Jacob MCGREW – McKeen's Hockey

McKeen’s 2020-21 Hockey Yearbook: San Jose Sharks Top 20 Prospects

Rachel Howard — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 21:27:01 +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.

Ryan Merkley, D (21^st overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 1)

A move to the London Knights to play under Dale Hunter last offseason may have saved Merkley’s status as a top end defensive prospect, as he improved considerably in terms of maturity and engagement level. Merkley’s best assets are his four-way mobility and his creative playmaking. His edgework is high end, as his lateral movement is so fluid and explosive. He plays a higher risk style of game, pushing the pace, which leads to the odd turnover, but he did cut down on those turnovers last year by playing less selfishly and by selecting pinches more carefully. Even without a great shot, he moves well enough to keep defenders guessing. Previously prone to tantrums when things were not going his way, he appears to have figured out how to control his emotions more effectively. Additionally, we saw him more consistently engaged physically in his own zone. The Sharks would be wise not to rush him, ensuring that he can build up confidence at the professional level without becoming frustrated and reverting back to his previous tendencies. He still projects as a quality top four puck moving defender who can anchor a powerplay unit. – BO

Ozzy Weisblatt, RW (31^st overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

The competitive Weisblatt is an abrasive energy player. His speed and relentless pursuit of the puck makes him valuable in a variety of situations. He was a difference maker last year, finishing the shortened season second in team scoring, and among the leaders for all U18 players in the WHL. While not large, he is extremely quick, with the acceleration, powerful stride, and breakaway top speed to be a threat, with and without the puck. He will look to attack quickly in transition and is aggressive trying to beat defenders wide to the net. He is also one of the first back to the defensive end, applying back pressure and trying to force turnovers. Wiesblatt also has strong edgework that allows him to change direction quickly at full speed. He is an intelligent playmaker who demonstrates poise with the puck in all situations. At times, he can be too predictable in his attacks, leading to costly turnovers. He does not have a ton of confidence in his shooting, often passing up shot opportunities to pass instead. Even if Wiesblatt’s offensive abilities fail to translate, he could be an effective middle six piece who fits on both special teams’ units. – BO

Thomas Bordeleau, C (38^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Bordeleau greatest asset is a wicked wrist shot which he loves firing right over the goalie’s shoulder. He can fire it off successfully whether he is static or in motion, and his lightning release gives the netminder no time to set up. Before he prepares the shot, Bordeleau can also impress with his stick skills. His hands are quick and soft, and he regularly pulls off creative maneuvers. He is a dynamic zone entry machine, and his unpredictable approach leaves defenders guessing, and generally coming up short. He used to limit his effectiveness by staying to the offensive perimeter, but by last season’s second half, he was pushing play up the middle as well, and pulling it off more often than not. Bordeleau will have to show that he can more consistently play with the type of effort needed to succeed in the tough parts of the ice. Even with his greater willingness to play on the inside, that effort is not yet consistent. At higher levels, the outside path will prove much harder for generating scoring chances. He needs to keep his feet moving and get his nose dirty to reach his top six scoring forward potential. – RW

Jonathan Dahlen, LW/C (42^nd overall, 2016 [Ottawa]. Previous ranking: 3)

Dahlen is kind of an odd bird in the way that he chose to play in Allsvenskan in three of the last four seasons, although almost all teams in the SHL would have wanted to sign him. He is creative with strong offensive instincts. He has developed his playmaking and is a more dynamic offensive driver than earlier in his career. He is strong both on the power play and at even strength, generally serving as his line’s play driver. His top speed is average by NHL standards, but he has impressive agility and is very elusive with the puck in the offensive zone. Dahlen’s defensive play is okay but still not great and it can cause him to disappear during parts of games as he rarely plays the PK, wins battles in his own end, or turns the play around all on his own. He will need to improve on that side of the game to reach the highest level. He is a top six forward talent. The 22-year-old will probably play in Sweden for at least one more year, maybe even two. He is still a good prospect, and if he can keep developing, could reach his ceiling. - JH

Yegor Spiridonov, C/LW (108^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 2)

Spiridonov is a limited skater technically but has good balance has at least average speed. He is strong and smart and makes good decisions. He is strong along the boards and in tight areas, works hard and is smart without the puck. He finds open spaces offensively; he has good instincts getting ready to shoot and he plays responsibly defensively. He has the assets to be a useful player on both a power play and a penalty kill. He is good at getting open to shoot but his accuracy and timing on the puck could be better, and he hasn’t yet proven himself as a goal scorer, although he is fine as a playmaker. On the penalty kill, Spiridonov is particularly good at reading passing lanes and disturbing the play. He can detect where the play is going and act appropriately, rather than react after the fact. He has very limited men’s level experience, with much of his success coming in the Russian junior leagues. The lack of elite puck skills and limited skating give Spiridonov a third line ceiling, but his work ethic, strength, PK capabilities, and team play would fit that role, where he could provide offensive depth. - JH

Sasha Chmelevski, C (185^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 4)

The concern around Chmelevski has long been his skating, and in his first full AHL season, that lack of speed and agility was obvious. Though his puck skills and menacing wrist shot release have made him a lethal offensive option, he had trouble getting past the more mobile defenders of the pro ranks and was hesitant to carry the puck through the neutral zone. Even if he never improves on his feet, he still projects as a long-term NHL piece, as he excels in every other facet of the game. He processes the game at a high speed and makes great decisions with the puck, both offensively and defensively, and has shown himself capable as a penalty-killer. He dealt with injuries for stretches of the 2019-20 season but still posted a solid scoring line and exhibited an ability to score goals in different ways, including as a net-front guy and rebound goblin. Chmelevski's shot and hockey sense give him top-six potential in the future, but with his lack of speed and the uncertain ability to take on heavy responsibility on defense, the Sharks could ultimately deploy him as a middle-six two-way center once his time comes. - TD

Alexander True, C (Undrafted free agent, signed Jul. 18, 2018. Previous ranking: 5)

Not long ago, it was difficult to decide whether True was even a legitimate prospect worthy of being on the radar of an NHL organization. An undrafted center without particularly impressive numbers as a WHL overager has since progressed into one of the most heralded prospects in the San Jose system. He is a dangerous power forward with a plethora of offensive tools, the most notable of which is his overpowering size and balance, which makes him capable of driving the net and playing the cycle against nearly anyone. Possessing a hard shot and great passing skill, his offensive game is more than just grinding; he can set himself or anyone else up for a quality scoring chance from just about anywhere in the zone, though sometimes his decision making and skating speed lags behind his puck skills. Importantly, True is mean, and while that comes with some discipline issues, it also includes a likable assertiveness and aggression. He showed exactly what he can be during a brief NHL recall last season, a bottom six play-driving, cycling center who is hard to defend against. - TD

John Leonard, LW (182^nd overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 6)

A sixth-round draft pick, Leonard is a good example of a solid investment and solid development not ending on draft day. Leonard signed with San Jose following his junior season at UMass, and the late bloomer has not disappointed. He spent two seasons in the USHL where his offensive output increased from five goals and nine points to 19 goals and 34 points. Still, neither total was enough for an NHL team to draft him in his first two years of eligibility. His game picked up in a big way in college, and after finally hearing his name called at the draft following his freshman season, he netted a career-high 40 points as a sophomore and was on pace to eclipse that total as a junior, as he led the country in goals and led UMass in scoring before COVID-19 put an early end to the season. The junior was also named New England’s best forward as well as a Hobey Baker finalist. He has soft hands and is able to easily grab loose pucks. He is not afraid to shoot - as evidenced by his goal total — and has a quick release. The former afterthought now has some projecting top six potential. – JS

Tristen Robins, C (56^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Robins used a terrific second half last season to lead the Saskatoon Blades in scoring. There is a lot to like about him as a very well-rounded offensive player. He plays with pace both with and without the puck and has an elusiveness that makes him a constant threat. The transition to center showcased his ability to create with the puck on his stick and unlocked a new level of confidence. An aggressive shooter, he possesses a quality release which he utilizes for quick strikes coming through the middle. He works the give and go well with his linemates and is always looking to attack. He keeps his feet moving in the offensive zone and can be a menace to defend as he slips behind defenders. Robins is also a competent two-way player whose play without the puck really improved after that aforementioned move to the middle. He uses his speed well to apply back pressure and to angle off forwards in the neutral zone, forcing turnovers. Adding strength will be key for Robins’ effectiveness in traffic and in the cycle. – BO

Brandon Coe, RW (98^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

While North Bay struggled to find the win column consistently last season, Coe was able to elevate his game to become an offensive leader. The major allure of his game comes from his size and speed combination. He is very explosive and powerful for a 6-3” forward, consistently blowing past defenders in transition. However, he is more than just a North-South player, as his lateral quickness and edgework are strong, too, allowing him to cut in and out of traffic at top speed. Coe has also learned to use his size more effectively to protect the puck down low and has gained confidence in his heavy shot being a weapon. There is a question of whether he thinks the game well enough to be more than just a change of pace energy player at the NHL level. Additionally, he needs to improve his play away from the puck to become a more consistent three zone player. His physical tools are intriguing but developing them into a cohesive player will be a project. – BO

Danil Gushchin, LW (76^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Gushchin needs to play with an edge to be successful. It is clear that when he does so, his skill set can absolutely shine. His hands and feet are both very quick and deceptive. He is capable of pulling off fantastic zone entries. Despite lacking in size, he is incredibly dogged on the puck and skilled at sheltering it from backcheckers, earning himself more than a few penalties. In short, his puck skills are above and beyond is age group. But he does not always play with that edge, which can be spotted by a more lackadaisical approach to puck handling and an excess of turnovers. Gushchin doesn’t have blazing speed, but his feet play up thanks to edgework and agility that can dazzle. His ability to make extra sharp cuts plays into his usage on zone entries as he can carve up multiple layers of the defense. When he loses that edge, his feet stop moving, he stops taking risks, and he functionally disappears. Gushchin tends to be more “on” when his team has the puck, and flat when they don’t. He can go from an expert reading of the play to a disinterested bystander in a single shift. – RW

Artemi Knyazev, D (48^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 7)

Knyazev saw modest growth in his second season in North America for a much-improved Sagueneens team last year. His 43 points were tops among blueliners on the club, and among the top ten in scoring among defensemen in the QMJHL. He also fine-tuned his defensive game as he improved his play-reading on the smaller ice. His skating is the focal point of his play, and the gatekeeper to his success; it allows him to cover a lot of ice in a short time and in all directions. Not only fast, Knyazev is agile and reaches top speed quickly. He is an offense-first defender and thinks the game with offense in mind. He continued his play as a defensive sharpshooter with a second-consecutive year with double digits in goals. His 11 goals were the most on the team on the back end. His abilities slotted in well next to massive blueliner Louis Crevier, as the pint-sized Knyazev had more permission to freewheel with the big Crevier minding his post. Knyazev is still a project for the pro game, and undersized, but he has the foundation to be a solid powerplay contributor and speedy defender at the NHL level. - MS

Dillon Hamaliuk, LW (55^th overall, 20191. Previous ranking: 8)

Hamaliuk moved to Kelowna to help them compete for a Memorial Cup but like most of his teammates never really took stride last year. When his game is on, he is an imposing albeit somewhat lumbering figure on the ice. He is excellent in the cycle game where his size and reach help him dictate play along the walls. He has decent hands that work with his game, he can carry off the wall, and is a solid net front guy. He scores a lot of goals from the goal mouth where he can use his strength to finish off plays in traffic. His skating is a bit of a concern as he looks a step behind the play through the neutral zone and is reliant on others to get the puck in the zone. Defensively he is physical and willing to engage to make a play. It was somewhat of a disappointing season to only collect 31 points in 56 games after being brought in to bolster the offense, after nearly being a point-per-game player last season. - VG

Joachim Blichfeld, RW (210^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 9)

Blichfeld is yet another steal from untapped regions of Europe taken with a seventh-round pick by an organization deserving of tons of credit in the way they get max value out of every draft selection. After dominating the WHL in his final season with Portland with a league-best 114 points, his transition to the pros was a highly-anticipated one, and the Danish winger delivered with 16 goals and 16 assists in just 44 games of action as an AHL rookie. A big reason for his success with the Barracuda is his heavy, rapid shot, which is a weapon at even strength and on the power play (five of his 16 goals came on the man-advantage). Grading out as an average skater, Blichfeld is not really one to carry the puck, but does a superb job at finding open areas of the ice away from the puck to receive shooting chances. With steady hands and decent awareness of the ice, he is a fairly versatile player who could kill penalties and be a depth scorer in the NHL. - TD

Alexei Melnichuk, G (Undrafted Free Agent, signed May 4, 2020. Previous ranking: 10)

A late free agent signing, Melnichuk alone was responsible for moving the Sharks up two slots in our organizational prospect rankings. On the smaller side for a modern netminder, he gained some notoriety two years ago when a hot start with SKA-Neva St. Petersburg in Russia’s second men’s league, led to an invitation to wear the national colors during the Junior Super Series. Melnichuk excelled in the tune up series and earned a spot on the Russian WJC team as the backup. He bombed in his only game. That might have prevented him from being drafted, but two years later, with a stellar (mostly) full season debut in the KHL to his name, Melnichuk was back in the crosshairs of NHL scouts. He moves well in his crease and likes to challenge shooters when he can. He works hard for his saves and reads the games well, although the numbers at InStatScout make clear that he can really struggle with shots to the top corners, the bane of many smaller netminders. If Melnichuk adapts well to the AHL, he may be in the NHL before long. - RW

Jacob McGrew, RW (159^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 11)

Jake McGrew is a California native who has done enough to earn himself a look from as a late round flier. Unfortunately, his career has been derailed by a couple of season-ending knee surgeries. Last season started with high expectations after his first 30 goal season in 2018-19. He jumped out of the gate with five goals in his first six games and looked to be breaking out, but another season ending knee surgery put a halt to a promising overage campaign. At this point he seems to be a long shot to make the NHL and may even struggle to play in the AHL next season. When he is healthy, he plays an up-tempo game and has a great release that enables him to score goals. If he gets healthy, he has a shot at be a middle six forward if he can get his development back on track and avoid any more long-term injuries. - VG

Brinson Pasichnuk, D (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 31, 2020. Previous ranking: 12)

If you don’t have picks, you have to attack the free talent pool with gusto. Two members of the Sharks’ top 15 were free talent pickups, and the depth of the system includes a clean dozen others who received some consideration. Pasichnuk is the only one of the bunch that was added in 2020. A physical defender – although one who plays relatively clean – with a big shot from the point, the Arizona State graduate was one of the top NCAA free agents last offseason. Lauded for his maturity, on and off the ice, Pasichnuk may have a chance to break right into the San Jose NHL lineup whenever the 2020-21 season begins. In truth, he very well may deserve to rank higher on this list than the Spinal Tap number, as he has almost a sure-fire NHL player. The challenge is that that he is also older than most of the players above him and his ceiling may not be far above his floor. - RW

Santeri Hatakka, D (184^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 13)

Hatakka split the 2019-20 season between the Liiga and Mestis, Finland’s second-highest league. He also has a solid, yet unspectacular World Juniors tournament. He role was limited in the Liiga as he averaged fewer than 11 minutes of ice-time per game. A strong skater with very good acceleration, he moves well in all directions and can carry the puck from his own end. Stickhandling needs work, though, as he has occasional problems controlling the puck efficiently and keeping up his pace. His willing ness to battle has always stood out. Furthermore, he defends well in tight areas and is very assertive in the defensive zone. He did not have the strongest season possible, but he showed glimpses of potential in the Liiga and could break out as soon as the upcoming season if he can move up the depth chart. Overall, Hatakka is a mobile defenseman with strong physical tool and some untapped offensive potential. - MB

Scott Reedy, C/RW (102^nd overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 14)

A smart and versatile forward who finally put his sense to use offensively, scoring a career high 15 goals in his junior season with the Golden Gophers, Reedy has a few tools that suggest he could make a career for himself on the fourth line, playing in the corners and eating up some minutes on the PK. Before he gets there though, he has to show that he can regain some of the speed he showed in his first year with the USNTDP program. To his credit, his feet move well, but his legs are heavy. That means he can maneuver around small spaces nimbly enough but falls behind when the game opens up. He will have to stress his power credentials more and rely very heavily on his hockey IQ to overcome the skating deficit. Of course, he also has to sign, which he still has not as of this writing. He could become a free agent if he plays out his senior year without putting pen to paper with the Sharks. - RW

Lean Bergmann, LW/RW (Undrafted Free Agent, signed May 28, 2019. Previous ranking: 15)

In his current state, Bergmann is the definition of a raw prospect. He can score, he has very quick hands for someone his size, and he can effectively utilize his size and strength to create offensive chances for himself. The German loves to drive the net, with and without the puck, and has the physicality to make it happen. As a net-front power-play guy, he can get bumped off the puck in front of the goal pretty easily, which makes me fear for how ineffective his body strength would actually be at the NHL level. He is a good shooter and has solid skating speed, especially at 200+ pounds, but has little passing game. He played on the penalty kill with the AHL Barracuda and competes hard. He focuses his energy on shoveling pucks on goal and wearing down his opponents, which is precisely what an NHL team would want out of a depth player like Bergmann can be in the near future. - TD

MCKEEN’S 2020 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – SAN JOSE SHARKS – ORGANIZATIONAL RANK: 25

Thu, 10 Sep 2020 11:45:50 +0000

San Jose Sharks

On the bright side, the San Jose system is not the worst in hockey. At least not now. For every team (there aren’t many) that is currently leaner, we have to remind ourselves that the Sharks will not have a first round pick whenever the 2020 draft actually happens. That pick, a lock for a lottery (if there is one), was transferred to Ottawa as part of the big Erik Karlsson trade.

I am sure that they will add some nice prospects with their pair of second rounders and the late first round pick they got in trade from Tampa Bay, but not having a high end first rounder while other teams will be injecting heavy doses of talent into their systems will likely knock the Sharks into the league basement when we re-do this exercise as part of the 2020-21 annual guidebook.

How do things get so bad? In a large part, this is related to the natural success cycle that many teams go through. Their top players are all veterans and are all very good, and the organization did whatever it could to maximize their chances at postseason success. While it’s true that the core of Joe Thornton, Brent Burns, Patrick Marleau, Joe Pavelski, Marc-Edouard Vlasic, and Logan Couture never won a Stanley Cup, they were always in the hunt. This will be only the second season since the lockout in which the Sharks did not qualify for the postseason, and in those 15 seasons, they got past the first round nine times, including four appearances in the Western Conference finals and one trip to the Stanley Cup.

One may lament the lack of rings, but San Jose should be proud of the success they experienced.

But that’s over now. Marleau left the team twice. Pavelski is with Dallas. Thornton is 40. Vlasic is 33 and struggling. Burns is 35 and still going strong, but 35 is not the new 25. Karlsson and Tomas Hertl will be healthy again, Couture still has time left before exiting his prime. Timo Meier and Evander Kane may be ready to become the new core up front. Yet there is no guarantee that the new core will have anywhere like the success of the old core. There are serious questions about the team’s goaltending as incumbent starter Martin Jones with two straight seasons with save percentages below .900.

In short, this is an organization that should be preparing to bring in fresh faces to a lot of spots in the lineup. There is not a single area, in the NHL or anywhere in the system, that can be fairly considered deep. We see three players who could, with some luck and the right opportunity, emerge as top half of the lineup players, although one has shown an unwillingness to stick with the slings and arrows of player development outside of his native Sweden. Another is among the more mercurial prospects in the sport. And even going deeper into the system, Martin Jones’ replacement is not yet here, with not a single goalie featuring in their top 15.

Finally, we remember that having a deep system is a numbers game, as the attrition rate is frightfully large. In the past four drafts, the Sharks have drafted five players thrice, and six once. San Jose has eight picks for 2020 at present. They need to make them count to supplement the new core. - RW

ANAHEIM, CA - SEPTEMBER 20: San Jose Sharks defensemen Ryan Merkley (6) in action during a NHL preseason game between the Anaheim Ducks and the San Jose Sharks played on September 20, 2018 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire)

Ryan Merkley, D (21^st overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 1)

It has not always been easy for the highly touted Merkley in the Ontario Hockey League. Through his four years in the league, he has endured trades (from organizations who became too distraught with him), benchings (from coaches who grew distraught with him), and snubs from Hockey Canada. However, a move to the London Knights to play under Dale Hunter this offseason may have saved Merkley’s status as a top end defensive prospect. No bones about it, Merkley had a terrific year playing under Hunter and improved considerably in terms of maturity and engagement level.

Merkley’s best assets are his four-way mobility and his creativity as a playmaker. His edgework is among the best in the OHL, as his lateral movement is so fluid and explosive. This makes him very difficult to contain when he is manning the point. While he will likely always play a higher risk style of game by pushing the pace, and you will have to live with the odd turnover from him trying to beat a defender one on one, he did cut down on those turnovers this year by playing less selfishly and by selecting his times to pinch more carefully. His shot has never developed to become a huge weapon, but he moves well enough to keep defenders guessing.

Where we saw the biggest improvements this year from Merkley were in his defensive engagement and in his attitude on ice. Previously prone to tantrums when things were not going his way, we saw little of that in London. He appears to have figured out how to control his emotions more effectively, committing fewer undisciplined penalties and behaving maturely when things do not go his way. Additionally, we saw him more consistently engaged as a physical player in his own zone.

While it is extremely encouraging to see Merkley taking some steps forward, it is also important to temper expectations as he approaches his first pro season. The Sharks would be wise not to rush him, to ensure that he can build up confidence at the professional level without becoming frustrated and reverting back to his previous tendencies. In the future, he projects as a quality top four puck moving defender who can anchor a powerplay unit. - BO

Yegor Spiridonov, C/LW (108^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 3)

A two-way center who is good in many areas but without having elite skills. Spiridonov is a limited skater technically but has good balance and is not slow, with at least average speed. He is strong and smart and makes good decisions all over the ice. He is strong along the boards and in tight areas of the game but lacks a flashy offensive game. He works hard and is smart without the puck. He finds open spaces offensively; he has good instincts getting ready to shoot and he plays responsibly defensively.

He has the assets to be a useful player on both a power play and a penalty kill. On the power play I would like to see him improve his shot. He is good at getting open to shoot but his accuracy and timing on the puck could be better. He has yet to prove himself as a goal scorer. He is an okay playmaker. On the penalty kill he is particularly good at reading passing lanes and disturbing the play. He can detect where the play is going and act rather than react to a play when it is already happening.

Spridonov has yet to play in the KHL and if he does, it will probably be in a limited role. In VHL, Russia’s second pro league, is where he probably will play most of his next season trying to develop his game. His contract with St Petersburg is for one more year. The lack of elite puck skills and limited skating makes me project him as a third line center at best. His work ethic, strength, PK capabilities, and team play are what you look for a player in that role. He has good instincts to put up some points offensively as well in that role. - JH

Jonathan Dahlen, LW/C (42^nd overall, 2016 [Ottawa]. 2019 Rank: 8)

Originally a 2nd round pick of the Senators in 2016, Dahlen has been traded twice, played one season in the AHL and returned to Sweden for the 2019-20 season. He is kind of an odd bird in the way that he chose to play in Allsvenskan although almost all teams in the SHL would have wanted to sign him. He was named the top forward and league MVP in Allsvenskan scoring 77 points in 51 games and had five points in the first playoff game before the pandemic ended the season.

He is creative with strong offensive instincts. He has developed his playmaking and is a more dynamic offensive driver than earlier in his career. He is strong both on the power play and at even strength. He likes to be the driver as well and is not that comfortable when playing a smaller role on a line. His top speed is average by NHL standards, but he has impressive agility and is very elusive with the puck in the offensive zone.

His defensive play is okay but still not great and it can make him invisible during parts of games as he rarely plays the PK, wins battles in his own end, or turns the play all on his own. He will need to improve on that side of the game if he wants to reach the highest level. He is a top six forward talent and that is a tough position to reach in the NHL. I believe he will take his time before he steps over to North America again. The 22-year-old will probably play in Sweden for at least one more year, maybe even two. Still a good prospect and if he can keep developing, he could reach his ceiling. - JH

SAN JOSE, CA - SEPTEMBER 12: Sasha Chmelevski of the San Jose Sharks (Photo by Kavin Mistry/NHLI via Getty Images)

Sasha Chmelevski, C (185^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 2)

Chmelevski is a future NHLer and a certified steal three years removed from being selected by the Sharks in the sixth round. However, the concern around the Huntington Beach native has long been his skating, and in his first full AHL season, that lack of speed and agility was obvious. Though his puck skills and menacing wrist shot release made him a lethal offensive option, he had trouble getting past the more mobile defenders of the pro ranks and was hesitant to carry the puck through the neutral zone in fear of being unable to weave past defensemen as he did in the OHL.

Even if he never improves on his feet, I would bet a large sum on the former American WJC star becoming a long-term NHL piece, as he excels in every other facet of the game. He processes the game at a high speed and makes great decisions with the puck, both offensively and defensively, where he has shown himself capable as a penalty-killer. He dealt with injuries for certain stretches of the 2019-20 AHL season but still posted a solid 42-11-16-27 line and exhibited an ability to score goals in different ways, sometimes as a net-front guy and rebound goblin.

Chmelevski's shot and hockey sense give him top-six potential in the future, but with a lack of blistering speed and the uncertain ability to take on heavy responsibility on defense, the Sharks could deploy him as a middle-six two-way center as soon as his NHL career kicks off, which will be in the near future. - TD

Alexander True, C (Undrafted free agent, signed Jul. 18, 2018. 2019 Rank: 20)

The emergence of True over the past couple of seasons is one of the most fascinating development stories in hockey, and another example of San Jose’s terrific job of scouting otherwise unheralded European players. Not long ago, it was difficult to decide whether the Danish forward was even a legitimate prospect worthy of being on the radar of an NHL organization. An undrafted center without particularly impressive numbers as a WHL overager progressed into one of the most heralded prospects in the San Jose system.

True is a dangerous power forward with a plethora of offensive tools, the most notable of which is his freakish size and balance, which makes him capable of driving the net and playing the cycle against nearly anyone. Possessing a hard shot and great passing skill, his offensive game is more than just 90s-style grind; he can set himself or anyone else up for a quality scoring chance from just about anywhere in the zone, though sometimes his decision making and lack of skating speed lags behind his puck skills.

Most importantly for someone who plays this style, True is mean, and while that comes with some discipline issues, it also includes a likable assertiveness and mental aggression. True earned a brief NHL recall to the struggling Sharks and showed exactly what he can be long-term, a play-driving, cycling center who can be hard to defend against in the bottom-six of a good Sharks forward lineup. - TD

John Leonard, LW (182^nd overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: UR)

His game picked up in a big way in college, and after finally hearing his name called at the draft following his freshman season, he netted a career-high 40 points as a sophomore and was on pace to eclipse that total as a junior, as he led the country in goals and led UMass in scoring before COVID-19 put an early end to the season. The junior was also named New England’s best forward as well as a Hobey Baker finalist. He has soft hands and is able to easily grab loose pucks. He is not afraid to shoot - as evidenced by his goal total — and has a quick release. The former afterthought now has some projecting top six potential. - JS

Artemi Knyazev, D (48^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 12)

Knyazev saw modest growth in his second season in North America for a much-improved Sagueneens team this year. His 43 points were tops among blueliners on the club, and among the top ten in scoring among defensemen in the QMJHL. He also fine-tuned his defensive game as he improved his play-reading on the smaller ice.

His skating is the focal point of his play, and the gatekeeper to his success; it allows him to cover a lot of ice in a short time and in all directions. Not only fast, Knyazev is agile and reaches top speed quickly. He is an offence-first defender and thinks the game with offence in mind. He continued his play as a defensive sharpshooter with a second-consecutive year with double digits in goals. His 11 goals were the most on the team on the back end.

His abilities slotted in well next to massive blueliner Louis Crevier, as the pint-sized Knyazev had more permission to freewheel with the big Crevier minding his post. Knyazev is still a project for the pro game, and undersized, but he has the foundation to be a solid powerplay contributor and speedy defender at the NHL level. - MS

Dillon Hamaliuk, LW (55^th overall, 20191. 2019 Rank: 13)

Hamaliuk moved to Kelowna to help them compete for a Memorial Cup but like most of his teammates never really took stride this year. When his game is on, he is an imposing albeit somewhat lumbering figure on the ice. He is excellent in the cycle game where his size and reach help him dictate play along the walls. He has decent hands that work with his game, he can carry off the wall, and is a solid net front guy. He scores a lot of goals from the goal mouth where he can use his strength to finish off plays in traffic.

His skating is a bit of a concern as he looks a step behind the play through the neutral zone and is reliant on others to get the puck in the zone. Defensively he is physical and willing to engage to make a play. It was somewhat of a disappointing season to only collect 31 points in 56 games after being brought in to bolster the offense, after nearly being a point-per-game player last season. - VG

Joachim Blichfeld, RW (210^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 7)

A big reason for his success with the Barracuda is his heavy, rapid shot, which is a weapon at even strength and on the power play (five of his 16 goals came on the man-advantage). Grading out as an average skater, Blichfeld is not really one to carry the puck, but does a superb job at finding open areas of the ice away from the puck to receive shooting chances. With steady hands and decent awareness of the ice, he is a fairly versatile player who could kill penalties and be a depth scorer in the NHL. - TD

Alexei Melnichuk, G (Undrafted Free Agent, signed May 4, 2020. 2019 Rank: IE)

That might have prevented him from being drafted, but two years later, with a stellar (mostly) full season debut in the KHL to his name, Melnichuk was back in the crosshairs of NHL scouts. He moves well in his crease and likes to challenge shooters when he can. He works hard for his saves and reads the games well, although the numbers at InStathockey make clear that he can really struggle with shots to the top corners, the bane of many smaller netminders. If Melnichuk adapts well to the AHL, he may be in the NHL before long. - RW

Jacob McGrew, RW (159^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: UR)

At this point he seems to be a long shot to make the NHL and may even struggle to play in the AHL next season. When he is healthy, he plays an up-tempo game and has a great release that enables him to score goals. If he gets healthy, he has a shot at be a middle six forward if he can get his development back on track and avoid any more long-term injuries. - VG

Brinson Pasichnuk, D (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 31, 2020. 2019 Rank: IE)

A physical defender – although one who plays relatively clean – with a big shot from the point, the Arizona State graduate was one of the top NCAA free agents this year. Lauded for his maturity, on and off the ice, Pasichnuk may have a chance to break right into the San Jose NHL lineup whenever the 2020-21 season begins. In truth, he very well may deserve to rank higher on this list as he is almost a sure-fire NHL player. The challenge is that that he is also older than most of the players above him and his ceiling may not be far above his floor. - RW

Santeri Hatakka, D (184^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

A strong skater with very good acceleration, he moves well in all directions and can carry the puck from his own end. Stickhandling needs work, though, as he has occasional problems controlling the puck efficiently and keeping up his pace. His willingness to battle has always stood out. Furthermore, he defends well in tight areas and is very assertive in the defensive zone.

He did not have the strongest season possible, but he showed glimpses of potential in the Liiga and could break out as soon as the upcoming season if he can move up the depth chart. Overall, Hatakka is a mobile defenseman with strong physical tool and some untapped offensive potential. - MB

Scott Reedy, C/RW (102^nd overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 13)

To his credit, his feet move well, but his legs are heavy. That means he can maneuver around small spaces nimbly enough but falls behind when the game opens up. He will have to stress his power credentials more and rely very heavily on his hockey IQ to overcome the skating deficit. Of course, he also has to sign, which he still has not as of this writing. He could become a free agent if he plays out his senior year without putting pen to paper with the Sharks. - RW

Lean Bergmann, LW/RW (Undrafted Free Agent, signed May 28, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

He is a good shooter and has solid skating speed, especially at 200+ pounds, but has little passing game. He played on the penalty kill with the AHL Barracuda and competes hard. He focuses his energy on shoveling pucks on goal and wearing down his opponents, which is precisely what an NHL team would want out of a depth player like Bergmann can be in the near future. - TD

WHL 2018-19 Season Preview

Kevin Olexson — Tue, 09 Oct 2018 13:22:04 +0000

Another exciting season is underway in the WHL, and 2018-19 should be a good one. The 2017-18 season ended with the WHL’s Regina Pats hosting the 2018 Memorial Cup, in which they were defeated 3-0 by the Acadie-Bathurst Titan in the final. This season, the Kelowna Rockets have been awarded the 2020 Memorial Cup, and as the host team, trying to retool and rebuild in transition, they have a bit of work to do before then.

The WHL had some great players move on, including prolific scorers, dynamic defenders, and some top goaltenders. Now the next draft class of players is developing into prominent roles with their respective clubs, and will see more of the spotlight and new opportunities as we head towards the 2019 draft in Vancouver.

Cody Glass of the Portland Winterhawks.

The WHL was dominated primarily by the US and Eastern Division, but there will be a change in the power and balance with all of the player turnover. The US division has established itself as the strongest division over the past few years and there is no reason to think that this season will be any different. It is likely that this division will boast five playoff teams as well. Along with the three seeded division teams, two other teams will battle for the conference wild card spots. The Portland Winterhawks and Spokane Chiefs should battle for the top spot in the division. The Hawks look poised to take the division, under the leadership of the Vegas Golden Knights first franchise pick Cody Glass, who will challenge for the WHL scoring title this season and be one of the best players to take the ice in the league. The Hawks lost two top defenders in Dennis Cholowski (Detroit) and Henri Jokiharju (Chicago), as well as forwards Skyler McKenzie (Winnipeg) and Kiefer Bellows (NYI). They have a solid supporting cast, and overage forward Joakim Blichfeld (SJ) and defender Brendan DeJong (Car) will flourish this season. They also boast two top draft prospects in defenders --Clay Hanus and John Ludvig who should produce on the back end.

Jaret Anderson-Dolan, photo by Larry Brunt/Spokane Chiefs

The Chiefs are set to push for the division title with plenty of offense even after losing Edmonton prospect and team leader Kailer Yamamoto, and graduate Hudson Elynuik (Toronto Marlies). They will be led by LA Kings prospect Jaret Anderson-Dolan (who will surely be one to watch after he returns from the NHL), Sharks prospect Jake McGrew, a nice complement of 19-year-old players, and New Jersey Devils first round selection Ty Smith who will step up his game. This season the Chiefs will also show off prospect Luke Toporowski, who will contribute with a larger role for the club.

The Seattle Thunderbirds, Tri-City Americans, and Everett Silvertips will follow up jockeying for position. The T-Birds are building and are looking to improve after a big changeover in players. The load will be shouldered by Nolan Volcan and Zach Andrusiak, who will play as 20-year- olds this season and lead the team offensively. Jared Tyszka (Montreal) will lead the blue line, and help draft eligible prospect Jake Lee. Secondary scoring will come from Noah Philp, Matthew Wedman and eligible prospect Dillon Hamaliuk. Tri-City will be anxious to get back prospects Michael Rasmussen (Detroit), and defensemen Juuso Valimaki (Calgary), but it may take some time, if they return at all. Aside from that they will have a solid set of forwards led by Kyle Olson (Anaheim), Nolan Yaremko, and top draft eligible prospect Sasha Mutala. The defence is young and could be shaky, meaning that the offence and goaltending will both have to be better. The Everett Silvertips have had the biggest turnover, losing scoring leaders Patrick Bajkov (Florida) and Matt Fonteyne, as well as elite goaltender Carter Hart (Philadelphia). They will get back forwards Riley Sutter (Washington) and Connor Dewar (Minnesota) to lead the attack. Goaltender Dustin Wolf is a top prospect and played admirably behind Hart last season. He will have his chance to be in the spotlight and shine this year. Wyatte Wylie (Philadelphia) will lead the blueliners the depth of which is a strength of this team.

Milos Roman. Photo by Chris Relke/Vancouver Giants

The B.C. division took a step back, as the powerhouse teams have slipped. Now the Vancouver Giants seemed poised to sit atop the division along with the Victoria Royals. The Giants lost forwards Tyler Benson (Edmonton) and Ty Ronning (NYR), but have a great follow up with James Malm, Brayden Watts, and prospect Milos Roman (Calgary) to lead their offence. The Giants also have a great stable of defensemen, including Alex Kannok-Leipert (Washington), Dylan Plouffe, and a definite 2019 first round selection in Bowen Byram. The goaltending is also sound with the tandem of Arizona Coyotes pick David Tendeck and highly touted prospect Trent Miner who has put up great numbers with his play between the pipes.

The Victoria Royals will also challenge for the division title, as they have a good nucleus of players, solid goaltending, and great coaching. They lost a lot of firepower in Tyler Soy (San Diego Gulls) and Matthew Phillips (Calgary), but will be led by Dante Hannoun, Dino Kambeitz, and Kaid Oliver. The back end is good with Scott Walford (Montreal), Lane Zablocki (Detroit), and Ralph Jarrett. The Royals will be backstopped by one of the top goaltenders in the league in Griffin Outhouse who will help them with their push for another division title.

Kyle Topping of the Kelowna Rockets. Photo by Marissa Baecker/Kelowna Rockets

The Kelowna Rockets, Kamloops Blazers, and Prince George Cougars round out the division, as they will jockey for the third spot and possibly a wild card. The Rockets, after winning the bid to host the 2020 Memorial Cup will have to step things up, as this season looks a bit rough for them. They lost a good portion of their team, and top players Cal Foote (TBL), Dillon Dube (Calgary), Kole Lind (Vancouver), Carsen Twarynski (Philadelphia), have graduated and the team is in transition. They do however show five top rated prospects this season including Kyle Topping, who surprisingly went unselected in last year’s draft and will lead the team offensively this season. Top prospect and projected first rounder Nolan Foote will bear a larger role and be relied on to provide some much needed offence along with Leif Mattson. The Rockets are known for turning out defensemen, and they have top rated prospects in Kaden Korczak and Lassi Thomson in the works. In goal they have Roman Basran, another top prospect who pitched a shutout in his first ever WHL game, and will share backstop duties with James Porter.

The Kamloops Blazers are looking to take a step up after going through many changes last season. The Blazers seem like they are in rebuild mode, but they will be led by Jermaine Loewen returning from the Dallas Stars. The Blazers have some young players on their roster, and the back end will be anchored by Nolan Kneen, who should be in store for a big year. The Blazers could very well surprise a lot of teams, especially if returning goaltender Dylan Ferguson (Vegas) can put up solid numbers as he should be busy. The Cougars are also in the midst of a rebuild, as they unloaded many of their assets to finish at the bottom of the division. They have a young team without any returning NHL draftees on it, but will be led by defenders Joel Lakusta, Ryan Schoettler, Rhett Rhinehart, and forwards Ethan Browne and import Vladislav Mikhalchuk. They have a top rated goalie prospect in Taylor Gauthier between the pipes, and he looks to face a lot of shots behind a weak defence.

The battle of the Central Division should come down to the Lethbridge Hurricanes and Medicine Hat Tigers, followed by the Red Deer Rebels and Edmonton Oil Kings, leaving the Kootenay Ice and Calgary Hitmen battling for the wildcard positions.

Calen Addison. Photo by Robert Murray.

The Hurricanes seemed primed and ready, as they welcome back their leaders from other camps and tryouts. The offence will certainly be dynamic with Jordy Bellerive (Pittsburgh) returning, and prospect Dylan Cozens - who will definitely be an early first round pick in next year’s draft - leading the charge as they both push for the WHL scoring title as well. The secondary scoring will be in the hands of eligible prospect Logan Barlage, Taylor Ross, and Kelti Jeri-Leon. On the back end, Calen Addison (Pittsburgh) returns to beef up this blue line and contribute from the point. The goaltending looks solid with Reece Klassen, who should have a good nucleus of defence in front of him to help him put up good numbers. Medicine Hat should also be able to keep up with Lethbridge on the offensive side of things, as they also have some firepower up front. Ryan Chyzowski and Josh Williams are one of the top tandems in the league, and Williams is a likely first round selection in the upcoming draft. Captain James Hamblin will also provide some scoring punch, as they also show a very balanced group of forwards.

The Tigers lost offensive defensemen David Queneville (NYI), meaning defenders Linus Nassen (Florida) and Dylan Macpherson will have to step into bigger roles to help fill that void. The goaltending will be fine with Jordan Hollett (Ottawa) stopping pucks on the back end, but the defence is young. The Rebels also have some nice players returning, and coach Brett Sutter will be happy with Brandon Hagel and Jeff DeWit coming back to lead the forward group. The Rebels also welcome back Alexander Alexeyev (Washington) and Dawson Barteaux (Dallas) to the group, as they should both have very productive seasons. The Rebels have two players of note for draft hounds with import center Oleg Zaytsev and goaltender Ethan Anders, who should both improve this season with expanded roles.

The Edmonton Oil Kings have also been in a rebuild mode, and are looking to take the next step of their transition. They have a young team who will be led by Trey Fix-Wolansky (Columbus), along with veterans Quinn Benjafield and Vince Loschiavo to play along side of draft eligible prospects David Kope, Vladimir Alistrov, and Brett Kemp. On defence, a top prospect and projected first round selection Matthew Robertson leads the blue line with fellow draft-eligibles Jacson Alexander and Conner McDonald. The Oil Kings also have some young goaltenders in their net, and could help this team move up the ranks with some solid play.

Riley Stotts. Photo by Candice Ward/Calgary Hitmen.

Calgary will have forwards Jake Kryski and Riley Stotts (Toronto) back, along with defenseman Vladislav Yeryomenko (Nashville) who will all take larger roles and provide leadership for their maturing team. The Hitmen have a hulking defender on the radar as Jackson Van De Leest is a top draft-eligible prospect. The Kootenay Ice have been developing and rebuilding for a few years now, and they are showing a lot of youth, and a top end talent in Peyton Krebs (yet another definite first round selection). He will be joined by Brett Davis (Dallas) to lead the charge for the young ICE team. They will rely on Jonathan Smart to anchor and lead their group of defensemen as this team looks to improve and make a surge for a playoff spot.

The Eastern Division standings will look different. This division has been hit the hardest as the top teams from last season have had major overhauls, and return depleted rosters. After being defeated in the Memorial Cup Final, the Pats have lost forwards Sam Steel (Anaheim), Cameron Hebig (Edmonton), and Matt Bradley from their impressive lineup of scorers. They will be led this year by Jake Leshyshyn (Vegas), Nick Henry (Colorado), Austin Pratt, and eligible prospect Koby Morrisseau to carry the load. On defence, losing Josh Mahura (Anaheim), Cale Fleury (Montreal), and Libor Hajek (TBL) opens the door for Aaron Hyman to take a leadership role, and allow eligible prospects Nikita Sedov and Jonas Harkins to play larger parts and flourish on an experienced team. In goal, they have Max Paddock, who should get some consideration, as he backstopped the Pats to the Memorial Cup final as a rookie netminder and looked good in the process.

Cole Fonstad

It looks like the Prince Albert Raiders are ready to take a major leap and push for the division crown. The Raiders are loaded up front with players to watch in Cole Fonstad (Montreal), Noah Gregor (SJ), undrafted Brett Leason, and returnee Kody McDonald leading the way. They have an experienced blue line with Sergei Sapego, Max Martin, and Brayden Pachal ready to deliver in larger roles. Goaltender Ian Scott (Toronto) is ready to be one of the top tenders in the DUB this season and lead this team. They will battle with the Brandon Wheat Kings and the Saskatoon Blades for the division crown in what should be an exciting division to follow. The Wheat Kings will also boast a stellar offence and solid goaltending. With last seasons leading scorer Ty Lewis (Colorado) eligible to return, which would add even more scoring punch to this already impressive lineup of forwards.

Ty Smith

Stelio Mattheos (Carolina), Connor Gutenberg, Cole Reinhart, and draft eligible Luka Burzan will lead the charge for the Wheat Kings. The defence will be led by Schael Higson and Chase Hartje, with youngsters Braden Schneider and Jonny Lambos getting increased minutes. Las Vegas prospect Jiri Patera will handle duties in net, and looks to be very solid for the Wheaties, which will also help push them to the top of the division. The Saskatoon Blades have also made enormous strides this year, and will take a step up as well. They have some great prospects on the roster that will make their way to the draft this spring. They also have a forward group that can fill the nets with Max Gerlach, Eric Florchuk, and Josh Paterson returning to support Kirby Dach. Dach will be a prolific scorer and early first round pick at the draft. He will be joined by import defensemen and fellow top prospect Emil Malysjev who will settle in to a prominent role by playing with the likes of Dawson Davidson and Jackson Caller. The Blades also feature a top goaltending tandem with top prospect Nolan Maier who will carry the load this season after a stellar rookie season, and Dorrin Luding, who has looked very impressive in his appearances.

Jett Woo

The Moose Jaw Warriors will find themselves in the mix as well with Justin Almeida (Pittsburgh) back in the fold, and leading the way as one of the top players in the Dub. Almeida will take the reigns of the offence after the loss of Jayden Halbgewachs (SJ), Brayden Burke (Arizona), and Brett Howden (NYR). He will be joined by Ryan Peckford, who looked promising last year despite being passed over in the draft. He will look to make amends for that with a good showing this year with an increased role on this club. He will be joined with fellow prospect Brayden Tracey and veteran forward Tristan Langan. The back end will miss top defender Kale Clague (LAK), but will be in good shape with a strong core as Josh Brook (Montreal) and Jett Woo (Vancouver) are back there. In net, the Warriors have Adam Evanoff who was great in a limited role in his rookie season, and will get to display his skills this year in a main role. He will share time with ex-Kelowna Rocket Broden Salmond who will add some experience.

Last but not least, last seasons WHL Champion Swift Current Broncos will be hit the hardest of all teams. They have lost most of their scoring, and are in a definite rebuilding mode. Gone are the likes of Glen Gawdin (Calgary), Aleksi Heponiemi (Florida), Giorgio Estephan (Buffalo), Matteo Gennaro, Beck Malenstyn (Washington), and their leader in Tyler Steenbergen (Arizona). The defence was also depleted by losing Colby Sissons (NJ), and surprisingly undrafted Artyom Minulin (who will miss lots of time with offseason surgery). This team will be led by Max Patterson, Alec Zawatsky, and defender Connor Horning. The Broncos are young, and will be in development mode for the next few seasons. Goaltender Joel Hofer (St. Louis) is the only player that has NHL labelling, and will be extremely busy throughout the year and will face a whole lot rubber. He will have to hone his skills and stop a lot of pucks, but is unlikely to steal many games for this team.

2017 NHL Draft Grades: Pacific Division – San Jose Sharks

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

San Jose Sharks – Draft Grade: 55

Josh Norris, USNTDP, photo by Rena Laverty

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

Scott Reedy of the USNTDP. Photo by Rena Laverty

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

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

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

Jacob MCGREW – McKeen's Hockey

McKeen’s 2020-21 Hockey Yearbook: San Jose Sharks Top 20 Prospects

Ryan Merkley, D (21st overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 1)

Ozzy Weisblatt, RW (31st overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Thomas Bordeleau, C (38th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Jonathan Dahlen, LW/C (42nd overall, 2016 [Ottawa]. Previous ranking: 3)

Yegor Spiridonov, C/LW (108th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 2)

Sasha Chmelevski, C (185th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 4)

Alexander True, C (Undrafted free agent, signed Jul. 18, 2018. Previous ranking: 5)

John Leonard, LW (182nd overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 6)

Tristen Robins, C (56th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Brandon Coe, RW (98th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Danil Gushchin, LW (76th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Artemi Knyazev, D (48th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 7)

Dillon Hamaliuk, LW (55th overall, 20191. Previous ranking: 8)

Joachim Blichfeld, RW (210th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 9)

Alexei Melnichuk, G (Undrafted Free Agent, signed May 4, 2020. Previous ranking: 10)

Jacob McGrew, RW (159th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 11)

Brinson Pasichnuk, D (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 31, 2020. Previous ranking: 12)

Santeri Hatakka, D (184th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 13)

Scott Reedy, C/RW (102nd overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 14)

Lean Bergmann, LW/RW (Undrafted Free Agent, signed May 28, 2019. Previous ranking: 15)

MCKEEN’S 2020 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – SAN JOSE SHARKS – ORGANIZATIONAL RANK: 25

San Jose Sharks

Ryan Merkley, D (21st overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 1)

Yegor Spiridonov, C/LW (108th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 3)

Jonathan Dahlen, LW/C (42nd overall, 2016 [Ottawa]. 2019 Rank: 8)

Sasha Chmelevski, C (185th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 2)

Alexander True, C (Undrafted free agent, signed Jul. 18, 2018. 2019 Rank: 20)

John Leonard, LW (182nd overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: UR)

Artemi Knyazev, D (48th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 12)

Dillon Hamaliuk, LW (55th overall, 20191. 2019 Rank: 13)

Joachim Blichfeld, RW (210th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 7)

Alexei Melnichuk, G (Undrafted Free Agent, signed May 4, 2020. 2019 Rank: IE)

Jacob McGrew, RW (159th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: UR)

Brinson Pasichnuk, D (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 31, 2020. 2019 Rank: IE)

Santeri Hatakka, D (184th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

Scott Reedy, C/RW (102nd overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 13)

Lean Bergmann, LW/RW (Undrafted Free Agent, signed May 28, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

WHL 2018-19 Season Preview

2017 NHL Draft Grades: Pacific Division – San Jose Sharks

Ryan Merkley, D (21^st overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 1)

Ozzy Weisblatt, RW (31^st overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Thomas Bordeleau, C (38^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Jonathan Dahlen, LW/C (42^nd overall, 2016 [Ottawa]. Previous ranking: 3)

Yegor Spiridonov, C/LW (108^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 2)

Sasha Chmelevski, C (185^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 4)

John Leonard, LW (182^nd overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 6)

Tristen Robins, C (56^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Brandon Coe, RW (98^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Danil Gushchin, LW (76^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Artemi Knyazev, D (48^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 7)

Dillon Hamaliuk, LW (55^th overall, 20191. Previous ranking: 8)

Joachim Blichfeld, RW (210^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 9)

Jacob McGrew, RW (159^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 11)

Santeri Hatakka, D (184^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 13)

Scott Reedy, C/RW (102^nd overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 14)

Ryan Merkley, D (21^st overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 1)

Yegor Spiridonov, C/LW (108^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 3)

Jonathan Dahlen, LW/C (42^nd overall, 2016 [Ottawa]. 2019 Rank: 8)

Sasha Chmelevski, C (185^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 2)

John Leonard, LW (182^nd overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: UR)

Artemi Knyazev, D (48^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 12)

Dillon Hamaliuk, LW (55^th overall, 20191. 2019 Rank: 13)

Joachim Blichfeld, RW (210^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 7)

Jacob McGrew, RW (159^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: UR)

Santeri Hatakka, D (184^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

Scott Reedy, C/RW (102^nd overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 13)