing physicality and good timing, but his processing with the puck is a real issue. He has the tools, but just hasn’t been able to put it all together and may have hit his ceiling as a call-up option.

6. Tyler Kleven

Kleven won’t be a blueliner who piles up the points, but he could very well become a consistent, top six defender. Drafted 44th overall in 2020, Kleven had just wrapped up his time with the USNTDP and was poised to make the jump to the University of North Dakota. After three seasons on campus, he signed his entry-level deal last year, and made the jump straight to the NHL. He is a big, defence-first prospect with a heavy shot and no qualms about playing a physical game. He’s a little slow and you don’t want him to hold on to the puck for too long, but his ability to play hard and break up plays should allow him sticking in the league. The hope would be that he can figure out his on-puck play while standing out in his off-puck performance.

7. Leevi Merilainen

Ever since the Senators called Merilainen’s name 71st overall in the 2020 Draft, there has been excitement around him from the Senators fanbase. He was drafted out of Karpat out of the U20 SM-sarja where he had very strong numbers and that continued into his DY+1 season. He then made the jump to the OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs for a an up-and-down season, with a good record but not-so-great underlying numbers and was overall just a little inconsistent. He went back to Finland last season to play in the Liiga where he looked better - enough to earn a call back to North America to spend more time with the B-Sens and Senators. Merilainen is a very agile, athletic goaltender, but he’s not consistent enough to be considered a future No. 1. If he can figure it out, he could be a reliable No. 2 or 3.

8. Tyler Boucher

Speaking of players who surprised the industry by when they were drafted by the Senators, Ottawa called Boucher’s name 10th overall in 2021, one of the biggest first round draft shocks of the last decade. Ottawa has made some good calls recently though, so perhaps they knew something no one else did. The USNTDP forward then jumped to Boston University where he was unable to put things together before jumping to the OHL Ottawa 67’s. He’s a bit of a complicated prospect in that his physicality is what could carry him to the NHL, but his development has been repeatedly marred by injuries over the past few years, questioning his durability, especially considering his power forward role. Boucher has a great, hard shot, but there are concerns with the rest of his game. At this point, he projects as a bottom six winger - maybe. It’s not likely he lives up to the weight of lofty draft standing.

9. Stephen Halliday

The Senators are no stranger to selecting double-overage players in the Draft. First eligible in 2020, Halliday did not hear his name called until two years later, 104th overall in 2022. Spending the three years prior with the USHL Dubuque Fighting Saints, Halliday popped off in 2021-22, doubling his production and being named to the First All-Star Team. He moved up to the NCAA with Ohio State last season, continuing to play very well, producing over one point-per-game as an older freshman. He has a big body and protects the puck extremely well with a pleasing level of creativity in his game. He can dish the puck out well too, but his overall ceiling, especially considering his status as a late bloomer, may be muted. He’s likely an AHL regular at this point but could earn the occasional call-up. However, he has surprised in the past.

10. Maxence Guenette

A late draft pick in the 2019 Draft, the Senators called Guenette’s name 187th overall. The QMJHL defender for the Val-d’Or Foreurs has so far been a success. After spending two more seasons in the Q, he made the jump to the AHL and has been a very consistent, reliable defender. He can play big minutes, he’s light on his feet, moves very well, and plays a solid overall defensive game. He doesn’t have a whole lot of offensive upside but there is enough for him to become a bit of a two-way rearguard as opposed to being a strictly defensive guy. Guenette is very reliable. He won’t be a top guy but has the potential to slide into a bottom pairing. For a player selected in the 7th round to be on that path has to be considered a win so far for the Senators.

11. Roby Jarventie

Jarventie showed very promising progression last year in his second AHL season, even if he missed a chunk of time due to injury. He plays a straightforward North/South game and can put the puck in the net. A dark horse to earn significant time with the Senators this year?

12. Jacob Bernard Docker

We’re just not sure why we keep seeing Bernard-Docker high up on prospect lists given how little his offensive game has translated to the pro level. He should play in some capacity, but will he ever be more than an average bottom pairing defender?

13. Angus Crookshank

Is there a more underrated prospect in the Sens system than Crookshank, who led Belleville in goal scoring last year; one season removed from a significant knee injury? He’s a hard worker who could end up being a great complementary piece in Ottawa’s middle six.

14. Phillippe Daoust

The former Memorial Cup standout missed nearly the entire 2022-23 AHL season with an upper body injury. He will be looking to bounce back healthy this season and emerge as one of Belleville’s go-to offensive players.

15. Jorian Donovan

One of the most improved players in the OHL last season, Donovan’s confidence with the puck exploded as he became more aggressive, looking to use his skating and skill to be an impact puck mover. There is still work to be done defensively but his growth thus far has been profoundly positive.

16. Tomas Hamara

Conversely, Hamara’s season in the OHL was not a positive one, as he struggled mightily in the defensive end for the Kitchener Rangers as a rookie. He will return to Kitchener this year and will be asked to play a larger role on a rebuilding team.

17. Kevin Reidler

The hulking Swedish netminder had a good season in the J20 league and will be moving to the USHL this season to play with Dubuque. He likely has his eyes set on the NCAA route.

18. Donovan Sebrango

A former standout with the Canadian WJC team, Sebrango needed a fresh start after toiling in the Detroit system. Now in Ottawa, he will look to earn a large role in Belleville and get his career back on track.

19. Hoyt Stanley

Stanley was a McKeen’s favourite for the 2023 draft and, in our opinion, the Senators got a possible steal as late as they selected him. The mobile defender is incredibly raw and is very much a long-term project. The Cornell program should be great for him.

20. Oskar Pettersson

An effective straight-line attacker, Pettersson was solid in a supporting role for Sweden at the recent World Juniors. The hope is that he can earn more ice time and responsibility at the SHL level this coming season.

MCKEEN’S 2023 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #19 Ottawa Senators

Josh Bell — Wed, 17 May 2023 11:33:17 +0000

There was hope that this would be the year the rebuilding Senators would finally see some playoff action for the first time in six years. While they fell short, the future remains bright. GM Pierre Dorion had built an excellent core in Brady Tkachuk (23-years-old), Josh Norris (24), Drake Batherson (25), Tim Stutzle (21), Jake Sanderson (20), and Thomas Chabot (26), all poised to hit their prime together. The timeline was accelerated with the addition of Alex DeBrincat (25) in the summer, and then Jakob Chychrun (25) at the deadline, adding two impact young players. Whether they can re-sign RFA DeBrincat remains the outstanding question heading into next season.

Ottawa has graduated an impressive group and explains the downgrade in ranking from 19^th to 12^th. It also includes Shane Pinto, the 32^nd overall pick in 2019, who can also be a difference maker going forward. Ridly Greig, the 28^th overall pick in 2020 made an appearance in 20 NHL games and would appear to have made the team for the 2023-24 season and will bring both grit and skill that should mesh well with the current group. They have no picks until the fourth round in the upcoming draft, signaling the end of the rebuild. Look for Dorion to add more character veterans, similar to Claude Giroux, and likely dip into picks for future years. Finding a lasting solution in net will also be a focus.

Ridly Greig

Ridly Greig’s path has just continued to climb upwards since he started in the WHL and is a big reason why he’s going to be a graduate from this list in short order. The forward wrapped up a strong WHL career in 2021-22 as the captain of the Brandon Wheat Kings, putting up 63 points in only 39 games, while also helping Canada to a gold medal at the World Juniors. He’s practically the epitome of the “Pesky Sens” as a hard-fought, gritty player that is absolutely fearless, and is a highly competitive forward. At the same time, he brings an impressive shot, and hands that look softer and softer every time he hits the ice. Greig is already playing in the NHL after starting the season with a strong showing in the AHL and it seems that’s where he’ll stick as a middle-six asset that Sens fans will love.

2. Zack Ostapchuk

A bit of a surprising selection by the Senators when they called his name 39th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, Zack Ostapchuk has spent the last two seasons proving doubters wrong. On top of two World Juniors appearances where he won two gold medals, his WHL career seemed to take off. In 2021-22, he was named captain of the Vancouver Giants and showed that he’s a big-game player, truly stepping up in the playoffs where he was nearly a two-point-per-game player. With over a point per game this regular season, he looks too good for the WHL now and is ready to take the next step. He’s hard on the puck, brings a physical edge, and plays a solid two-way, slightly defensive-leaning, game. He also has some great speed and can make some great plays. His game looks like it will translate very well as a bottom-nine winger.

3. Mads Sogaard

Standing at a hulking 6-foot-7, Mads Sogaard doesn’t need to do much in the net to start the puck. Drafted in 2019, 37th overall, the Danish goaltender had made the interesting jump from the NAHL to the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers, where he had a very good rookie season. He spent one more season in the WHL where he had another good season before the pandemic hit. He started the 2020-21 season in Denmark and played very well, before jumping to the AHL at the end of the year. He spent more of 2021-22 in the AHL getting used to the pace and this season has split his time fairly evenly between the AHL and NHL. He moves well but can let through a bad goal a little more than one would like. His path to the NHL may have been a little faster than ideal as he’s still pretty raw, but it looks like he’s in the NHL to stay.

4. Egor Sokolov

Another prospect that fits the mould of a Senator. Egor Sokolov made the jump from Russia to the QMJHL in 2017-18, his draft year. He had a solid rookie year but was ultimately passed over in the NHL Draft. He took a step forward with the Cape Breton Eagles the following year but was once again passed over. In his final year of draft eligibility, he took a big jump forward, with 92 points in 52 games and the Senators took notice, calling his name 61st overall. He immediately made the jump to the AHL and has become one of the Belleville Senators' top players ever since. At 6-foot-3, 223 pounds, he’s a big body that’s so hard to knock off the puck, knows how to get to the dangerous areas, and has a great shot. His skating is a little slow and rough, but he has the tools to slide in as a bottom-six forward.

5. Lassi Thomson

Drafted in 2019, 19th overall, it hasn’t seemed to come together for Lassi Thomson and that has to be a question moving forward if he ever will. Making the jump from Finland to the WHL in his draft year, Thomson slid in with the Kelowna Rockets seamlessly, putting up good numbers and looking comfortable. After the draft, he headed back to Finland to play in the Liiga, looking ready to take a step forward in the first season before struggling in the second. He moved back to North America and has mainly stuck in the AHL ever since. He’s more defensive leaning at this point, bringing physicality and good timing, but his processing with the puck is a real issue. He has the tools, but just hasn’t been able to put it together and may have hit his ceiling as a call-up option.

6. Tyler Kleven

Tyler Kleven won’t be a player that piles up the points, but he could very well become a consistent, top-six defender. Drafted 44th overall in the 2020 NHL Draft, Kleven had just wrapped up his time with the USNTDP and was poised to make the jump to the University of North Dakota. After three seasons, Kleven signed his entry-level deal this year, recently making the jump straight to the NHL. Kleven’s a big, defence-first prospect that has a heavy shot and no qualms about playing a physical game. He’s a little slow and you don’t want him to hold on to the puck for too long, but his ability to play hard and break up plays should lead to him sticking in the league. The hope would be that he can figure out his on-puck play while standing out in his off-puck performance.

7. Leevi Merilainen

Ever since the Senators called Leevi Merilainen’s name 71st overall in the 2020 NHL Draft, there has seemed to be excitement around him from Senators fans. He was drafted out of Karpat out of the U20 SM-sarja where he had very strong numbers and that continued into his DY+1 season. He then made the jump to the OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs for a year where he had an up-and-down season, with a good record but not-so-great numbers and was overall just a little inconsistent. He went back to Finland this season to play in the Liiga where he looked better - enough to earn a call back to North America where he’s spent time with the B-Sens and Senators. He’s a very agile, athletic goaltender, but he’s not consistent enough to be considered a future No. 1. If he can figure it out, he could be a reliable No. 2 or 3.

8. Tyler Boucher

Speaking of players that the Senators have drafted recently that surprised, Ottawa called Tyler Boucher’s name 10th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, shocking the hockey world. They’ve made some good calls recently though, so it was worth keeping an eye on. Bouncer was selected out of the USNTDP and then jumped to Boston University where he couldn’t seem to put things together before jumping to the OHL’s Ottawa 67’s. He’s a bit of a complicated prospect in that his physicality is what could carry him to the NHL, but he’s also been marred with injuries over the past few years, questioning his durability in the role he’s now known for. He does have a great, hard shot as well, but there are concerns with the rest of his game. At this point. he projects as a bottom-six winger - maybe. It’s not likely he lives up to the weight of the 10th overall selection.

9. Stephen Halliday

The Senators are no stranger to selecting double-overage players in the NHL Draft. First eligible in the 2020 NHL Draft, they drafted Stephen Halliday two years later in 2022, 104th overall. Spending the three years prior with the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the USHL, Halliday popped off in 2021-22, doubling his production and being named to the First All-Star Team. He moved up to the NCAA and Ohio State University this season, continuing to play very well, over a point-per-game as an older freshman. He’s a big body who protects the puck extremely well and does have a level of creativity in his game. He can dish the puck out well too, but his overall ceiling, especially only popping off as an older player relative to his peers. He’s likely an AHL regular at this point but could earn the occasional call-up. However, he has surprised in the past.

10. Maxence Guenette

A late draft pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, the Senators called Maxence Guenette’s name 187th overall. The QMJHL defender for the Val-d’Or Foreurs has so far been a success for the Senators. After spending two more seasons in the Q, he’s made the jump to the AHL and has been a very consistent, reliable defender. He can play big minutes, he’s light on his feet and moves very well and plays a solid defensive game. He doesn’t have a whole lot of offensive upside but could become a bit of a two-way rearguard versus being a strictly defensive guy. He’s a very reliable player that won’t be a top guy but does have the potential to slide into a bottom pairing. For a player selected at 187 to be on that path has to be considered a win so far for the Senators.

MCKEEN’S 2022-23 Prospect Rankings – Risers and Fallers

Brock Otten — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 20:51:54 +0000

As we release the 2022/23 McKeen’s Hockey Yearbook, it is time to reflect back on the last calendar year to see which NHL prospects have raised their stock the most…and which have seen their stock fall.

If you recall, in last year’s yearbook our top rated prospect was Anaheim’s Trevor Zegras. He went on to finish second in Calder Trophy voting to our former sixth rated prospect, Moritz Seider. Our second rated prospect last year, Buffalo’s Owen Power, makes a return appearance on the list and is now our number one ranked prospect in hockey. Where will Power ultimately rank in Calder trophy voting at the end of the 2023 season?

First, let’s look at some of the prospects whose strong seasons propelled them up our top prospect’s list (organized by last year’s ranking):

You can access the full list by linking here.

Risers

PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 05: Buffalo Sabres right wing Jack Quinn (22) skates with the puck during the first period in the preseason NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Buffalo Sabres on October 5, 2021, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire)

Jack Quinn - Buffalo Sabres

Movement: (37 to 11)

The 2022 AHL Rookie of the Year, Quinn emerged as one of the top forward prospects outside of the NHL last season; a bounce back campaign after an injury plagued rookie pro year. Quinn’s high IQ, terrific shot, and strong two-way acumen makes him not only a near shoe-in to be a top nine NHL forward, but also a strong Calder trophy candidate this season.

Xavier Bourgault - Edmonton Oilers

Movement: (60 to 27)

The 22nd overall selection in 2021, Bourgault had a terrific post draft season, helping to lead Shawinigan to a QMJHL Championship. The talented winger has worked hard to round out his offensive profile and will begin his pro career this season in the Oilers system.

Brennan Othmann - Flint Firebirds

Movement: (78 to 33)

The list of players who have scored 50 goals in their 19 year old post NHL draft OHL season is not extremely long. The competitive goal scorer can hammer the puck and his combination of tenaciousness and scoring ability is rare among prospects.

JJ Peterka - Buffalo Sabres

Movement: (80 to 22)

Peterka is coming off the best U20 season in the AHL in this millennium, beating Patrice Bergeron, who scored 61 points in 2005 and Mikko Rantanen, who scored 60 in 2016. That’s some impressive company. His speed and offensive awareness make him a potential star for the Sabres.

ABBOTSFORD, BC - SEPTEMBER 27: Calgary Flames Left Wing Jakob Pelletier (49) plays the puck against the Vancouver Canucks during their NHL preseason game at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre on September 27, 2021 in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Devin Manky/Icon Sportswire)

Jakob Pelletier - Calgary Flames

Movement: (89 to 39)

Entering his first pro season with Stockton, the offensive upside of the smaller, but tenacious former first round pick was a bit of a mystery. However, he passed his first test with flying colours by averaging nearly a point per game with Stockton and now has positioned himself to earn a spot with Calgary this season.

Kirill Marchenko - Columbus Blue Jackets

Movement: (91 to 37)

The big Russian winger will finally make the trek to North America this season where he has a good shot of cracking Columbus’ top nine. Another solid goal scoring year in the KHL has him moving up our list.

Mavrik Bourque - Dallas Stars

Movement: (99 to 31)

Like Bourgault, Bourque captured a QMJHL Championship with Shawinigan last season. However, Bourque was the MVP of the playoffs and had a terrific Memorial Cup to boot. He is one of the smartest prospects outside of the NHL and has progressed extremely well since being drafted.

Scott Perunovich - St. Louis Blues

Movement: (102 to 43)

After an injury wiped out Perunovich’s first pro season, he was excellent in his “true” debut last year, split between the NHL and AHL. He looks like an offensive star in the making on the blueline and his NHL metrics were terrific in a limited role.

Logan Stankoven - Dallas Stars

Movement: (104 to 30)

Maybe Stankoven should have been drafted earlier in 2021? The early results have been spectacular for the undersized forward. He was the 2022 CHL Player of the Year and was a key player for Canada at the recent WJC’s during their race to a gold medal.

Olen Zellweger - Anaheim Ducks

Movement: (119 to 28)

Speaking of players who should have been selected higher, insert the dynamic Zellweger. Not only was Zellweger the WHL’s top defenseman this past season, but he was one of the best at the recent WJC’s, playing a top pairing role for Canada. He has already emerged as one of the top defensive prospects on the planet.

Brock Faber - Minnesota Wild

Movement: (142 to 72)

The major piece in the Kevin Fiala trade, Faber moved from the Kings to the hometown Wild. He will return to the University of Minnesota for his junior year but his work internationally for the United States has really turned heads in the scouting community.

Dustin Wolf - Calgary Flames

Movement: (154 to 45)

Never underestimate the smaller netminder. How Wolf would adjust to the AHL level was a bit of a mystery, coming off back to back WHL goaltender of the year awards. He passed the test with flying colours, capturing the AHL’s goaltender of the year award too. Is the next step the Vezina?

Wyatt Johnston - Dallas Stars

Movement: (158 to 16)

Easily one of the OHL’s most improved players last season, Johnston dominated the league on route to capturing a Red Tilson trophy as the league’s top player. He controls the play at both ends of the ice and will push for a roster spot in Dallas sooner, rather than later.

Luke Evangelista - Nashville Predators

Movement: (189 to 67)

Not only was Evangelista the OHL’s goal scoring leader last season, but he worked hard to improve his play without the puck and strength on it. By becoming a more consistently dangerous player, he has greatly improved his projection as an NHL player.

Bobby Brink - Philadelphia Flyers

Movement: (201 to 64)

A finalist for the Hobey Baker last season, Brink helped the University of Denver capture an NCAA title. There are still some concerns over his skating, but he’s just so skilled and intelligent. Unfortunately, Brink underwent hip surgery in late July and will miss a large majority of his first pro season.

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 28: Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov (52) against the New York Rangers during Game 6 of round 2 of the Stanley Cup playoffs on May 28, 2022 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire)

Pyotr Kochetkov - Carolina Hurricanes

Movement: (235 to 71)

The former high second round selection is coming off a season that saw him establish himself as one of the elite goaltending prospects in hockey. Ignore the challenges in the NHL playoffs after he was thrust into the role. Focus on how dominant he was at the AHL level and in the KHL before crossing the pond.

Jordan Spence - Los Angeles Kings

Movement: (249 to 62)

How can you not be impressed with what Spence was able to do in his first pro season? He dominated the AHL level and even looked right at home in the NHL across 24 games (barely keeping his Calder eligibility). There is no doubt that he processes the game well enough to provide an offensive spark from the blueline at the NHL level.

Devon Levi - Buffalo Sabres

Movement: (279 to 34)

The player who makes the largest jump in our rankings, Levi has been remarkable over the last twelve months, establishing himself as one of the top goaltending prospects on the planet. He was this past year’s Mike Richter award winner as the top goalie in the NCAA. His play tracking and positioning are elite.

Matthew Knies - Toronto Maple Leafs

Movement: (283 to 61)

A power winger coming off of a tremendous freshman season with the University of Minnesota, Knies is proving that he should have been drafted higher in 2021. He will return as a sophomore and expectations will be high.

Arseni Gritsyuk - New Jersey Devils

Movement: (NR to 63)

The KHL’s rookie of the year last season, Gritsyuk was remarkable for Avangard Omsk across the regular season and playoffs. He also helped Russia win a silver medal at the Olympics. The former fifth round pick has quickly gone from an under the radar mystery to one of the top young players in Europe.

Scott Morrow - Carolina Hurricanes

Movement: (NR to 74)

An enigma as a draft eligible player, Morrow was thought of as a high upside, but project selection in 2021. However, his performance as a freshman for UMass was terrific, finishing second in team scoring as a defender. The key moving forward will be his development as a defensive player, but the skating ability and skill level are dynamic.

Now let’s look at some of the prospects who fell down our list for various reasons. These are organized according to their rank in last year’s yearbook:

Fallers

Victor Soderstrom - Arizona Coyotes

Movement: (26 to 111)

The 11th overall pick in 2019, Soderstrom has yet to find his way to a full time NHL role, despite limited talent and depth in Arizona. His play in the AHL hasn’t been poor, but it hasn’t been eye opening either. A mobile, two-way defender, one has to wonder if his NHL upside is truly significant. He still looks like a future NHL defender, but it might be in more of a supporting role and not a lead one.

Chaz Lucius - Winnipeg Jets

Movement: (36 to 144)

Realistically, part of this fall comes from a likely overrank by us in last year’s yearbook. The other part comes from an average freshman year with the University of Minnesota that saw him battle injuries yet again. Now Lucius has left college after only one year, despite the fact that he might not be ready for the AHL. Does Winnipeg find a spot in the WHL for him to help him improve his quickness and strength, while also respecting his injury history?

Connor Zary - Calgary Flames

Movement: (45 to 266)

Heading into this season, his first as a pro, there was already some concern that Zary’s development had plateaued in the WHL. After a poor rookie year with Stockton, the concerns over his quickness and pace appear even more real. Is Zary going to be more than a potential third line center? This will be a big season for him.

Justin Barron - Montreal Canadiens

Movement: (64 to 164)

Now a member of the Montreal Canadiens after coming over from Colorado in the Lehkonen trade, Barron didn’t have a poor first pro season. However, at this point, what have injuries done to his development? He even missed the end of the past season with an ankle injury, preventing him from finishing out the year with Montreal in the NHL. The athletic tools are enticing, but he might end up settling into more of a supporting role as a pro without high end processing ability.

Oskar Olausson - Colorado Avalanche

Movement: (67 to 245)

Expectations were very high for Olausson as he signed on to play in the OHL a year ago. However, his OHL season was not an impressive one, split between Barrie and Oshawa. He struggled with decision making and shot selection, which makes one wonder about the likelihood of him reaching his middle six upside as a pro.

Ozzy Wiesblatt - San Jose Sharks

Movement: (68 to 216)

Granted, Prince Albert (WHL) was a pretty low scoring team this year, but any time a 20-year CHL player takes a step backwards offensively, it rings alarm bells. This is especially true considering Wiesblatt has always been considered more of a high energy, middle six type. Now, his projection looks like more of a high energy, bottom six type.

Jacob Bernard Docker - Ottawa Senators

Movement: (92 to Honorable Mention)

The offensive production and confidence have not translated to the pro level since JBD has turned pro. He’s still a solid presence in the defensive zone, but he is also in danger of being passed by others on the depth chart. At this point, is JBD more than a potential bottom six defender?

John Beecher - Boston Bruins

Movement: (109 to 234)

Beecher, unquestionably, still looks like a future NHL center. The combination of size, physicality, and quickness is still likely to make him a contributor in some way. However, the offensive game just never developed at Michigan, and he now turns pro. He could move quickly through Boston’s system, but the upside is likely quite limited.

Noel Gunler - Carolina Hurricanes

Movement: (113 to 242)

The big winger is actually coming off his best season to date in the SHL and showed glimpses of greatness at the end of the year in the AHL. However, consistency remains a big issue for him, the same as it was when he was drafted early in the second round in 2020. At this point, we just aren’t as comfortable ranking him highly and prefer others in that top 200 range.

William Stromgren - Calgary Flames

Movement: (116 to Honorable Mention)

It is way too early to give up on Stromgen considering he was only recently drafted by Calgary, but they have to be somewhat discouraged by his post draft year where he failed to reach the point per game mark in the Swedish J20 league and failed to secure a more permanent role in the SHL. The speedy sniper will look to take the next step this year, however, he remains a long-term project.

David Farrance - NHL Free Agent

Movement: (134 to Not Ranked)

The former Boston University standout did not get a qualifying offer from Nashville and remains an NHL free agent after signing an AHL deal with the Chicago Wolves. The former Hobey Baker finalist’s first pro season was not an impressive one and he will now have to fight an uphill battle to become prospect relevant again.

Michael Dipietro - Vancouver Canucks

Movement: (144 to Honorable Mention)

Dipietro’s development path has been less than traditional thus far. The Canucks’ decision to keep him on the pandemic taxi squad, rather than have him get consistent starts in the AHL, remains a head scratcher. The relationship between him and Canucks management seems strained too. Dipietro still has NHL potential, but he needs to show that he can be a quality and consistent AHL netminder first.

MCKEEN’S 2022-23 NHL YEARBOOK – OTTAWA SENATORS – Top 20 Prospects

Contributors – Brock Otten, Derek Neumeier, Ethan Hetu, Dylan Krill — Sun, 18 Sep 2022 20:01:50 +0000

VANCOUVER, BC - APRIL 24: Ottawa Senators center Shane Pinto (57) skates up ice during their NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on April 24, 2021 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire)

1 - Jake Sanderson D

Jake Sanderson was the highest-drafted defenseman at the 2020 draft, and since that point, he’s become the Senators’ top prospect without any NHL games under his belt. The six-foot-two, 190-pound defenseman has been one of the best defensemen in all of college hockey. While he only got into 23 games for the University of North Dakota last season, Sanderson was a dynamic force to be reckoned with, scoring at above a point-per-game rate and earning a selection to Team USA at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Sanderson just does so many things right in all three zones. His skating is exceptional, and he has been and will continue to be a top transitional defenseman. He likes having the puck on his stick and can be relied upon as an offensive generator both on the power play and at even strength. He’s shown an ability to fit seamlessly with highly talented teammates, something that is important to note as he’s joining a Senators team that has recently supercharged their top-six forward attack. Defensively, Sanderson plays an extremely well-rounded game, combining sound positioning, aggressive, intentional defensive stick work, and threatening (if not overwhelming) physicality. Sanderson might not have the same dynamic, special quality as other top defensive prospects, but that’s not to say that he can’t take over shifts when he’s on. He has a set of tools that will allow him to become a strong NHL defenseman and the sort of defender who has a chance to anchor a top-four pairing for many years and even, if things break right, potentially become a true top-of-the-lineup force. There might be some growing pains with Sanderson’s game, as it looks like he possibly might face top-four duty immediately as a rookie, but there are few on-ice challenges Sanderson isn’t equipped to handle and he’ll be part of what could be an exciting season in Ottawa. - EH

2 - Shane Pinto C

Expectations for Pinto were sky high coming into last season. After a strong NHL debut following his sophomore year at North Dakota in 2021, many had Pinto penciled in as a Calder Trophy candidate. However, a shoulder injury quickly killed any chance of that as Pinto was lost for the year after surgery in November. Now the expectation is that Pinto will be ready to go for training camp and is once again a Calder Trophy candidate. In a lot of ways, there are parallels between Pinto and current Senators breakout star Josh Norris. Both are well-rounded centers who excel at both ends of the ice. Both have good size and can be used as strong net front presences or down low to prolong possession. Both have good shots and scoring instincts. Realistically, Pinto and Norris could occupy the middle center spots in Ottawa’s lineup for the better part of the next decade. Pinto does need to continue to improve his skating and quickness. It is just about the only part of his game that needs improvement. Given the nature of his injury (upper body), one has to hope that Pinto has been working hard to improve this during his recovery. He should enter the year as Ottawa’s third line center and will be given significant responsibility across a variety of different situations. - BO

3 - Ridly Greig C

Whether you love Greig or hate him depends largely on whether or not he's on your team — and those feelings can burn intensely in both directions. The 28^th overall selection in the 2020 draft, and the son of former NHLer and hockey lifer Mark Greig (who currently scouts for the Philadelphia Flyers), Ridly is chaos personified on the ice. He is a center with a very impressive and well-rounded offensive toolkit and the scoring totals to match, yet one who isn't content to simply coast on his skill. If anything, he loves the nasty side of the sport the most. He will throw hits with targeted ferocity and is happy to talk trash, make stick jabs behind the refs' backs, get dirty in post-whistle scrums and utilize whatever other psychological warfare that he can to annoy the hell out of his opponents. His competitive edge is truly special, and when he is on the top of his game there are few prospects in the hockey world who can leave an impact in quite the same way that he can, which was on display at this summer's World Juniors reboot, where he was one of Canada's top forwards. However, like most players cut from similar cloth, that persona comes with drawbacks. He was suspended multiple times during his WHL career and will, perhaps fittingly, have to serve a one-game suspension to begin his NHL career after cross-checking Pierre-Luc Dubois in a preseason game in the fall of 2021. If the Senators can properly harness and focus Greig's destructive tendencies then they will be able to deploy a forward who can be a unique kind of difference-maker, especially come playoff time. - DN

4 - Egor Sokolov LW

Things really turned around for Sokolov after he committed to improving his conditioning heading into his final QMJHL season with Cape Breton in 2020. By shedding some weight, he really exploded and emerged as one of the best players in the entire CHL. As a result, Ottawa took him in the second round, in his final year of draft eligibility. Thus far as a pro, Sokolov has not disappointed, continuing to play the power game that he established as a junior player. He blends power and skill extremely well and as such, he can be a real load for defenders to handle as he drives the net. Without question, he has the offensive upside to be a top six forward at the NHL level. He could eventually be a very nice complement to some of the other young forwards Ottawa has in their stable. Is he ready for a full time NHL role? The results in an eight-game trial last year suggest that he is not and needs to continue to improve his skating and play away from the puck. However, the competition for bottom six spots in training camp will be fierce and Sokolov will be right in the thick of it. Best case scenario, he spends time in a checking line role this year, perhaps even earning some secondary powerplay time. Worst case scenario, he goes back to the AHL for another season and continues to develop. - BO

5 - Lassi Thomson D

A first-round selection by Ottawa, there was some concern that Thomson’s development had stagnated. Playing in Liiga, he was less than impressive. He even struggled in the half season he played in the AHL in 2020-21. However, he really turned a corner last season, emerging as a top defender in Belleville and leapfrogging someone Jacob Bernard-Docker, among others, on the Ottawa depth chart. Thomson has always possessed intriguing potential because of his athletic ability. He has a booming point shot that creates a lot of primary and secondary chances. He can skate with the puck, and he can defend aggressively, using his mobility to stay ahead of the action. On the other hand, his positioning and decision making have always been raw and have led to miscues at both ends. Last year, he worked to correct that and played a much safer game. As a result, he blossomed. So, what’s next for Thomson? After 16 games at the NHL level last year, he figures to earn more NHL time this coming season. Is he likely to beat out Jake Sanderson for a permanent role? Very unlikely. However, it is also likely that he becomes the team’s top call up in case of injury. After his breakout campaign, he definitely looks like he could be a #4-6 defender for the Senators in the coming years. - BO

6 - Mads Sogaard G

The hulking, 6’7 Danish netminder has been solid as a pro so far after a strong two-year stint with Medicine Hat of the WHL. Sogaard even got a nice two game audition with the Senators as an injury call up late last season, beating the Detroit Red Wings in his NHL debut. Ottawa attempted to solidify their goaltending by bringing in veteran Cam Talbot this offseason to pair with Anton Forsberg, which leaves Sogaard ticketed for the AHL yet again. However, he should also be the team’s first call up in case of injury. What makes Soogard so intriguing is that he’s an excellent athlete for a goaltender of his size. He takes up the upper portion of the net naturally with his size, but he can also cover his posts well with quick pads to take away the lower portion. It is just the technical components that continue to need refinement. Things like learning to control rebounds better, tracking the puck more efficiently and finding a balance between being aggressive and staying deep to use his size to his advantage. There might not be a better instructor to work with Sogaard than new Senators goaltending coach Zac Bierk, a large goaltender himself. Under his tutelage, Sogaard should be able to develop into an NHL netminder. Talbot’s deal is only for one year so if Sogaard has an even stronger pro year, they may opt to give him the reins in 2023-24. - BO

7 - Zack Ostapchuk C

It was a tale of two seasons in one for Ostapchuk, who came out of the gate slow in 2021-22 but turned it on down the stretch, captaining the WHL’s Giants to a massive upset of top-seeded Everett in the first round. This earned an invite to Team Canada’s under-20 team in August, where Ostapchuk anchored the third line and helped contribute to a gold medal. A Senators 2021 2^nd rounder, Ostapchuk is a lanky center who will likely never put up big offensive numbers but contributes in many other ways. Unlike most players, Ostapchuk seems more comfortable in high-traffic areas, not less. He defends well, kills penalties, and can finish plays from in tight. His skating is decent, but it will need improvement in order to play at the next level. Ostapchuk plays a direct style without much deception in his game, and offensively does his best work as the net-front presence. He gains coaches trust immediately with his defensive play, faceoffs and understanding of situations in games. Ostapchuk is adept at protecting the puck and can work in tight spaces, something that will translate well to the pro game. It will be interesting to see if the offensive side of the game comes for Ostapchuk, who admitted that he cheated for offense a bit to start last season before getting back to his game. He projects as a third-line center in the NHL, provided his progression continues. This upcoming season will likely be his last in junior. - AS

8 - Roby Jarventie RW

Rather than play another year in Liiga, Jarventie decided to play in the AHL as a 19-year-old last season, something that will likely have a positive impact on his long-term development. While his production was only average, it needs to be viewed with context. His 33 points were fifth best among U20 players in the AHL. For context, another big winger who had similar production recently in his 19-year-old AHL season was Adrian Kempe of the Los Angeles Kings, who is coming off a 35-goal season in the NHL. Jarventie also was very good at the Summer World Junior Championships for Finland, perhaps operating as their best player. All signs would point to him having a breakout year for Belleville this season. He is at his best when he can use his size and speed to drive wide, looking for opportunities to use his big shot. Armed with a big one timer, he can also be a weapon on the powerplay, working the area near the faceoff circle. The skill, size, and quickness combination is very interesting and Jarventie’s potential is that of a quality middle six scorer. That said, he will need to find a way to make other areas of his game more consistent. That includes his two-way play, attention to detail away from the puck, and his decision making with it. Still a bit of a longer-term project, the return on Jarventie will not be known for a few years still. - BO

9 - Jacob Bernard-Docker D

Calling JBD’s first full pro season a complete and utter disappointment would be unfair. However, the expectations were very high for the two-way defender out of the University of North Dakota. After turning pro late in 2021, Bernard-Docker actually jumped right to the NHL and played for Canada at the World Championships. Yet last year, he struggled mightily on the offensive side of things and the pace of play really seemed to overwhelm him and his decision making at times. No one doubts that JBD can be an NHL defender on his defensive play alone. He is an intelligent positional defender who uses plus mobility to be quick to pucks and quick to close lanes. However, his upside as an NHL player is starting to look somewhat limited. As mentioned, it would appear that Lassi Thomson has passed him on the team’s depth chart and there is no question that Jake Sanderson will do so immediately at training camp this year. So where does that leave Bernard-Docker? He likely spends the majority of another year in the AHL to try to increase his confidence with the puck at the pro level. Then Ottawa will have to make a judgment call on him. After this season, a lot more will be known. Without a significant step forward, he may end up being more of a depth defender, rather than the potential top four candidate we previously thought. - BO

10 - Tyler Boucher RW

The 10th overall selection from the 2021 NHL Draft, Tyler Boucher has yet to prove worthy of being a top 10 pick, but still shows promise to become a very physical and tough player that no team will look forward to playing against. There aren’t many players like Boucher, and that’s what makes him so unique. He has the ability to impact the game by wearing out opponents with his aggressiveness and being physical anytime there’s an opportunity, sometimes being over-aggressive. Boucher had previously played for the USNTDP, but unfortunately missed games due to having Covid-19 and also a knee injury that he obtained early in the year. During the 2021-2022 season, Boucher started the year at Boston University and played 17 games, but only produced three points (2G,1A). After a slow start, Boucher elected to leave BU and made the move to the OHL to play for the Ottawa 67’s. During his time with the 67’s, Boucher finished with 14 points (7G,7A) in 24 games. Boucher’s best assets are his physicality and competitiveness. To have a player that makes opponents think twice before going into the corners to retrieve a puck is very valuable. No matter who the opponent is, he will not back down. His presence alone allows his team to play a more simplified game, doing all the dirty work for his line. Not only is he physical, but he also brings great energy each shift. Outworking his opponents with his strength, making him very efficient in puck battles and keeping puck possession. Going into the 2022-2023 season, Boucher will look to take a step and become more of an offensive threat. With a full healthy season, Boucher will be one of the toughest players to play against in the OHL. You could also expect an increase in points. - DK

11 - Tyler Kleven

Kleven is easily one of the most physical defensive prospects on the planet right now. The 6’4 defender is also mobile for his size. This combination gives him some potential as a #4-6 defender for Ottawa. His puck skill and defensive zone awareness still needs improvement.

12 - Tomas Hamara

An intelligent two-way defender, Hamara was a third-round selection of the Sens this past draft. After giving Hamara an ELC already, it seems very likely that he’ll play in Kitchener of the OHL this season after being selected in the import draft.

13 - Leevi Merilainen

Expectations for Merilainen were pretty high heading into last OHL season with Kingston, but his performance was largely underwhelming. He will be loaned to Karpat of Liiga this season. His play tracking and ability to fight through traffic will need to improve.

14 - Stephen Halliday

The USHL’s new all time leading scorer, Halliday finally earned a draft selection after dedicating himself to improving his conditioning and off puck play. The big power center should be an immediate impact player for an improving Ohio State program this season.

15 - Angus Crookshank

A knee injury ended Crookshank’s first full pro season before it even began. Now fully healthy again, Crookshank will look to prove that the injury has not hindered his development. The high-energy, well-rounded winger still has a great chance to develop into a impactful third liner.

16 - Philippe Daoust

The Sens sent Daoust back to Saint John (QMJHL) for his overage season a few months into last season after he struggled at the AHL level. He helped the Sea Dogs capture a Memorial Cup, but does need to improve his pace and speed this offseason.

17 - Jonny Tychonick

Tychonick will take advantage of an exception allowing seniors to return for a fifth year. The athletic defender has yet to live up to the hype, so this season at UNO might be his final chance to impress the Senators.

18 - Mark Kastelic

The big power forward got into some NHL games with Ottawa last season and did not look out of place. The former Calgary Hitmen standout needs to continue to improve his quickness, but he has bottom six potential.

19 - Maxence Guenette

Guenette’s first pro season with Belleville had its ups and downs, but he did prove that he can compete at the AHL level. An intelligent two-way defender, Guenette will need to continue to improve at both ends to be an NHL player. A lack of true standout quality may hurt him.

20 - Oliver Johansson

The real wild card of Ottawa’s system. He has shown great skill and touch at the J20 level but has not broken through to the SHL full time. His upside is significant, and this year should give Senators management and fans a better indication of his likelihood of reaching it.

2021-22 TOP 15 PROSPECTS: OTTAWA SENATORS – RANK: #4- TIER II

McKeen's Hockey — Fri, 10 Sep 2021 16:35:31 +0000

Ottawa Senators

#4 Ottawa - Graduations are thinning out the upper tier, and will continue to hollow out the system this year as a few more top guys look ready for the NHL.

VANCOUVER, BC - APRIL 22: Ottawa Senators center Shane Pinto (57) skates up ice during their NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on April 22, 2021 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire)

Jake Sanderson

One of the most powerful skating defensemen on the planet, Sanderson – son of similarly fast former Hartford Whaler Geoff Sanderson – could probably find his way into the Ottawa lineup now, but he prefers a second season in Grand Forks, North Dakota, playing workhorse minutes with a chance at glory (NCAA title) over fighting for third pairing minutes on the Senators with the chance at being demoted to Belleville for the sake of more playing time. This decision is understandable and will not harm his long-term prospects in the least.

In addition to Sanderson’s wheels, he also plays with a clear physical edge, ready, willing, and able to lay an opponent flat at the hint of an opportunity. His off-puck game is more than just looking for checking chances, though, as he is more than capable of ending a rush with a well-times stick check, and good luck trying to catch him out cheating his own-zone responsibilities for a fast break opportunity. For all of his speed and defensive abilities, Sanderson is also rather capable with the puck. He has a strong point shot and the touch to make plays with the puck, both handling the puck himself, and dishing it off to better-positioned teammates. Ottawa has a good number of high-end talents coming down the defensive pipeline, but more than any of them, Sanderson projects as a future #1, all-situations, game changer. - RW

Shane Pinto

Another Senators prospect who we were not as high on as the Senators at the time of his draft selection, Pinto was not so much a late bloomer as he was a multi-sport athlete who committed later than most to hockey. He emerged practically out of nowhere in his draft year, playing first for Lincoln, and then for Tri-City in the USHL, bringing a two-way, heavy game with enough skill to imagine a middle-six outcome. The Senators saw him as more of a top six center, and after two years at the University of North Dakota, they might have been correct.

Pinto brings great size, a strong skating stride, and the type of offensive zone skill set that works best when he has at least one other highly skilled player on his line that he can work in support of. He is hard to play against without being overly physically aggressive. He is very hard to dislodge from his preferred stomping grounds between the dots, and more often than not, between the hash marks. Pinto signed his ELC at the conclusion of his sophomore season, finishing his collegiate career one point shy of a point-per-game average, and then moved right into the NHL where he fit right in, at both ends. In addition to the point accumulation, Pinto is even stronger off the puck, holding things in check in his own end and doing the ‘little things’ reliably, such as his strength on faceoffs. He may or may not begin this year in the NHL, but if not, it won’t be long before he is a regular. - RW

Jacob Bernard-Docker

We were definitely wrong to not rank Bernard-Docker as a first round talent in 2018. In fact, were it not for the presence of Jake Sanderson and Thomas Chabot in the Ottawa system, we would say right now that JBD has the makings of a future top pairing defender in the NHL. That assessment starts with his ability to eat up a huge number of minutes on the blueline without any tangible degradation in the quality of his play. When we look at his skill set, on an individual skill basis, nothing there sticks out, for good, nor bad. He does everything at a solid, if unspectacular level. But it all ties together in his head, so the totality of his game is clearly better than the sum of his parts.

He can hold the line against the best the opposition has to offer. He can help make sure that the puck is moving in the right direction more often than not, even against those opposing first lines. He can be trusted to defend tight leads late in games. His right-handed shot is solid enough to deserve some time on a second power play unit. It would be preferential to see him spend one year in the AHL to work on his confidence playing the puck, as he can be prone to the safe play when he has enough time for something a little more daring, but his time in the AHL shouldn’t be long. He will be up soon, and to stay, and if not as a #1, the second pairing is his floor. - RW

Alex Formenton

After a strong rookie pro season with Belleville that saw Formenton make the 2019/20 AHL All Rookie team, the expectations were very high for him coming into last year. While his offensive production at both the AHL and NHL level did leave a little to be desired, Formenton did manage to establish himself as an NHL player in the second half. Playing a checking line role, Formenton managed to score four goals (in 20 games) and excelled as a penalty killer, utilizing his speed to the best of his capabilities.

Of course, speed is the highlight of Formenton’s game and is what put him on the NHL radar in the first place. An aggressive forechecker and attacker, there have never been any doubts about his ability to play a checking line role at the NHL level. It would appear that he has locked himself into that role for Ottawa this coming year. However, his upside as a scorer and someone who can play higher up in the lineup does remain a question mark. The next two seasons will be crucial for Formention, first to establish himself as a high-end checker, but then to build up confidence in his offensive abilities (specifically as a goal scorer) so that he can earn more responsibility from DJ Smith and the Ottawa coaching staff. - BO

Tyler Boucher

The son of longtime NHL goalie Brian Boucher, Tyler was adding a much-appreciated offensive component to his game this year, showing the potential to play higher up the lineup than he had in the past, before being struck with a season-ending knee injury in January. The result is a projection based on less ice time than most. Given the questions surrounding his high-end offensive upside, it was a surprise to see the Senators select him inside the Top 10 in 2021.

To his credit, in the short period of time that Boucher was able to take the ice this year, he took on a more offensively active role and was flourishing in it. Beyond just using his clear size and strength advantage to play a physical game, he was more effective at using physicality for puck possession, both gaining the puck and keeping it away from opponents. If not fending off checkers, he also showed some budding creativity with the puck, both in terms of what he could do with and passing with good touch. Boucher also showed strong enough skating ability to be able to play on a skill line. He has good edges, his stride is smooth, and he reaches top speed fairly quickly through crossovers. For all that he has seemingly added to his offensive game, the Senators are hoping that he can be a modern-day power forward (closer to a young Wayne Simmonds or a Tom Wilson than Ryan Reaves) after he finishes his stint at Boston University. Of course, he will have to prove that he is fully recovered from his knee injury to reach that projection. - McKeen’s Draft Guide 2021

Ridly Greig

Ridly Greig is one of the most intense players on the ice during his games. He is a relentless forechecker, back checker and physical presence. He doesn’t take a shift off, and makes his opponents take notice when he is on the ice. He is a player you would describe as “in the fabric of the game.” His game is more than just straight effort though. Greig isn’t just a wrecking ball. He is an intelligent player and is helpful in the transition game even if he isn’t the fleetest of foot. His skating lets him down a bit as his edges and tight turns are not as effective as they could be when trying to maintain speed during dynamic directional changes. His speed in the north/south style of game is fine which suits his style of play though.

His shot is a good weapon for Greig as he has velocity and accuracy. His playmaking is good, but not elite. Greig makes a living working hard on puck retrievals and driving to the net with and without the puck. He has a bit of Kris Draper in him, where you know exactly what he will give you and where you can line him up. He will be able to handle difficult line assignments, provide energy and could be a 20-goal support player. He plays a brand of hockey that old school hockey people will love and despite not being a physical monster (in terms of his physical size), it has not prevented him from playing like one. - VG

Tyler Kleven

One of the beneficiaries of the COVID-forced absences of players from Michigan and Boston University from the WJC, Kleven actually only appeared in two games for the Gold Medal winning American side but made his mark when he had the opportunity. Tall, strong, and rangy, he is first and foremost a defensive-minded defender. He keeps tight gaps, and closes them effectively and efficiently, shutting down opposing rushes with ease. A strong, swift skater, his legs greatly assist in his at-home duties. Kleven also occasionally attempts to put his feet to use in the offensive zone, although any fleeting success he has there is at least as much a function of the timing of his foray as it is about his inherent skillset.

He has the booming shot you might expect given his size, although he doesn’t give it the full wind-up treatment all that often. His hands, lacking much suppleness, hold back his ability to produce offense, and limit his puck carrying to 2-3 steps, and his passing game to mostly D-to-D type movement. I would expect Kleven to spend another two years on campus, emerging at the end as half of a reliable shutdown pair, adding time on the penalty kill to his duties at even strength. More of a coach’s favorite than a player sought after in fantasy hockey, Kleven should develop into a solid pro. - RW

Egor Sokolov

Sokolov is the personification of perseverance. A former highly touted young prospect, he went through the draft twice after two decent seasons in the QMJHL. However, entering his final year of draft eligibility, Sokolov dedicated himself to improving his conditioning and the results were extraordinary. He transformed himself into one of the best players in the QMJHL and was rewarded with a second-round selection by the Senators.

The biggest takeaway from that final QMJHL season was that by improving his conditioning, Sokolov was also able to improve his skating considerably. A big, strong power winger, Sokolov’s hands and finishing ability are excellent. By improving his overall quickness and elusiveness, everything else fell into place. As a first-year pro in Belleville last year, Sokolov continued his incredible progression by leading the AHL in rookie goal scoring with 15. At this point, he should begin to push for a roster spot in Ottawa as early as this season, given the rebuilding nature of the Senators. He has the potential to be a top six forward for Ottawa and someone who figures into their long-term plans despite the incredible forward depth that they have accrued. - BO

Logan Brown

It is clear that the Ottawa Senators still believe in Logan Brown as a potential NHL forward, as they protected him from the Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft. But it is also clear that the opportunity window for the former 11th overall pick is slowly closing. Now eligible for waivers, Brown has seen the likes of Tim Stutzle, Colin White, and Drake Batherson pass him on the depth chart. This coming season may be his final opportunity to earn a permanent spot on the Senators.

A massive center, Brown has always been lauded for his playmaking ability, vision, and puck protection talents. He can drive time of possession in the offensive end. His play away from the puck has certainly come a long way from his time in the OHL, but consistency has remained an issue. Brown has become a high end first line player in the AHL, but at the NHL level, he has looked a step behind the play and has been unable to dominate down low and near the net the way that he has shown at other levels. Knowing that this may be his last training camp to make a positive impression, Brown has to come into training camp this year and earn that permanent spot. It is not too late for him to live up to his potential as a top six center. - BO

Roby Jarventie

For as much as Jarventie’s disappointing showing at the last WJC can be seen as concerning, his consistently strong domestic play should be seen as more telling of the positive developmental steps taken in the year since the Senators made him a second-round pick. A big, bodied winger with a very strong shot and a good skating stride, the most likely case is that his shutout at the WJC (no points in six games) was the exception and his impressive work in Liiga (top goal scorer among rookies in that circuit) and in a late-season short stint in the AHL were the rule.

The question that Ottawa will be trying to answer this year as Jarventie (likely) spends the season with AHL Belleville, is can he be anything more than a sniping winger who has to be shielded from defensive situations? He has never been one to spend time on the penalty kill, and that is unlikely to change going forward, but he has at least shown in his past that he can play in the dirty areas and do well enough when it comes to fighting for loose pucks. Likely he will need at least two full(ish) seasons in the AHL to both acclimate to the North American game and establish how he can fit in productively. The best-case scenario is a top six NHL power play specialist who puts the puck in the net. Worst case is a quickish return to Finland, where he plays the same role. - RW

Leevi Merilainen

Ottawa Senators and Kingston Frontenac fans alike wait with bated breath to see how Merilainen performs in his first season in North America, as he will backstop the Shane Wright led Fronts in the OHL this year. Fresh off a strong performance for Finland at the World Junior summer showcase, Merilainen is rising quickly up the Ottawa prospect depth chart.

Mads Sogaard

The massive (6’7) Danish netminder was undefeated, a perfect 7-0, in his first pro season on a Belleville team with a bit of a logjam in net. The loss of Joey Daccord to Seattle should open up more opportunity for him this coming season and with another good year, he could really put himself in a grouping among the best goaltending prospects on the planet.

Filip Gustavsson

Yes, yes...another goalie. Really, these three could be ranked in any order, with Gustavsson being the closest to making an impact. Formerly acquired as part of the Derick Brassard deal to Pittsburgh, Gustavsson was solid in a cup of coffee at the NHL level last season and will push Anton Forsberg for the back-up gig behind Matt Murray this season.

Lassi Thomson

2020/21 was perhaps a year to forget for the former first-round selection. The smooth skating two-way defender took a step backwards in Liiga to start the year, then had a tough time with the pace and physicality of the AHL to finish the year. Entering his second pro season, he will look to bounce back before he gets passed on the depth chart by other prospects in a deep system.

Angus Crookshank

After a solid, but unspectacular three years at the University of New Hampshire (a low scoring, balanced team), Crookshank turned pro after his junior season and had a terrific pro debut to close out last year with Belleville. A pest with skill, Crookshank looks the part of a future elite third liner for the Sens and could move quickly through the system with another solid pro year.

NCAA TOURNAMENT RECAP – Minutemen Win First NCAA Title

Jashvina Shah — Fri, 23 Apr 2021 14:32:24 +0000

The NCAA tournament featured 16 teams, but due to COVID protocols, there were some changes and eventually only 14 teams ended up playing. First St. Lawrence, the ECAC’s automatic bid and tournament champion, was removed because the coach tested positive for COVID in the hours after celebrating the team’s Conference tournament victory. In their stead, Notre Dame snuck into the tournament.

But when Notre Dame went through COVID testing at the Albany regional, they, too, were sent home because of COVID protocols. Then, on the day of their Midwest Regional game, Michigan was informed they would also not be able to play.

For COVID protocols, teams worked with local contract tracers — so those at the different regional states — to determine close contacts stemming from a positive test. A positive test does not automatically mean a team is ineligible, but teams can be deemed ineligible due to subsequent contract tracing.

Here is a recap of the weekend and the subsequent Frozen Four:

Fargo Regional

North Dakota vs. American International

In recent years, we’ve seen No. 4 seeds upsetting No. 1 seeds. We also saw American International, an actual No. 16 seed, knock off the No. 1 seed St. Cloud State in 2019. But this game was not made for upsets. North Dakota was considered one of the best teams in the country, and they skated away with a 5-1 victory.

Jasper Weatherby (SJS) struck first less than 10 minutes into the game. And about three minutes later, he scored again. North Dakota wasn’t done with scoring in the first, though, as Grant Mismash (NSH) and Collin Adams (NYI) also added tallies. American International’s lone goal came in the third period, courtney of Tobias Fladeby.

Adams added another tally in the third. Junior Adam Scheel (DAL) made 24 saves. Jacob Bernard-Docker (OTT), Tyler Kleven (OTT), Judd Caufield (PIT) Jake Sandseron (OTT) each recorded an assist. Stefano Durante started for AIC but was replaced by Jake Kucharski (CAR) after allowing four goals on nine shots. Kucharski allowed one goal while making 19 saves.

Minnesota-Duluth vs. Michigan

This game was not played as Michigan was informed the day of the game that they would not be able to play due to COVID protocols. A player had tested positive before regionals and was left on campus. A different player that traveled with the team later tested positive.

North Dakota vs. Minnesota-Duluth

The NCHC rivalry game ended up being the best of the NCAA tournament. North Dakota against the perennial, two-time defending champions.

For two periods, the game was deadlocked. Then early in the third periods the Bulldogs struck twice in 1:20 thanks to Jackson Cates (PHI) and Cole Koepke (TBL) to take the 2-0 lead. A well-coached team, the Bulldogs began to stymie the Fighting Hawks, looking like they would return to the Frozen Four.

And they were two minutes away from doing so, before Adams scored again. 50 seconds later, Jordan Kawaguchi (DAL) scored. The game went into overtime.

And overtime. And overtime. And overtime. At one point, the Bulldogs scored — or they thought they had scored, but the goal was called back. And so they kept on playing.

Finally, in the fifth overtime — officially making the contest the longest NCAA tournament game, men’s or women’s, in history, Minnesota-Duluth sent out its rested fourth line and Luke Mylymok (’01), who had barely played during the first seven (!!!) periods, scored the game winner.

Shane Pinto (OTT) netted two assists while Weatherby added one.

Loveland Regional

Minnesota State vs. Quinnipiac

The Mavericks, cursed by first-round losses, opened up this year’s NCAA tournament against the Bobcats, who made the NCAA tournament after losing in the ECAC’s three-team tournament, but whose regular season was strong enough to keep them in consideration. The forced elimination of St. Lawrence due to COVID protocols, as discussed above, further cemented their place in the tournament as the sole representative from the ECAC.

Odeen Tufto (TB) put Quinnipiac up 1-0 early in the first period. With five minutes left in the frame, Peter DiLiberatore (VGK) made it 2-0. The Mavericks cut the lead in half with the lone second-period tally.

The third frame featured the most scoring action, started by CJ McGee, who scored his first goal of the year, to bring the Bobcats back up to a two-goal lead. Nathan Smith (WIN) scored for the Mavericks and Cade Borchardt scored with a minute left in regulation to tie the game. Ryan Sandelin, the son of Minnesota-Duluth coach Scott Sandelin, scored the game-winning goal in overtime.

Dryden McKay made 27 stops for the Mavericks while Keith Petruzzelli (DET) made 34 for Quinnipiac.

Minnesota vs. Nebraska-Omaha

This game ended almost as soon as it started, with Mason Nevers scoring his first collegiate goal to put Minnesota up 1-0. Minnesota reeled off three goals in the first period before Taylor Ward put the Mavericks on the board. Less than a minute into the second period, Ryan Johnson (BUF) put the Gophers back up by three. Two more tallies in the period sealed the eventual 7-2 win for Minnesota.

Jack LaFontaine (CAR) made 26 stops for the winners. Jack Perbix (ANA), Scott Reedy (SJS) and Sampo Ranta (COL) all scored. Brock Faber (LAK) recorded five assists. Blake McLaughlin (ANA), Sammy Walker (TBL), Jackson LaCombe (ANA), and Johnson each contributed a single helper. Tyler Weiss (COL) recorded two assists for Nebraska-Omaha. Isiah Saville (VGK) got the start for the losing side but was pulled after allowing five goals on 10 shots.

Minnesota vs. Minnesota State

It seemed Minnesota used up all its goals against Nebraska-Omaha because they came out flat against the purple Mavericks. Minnesota State earned a 4-0 shutout backed by 22 saves from Dryden McKay and goals from Sam Morton, Sandelin, Smith and Dallas Gerads. Minnesota’s Jack LaFontaine made 23 stops in the losing cause.

Bridgeport Regional

Wisconsin vs. Bemidji State

The Badgers returned to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2014 and for the first time under Tony Granato, largely bolstered by decent goaltending and offensive power from Cole Caufield (MTL). On the opposite side were the Pioneers.

In the biggest upset of the first round, Bemidji State dominated Wisconsin. They scored six minutes into the game and added another goal with 16 seconds left. The Badgers took advantage of a 5-on-3 power play early in the second with power play quarterback Linus Weissbach bringing the Badgers to within one. The Pioneers struck twice more in the last five minutes — including on a shorthanded tally that got the better of Weissbach — to make it 4-1.

Another goal in the third seemed to put the game away. But none other than Cole Caufield struck twice to cut the deficit. A shorthanded empty net goal with two seconds left sealed the victory for Bemidji State.

Caufield added an assist to his aforementioned goals. Shortly after the game, he signed with Montreal. Not long afterwards, he won the Hobey Baker Award as the nation’s top player.

Massachusetts vs. Lake Superior State

The Lakers returned to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1995-96 after winning their first conference tournament since 1994-95. The Minutemen, meanwhile, returned after falling in the 2019 national championship game.

UMass started the scoring in the first, but Lake Superior State tied it before the frame ended. From the second period onward, it was all the Minutemen, who scored four more goals and shut out the Lakers for the remainder of the game en route to a 5-1 win.

Zac Jones (NYR) recorded three assists while Filip Lindberg (MIN) made 30 stops in the victory.

Massachusetts vs. Bemidji State

The Minutemen put out a statement on the regional championship game, shutting out the Pioneers 4-0 to claim a second-consecutive berth to the Frozen Four. Carson Gicewicz recorded a natural hat trick in the victory. Marc Del Gaizo (NSH) recorded two assists and Matthew Kessel (STL) had one. Lindberg made 18 saves in the shutout.

Albany Regional

Boston College vs. Notre Dame

Notre Dame received a positive test upon arrival in Albany for the regional and were forced to withdraw. Boston College advanced in light of the no-contest.

St. Cloud State vs. Boston University

After a scoreless first, BU opened the scoring eight seconds into the second frame. St. Cloud’s Micah Miller tied the game off a fluke play where the puck bounced high and everyone except for Nolan Walker — the player whose stick the puck landed on — lost sight of it. Nick Perbix (TBL) gave the Huskies a 2-1 lead before Jake Wise’s (CHI) first goal of the season tied it.

In the third period, the Huskies were awarded a penalty shot, which they converted to regain the lead. St. Cloud State added two more goals in the win. Drew Commesso (CHI) made 32 saves in a losing cause while David Hrenak (LAK) made 34 in the win. Veeti Miettinen (TOR) scored a goal for the winners.

St. Cloud State vs. Boston College

The Eagles struck first thanks to Matt Boldy (MIN) and retained the 1-0 lead into the intermission, but from there on out it was all St. Cloud State. The Huskies scored three goals in the third period from Luke Jaycox, Will Hammer and Nolan Walker. Micah Miller added an empty net goal in the third. Boston College’s Spencer Knight (FLA) made 32 saves in defeat. Hrenak made 26 in the victory. On a down note, St. Cloud’s leading scorer, Easton Brodziński, broke his leg in the game.

Frozen Four

The Frozen Four featured three title-less programs in UMass, St. Cloud State and Minnesota State. The Bulldogs, of course, were trying to earn their third-straight national title. This would also be Minnesota State’s first ever Frozen Four appearance.

The Minutemen started the Frozen Four without leading goal scorer Carson Gicewicz and starting goaltender Filip Lindberg, as well as two other depth players, due to COVID protocols.

Minnesota State vs. St. Cloud State

The in-state rivalry game featured offensive, fast-paced, back-and-forth play between two evenly matched teams. Precise passing on the power play led to a couple good chances. One of those chances was a rebound that bounced straight to St. Cloud’s Spencer Meier, who shot the puck into an empty net. On Minnesota State’s tying goal, the Huskies couldn’t clear and Nathan Smith won the puck battle, earning the goal. But Minnesota State’s euphoria was short lived, as the Huskies reclaimed the lead 10 seconds later. The defense allowed St. Cloud’s Nolan Walker to take the puck and he skated past a defender who was closing in on him, stickhandled around another defender and made a quick, slick pass to Kyler Kupka, who scored. The Huskies held on to the one-goal lead heading into the first intermission.

Will Hammer’s second period goal seemed to put the game further out of reach for Minnesota State, but the Mavericks did not go away quietly. They responded with control of the puck, turning up the pace of play scoring once just past the middle point of the period, and that continued persistence led to a tripping penalty on St. Cloud that, in turn, led to the Mavericks tying the game with another Nathan Smith goal. In the third period, the Mavericks took the one-goal lead early, through the stick of Dallas Gerads and kept up the pressure and followed with another onslaught.

The Huskies were without leading goal scorer Easton Brodzinski, but it was his replacement — Joe Molenaar — who tied the game in the third period. With the teams evenly matched, it looked as though the game would go into overtime. The Mavericks earned a couple of good chances very late into the game, but Hrenak made the stops. Minnesota State had an offensive zone draw, but the Huskies won the face-off and took the puck up ice. They fought to keep it in the zone with Seamus Donohue collecting the puck in the corner and sending it to Nolan Walker, who took the shot from the blue line that gave St. Cloud state the lead with 45 seconds left. It was all the Huskies needed.

In addition to Nathan Smith’s (WIN) two goals for Minnesota State, Sam Hentges (MIN) recorded an assist and David Hrenak (LAK) made 25 saves.

Minnesota-Duluth vs. UMass

The rematch of 2019’s national championship game was much closer than that title game. In 2019, the Bulldogs scored and then clamped down. This year, the Minutemen actually took the lead on a Zac Jones (NYR) goal in the first period. The Bulldogs, an exceptionally well-coached team, tied the game up a just a few minutes later and entered the first intermission tied 1-1. Cole Koepke (TBL) scored first in the second to put the Bulldogs ahead.

This time, unlike 2019, the Bulldogs were unable to put the Minutemen away. UMass — bolstered by previous Frozen Four experience — came right back with pressure and even a scoring chance, which led to a UMD icing call and was then another UMass scoring chance. Just like that, the Minutemen kept attacking. UMass set the pace in the third and kept the Bulldogs chasing. Minnesota-Duluth was able to even out the run of play eventually, but the Minutemen crashed the net midway through the third and tied the game, with Anthony Del Gaizo credited with the equalizer.

The game went into overtime. Unlike with UMD’s earlier game against North Dakota, from the time the puck dropped in overtime, this time the Bulldogs looked exhausted. The Minutemen dominated and It looked very uncharacteristic of the Bulldogs, who spent overtime on their heels. UMass attacked relentlessly. It seemed like it was only a matter of time until UMass would score. That break came late in the first overtime period, when Bobby Trivigno fought to hold on to the puck deep in the offensive zone, skated around the net and fed the puck to Garrett Wait, who was waiting at the edge of the crease. Wait had a small, empty hole of the net to shoot through. He made no mistake, putting UMass in the final again, and ending any hope of a threepeat from Minnesota-Duluth.

UMass vs. St. Cloud State

The Huskies started the final game of the collegiate 2020-21 season game strong and with energy. They even hit a crossbar early on. The Huskies kept up the pace but unfortunately for them, luck did not go their way. The Minutemen scored the first goal after a Husky lost an edge and fell into a teammate, giving the Minutemen a breakaway chance which was converted by blueliner Aaron Bohlinger, his first of the season. With just over a minute left in the period, Reed Lebster of the Minutemen scored on offsides goal that could not be reviewed for offsides based on NCAA rules.

Play at that point was still even between the two teams, and the Huskies believed they still had a chance. SCSU also had a shorthanded scoring chance early in the second. The Huskies managed to kill off the penalty and seemed to still be playing with jump and earning chances.

But things changed when the Huskies received a power play of their own.

The Huskies had regrouped in their own end and were bringing the puck back up the ice. One of the Huskies aimed to send a cross-ice pass at a teammate, but it was deflected by UMass’ Philip Lagunov, who chased it down in the neutral zone, picked up the puck, made an excellent toe drag to get around the lone remaining defender. Lagunov took it calmly to the net and quickly shot it stick side to give UMass a 3-0 lead.

It was all over for the Huskies, who were deflated by the shorthanded marker. The Minutemen won 5-0, winning the program’s first NCAA title.

In his return to net, Lindberg made 25 saves. Hrenak made 17 in the losing cause for Minnesota-Duluth.

***

Brock Faber's (LAK) five points led tournament scoring amongst drafted players. Minnesota State’s Nathan Smith (WIN) led all drafted players in goals, netting four. Wisconsin’s Cole Caufield (MIN) and North Dakota’s Jasper Weatherby (SJS) and Collin Adams (NYI) all had two-goal games. Zac Jones (NYR) recorded four points.

Lindberg (MIN) allowed just one goal in 254:30 minutes of play, good for a .986 save percentage. Hrenak (LAK) played the most minutes and posted a .895 save percentage.

Oh, Canada!: A weekly tour of the North Division – Connor snaps, Sens College prospects sign, Leafs power play, Demko’s payday and much more ..

Jeff Veillette — Fri, 02 Apr 2021 15:36:40 +0000

Welcome back to Oh, Canada! Your favourite look at the all-Canadian North Division, now one (1) day removed from it’s last COVID-related postponement. We’ve got a wide variety of topics to cover this week, so let’s get to it.

Calgary Flames – Do or Die Weekend?

This situation in Calgary looks like it’s going to keep getting worse before it gets better. Since our last update, the Flames have played three games – all against the Jets, and dropped two of them, coming out with just a pair of points. Those two points, in fact, are all they have to show for their last six games.

The next three games come against opponents who are ahead of them in the standings. They take on their arch-rivals in Edmonton tonight, and play an Easter back-to-back against Toronto on Sunday and Monday. The Edmonton game is absolutely essential if they have any hopes of turning this ship around, as it would at least bring them to within six points of them with 18 games remaining. Making that ten would be catastrophic, and they’ll still likely need to pull at least two off of the division leaders in their back-to-back to make it matter.

It’s certainly an unenviable position for a team that’s still struggling to figure out its identity, and it certainly doesn’t help when your starting goalie posts a combined 0.865 SV% in his two games on the week. But there truthfully just isn’t time for discovery in an all-divisional season. That’s part of the excitement from a neutral perspective, but no doubt part of the torture if you’re on a team that’s scrambling.

MONTREAL, QC - MARCH 30: Look on Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) during the Edmonton Oilers versus the Montreal Canadiens game on March 30, 2021, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire)

Edmonton Oilers – Connor Snaps, Loses Cash

One of the most shocking moments in the NHL this week came when Oilers captain and certified Best Player on Earth Connor McDavid hit Jesperi Kotkaniemi with a high open ice hit in the first period of Tuesday’s 4-0 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. It was not only a larger than usual hit coming from a superstar like him, but it was surprisingly dirty looking in nature; McDavid started his motion on decent footing but pushed his elbow through Kotkaniemi’s head. He received a two-minute roughing minor for the sequence and on Wednesday, the NHL’s Department of Player Safety announced a $5000 fine headed his way.

There were a few trains of thought here. Firstly, it’s pretty crazy that the maximum fine for a non-suspension is just $5000. Good work by the NHLPA for negotiating that into the CBA, because for a player like McDavid, it’s the equivalent of about forfeiting the pay of a shift, or 1:02 of ice time. Secondly, was the punishment light? For me, that’s a yes and no answer. In a league that actually cares about protecting its players, a targeted elbow to the head should, in my eyes, cost you games. In this league, however, and in the world of precedent, dishing out a fine is a fair parallel to Jared McCann’s punishment in January for a hit on Travis Sanheim (https://twitter.com/NHLSafetyWatch/status/1350255252818292736). In that respect, it’s a reasonable ruling.

Lastly comes the point of reason, or the idea that McDavid is simply fed up with being hacked, slashed, and mauled up and down the ice, and wanted to show that he isn’t going to take it anymore. There’s some push and pull here too. If that’s how McDavid feels, he has a right to be frustrated – the league continues to be lackadaisical in how it enforces its rulebook and the top stars are probably the most impacted. At the same time, McDavid has a lot of responsibility on his hands as the captain of a team trying to stay in the playoff hunt, and a face of the sport, and can’t be letting himself get distracted and frustrated mid-game. If he wants to eat a fine to push back on a broken system, it would probably be better served calling out the issues directly on the record, instead of participating in them himself.

Montreal Canadiens – Back Like Nothing Happened

After a brief COVID-19 scare that kept the Habs out of a week of action, the team wasted zero time in showing that such a setback wouldn’t hold them back in the long term. Montreal returned to the ice for the first time in ten days on Tuesday, and made their presence known with a 4-0 win against the Oilers. It took just eighteen seconds to get their first goal, and it came from Jesperi Kotkaniemi, who was one of the two players on COVID protocol. Talk about a statement!

The Canadiens continued their momentum on Thursday with a tidy 4-1 win over the Senators, ending Ottawa’s five-game point streak. What’s particularly impressive with these pair of games is the underlying data. Montreal out-attempted their opponents 104-63 at 5-on-5, out-shot them 64-35, led the slot-chance battle 21-9, and had a whopping 4.9 to 2 edge in expected goals. While the circumstances of their ten days between games were not ideal, that much rest no doubt comes as an advantage at this stage in a high-pace season.

The big question in this equation appears to be Joel Armia, the second player on the protocol list. He has since been listed as a non-roster player, suggesting that he isn’t out of the woods just yet. His return remains unknown, and hopefully comes with pace and with good health.

Ottawa Senators – College Prospects Come into Focus

While the Senators had a surprisingly good run of form halted by the Senators on Thursday, there were some positives to take out of the day. The team announced that two of their top collegiate prospects, Shane Pinto and Jacob Bernard-Docker, had both signed three-year entry level deals, ending their NCAA careers and officially going pro.

Bernard-Docker, a 2018 first-round pick, joins the Sens after being named the NCHC conference’s defenceman of the year on March 10^th. Pinto, who was selected in the second round of the 2019 draft, was the conference’s Forward of the Year and Defensive Forward of the year and is a finalist for the 2021 Hobey Baker Award, in recognition of the country’s best college player. Both 20 year old players are expected to join the Senators upon passing through quarantine protocol, which gives the fans a taste of the team’s future while giving the players a contract advantage, as it will burn the first years of those deals.

One player who the team appears to not be adding to their roster from their second home in North Dakota is 2020 first-rounder Jake Sanderson. Despite an insanely impressive, near point-per-game year as a Draft+1 defenceman with the Fighting Hawks, he’s decided to stick it out for a little while longer. This likely makes sense, as the youngest of the group. With his two past and future teammates moving on to the pros, among others, he’ll take on a more substantial role in the program next year. That can only do him good, perhaps more-so than being a minnow in Ottawa or Belleville.

Toronto Maple Leafs – Some Play, No Power

It’s absolutely befuddling to watch the Toronto Maple Leafs fail again and again to convert on the powerplay right now. After starting the season by converting on 38% of their powerplay opportunities (15 for 39) in their first dozen games, they’ve now converted on just one of their last 28 attempts in their past dozen. It’s such a bad slump that, thanks to Alex Kerfoot’s Wednesday night tally, the team has more goals on the penalty kill since March 4th than they do on the powerplay.

What makes this all the more confusing? It’s not for a lack of effort or opportunity. Toronto sits 6^th in shot attempts per hour on the powerplay since this slump began, and 1^st in shot attempts in the slot. The issues come when you realize that many of these shots aren’t actually making their way to the goal (21^st in shots on goal per hour), and the ones that do just flat out aren’t going in (2.7%, by far the worst in the league).

So how do you fix something that’s broken in result, but relatively stable in process? Without ripping apart the X’s and O’s of a competent unit too deeply, I’d look into their two star centres. In Auston Matthews, you have a case of a player who might just need more time to get to 100% health, as losing that generational shot’s full capacity will obviously change the dynamic of a special teams unit. I also wonder if there would be some benefit to tinkering with John Tavares’ role. Switching him from unit one to two to give another shooting threat to the big unit was a move already made by the coaching staff this week, and I like that, but I’d also consider giving him a bit more net-front time and letting someone else take the “bumper” role. As great as his brains are for keeping everyone moving, getting a few net-front chances might be able to give the unit a boost and give him some momentum to carry into the rest of his game.

VANCOUVER, BC - MARCH 22: Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko (35) tracks the play during their NHL game against the Winnipeg Jets at Rogers Arena on March 22, 2021 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire)

Vancouver Canucks – Demko’s Payday

The Vancouver Canucks have locked in their long-term solution in between the pipes – at least, that’s what they’re betting on. While the team hasn’t officially released an announcement just yet, it has been all but confirmed that they have signed 25-year-old Thatcher Demko to a five-year contract extension, coming in at a $25 million total or $5 million AAV.

This one is complicated to fully evaluate given Demko’s history, or lack thereof, in the league. To date, the 2014 second rounder has only played 62 NHL games, and hasn’t played a 50-game season at any level. He has played a starter’s workload at the collegiate level, but in a shorter season, half a decade prior to today. He’s played 40+ games in two AHL seasons, but that’s closer to a 1A workload than a true starter’s shift.

On the flip side, though, this means that his body hasn’t seen the mileage that most netminders being handed a long-term crease would, and in the games he has played over the years, he’s been lights out. A 0.928 SV% in 98 games in the NCAA, 0.915 SV% in 107 AHL games, and a 0.911 SV% to start his NHL tenure are all very good signs that he’s the netminder they initially started their bet on seven years ago. This season in particular has seen him perform as the team’s MVP. I’m not huge on term for any goaltender, but five years seems to be a reasonable balance of security for both sides given his age and lack of wear-and-tear.

The next challenge for the Canucks? Find a way to make Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes fall into place – oh, and extend Ian Clark, the Goalie Coach that’s helped Demko get to where he is today.

Winnipeg Jets – Oh Captain, No Captain?

The Winnipeg Jets may soon face a challenge that they’ve never really had to deal with in their history. Since their first opening night in 2011/12, Blake Wheeler has been there for them, missing just six games in this rendition of franchise history.

An injury suffered in the second period of Winnipeg’s loss to the Maple Leafs on Wednesday, however, may disrupt that. The exact type and cause of injury are still unknown, along with a timeline for his departure from the lineup – if there’s any at all. Earlier in the season, Wheeler played through an undisclosed injury, though critics will point out that his first month or so of play was inconsistent and often lacking off of the puck. All the same, the 34-year-old has chipped away at those early struggles in recent weeks and losing him would mean the Jets lose a near point-per-game player who adds his leadership as team captain, a physical edge, and contributions on both sides of the ice.

What plays to Winnipeg’s benefit here, invertedly, is the schedule. While a decision will have to be made for tonight’s rematch against Toronto, their next two games against the Vancouver Canucks have been postponed due to COVID-19 protocols, giving them six days off until they face Montreal next Thursday. If it’s a minor ailment, this should give him the time to recover.

McKeen’s 2020-21 Hockey Yearbook: Ottawa Senators Top 20 Prospects

Rachel Howard — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 20:17:21 +0000

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

Tim Stuetzle, LW/C (3^rd overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Stuetzle has seen a steady rise last year thanks to his strong play at all levels. What makes him so dangerous and dynamic is his combination of dazzling puck skill with high end skating, featuring an explosive first few steps with elite agility. He also has an effortless stride and can change direction on a dime. He can maintain possession of the puck while in full stride, or through sudden movements East/West. His hands are elite, he can corral passes while at full speed, or stickhandle through traffic without being touched. A pass first player, he creates for linemates and demonstrates excellent vision at a fast pace. While he commits the occasional turnover, he generally makes good decisions in the offensive zone, understanding when to push the pace and when to slow things down, when to take risks and when to play conservatively. He still needs to grow as a three-zone player, improving his engagement level in the defensive end. Stuetzle may still require additional strength for the NHL level, but things are moving in the right direction. He makes those around him better and has the high-end skating ability to dictate pace at the NHL level. – BO

Jake Sanderson, D (5^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Looking like a solid, if unspectacular, prospect entering the year, Sanderson exploded in the second half, playing at a very high pace, leading the rush more often, generating chaos in the offensive end. Instead of holding the puck passively at the point, or walking the blueline to seek out openings, he would zip up the wall and find a horizontal lane instead. He was also a physical force off the puck. The biggest difference from the first half to the second was in his acceleration. He now explodes out of a static position and reaches overdrive immediately. This brought explosiveness to every facet of his game. He was more comfortable shooting the puck. His passing game also played up, by activating more in the offensive zone, looking for horizontal and diagonal passing lanes. His hands played as fast as his feet. His physical game also went up a few notches, and he regularly laid opponents flat just by dropping a shoulder. Finally, Sanderson’s ability to read the game became more uncanny at his new top speed. He now looks like a potential number one as long as he keeps the gains he has made last season. – RW

Jacob Bernard-Docker, D (26^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 1)

Having continued to watch Bernard-Docker develop with the Fighting Hawks as well as with Team Canada at the WJC, we see a defender who reasonably projects as a first pairing blueliner at the NHL level, playing upwards of 25 minutes a minutes a night, in all situations, and shutting down the opposition’s finest. The native Albertan does everything at an above average level, but has high end hockey IQ, allowing the entire package to play better than the sum of his parts. Without being a dynamic skater, he moves his feet very well. He can be both safe and creative when he carries the puck out of his zone. He is not a blueline bomber, but he has a very impressive wrist shot from the point that he can use to pick out targets when he takes his time. His own zone play is remarkable for his mature positioning and tight gap control. As a right handed shot, there will soon be room for Bernard-Docker to line up alongside Thomas Chabot, giving the Senators a long term first pairing (not to mention the other great blueline prospects in the Ottawa system) that can play against anyone and excel. - RW

Josh Norris, C (Trade: Sep. 13, 2018. Originally: 19^th overall, 2017 [San Jose]. Previous ranking: 2)

Norris finished his rookie pro season leading Belleville in points and earning a brief three game stint with the big club. Although he is a great playmaker and team player, his shot, paired with his individual effort on the ice, are what make him a deadly player. The fact that he finished nearly even in both goals and assists is indicative of the versatility of his offensive contributions. Norris is a good-sized forward and a strong skater. He is agile, reads the play well, and possesses an NHL level skillset with hands and a shot to go alongside his skating abilities. He has a full bag of tricks with no real negatives in his game, all working together to make his transition from college to the pros practically seamless. He is approaching NHL readiness and will be seen again in an Ottawa Senators jersey as soon as next season, if not full time then at least as Ottawa’s first forward call up. He is a naturally good all-round player with a high ceiling and the potential to be a first line forward, top six at the very least, when his time comes back in the NHL. - SC

Drake Batherson, C (121^st overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 3)

Batherson still has a few small details to touch up and tighten up with his game, but overall he has grown tremendously as a player and his maturity has come a long way with time spent up with Ottawa as well as on the farm. As a hard-working forward who plays both wing and center, he is versatile and can also be relied upon to play both powerplay and penalty kill. He is a good two-way player but can still work to improve his defensive coverage and play with more patience in his own end. As a bigger forward, Batherson has the potential to be a very dominant force when it comes to getting to the net and finishing plays but he will have to be more confident on NHL ice, which will come with time. He is almost at the point now where he has outgrown the AHL and is ready for a bigger challenge. He should have no worries when it comes to making a full-time adjustment to the league and finding a spot in the Ottawa top six in the near future. - SC

Alex Formenton, LW (47^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 4)

Formenton is the type of forward that every team should have, fast and forechecks well, handles battles safely, keeps his feet moving, and has the offensive mindset of a natural goal scorer. He will need to find a way to better protect his own end and work on his two way mindset, but other than that, he simply needs to maintain the same performance level and high energy when he gets called back up. He stands out, which means he needs to find a way to up his confidence and force his way to a prominent role. This past season with Belleville there were issues with consistency of effort and speed and as he relies heavily on his high end top speed, he will need to bring consistent effort each game in order to fulfill his potential and be deserving of a full-time, permanent spot with Ottawa. Formenton has the skillset, the speed, and the potential to be a top six forward but he cannot simply coast. - SC

Shane Pinto, C (32^nd overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 5)

A very late bloomer, Pinto is now developing at a rapid clip. He has enough muscle on his 6-3” frame to play in a power role, hanging out near the opposition net and preventing defenders from dislodging him. Not only does he serve as a distraction for the netminder, but he also is an ace shot tipper, demonstrating high end hand-eye coordination to get his blade on point shots in mid-air and angling them just so to squeak past the goalie. He uses his body well when carrying the puck, to shield defenders off, and maintain possession of the puck. There is little fancy about his game, as he is most effective playing largely in straight, North-South lines, but he can be extremely effective as a foil for two more highly skilled linemates. Most comfortable below the hashmarks, Pinto still has many possible outcomes for his career. He can fit anywhere in the middle six, including both at center and at right wing, where I think he might ultimately be most effective. One more year of consistent performance, and possibly a little extra jam would prove that he is ready for the pros. - RW

Ridly Greig, C (28^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Always on the hunt, Greig looks to play through defenders on the forecheck to separate them from the puck. Occasionally he crosses the line and could stand to improve his discipline, however his tenacity provides a ton of value. He excels down low and along the wall, where he works hard to gain or prolong possession. He is also aggressive in driving through the middle, crashing the net for scoring opportunities. With his high energy level, he excels as a three-zone player and penalty killer. Greig is also a highly intelligent player, who maximizes his own skills while playing an effective two-way game. He impresses with his ability to play at his pace, how he uses space and how he can hold the puck for that extra second to create a passing seam. A high-volume shooter, he is aggressive in putting pucks on net with a quick release. He demonstrates good vision, with his head up working the half wall and the cycle. He keeps his feet moving, providing constant energy. Greig can impact the game in many different ways and is sure to become a fan favorite because of his intensity level on the ice. – BO

Logan Brown, C (11^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 6)

Despite being able to transfer all his skills and his game to the AHL, Brown, a former high first round pick, seemed to have trouble converting those same skills to the NHL, notwithstanding his offensive production. During the time spent up with Ottawa last season, he seemed to have difficulty adjusting to the pace of the NHL, meaning he will need to quicken the pace at which he moves the puck as well as his overall footspeed heading into next season. Brown is a strong player with a very big body and a lot of talent. If he can find a way to get to the net consistently and make faster plays, he will be a deadly playmaker and a forward who is a bear to stop. He has good hands, a hard shot, and a good eye during odd man rushes that would all be welcomed assets to Ottawa’s bottom six when he is up to speed with his game. - SC

Lassi Thomson, D (19^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 7)

Thomson’s first pro season was a somewhat difficult one. As a first round NHL Draft pick, he joined Ilves with high expectations, yet he struggled with consistency and decision making from time to time. He was the captain of the Finnish team at the World Juniors, but even there his play left a lot to be desired. He is a very physical defenseman who hits with authority when defending. He does not shy away from contact, plays the body and is tough to play against. He can close gaps quickly with his skating speed. His acceleration is very good, and he can carry the puck from his own end. Thomson has a hard, heavy slap shot and one-timer with good wind up. His wrist shot is accurate, and he can release it without much set up. His decision making, especially with the puck, was an occasional issue in the past season. The potential that he displayed in the WHL is still there, he just needs to put all the pieces of his game together. In the long run, Thomson projects as a top-four NHL defenseman with special teams’ assets. – MB

Tyler Kleven, D (44^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

While the game moves more and more towards speed and skill, Tyler Kleven is the epitome of the old school. The USNTDP grad has a frame and game that is very reminiscent of fellow Program alum Mattias Samuelsson. He is 6-4”, broad, and specializes working in his own zone. Rarely involved directly in the offensive game, he actually has some decent offensive tools, primarily his powerful point shot. Unfortunately, he rarely fires the puck. He moves the puck well, and can play with it, but prefers to make simple passes, either D-to-D in his own zone, or the occasional break-out pass crossing one or two lines. On the other hand, he frequently bangs the puck off the glass to exit the zone. On the other hand, Kleven is a shutdown defender using positioning, a smart stick, and his long frame. He reads the opposition very well and consistently gets himself into shooting and passing lanes to disrupt the attack. He has the strength and desire to stop opponents in a way they will remember. Not as exciting as Sanderson or Bernard-Docker, but Kleven can eat a lot of minutes at even strength and the PK. – RW

Roby Jarventie, RW (33^rd overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

A big winger who can skate, Jarventie is blessed with power in his stride that allows him to be an effective North/South attacker. He is a skilled goal scorer, possessing multiple weapons to find the back of the net. His inconsistent draft year could be tied to his physicality and moreover his play without the puck, which still need work. He doesn’t use his reach and frame to play through the middle enough, and he can be too easily pushed off the puck when unable to beat defenders wide with his speed. There is hope that these issues become rectified as he completes his physical maturing. His speed is an asset in transition, especially combined with his strong lateral mobility. Defenders have a difficult time minding their gaps and keeping him in front of them. Additionally, he has a great touch around the net and anticipates the play well as a shooter. His wrist shot is hard and accurate, and he can one-time pucks from the faceoff dot on the powerplay. Jarventie has middle six NHL potential and his early work this season in Liiga may be a hint of what is to come. – BO

Vitali Abramov, RW (Trade: Feb. 22, 2019. Originally: 65^th overall, 2016 [Columbus]. Previous ranking: 8)

Abramov is yet another positive example of a trade working out well for both the Ottawa organization and the player personally, and since moving from the Columbus organization to the Senators, he has seen much better results. Abramov finished fourth in points with AHL Belleville this past season amidst the tight prospect scoring race featuring a number of intriguing young talents in this system. He is a small forward, but he makes up for his lack of size by bringing a lot of skill and hockey sense to the game. He is well positioned, has good hands, and makes plays quickly and efficiently with few turnovers. His primary challenge will be to continue to push his physicality and better his strength when fighting for position in front of the opposing net. Expect to see Abramov called up again next season for a longer stint as part of the Ottawa bottom six as he strives for a bigger future role with the club. - SC

Kevin Mandolese, G (157^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 9)

Mandolese earned the top Q goalie honors last season by refining his game and using his frame to the best of his ability, putting together the best season so far in his career. While he is quick and athletic enough to make highlight reel saves every game, he has harnessed his fundamental skills to make repeatable saves much more consistently last year and was rewarded for it. He has the size scouts look for in a goalie and will be given time to marinate on the farm in the Sens system. The Senators rewarded him with an entry-level deal this offseason, and Mandolese will look to start his pro career this coming season, likely as a backup at the AHL level or as a starter at a lower level. He will take a while, but Ottawa could be rewarded with a cat-like goalie that uses his size efficiently. - MS

Artyom Zub, D (Undrafted Free Agent, signed May 1, 2020. Previous ranking: 10)

In his fifth full season in the KHL, Zub more than doubled his previous career high in points, putting up 22 for the perennially contending SKA St. Petersburg club. The right-handed shot with good size, Zub does a lot of things well, suggesting a high floor, and near term NHL readiness, but there is conversely little about his game that sticks out as well above average, thus seemingly putting a cap on his ceiling. The Olympic Gold Medalist skates well but is not a burner. He has a decent wrist shot and solid puck handling ability, capable of carrying the puck from the blueline to the slot, but nothing dynamic. He is reliable and tends to make the right decision but is not a shutdown defender. He is big enough but not overly physical. There were 10 Russian blueliners in the NHL last year, four of which came over as free agents. Of those free agent imports, only new Ottawa teammate Nikita Zaitsev is a full-fledged regular. If he can be more Zaitsev than Ilya Lubushkin, Alexander Yelesin, or Nikolai Knyzhov, the Senators will rightly be pleased. - RW

Mads Sogaard, G (37^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 11)

Sogaard has the prototypical body type that pro teams covet. He is long and lean, and his 6-7” frame makes him an intimidating presence in the net for even the best shooters. His GAA dropped a from an outstanding .921 in his draft year to a still respectable .908 last season. Overall, he didn’t show much improvement in his deficient areas last season which was a bit disappointing. His five hole is still a problem and if opponents get him moving laterally there is room to get pucks through. He is still a bit leaky where a puck will hit him and he loses control of it, either leading to a tap-in, or the puck trickling by him. The positives are certainly still there, though. He is a true puck stopper with good ability to track the puck. His butterfly is solid and when he goes down his shoulders still cover the top of the net. This allows him to cover his post top to bottom while still being in position to protect the lower part of the net laterally. His deficiencies all have coachable fixes, so he still holds a lot of promise. - VG

Joey Daccord, G (199^th overall, 2015. Previous ranking: 12)

Despite the fact that Daccord spent the start of last season back down in the ECHL, he quickly proved that he was much better suited for the AHL. He ended up splitting the Belleville Senators starts pretty evenly over the second half with fellow goaltender prospect Filip Gustavsson. Daccord plays a structured and calm game, bringing focus and good puck tracking skills to the table. He reads plays well and gets into good position. As a rookie goaltender last year, he adjusted well and is still continuing to make the necessary adjustments needed to continue improving. Daccord needs to make sure to not overplay the puck too much or bite too soon on certain plays and when facing dekes, but the more he plays, the more he will familiarize himself with players and situations and improve his reactions. He has not been the quickest to develop and it is tough to say when he will reach starting level but with the way the Ottawa goaltending situation looks, look for Daccord to at least get one call up next season and even a few starts. - SC

Maxence Guenette, D (187^thoverall, 2019. Previous ranking: 14)

Guénette is very good at some aspects of the game and even his worst skills grade out as decent. His best asset is his skating ability. He doesn’t overstep his skillset and try to make plays he can’t finish, and he stays within himself to be a reliable rearguard. His plus-minus, while a controversial stat, was a -11 last season, which is a marked improvement over his previous two campaigns, and he was the highest scoring defenseman on his team. The biggest plus for Guénette last season is the alternate captain A on his sweater in Val-d’Or, as that shows that not only is he a good defenseman in all facets of the game, but he shows character and leadership as well. He will return to the QMJHL next season, where he will look to dominate at times, as he is fighting for an entry level contract. If his trajectory continues, he could become a dependable defender for an NHL team someday, but it will be an uphill climb. - MS

Mark Kastelic, C (125^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 15)

Kastelic has the size that teams covet down the middle. He is a meat and potatoes player who does his best offensive work by using his body on the forecheck. Once in the offensive zone he is a cycle machine who can protect the puck and drive the net, creating sustained offensive pressure that leads to mistakes and scoring opportunities for his team. At 6-3” 220 pounds he isn’t the best skater, but he has improved enough that he should be able to keep up with play at the pro level. Physically he is a dominating player and controls the net front on the power play with his body and frame. He makes good sound decisions and can keep his hands free to jump on rebounds or move pucks out of the scrum to an open man. 25 of his 37 goals last season came from below the dots. He plays in the hard areas of the ice and is able to make plays when he is there. He does a nice job defensively down low supporting his defenseman and was a top faceoff guy in the entire WHL, where he took the fourth most draws in the league and won an impressive 61.5% of them. – VG

Filip Gustavsson, G (Trade Feb. 23, 2017. Originally: 55^th overall, 2016 [Pittsburgh]. Previous ranking: 16)

Once a junior aged wunderkind in Sweden, Gustavsson has struggled mightily since coming over to North America, shortly after Pittsburgh dealt him to Ottawa in a deadline trade in 2017. He can still flash some of the tools that made him a highly touted teenager, starring for Team Sweden at multiple youth tournaments. He has moderate size and decent athleticism. His technical game is sound, and he has a knack for playing the puck more than many other Swedish netminders. Looking at his production this year in Sweden’s second division while he waits out the pandemic, we can see that he still has the potential to overcome his rough North American beginnings, and there really isn’t much separating Gustavsson from the three other goalies who are higher on this list. He specifically needs to improve his play reading and rebound control in North America, but what separates him from being a standout once again is one extra stop every second game. Now that the Senators have traded for – and extended - Matt Murray, perhaps the pressure to be a savior will drop from Gustavsson’s shoulders and he can play more relaxed once he returns to the AHL. - RW

McKeen’s 2020-21 Hockey Yearbook: Top 300 Prospect Rankings

McKeen's Hockey — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 17:09:56 +0000

These are our final prospect ranking prior to the start of the season. As a subscriber you can download the list in an excel chart and can link to the player pages in the chart found here. As always, the rankings you see below are based on our 20-80 scouting system looking at five categories for skaters (Skating, Shot, Puck Skills, Hockey Smarts, Physicality) and six for netminders (Athleticism/Quickness/Speed, Compete/Temperament, Vision/Play Reading, Technique/Style, Rebound Control, Puck Handling). Our prospect team spent large portions of their last few months pre-COVID in the rinks, watching the players below and many others, and further work on video (Instat Hockey has been a terrific resource in recent days) before passing judgement on their future projections.

The 20-80 scouting system is meant to allow players from different leagues in different parts of the world to be compared to one another, such that grades on a player in the OHL can be directly compared to grades from an AHL player, and to grades of someone playing in the MHL.

PROSPECT CRITERIA

Players under 26 years of age as of the September 15th prior (Sep. 15, 1994) to the season in question who have appeared in less than 60 NHL games (30 for goalies) and less than 35 in any one season – or 25 last year (20 for goalies, 15 last season) are considered prospects

RANK	PLAYER	NHL	POS	AGE	HT/WT	ACQUIRED
1	Alexis Lafreniere	NYR	LW	19	6-1/195	`20(1st)
2	Tim Stutzle	Ott	C	18	6-1/185	`20(3rd)
3	Quinton Byfield	LA	C	18	6-4/215	`20(2nd)
4	Trevor Zegras	Ana	C	19	6-0/170	`19(9th)
5	Kirill Kaprizov	Min	LW	23	5-10/200	`15(135th)
6	Lucas Raymond	Det	LW	18	5-11/170	`20(4th)
7	Dylan Cozens	Buf	C	19	6-3/185	`19(7th)
8	Bowen Byram	Col	D	19	6-0/195	`19(4th)
9	Peyton Krebs	VGK	C	19	5-11/180	`19(17th)
10	Jake Sanderson	Ott	D	18	6-1/185	`20(5th)
11	Moritz Seider	Det	D	19	6-3/185	`19(6th)
12	Jamie Drysdale	Ana	D	18	5-11/175	`20(6th)
13	Igor Shesterkin	NYR	G	25	6-1/190	`14(118th)
14	Alexander Holtz	NJ	RW	18	6-0/190	`20(7th)
15	Cole Perfetti	Wpg	LW	19	5-10/180	`20(10th)
16	Marco Rossi	Min	C	19	5-9/185	`20(9th)
17	Vasili Podkolzin	Van	RW	19	6-1/190	`19(10th)
18	Victor Soderstrom	Ari	D	19	5-11/180	`19(11th)
19	Nick Robertson	Tor	LW	19	5-9/160	`19(53rd)
20	Cole Caufield	Mtl	RW	19	5-7/165	`19(15th)
21	Yaroslav Askarov	Nsh	G	18	6-3/175	`20(11th)
22	Spencer Knight	Fla	G	19	6-3/195	`19(13th)
23	Philip Broberg	Edm	D	19	6-3/200	`19(8th)
24	Jack Quinn	Buf	RW	19	6-0/180	`20(8th)
25	Matthew Boldy	Min	LW	19	6-1/190	`19(12th)
26	Nils Lundkvist	NYR	D	20	5-11/180	`18(28th)
27	Seth Jarvis	Car	RW	18	5-10/175	`20(13th)
28	Ty Smith	NJ	D	20	5-10/180	`18(17th)
29	Grigori Denisenko	Fla	LW	20	5-11/185	`18(15th)
30	Barrett Hayton	Ari	C	20	6-1/190	`18(5th)
31	Alex Newhook	Col	C	19	5-10/195	`19(16th)
32	Thomas Harley	Dal	D	19	6-3/190	`19(18th)
33	Alex Turcotte	LA	C	19	5-11/185	`19(5th)
34	Vitali Kravtsov	NYR	RW	21	6-3/185	`18(9th)
35	Philip Tomasino	Nsh	C	19	5-11/180	`19(24th)
36	Connor McMichael	Wsh	C	19	5-11/175	`19(25th)
37	Dawson Mercer	NJ	C	19	6-0/180	`20(18th)
38	Ilya Sorokin	NYI	G	25	6-2/180	`14(78th)
39	Gabriel Vilardi	LA	RW	21	6-3/200	`17(11th)
40	Ryan Merkley	SJ	D	20	5-11/170	`18(21st)
41	Alexander Romanov	Mtl	D	20	5-11/185	`18(38th)
42	Kaiden Guhle	Mtl	D	18	6-2/190	`20(16th)
43	Samuel Poulin	Pit	LW	19	6-1/205	`19(21st)
44	K'Andre Miller	NYR	D	20	6-3/205	`18(22nd)
45	Scott Perunovich	StL	D	22	5-10/175	`18(45th)
46	Evan Bouchard	Edm	D	21	6-2/195	`18(10th)
47	Braden Schneider	NYR	D	19	6-2/200	`20(19th)
48	Juuso Valimaki	Cgy	D	22	6-2/205	`17(16th)
49	Cam York	Phi	D	19	5-11/175	`19(14th)
50	Anton Lundell	Fla	C	19	6-1/185	`20(12th)
51	Morgan Frost	Phi	C	21	5-11/180	`17(27th)
52	Owen Tippett	Fla	RW	21	6-1/200	`17(10th)
53	Albert Johansson	Det	D	19	5-11/165	`19(60th)
54	Liam Foudy	CBJ	C	20	6-0/175	`18(18th)
55	Kieffer Bellows	NYI	LW	22	6-0/200	`16(19th)
56	Arthur Kaliyev	LA	RW	19	6-2/190	`19(33rd)
57	Oliver Wahlstrom	NYI	RW	20	6-1/205	`18(11th)
58	Nils Hoglander	Van	RW	20	5-9/185	`19(40th)
59	Matias Maccelli	Ari	LW	20	5-11/170	`19(98th)
60	Tobias Bjornfot	LA	D	19	6-0/200	`19(22nd)
61	Jacob Bernard-Docker	Ott	D	20	6-0/180	`18(26th)
62	Connor Zary	Cgy	C	19	6-0/180	`20(24th)
63	Dominik Bokk	Car	RW	20	6-1/180	T(StL-9/19)
64	Ryan Suzuki	Car	C	19	6-0/180	`19(28th)
65	Dylan Samberg	Wpg	D	21	6-3/190	`17(43rd)
66	Jake Bean	Car	D	22	6-1/175	`16(13th)
67	Josh Norris	Ott	C	21	6-1/195	T(SJ-9/18)
68	Rasmus Kupari	LA	C	20	6-1/185	`18(20th)
69	Jakob Pelletier	Cgy	LW	19	5-9/165	`19(26th)
70	Drake Batherson	Ott	RW	22	6-1/190	`17(121st)
71	Jan Jenik	Ari	RW	20	6-1/180	`18(65th)
72	John-Jason Peterka	Buf	LW	18	5-11/190	`20(34th)
73	Kirill Marchenko	CBJ	LW	20	6-3/190	`18(49th)
74	Bode Wilde	NYI	D	20	6-2/195	`18(41st)
75	John Beecher	Bos	C	19	6-3/210	`19(30th)
76	Tyler Madden	LA	C	21	5-10/155	T(Van-2/20)
77	Jack Studnicka	Bos	C	21	6-1/170	`17(53rd)
78	Jake Oettinger	Dal	G	22	6-4/210	`17(26th)
79	Alex Formenton	Ott	LW	21	6-2/165	`17(47th)
80	Matthew Robertson	NYR	D	19	6-3/200	`19(49th)
81	Calen Addison	Min	D	20	5-10/180	T(Pit-2/20)
82	Ty Dellandrea	Dal	C	20	6-0/185	`18(13th)
83	Akil Thomas	LA	C	20	5-11/170	`18(51st)
84	Mavrik Bourque	Dal	C	18	5-10/180	`20(30th)
85	Ian Mitchell	Chi	D	21	5-11/175	`17(57th)
86	Jason Robertson	Dal	LW	21	6-2/195	`17(39th)
87	Hendrix Lapierre	Wsh	C	18	5-11/180	`20(22nd)
88	Brendan Brisson	VGK	C	19	5-11/180	`20(29th)
89	Theodor Niederbach	Det	C	18	5-11/175	`20(51st)
90	Zac Jones	NYR	D	20	5-10/175	`19(68th)
91	Robert Mastrosimone	Det	LW	19	5-10/160	`19(54th)
92	Joe Veleno	Det	C	20	6-1/195	`18(30th)
93	Rodion Amirov	Tor	LW	19	6-0/170	`20(15th)
94	Jake Neighbours	StL	LW	18	5-11/195	`20(26th)
95	Julien Gauthier	NYR	RW	23	6-4/225	T(Car-2/20)
96	Justus Annunen	Col	G	20	6-4/215	`18(64th)
97	Egor Zamula	Phi	D	20	6-4/175	FA(9/18)
98	Shane Pinto	Ott	C	20	6-2/190	`19(32nd)
99	Noel Gunler	Car	RW	19	6-2/175	`20(41st)
100	Ridly Greig	Ott	C	18	5-11/165	`20(28th)
101	Jesse Ylonen	Mtl	RW	21	6-1/185	`18(35th)
102	Samuel Fagemo	LA	RW	20	6-0/195	`19(50th)
103	Mattias Norlinder	Mtl	D	20	5-11/180	`19(64th)
104	Olli Juolevi	Van	D	22	6-3/200	`16(5th)
105	Kristian Vesalainen	Wpg	LW	21	6-3/205	`17(24th)
106	Raphael Lavoie	Edm	RW	20	6-4/195	`19(38th)
107	Jan Mysak	Mtl	C	18	5-11/180	`20(49th)
108	Cayden Primeau	Mtl	G	21	6-3/180	`17(199th)
109	Pavel Dorofeyev	VGK	LW	20	6-1/170	`19(79th)
110	Morgan Barron	NYR	C	22	6-2/200	`17(174th)
111	Ville Heinola	Wpg	D	19	5-11/180	`19(20th)
112	Dylan Holloway	Edm	C	19	6-0/205	`20(14th)
113	Jack Dugan	VGK	RW	22	6-2/185	`17(142nd)
114	Alexander Khovanov	Min	C	20	5-11/195	`18(86th)
115	Jacob Perreault	Ana	RW	18	5-11/195	`20(27th)
116	Jake Evans	Mtl	C	24	6-0/185	`14(207th)
117	Adam Beckman	Min	LW	19	6-1/170	`19(75th)
118	Jett Woo	Van	D	20	6-0/205	`18(37th)
119	Nolan Foote	NJ	LW	20	6-3/190	T(TB-2/20)
120	Logan Brown	Ott	C	22	6-6/220	`16(11th)
121	Martin Kaut	Col	RW	21	6-1/175	`18(16th)
122	Jack Rathbone	Van	D	21	5-10/175	`17(95th)
123	Ozzy Wiesblatt	SJ	RW	18	5-10/185	`20(31st)
124	Ryan O'Rourke	Min	D	18	6-0/180	`20(39th)
125	Lukas Reichel	Chi	LW	18	6-0/170	`20(17th)
126	Jordan Harris	Mtl	D	20	5-11/180	`18(71st)
127	Lukas Dostal	Ana	G	20	6-1/170	`18(85th)
128	Egor Afanasyev	Nsh	RW	19	6-3/205	`19(45th)
129	Conor Timmins	Col	D	22	6-1/185	`17(32nd)
130	Lassi Thomson	Ott	D	20	6-0/190	`19(19th)
131	Eeli Tolvanen	Nsh	RW	21	5-10/175	`17(30th)
132	Kasper Simontaival	LA	RW	18	5-9/180	`20(66th)
133	Roni Hirvonen	Tor	C	18	5-9/165	`20(59th)
134	Thomas Bordeleau	SJ	C	18	5-9/180	`20(38th)
135	Benoit-Olivier Groulx	Ana	C	20	6-1/195	`18(54th)
136	Tyler Kleven	Ott	D	18	6-4/200	`20(44th)
137	Tyson Foerster	Phi	C	18	6-1/195	`20(23rd)
138	Helge Grans	LA	D	18	6-2/205	`20(35th)
139	Jonathan Dahlen	SJ	LW	23	5-11/185	T(Van-2/19)
140	Marat Khusnutdinov	Min	C	18	5-11/175	`20(37th)
141	Alexander Alexeyev	Wsh	D	21	6-3/200	`18(31st)
142	Pierre-Olivier Joseph	Pit	D	21	6-2/170	`17(23rd)
143	Topi Niemela	Tor	D	18	5-10/160	`20(64th)
144	Oskari Laaksonen	Buf	D	21	6-2/165	`17(89th)
145	Filip Hallander	Tor	LW	20	6-1/185	T(Pit-8/20)
146	Serron Noel	Fla	RW	20	6-5/205	`18(34th)
147	Martin Chromiak	LA	LW	18	6-0/185	`20(128th)
148	Shakir Mukhamadullin	NJ	D	18	6-3/180	`20(20th)
149	Mattias Samuelsson	Buf	D	20	6-3/215	`18(32nd)
150	Janne Kuokkanen	NJ	LW	22	6-1/190	T(Car-2/20)
151	Ryan Johnson	Buf	D	19	6-0/175	`19(31st)
152	Sean Farrell	Mtl	C	19	5-8/175	`20(124th)
153	Martin Fehervary	Wsh	D	21	6-1/190	`18(46th)
154	Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen	Buf	G	21	6-4/195	`17(54th)
155	Will Lockwood	Van	RW	22	5-11/175	`16(64th)
156	Isac Lundestrom	Ana	C	21	6-0/185	`18(23rd)
157	Michael DiPietro	Van	G	21	6-0/195	`17(64th)
158	Jonatan Berggren	Det	RW	20	5-10/185	`18(33rd)
159	Kevin Bahl	NJ	D	20	6-6/230	T(Ari-12/19)
160	Aliaksei Protas	Wsh	C	19	6-5/205	`19(91st)
161	Reilly Walsh	NJ	D	21	5-11/180	`17(81st)
162	Nick Abruzzese	Tor	C	21	5-9/160	`19(124th)
163	Tyler Tucker	StL	D	20	6-1/205	`18(200th)
164	Arseni Gritsyuk	NJ	RW	19	5-10/170	`19(129th)
165	Klim Kostin	StL	C	21	6-3/195	`17(31st)
166	Brayden Tracey	Ana	LW	19	6-0/175	`19(29th)
167	Joel Hofer	StL	G	20	6-3/160	`18(107th)
168	Joey Anderson	Tor	RW	22	6-0/195	T(NJ-10/20)
169	Yegor Spiridonov	SJ	C	19	6-2/195	`19(108th)
170	Sam Colangelo	Ana	RW	19	6-1/205	`20(36th)
171	Joey Keane	Car	D	21	6-0/185	T(NYR-2/20)
172	Jared McIsaac	Det	D	20	6-1/195	`18(36th)
173	Jamieson Rees	Car	C	19	5-10/175	`19(44th)
174	Ivan Morozov	VGK	C	20	6-1/180	`18(61st)
175	Rem Pitlick	Nsh	C	23	5-11/200	`16(76th)
176	Tyce Thompson	NJ	RW	21	6-0/170	`19(96th)
177	Michael McLeod	NJ	C	22	6-2/195	`16(12th)
178	Jaret Anderson-Dolan	LA	C	21	5-11/190	`17(41st)
179	Dustin Wolf	Cgy	G	19	6-0/165	`19(214th)
180	Antti Tuomisto	Det	D	19	6-4/190	`19(35th)
181	Brett Berard	NYR	LW	18	5-9/155	`20(134th)
182	Luke Evangelista	Nsh	RW	18	5-11/170	`20(42nd)
183	Joel Blomqvist	Pit	G	18	6-1/180	`20(52nd)
184	Joni Ikonen	Mtl	C	21	5-10/170	`17(58th)
185	Olivier Rodrigue	Edm	G	20	6-1/165	`18(62nd)
186	Lucas Elvenes	VGK	RW	21	6-0/175	`17(127th)
187	Anthony Angello	Pit	RW	24	6-5/205	`14(145th)
188	Tuukka Tieksola	Car	RW	19	5-10/160	`19(121st)
189	Declan Chisholm	Wpg	D	20	6-1/190	`18(150th)
190	Cole Koepke	TB	LW	22	6-1/195	`18(183rd)
191	Valtteri Puustinen	Pit	RW	21	5-9/185	`19(203rd)
192	Ty Smilanic	Fla	C	18	6-1/175	`20(74th)
193	Patrik Puistola	Car	LW	19	6-0/175	`19(73rd)
194	Justin Barron	Col	D	19	6-2/190	`20(25th)
195	Andrew Peeke	CBJ	D	22	6-3/210	`16(34th)
196	Michael Vukojevic	NJ	D	19	6-3/210	`19(82nd)
197	Alec Regula	Chi	D	20	6-3/200	T(Det-10/19)
198	Connor Corcoran	VGK	D	20	6-1/185	`18(154th)
199	Jeremy Swayman	Bos	G	22	6-1/190	`17(111th)
200	Pyotr Kochetkov	Car	G	21	6-1/175	`19(36th)
201	Mikey Anderson	LA	D	21	6-0/195	`17(103rd)
202	Carter Savoie	Edm	LW	18	5-9/190	`20(100th)
203	Samuel Walker	TB	C	21	5-11/160	`17(200th)
204	William Wallinder	Det	D	18	6-4/190	`20(32nd)
205	Jack Drury	Car	C	20	5-11/180	`18(42nd)
206	Emil Andrae	Phi	D	18	5-9/185	`20(54th)
207	Cal Petersen	LA	G	26	6-3/190	FA(7/17)
208	Jeremie Poirier	Cgy	D	18	6-0/200	`20(72nd)
209	Tarmo Reunanen	NYR	D	22	6-0/180	`16(98th)
210	Simon Holmstrom	NYI	RW	19	6-1/185	`19(23rd)
211	Aleksi Saarela	Fla	RW	23	5-11/200	T(Chi-10/19)
212	Anton Johannesson	Wpg	D	18	5-9/155	`20(133rd)
213	Lauri Pajuniemi	NYR	RW	21	6-0/185	`18(132nd)
214	Morgan Geekie	Car	C	22	6-2/180	`17(67th)
215	Shane Bowers	Col	C	21	6-2/190	T(Ott-11/17)
216	Sasha Chmelevski	SJ	C	21	5-11/190	`17(185th)
217	Ruslan Iskhakov	NYI	C	20	5-8/155	`18(43rd)
218	Cole Schwindt	Fla	RW	19	6-2/185	`19(81st)
219	Hugo Alnefelt	TB	G	19	6-3/195	`19(71st)
220	Nikita Okhotyuk	NJ	D	20	6-1/195	`19(61st)
221	Sampo Ranta	Col	LW	20	6-2/205	`18(78th)
222	Alexander Volkov	TB	LW	23	6-1/190	`17(48th)
223	Alexander True	SJ	C	23	6-5/205	FA(7/18)
224	John Leonard	SJ	C	22	5-11/190	`18(182nd)
225	Carl Grundstrom	LA	LW	23	6-0/195	T(Tor-1/19)
226	Dmitri Semykin	TB	D	20	6-3/200	`18(90th)
227	Cal Foote	TB	D	22	6-4/215	`17(14th)
228	Jean-Luc Foudy	Col	C	18	5-11/175	`20(75th)
229	Alex Barre-Boulet	TB	C	23	5-10/165	FA(3/18)
230	Tristen Robins	SJ	RW	19	5-10/175	`20(56th)
231	Max Gildon	Fla	D	21	6-3/190	`17(66th)
232	Nikita Alexandrov	StL	C	20	6-0/180	`19(62nd)
233	Michael Benning	Fla	D	18	5-9/180	`20(95th)
234	Justin Sourdif	Fla	RW	18	5-11/175	`20(87th)
235	Tanner Laczynski	Phi	C	23	6-1/200	`16(169th)
236	Eamon Powell	TB	D	18	5-11/165	`20(116th)
237	Kaedan Korczak	VGK	D	19	6-3/190	`19(41st)
238	Drew Commesso	Chi	G	18	6-1/180	`20(47th)
239	Nikolai Kovalenko	Col	RW	21	5-10/175	`18(171st)
240	Pius Suter	Chi	C	24	5-11/170	FA(7/20)
241	Wade Allison	Phi	RW	23	6-2/205	`16(52nd)
242	Bobby Brink	Phi	RW	19	5-10/165	`19(34th)
243	Lukas Cormier	VGK	D	18	5-10/180	`20(68th)
244	David Farrance	Nsh	D	21	5-11/190	`17(92nd)
245	Roby Jarventie	Ott	RW	18	6-2/185	`20(33rd)
246	Dmitri Voronkov	CBJ	LW	20	6-4/190	`19(114th)
247	German Rubtsov	Phi	C	22	6-2/190	`16(22nd)
248	Vitaly Abramov	Ott	RW	22	5-9/175	T(CBJ-2/19)
249	Alex Laferriere	LA	RW	19	6-0/175	`20(83rd)
250	Trey Fix-Wolansky	CBJ	RW	21	5-8/185	`18(204th)
251	Isaac Ratcliffe	Phi	LW	21	6-5/200	`17(35th)
252	Kale Clague	LA	D	22	6-0/180	`16(51st)
253	Landon Slaggert	Chi	LW	18	5-11/180	`20(79th)
254	Wyatt Kalynuk	Chi	D	23	6-1/180	FA(7/20)
255	Mikko Kokkonen	Tor	D	19	5-11/200	`19(84th)
256	Kevin Mandolese	Ott	G	20	6-4/180	`18(157th)
257	Daniil Tarasov	CBJ	G	21	6-5/185	`17(86th)
258	Evan Barratt	Chi	C	21	6-0/190	`17(90th)
259	Tyler Benson	Edm	LW	22	6-0/200	`16(32nd)
260	Yegor Korshkov	Tor	RW	24	6-4/215	`16(31st)
261	Hunter Skinner	NYR	D	19	6-2/175	`19(112th)
262	Riley Damiani	Dal	C	20	5-9/165	`18(137th)
263	Ryan McLeod	Edm	C	21	6-2/205	`18(40th)
264	Ilya Konovalov	Edm	G	22	6-0/195	`19(85th)
265	Will Cuylle	NYR	LW	18	6-3/205	`20(60th)
266	Evan Vierling	NYR	C	18	6-0/165	`20(127th)
267	Emil Heineman	Fla	LW	19	6-0/180	`20(43rd)
268	Zayde Wisdom	Phi	RW	18	5-10/195	`20(94th)
269	Hunter Jones	Min	G	20	6-4/195	`19(59th)
270	Ty Tullio	Edm	RW	18	5-10/165	`20(126th)
271	Jordan Spence	LA	D	19	5-10/165	`19(95th)
272	Dmitri Zavgorodny	Cgy	LW	20	5-9/175	`18(198th)
273	Alex Beaucage	Col	RW	19	6-1/195	`19(78th)
274	Matiss Kivlenieks	CBJ	G	24	6-2/190	FA(5/17)
275	Artyom Zub	Ott	D	25	6-2/200	FA(5/20)
276	Urho Vaakanainen	Bos	D	22	6-0/185	`17(18th)
277	Dmitri Samorukov	Edm	D	21	6-2/180	`17(84th)
278	Michal Teply	Chi	LW	19	6-3/185	`19(105th)
279	Colby Ambrosio	Col	C	18	5-8/170	`20(118th)
280	Mads Sogaard	Ott	G	20	6-7/195	`19(37th)
281	Jeremy Lauzon	Bos	D	23	6-3/205	`15(52nd)
282	Dennis Gilbert	Col	D	24	6-2/200	T(Chi-10/20)
283	Trent Frederic	Bos	C	22	6-4/215	`16(29th)
284	Lucas Carlsson	Chi	D	23	6-0/190	`16(110th)
285	Zack Macewen	Van	RW	24	6-3/205	FA(3/17)
286	Brandon Hagel	Chi	LW	22	6-1/175	FA(10/18)
287	Vasily Ponomarev	Car	C	18	5-10/180	`20(53rd)
288	Jakub Zboril	Bos	D	23	6-1/200	`15(13th)
289	Garrett Pilon	Wsh	RW	22	5-11/190	`16(87th)
290	Jeremy Bracco	Car	RW	23	5-9/180	FA(10/20)
291	Dylan Sikura	VGK	RW	25	6-0/170	T(Chi-9/20)
292	Kyle Capobianco	Ari	D	23	6-1/180	`15(63rd)
293	Sami Niku	Wpg	D	24	6-0/175	`15(198th)
294	John Farinacci	Ari	C	19	5-11/185	`19(76th)
295	Jackson Lacombe	Ana	D	19	6-1/170	`19(39th)
296	David Cotton	Car	LW	23	6-3/205	`15(169th)
297	Erik Portillo	Buf	G	20	6-6/210	`19(67th)
298	Jacob Truscott	Van	D	18	6-1/170	`20(144th)
299	Mikhail Berdin	Wpg	G	22	6-2/165	`16(157th)
300	Cam Hillis	Mtl	C	20	5-10/170	`18(66th)

MCKEEN’S 2020 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – OTTAWA SENATORS – ORGANIZATIONAL RANK: 10

Wed, 23 Sep 2020 16:13:41 +0000

Ottawa Senators

As one of the most abject organizations in hockey, Senators’ fans can at least take some solace in the steps taken under GM Pierre Dorion who has done an admirable job of restocking the cupboard. This despite starting off with a large, self-inflicted handicap resulting from the ill-fated trade acquisition of Matt Duchene, which cost the Sens their ‘natural’ first round pick last year, which the Colorado Avalanche converted into Bowen Byram, currently one of the top prospects in the sport.

That might sting one day, but the Senators are looking at a plethora of future riches ascending to the top. In fact, quite a lot of those riches are already at the top. Outside of a few notable veterans dotting the NHL roster, much of the team is young. It is very easy to envision under-25s including Thomas Chabot, Brady Tkachuk, Colin White, and Anthony Duclair playing key roles on the next playoff team from Ottawa. Those were just the 2019-20 regulars. Additional critical pieces Drake Batherson, Logan Brown, and Erik Brannstrom also played up with the Senators for large chunks of this past season. The latter played enough to lose his prospect eligibility, even if he didn’t play well enough, consistently enough to cement his status for 2020-21.

Outside of the NHL, the Sens have a second tier of probable NHL’ers who have spent all, or at least the bulk of last season in the AHL. That crew incudes Josh Norris, Vitali Abramov, Alex Formenton, and Joey Daccord. Many teams largely skip their top prospects over the AHL entirely, but with Ottawa’s NHL projections for the last two years being so low, there was little reason to push these players right into the NHL, not counting a cup of coffee or three. Additionally, when so many of the players expected to suit up for the team by 2022 are currently this young, it really makes no sense to debut them all at once, never mind the cap implications that would entail. Better to stagger their respective arrivals, bringing up a few each year until they are ready to strike fear into all opponents.

Finally, we have the group who are at least one full season away, considering their current development stage, and/or contract status. Here I am talking about players such as 2018 first rounder Jacob Bernard-Docker, Shane Pinto, Lassi Thomson, Jonathan Gruden, and whoever the Senators draft with the third and fifth overall picks in the upcoming draft. One of the latter pair could feasibly join next year’s crew, but definitely not both, and considering the philosophy the Senators seem to practice, and the players likely available, neither are likely to spend all of 2020-21 in the NHL.

Another way to gauge how the Senator’s future is shaping up is to look at the system, position by position. Without knowing who the Senators will draft in October, the strength of the organization seems to be up front. One could easily envision a quartet down the middle consisting of Colin White, Josh Norris, Logan Brown, and Shane Pinto. That allows the flanks to include the likes of Tkachuk, Duclair, Batherson, Formenton, Abramov, Gruden, and at least two others. Even if we don’t yet know who the Senators will draft, knowing the strength of the draft class (wingers), it is likely that at least one of their top two picks will be used on a player who can fortify the wings, possibly as soon as 2021-22.

On the blueline, the discussion starts with Chabot, one of the best handful of young defensemen leaguewide. Regularly eating up 30 minutes per game, the load is lessened on the rest of the defense-corps. But I will also include Brannstrom, who has a lot more in the tank than he showed at the NHL level last year. Thomson and Bernard-Docker round out an intriguing top four, while the third pairing possibilities are currently a bit light within the system. There are options of course, but none that stick out as sure things.

Finally, in the crease, the Senators have built up a nice reservoir of four youngsters who each have a decent shot to matriculate into long-time NHLers, in addition to 25-year-old Marcus Hogberg, who may be good enough to start while the team waits for the cavalry to arrive. Goalies are notoriously hard to predict, but all of Daccord (7^th round), Kevin Mandolese (6^th round), Mads Sogaard (2^nd round), and Filip Gustavsson (trade) have their fans within the organization and without.

The present is dark, but the future is very bright in Ottawa.

Jacob Bernard Docker. Photo by Avid Photography.

Jacob Bernard-Docker, D (26^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 4)

The best way to start this profile is with a mea culpa. We were wrong about Bernard-Docker. Two years ago, with the draft in Dallas, we thought of the AJHL blueliner as a decent late second round pick, ranking him 56^th in the draft class. Not only was that wrong, but the way that the University of North Dakota blueliner is trending, at least 10, if not 15, of the teams that picked before Ottawa in that class were also wrong. I will go so far as to say that, when all is said and done, there will be little to separate Bernard-Docker from Noah Dobson, who was drafted 12^th by the Islanders earlier that same day.

Having continued to watch him develop with the Fighting Hawks and with Team Canada at the WJC, I now see a defender who reasonably projects as a first pairing blueliner at the NHL level, playing upwards of 25 minutes a minutes a night, in all situations, and shutting down the opposition’s finest. The native Albertan does everything at an above average level, but has high end hockey IQ, allowing the entire package to play better than the sum of his parts.

Without being a dynamic skater, he moves is feet very well. He has the rare ability to be both safe and creative when he carries the puck out of his zone. He is not a blueline bomber, but he has a very impressive wrist shot from the point that he can use to pick out targets when he takes his time. His own zone play is remarkable for his mature positioning and tight gap control.

As a right-handed shot, there will soon be room for Bernard-Docker to line up alongside Thomas Chabot, giving the Senators a long term first pairing that can play against anyone and excel. - RW

Josh Norris, C (Trade: Sep. 13, 2018. Originally: 19^th overall, 2017 [San Jose]. 2019 Rank: 2)

It is an understatement to say that the acquisition of Norris, a former San Jose first round pick, was a steal of a trade for the Senators. In his rookie season after coming over from the Michigan Wolverines, Norris finished the year leading AHL Belleville in points and earning a brief three game stint with the big club where his performance was good albeit a little shaky at times, indicating that he may still need time in the AHL to start next season.

Although he is a great playmaker and team player, his shot, paired with his individual efforts on the ice, are what make him a deadly player. The fact that he finished nearly even in both goals and assists is indicative of the versatility of his offensive contributions. Norris is a good-sized forward and a strong skater, he is agile, reads the play well, and possesses an NHL level skillset with hands and a shot to go alongside his skating abilities.

He has a full bag of tricks with no real negatives in his game, all working together to make his transition from college to the pros practically seamless. Norris is approaching NHL readiness and will be seen again in an Ottawa Senators jersey as soon as next season, if not full time at least as Ottawa’s first forward call up. He is a naturally good all-round player with a high ceiling and the potential to be a first line forward, top six at the very least, when his time comes back in the NHL. - SC

Drake Batherson, C (121^st overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 6)

For a small-town boy, who before the 2018 World Juniors was largely unknown, Batherson has made his climb as one of the Senators’ top prospects with ease and determination. He still has a few small details to touch up and tighten up with his game, but overall he has grown tremendously as a player and his maturity has come a long way with time spent up with Ottawa as well as on the farm.

As a hard-working forward who plays both wing and center, he is versatile and can also be relied upon to play both powerplay and penalty kill. He is a good two-way player but can still work to improve his defensive coverage and play with more patience in his own end. As a bigger forward, Batherson has the potential to be a very dominant force when it comes to getting to the net and finishing plays but he will have to be more confident on NHL ice and that will come with more time spent up with the Senators.

He is almost at the point now where he has outgrown the AHL and is ready for a bigger challenge in the NHL. He should have no worries when it comes to making a full-time adjustment to the league and finding a spot in the Ottawa top six at some point in the near future. With such a tight race between the club’s forward prospects it will be up to Batherson to maintain his high compete level going into next season and earn his spot permanently. - SC

Alex Formenton, LW (47^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 3)

The Senators want Formenton to succeed and that is evident in the way they tried to start him up with the NHL club last season. However, he was not quite ready for the NHL game and instead spent the bulk of his season with Belleville in AHL, where he finished third in team scoring.

Formenton is the type of forward that every team should have, as he is fast and forechecks well, handles battles safely, keeps his feet moving, and has the offensive mindset of a natural goal scorer. He will need to find a way to protect his own end better and work on his two-way mindset and other than that he simply needs to maintain the same performance level and same high energy when he gets called back up. He enjoys being on a team where he stands out, which means he needs to find a way to up his confidence and force his way to a prominent role at the next level.

This past season with Belleville there were issues with consistency regarding effort and speed and for a player who relies heavily on his high end top speed, he will need to bring consistent effort each game in order to fulfill his potential and be deserving of a full-time, permanent spot with Ottawa. Formenton has the skillset, the speed, and the potential to be a top six forward but he cannot simply coast around because while he may be fast enough to afford playing at less than his top speed, playing at the next level requires constant effort and he will need an adjustment to his mindset before getting there. - SC

Shane Pinto, C (32^nd overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 11)

Another player here that we had underrated in his draft year. A very late bloomer, Pinto was not drafted into the USHL until the 21^st round of 2017, and spent another year playing AAA hockey in Connecticut before reporting to Lincoln, Nebraska. Pinto’s transition from AAA to the USHL was seamless, but as a player without dynamic skills backing up his impressive point totals, we were non-plussed.

As a freshman at North Dakota, teaming up with Bernard-Docker, Pinto’s game has continued to develop at a rapid clip. He has enough muscle on his 6-3” frame to play in a power role, hanging out near the opposition net and preventing the defenders from dislodging him. In fact, not only does Pinto serve as a distraction for the netminder, but he also is an ace shot tipper, demonstrating high end hand eye coordination to get his blade on point shots in mid-air and angling them just so to squeak past the goalie.

He also uses his body well when carrying the puck, to shield defenders off, and maintain possession of the puck. There is little fancy about his game, as he is most effective playing largely in straight, north-south lines, but he can be extremely effective as a foil for two more highly skilled linemates.

Most comfortable below the hashmarks, Pinto still has many possible outcomes for his career. He can fit anywhere in the middle six, including both at center and at right wing, where I think he might ultimately be most effective. One more year of consistent performance, and possibly a little extra jam would prove that he is ready for the pros. - RW

Logan Brown, C (11^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 5)

Brown is a strong player with a very big body and a lot of talent. If he can find a way to get to the net consistently and make faster plays, he will be a deadly playmaker and a forward who is a bear to stop. He has good hands, a hard shot, and a good eye during odd man rushes that would all be welcomed assets to Ottawa’s bottom six when he is up to speed with his game. - SC

Lassi Thomson, D (19^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 7)

He is a very physical defenseman who hits with authority when defending. He does not shy away from contact, plays the body and is tough to play against. He can close gaps quickly with his skating speed. His acceleration is very good, and he can carry the puck from his own end.

Thomson has a hard, heavy slap shot and one-timer with good wind up. His wrist shot is accurate, and he can release it without much set up. His decision making, especially with the puck, was an occasional issue in the past season.

The potential that he displayed in the WHL is still there, he just needs to put all the pieces of his game together. In the long run, Thomson projects as a top-four NHL defenseman with special teams assets. - MB

Vitali Abramov, RW (Trade: Feb. 22, 2019. Originally: 65^th overall, 2016 [Columbus]. 2019 Rank: 9)

He is a small forward, but he makes up for his lack of size by bringing a lot of skill and hockey sense to the game. He is well positioned, has good hands, and makes plays quickly and efficiently with few turnovers. His primary challenge will be to continue to push his physicality and better his strength when fighting for position in front of the opposing net.

Expect to see Abramov called up again next season for a longer stint as part of the Ottawa bottom six as he strives for a bigger future role with the club. - SC

Kevin Mandolese, G (157^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: UR)

Mandolese earned the top Q goalie honors this season by refining his game and using his frame to the best of his ability, putting together the best season so far in his career. While he is quick and athletic enough to make highlight reel saves every game, he has harnessed his fundamental skills to make repeatable saves much more consistently this year and was rewarded for it.

He has the size scouts look for in a goalie, and will be given time to marinate on the farm in the Sens system. The Senators rewarded him with an entry-level deal this offseason, and Mandolese will look to start his pro career this coming season, likely as a backup at the AHL level or as a starter at a lower level. He will take a while, but Ottawa could be rewarded with a cat-like goalie that uses his size efficiently. - MS

Artyom Zub, D (Undrafted Free Agent, signed May 1, 2020. 2019 Rank: IE)

The Olympic Gold Medalist skates well but is not a burner. He has a decent wrist shot and solid puck handling ability, capable of carrying the puck from the blueline to the slot, but nothing dynamic. He is reliable and tends to make the right decision but is not a shutdown defender. He is big enough but not overly physical.

There were 10 Russian blueliners in the NHL last year, four of which came over as free agents. Of those free agent imports, only new Ottawa teammate Nikita Zaitsev is a full-fledged regular. If he can be more Zaitsev than Ilya Lubushkin, Alexander Yelesin, or Nikolai Knyzhov, the Senators will rightly be pleased. - RW

Mads Sogaard, G (37^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 10)

Overall, he didn’t show much improvement in his deficient areas this season which was a bit disappointing. His five hole is still a problem and if opponents get him moving laterally there is room to get pucks through. He is still a bit leaky where a puck will hit him and he loses control of it, either leading to a tap-in, or the puck trickling by him.

The positives are certainly still there, though. He is a true puck stopper with good ability to track the puck. His butterfly is solid and when he goes down his shoulders still cover the top of the net. This allows him to cover his post top to bottom while still being in position to protect the lower part of the net laterally. His deficiencies all have coachable fixes, so he still holds a lot of promise. - VG

Joey Daccord, G (199^th overall, 2015. 2019 Rank: 8)

Daccord plays a structured and calm game, bringing focus and good puck tracking skills to the table. He reads plays well and gets into good position. As a rookie goaltender last year, he adjusted well and is still continuing to make the necessary adjustments needed to continue improving. Daccord needs to make sure to not overplay the puck too much or bite too soon on certain plays and when facing dekes, but the more he plays, the more he will familiarize himself with players and situations and improve his reactions.

He has not been the quickest to develop and it is tough to say when he will reach starting level but with the way the Ottawa goaltending situation looks, look for Daccord to at least get one call up next season and even a few starts. - SC

Jonathan Gruden, RW (95^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 18)

A former NTDP member, Gruden left Miami University after his freshman season in order to join the London Knights this year. Gruden operates well as an offensive support player. He controls the wall well, keeps his feet moving in the offensive zone, and possesses the vision and awareness to find those soft spots in coverage.

While his skating ability, skill level, and physical skill set would be deemed average, he is successful at the OHL level due to his high-end IQ. As such, Gruden projects best as a bottom six forward at the NHL level. At the pro level, there may certainly be an adjustment period as his skating and strength improve to the level that they need to in order for him to succeed in a “grind it out” role against men. - BO

Maxence Guenette, D (187^thoverall, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

The biggest plus for Guénette last season is the alternate captain A on his sweater in Val-d’Or, as that shows that not only is he a good defenseman in all facets of the game, but he shows character and leadership as well.

He will return to the QMJHL next season, where he will look to dominate at times, as he is fighting for an entry level contract. If his trajectory continues, he could become a dependable defender for an NHL team someday, but it will be an uphill climb. - MS

Mark Kastelic, C (125^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

At 6-3” 220 pounds he isn’t the best skater, but he has improved enough that he should be able to keep up with play at the pro level. Physically he is a dominating player and controls the net front on the power play with his body and frame. He makes good sound decisions and can keep his hands free to jump on rebounds or move pucks out of the scrum to an open man. 25 of his 37 goals last season came from below the dots. He plays in the hard areas of the ice and is able to make plays when he is there.

He does a nice job defensively down low supporting his defenseman and was a top faceoff guy in the entire WHL, where he took the fourth most draws in the league and won an impressive 61.5% of them. - VG

Jacob Bernard-Docker – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2023-24 NHL YEARBOOK – OTTAWA SENATORS – Top 20 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #20

Top 20 Ottawa Senators Prospects

1. Ridly Greig

2. Zach Ostapchuk

3. Mads Sogaard

4. Egor Sokolov

5. Lassi Thomson

6. Tyler Kleven

7. Leevi Merilainen

8. Tyler Boucher

9. Stephen Halliday

10. Maxence Guenette

11. Roby Jarventie

12. Jacob Bernard Docker

13. Angus Crookshank

14. Phillippe Daoust

15. Jorian Donovan

16. Tomas Hamara

17. Kevin Reidler

18. Donovan Sebrango

19. Hoyt Stanley

20. Oskar Pettersson

MCKEEN’S 2023 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #19 Ottawa Senators

MCKEEN’S 2022-23 Prospect Rankings – Risers and Fallers

Risers

Fallers

MCKEEN’S 2022-23 NHL YEARBOOK – OTTAWA SENATORS – Top 20 Prospects

2021-22 TOP 15 PROSPECTS: OTTAWA SENATORS – RANK: #4- TIER II

NCAA TOURNAMENT RECAP – Minutemen Win First NCAA Title

Fargo Regional

North Dakota vs. American International

Minnesota-Duluth vs. Michigan

North Dakota vs. Minnesota-Duluth

Loveland Regional

Minnesota State vs. Quinnipiac

Minnesota vs. Nebraska-Omaha

Minnesota vs. Minnesota State

Bridgeport Regional

Wisconsin vs. Bemidji State

Massachusetts vs. Lake Superior State

Massachusetts vs. Bemidji State

Albany Regional

Boston College vs. Notre Dame

St. Cloud State vs. Boston University

St. Cloud State vs. Boston College

Frozen Four

Minnesota State vs. St. Cloud State

Minnesota-Duluth vs. UMass

UMass vs. St. Cloud State

Oh, Canada!: A weekly tour of the North Division – Connor snaps, Sens College prospects sign, Leafs power play, Demko’s payday and much more ..

McKeen’s 2020-21 Hockey Yearbook: Ottawa Senators Top 20 Prospects

Tim Stuetzle, LW/C (3rd overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Jake Sanderson, D (5th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Jacob Bernard-Docker, D (26th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 1)

Josh Norris, C (Trade: Sep. 13, 2018. Originally: 19th overall, 2017 [San Jose]. Previous ranking: 2)

Drake Batherson, C (121st overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 3)

Alex Formenton, LW (47th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 4)

Shane Pinto, C (32nd overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 5)

Ridly Greig, C (28th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Logan Brown, C (11th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 6)

Lassi Thomson, D (19th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 7)

Tyler Kleven, D (44th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Roby Jarventie, RW (33rd overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Vitali Abramov, RW (Trade: Feb. 22, 2019. Originally: 65th overall, 2016 [Columbus]. Previous ranking: 8)

Kevin Mandolese, G (157th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 9)

Artyom Zub, D (Undrafted Free Agent, signed May 1, 2020. Previous ranking: 10)

Mads Sogaard, G (37th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 11)

Joey Daccord, G (199th overall, 2015. Previous ranking: 12)

Maxence Guenette, D (187th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 14)

Mark Kastelic, C (125th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 15)

Filip Gustavsson, G (Trade Feb. 23, 2017. Originally: 55th overall, 2016 [Pittsburgh]. Previous ranking: 16)

McKeen’s 2020-21 Hockey Yearbook: Top 300 Prospect Rankings

MCKEEN’S 2020 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – OTTAWA SENATORS – ORGANIZATIONAL RANK: 10

Ottawa Senators

Jacob Bernard-Docker, D (26th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 4)

Josh Norris, C (Trade: Sep. 13, 2018. Originally: 19th overall, 2017 [San Jose]. 2019 Rank: 2)

Drake Batherson, C (121st overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 6)

Alex Formenton, LW (47th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 3)

Shane Pinto, C (32nd overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 11)

Tim Stuetzle, LW/C (3^rd overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Jake Sanderson, D (5^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Jacob Bernard-Docker, D (26^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 1)

Josh Norris, C (Trade: Sep. 13, 2018. Originally: 19^th overall, 2017 [San Jose]. Previous ranking: 2)

Drake Batherson, C (121^st overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 3)

Alex Formenton, LW (47^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 4)

Shane Pinto, C (32^nd overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 5)

Ridly Greig, C (28^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Logan Brown, C (11^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 6)

Lassi Thomson, D (19^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 7)

Tyler Kleven, D (44^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Roby Jarventie, RW (33^rd overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Vitali Abramov, RW (Trade: Feb. 22, 2019. Originally: 65^th overall, 2016 [Columbus]. Previous ranking: 8)

Kevin Mandolese, G (157^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 9)

Mads Sogaard, G (37^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 11)

Joey Daccord, G (199^th overall, 2015. Previous ranking: 12)

Maxence Guenette, D (187^thoverall, 2019. Previous ranking: 14)

Mark Kastelic, C (125^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 15)

Filip Gustavsson, G (Trade Feb. 23, 2017. Originally: 55^th overall, 2016 [Pittsburgh]. Previous ranking: 16)

Jacob Bernard-Docker, D (26^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 4)

Josh Norris, C (Trade: Sep. 13, 2018. Originally: 19^th overall, 2017 [San Jose]. 2019 Rank: 2)

Drake Batherson, C (121^st overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 6)

Alex Formenton, LW (47^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 3)

Shane Pinto, C (32^nd overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 11)

Logan Brown, C (11^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 5)

Lassi Thomson, D (19^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 7)

Vitali Abramov, RW (Trade: Feb. 22, 2019. Originally: 65^th overall, 2016 [Columbus]. 2019 Rank: 9)

Kevin Mandolese, G (157^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: UR)

Mads Sogaard, G (37^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 10)

Joey Daccord, G (199^th overall, 2015. 2019 Rank: 8)

Jonathan Gruden, RW (95^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 18)

Maxence Guenette, D (187^thoverall, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

Mark Kastelic, C (125^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)