Jake Leschyshyn – McKeen's Hockey

WHL 2019-2020 Season Preview – Eastern Conference

Vince Gibbons — Thu, 03 Oct 2019 22:00:28 +0000

One of the joys of junior hockey is that the age limitations force roster turnover of top teams in 3-4-year cycles creating a new league every couple of seasons. This ensures that no team stays at the top of the league for too long. The class of the league last season was the Prince Albert Raiders. Wire to wire the top team in the WHL with three lines of scoring, three defenders with over 40 points each, and an NHL-drafted goalie prospect in Ian Scott, they ticked all the boxes of a team that was able to dominate the league.

This year they will be without three graduated top overage forwards in Dante Hannoun, Noah Gregor, and Sean Montgomery, who combined for an impressive 101 goals. Top scorer from last year Brett Leason is still in pro camp and could play in the AHL this season if he continues to show well. If he does that is another 36 goals no longer with the roster. Does this leave the door open to another team in the WHL to dominate the 2019-2020 regular season? Does Prince Albert have the staying power to remain at the top? These articles will try to answer those questions months in advance. (Teams are listed in their projected divisional rankings). Today we look at the Eastern Conference. The Western Conference article will be published tomorrow.

Peyton Krebs. Photo by Robert Murray/WHL

East Division

Winnipeg ICE (1^st)

No team has had more season-over-season change than Winnipeg. Formerly based in Kootenay, the roster looks substantially different with a plethora of scoring options up front, something they have struggled mightily with the past few seasons. The import draft provided the ICE two gifted forwards in Michal Teply (Chicago, 4^th 2019) and Nino Kinder (undrafted). Both have been impact players in the early part of the season at well over one point per game. Peyton Krebs (Vegas, 1^st 2019) will be playing with some talent this year when he returns from his off season injury and will get a chance to showcase his playmaking skills on a team with finishers on both wings. Connor McClennon is their top prospect for this year’s draft; the smallish winger is like a waterbug out on the ice with some high end offensive skills. Perhaps the most interesting player on the roster though, is 2004 born Matthew Savoie who was not granted exceptional status for this season. Rumors of him sticking with the team all season anyway are out there so it will be fascinating to watch this all unfold, regardless. There is a ton of scoring talent in Winnipeg to potentially pace them to the top of the division.

Saskatoon Blades (2^nd)

The Blades roster lost Max Gerlach’s 42 goals but for the most part remains intact up front. Kirby Dach (Chicago, 1^st 2019) remains in camp and will likely get a few games in the NHL but should return to Saskatoon, where he will lead a very strong group. Eric Florchuk (Washington 7^th 2018) and Chase Wouters will have to provide more offense especially while Dach is still in the NHL. Kyle Crnkovic had a very solid draft minus one season and look for him to produce a lot of offense on the wing of one of the top two lines. Despite his size, he could force his way into a middle round pick in the upcoming draft. The final difference maker on this roster is between the pipes, where undrafted Nolan Maier has shown the pedigree to be a top goaltender in the WHL. Last season his .910 save percentage was in the top half of the league and with the relative stability of the defensive corps, he will look to build on that.

Prince Albert Raiders (3^rd)

Despite the loss of talent already mentioned this team still boasts a strong roster. Returning import player Aliaksei Protas (Washington, 3^th 2019) has hit the ground running with five points in his first three games this season. Playing with Cole Fonstad (Montreal, 5^th, 2019) expect for Protas to have productive minutes and improve on last season’s totals. Both players will be counted on to be primary producers this year rather than the secondary roles they had previously. Two draft eligible players of note on the roster are winger Ozzy Wiesblatt, who has good speed and vision, and Kaiden Guhle, a solid two way defender. This year they should be on both special teams units because of their high hockey IQ and solid passing skills. Recently acquired Boston Bilous was brought in to stabilize the net with Ian Scott having a shot at a pro hockey this year. These players make this roster dangerous and a tough out on any given night.

Brandon Wheat Kings (4^th)

Just missing the playoffs last season, Brandon has plenty of young talent looking to take a step forward. Led by Luka Burzan (Colorado, 6^th 2019) and his impressive 40 goals last season, this team is flush with ’02 born talented players. Ty Thorpe, Nolan Ritchie, Ridly Greig and Riley Ginnel plus late ’01 birthday Jonny Hooker have all shown flashes of being quality forwards. On the back end they have one of the WHL’s top draft eligible defenders in Braden Schneider who logs a lot of minutes. In goal, they have used an overage and an import spot for Jiri Patera (Vegas, 6^th 2017) to protect the blue paint which enables them to compete every night.

Moose Jaw Warriors (5^th)

The offseason trade of Jett Woo coupled with the graduations of Justin Almeida and Josh Brook has left Moose Jaw at the start of a rebuild. Brayden Tracey has looked the part in Ducks camp, exceeding expectations, but should be back in Moose Jaw soon enough. He is the last remaining part of a lethal power play unit from last season and will be expected to continue producing despite recent graduates. In terms of this year’s NHL draft, Daemon Hunt looks to be the top prospect on the Warriors. They also have an impact players for further down the road with Ryder Korczak a late ’02 and ’03 birth year Eric Alarie who have been torching the league in preseason and are both ready to contribute regularly.

Regina Pats (6^th)

The Regina Pats are going through what most host cities of the Memorial Cup go through. After trading away futures to ensure a strong showing, the cupboard looks a little barren with no Bantam first round picks on their roster, save overager Dawson Holt. Austin Pratt, who led the team in scoring last season, returns as a 20 year old and should be a point per game player this year. He is an intriguing player that never took off the way it was expected when he came up from Minnesota. He has a huge frame and good skating but has never been consistent enough to take over a game and garner much pro hype. With the roster in Regina he should get every opportunity to be successful.

Dylan Cozens. Photo by Erica Perreaux - Lethbridge Hurricanes

Central Division

Calgary Hitmen (1^st)

The Hitmen possess a roster with some serious depth at every position. The acquisition of Jett Woo in the offseason makes their defense corps one of the best in the WHL. Yegor Zamula (Philadelphia, UDFA 2018) Luke Prokop, Dakota Krebs, and Jackson van de Leest can all play a tough physical brand of hockey and play the game with a real edge. At forward they have a top list of options led by overage player Mark Kastelic (Ottawa 5^th, 2019). He has great size and plays a heavy game. Fellow overager James Malm has shown good offensive skills despite being a little undersized. With drafted centerman Riley Stotts (Toronto, 3^rd 2018) and Carson Focht (Vancouver, 5^th 2019) also capable of filling the net they have as well balanced a team as anyone. Riley Fiddler-Schultz and Adam Kydd have some offensive tools and both could hear their names called on draft day in 2020.

Edmonton Oil Kings (2^nd)

Despite being without the services of Trey Fix-Wolansky (Columbus, 7^th 2018), one of the more dynamic offensive weapons in the WHL the past few seasons, Edmonton looks the part of a playoff team. Matthew Robertson (NY Rangers, 2^nd 2019) leads a strong, experienced blue line. Up front they boast six bantam draft former first round picks in Dylan Guether, Liam Keeler, Quinn Benjafield, Jake Neighbours, Brendan Semchuk, and Josh Williams. With Neighbours being one of the top draft eligible players in the WHL this year, he will be a large part of the offense as Edmonton battles for tops in the division. Relying on experience in overage goalie Dylan Myskiw and 2000 born Todd Scott to hold down the crease, Edmonton looks capable of pushing for top spot in the East this season.

Medicine Hat Tigers (3^rd)

Medicine Hat will be led by a couple of Danish born players (checks notes again), yes two Danish players. Jonathan Brinkman and Mads Sogaard (Ottawa, 2^nd 2019) both hail from Aalborg, Denmark. Sogaard was a revelation last season starting in both the WJC and Top Prospects Game and having a huge role in Medicine Hat sticking with Edmonton in the first round of the playoffs. Brinkman is looking to make his mark in the WHL after going undrafted last season. The Tigers also possess a team with lots of experience with James Hamblin, Bryan Lockner, Brett Kemp, and Ryan Chyzowski all in as undrafted 19 and 20 year olds. Eric Van Impe leads the team defensively and plays a nice brand of physical hockey coupled with some pretty good offensive upside which should get plenty of looks from NHL scouts this year.

Lethbridge Hurricanes (4^th)

Any team with a player as dynamic as Dylan Cozens (Buffalo, 1^st 2019) has the ability to win on any given night. This year he will do it on his own back as there as Lethbridge’s depth took a serious hit in the offseason. Likely graduated players Jordan Bellerive (Pittsburgh, UDFA 2018), Jake Elmer (NY Rangers, UDFA 2019), Nick Henry (Colorado, 4^th 2017) and Jake Leschyshyn (Vegas, 2^nd 2017) will create opportunities for younger players like Logan Barlage and recently acquired Dino Kambeitz. Calen Addison (Pittsburgh, 2^nd 2018) is still there to quarterback the powerplay and has shown he can produce as well as any forward in the WHL. The crease is a platoon style early as both guys have started a couple of games and shown well. If the goaltending is good enough they will be a playoff team in the East, however they will be in tough competing with the depth of some other teams.

Red Deer Rebels (5^th)

Last season was disappointing in Red Deer despite the Rebels making the playoffs. This year with the youth the team is ‘blooding’ expectations are pretty low. There is no dynamic scorer in any of their overage players and Brett Davies (Dallas, 6^th 2017) has been underwhelming since coming over in trade last season. It will be scoring by committee if they have any success this year. The likes of Josh Tarzwell, Cameron Hausinger, and Chris Douglas will have to up their games as none have had a 20 goal season in a Rebels’ uniform. There is reason for optimism though, particularly along the blue line, as Red Deer sports a number of young up and coming defenders. Led by Dawson Barteaux (Dallas, 6^th 2018) and draft eligible Christoffer Sedoff on the top pairing, and youngsters Blake Gustafson, Mason Ward, and Joel Sexsmith will also garner scouts attention as the season goes on. With two solid WHL goalies on the roster, both Byron Fancy and Ethan Anders are capable of carrying a young team into the season with the stability they provide in the crease. The playoffs would be a stretch for them this year, especially with the strength of the Eastern Division likely competing for both Wild Card spots.

Swift Current Broncos (6^th)

Swift Current is just two seasons removed from a Memorial Cup and have a roster that lacks experience going into this season. The highlight of their roster is a pair of draft eligible Finnish players, winger Joona Kiviniemi who returned after leading the team in goals last season, and looks to improve on his 16 goals from a season ago, and Kasper Puutio who the was the first overall pick in the latest CHL Import Draft. Pro scouts will be following the progression of these two in the North American game and they should keep fans interested as the season moves along. Ben King has also shown flashes of potential as a power forward but has not been able to put it together night in and night out as of yet. Expect another long season out in Speedy Creek.

Vegas Golden Knights 2019-20 Prospect Review: Top 20

Sat, 14 Sep 2019 13:27:39 +0000

If you have been looking at this section throughout this guidebook, you may have noticed that most teams still have a number of players that they have been nurturing for upwards of six or seven years. Gus drafted in 2012 or 2013 and have not made it yet, but look to still retain some of the promise that had them noticed in the first place.

The Golden Knights obviously do not share that distinction. The top 20 below does have one player each who had been drafted in the 2012 and 2013 drafts, respectively, but of course neither of the two were originally drafted by Vegas. 2012 draft pick Jake Bischoff came over from the New York Islanders as part of an expansion draft trade that funneled both the player and a first round pick to Vegas in exchange for giving the Islanders a say in who the expansion team would draft off their roster. 2013 pick Valentin Zykov has had a journeyman existence in the NHL, playing in 40 games spread over three seasons and three teams (Carolina, Edmonton, and Vegas, after he never played an NHL team for the LA Kings, who had originally drafted him in the second round).

Yet even without an abundance of mature prospects in the system, we still rank the Golden Knights among the top ten prospect pipelines in the sport. Even without any additional context, that is a remarkable distinction for this still nascent organization. But it gets better. As Vegas’ NHL team has been historically strong in its first two campaigns, the team had shockingly found itself as a deadline buyer, putting it in the unexpected position of needing to trade from the future to buttress the present. And so in the last year, they traded two thirds of its first first round draft haul to beef up the roster with in-their-prime talents. Nick Suzuki, who would have been third on the list below, was traded to Montreal, along with Tomas Tatar and a 2019 second round pick, for Max Pacioretty. That second round pick, by the way, would have ranked fourth on this list.

Then we have the case of Erik Brannstrom. Another 2017 first rounder who had been destroying the AHL as a teenager and was named to the 2019 WJC All Star Team, was traded at the 2019 deadline to Ottawa for two-way powerhouse winger Mark Stone. Brannstrom would have been jockeying with Peyton Krebs for the second slot on the Vegas list.

Finally, former GM George McPhee traded the team’s 2018 first round pick to Detroit, along with another 2019 second rounder and a third round pick in 2021, for the aforementioned Tatar. That trade did not work out for the Golden Knights, and the player Detroit drafted, Joe Veleno, would be right there in Brannstrom territory on this list.

Despite missing four players who would have ranked very high on this – or any – team list, we still have the Vegas system as the sixth strongest in the NHL. What is their secret? It isn’t a liberal daily regimen of Oil of Olay. They make draft selections based on skill instead of size. They still have a few players, Bischoff included, from their expansion draft maneuverings. They are a prime destination for high end NCAA free agents, two of whom are included below. In other words, it isn’t one thing, but many things. The Golden Knights will be bringing in their second wave of talent before the first wave peters out.

-Ryan Wagman

Vegas Golden Knights forward Valentin Zykov. (Photo by Scott Grau/Icon Sportswire)

1 Cody Glass, C (6^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 1) The Golden Knights first ever draft pick is a highly touted prospect and should be an elite talent when ready. Glass, who should have had a dominant year, seemed to have a disappointing season as he was hampered with injuries and misfortune. The Winterhawks’ captain skated with the team for 38 games during which he compiled 69 points, before missing the majority of the second half with a leg injury. Glass also put up six points in five games for Canada at the WJC. He returned for one playoff game for Portland before being promoted to the AHL’s Chicago Wolves where he played in their last six regular season games, before he scored seven goals and 15 points in 22 playoff games adjusting seamlessly to the heightened pace and physicality of the pros, looking dynamic in the process. He should challenge for a position with Vegas this season. - KO

2 Peyton Krebs, C (17^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) A player with Krebs’ combination of sublime skating ability and puck skills should not last all the way to pick 17 in the draft, but he may have been held back by one or both of his numbers suffering due to playing for one of the worst teams in the CHL and/or an Achilles injury which required surgery after his season ended. In addition to his offensive tools, Krebs can play a structured two-way game and plays stronger along the boards than his size might indicate. He is also an experienced leader, having worn the “C” as a 17 year-old with Kootenay and again at the WU18 for Team Canada. He is not necessarily small, but his physical game is not expected to be a factor at the next level. He may miss the first couple of months of this season as he continues to recover, but it should not impact his continued, long-term development. He is a clear top-six forward for the Golden Knights second wave of talent. - RW

3 Pavel Dorofeyev, LW (79^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) A dynamic player with a great set of hands, Dorofeyev plays an exciting East-West game and exhibits sound technique and excellent vision of the ice. The forward had a strong 2018-19 campaign, including scoring his first KHL goal. This year, he will be called to reach new heights as he clearly outgrew the Russian junior league (31 points in 19 games), but it won’t be easy for him to find a spot on one of the top KHL teams. He is a very dangerous player one-on-one and in the open ice, but he is not a strong defensive player, both stereotypical Russian traits. His very smooth hands make him a highlight-reel player, but he will be a top-six-or-bust player only. He is still very young – a later 2000 born – and this plays to his favor. He is currently entering the last year of his contract, and barring a breakout season, he should be cautious about leaving that early. - ASR

4 Nicolas Hague, D (34^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 4) During Hague’s first full pro season last year, we found out exactly what his ceiling is. He is not the Victor Hedman-lite his junior stats suggested he could be, but instead the 2017 second-rounder has can’t-miss shutdown potential in a two-way package. His lanky, 6-6” frame makes him nearly unbeatable at the blueline, as his length and mobility give him a package that can compete with any AHL forward for space in the defensive zone. In transition, he can be a lethal passer and a capable puck-carrier who draws attention to himself without sacrificing defensive position. He has potential to lead the special teams units on both sides, and his shot has impressive carry to it and could be a difference-maker on the power play. After the trade deadline, Hague become AHL Chicago’s number-one D-man and handled the tough minutes well. Though his skating will always be a sore spot, he could be a middle-pairing shutdown blueliner with Vegas, with potential to be a top-pair guy later on. - TD

5 Ivan Morozov, C (61^st overall, 2018. Last Year: 7) The young center had a busy season, lining up for four different teams within the same year and skating at the WJC as an underaged player. Morozov – only a namesake of the former Penguins star – is a capable player with a very strong offensive game. He is a solid passer and has a crackling shot that he likes to snipe high as a true scorer. He is a candidate for a top spot in the Team Russia lineup at the upcoming WJC, and it will be interesting to check how he fares against more serious competition. He needs to pick up some pro games this year to further hone his skills and gather experience. Morozov also needs to bulk up to become a more appealing player for the North American game. - ASR

6 Zach Whitecloud, D (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 8, 2018. Last Year: 12) Whitecloud is not the most talented prospect in the system, but he is arguably the most complete and well-rounded, and as a strong defensive defenseman, that notion goes a long way. In his first professional season, he was able to step into a fast-paced, high-intensity role alongside Hague and not only hold his own, but excel on both sides of the ice (74-6-22-28). He has a solid frame and skates extremely well, has a blazing shot from the point, and plays one of the most hard-nosed defensive games among prospects in the sport, never hesitating to engage physically. He is an underrated puck mover and someone that can -- and often does -- control a power play unit. There are no flaws to his game that will completely hinder his chances at an NHL spot, but his ultimate role is yet to be determined. - TD

7 Valentin Zykov, C (37^th overall, 2013 [Los Angeles]. Last Year: 11 [Carolina]) A former 40-goal scorer in the QMJHL, Zykov has had a hard and long time in the North American pro system, but after being claimed off waivers last season spent the remainder of the regular season in the NHL, auditioning for a full time role this year. The rugged, shot-heavy winger has spent time in four farm systems and with three NHL teams, but has yet to establish a home in the best league in the world. He bounced around for all of 2018-19, but netted 33 goals in 63 games with AHL Charlotte in 2017-18. While his skating has never been there, his hands are mighty fast and his shot, though heavily overused, is one of the best among AHL and ”Quad-A” players. He will have to have a very impressive season to make a splash in the NHL, but the raw skill and the potential to be a bottom-six scoring winger are there. - TD

8 Jake Bischoff, D (185^th overall, 2012 [New York Islanders]. Last Year: 5) A 2012 seventh-round pick, Bischoff has developed rather slowly, although steadily enough for the Golden Knights to award him with a new three year contract this offseason. His talent has long been there, but his hockey sense and versatility on the ice have shown the most improvement. For a bigger guy, the 25-year-old is a terrific skater, with the pure speed and technical mobility to beat his opponents to the puck. His strength allows his defensive game to blossom, as he ties up opposing players in front of the net and can lay out big hits at times. He is patient and observant with the puck, but generally likes to shoot rather than pass to better offensive options, which can be an issue at times. The 25-year-old is far down the defensive depth chart, with Whitecloud, Hague, and a slew of young NHLers in front of him, but he should earn some NHL action at long last this year. - TD

9 Isaiah Saville, G (135^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) Although undersized by modern goaltending ideals, Saville has done nothing but stop pucks at a high rate for the past two seasons, first with Minnesota in the NAHL and more recently with Tri-City of the USHL. In the latter stop, he was named the Goaltender of the Year for the league. The native of Anchorage, Alaska is a plus athlete, and plays the net with extreme poise. He also sticks out for his ability to make the first save cleanly, minimizing second chances. He missed a fair chunk of time in the second half last year, leading to questions about his durability. He is also technically sound, although there is room for refinement. Heading to Nebraska-Omaha, he will be in position to seize the starting role from day one as the incumbent has since graduated. Development is never linear for any player, especially so for netminders, but he has the look of a 1B type, or a high-end backup at the NHL level. - RW

10 Kaedan Korczak, D (41^st overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) Korczak was expected by many to be a first round pick, but saw his stock drop to the second round. A lot of it had to do with teammate Lassi Thomson overtaking him on the Rockets. Korczak has good size, is solid, has a nice physical element to his game and plays with an edge. He had some struggles earlier in the season, but really put his game together near the end, as his confidence rose and his play grew more consistent. He has top four billing and is a defender who can play and eat a lot of minutes, providing some secondary scoring along the way. This should be a much more defining season for him, as he will have to step up in a larger role for the Rockets, and with Kelowna hosting the Memorial Cup, he will get his chance to show off his skills with a stronger lineup. - KO

11 Jack Dugan, LW (142^nd overall, 2017. Last Year: 11) One of the top skaters in Hockey East as a freshman, albeit as a 20 year-old, Dugan manages to put up gaudy point totals in spite of a skill set that doesn’t extend far beyond average. A few times per game, he will flash solid skating chops, including four way mobility that adds a layer of unpredictability to his offensive attack. He has good size and enough strength not to be overwhelmed in puck battles, but he is not an overly aggressive player. While he was more of a playmaker as a freshman, his type of game is actually stronger when he tries to put the puck in the net on his own. After finishing second in scoring for Friars last season, the other players in the top six all turned pro, leaving Dugan as the likely primary offensive source for Providence this year. He will need to spearhead the attack, although he projects as a middle six winger at the highest level. - RW

12 Benjamin Jones, C (189^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 9) It is easy to see Jones being able to carve out a lengthy NHL career because of how well rounded his game is. In Niagara, he played every situation possible and also served as the team captain. He is an ultra-aggressive player who relishes the opportunity to play a pest-like role. While not overtly physical, he is very effective working through traffic, attacking the net, tracking down loose pucks, and working the wall. He likely does not possess enough innate skill with the puck to be a top six forward for Vegas in the future. Thankfully, he projects well as a steady third line option who can kill penalties and slide up the lineup if needed. - BO

13 Jake Leschyshyn, C (62^nd overall, 2017. Last Year: 18) Leschyshyn finally took an offensive step is his draft plus two season. Never being a point per game player before, he improved his production to 1.19 per game, nearly double his production from the previous season. While doing so, he did not stray from the style of game that made him a second round pick in 2017. He is a very fundamentally sound hockey player in that he is always on the right side of his man, plays physical, gets to the dirty areas of the ice, blocks shots, is very solid in his own zone, a good forechecker, and is excellent in the faceoff circle. Adding a level of secondary offensive will only enhance his chances of securing a third line center role one day in the NHL. - VG

14 Ryder Donovan, C (110^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) Sushi-raw, Donovan has power forward size and plays a power forward style to match. Although he spent most of his draft year playing in the Minnesota high school system, a late season stint with Dubuque in the USHL gave a better glimpse of how he stacks up against better competition. Even in very limited minutes, his game popped on the ice. He skates very well for his size, is tough to play against in the corners, and goes hard to the net. Even when he doesn’t have the puck, he has a knack for creating trouble for defenses, with a heavy stick and an agitating persona. Of course the question remains about his offensive upside as his high school production was only so-so. At his best, his shot and puck skills can look like top six weapons, but his best doesn’t show up often enough to expect more than bottom six production. Then again, he wouldn’t be the first power forward to blossom late. - RW

15 Jimmy Schuldt, D (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Apr. 3, 2019. Last Year: IE) A highly sought after college free agent after his junior season with St. Cloud State, Schuldt returned to school for his senior season, in which the Huskies ran the table from the beginning of the season until the first round of the NCAA tournament, falling once again to a minnow from the Atlantic Hockey conference. Too soon? In fairness to the player, there is good reason why he was so seriously pursued out of college. He plays a high IQ, two-way game, with plus reads, good feet and a quick stick. He lacks the offensive tools to man a first power play unit in the NHL, but has the size, strength, and puck moving ability to be a decent fit as a number 4/5 role, depending on team need. - RW

16 Marcus Kallionkieli, LW (139^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) A rangy power forward type, Kallionkieli parlayed a solid first North American season in the USHL with Sioux City, to a late round pick by Vegas and an assignment next year with the Golden Knight’s unofficial WHL team, the Brandon Wheat Kings. The Finnish Brazilian winger has a nice blend of skating ability and hockey IQ, allowing him to play a two-way game. He has a powerful shot and is more of a goal scorer than a playmaker, but his future prospects likely depend more on him refining his off-the-puck game, in addition to improving his consistency. That latter point probably kept him from being drafted higher, as he slumped in the second half last year after a blistering start. He most likely projects in a bottom six role at his peak. - RW

17 Lucas Elvenes, C/RW (127^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 8) Elvenes is a smooth skater with soft hands. He has struggled to put together two good seasons in a row. He looked exciting the year before his draft year, but had a good but not great in his draft year which caused him to drop in the fifth round. In his draft plus one season he scored a point per game in Allsvenskan and 16 points in 28 SHL games. Last season he had 20 points in 43 SHL games scoring only three goals. He has skill, and his inconsistent scoring is a product of him being more of a perimeter player, as he likes to create from the outside and that play isn’t always there and his creativity isn’t enough in those instances. Next season, he will go to North America and will probably play in the AHL with Chicago. - JH

18 Nicolas Roy, C (96^th overall, 2015 [Carolina]. Last Year: 17 [Carolina]) If Roy were a better skater, not only would he be ranked much higher on this list, but there is no way the Hurricanes would have packaged him along with a fifth round pick for Erik Haula. Even as a below average skater, he can be an impactful player thanks to a high end hockey brain and very good hands. He also has great size, but he does not play a physical game. He reads the game very well, putting himself into the right place at the right time to make a difference. He is a trusted penalty killer, puts a lot of pressure on the opposing team when defending. Despite his pedigree (was the first overall pick in the QMJHL Entry Draft in 2013, and played for Team Canada at the 2017 WJC), he will never be an offensive force, but should produce enough to play fourth line minutes. - RW

19 Keegan Kolesar, D (69^th overall, 2015 [Columbus]. Last Year: 15) In a lot of systems around the NHL, Kolesar would be a top-ten prospect. His position at #19 is not a knock on him, but more an indication of the great depth of the Vegas farm system. With nifty, elusive hands and a bruising power-forward game, his raw talent is as entertaining as it is intriguing. He has fought with consistency issues and the inability to take on tougher minutes, but his overall package is a fascinating one. He is a magnificent skater with tight cuts and great straight-line speed, as well as the balance and momentum to compliment his size and powerful one-on-one repertoire. The 2015 third-round pick is not the most certain NHLer, but one of the most tantalizing in the system, and could eventually be an energy-line player in the vein of Ryan Reaves or a poor man’s Tom Wilson. - TD

20 Dylan Coghlan, D (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Sep. 20, 2017. Last Year: Not ranked) Since signing as a free agent to an entry-level contract, Coghlan has ramped up his game to a level that gives him an NHL-caliber ceiling. The former Tri-City star has become an impactful offensive-defenseman by virtue of his skating, his atomic bomb of a slapshot, and his vision and playmaking, which allow him to quarterback a power play unit. He is a very fast skater, though what he has in straight-line speed, he sorely lacks in momentum and edgework. His slapshot is a goal scoring weapon, but his wrist shot, which he likes to use as a trailer on the rush, is less impactful. His defensive decision-making is also heavily flawed, but that may be teachable. His ceiling is as a middle-pair puck-rusher, but we will have to see how he does with an increase in tougher minutes on a depleted AHL Chicago this season. - TD

WHL Playoff Preview (Eastern Conference): Prince Albert dominates but Vancouver hot down the stretch

Kevin Olexson — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 18:12:54 +0000

After another exciting season in the Dub it took one final game to finalize this year’s playoffs. The Kelowna Rockets and Kamloops Blazers finish the season tied forcing a one-game playoff, the seventh in WHL history, to move on and play the Victoria Royals.

The Blazers made up a seven-point deficit in the last week and a half of the season, going 5-0-1 to tie Kelowna and earn a home tie-breaker game. They came in riding some momentum and sported a 6-3-1 record against the visiting Rockets this season. The Blazers were led by 16-year-old rookie goaltender Dylan Garand, who put aside 27 out of 28 shots, and forwards Connor Zary, Zane Franklin, Brody Stuart, and Captain Jermaine Loewen to earn their biggest win of the season. Next year’s Memorial Cup hosts have some work to do, as this is only the second time in the Rockets tenure that they have missed the playoffs.

The Prince Albert Raiders were far and away the top team in the Dub this year finishing with a 54-10-2-2 record for a league leading 112 points. The Vancouver Giants finished with the second-best record after going on a real tear in the last quarter of the season, as they surpassed the Everett Silvertips for the best record out of the BC and US divisions erasing a 16-point deficit. The Edmonton Oil Kings finished the season as the hottest team down the stretch winning their last 10 games to edge out the Lethbridge Hurricanes by two points for the division title.

As the quest to represent the WHL in this year’s MasterCard Memorial Cup begins, the Eastern Conference matchups look like this:

Eastern Conference

Brett Leason. Photo by Robert Murray/WHL.

The top seeded Prince Albert Raiders open their playoff series against the Red Deer Rebels boasting the best overall record, and head in to the postseason with a 7-2-1 record, where the Rebels stumbled in with a 4-5-1 record down the stretch finishing with 33 wins and 72 points. These teams played four times this season, with the Raiders taking three of the four games, losing only their first meeting of the season in Red Deer. All four games were decided by one goal, including a 2-1 shootout win by the Raiders in their most recent game played in Prince Albert.

The Raiders led the league in goals scored and finished the season with the second-best goals against. They are loaded up front with Brett Leason (36-53-89), San Jose prospect Noah Gregor (43-45-88), Montreal prospect Cole Fonstad (29-44-73), Ottawa prospect Kelly Parker (35-32-67), and Dante Hounen (29-38-67) who was acquired from the Victoria Royals and put up 31 points in 28 games with the Raiders.

The Rebels are led by Buffalo pick Brandon Hagel (41-61-102), Reece Johnson (27-26-53), and a couple of acquisitions in Cameron Hausinger (21-33-54) who put 37 points in 40 games, and Dallas pick Brett Davis (20-30-50) who produced 31 points in 41 games. On the back end, the Raiders are more than solid with Brayden Pachal (15-36-51) with 51 sporting an amazing +76, his partner Zach Hayes (3-24-27) with an equally impressive +71, Sergei Sapego (10-33-43) with a +42, and Max Martin (6-35-41) showing a +45. They have Washington Capitals 2018 first round selection Alexei Alexeyev with 43 points in 49 games, who is dealing with something but should be available, and Dawson Barteaux (7-27-34) to work their blue line.

In goal, Ian Scott has had a stellar season for the Raiders, going 38-8-1-2 with a 1.83 GAA, and a save percentage of 0.932 posting eight shutouts. The Rebels are back stopped by Ethan Anders 28-22-4-1 with a 3.09 GAA and a save percentage of 0.907 and two shutouts.

The Raiders seem to have the edge in most of the categories, but every game has been extremely close, and Red Deer was a top team last year, and anything can happen in the playoffs.

Pick - Raiders in 5

Kirby Dach

The Saskatoon Blades and Moose Jaw Warriors are set to meet as the second and third seeds in the East. The Blades have dominated the Warriors this year going 5-1 against them, including a 5-3 win near the end of the season. These are two good teams meeting, with lots of talent and players to watch.

At forward the Blades are led by top prospect Kirby Dach (25-48-73) who is slated to be a top five pick in this year’s draft, Max Gerlach (42-32-74), Washington prospect Eric Florchuk (21-29-50), and acquisitions Ryan Hughes (30-39-69) who had 29 points in 25 games, and Gary Haden (31-35-66) who scored 62 points in 55 games. The Warriors are led by line mates Tristan Langan (53-60-113) who topped 50 goals and sports a +43, and Justin Almeida (33-78-111), finishing second and third respectively in league scoring. Rookie Brayden Tracey scored 36 goals and put up 81 points in his first season with the Warriors.

On defense, both clubs have some nice features, as the Blades boast Dawson Davidson (13-62-75) and Nolan Kneen (6-39-45) with 25 points in 33 games since being acquired. One of the Warriors strengths is in their D-line, with Montreal prospect Josh Brook who scored 75 points in only 59 games, and Vancouver Canucks draftee Jet Woo (12-54-66).

In goal, Nolan Maier (36-10-6) backstops the Blades with a 2.64 GAA, a 0.910 save percentage, and four shutouts. The Warriors have used more of a committee approach as goalies Adam Evanoff (19-10-2-1) with a 2.62 GAA and a 0.916 save percentage, and Brodan Salmond (21-10-4-1) with a 2.73 GAA and 0.906 save percentage have shared the crease duties all season.

This should be a very good series to watch, and these teams are similar and should put forth an entertaining series. The Blades have dominated the regular season series, and have been the better club, and are headed in to the playoffs on an 8-2 run, but the Warriors enter on a three-game winning streak and will give them trouble, and make them earn it.

Pick - Blades in 6

Matthew Roberston, Edmonton Oil Kings

The central division winning Edmonton Oil Kings will host the Medicine Hat Tigers in the next matchup, and really seem to have the edge after going 5-0-1 against the Tigers this year, although all the games were relatively close except for one game which was a 5-0 final.

The Oil Kings Trey Fix-Wolansky (37-65-102), a Columbus Blue Jackets pick has led the charge all season and is definitely a player to watch. He is supported by Vince Loschiavo (37-25-62), Quinn Benjafield (15-39-54), and then 2019 draft prospects in Josh Williams, Vladimir Alistrov, and Jake Neighbours who will carry the load. The Tigers will rely on James Hamblin (33-44-77), Ryan Jevne (32-36-68), former Edmonton player Brett Kemp (33-27-60) who scored 21 points in 24 games for MH, and Ryan Chyzowski (27-28-55) to provide the scoring.

The Oil Kings defence is led by Conner McDonald (19-31-50), and Matthew Robertson (7-26-33) who is eligible for this year’s draft. The Tigers defence is led by Florida Panthers pick Linus Nassen (7-39-46) who will log a lot of minutes in this one. In goal, the Oil Kings have Dylan Miskew (28-11-2-3) between the pipes, who finished the season strong with his 2.53 GAA and 0.914 save percentage. He will battle the Tigers rookie Mads Sogard (19-8-2-2) with a 2.64 GAA and a 0.921 save percentage.

Even with the Oil Kings dominance throughout the regular season against the Tigers, it has been a close series and pretty equally matched. The Oil Kings ride an 11-game winning streak into the playoffs and look they have gotten hot at the right time. I like the forward depth for the Tigers and the defensive edge for the Oil Kings, and with two strong goaltenders this should be a close series. I feel it has upset potential, and despite the regular season series results, I think that Sogard can make a big difference and possibly steal this one.

Pick - Tigers in 7

Dylan Cozens

The last of the Eastern series is a central division matchup, with the Lethbridge Hurricanes playing the Calgary Hitmen. Once again, the Hurricanes dominated the season series by a 5-1 mark and scored handily as they averaged six goals a game in the series. Lethbridge has an abundance of offence, with five players who scored over 80 points, and will be a handful for the Hitmen.

The Hurricanes acquired forward Nick Henry (29-65-94) from Regina earlier this season, and the Colorado Avalanche prospect rolled on to lead the club in scoring as he put up 54 points in 44 games. Alongside of Henry, the Hurricanes also acquired Jake Leschyshyn of the Golden Knights (40-41-81) from the Pats, and he stepped in nicely as he had 49 points in 44 games. Top prospect Dylan Cozens (34-50-84), who is expected to go very early in this year’s draft, and Hurricanes Captain and Pittsburgh Penguins property Jordy Bellerive (33-50-83) filled the net regularly against the Hitmen, as Cozens had nine points in six games, and Bellerive had 13 in six. Joining them is Jake Elmer (39-42-81), who also had a very nice season and was able to knock 10 points in 6 games against the Hitmen.

As for Calgary, they have some offence as well, with line mates Mark Kastelic (47-30-77) and James Malm (34-43-77) leading the way. Malm, acquired from the Vancouver Giants put up a point a game against Lethbridge, while Kastelic scored nine points. They will be joined by Carson Focht (26-38-64), Kaden Elder (27-33-60) who was picked up from last year’s WHL champion Swift Current Broncos, Riley Stotts (19-38-57) , and Jake Kryski (19-27-46) to try keep pace with the Hurricanes.

On defense, the Hurricanes are led by Cale Addison (11-54-65), the Pittsburgh Penguins prospect will play a major role in this series and should have a good showing. He will be joined by hulking Ukranian defender Igor Merezheko (4-31-35) who will be responsible to shut down the Hitmen forwards. For Calgary, Russian defenseman Yegor Zamula (10-46-56), who was signed by the Philadelphia Flyers, and Belarussian Vladislav Yereomenko (7-26-33) will work with Dakota Krebs (4-21-25), as they have their work cut out to try and keep the Hurricanes forwards at bay, and hopefully keep the scoring to a minimum.

This will be an even more interesting series in the net, as both teams have rookie goaltenders that will duel against one another. Both goalies have been rather impressive thus far. Carl Tetachuk of Lethbridge put up a record of 24-9-1-1, with a GAA of 2.88 and a save percentage of 0.909 and two shutouts. His counterpart in Calgary, Jack McNaughton, went 25-14-3, with a GAA of 3.25 and a save percentage of 0.888, while posting two shutouts.

The Hurricanes finished the season going 9-1 down the stretch, while Calgary comes in with a 6-4 record to finish. The strong offence and forward depth of the Hurricanes should propel them to win the series, but the real story will be which 17-year-old goaltender will outplay the other, and even though McNaughton has played well down the stretch, his numbers against Lethbridge have not been good, going 1-2 against them, with a GAA of 5.16 and a save percentage of 0.838.

If the Hitmen can keep it close, and their special teams play, which was much better than the Hurricanes this year, seem to click, then they could make a good series out of this. The Hurricanes do have the experience after losing the Eastern Conference Championship two years in a row and should be extra motivated to get going for another chance.

Pick - Hurricanes in 6

LINK TO WESTERN CONFERENCE PREVIEW HERE

Vegas Golden Knights Prospect System Overview

Ryan Wagman — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 14:35:05 +0000

Building an NHL organization from the ground up is hard. As my father used to say, “Rome wasn’t built in one day.” Of course, Vegas GM George McPhee turned that way of thinking on its head last year, taking a first year team not just to the playoffs, but to the Stanley Cup Finals.

None of this is a surprise to anyone reading these pages. But as the Golden Knights built a surprisingly competitive team at the NHL level, they knew that the overall strength and depth of the organization would take some time to build up.

While selecting the bulk of the NHL roster in the Expansion Draft and beginning to build for the long-term future through the Entry Draft, the Golden Knights were forced to neglect the AHL level. In fact, knowing in advance that this would be a problem, they shared their AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, with the St. Louis Blues. When the NHL team’s early season goalie curse arose, and all expected AHL goalies were hurt or in the NHL, they borrowed another netminder from the Toronto system, who had a decent one to spare.

And when we examine Vegas’ inaugural season with a more critical eye, we can see that they almost never had to call to the farm for temporary replacements, outside of the aforementioned goalie matter. In the first few weeks of the season they called up defenseman Shea Theodore and big winger Alex Tuch, both of whom were already NHLers, but who were forced to start the season in the AHL due to a contractual crunch.

Other than those two, who Vegas had intended to have in the NHL for the season, and a few other minor incidents of shuffling in the first month as the team roster congealed, the only other calls to the AHL the team made all season were for goalies, and brief opportunities for Jason Garrison, Stefan Matteau, and Tomas Hyka. Those three players played a combined 26 games.

If anyone needed a reason to expect the Vegas Golden Knights to regress next year (hint: you shouldn’t need a reason. Any team that performs this well is likely to regress, expansion club or not) this is it. No team can have so little use of its AHL reinforcements in a given season two years in a row. We should have no doubts but that Vegas will deal with a “normal” share of injuries next season and need to call up replacement players from the farm. As replacements, by definition, they are not as good as the player the NHL would rather have suiting up.

The Golden Knights, now more than one year old, have had a chance to add some pieces to their farm system. Not only to account for the scenario described in the last paragraph, but because they will no longer be sharing the staffing of the Wolves, as St. Louis has now moved to San Antonio as part of an AHL shuffle to get the league back up to one team for every NHL club.

Whether it is the signing of NCAA free agent Zach Whitecloud, or the WHL graduation of Dylan Coughlin, or a few other young players signed to AHL contracts, Vegas should have more to choose from on the farm this year. But with the bulk of their prospects of note still in their teens and playing in the CHL or Europe, don’t expect the Golden Knights to be too eager to rely on the farm yet. They will need at least another two season to have a truly deep farm system.

Cody Glass

1 Cody Glass, C (6^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 1^st) The first ever draft pick of the Vegas Golden Knights, Cody Glass was one of the top scorers in the WHL in his first post draft season, and yet the year could still fairly be labelled a minor disappointment. Such is the base of talent which he has to work with. A high end skater with near elite puck skills, the disappointment is all relative, as the lanky center was not selected to represent Canada at the WJC and his Portland Winterhawks were not able to get past the second round of the WHL playoffs. No matter, he still grew a fair bit as a player and the top six projections he had on draft day are starting to look more like a first line regular. He still needs to add strength, which would both make him tougher to play against as well as add more zip to his shot. His hockey IQ is another selling point, a factor that helps everything else play up. With the signing of Paul Stastny, the Golden Knights will not be tempted to bring him to the NHL prematurely, but it would be a shock if he is not on Canada’s WJC squad this year.

2 Nick Suzuki, C (13^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 2^nd) Like Cody Glass above, Nick Suzuki, Vegas’ second every draft pick, had a post draft year that was simultaneously fantastic, and disappointing. And for the very same reasons. Production amongst the best in the OHL, but without any international exposure and with team success that did not meet expectations. A smaller player with great straight ahead speed and a plethora of offensive tools, he is as dangerous shorthanded as he is at even strength, scoring five shorthanded goals for the second year in a row. Like Glass, he has first line potential, but in this case, his defensive versatility could make him a fit in a traditional concept of a middle six as well. His game is almost as well-rounded as the player above, although Suzuki has an extra layer of excitement to his style. Thanks to Vegas’ depth, Suzuki is also likely to go back to Owen Sound and should be a prime candidate to represent Canada at the 2019 WJC.

3 Erik Brannstrom, D (15^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 3^rd) Were it not for the presence of Rasmus Dahlin, Erik Brannstrom would have been the most interesting, talented teenaged defenseman in the SHL last year. A fantastic skater, with both great acceleration and top speed, as well as the ability to juke and jive out of coverage when rushing the puck up ice. His hands are as quick and skilled as his feet. He is small and always will be, but plays without fear. He is comfortable taking the body such as when trying to slow down a zone entry against. Unlike most blueliners with his offensive gifts, Brannstrom is also exceptionally responsible in his own zone. While no more ready for the North American pro game than are Glass or Suzuki, the fact that he was drafted out of Sweden instead of the CHL means he is fairly likely to spend the upcoming season in the AHL.

4 Nicolas Hague, D (34^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 5^th) At 6-6”, easily the tallest player in the organization, Hague took a few big steps forward (he knows no other kind) last year with Mississauga, coming close to doubling his offensive output on a team that was not as strong as the year before. He is not exactly a mobile defender, but he skates well enough for his extra large size. He is a classic point man with a gigantic slap shot which allowed him to score 10 more goals than the next most prolific defenseman in the OHL. He is a fine puckhandler, although he should not be expected to lead a rush, or skate the puck through the neutral zone on the regular as a professional. Hague’s defensive game is growing steadily as well, and he is getting more comfortable maintaining his positioning. Although not a mean player, he puts his frame to good use, too. He will have ample time starting next year in the AHL to work on striking a balance between being imposing and staying within the rules. He still projects as a future second pairing blueliner and power play weapon.

Jake Bischoff

5 Jake Bischoff, D (Trade: Jun. 21, 2017 [New York Islanders]. Last Year: 9^th) In order to convince Vegas to select the injured and expensive Mikhail Grabovski in the Expansion Draft, the Islanders offered them a 2018 first round pick (Brannstrom) and 2019 second rounder, and Bischoff. After four full seasons with the Minnesota Golden Gophers, Bischoff fit in immediately on the AHL blueline, one of the steadier defensive presences for the Wolves on the season. He has plus foot speed, and a very quick release on a half-wound up snapshot that has been known to trick a goalie or two. His defensive game is mature, although he likes to take risks once he gets the puck back. He has average size and is willing to take a hit to make a pass, but does not often engage aggressively. If he can learn to play with more assertiveness, he could find himself among the first blueliners recalled to Vegas.

6 Tomas Hyka, RW (UFA: Jun. 1, 2017. Last Year: not ranked) Long ago a sixth round pick of the LA Kings, Hyka never signed after two years in the QMJHL and returned to Europe, spending one year in Sweden and the next three back home in the Czech Republic, growing progressively more dominant offensively. Finally moving back to North America in the Vegas system, at first it seemed as if he had reverted back to his earlier ways of struggling in his first year in a new league. He looked sluggish and confused all too often. But as the AHL season continued, Hyka gradually grew to become a dominant offensive weapon. His quick hands and fast feet made him dangerous when hunting pucks. He excels in the dirty areas, poaching loose pucks near the crease and putting them in the net. The amount of grit he brings to the game will enable him to fit in a bottom six role in the NHL, adding energy and depth scoring as soon as this season.

7 Ivan Morozov, C (61^st overall, 2018. Last Year: IE) Vegas’ first selection at the 2018 draft, Morozov turned heads with big performances for his native Russia at the World Junior A Challenge as well as a star turn at the WU18s. He also made his KHL debut last year, but spent the vast majority of his season in Russia’s junior leagues with Mamonty Yugry. A very good skater with both speed and agility he has a goal scorer’s instincts and some magic on his stick, he prefers to do his work in short bursts, letting teammates carry the puck up ice or control the cycle. He can play on both the wing and at center, and has good strength for his size. The fact that Mamonty traded him to the SKA St. Petersburg organization, one of the titans of Russian hockey, suggests that his game is appreciated in his homeland as well and he will see some pressure to stay longer than Vegas would want.

8 Lucas Elvenes, C/RW (127^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 17^th) Elevenes and the next player up on this list are the two Golden Knights’ prospects who have moved their stock upwards the most this season. Elvenes was an impressive offensive weapon in the Swedish junior leagues before Vegas made hi a fifth round pick, but the ease with which he adapted to senior hockey last year was stunning. For around half of the year, he played in Sweden’s second league, the Allsvenskan, and contributed nearly one point per game. The second half of his season was in the SHL and while he could not produce at such a rate, his 16 points in 28 games made him the second most prolific U19 scorer in the league behind only Rasmus Dahlin and the leader in that age cohort in points per game. All those accolades aside, the reason why he lasted 127 picks in 2017 is still true. Elvenes is still only average as a skater and most of his production comes in the form of assists as his shot is OK. But his offensive vision and playmaking are both plus-plus and he has turned himself into a prospect of note because of those abilities.

9 Benjamin Jones, C (187^th overall, 2017. Last Year: not ranked) An afterthought taken in the seventh round in 2017, Jones was one of the few prospect eligible players in the Vegas system not to rank in their inaugural top 20. The former top ten pick in the OHL Priority Draft, he went back to Niagara and was one of their clear-cut leadership group, wearing a “A” on his chest and being among their offensive drivers. With the possible exception of his shooting ability, which is just OK, he does everything else at an above average level. He is a very good skater who can play add a disruptive physical presence in his own zone, along with commitment and proper positioning. He is a very skilled playmaker who is not awed by clutch situations. He is still a bit of a sleeper, but he shouldn’t be for much longer.

Stanislav Demin

10 Stanislav Demin, D (99^th overall, 2018. Last Year: IE) On the long list for last year’s USNTDP cohort, the Californian Demin ignored the lure of the WHL (Portland) and the USHL (Des Moines) and spent the bulk of the last two seasons in British Columbia with the Wenatchee Wild who he helped lead to the BCHL Championship and a spot in the RBC Cup last year. He has an average frame and skates well, but the highlights of his game are his hard and accurate point shot and his ability to put his size and strength to good use. His defensive game in the BCHL was promising, with the caveat that the lack of experience against a more uniformly high level of competition leaves us with a mystery about how he would hold up under greater pressure. We will find out more next year as he heads to the University of Denver and the ultra-competitive NCHC Conference.

11 Jack Dugan, LW (142^nd overall, 2017. Last Year: not ranked) A bit of a mystery, drafted in the fifth round in his second year of eligibility out of a New York State prep school, Dugan is now looking like a scouting success story. Moving to the higher profile and strong competition of the USHL, he was immediately a top scorer, finishing third on the season, for a so-so Chicago squad. He was able to show quickness, good acceleration, a finisher’s instincts as well as fine playmaking abilities. His defensive game was less refines, but improved as the year went on. Although prone to penalties, he is not an overly physical player, more someone who needs hep keeping his game in check. There is some risk in getting too enamored with a player who dominated any junior league as a 20 year-old, but there are more than enough signs that the production comes from a place of real skill and can be repeated at a higher level. The truth of that sentiment will be felt next year with Providence College.

12 Zach Whitecloud, D (UDFA: Mar. 8, 2018. Last Year: IE) One of the jewels of the 2018 NCAA free agent class, Whitecloud was also the first collegiate signing made by the Vegas organization. So his place in trivia history is assured. The big Bemidji State blueliner skates very well considering his bulk. He has a big shot, but his defensive game is arguably stronger at this point in his development. He has not yet made a point of using his size to intimidate or otherwise impose himself upon the opposition, but he is certainly a roadblock that needs to be surmounted. He is an accomplished puck mover, making up in surety what he lacks in dynamism. Although he was given a one game NHL cameo after signing, he is expected to spend the bulk of the 2018-19 season (at minimum) in the AHL.

13 Maxim Zhukov, G (96^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 11^th) And incredibly talented, yet maddeningly inconsistent puckstopper, Zhukov can look like the best netminder of his age class in one game, and like someone who could struggle in Tier 3 in another. Thankfully, he more often resembles the former than the latter. He plays in a classic butterfly, and retains calmness and composure from his knees. One of the most noteworthy facets of his game from his good nights is the absolute dearth of second chances he allows. He understands his angles and covers the net well, even when forced back in his crease. Even at his best though, he is an adventure when he has to handle the puck. After two years in the USHL, Zhukov may end his junior eligibility in the OHL with Barrie, which drafted him in the CHL Import Draft this summer.

14 Oscar Dansk, G (UFA: Jul. 3, 2017. Last Year: 16^th) Recalled early in the season after Vegas starter Marc-Andre Fleury was hurt, Dansk got into four straight games. First he came off the bench. He started the next two games, allowing two total goals. Mid-way through his fourth game, he, too, went down with injury. When he was finally healthy, so was Fleury, and so Dansk went back to the AHL. And he did well. He moves very well laterally, with quick push-offs. He is an aggressive goaltender who enjoys getting his stick in the way of opponents who stray too close and enjoys playing the puck. If he can stay healthy for a full season, something the former second rounder has struggled to do over the years, he could yet find his way into an NHL backup role.

Keegan Kolesar

15 Keegan Kolesar, RW (Trade: Jun. 24, 2017 [Columbus]. Last Year: 13^th) A big bruising power forward, Vegas traded a second round pick to Columbus for the chance to gain an AHL ready forward with upside who would not have been available to them in the Expansion Draft. As impressive as Kolesar was in his final two WHL seasons with Seattle, he came to Vegas raw and ended up spending roughly one third of his rookie pro season in the ECHL. For all his bulk, he is a decent skater who can get to a decent top speed, but needs work on his technique to improve his balance and ability to change direction without lunging. He can flash some dexterity in his hands. He plays with great energy and brings a tremendous physical presence to his shifts. By the end of the season, he was dropping hints that there may be much more in store, if we are patient enough to wait for it.

16 Griffin Reinhart, D (Expansion Draft, Edmonton. Last Year: 14^th) Six years removed from being selected by the New York Islanders with the fourth pick of the NHL entry draft, Griffin Reinhart has played a grand total of 37 NHL games and it is not too early to deem him a bust. That does not mean that he does not have any redeeming qualities that could one day land him an NHL job. He can play the puck from out of his own zone. His hands are soft and he can sense when it is best to carry the puck out or to pass it off to a teammate. When facing a rush, he keeps a solid, tight gap. He is smart and mature enough to play within his limitations. What are those limitations, you ask? He is a big, big boy, and he is not fast for his size. His feet are simply heavy, so he has to cheat for defense and he can be beaten to the outside with a modicum of speed. In a game skewing faster, he is in danger of being left behind.

17 Jonas Rondbjerg, RW (65^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 18^th) With a solid first year spent mostly in senior hockey in Sweden under his belt, Rondbjerg is still trending in the direction of a competent bottom six winger down the line in the NHL. He had previously spent two seasons playing senior hockey in Denmark prior to his draft year, but the gap between Sweden and Denmark in hockey is bigger than the body of water that separates the two Scandinavian countries. He plays a mature game, with some occasional flashes of skill in his hands as well. He is an average or so skater, but he can accelerate well with a nice change of pace to get past the first line of defense. There are questions about Rondbjerg’s ultimate offensive upside, but Vegas has to like what it has seen so far from him.

18 Jake Leschyshyn, C (62^nd overall, 2017. Last Year: 12^th) A defense-first forward, when the Golden Knights drafted Leschyshyn at the tail end of the second round of their inaugural draft, they had hoped that his nascent offensive skills would gradually evolve to the point that he could project as a two-way center. The fact that he missed a large chunk of his draft year to injury and still approached one point per game gave them added hope. Unfortunately, last season did not go according to plan. Leschyshyn was healthy, playing 17 more games than he had the year prior, but despite the added ice time, he was still limited to the same 40 point total, output more in line with a potential sixth rounder than a second rounder. He is a decent skater without any offensive tools that look to be any more than average. He can play a somewhat physical game, but he has not shown anything that could be described as dynamic.

19 Dylan Ferguson, G (Trade: Jun. 26, 2017 [Dallas]. Last Year: not ranked) Having run out of both NHL and AHL netminders last year, Vegas made a rare emergency recall, bringing Dylan Ferguson, a 19 year-old drafted in the seventh round by Dallas, up from the WHL. He spent 18 days on the NHL roster, getting a touch over nine minutes of ice time and stopping one of two shots he faced. Although his return to Kamloops was deflating, he still was able to demonstrate some of the qualities that convinced Vegas to target him when they dealt Marc Methot to Dallas. He is on the small side for a modern goalie, but makes up for it with plus athleticism, good vision, and a high compete level. He is a few years away from a return trip to the NHL, if he ever gets there, but he is part of the reason why the net is currently Vegas’ deepest position.

20 Paul Cotter, C (115^th overall, 2018. Last Year: IE) At his best, Paul Cotter can flash high end offensive abilities. Equal parts hustle and skill. He has very quick wheels and wants that puck on his stick. He will fight for it all over the ice. He even has a bit of grit, as he finishes his checks with whatever he has. At his worst, he is none of those things, reliant on teammates to get things started while he leans back in a supporting role. He has come a long way in the past 24 months. He was a decent young player in the Michigan U16 scene. Then he was the NAHL rookie of the year. Last year he made the USHL All Rookie team. Next year, grades permitting, he will play in the NCHC for Western Michigan. He is a clever player with enough offensive instincts, even if it is inconsistent brought to the fore, that he bears watching as he develops, even is he is not someone to build around.

State of the CHL: The Western Hockey League

Vince Gibbons — Fri, 02 Feb 2018 16:45:59 +0000

The ebbs and flows of Junior hockey is part of what makes each season so interesting and entertaining. Powerhouse programs must reset every couple of years and out of those ashes new teams move to take over the league and dominate the game. This year in the WHL is no different with a couple of teams really taking steps forward with a good shot at becoming the WHL Champions and Memorial Cup Contenders. With the trade deadline recently passing (and what a wild ride that was this season), the rosters have stabilized and these will be the teams going forward.

Moose Jaw and Swift Current have taken the league by storm this year as they battle for home ice advantage throughout the playoffs. Their division also boasts a Brandon Wheat Kings team that has been in and out of the CHL top 10 standing all year as well as the 100^th Memorial Cup hosts Regina Pats so game in and game out there has been highly competitive hockey, for critical points in the standings. Out in the West things are as competitive as ever with Everett, Portland, Kelowna and Victoria all within 4 points of each other at the top of the Western Conference. Everett continues to impress league-wide, with a sound defensive game and high end goaltending and solid team game. The other top teams of the East are sporting high end offensive talents like Cody Glass (Por), Skyler McKenzie (Por), Matthew Phillips (Vic), Kole Lind (Kel), and Dillion Dube (Kel) who are all having excellent seasons having been previously drafted into the NHL.

The Eastern Conference:

East Division GP-W-L-OTL-SOL-PTS

Moose Jaw Warriors 48-38-7-1-2-79

Jayden Halbgewachs. Photo by Marc Smith

Moose Jaw has been an offensive dynamo all season and at the trade deadline were able to add pieces that will help stabilize the back end and the defensive game. The scoring is being led by two 20 year olds in Brayden Burke (Unsigned) and Jayden Halbgewach (signed SJS) who are sitting one and two in the WHL in scoring. These two might not even be the most offensive players on the team as Brett Howden missed 24 games and has only lately seemed to be hitting his stride. At the deadline Moose Jaw addressed their biggest needs by grabbing a big stay out home defenseman in Brandon Schuldhaus from Red Deer as well as top scoring defenseman and recent World Juniors Gold Medalist Kale Clague (LAK 2016) from Brandon. His dynamic puck moving skills should only enhance this team’s offensive prowess. The largest contribution from a draft eligible player has to have come from Jett Woo. He has been a consistent defender in all situations showing a strong competitive fire in his own zone. He isn’t a dynamic player but more of a jack of all trades defender who can chip in offensively while playing steady responsible minutes. This team has set themselves up to come out of the East as they have the top offensive numbers averaging nearly 0.75 of a goal per game more than anyone else in the league. That coupled with the roughly 3.00 overall goals against average is a strong indicator of future success for this win-now franchise.

Swift Current Bronco’s 49-33-12-3-1-70

Tyler Steembergen, Swift Current Broncos. Photo courtesy of Swift Current Broncos,

Swift Current possess the most dynamic duo in the league this year and it really hasn’t even been that close. Tyler Steenbergen (Ari) is averaging over one goal per game with 36 in 34 games while averaging an assist per game at 35 assists in 34 games. Even more impressive is Aleksi Heponiemi (Fla) who has 89 points in just 37 games (2.41ppg). Throw in an amazing overage year for Glenn Gawdin (Cgy) and they were a one line team who were impressing night after night. Over the course of the season a number of key additions have been made to balance out the scoring and ensure the team kept rolling with a few key members at the WJC. Matteo Gennaro, Beck Malenstyn, and Giorgio Estephan now lead a more than capable supporting cast of forwards who will help the offense. On the defensive side Colby Sissons (NJ) has taken a big step offensively while maintaining his strong defensive play. Finally the addition of Stuart Skinner (Edm) as a true #1 has been a great add as they push for a seemingly inevitable clash with Moose Jaw in the Eastern Final. Riley Stotts (2018) had been their best draft eligible prospect but was moved out to add Gennaro and Malenstyn so they look pretty thin for 2000’s on the roster.

Brandon Wheat Kings 48-28-15-3-2-61

Stelios Matheos, Photo by Tim Smith, courtesy of the WHL

You can assess what Brandon thought of their chances of coming out of the East this year by what they did at the deadline. After being in and out of the CHL top 10 most of the season Brandon traded away their MVP and perhaps the top defenseman in the league this year to a divisional rival in Moose Jaw. Brandon had been paced by Ty Lewis and Stelio Mattheos up front both on pace for 40 goals seasons but that didn’t look to be enough to get past one let alone both of Moose Jaw and Swift Current. Brandon has a lot of young talent to build around going forward with Chase Hartje (2018) and Luka Burzan (2018) coming over in the deal for Clague, as well as the home grown Cole Reinhardt (2018). The nicest future piece could be the speedy play in Jonny Hooker (2020) who has not looked out of place in a his 31 games.

Regina Pats 49-24-20-5-0-53

As the Host of this year’s Memorial Cup Regina has a spot already booked in the tournament but has been adding veteran players throughout the season to ensure a strong showing. The team has been built around an impressive top pairing for Josh Mahura and Cale Fleury. Both log big minutes in all situations creating offense while shutting the door on some of the top forwards in the WHL. Mahura has taken another step this year and his offensive production has been amongst the league leaders from the back end. Cameron Hebig has adjusted quickly to add some 20 year old offense after a slow offensive starts to the season for Nick Henry (Col) and Jake Leschyshyn (VGK). Sam Steel (Ana) is really the straw that stirs the drink for this team offensively as he averages over 1.3 ppg heading into the last 20 games of the season. This team is poised to be the top wild card which is a pretty favorable outcome heading out of the division and avoiding the top three teams in the conference. Despite trading away a lot of youth to keep the team strong for a host season the club have managed to keep Emil Oksanen (2018) on the roster through the deadline. He is a fast, offensive minded right shot winger who is averaging just under a point per game while looking to be drafted in his second year of eligibility.

Saskatoon Blades 48-23-22-2-1-49

Saskatoon will likely make the playoffs as the Central Division is really struggling to produce anything that resembles a challenge for the Wild card. Saskatoon has to be pleased with the development of Eric Florchuk (2018) and Chase Wouters (2018) who have both been solid contributors. While neither looks to be a high end offensive talent at the pro level both have shown themselves to be effective secondary producers in junior. Throw in the development of Kirby Dach (2019) and Saskatoon looks ready to take over the division as some of these teams start to age out of their current rosters.

Prince Albert Raiders 47-18-20-7-2-45

As the division basement dwellers standing suggests they are weaker than all the previously mentioned teams. That said they likely would make the playoffs as a 2 or 3 seed in the Central division. The team plays a structured game and while there aren’t big name drafted players Vojtech Budik (Buf) has acquitted himself well on the back end. The real jewel of Prince Albert’s roster is Cole Fonstand (2018) who leads all WHL draft eligible players in primary points with 34 in 47 games. Overall he averages .98 points per game and is able to drive offense despite being undersized on a team that doesn’t have a ton of high end support for him.

Central Division GP-W-L-OTL-SOL-PTS

Medicine Hat Tigers 48-24-19-5-0-53

The Tigers lead the Central division by a pretty wide margin in what could be the worst division in the CHL this season. The team is led in all respects by David Quenneville (NYI) who drives play with his excellent transition game and is leading the WHL in defensive scoring this year with 53 points. Medicine Hat has a pretty young team that is gaining confidence with each victory this year. That youth is led by 2018 draft eligible Ryan Chyzowski, who has good size and can play in all three zones. He has earned power play time in the second half of the season which should help improve his production (15G, 17A) as we close out the season.

Lethbridge Hurricanes 47-22-21-4-0-48

Lethbridge has been a team in flux. Earlier in the season they seemed to be making a push acquiring Lane Zablocki (Det) from Red Deer but then at the deadline shipped him to Victoria to help them make a push. Once the decision to move out some veterans had been made they moved major assets in Stuart Skinner (Edm) and Giorgio Estephan to bring back some youth and draft picks. In a division where a win one lose one record pulls you ahead for a playoff spot the team is not a serious contender to oust any of the power house teams in the Eastern division. Through all this transition one thing has been a constant; undersized defender Calen Addison (2018) has been driving offensive chances and using his great vision and playmaking to produce points at a very high level (G-7-A-33-PTS-40).

Kooteney ICE 47-21-23-3-0-45

Kooteney has been in the basement of this division since the departure of Sam Reinhart (Buf) to the NHL. This current incarnation’s place in the standings is more the rest of the division getting worse than it is of team gaining legitimacy as a force in the Central. The most impressive piece on this roster is 16 year old Peyton Krebs (2019) who looks every bit the part of a first overall pick from the 2016 Bantam Draft. He is near a point per game playing in all situations and is second on the team scoring in his Draft -1 year, very impressive.

Calgary Hitmen 47-15-26-5-1-36

The Calgary Hitman had a fire sale this season and while most of the assets collected came back in draft picks a good number of draft eligible players remain part of the roster. With Jake Bean (Car) moved out Vladislav Yeryomenko (2018) has become the number one defender for this team. He is aggressive and skates very well with and without the puck and is starting to show better playmaking skills. In addition a rookie in Jackson Van De Leest (2019) has shown he is capable of helping shoulder more minutes on the back end. Those kids coupled with the a nice collection of 17 year olds in Riley Stotts (2018), Carson Focht (2018), Tristen Nielsen (2018), and Egor Zamula (2018) are all getting valuable minutes for the remainder of the season.

Red Deer Rebels 47-11-25-8-3-33

The Rebels have under achieved throughout the early part of the season forcing management’s hand to start rebuilding. Two key pieces in the rebuild look to be Kristian Reichel (2018) and Alex Alexeyev (2018). While playing in the Czech league Reichel was overlooked but this year in Red Deer coupled with a strong showing at the WJC have him moving up draft boards. His skating is very strong which has helped him establish himself as a 200 foot player capable of producing and defending. Alexeyev has been impressive this year and he has dynamic skating and excellent vision and passing skills. He needs to work on his game in his own zone and can have mental lapses in his own zone but he has a ton of potential. They have also been running a 2019 eligible goalie as a starter for most of this season. Ethan Anders‘ (2019) numbers have been respectable despite a number of breakdowns defensively in front of him.

Edmonton Oil Kings 46-13-27-4-2-32

Edmonton’s Memorial Cup victory seems a long time ago as the organization has had another tough season after building back to back Memorial Cup teams just a few years ago. The offense comes from the stick of Trey Fix-Wolansky (Unsigned) who is a very dangerous undersized player. Brett Kemp (2018) may be a late round pick this year despite the team’s struggles overall. The real developmental progression for the Oil Kings is in the 2001’s where Matthew Robertson and Liam Keeler both have shown some real promise.

The Western Conference:

U.S. Division GP-W-L-OTL-SOL-PTS

Everett Silvertips 48-30-16-1-1-62

Everett seems to be built for playoff hockey. Carter Hart (Phi), after being afflicted with mono to start the season, has rebounded to put up some ridiculous numbers. His sparkling 1.51 GAA in 24 games is leaps and bounds better than anyone else in the league. By comparison only three other goalies have a GAA under 3.00 (at least 20 games played) and the best of them is at a 2.77. His save % of .953 is 40 points higher than the next goalie who has played at least 20 games. The scoring is well distributed on this team but the real punch comes from two overage players that have produced while still buying into the defense first system of head coach Dennis Williams. Both Matt Fonteyne and Patrick Bajkov have really shown something this year as they both average well over 1.00 ppg. 2018 draft eligible Riley Sutter has shown that he too can generate offense while playing a sound defensive game. He has good size and speed that sets him apart from other draft eligible forwards in this year’s draft.

Portland Winterhawks 47-28-15-1-3-60

Portland boasts some of the most offensively gifted players in the league. Undersized Skyler McKenzie (Wpg) has a shot at eclipsing 100pts this year and is still targeting a 50 goal season. He likely is the third best forward on his line as he skates with Cody Glass (VGK) and Kieffer Bellows (NYI) on a nightly basis. On the back end they are led by Henri Jokiharju (Chi) and the recently added Dennis Cholowski (Det). Both of these defenders can carry the puck and distribute it at a high level. John Ludvig is the most likely 2018 prospect for this team. He is a pretty effective defensive defenseman capable of making a good first pass while playing a strong physical game.

Seattle Thunderbirds 47-25-16-4-2-56

After losing Matt Barzal (NYI), Ryan Gropp (NYR), and Ethan Bear (Edm) a by-committee approach has led to solid season in the US Division for Seattle. The team sports five players in Nolan Volcan (Unsigned), Donovan Neuls (Unsigned), Zack Andrusiak (Unsigned), Austin Strand (LAK) and Sami Moilanen (Unsigned) who all average right around 1.00 ppg. Seattle has been looking for a stabilizing force in net as three goalies have played over ten games each already this season. The duo of Dorrin Luding (Unsigned) and Liam Hughes (Unsigned) will be asked to deliver solid performances down the stretch if they have any hopes of catching either Portland or Everett.

Tri-City Americans 46-23-16-7-0-53

Juuso Valimaki of the Tri-City Americans.

A highly competitive team that relies on the strength of their back end and strong overage goaltending to compete in a challenging division. The deadline acquisition of Jake Bean (Car) from the Calgary Hitmen really sets the expectations for the group heading into the last 20 games. Dylan Coghlan (Vgk) , Bean and Juuso Valimaki (Cgy) all put up excellent offensive numbers. Up front Morgan Geekie (Car) has been very consistent this year averaging the 1.25 ppg he did in his draft season. Isaac Johnson leads the charge for 2018 potential draft picks as he has a big frame and some decent offensive skills for an overage player. Highly touted Michael Rasmussen (Det) has continued to show his goal scoring prowess this season dispute struggling to stay in the lineup.

Spokane Chiefs 47-25-19-1-2-53

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

The optics of being last in the division do not reflect the strength of this team and their potential to win a round as a wild card in the playoffs. Jaret Anderson-Dolan (LAK) has been a consistent and steady force for this team as it started without one of the most dynamic players in the league in Kailer Yamomoto (Edm). Now 20 games in Yamamoto has rounded back into form and is averaging 1.48 PPG. Add in the early season trade the brought in Zach Fischer (Cgy) the team has a nice balanced group of forwards. On the back end they boast Ty Smith (2018) who has a real shot at going in the top 10 of this year’s NHL entry draft. Despite his stature he projects to be a dynamic playmaker that can carry the puck with speed, while displaying excellent vision and playmaking ability.

B.C. Division GP-W-L-OTL-SOL-PTS

Kelowna Rockets 46-29-14-2-1-61

Cal Foote of Kelowna Rockets

Kelowna’s roster is loaded to bear and despite a lot of injury trouble with key players have been able to battle to the top of the B.C. Division. Kelowna was able to provide the captain for team Canada in Dillon Dube (Cgy), while also providing minute munching defender Cal Foote (TBL). Foote brings the gritty toughness you love in a top pairing defenseman while still being a good playmaker and shooter. Kole Lind (Van) has been pacing the offense this year along with Carsen Twarynski (Phi) as both are on pace to hit 40 goals this season. While being loaded with current draft picks the team still has a number of pieces NHL teams will covet over the next few drafts, Kyle Topping (2018), Libor Zabransky (2018), and Nolan Foote (2019) have all been large contributors to the team’s success this year which bodes well over the next few seasons.

Victoria Royals 48-27-17-3-1-58

Matthew Phillips (Cgy) has been one of the top goal scorers in the entire WHL over the past three seasons and with him signing his ELC in December will very likely be gone after this year. With a goal scoring talent like that leaving town Victoria has a gone all in this year adding Tanner Kaspick (StL), Noah Gregor (SJS), Lane Zablocki (Det), Andrei Grishakov, and Jeff De Wit, showing a real commitment to making their way out of the Western Conference. Tyler Soy (Ana) who early in the season was recognized as the CHL player of the week has had points in 13 of his last 15 games while the new players have since established some chemistry with their new team. In net Griffen Outhouse leads the league in shots faced and saves giving him a very respectable .912 Sv% this season which puts him 3^rd in the league for goalies who have played in over 20 games. If he can stay hot into the playoffs Victoria has a real chance at making the Western Final.

Vancouver Giants 47-25-15-4-3-57

Ty Ronning (NYR) paces Vancouver’s offense with his impressive 42 goals in just 49 games this season. This is even more impressive given that Tyler Benson (Edm) has continued to be plagued by injury problems, missing 13 games already this year after having missed 39 in 2017 and 42 in 2016. Milos Roman (2018) has taken advantage of this and has been providing a playmaking presence on the team with his 21 assists with many projecting him to be a top 60 pick this year.

Kamloops Blazers 47-21-23-1-2-45

Kamloops shipped out a number of their top guys at the deadline with key personnel Garrett Pilon and Ondrej Vala both leaving for Everett. The strength of the U.S. division means that a team stuck in neutral in the B.C. division is a long shot to make the playoffs and Kamloops would have to play lights out down the stretch to even catch a Wild Card spot.

Prince George Cougars 48-18-23-4-3

With Dennis Cholowski (Det) joining the Cougars this summer rather than continue along the college route there was a heightened expectation that was never reached this year. He was impressive scoring 13 goals and 26 assists prior to the trade deadline but could not carry the team. A major hole in the team this season has been scoring with just one player (Josh Maser) with over 20 goals. Nikita Popugaev (NJD), a promising Russian import was expected to lead the line offensively however his commitment to a total team game was lacking, as was his commitment to play in North America as he jumped ship back to Russian after only 13 games. There are a couple of promising youngsters that could hear their names called at the 2018 NHL Entry draft this year including Ilijah Colina, and Jackson Leppard. Leppard is a power forward with a big body and frame that can really shoot the puck, while Colina is a small speedy winger who was in the bottom six in Portland until heading north of the border. Since joining Prince George he has scored 6pts in 9 games in an expanded role with his new team.

***

This season the WHL has two highly competitive divisions and five elite teams in Moose Jaw, Swift Current, Everett, Portland and Kelowna all with a real shot at making the Championship series. The wildcard format is very practical this year, as without it a quality team would be left out of the playoff picture in each Conference. While it is a much debated structure in hockey this season in particular shows the practicality of having potential divisional cross over teams as it ensures that the best 16 teams in the WHL get a shot to go for the Ed Chynoweth Cup, which would not have been the case in a pure divisional playoff structure.

Vegas – System Overview

Ryan Wagman — Sat, 16 Sep 2017 12:05:12 +0000

Given the rare chance to build an organization from scratch, the Vegas Golden Knights could have taken many different approaches to building up. They could build for now, using the expansion draft to select veteran performers, maybe taking some salary off the books of their rivals in order to be competitive in year one.

They could have drafted with the far future in mind, selecting as bad of a roster as possible now, both as a means of losing a lot right away so as to select early in the entry draft in subsequent years. In this scenario, they would have swung deals with the other teams in the league to minimize the expansion draft’s impact on the present day collectives of the competition in exchange for higher end prospects who would not otherwise have been expansion draft eligible and as many future draft picks as possible.

They could also have drafted for the near, but not immediate, future. This scenario sees them drafting young players who could play in the NHL but are blocked at their respective positions. These players may still have some development left in store, but should be ready or almost ready to play in the NHL right away.

Vegas decided to take all three routes at once. Drafting players like Marc-Andre Fleury, David Perron, James Neal, and Jason Garrison to lend at least the veneer of present day respectability to the club.

For the far future goals, the Golden Knights were able to extort additional draft picks as part of many side deals to ensure that the newest NHL franchise would steer clear of players their incumbent owners saw as more valuable. For example, Vegas got a pick to ensure that they drafted Fleury. Minnesota, in order to protect their deep and young blueline crew, had to send former first-round pick Alex Tuch and a conditional future selection to Nevada so that Vegas would draft Erik Haula instead of Marco Scandella or Matt Dumba. The Islanders sent their first round pick to Vegas as coercion to draft the inured Mikhail Grabovski instead of Ryan Strome or Brock Nelson. Players who are on the early depth chart who fit this route include Brendan Leipsic, Jonathan Marchessault, William Karlsson, Oscar Lindberg, and Jon Merrill, among others. They are already NHLers and have a semi-reasonable chance of being able to play higher on a roster than they were able to with their previous clubs.

For the near future, look at how Vegas dealt with Anaheim’s blueline surplus. The Ducks had too many good young defensemen that needed protection. In exchange for former first rounder Shea Theodore, the Ducks ignored the talented players the Ducks had to expose and took on the anchor contract of Clayton Stoner instead. In the end, the Golden Knights were able to stockpile 12 picks in the seven rounds of their first draft, including three in the first round. Those on top of the near to NHL ready prospects they acquired as both near-term help and leverage for future trades.

The following list is both a top 20 and, considering the team has only 28 qualified players in the organization, a pretty good overview of the state of the franchise.

Cody Glass of the Portland Winterhawks

1 Cody Glass – With their first ever draft pick, the Golden Knights selected an effective two-way center with a gift for playmaking who projects as a potential top six center in the not-too-distant future. He has an extremely high hockey IQ, processing the actions on the ice rapidly. In addition to his scoring exploits, he is also a trusted penalty killer. He has a good frame, but needs to continue to add bulk to better withstand pro competition. A good player to get the ball rolling with.

Nick Suzuki of the Owen Sound Attack. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

2 Nick Suzuki – Outside of the physical game, Suzuki brings it all. Superb skating, a hard shot, silky puck skills, high hockey IQ, reliability. It is rare to see such a prolific scorer used with such frequency on the PK. Finished second in the OHL in shorthanded goals last year. Needs to focus more on utilizing his linemates instead of trying to create and finish plays on his own, but this is a dynamic talent who should meet the demands of both coaches and fans.

Erik Brannstrom (Photo by Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images)

3 Erik Brannstrom – One of the most exciting talents in the 2017 draft class, Brannstrom is a puck moving, go-go-go defenseman styled after Erik Karlsson. This is not to presume a similar career path, but that he has a similar skill set. A dynamic skater who sees the ice very well and was built to move the puck. Loves to shoot and has a solid shot as well. He also has the same downsides that Karlsson had as a teen. Brannstrom is undersized and can be pushed around in his own zone. A prototype defender in the possession age.

4 Shea Theodore – For our money, the acquisition of Theodore was Vegas’ most impressive maneuver of the expansion draft. On almost any team except for Anaheim, he would be looked at as an NHL-ready blueliner who could be a building block for a future first or second pairing. An excellent skater with near-elite puck skills, he has already shown that he has little to nothing to prove in the AHL after two pro seasons and continued to produce in the NHL postseason.

5 Nicolas Hague – If Brannstrom is an Erik Karlsson starter kit, Hague is a blueline prospect built in the mold of Shea Weber or Brent Burns. The easy aspect of those comparisons is his immense size and almost as big point shot. The shot is impressive for both its power and its accuracy. He skates well enough for his size and has moderate puck skills as well. He likes to use his body to punish opponents but could stand to curb his enthusiasm a bit, if only to cut down on punishable infractions.

6 Nikita Gusev – An elite scorer in the KHL, our Russian scout compares Gusev’s reputation in Russia favorably to that of Artemi Panarin. He just signed a two-year extension to continue playing for SKA St. Petersburg, so he a future asset for Vegas. He has elite dangling skills which he combines with his plus skating to form a dynamic offensive presence. More a playmaker than a shooter, he will have to prove that his size deficiencies will not be an obstacle once he leaves for North America.

7 Alex Tuch – Surrendered by Minnesota to Vegas to prevent the latter from poaching one of their good young NHL blueliners, Tuch had a solid first professional season with Iowa, looking much like the player he was at Boston College. An average skater – although impressive with his plus sized frame – he is comfortable on the puck and has shown high end stickhandling ability in the past. Could use one more AHL season before the reins come off.

8 Brendan Leipsic – A long term injury derailed what was promising to be the best season yet of his young career, but Leipsic was very close to earning a spot on a crowded Maple Leafs roster. While he was out, other young players became more established, and then Leipsic was available in the expansion draft. Small but pugnacious, he has some of what made Brad Marchand and Brendan Gallagher successful NHLers. Very versatile forward who has scored everywhere he has gone.

9 Jake Bischoff – A smart two-way blueliner coming off a good career with the Minnesota Golden Gophers, Bischoff was part of the package sent by the Islanders to Vegas to coerce the Golden Knights to draft the injured Grabovski. Bischoff has a great point shot and plays with high alertness, ready at all times to snatch a loose puck and begin the transition. A very good skater who relies on positioning more than brawn in his own zone. Needs to play with more aggressiveness.

10 Tomas Nosek – Vegas selected Nosek in the expansion draft from Detroit instead of some of the more famous and expensive names that the Red Wings dangled. He is willing to play in the dirty areas and shows promising offensive awareness. Was a top performer in Grand Rapids’ run to the Calder Cup last year with 22 points in 19 postseason games. High IQ player with moderate offensive capabilities and trustworthy in his own zone or killing penalties.

11 Maxim Zhukov – Although inconsistent, when he is on, Zhukov can absolutely steal games for his team. At his best, he allows few to no second chances and exudes calmness between the pipes. He has very good size, moves well and shows the ability to read the play, but if he lets in a bad goal early, is prone to following that up with a second, and sometimes third. More a shot blocker than a butterfly goalie, it is an open question where he will play next year.

12 Jake Leschyshyn – A sparkplug type with good wheels, Leschyshyn was in the middle of a solid draft year, scoring at a reasonable clip on a stacked Regina squad before being shut down due to injury. He has proven that he can put up big numbers playing a top six role, but will have to earn the spot in the Pats lineup. If he is over his health troubles, he could prove to be a steal at the end of the second round. Needs to prove he can withstand a physical game.

13 Keegan Kolesar – A wide-bodied power forward, Kolesar showed some offensive spark in last year’s WHL playoffs, where he was the leading scorer of the entire tournament. He plays a very hard game, and his flashes of offensive vision can put the lie to his first impression as a gritty winger. Comfortable playing in front of the net, he is a handful to defend against. His skating is powerful, if not very fast. A high floor, low ceiling player.

14 Griffin Reinhart – After three professional seasons, mostly spent in the AHL, Reinhart has little left to prove in the minors. Five years and two organizations removed from his day in the spotlight as the fourth overall draft pick, he has seen little development in the past few years. An intelligent player who can be tough to play against due to his size and positioning, his offensive contributions are not expected to be more than minimal. Foot speed is lacking and his blueline shot is not a grave threat.

15 Reid Duke – Currently best known as the first player signed by Vegas, the former Minnesota draft pick has some game as well. He plays a mature, intelligent game and is reliable in critical game situations. Basically an average skater, his hands are good and he plays with some sandpaper. He will never be a primary scoring option, but should be able to hold his own in a depth role and is not far from his realistic ceiling.

16 Oscar Dansk – After two years back in Sweden, Vegas signed former Blue Jacket Dansk to a one year deal in the offseason. Likely ticketed for third goalie/AHL starter duties, he has not developed as was hoped by Columbus who selected him in the second round of the 2012 draft. Not especially tall, he is relatively broad and a solid athlete. Can make some tricky saves. Needs to stop more shots than he did in his last AHL action.

17 Lucas Elvenes – A playmaker whose hands are better than his feet, Elvenes was over a point-per-game producer for Rogle’s U20 team in SuperElit, although he was shut out in 12 SHL games. He is very creative and is elusive due to his agility, but his skating ability and peripheral play – likely a function of his lack of muscular development thus far – will both need to show marked improvement before he will be ready to move on to the next level.

18 Jonas Rondbjerg – Not as flashy as most recent Danish NHL prospects, Rondbjerg instead plays a mature game and projects as more of a two-way forward down the line. He made the move from Denmark to Sweden last year, playing a well-rounded game in SuperElit, one of the better junior circuits outside of North America. His plus puck control is likely his best asset and suggests increased offensive output going forward.

19 T.J. Tynan – Signed by the Golden Knights as a free agent, Tynan was not re-signed by the Blue Jackets after his ELC expired. Significantly undersized, the former third rounder has proven to be able to contribute secondary scoring at the AHL level. A good skater with very quick hands, he has very good vision, but is not necessarily the most creative. Has a better chance to make an NHL impact with Vegas than he did with Columbus.

20 Nick Campoli – A very good skater who likes to carry the puck through the neutral zone and can generate offense once the offensive zone has been established, Campoli spent a large chunk of his draft year injured. Put up good numbers on an inconsistent Junior A team thanks to his vision, patience and a strong shot. Spent a lot of time outside the dots as he recovered from his injuries. He needs to bulk up to be able to compete in the corners or to create his own space in the offensive zone.

Although this system is still naturally shallow, the Golden Knights have done a marvelous job of stocking the shelves with dynamic, front-line young talent. They should not have too much difficulty in filing out the organization with lower ceiling prospects over the next year or two, but they have already done some of the hardest, heaviest lifting in getting some of the foundational pieces that will be coming into their primes as Vegas becomes competitive.

2017 NHL Draft Grades: Pacific Division – Vegas Golden Knights

Ryan Wagman — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 16:18:18 +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	6	6-N	8	Cody GLASS	C	18	6-2/180	Portland (WHL)
1	13	10-N	16	Nick SUZUKI	C	18	5-11/185	Owen Sound (OHL)
1	15	9-E	19	Erik BRANNSTROM	D	18	5-10/175	HV 71 (Swe)
2	34	20-N	27	Nicolas HAGUE	D	18	6-6/215	Mississauga (OHL)
2	62	42-N	72	Jake LESCHYSHYN	C	18	5-11/185	Regina (WHL)
3	65	19-E	95	Jonas RONDBJERG	RW	18	6-0/175	Vaxjo Lakers (Swe Jr)
4	96	9-NG	64	Maxim ZHUKOV	G	18	6-3/190	Green Bay (USHL)
5	127	18-E	88	Lucas ELVENES	C	18	6-0/175	Rogle (Swe Jr)
5	142	108-N	hm	Jack DUGAN	C	19	6-2/185	Northwood (USHS-NY)
6	158	73-N	120	Nick CAMPOLI	C	18	5-11/190	North York (OJHL)
6	161	4-EG	hm	Jiri PATERA	G	18	6-2/210	Ceske Budejovice (Cze Jr)
7	189	170-N	hm	Ben JONES	C	18	6-0/185	Niagara (OHL)

RD	#	PLAYER	P	TEAM	GP (W)	G (L)	A (T)	PTS (GA)	PIM (Sv%)
1	6	Cody GLASS	C	Portland (WHL)	69	32	62	94	36
1	13	Nick SUZUKI	C	Owen Sound (OHL)	65	45	51	96	10
1	15	Erik BRANNSTROM	D	HV 71 (Swe)	35	1	5	6	2
1	15			HV 71 (Swe Jr)	19	9	14	23	18
2	34	Nicolas HAGUE	D	Mississauga (OHL)	65	18	28	46	107
2	62	Jake LESCHYSHYN	C	Regina (WHL)	47	17	23	40	22
3	65	Jonas RONDBJERG	RW	Vaxjo Lakers (Swe Jr)	42	9	22	31	4
3	65			Vaxjo Lakers (Swe)	5	0	0	0	0
4	96	Maxim ZHUKOV	G	Green Bay (USHL)	19	8	2	2.25	0.913
5	127	Lucas ELVENES	C	Rogle (Swe Jr)	41	15	30	45	22
5	127			Rogle (Swe)	12	0	0	0	0
5	127			Rogle (Swe Jr 18)	1	0	0	0	0
5	142	Jack DUGAN	C	Northwood (USHS-NY)	47	32	61	93
6	158	Nick CAMPOLI	C	North York (OJHL)	20	9	23	32	18
6	161	Jiri PATERA	G	Ceske Budejovice (Cze Jr)	24	14		2.61	0.933
7	189	Ben JONES	C	Niagara (OHL)	63	13	37	50	56

Vegas Golden Knights – Draft Grade: 60

Cody Glass of the Portland Winterhawks

The Expansion Golden Knights had a plan and they executed it to the last detail. Not worried about contending right away, they swung side deal after side deal before and after last week’s Expansion Draft and ended up with 12 picks across the seven rounds of the Entry Draft, including three first rounders. And what a set of first rounders.

Nick Suzuki of the Owen Sound Attack. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Between Cody Glass and Nick Suzuki, they picked up two of the smartest centers in the draft class, both of whom have abundant offensive skills and either of whom could reasonably grow into legit first line centers. Both also show strong commitment to the defensive side of the puck.

Erik Brannstrom (Photo by Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images)

Then, in Erik Brannstrom, they drafted the most offensively captivating blueliner in the class. None of these three will be ready soon, but there is little to suggest that Vegas did not draft their top two centers of their first contending team as well as a top four defenseman who will quarterback their power play. They just need to make sure that there will be enough pucks to go around.

Early in the second round, they took advantage of gargantuan Nicolas Hague falling into their laps. Expected to go in the first, Hague needs to clean up his game in his own zone, but has a cannon from the point and knows how to use his plus-plus size to intimidate. He would actually make for a nice defensive partner for Brannstrom sooner than later. Vegas could not keep up with picks of that caliber, but used the rest of Day Two to fill their system with depth, particularly among forwards. In fact, I was surprised to note that after Hague, they did not pick any more defensemen in the draft. Also notable was that they only drafted one overager, Jack Dugan, a New York State prep-schooler who destroyed local competition.

Best value: Ben Jones, C, Niagara (7/189): The final pick in Vegas’ first draft class, Jones was once thought highly enough of to be selected seventh overall in the OHL Entry draft. He is a 200 ft player who plays with plus energy, and has average speed and puck skills.

Biggest head-scratcher: Jonas Rondbjerg, RW, Vaxjo J20 (3/65): Not that Rondbjerg was a bad pick as the Danish winger plays a mature two-way game with understated puck skills. He simply may have been available in the next round, as he has not been able to put it all together and produce high end offense at the junior levels since tearing up Denmark’s U17 league in 2014-15.

McKeen’s 2017 NHL Draft Rankings (Subscribers) – Top 125 – May 31st, 2017

Iain Morrell — Wed, 31 May 2017 14:16:51 +0000

MCKEEN'S 2017 NHL DRAFT GUIDE - Learn more here!

Nico Hischier will make National Hockey League history as the first name called in Chicago at the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

The New Jersey Devils hold the first overall selection having won the draft lottery, and will be looking at three prospects in particular who have risen to the top of the 2017 draft class.

Switzerland's Nico Hischier #18 leans in for the face-off during preliminary round action against the Czech Republic at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/HHOF-IIHF Images)

Hischier is a very attractive choice having 'checked all the boxes' during an outstanding North American debut with the Halifax Mooseheads. The native of Naters, Switzerland led all rookie scorers in the QMJHL and finished 10th in league scoring, while delivering strong performances for his country at both the U20 and U18 World Junior Championships (WJC).

A fast and dynamic skater with high-end puck skills, Hischier distinguished himself for his two-way diligence and his ability to contribute in every area of the ice and - by extension - the game. He possesses a high hockey IQ and is a very creative player combining both structure and innovation.

It will be an agonizing decision if New Jersey opts to pass on Hischier in favour of the other prime attraction - Nolan Patrick of the Brandon Wheat Kings.

The Winnipeg native entered the 2016-17 season as the consensus top choice after a standout season in which he tied for the league playoff scoring lead with 30 points in 21 games (13-17-30) and earned WHL Playoff MVP honours.

Nolan Patrick of the Brandon Wheat Kings. Photo by Tim Smith/Brandon Sun

Patrick was injured during that playoff run however and underwent sports hernia surgery last July. His groin/abdominal problems would re-surface after playing in Brandon's opening five games, and sideline him for 34 games and force him to miss the U20 WJC.

Returning in January, Patrick still managed to finish fifth on the Wheat Kings in scoring with 20 goals and 46 points despite playing in just 33 games.

However he suffered another health setback late in the regular season - an unspecified upper-body injury - and missed the WHL playoffs.

Nolan Patrick would be the first Manitoban selected first overall in the NHL draft - with Nico Hischier set to become the first-ever Swiss-born player.

A third option emerged for New Jersey this spring at the U18 WJC where defenceman Miro Heiskanen turned in a commanding performance for Finland and effectively threw his hat into the ring.

Finland's Miro Heiskanen #2 lets a shot go during relegation round action against Latvia at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/HHOF-IIHF Images)

It makes some sense for the Devils to consider adding a potential building block on the blueline given the loss of Adam Larsson in last summer's Taylor Hall deal.

Heiskanen would be the first Finnish-born player to go first overall.

CENTRE STAGE

Gabriel Vilardi of the Windsor Spitfires sits at No. 4 on the McKeen's Top 125 - ranking the best prospects available for the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

Gabriel Vilardi of the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

The 6-foot-3, 200-pound forward led Windsor with 29 goals and 61 points - in just 49 games - and then played a central role in helping the Spitfires win the Memorial Cup, highlighted by a four-assist performance in a win over the top-ranked Erie Otters.

Big, highly-skilled, and ultra competitive, Vilardi brings plenty of meat to the plate - but the skating has raised concerns about how impactful an NHLer he can be. Described as a 'knock kneed' skater, he will have to continue upgrading his quickness and explosiveness.

The Kingston, Ontario native can play on the wing but showcased at the Top Prospects Game in January that he is very effective playing in the middle.

The fifth-ranked prospect is Casey Mittelstadt, the top American-born player.

Mittelstadt ripped apart the high school circuit averaging 2.56 points per game (64 points in 25 games) and earning Minnesota’s distinguished Mr. Hockey award as the state’s top senior skater. He fell short though of leading his hometown Eden Prairie to a state championship, falling in the semi-finals.

Mittelstadt was questioned about returning for his senior year amid concerns that his development could be stunted. However, he helped allay some of those concerns with impressive stints in the USHL, wrapped around his high school season, recording 30 points in 24 games - for a 1.25 points-per-game average which was tops in the league.

Sharp-shooting winger Owen Tippett of the Mississauga Steelheads is next at No. 6.

The Peterborough, Ontario native infuriated with his inconsistent (and incomplete) defensive work habits but, at the end of the day, may be the best goal-scoring prospect in this draft class.

He finished fifth in the OHL with 44 goals and added another 10 goals in 20 playoff games.

Slick-skating defenceman Cale Makar of the Brooks Bandits is ranked seventh.

The Calgary, Alberta native was among this season's biggest risers - shooting up the draft chart and dazzling with his skating and skills while leading Brooks to the RBC Cup final.

Makar still has plenty of growing to do in terms of learning how to harness and deploy his exceptional talents. His education will be in good hands for his upcoming freshman season at the University of Massachusetts. Makar may benefit most by staying on the NCAA collegiate route for at least two years, though the lure of the NHL is all powerful.

Sorting out the rest of the top 10 has been a convoluted journey since the initial rankings were published last fall. That's not unusual - but this season the rankings seemed to be in a larger state of flux. There's not much to separate the next dozen or so players - all of whom could conceivably land a top 10 spot.

Cody Glass of the Portland Winterhawks

Cody Glass of the Portland Winterhawks was another big riser, moving up from 24th - in the preliminary ranking - to grab the No. 8 position.

A cerebral two-way pivot with good size and skill, the Winnipeg native led Portland and tied for seventh in WHL scoring during a spectacular breakout season - in which he more than tripled his rookie numbers from 2015-16.

Glass begins a run of centremen with seven of the next ten players being pivots; Michael Rasmussen (10th), Elias Pettersson (11th), Martin Necas (12th), Robert Thomas (15th), Nick Suzuki (16th), and Lias Andersson (17th).

KLIM PICKINGS

The wildcards for this year's draft will begin with swift-skating Swedish defenceman Timothy Liljegren

The native of Kristianstad, Sweden has been a prime name for 2017 since he was 16 years old - and was ranked No. 4 on our preliminary list. However, he was sidelined early by a bout of mononucleosis and struggled to find his game after returning.

There's no denying the physical gifts as he is a strong, fast skater with a good skill set featuring a heavy wristshot.

Klim Kostin

However, his hockey sense and overall decision making have continually come into question as the scrutiny on his game intensified. He doesn't seem to possess an innate feel for pressure and can be prone to stickchecks and turning pucks over on outlets. Can this part of his make-up develop and mature? Perhaps. It's a risk NHL teams must weigh before considering him as a top selection.

Another 'hot potato' pick will be Dynamo Moscow forward Klim Kostin who began the season at No. 5 in the rankings following a solid showing at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial. The Penza native captained Russia and led his team in scoring (5-4-3-7) while flashing an intriguing mix of size, skill and creativity.

He also put in a decent showing at the Canada-Russia series in November, albeit not enough for World Junior team coach Valeri Bragin to include him on the U20 roster. However, Kostin underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in January and missed an opportunity to further convince NHL scouts at the U18 WJC in April.

Strong and skilled with the puck, Kostin can create openings with his stickhandling and 1-on-1 abilities, but must work on his skating and consistency.

Eeli Tolvanen

Eeli Tolvanen also watched his stock soften as the season progressed after beginning as a top 10 pick (8th).

The native of Vihti, Finland tied for third in the USHL with 30 goals and then helped Sioux City reach the Clark Cup Finals. Tolvanen possesses sharp offensive instincts and a lethal shot, yet there are concerns about how his slight frame and dimensional game will translate to higher levels.

No player fell further in the rankings this season than towering Russian winger Nikita Popugaev.

The Moscow native fired 19 goals in his first 25 games with Moose Jaw, however his play tailed off in December and he was dealt a month later to Prince George where he continued to sputter.

Popugaev brings great size at 6-foot-6 and 220 pounds as well as a strong shooting arsenal. His skating needs to come along though, particularly his footwork and overall agility.

But the bigger concern is how badly he wants it - as his work ethic and defensive play regressed to alarming levels over the second half.

PLENTY OF FINNISH

Finland gave advance warning that they would be a big factor at the 2017 NHL Draft when they captured gold at the 2016 U18 WJC.

It was Finland's first gold medal at the event since winning the first two tournaments in 1999 and 2000 - and was accomplished with a predominantly underage blueline.

They followed up this year at the U18's with a silver medal, led by the splendid duo of Miro Heiskanen and Urho Vaakanainen.

Heiskanen's exploits were well chronicled, however Vaakanainen's play may have turned just as many NHL heads. His smooth skating, subtle skills, and innate feel for the game were on full display throughout.

Vaakanainen could turn out to be one of the best players from this draft.

Expect the Finns to be high profile at this draft - as they could place up to seven players in the opening round plus another half dozen in the second.

In all, there are 16 Finnish-born players in the McKeen's Top 125 including a number of potential sleepers such as Joni Ikonen (59th), Aleksi Heponiemi (65th), Emil Oksanen (76th) and U18 WJC captain Aarne Talvitie (77th).

Finland's Santeri Virtanen #22 carries the puck during semifinal round action at the 2017 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship. (Photo by Andrea Cardin/HHOF-IIHF Images)

Gritty two-way centre Santeri Virtanen threw his name into the ring with an impressive showing at the U18 WJC after missing most of the season to injury.

His late rise wasn't a total surprise as he had initially been slotted as a potential 50-70 pick after a good showing at the Ivan Hlinka last fall.

RANK	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	HT/WT	DOB	Nation
1	Nolan Patrick	C	Brandon (WHL)	6-2/200	19-Sep-98	Canada
2	Nico Hischier	C	Halifax (QMJHL)	6-1/175	4-Jan-99	Switzerland
3	Miro Heiskanen	D	HIFK Helsinki (Fin)	6-0/170	18-Jul-99	Finland
4	Gabriel Vilardi	C	Windsor (OHL)	6-3/200	16-Aug-99	Canada
5	Casey Mittelstadt	C	Eden Prairie (USHS-MN)	6-1/200	22-Nov-98	USA
6	Owen Tippett	RW	Mississauga (OHL)	6-1/200	16-Feb-99	Canada
7	Cale Makar	D	Brooks (AJHL)	5-11/180	30-Oct-98	Canada
8	Cody Glass	C	Portland (WHL)	6-2/180	1-Apr-99	Canada
9	Kristian Vesalainen	LW	Frolunda (Swe)	6-3/205	1-Jun-99	Finland
10	Michael Rasmussen	C	Tri-City (WHL)	6-6/215	17-Apr-99	Canada
11	Elias Pettersson	C	Timra (Swe 2)	6-2/165	12-Nov-98	Sweden
12	Martin Necas	C	Kometa Brno (Cze)	6-0/170	15-Jan-99	Czech
13	Urho Vaakanainen	D	JyP Jyvaskyla (Fin)	6-0/185	1-Jan-99	Finland
14	Juuso Valimaki	D	Tri-City (WHL)	6-2/205	6-Oct-98	Finland
15	Robert Thomas	C	London (OHL)	6-0/190	2-Jul-99	Canada
16	Nick Suzuki	C	Owen Sound (OHL)	5-11/185	10-Sep-99	Canada
17	Lias Andersson	C	HV 71 (Swe)	5-11/200	13-Oct-98	Sweden
18	Isaac Ratcliffe	LW	Guelph (OHL)	6-5/200	15-Feb-99	Canada
19	Erik Brannstrom	D	HV 71 (Swe)	5-10/175	2-Sep-99	Sweden
20	Timothy Liljegren	D	Rogle (Swe)	6-0/190	30-Apr-99	Sweden
21	Klim Kostin	C	Dynamo Moscow (Rus)	6-3/195	5-May-99	Russia
22	Eeli Tolvanen	RW	Sioux City (USHL)	5-10/175	22-Apr-99	Finland
23	Conor Timmins	D	Sault Ste Marie (OHL)	6-1/185	18-Sep-98	Canada
24	Kailer Yamamoto	RW	Spokane (WHL)	5-8/160	29-Sep-98	Canada
25	Jason Robertson	LW	Kingston (OHL)	6-2/195	22-Jul-99	USA
26	Ryan Poehling	C	St. Cloud State (NCHC)	6-2/195	3-Jan-99	USA
27	Nicolas Hague	D	Mississauga (OHL)	6-6/215	5-Dec-98	Canada
28	Josh Norris	C	NTDP (USA)	6-1/195	5-May-99	USA
29	Shane Bowers	C	Waterloo (USHL)	6-1/185	30-Jul-99	Canada
30	Cal Foote	D	Kelowna (WHL)	6-4/215	13-Dec-98	USA
31	Henri Jokiharju	D	Portland (WHL)	6-0/180	17-Jun-99	Finland
32	Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen	G	HPK (Fin)	6-4/195	9-Mar-99	Finland
33	Jaret Anderson-Dolan	C	Spokane (WHL)	5-11/190	12-Sep-99	Canada
34	Kole Lind	RW	Kelowna (WHL)	6-1/180	16-Oct-98	Canada
35	Jesper Boqvist	C	Brynas (Swe)	6-0/180	30-Oct-98	Sweden
36	Grant Mismash	LW	NTDP (USA)	6-0/185	19-Feb-99	USA
37	Keith Petruzzelli	G	Muskegon (USHL)	6-5/180	9-Feb-99	USA
38	Pierre-Olivier Joseph	D	Charlottetown (QMJHL)	6-2/165	1-Jul-99	Canada
39	Maxime Comtois	C	Victoriaville (QMJHL)	6-2/200	8-Jan-99	Canada
40	Adam Ruzicka	C	Sarnia (OHL)	6-4/205	11-May-99	Slovakia
41	Morgan Frost	C	Sault Ste Marie (OHL)	5-11/170	14-May-99	Canada
42	Filip Chytil	C	Zlin (Cze)	6-0/180	5-Sep-99	Czech
43	Nikita Popugaev	LW	Prince George (WHL)	6-6/220	20-Nov-98	Russia
44	Jake Oettinger	G	Boston University (HE)	6-4/210	18-Dec-98	USA
45	Josh Brook	D	Moose Jaw (WHL)	6-1/185	15-Jun-99	Canada
46	Santeri Virtanen	C	TPS Turku (Fin Jr)	6-2/195	11-May-99	Finland
47	Kyle Olson	C	Tri-City (WHL)	5-11/165	22-Mar-99	Canada
48	Evan Barratt	C	NTDP (USA)	6-0/190	18-Feb-99	USA
49	Max Gildon	D	NTDP (USA)	6-3/190	17-May-99	USA
50	MacKenzie Entwistle	RW	Hamilton (OHL)	6-3/180	14-Jul-99	Canada
51	Stelio Mattheos	RW	Brandon (WHL)	6-1/195	14-Jun-99	Canada
52	Marcus Davidsson	C	Djurgardens (Swe)	6-0/190	18-Nov-98	Sweden
53	Michael DiPietro	G	Windsor (OHL)	6-0/195	9-Jun-99	Canada
54	David Farrance	D	NTDP (USA)	5-11/190	23-Jun-99	USA
55	Stuart Skinner	G	Lethbridge (WHL)	6-3/210	1-Nov-98	Canada
56	Matthew Strome	LW	Hamilton (OHL)	6-4/210	6-Jan-99	Canada
57	Alex Formenton	LW	London (OHL)	6-2/165	13-Sep-99	Canada
58	Eemeli Rasanen	D	Kingston (OHL)	6-7/215	6-Mar-99	Finland
59	Joni Ikonen	C	Frolunda (Swe Jr)	5-10/170	14-Apr-99	Finland
60	Scott Reedy	C	NTDP (USA)	6-1/205	4-Apr-99	USA
61	Sasha Chmelevski	C	Ottawa (OHL)	5-11/190	9-Jun-99	USA
62	Filip Westerlund	D	Frolunda (Swe)	5-11/180	17-Apr-99	Sweden
63	Ian Mitchell	D	Spruce Grove (AJHL)	5-11/175	18-Jan-99	Canada
64	Maxim Zhukov	G	Green Bay (USHL)	6-3/190	22-Jul-99	Russia
65	Aleksi Heponiemi	C	Swift Current (WHL)	5-10/150	9-Jan-99	Finland
66	Ostap Safin	LW	Sparta Praha (Cze Jr)	6-4/200	11-Feb-99	Czech
67	Jack Studnicka	C	Oshawa (OHL)	6-1/170	18-Feb-99	Canada
68	Nick Henry	RW	Regina (WHL)	5-11/190	4-Jul-99	Canada
69	Markus Phillips	D	Owen Sound (OHL)	6-0/200	21-Mar-99	Canada
70	Jarret Tyszka	D	Seattle (WHL)	6-2/190	15-Mar-99	Canada
71	Kirill Maksimov	RW	Niagara (OHL)	6-2/195	1-Jun-99	Russia
72	Jake Leschyshyn	C	Regina (WHL)	5-11/185	10-Mar-99	Canada
73	Alexei Toropchenko	RW	MVD Balashikha (Rus Jr)	6-3/190	25-Jun-99	Russia
74	Kirill Slepets	LW	Loko Yaroslavl (Rus Jr)	5-10/165	6-Apr-99	Russia
75	Olle Eriksson Ek	G	Farjestads (Swe Jr)	6-2/185	22-Jun-99	Sweden
76	Emil Oksanen	LW	Espoo United (Fin 2)	6-1/190	25-Sep-98	Finland
77	Aarne Talvitie	C	Espoo Blues (Fin Jr)	5-10/200	11-Feb-99	Finland
78	Reilly Walsh	D	Proctor Academy (USHS-NH)	5-11/180	21-Apr-99	USA
79	Ivan Lodnia	RW	Erie (OHL)	5-10/180	31-Aug-99	USA
80	Jonah Gadjovich	LW	Owen Sound (OHL)	6-2/210	12-Oct-98	Canada
81	Ben Mirageas	D	Chicago (USHL)	6-1/180	8-May-99	USA
82	Dylan Samberg	D	Hermantown (USHS-MN)	6-3/190	24-Jan-99	USA
83	Antoine Morand	C	Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL)	5-10/180	18-Feb-99	Canada
84	Morgan Geekie	C	Tri-City (WHL)	6-2/180	20-Jul-98	Canada
85	Alexei Lipanov	C	MVD Balashikha (Rus 2)	6-0/165	17-Aug-99	Russia
86	Jack Badini	C	Chicago (USHL)	6-0/200	19-Jan-98	USA
87	Brady Lyle	D	North Bay (OHL)	6-1/205	6-Jun-99	Canada
88	Lucas Elvenes	C	Rogle (Swe Jr)	6-0/175	18-Aug-99	Sweden
89	Zach Gallant	C	Peterborough (OHL)	6-2/190	6-Mar-99	Canada
90	Lane Zablocki	RW	Red Deer (WHL)	5-11/190	27-Dec-98	Canada
91	Kevin Hancock	C	Owen Sound (OHL)	5-11/185	2-Mar-98	Canada
92	Alexandre Texier	C	Grenoble (Fra)	6-0/190	13-Sep-99	France
93	Noel Hoefenmayer	D	Ottawa (OHL)	6-0/190	6-Jan-99	Canada
94	Nate Schnarr	C	Guelph (OHL)	6-3/180	15-Jun-99	Canada
95	Jonas Rondbjerg	RW	Vaxjo Lakers (Swe Jr)	6-0/175	31-Mar-99	Denmark
96	Ivan Chekhovich	LW	Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)	5-10/180	14-Jan-99	Russia
97	Robin Salo	D	Sport (Fin)	6-1/190	13-Oct-98	Finland
98	Luke Martin	D	Michigan (B1G)	6-4/215	20-Sep-98	USA
99	Cale Fleury	D	Kootenay (WHL)	6-1/205	19-Nov-98	Canada
100	Mikey Anderson	D	Waterloo (USHL)	6-0/195	25-May-99	USA
101	Mason Shaw	C	Medicine Hat (WHL)	5-9/180	3-Nov-98	Canada
102	Linus Nyman	RW	Kingston (OHL)	5-9/160	11-Jul-99	Finland
103	Gustav Lindstrom	D	Almtuna (Swe 2)	6-2/190	20-Oct-98	Sweden
104	Marian Studenic	RW	Hamilton (OHL)	6-0/165	28-Oct-98	Slovakia
105	Jack Rathbone	D	Dexter (USHS-MA)	5-10/175	20-May-99	USA
106	Artyom Minulin	D	Swift Current (WHL)	6-2/200	1-Oct-98	Russia
107	Kalle Miketinac	C	Frolunda (Swe Jr)	5-11/190	2-Apr-99	Sweden
108	Dmitri Samorukov	D	Guelph (OHL)	6-2/180	16-Jun-99	Russia
109	Ian Scott	G	Prince Albert (WHL)	6-3/175	11-Jan-99	Canada
110	Austen Keating	C	Ottawa (OHL)	6-0/170	7-May-99	Canada
111	Maksim Sushko	RW	Owen Sound (OHL)	6-0/185	10-Feb-99	Belarus
112	Tyler Inamoto	D	NTDP (USA)	6-2/195	6-May-99	USA
113	Ty Lewis	LW	Brandon (WHL)	5-11/180	5-Mar-98	Canada
114	Drake Batherson	C	Cape Breton (QMJHL)	6-1/190	27-Apr-98	Canada
115	Rickard Hugg	C	Leksands (Swe Jr)	5-10/185	18-Jan-99	Sweden
116	Scott Walford	D	Victoria (WHL)	6-1/195	12-Jan-99	Canada
117	Jordy Bellerive	C	Lethbridge (WHL)	5-10/195	2-May-99	Canada
118	Matthew Kellenberger	D	Oakville (OJHL)	6-0/175	11-Jan-99	Canada
119	Johnathan Kovacevic	D	Merrimack (HE)	6-4/215	2-Jul-97	Canada
120	Nick Campoli	C	North York (OJHL)	5-11/190	16-Feb-99	Canada
121	Mario Ferraro	D	Des Moines (USHL)	5-11/185	17-Sep-98	Canada
122	Michael Pastujov	LW	NTDP (USA)	6-0/195	23-Aug-99	USA
123	Tyler Steenbergen	C	Swift Current (WHL)	5-10/190	7-Jan-98	Canada
124	Mark Rubinchik	D	Saskatoon (WHL)	6-0/180	21-Mar-99	Russia
125	Kasper Kotkansalo	D	Sioux Falls (USHL)	6-2/200	16-Nov-98	Finland

McKeen’s 2017 NHL Draft Rankings (Subscribers) – Top 62 – Feb 26th, 2017

McKeen's Hockey — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 13:00:20 +0000

A return to health ensure a pair of top forwards of maintaining a top five ranking.

After missing much of the early portion of the season, Nolan Patrick with an abdominal injury and Gabriel Vilardi with a knee injury, both have returned to good health and to producing on the ice for the respective teams. Nolan's well-rounded game is well suited for a quick transition to the NHL and his overall skillset is allowing him to live up to the pre-season hype. With four points in his first game back from a three month layoff, he has been catching up on his teammates. Since then, he has filed to score in only three games, while producing at least two points eight times.

Vilardi’s situation was not quite as extreme. He missed just over one month, leading up to Christmas, but also returned to action with a four point game. Although he falls slightly short of Patrick in his overall giftedness, he plays a smart, pro-style game and is one of the most NHL-ready players in this draft class. The Spitfires star is thus the most significant early riser since our last ranking, jumping up from 13^th overall to a spot in the top five.

Another player making a leap of note into the top ten is Martin Necas, the highest profile player to come out of Czechia since Tomas Hertl five years ago. We project Necas to go higher than Hertl was in 2012, although this is perhaps less a reflection of their relative standings as prospects than a comment on the strength of this year’s class. The 2012 draft class was a notoriously weak one (Nail Yakupov says “Hi!”) but Hertl would have gone substantially higher had the draft been re-run today. Ranked 14^th last time, Necas now comes in at #10.

The biggest drop has been seen by Tri-City’s Finnish defenseman Juuso Valimaki, slotted in at #6 last time, and now down at #16. Then again, we had mentioned that his previous ranking was a big rise for him, so perhaps this is just a case of a young man returning, like water, to his level.

The strength of the 2017 draft seems to be in European players. In addition to the North American-based quartet of Europeans in the top 17 (Hischier - #2, Tolvanen - #9, Valimaki - #16, Popygaev - #17), we have listed another nine European players still developing across the ocean, including three in the top ten.

Players moving up into the first round (we only included 30 in our last release - corrected here) include USNTDP forward Josh Norris (#31), Owen Sound dynamo Nick Suzuki (#28), Spokane mighty mite Kailer Yamamoto (#29) who is two inches and 20 pounds away from going 20 spots higher, and Guelph power forward Isaac Ratcliffe (#30).

As junior leagues around the world are entering their stretch drives, we have taken the rankings now through two full rounds, 62 players in total - the full list is available to subscribers only found here . In our second round, we see an influx of promising netminders, some of whom would have been likely first rounders as recently as three years ago, before the industry as a whole began to eschew the idea of the first round goalie. We begin with Finnish talent Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen at #32, and included five more by the end of the top 62.

With a draft this close, there is still plenty of room for changes in rankings over the next three months, but here is where the future is slotted today.

RANK	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	HT/WT	DOB	GP-G-A-PTS
1	Nolan Patrick	C	Brandon (WHL)	6-3/200	19-Sep-98	24-16-21-37
2	Nico Hischier	C	Halifax (QMJHL)	6-1/175	4-Jan-99	48-37-42-79
3	Michael Rasmussen	C	Tri-City (WHL)	6-6/215	17-Apr-99	50-32-23-55
4	Casey Mittelstadt	C	Eden Prairie (USHS-MN)	6-1/200	22-Nov-98	25-21-43-64
5	Gabriel Vilardi	C	Windsor (OHL)	6-3/200	16-Aug-99	39-24-26-50
6	Owen Tippett	RW	Mississauga (OHL)	6-1/200	16-Feb-99	52-39-29-68
7	Elias Pettersson	C	Timra (Swe 2)	6-1/160	12-Nov-98	40-16-21-37
8	Timothy Liljegren	D	Rogle (Swe)	6-0/190	30-Apr-99	19-1-4-5
9	Eeli Tolvanen	RW	Sioux City (USHL)	5-10/175	22-Apr-99	39-23-17-40
10	Martin Necas	C	Kometa Brno (Cze)	6-0/170	15-Jan-99	38-7-7-14
11	Miro Heiskanen	D	HIFK Helsinki (Fin)	6-0/170	18-Jul-99	37-5-5-10
12	Cale Makar	D	Brooks (AJHL)	5-11/180	30-Oct-98	50-19-44-63
13	Cody Glass	C	Portland (WHL)	6-2/180	1-Apr-99	60-26-56-82
14	Ryan Poehling	C	St. Cloud State (NCHC)	6-2/185	3-Jan-99	31-7-6-13
15	Lias Andersson	C	HV 71 (Swe)	5-11/200	13-Oct-98	37-7-10-17
16	Juuso Valimaki	D	Tri-City (WHL)	6-2/205	6-Oct-98	52-18-37-55
17	Nikita Popugaev	LW	Prince George (WHL)	6-5/205	20-Nov-98	63-26-36-62
18	Robert Thomas	C	London (OHL)	5-11/185	2-Jul-99	56-15-38-53
19	Conor Timmins	D	Sault Ste Marie (OHL)	6-1/185	18-Sep-98	57-6-46-52
20	Kole Lind	RW	Kelowna (WHL)	6-1/175	16-Oct-98	60-28-49-77
21	Erik Brannstrom	D	HV 71 (Swe)	5-10/175	2-Sep-99	32-1-5-6
22	Klim Kostin	C	Dynamo Moscow (Rus)	6-3/195	5-May-99	8-0-0-0
23	Cal Foote	D	Kelowna (WHL)	6-4/215	13-Dec-98	61-5-41-46
24	Maxime Comtois	LW	Victoriaville (QMJHL)	6-2/200	8-Jan-99	55-19-23-42
25	Kristian Vesalainen	LW	Frolunda (Swe)	6-3/205	1-Jun-99	24-1-5-6
26	Urho Vaakanainen	D	JyP Jyvaskyla (Fin)	6-0/185	1-Jan-99	37-2-1-3
27	Shane Bowers	C	Waterloo (USHL)	6-1/185	30-Jul-99	47-18-21-39
28	Nick Suzuki	C	Owen Sound (OHL)	5-11/185	10-Sep-99	55-34-44-78
29	Kailer Yamamoto	RW	Spokane (WHL)	5-8/160	29-Sep-98	53-35-41-76
30	Isaac Ratcliffe	LW	Guelph (OHL)	6-5/200	15-Feb-99	56-23-21-44
31	Josh Norris	C	NTDP (USA)	6-1/195	5-May-99	44-18-23-41
32	Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen	G	HPK (Fin Jr)	6-4/195	9-Mar-99	31 GP, .919
33	Jesper Boqvist	C	Brynas (Swe)	6-0/180	30-Oct-98	13-0-6-6
34	Grant Mismash	LW	NTDP (USA)	6-0/185	19-Feb-99	47-21-17-38
35	Keith Petruzzelli	G	Muskegon (USHL)	6-5/180	9-Feb-99	16-9, 2.61, .908
36	Nicolas Hague	D	Mississauga (OHL)	6-5/205	5-Dec-98	56-16-24-40
37	Matthew Strome	LW	Hamilton (OHL)	6-3/205	6-Jan-99	56-32-23-55
38	Henri Jokiharju	D	Portland (WHL)	6-0/175	17-Jun-99	61-8-33-41
39	Jason Robertson	LW	Kingston (OHL)	6-2/195	22-Jul-99	58-33-27-60
40	Stelio Mattheos	RW	Brandon (WHL)	6-1/195	14-Jun-99	58-23-27-50
41	Ostap Safin	LW	Sparta Praha (Cze Jr)	6-4/200	11-Feb-99	23-6-12-18
42	Olle Eriksson Ek	G	Farjestads (Swe Jr)	6-2/185	22-Jun-99	26G, 2.24, .923
43	Alex Formenton	LW	London (OHL)	6-1/165	13-Sep-99	55-15-17-32
44	Marcus Davidsson	C	Djurgardens (Swe)	6-0/190	18-Nov-98	40-5-4-9
45	Maxim Zhukov	G	Green Bay (USHL)	6-3/190	22-Jul-99	13-8, 2.54, .902
46	Morgan Frost	C	Sault Ste Marie (OHL)	5-11/170	14-May-99	57-16-35-51
47	Pierre-Olivier Joseph	D	Charlottetown (QMJHL)	6-2/160	1-Jul-99	52-6-29-35
48	Jake Leschyshyn	C	Regina (WHL)	5-11/185	10-Mar-99	47-17-23-40
49	Jake Oettinger	G	Boston University (HE)	6-4/210	18-Dec-98	18-9, 2.07, .927
50	Adam Ruzicka	C	Sarnia (OHL)	6-3/205	11-May-99	53-23-17-40
51	Stuart Skinner	G	Lethbridge (WHL)	6-3/210	1-Nov-98	30-15, 3.24, .905
52	MacKenzie Entwistle	RW	Hamilton (OHL)	6-3/180	14-Jul-99	45-11-13-24
53	Filip Westerlund	D	Frolunda (Swe)	5-11/180	17-Apr-99	29-0-4-4
54	Michael DiPietro	G	Windsor (OHL)	6-0/195	9-Jun-99	28-9, 2.17, .924
55	Ian Mitchell	D	Spruce Grove (AJHL)	5-11/175	18-Jan-99	51-7-25-32
56	Scott Reedy	C	NTDP (USA)	6-1/205	4-Apr-99	45-17-19-36
57	Joni Ikonen	C	Frolunda (Swe Jr)	5-10/170	14-Apr-99	36-20-16-36
58	Ben Mirageas	D	Bloomington (USHL)	6-1/180	8-May-99	44-1-9-10
59	Sasha Chmelevski	C	Ottawa (OHL)	5-11/190	9-Jun-99	48-18-19-37
60	Jonas Rondbjerg	RW	Vaxjo (Swe Jr)	6-0/175	31-Mar-99	38-9-21-30
61	Evan Barratt	C	NTDP (USA)	5-11/190	18-Feb-99	45-13-25-38
62	Jarret Tyszka	D	Seattle (WHL)	6-2/190	15-Mar-99	52-6-18-24

Grant’s Slant: Boqvist, Lind, Petterson trending forwards

Grant McCagg — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 19:20:43 +0000

It's shaping up to be a fairly strong draft for centers. There may be at least 11 pivots with top-two upside.

Nico Hischier, Nolan Patrick, Michael Rasmussen, Casey Mittelstadt, Elias Petterson, Martin Necas, Maxime Comtois, Gabriel Vilardi, Ryan Poehling, Lias Andersson, Cody Glass.

Add in Shane Bowers, Mackenzie Entwistle, Stelio Matheos and Robert Thomas...it's not inconceivable that half of the top 20 and perhaps even half of the top 30 selections are pivots.

LIVING ON TIMRA TIME

GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA - APRIL 16: Sweden's Timothy Liljegren #19 lets go a shot at the 2016 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/HHOF-IIHF Images)

Scouts are going to be spending a lot of time watching Timra the rest of the season as there are two Swedish delights toiling for the Allsvenskan powerhouse. Elias Petterson is leading the league in scoring, and it's no fluke. He's also looking after his duties in his own end..it would not surprise me if by draft day he's the top Swede and a top-five pick. Jesper Boqvist may well be the biggest draft riser. Since joining Timra he has been superb...a slick skater and terrific creator. Don't be surprised if his name is called in the top 25. If I'm with the Swedish U-20 management team I'm inviting Petterson, Boqvist and Dahlen to the WJC and keeping them together on a line.

KOLE MINING

KELOWNA, CANADA - NOVEMBER 5: Kole Lind #16 of the Kelowna Rockets. (Photo by Marissa Baecker/Shoot the Breeze)

Kole Lind is making a strong case to be a first-round pick. Every time I watch him he's been a dangerous offensive threat. It's no shock that he's leading Kelowna in scoring. Smart, good puck protection skills, effective shot and consistent work ethic. I've talked to some scouts recently who look at him as a first-round possibility..as do I.

THE HAGUE CONTENTION

Perhaps there has been no sharper drop in the draft rankings than Hague's. The hulking Mississauga blueliner was once being touted as a top-five candidate, the only thing for me that kept him in the first round was his impressive production early on in the season, particularly the goal scoring. Unfortunately, the own-zone brain cramps and concerns with his skating were always present, and have only been exacerbated in the past seven games when he has gone pointless and been -7. The closer he's studied, the less he looks like a top 30 prospect.

QUICK ONE-TIMERS

- Curious to see if Kristian Vesalainen (HPK-Fin) shows some finish at U20s. Willing to give him a pass vs. men at this age but the U20 will be important for him IMO if he wants to be a top ten guy.

- Urho Vaakanainen is playing 16:03 per game with JyP.... & Miro Heiskanen (HIFK-Fin) is averaging 19:40 per game..2nd in D scoring on team with 3g 4a..... Awfully impressive for 17-year-olds.

- 2g 3a for Cale Makar on Monday with the Brook Bandits of the AJHL and seven points on the weekend...he is now 8th in AJHL scoring with 12g 25a in 28 games and tied for fifth overall in PPG. Only dman in the top 40 of league scoring. He was a large part of the Canada West team in last year's World Junior Challenge, but this year it's expected he will be dominant.

- Timothy Liljegren (Rogle-Swe) played 18 minutes in his first game back from bout of mono....11 minutes in his 5th game...5 minutes today - played on 4th pairing.

- Jakub Galvas has played 16 games with Olomouc in the senior Czech league... impressive enough for a dman who doesn't turn 18 until June

- Typical Owen Tippett (Mis-OHL). Just when he's starting to drive you crazy he scores a goal on a rocket and pings another off the post on the same shift.

- Can't help but notice Adam Fox with 15 assists in his first 11 collegiate games - leading all Division 1 blueliners with a 1.45 PPG.....as a rookie dman. Wow. One would almost think he should have been drafted higher.

WHO'S HOT/COLD AMONG DRAFT ELIGIBLE PROSPECTS (CHL EDITION)

Issac Ratcliffe (Guelph) - Has goals in 3 straight games

Dmitri Samorukov (Guelph) - no points in last nine games

Albert Michnac (Guelph) - After 5 goals in 6 games has none in last 7

Robert Thomas (London) - 2G, 3A, +5 on Sunday - 1.11 PPG on season

Alex Formenton (London) - His goal on Friday was first in 8 games

Nicolas Hague (Mississauga) - 1G, 1A Sunday - no points, -7 in previous 7 games

Jonah Gadjovich (Owen Sound) - 3g 4a in last 5 games

Nick Suzuki (Owen Sound) - 12 goals 23 pts in last 15 games

D'Artagnan Joly (Baie-Comeau) - 9 pts in last 7 games

Pierre-Olivier Joseph (Charlottetown) - 15 pts in last 12 games

Nico Hischier (Halifax) - 17g 34 pts in last 16 games

Ivan Kosorenkov (Victoriaville) - 10g in last 7 games

Maxime Comtois (Victoriaville) - 3g 7a in last 18 games

Kole Lind (Kelowna) - Goals in 6 straight games going into Brandon game

Cal Foote (Kelowna) - 10 points last 11 games

Josh Brook (Moose Jaw) - 7 points in last 8 games after 9 in first 18

Henri Jokiharju (Portland) - 3g 4a in last seven after 1g 9a in first 23 games

Jake Leschyshyn (Regina) - 2 assists in last 8 games

Juuso Valimaki (Tri-City) 8g 5a in last 9 games

Jake Leschyshyn – McKeen's Hockey

WHL 2019-2020 Season Preview – Eastern Conference

East Division

Winnipeg ICE (1st)

Saskatoon Blades (2nd)

Prince Albert Raiders (3rd)

Brandon Wheat Kings (4th)

Moose Jaw Warriors (5th)

Regina Pats (6th)

Central Division

Calgary Hitmen (1st)

Edmonton Oil Kings (2nd)

Medicine Hat Tigers (3rd)

Lethbridge Hurricanes (4th)

Red Deer Rebels (5th)

Swift Current Broncos (6th)

Vegas Golden Knights 2019-20 Prospect Review: Top 20

WHL Playoff Preview (Eastern Conference): Prince Albert dominates but Vancouver hot down the stretch

Vegas Golden Knights Prospect System Overview

State of the CHL: The Western Hockey League

The Eastern Conference:

East Division GP-W-L-OTL-SOL-PTS

Moose Jaw Warriors 48-38-7-1-2-79

Swift Current Bronco’s 49-33-12-3-1-70

Brandon Wheat Kings 48-28-15-3-2-61

Regina Pats 49-24-20-5-0-53

Saskatoon Blades 48-23-22-2-1-49

Prince Albert Raiders 47-18-20-7-2-45

Central Division GP-W-L-OTL-SOL-PTS

Medicine Hat Tigers 48-24-19-5-0-53

Lethbridge Hurricanes 47-22-21-4-0-48

Kooteney ICE 47-21-23-3-0-45

Calgary Hitmen 47-15-26-5-1-36

Red Deer Rebels 47-11-25-8-3-33

Edmonton Oil Kings 46-13-27-4-2-32

The Western Conference:

U.S. Division GP-W-L-OTL-SOL-PTS

Everett Silvertips 48-30-16-1-1-62

Portland Winterhawks 47-28-15-1-3-60

Seattle Thunderbirds 47-25-16-4-2-56

Tri-City Americans 46-23-16-7-0-53

Spokane Chiefs 47-25-19-1-2-53

B.C. Division GP-W-L-OTL-SOL-PTS

Kelowna Rockets 46-29-14-2-1-61

Victoria Royals 48-27-17-3-1-58

Vancouver Giants 47-25-15-4-3-57

Kamloops Blazers 47-21-23-1-2-45

Prince George Cougars 48-18-23-4-3

Vegas – System Overview

2017 NHL Draft Grades: Pacific Division – Vegas Golden Knights

McKeen’s 2017 NHL Draft Rankings (Subscribers) – Top 125 – May 31st, 2017

McKeen’s 2017 NHL Draft Rankings (Subscribers) – Top 62 – Feb 26th, 2017

Grant’s Slant: Boqvist, Lind, Petterson trending forwards

Winnipeg ICE (1^st)

Saskatoon Blades (2^nd)

Prince Albert Raiders (3^rd)

Brandon Wheat Kings (4^th)

Moose Jaw Warriors (5^th)

Regina Pats (6^th)

Calgary Hitmen (1^st)

Edmonton Oil Kings (2^nd)

Medicine Hat Tigers (3^rd)

Lethbridge Hurricanes (4^th)

Red Deer Rebels (5^th)

Swift Current Broncos (6^th)