Jeremy Roy – McKeen's Hockey

San Jose Sharks 2019-20 Prospect Review: Top 20

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

AHL West prospects ready to have an NHL impact

Ryan Wagman — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 15:48:08 +0000

Although there are some exceptions – and this article will touch on a few – the majority of top prospects in the current age of hockey tend to go straight from junior/collegiate/European hockey and into the NHL.

Barring lockout situations, players who make big rookie waves who spent time in the AHL before their NHL debuts are few and far between. To that point, the last Calder Trophy winner who spent time in the AHL in their rookie year – or before – was 2009 recipient Steve Mason. He spent a whopping three games with the Syracuse Crunch. He was rehabbing in the AHL actually, after missing the first month of that season to injury, before the Blue Jackets had a need in the NHL roster. He finally got back to the AHL last year, on his way (seemingly) out of the league.

We have to go back to 2004 and Andrew Raycroft to get a Calder Trophy winner with significant time in the AHL under his belt. He spent the majority of two full seasons in the AHL before making his NHL mark.

That cold streak will continue this year, as even the best AHL callups are extremely unlikely to top the likes of Elias Pettersen, Rasmus Dahlin, Brady Tkachuk, and the rest of this year’s stacked rookie class.

That said, each NHL team has a player or two or more down on the farm who is ready and positioned to fill in some minutes for the parent club if and when the need arises. This article will look at one player from each AHL West team that looks to be ready for the opportunity.

Bakersfield Condors (Edmonton Oilers)

High scoring winger Cooper Marody is currently up with the Oilers, angling to get on the score sheet for the first time, the Condors’ highest scoring defender, Caleb Jones, looks to be ready for his NHL debut. Jones struggled in his first AHL campaign last year, at both ends of the ice. This year, he has been a two-way contributor and he should be the first candidate for a promotion to the NHL when the Oilers need blueline fortification for the third pairing.

Chicago Wolves (Vegas Golden Knights)

Keegan Kolesar

Czech winger Tomas Hyka has the best combination of skill and readiness for the NHL, he has already played 17 games with the Golden Knights. So that is a boring answer. First year AHLer Erik Brannstrom is by far the most talented player on the Wolves and promises to have the brightest future among their second squad, but he is still a teenager and would be best served by more seasoning on the farm. If not a full season, at least another couple of months. So, let me give a shout out to big rangy winger Keegan Kolesar. He is not the most dynamic talent, but he has enough in his hands to contribute on a fourth line. If and when Ryan Reaves goes too far as a banger, Kolear can step in, deliver some hits, and has the juice to threaten double digit goals in a full NHL season at his peak.

Colorado Eagles (Colorado Avalanche)

Long-term, the only reasonable answer here is Martin Kaut. But, like Brannstrom above, he is a teenager and has yet to blow the doors off the AHL. He has enough talent that the Avalanche would be wiser to let him start to dominate in the AHL before he makes the move. Netminder Pavel Francouz has been solid as a North American debutant, but he is already 28 years old and thus not exactly a prospect. So, we will go with third year pro A.J. Greer instead. After struggling through an injury-plagued year last season, he is at a point per game through his first 20 this year, indicating that he has finally figured out the level. He can provide size and some offensive ability to the bottom line for the Avalanche. As good as their first line has been, the scoring thins out rapidly after that trio. Greer has spent time in the NHL this year and in each of the last two, but only one game this year. He should receive a more extended callup in the near future.

Grand Rapids Griffins (Detroit Red Wings)

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 23: Detroit Red Wings forward Filip Zadina (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire)

Filip Zadina, the sixth overall pick in the most recent draft is the rare player drafted out of the CHL leagues who is eligible to play in the AHL immediately. The Red Wings were wise to assign him to Grand Rapids, as there was little benefit to be had with him returning to Halifax to dominate the QMJHL once more, going back to Europe would not have helped him get ready for what should be a stellar NHL career, and he was not needed on a rebuilding Detroit roster, at least not right away. He started a little slow this year, with only four points in his first eight games. Since then, he has put up 11 points in his last 15 games. Instead of trying to earn a callup on every shift, he is letting the game come to him and his pro caliber offensive tools. He was recently named to the Czech Republic’s selection camp for the upcoming WJC and is expected to be released by the Red Wings to participate. Depending on how Detroit maneuvers through the trade deadline, expect Zadina to get his feet, knees and hips wet at the NHL level during the season’s second half.

Iowa Wild (Minnesota Wild)

I was all prepared to name Luke Kunin as being ready to be recalled. He may not have been ready during his 19-game trial last year, but his offensive game has come to the fore more often this year. Alas, Minnesota agreed with me and recalled him on the 10^th. Mason Shaw has been a very pleasant surprise as a rookie, but after a season lost in its entirety, spending more time on the farm is to his benefit. No need to rush him. Finnish import Kaapo Kahkonen has also been a revelation, being extremely hard to beat. But barring an injury to the rotation of Devyn Dubnyk and Alex Stalock, he will not make the leap this year. So, we will use this space instead to throw a few kind words on blueliner Brennan Menell. Signed as an undrafted free agent shortly before the beginning of last season, he found the transition to the AHL to be within his grasp, at least offensively. This year, he is contributing at both ends, skates well, has the strength to help himself in puck battles and moves the puck effectively. He could easily slip into the back half of the Minnesota blueline corps.

Manitoba Moose (Winnipeg Jets)

Kristian Vesalainen looked fine in an eight-game trial, before being sent back to Jokerit. Mason Appleton once again leads the scoring chart for the Moose, but that may be temporary, as he was called up to the NHL two weeks ago and has picked up one assist in his first five games. I have a soft spot for rugged winger JC Lipon, but he is 25 years old already and his ceiling is appropriately lower. CJ Suess is not much younger at 24 but is only in his first pro season after four years at Minnesota State. He has scored eight goals already, half of which came on the power play. He is not the biggest player but plays a responsible game with plenty of energy and a touch of skill. He is also versatile, giving him a few paths to NHL time.

Milwaukee Admirals (Nashville Predators)

TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 22: Nashville Predators right wing Eeli Tolvanen. (Photo by Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire)

All eyes this year have been on Eeli Tolvanen in Milwaukee and despite some uneven performances, showed enough to be recalled recently. With apologies to Anthony Richard, who combines hustle with skill and grit and who recently made his NHL debut, the biggest steps forward taken by an Admiral thus far in 2018-19 have been made by Frederic Allard. A skilled puck mover and power play quarterback, he leads the Admirals in shots on goal and has been seeing time on both special teams’ units. He is adept at keeping his point shot low to the ice, inviting tips and deflections. For a player that was sent for a stretch to the ECHL last year, he may be knocking on the door to the NHL.

Ontario Reign (Los Angeles Kings)

College free agent signee Sheldon Rempal has been fantastic for the struggling Reign, with 20 points in 16 games. He has earned his NHL recall, but his ineffective first seven games at the top ensured that he would marinate for a bit longer. A more circumspect collegiate free agent signing, Sean Walker actually played for the Reign last year on an AHL-only contract, signing an ELC in the off-season. The former Bowling Green State captain has proven himself to be a very competent defender in any situation for Ontario and like Rempal, has earned some NHL time. He is aggressive attacking an opposing puck carrier and similarly aggressive attacking the opposing offensive zone with the puck. If LA begins to sell off anyone not locked down (ie. Anyone other than Kopitar or Doughty) Walker is a prime candidate to receive a lengthy NHL audition.

Rockford IceHogs (Chicago Blackhawks)

Chicago Blackhawks center Dylan Sikura(Photo by Daniel Bartel/Icon Sportswire)

Like the Kings profiled above, Chicago has struggled mightily this year. They have also fired the head coach. In Chicago’s case, they have brought in their former AHL coach to lead the NHL charges. In other words, when they call up a prospect from the farm, the bench boss will already know exactly what he can and cannot do. So it stands to reason that Rockford’s leading scorer Dylan Sikura, who we had ranked third in the system in the offseason, should be in line for a promotion in the near future. Already 23 years of age, he is not in the AHL for the weight room. He is a very good skater with an NHL shot release. He may not score like he did in college, but he has the tools and overall game to find a spot in the middle six in the NHL. The only question is why has he not been given that opportunity yet? It isn’t as if the Blackhawks already up have proven that they all deserve their jobs.

San Antonio Rampage (St. Louis Blues)

Now that all of their AHL players are under one roof, it should be easier – in theory – for the floundering St. Louis Blues to determine which of their second-tier prospects are ready to impact the team at the top. For example, netminder Jordan Binnington, now in his sixth season as a professional, surprisingly outperformed the more highly touted Ville Huuso this year, after spending last year on loan with Boston’s AHL club. As the Blues gave up on NHL veteran Chad Johnson, it was in part due to Binnington’s performance. Another player who has exceeded expectations is rookie pro Mitch Reinke, signed as a free agent last spring out of Michigan Tech. He is not flashy, but is a smart puck mover, and has been racking up man advantage points. He would need protection defensively but could provide a positive impact in limited minutes.

San Diego Gulls (Anaheim Ducks)

A forgotten man in a young and talented Winnipeg organization, sparkplug Chase De Leo had seemingly plateaued with three very similar AHL seasons and only a brief two game NHL trial in his rookie season to show for it. Swapped in a minor deal with Anaheim in the offseason, he seems to have a new lease on life and a potentially smoother track to NHL time with an older organization. On pace for a career year in the AHL, De Leo, who actually grew up around a 30-minute drive from the Honda Center, should be in line for a stint with his hometown club in the very near future. He can play at center or on the wing and has been functional on both special teams’ units for the Gulls. Most eyes on San Diego will focus on higher profile prospects like Troy Terry or Sam Steel, or former first rounders Max Jones or Jacob Larsson, all four of whom have spent some time with the big club already this season. De Leo might be best positioned to find a steady role with the Ducks once he gets up though, even if his ultimate ceiling is dwarfed by the others.

San Jose Barracuda (San Jose Sharks)

When Francis Perron was included with Erik Karlsson in the off-season’s biggest trade, the general assumption was that he was a contractual makeweight, helping the Senators keep the right amount of controlled players in the system. A big scorer in the QMJHL, his first two pro seasons were disappointments and he was in danger of not being offered a second contract. So much for that idea. Perron is currently the leading scorer on the Barracuda at a touch over one point per game and has been a terror on the power play as well. In a season full of negative news from Ottawa, the surrendering of Perron might be another, albeit quieter one. If it were not for the Sharks’ depth at left wing, he might have already been recalled. Another player worthy of mention here is Jeremy Roy, who has been limited by knee injuries to 30 games combined over the last two seasons. Finally healthy, he has been productive as well for the Barracuda. There are naturally still questions about his pace after his leg injuries, but the fact that he can still perform around the level expected when the Sharks used a second-round pick on him in 2015 is heartening.

Stockton Heat (Calgary Flames)

CALGARY, CANADA – JULY 4: Andrew Mangiapane of the Calgary Flames (Photo by Brad Watson/NHLI via Getty Images)

One day, Andrew Mangiapane will earn an extended NHL run. He was a top scorer in the OHL and in the AHL yet has not produced in his abbreviated NHL turns and is now up to 15 NHL games across two seasons with zero points to his name. Both Rasmus Andersson and Oliver Kylington seem to be parts of the NHL rotation now on the blueline. Perhaps the next man up with be the well-travelled Kerby Rychel. Originally a Columbus first rounder, Calgary is his fourth organization, having also seen time in the Toronto and Montreal systems. His early run with Stockton seems to have revitalized his NHL prospects, as he is playing more assertively in the offensive end, showing the ability to score as well as set up linemates. He could add some truculent strength and skill to the bottom six in short order.

Texas Stars (Dallas Stars)

There are two forwards in the Dallas minor league ranks who have exceeded expectations thus far, with two very different paths to this point. Former first rounder Denis Guryanov had been relatively disappointing in his first two AHL seasons, even bearing in mind that he was 19 and 20 years old in those seasons. He clearly had all the physical tools needed to excel, but he could not keep up with the pace of the game. Now 21, he looks to have made the much needed adjustments, and after only 22 games, he is a mere eight points shy of his career high at the level. He also scored his first NHL goal in a two game call up. On the other end of the prospect spectrum is Joel L’Esperance. A free agent signee out of Michigan Tech, he spent some time with the team on a trial in last year’s run to the Calder Cup final, providing size and grit, if not much offensive flash. While his point per game production in the first quarter of the season is likely unsustainable (he has scored on 18.5% of his shots) he has proven that he can be a productive two-way player at this level. If his feet can keep up, he has the makings of a fine fourth line center in short order.

Tucson Roadrunners (Arizona Coyotes)

As good as Adin Hill has been thus far with the Coyotes, he was actually struggling in the AHL this year prior to the recall, although his pedigree suggested that his true talent is better that that, if not quite as high as he has showed in the NHL. With two of Tucson’s four leading scorers, Michael Bunting and Conor Garland, both given their first NHL recalls in the past few days, the other number producers should similarly be on alert. Winger Adam Helewka is in his third season in the AHL and has taken the next step in terms of production. He can finish and has a knack for finding dead space to make himself an inviting target for teammates to hit with a pass. Often enough, the man making those passes is defender Kyle Capobianco, who currently has 16 assists through 22 games. He is not afraid to get deep in the offensive zone on the cycle and has been deadly at both even strength and the power play. He earned a one game call up last year and should see much more time this year.

San Jose Sharks Prospect System Overview

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sasha Chmelevski

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

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

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

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

Ivan Chekhovich

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

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

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

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

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

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

Scott Reedy

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

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

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

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

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

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

San Jose – System Overview

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Josh Norris

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Scott Reedy of the USNTDP. Photo by Rena Laverty

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2015 NHL Draft Guide – A draft to remember for QMJHL

Scott Wheeler — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 15:03:09 +0000

2015 NHL Draft one to remember for QMJHL

As the 2014 NHL Entry Draft came to a close at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia last summer, there was a notable lack of talent from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).

The draft was so thin in QMJHL-bred players that just one prospect, Halifax’s Nikolaj Ehlers, was selected in the first round when he was taken ninth overall by the Winnipeg Jets.

For the Canadian Hockey League’s (CHL) other two leagues, the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and Western Hockey League (WHL), the 2014 NHL Draft was a strong one.

A total of 10 OHL players were selected in the first round, as well as nine WHL products.

A year later though, the QMJHL is proving its lack of NHL draftees isn’t going to be a recurring theme.

Sometimes, everything just seems to fall neatly into place. This June, in Sunrise at the home of the Florida Panthers, it appears the stars have aligned for the QMJHL.

As many as a dozen QMJHL prospects could realistically be taken inside this draft’s first round, while only six OHL (Connor McDavid, Dylan Strome, Mitchell Marner, Travis Konecny, Lawson Crouse and Pavel Zacha) and six WHL players (Mathew Barzal, Ivan Provorov, Nick Merkley, Jansen Harkins, Jake DeBrusk and Paul Bittner) have played their way into surefire first round contention.

And while it’s unlikely we see a QMJHL player taken inside the top 10, the sheer breadth and depth of the talent in this year’s QMJHL-developed class is unmatched by the other junior hockey programs.

For the QMJHL, the group is not strictly Eastern Canadian-born players either, and the draft represents a strong recruiting process that brought in some of the CHL’s best imports.

It has been years since the QMJHL saw such strength in their graduates.

Beyond the singular Nikolaj Ehlers pick in 2014, the previous five drafts had also shown that while the QMJHL boasted strength, it wasn’t going to produce the most prospects in any draft.

The 2013 NHL Draft, the QMJHL’s strongest in recent memory, saw six players taken inside the first round, highlighted by the first and third overall selections. But once again, the OHL stood strong, with eight selections in the first round. In year’s prior, 2012 saw just Mikhail Grigorenko selected, while 2011 and 2010 saw five and two players taken in the first thirty picks respectively.

The following is a list of 14 QMJHL players who should feature prominently in the 2015 NHL Draft.

The First Round Locks

Jeremy Roy (Sherbrooke)

Roy is a stud defensemen who can do it all, and while he lacks the size of some of the class’ top defensemen, his versatility and strong year-end performance with Canada’s U18 team make him a surefire first rounder.

Timo Meier (Halifax)

Like Drouin with MacKinnon and Ehlers with Drouin, Meier has been forced to live in the shadow of his high-flight teammate, now Ehlers. In his own right though, Meier has the blend of size and skill that’s impossible pass up in the first round.

Jakub Zboril (Saint John)

Don’t take Zboril’s omission from the disappointing Czech Republic World Juniors squad as any indication that the NHL’s best and brightest scouts will make the same mistake. Zboril’s two-way presence and heavy shot make him an easy first round selection. He was taken fifth overall in the QMJHL import draft for a reason.

Evgeni Svechnikov (Cape Breton)

Svechnikov’s production matched his near-towering size and undoubted skill this season, and it makes him one of the class’ most dynamic, NHL-ready wingers. Every team wants big, top-six wingers with some snarl. Lots to work with and gifted enough that if he falls, it won’t be out of the first round. Named as the QMJHL Rookie All-Star Team’s right wing.

Thomas Chabot (Saint John)

Chabot is one of 2015’s most reliable prospects. He’s not as flashy as some of the other best defensemen in this year’s draft, but he makes smart, calculated decisions both with and without the puck. He plays in all situations and is capable of logging big minutes. The type of top-four defensemen every coach wants on his side.

The Wild Card

Daniel Sprong (Charlottetown)

There aren’t 30 more talented players in the 2015 NHL Draft. There might not even be 10. But despite oozing raw, gifted talent, Sprong has become a polarizing figure among scouts, a forward knocked for being streaky or weak defensively. Still, in the first round, when a team is looking for a star that might unwarrantedly fall, Sprong’s that guy. Sprong’s a risk worth taking.

The Strong Possibilities

Anthony Beauvillier (Shawinigan)

Some players are small and that size works against them. Others use their diminutive stature to their advantage. And while Beauvillier appears small, his low centre of gravity gives him deceptive strength to match his first round talent. His size doesn’t prohibit him in the faceoff circle either, where he excels. Named to the league’s Second All-Star Team for a reason.

Dennis Yan (Shawinigan)

Another import, Yan’s body of work is limited to just one season in the QMJHL. That inexperience shouldn’t prohibit him, as he’s thrived internationally with the United States and was Shawinigan’s deadliest scorer down the stretch. Yan’s an extremely talented winger who grew to provide the Cataractes with another scoring threat beyond Beauvillier.

Filip Chlapik (Charlottetown)

Like Zboril, Chlapik was mysteriously left off the Czech national team at the World Juniors. Not to worry though, his performance this season spoke for itself. Burdened by the same labels of inconsistency as his teammate Sprong, Chlapik earned his Rookie All-Star Team selection.

The Longshots

Nicholas Meloche (Baie-Comeau)

Size. Strength. Reliability. If that’s what a team with a first round pick is looking for on draft day, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Meloche as their guy. Unlikely to be a first round pick but Meloche’s standout playoff performance certainly helps.

Nathan Noel (Saint John)

Noel’s a two-way centre who projects more as a middle-six forward than a top-six one but his complete game may be of interest to a team with one of the first round’s final picks. More than likely a second round selection but Noel’s an interesting package who may have been held back by a low-scoring team.

Dmytro Timashov (Quebec)

Not only was Timashov named the QMJHL Rookie All-Star Team’s left wing, he was also awarded the league’s Rookie of the Year honour. While the draft’s depth will more than likely push the Quebec Remparts breakout star into the second round, it certainly wouldn’t be surprising to see a team take a chance on him.

Nicolas Roy (Chicoutimi)

Heralded as the QMJHL’s next big (in more than one way) star when he was taken first overall in 2013, Roy hasn’t lived up to the billing. Despite possessing the size most teams drool over, it’s probable Roy falls out of the first round. If he’s taken inside the first 30 picks, it will be out of an intriguing, developing, untapped potential.

2015 NHL Draft Guide – Youngblood: Generational top end supported by potential stars – Part 2

Brendan Ross — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 11:00:19 +0000

Appealing depth elevates 2015 class

In an NHL where many star players are drafted using lottery picks, it’s arguably more important for teams to hit on their middle round selections. Finding high-upside talent outside of the opening round can be a major influence in icing competitive teams. The 2015 class offers up those exact type of players as soon as the draft hits double digits.

Heading outside of the lottery picks, talent drops off slightly but there are upwards of 30 appealing players who have some high-upside qualities who could develop into special NHLers. Led by a cast featuring USHL scoring champ Kyle Connor, Swiss power forward Timo Meier, heart-and-soul sniper Travis Konecny, skilled Russian powerhouse Evgeni Svechnikov and Kelowna’s productive playmaker Nick Merkley, the middle first round options feature some potential home-run prospects.

Dazzling skilled forwards Jeremy Bracco and Daniel Sprong, slick puck moving defensemen Jérémy Roy and Oliver Kylington, and rangy high-potential European forwards Joel Eriksson Ek and Denis Guryanov headline the wildcard candidates. Two-way pivot Colin White rebounded nicely from his bout with mononucleosis putting forth a great Under-18 World Championship performance showing scouts with timely goals why he’s considered a big-game player. Jansens Harkins, Brock Boeser and Anthony Beauvillier are talents being tossed around as first round potentials after each of them established themselves as top scoring options in their respective leagues.

Teams looking past the first round for high-skilled players that could develop into the next wave of Tyler Toffolis, Derek Stepans, Brandon Saads and Nikita Kucherovs, might be tempted by Swiss dynamo Denis Malgin, speedster Zach Senyshyn, smart winger Jack Roslovic, budding skilled wingman Blake Speers or highly competitive Americans Christian Fischer and A.J. Greer. On the other end of the spectrum, 2015 offers up a number of two-way players who would provide a stabilizing hard-to-play-against presence in the lineup with Nicolas Roy, Jordan Greenway, Graham Knott, Alexander Dergachev, Roope Hintz and Filip Ahl all fitting that billing perfectly. Whatever style player your team fancies, finding them after a stacked top 10 should not be an issue as the opening rounds are flushed with high-potential impact options at every position.

Photo by Tom Sorensen

Stocked blue line

On the blueline, the aforementioned Hanifin, Provorov and Werenski headline an extremely deep pool. Saint John defensemen Thomas Chabot and Jakob Zboril are names to watch in the opening round while Brandon Carlo (Tri-City), Noah Juulsen (Everett), Vince Dunn (Niagara), Mitch Vande Sompel (Oshawa), Travis Dermott (Erie) and Rasmus Andersson (Barrie) are a half-dozen other major junior candidates that are destined to hear their names called early on in Sunrise, Florida. Europeans Erik Cernak (Kosice), Jacob Larsson (Frolunda), Gabriel Carlsson (Linkoping) and Jonas Siegenthaler (ZSC) have each completed impressive seasons of their own, earning high praise from both international competition and club play. In a year stacked with star forwards, defensemen with big minute potential are plentiful which could allow teams to wait longer than usual to address their blueline needs.

Safe yet unspectacular goaltender crop

Photo by Terry Wilson/OHL Images.

Between the pipes, consensus is split with no true top goaltender and, certainly, no first round worthy option. Barrie’s Mackenzie Blackwood, Sweden’s Felix Sandström, Czech Daniel Vladar and Russia’s Ilya Samsonov are the names thrown around most as top candidates at their positions. Finn Veini Vehvilainen was outstanding at the Under-18s and Matej Tomek pulled on the heart-strings of NAHL followers, earning enough praise to be in the conversation as well. It’s a rather pedestrian goaltending class without a frontrunner but the overall depth of top goaltenders appealing.

Having McDavid and Eichel as the main draws undoubtedly boosts the overall appeal of the 2015 draft class, causing envy among all teams missing out on these stud pivots. Fortunately, it’s a particularly strong Top 10 which offers up potential front-line star forwards and a trio of projected first-pairing defenders. As the picks begin to trickle out into the latter parts of the opening round, followers should expect a lot of movement with very little consensus creating a fun and unpredictable draft. The eastern regions, explicitly the Boston and QMJHL populations, are chocked-full with top prospects, furnishing the ’15 class with more players than normal out of these hockey markets.

With Connor McDavid driving the bus and Jack Eichel riding shotgun, the 2015 draft will undoubtedly be an exciting event as each of the NHL’s two conferences will welcome a future superstar. Looking to unseat the superb 2003 draft class, McDavid and his peers have some big foot steps to follow but if there are two players who can lead this group to stardom it’s McEichel, as both of these wonder kids are experienced in exceeding lofty expectations. The timing for an outstanding crop of future NHL stars couldn’t be better as storied franchises, such as the Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers, look to rebrand their losing identities and are secretly trusting that their vital reclamation pieces lie somewhere within the upcoming 2015 draft.

Wheeler’s Final Top 60 Prospects for the 2015 NHL Draft by League

Scott Wheeler — Tue, 05 May 2015 13:00:19 +0000

Each season, I release three instalments of my rankings of the top 60 prospects for the NHL draft. This year, these rankings will be divided by league and produced in November, February, and May, and available online at McKeen’s for the first time.

Note on the rankings: The following rankings are compiled through extensive coverage and viewings of Ottawa 67s and Gatineau Olympiques home games, which provide the chance to watch and follow a hundred or-so draft eligible players in the OHL and QMJHL who make up the majority of the top end of the draft class (especially this year in a very QMJHL-populated class) from training camps through playoffs. For prospects from the NCAA, USHL, NTDP and abroad, I make sure I have several viewings before the first publication of these rankings in November. These viewings are cumulative from this year and last (while scouting the previous class). Events viewed beyond the CHL include the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, World Junior Development Camps, the Subway Super Series, Under 17s, Under 18s, club play internationally, marquee U.S. events, college tournaments, and a heavy focus on a select few European players in SHL and Swe. Jr. games.

May’s Top 60 Prospects for the 2015 NHL Draft by League (overall ranking in brackets)

OHL:

Connor McDavid, Erie, C (#1)
Dylan Strome, Erie, C (#4)
Mitchell Marner, London, C/RW (#5)
Travis Konecny, Ottawa, C (#12)
Pavel Zacha, Sarnia, C (#13)
Lawson Crouse, Kingston, LW (#15)
Nikita Korostelev, Sarnia, RW (#34)
Mitchell Vande Sompel, Oshawa, D (#45)
Blake Speers, Sault Ste. Marie, C (#48)
Dante Salituro, Ottawa, C (#50)
Vince Dunn, Niagara, D (#53)
Mitchell Stephens, Saginaw, C (#54)
Matthew Spencer, Peterborough, D (#57)

QMJHL:

Jeremy Roy, Sherbrooke, D (#11)
Daniel Sprong, Charlottetown, RW (#16)
Evgeni Svechnikov, Cape Breton, LW (#18)
Timo Meier, Halifax, RW/C (#19)
Jakub Zboril, Saint John, D (#20)
Anthony Beauvillier, Shawinigan, C/LW (#25)
Thomas Chabot, Saint John, D (#26)
Dennis Yan, Shawinigan, LW (#28)
Filip Chlapik, Charlottetown, C (#29)
Nicholas Meloche, Baie-Comeau, D (#30)
Nathan Noel, Saint John, C (#32)
Yakov Trenin, Gatineau, LW (#33)
Dmytro Timashov, Quebec, LW/RW (#44)
Nicolas Roy, Chicoutimi, C (#55)
Alexandre Carrier, Gatineau, D (#60)

WHL:

Mathew Barzal, Seattle, C (#7)
Ivan Provorov, Brandon, D (#8)
Nick Merkley, Kelowna, C (#17)
Jansen Harkins, Prince George, C (#24)
Jake DeBrusk, Swift Current, LW (#27)
Paul Bittner, Portland, LW (#31)
Ryan Pilon, Brandon, D (#38)
Brandon Carlo, Tri-City, D (#39)
Ryan Gropp, Seattle, LW (#40)
Noah Juulsen, Everett, D (#47)
Parker Wotherspoon. Tri-City, D (#59)

United States (NCAA, USHL, NTDP):

Jack Eichel, Boston University, C (#2)
Noah Hanifin, Boston College, D (#3)
Zach Werenski, Michigan, D (#6)
Kyle Connor, Youngstown, C (#10)
Brock Boeser, Waterloo, RW (#21)
Jeremy Bracco, NTDP, RW (#22)
Colin White, NTDP, C (#23)
Thomas Novak, Waterloo, C (#35)
Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson, Omaha, C (#36)
Jack Roslovic, NTDP, C/RW (#41)
Christian Fischer, NTDP, C (#42)
Jordan Greenway, NTDP, LW (#56)

Sweden (SHL, Swe. Jr.):

Oliver Kylington, AIK/Farjestad, D (#14)
Jens Looke, Brynas, RW (#37)
Jacob Larsson, Frolunda, D (#43)
Joel Eriksson Ek, Farjestad, C (#49)
Sebastian Aho, Skelleftea, D (#51)
Filip Ahl, HV71, RW (#52)
Jesper Lindgren, Modo, D (#58)

Finland:

Mikko Rantanen, TPS, RW (#9)

Slovakia:

Erik Cernak, Kosice, D (#46)

Just missed: Erik Foley, Anthony Richard, Roope Hintz, Michael Spacek, Kay Schweri, Graham Knott, Gabriel Carlsson, Ethan Bear, Rasmus Andersson, Travis Dermott, Adam Musil, Tyler Soy, Glenn Gawdin, Alex Dergachyov, Denis Gurianov, Denis Kase, Jonas Siegenthaler, Julius Nattinen, Adam Marsh, Guillaume Brisebois, Zachary Senyshyn.

2015 NHL Draft – McKeen’s Top 120 Rankings

McKeen's Hockey — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 18:17:44 +0000

Ilya Samsonov made the most of his opportunity in front of NHL scouts last month in the Czech Republic.

The 6-foot-3, 200-pound native of Magnitogorsk helped lead Russia to victory at the Five Nations Tournament.

Samsonov showcased a full package of skill and smarts while upsetting Team USA in a 5-4 overtime win - being outshot 51-to-16 - and then shutting down Sweden 5-1 in the final game.

He played this season in the MHL with Stalnye Lisy, Magnitogorsk's junior team, and will get another chance to bolster his draft stock at the U18 World Championships next month in Switzerland.

A number of Samsonov's U18 teammates could draw some draft interest with strong showings in Zug and Lucerne, the two host cities for the U18 Worlds.

Big, strong-shooting winger Denis Gurianov of Lada Togliatti is rated in the second round - 40th overall - on the McKeen's Top 120 rankings for the 2015 NHL Draft.

Mikhail Vorobyev (Salavat Ufa) is rated 78th overall and is a smart, well-structured pivot in the classic old Russian style, while diminutive winger Kirill Kaprizov (Novokuznetsk) is listed as a late third-rounder - 89th overall. Just 5-foot-9 and 185 pounds, Kaprizov was a creative force throughout the Five Nations and demonstrated that he has the courage and work ethic to help overcome the size factor.

Samsonov is the top-rated goaltender in the McKeen's rankings for the 2015 NHL Draft - debuting in the first round in the 29th spot.

Drafting goalies in the opening round has becoming increasingly less common. In fact, only six goaltenders have been selected in the first round over the past eight drafts (2007 to 2014). That compares to the five-year period from 2002 to 2006 in which a total of 14 goalies were first-round picks.

Samsonov is one of 11 goaltenders to earn spots in the McKeen's Top 120 rankings.

Mackenzie Blackwood of the Barrie Colts is next on the goalie list - ranked as an early second-rounder at 33rd overall - while a pair of QMJHL goalies hold down the next two spots - Callum Booth of Halifax at 61st and Samuel Montembeault of Blainville-Boisbriand in the No. 68 spot.

RANK	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	HT/WT	DOB
1	Connor McDavid	C	Erie (OHL)	6-1/195	13-Jan-97
2	Jack Eichel	C	Boston University (HE)	6-2/195	28-Oct-96
3	Noah Hanifin	D	Boston College (HE)	6-3/205	25-Jan-97
4	Mitchell Marner	C	London (OHL)	5-11/160	5-May-97
5	Ivan Provorov	D	Brandon (WHL)	6-0/195	13-Jan-97
6	Lawson Crouse	LW	Kingston (OHL)	6-4/210	23-Jun-97
7	Zach Werenski	D	Michigan (B1G)	6-2/205	19-Jul-97
8	Dylan Strome	C	Erie (OHL)	6-3/190	7-May-97
9	Pavel Zacha	C	Sarnia (OHL)	6-3/210	6-Apr-97
10	Mathew Barzal	C	Seattle (WHL)	5-11/175	26-May-97
11	Travis Konecny	C	Ottawa (OHL)	5-10/175	11-Mar-97
12	Mikko Rantanen	RW	TPS Turku (Fin)	6-3/210	29-Oct-96
13	Timo Meier	RW	Halifax (QMJHL)	6-1/210	8-Oct-96
14	Kyle Connor	C	Youngstown (USHL)	6-1/185	9-Dec-96
15	Thomas Chabot	D	Saint John (QMJHL)	6-1/180	30-Jan-97
16	Jakub Zboril	D	Saint John (QMJHL)	6-1/185	21-Feb-97
17	Nick Merkley	RW	Kelowna (WHL)	5-11/190	23-May-97
18	Joel Ek Eriksson	C	Farjestads (Swe)	6-2/180	29-Jan-97
19	Colin White	C	NTDP (USA)	6-0/185	30-Jan-97
20	Paul Bittner	LW	Portland (WHL)	6-4/210	4-Nov-96
21	Brandon Carlo	D	Tri-City (WHL)	6-5/200	26-Nov-96
22	Jeremy Roy	D	Sherbrooke (QMJHL)	6-0/190	14-May-97
23	Evgeni Svechnikov	LW	Cape Breton (QMJHL)	6-2/200	31-Oct-96
24	Jake DeBrusk	LW	Swift Current (WHL)	5-11/170	17-Oct-96
25	Jacob Larsson	D	Frolunda (Swe)	6-2/190	29-Apr-97
26	Jonas Siegenthaler	D	ZSC Zurich (Sui)	6-2/220	6-May-97
27	Oliver Kylington	D	Farjestads (Swe)	6-0/185	19-May-97
28	Brock Boeser	RW	Waterloo (USHL)	6-0/195	25-Feb-97
29	Ilya Samsonov	G	Magnitogorsk (Rus)	6-3/200	22-Feb-97
30	Jack Roslovic	C	NTDP (USA)	6-0/185	29-Jan-97

31	Erik Cernak	D	Kosice (Svk)	6-3/200	28-May-97
32	Guillaume Brisebois	D	Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL)	6-2/170	21-Jul-97
33	Mackenzie Blackwood	G	Barrie (OHL)	6-4/215	9-Dec-96
34	Tom Novak	C	Waterloo (USHL)	6-0/180	28-Apr-97
35	Jansen Harkins	C	Prince George (WHL)	6-1/180	23-May-97
36	Filip Chlapik	C	Charlottetown (QMJHL)	6-1/195	3-Jun-97
37	Blake Speers	C	Sault Ste Marie (OHL)	5-11/180	2-Jan-97
38	Daniel Sprong	RW	Charlottetown (QMJHL)	6-0/190	17-Mar-97
39	Matthew Spencer	D	Peterborough (OHL)	6-1/200	24-Mar-97
40	Denis Gurianov	RW	Lada Togliatti (Rus)	6-2/185	7-Jun-97
41	Noah Juulsen	D	Everett (WHL)	6-1/175	2-Apr-97
42	Jordan Greenway	LW	NTDP (USA)	6-5/225	16-Feb-97
43	Alexander Dergachyov	RW	SKA St. Petersburg (Rus)	6-4/200	27-Sep-96
44	Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson	C	Omaha (USHL)	6-1/195	31-Oct-96
45	Jeremy Bracco	RW	NTDP (USA)	5-9/175	17-Mar-97
46	Zachary Senyshyn	RW	Sault Ste Marie (OHL)	6-1/195	30-Mar-97
47	Anthony Beauvillier	LW	Shawinigan (QMJHL)	5-10/175	8-Jun-97
48	Ryan Gropp	LW	Seattle (WHL)	6-2/185	16-Sep-96
49	Dennis Yan	LW	Shawinigan (QMJHL)	6-1/180	14-Apr-97
50	Jens Looke	RW	Brynas (Swe)	6-0/180	11-Apr-97
51	Robin Kovacs	RW	AIK (Swe)	6-0/170	16-Nov-96
52	Glenn Gawdin	C	Swift Current (WHL)	6-1/190	25-Mar-97
53	Nikita Korostelev	RW	Sarnia (OHL)	6-1/195	8-Feb-97
54	Travis Dermott	D	Erie (OHL)	5-11/195	22-Dec-96
55	Gabriel Carlsson	D	Linkopings (Swe)	6-4/185	2-Jan-97
56	Adam Musil	RW	Red Deer (WHL)	6-2/200	26-Mar-97
57	Mitchell Vande Sompel	D	Oshawa (OHL)	5-10/180	11-Feb-97
58	Christian Fischer	RW	NTDP (USA)	6-1/215	15-Apr-97
59	Brendan Guhle	D	Prince Albert (WHL)	6-1/185	29-Jul-97
60	Dennis Gilbert	D	Chicago (USHL)	6-2/200	30-Oct-96

61	Callum Booth	G	Quebec (QMJHL)	6-3/200	21-May-97
62	Sebastian Aho	RW	Karpat Oulu (Fin)	5-11/175	26-Jul-97
63	Ryan Pilon	D	Brandon (WHL)	6-2/210	10-Oct-96
64	Nicolas Roy	C	Chicoutimi (QMJHL)	6-4/200	5-Feb-97
65	Austin Wagner	LW	Regina (WHL)	6-1/180	23-Jun-97
66	Graham Knott	LW	Niagara (OHL)	6-3/195	13-Jan-97
67	Michael Spacek	C	Pardubice (Cze)	5-11/190	9-Apr-97
68	Samuel Montembeault	G	Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)	6-2/165	30-Oct-96
69	Yakov Trenin	LW	Gatineau (QMJHL)	6-2/195	13-Jan-97
70	Daniel Vladar	G	Kladno (Cze)	6-5/185	20-Aug-97
71	Kyle Capobianco	D	Sudbury (OHL)	6-1/180	13-Aug-97
72	David Kase	C	Chomutov (Cze)	5-11/170	28-Jan-97
73	Bailey Webster	D	Saint John (QMJHL)	6-3/210	8-Sep-97
74	Felix Sandstrom	G	Brynas (Swe)	6-2/190	12-Jan-97
75	Jesper Lindgren	D	MoDo (Swe)	6-0/160	19-May-97
76	Keegan Kolesar	RW	Seattle (WHL)	6-1/215	8-Apr-97
77	Kevin Davis	D	Everett (WHL)	6-0/185	14-Mar-97
78	Mikhail Vorobyev	C	Salavat Ufa (Rus)	6-2/195	5-Jan-97
79	Vince Dunn	D	Niagara (OHL)	6-0/185	29-Oct-96
80	Nathan Noel	C	Saint John (QMJHL)	5-11/175	21-Jun-97
81	Gustav Bouramman	D	Sault Ste Marie (OHL)	5-11/185	24-Jan-97
82	Matej Tomek	G	Topeka (NAHL)	6-2/180	24-May-97
83	Lukas Jasek	RW	Trinec (Cze)	5-11/165	28-Aug-97
84	Nicolas Meloche	D	Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)	6-2/200	18-Jul-97
85	Roope Hintz	LW	Ilves Tampere (Fin)	6-2/185	17-Nov-96
86	Mitchell Stephens	C	Saginaw (OHL)	5-11/185	5-Feb-97
87	Jean-Christophe Beaudin	RW	Rouyn Noranda (QMJHL)	6-1/185	27-Mar-97
88	Filip Ahl	LW	HV 71 (Swe)	6-3/210	12-Jun-97
89	Kirill Kaprizov	LW	Novokuznetsk (Rus)	5-9/185	26-Apr-97
90	John Marino	D	South Shore (USPHL)	6-0/175	21-May-97

91	Chaz Reddekopp	D	Victoria (WHL)	6-3/220	1-Jan-97
92	Adam Marsh	LW	Saint John (QMJHL)	6-0/165	22-Aug-97
93	Parker Wotherspoon	D	Tri-City (WHL)	6-0/170	24-Aug-97
94	Loik Leveille	D	Cape Breton (QMJHL)	5-11/220	25-Sep-96
95	Adam Gaudette	C	Cedar Rapids (USHL)	6-1/175	3-Oct-96
96	Justin Lemcke	D	Belleville (OHL)	6-2/200	13-Feb-97
97	Gabriel Gagne	RW	Victoriaville (QMJHL)	6-5/190	11-Nov-96
98	Thomas Schemitsch	D	Owen Sound (OHL)	6-3/205	26-Oct-96
99	Jesse Gabrielle	LW	Regina (WHL)	5-11/205	17-Jun-97
100	Jonne Tammela	LW	KalPa (Fin)	5-10/180	5-Aug-97
101	Christian Jaros	D	Lulea (Swe)	6-3/200	2-Apr-96
102	Ales Stezka	G	Liberec (Cze)	6-3/180	6-Jan-97
103	Ethan Bear	D	Seattle (WHL)	5-11/200	26-Jun-97
104	Mathieu Joseph	RW	Saint John (QMJHL)	6-0/165	9-Feb-97
105	Jeremiah Addison	LW	Ottawa (OHL)	6-0/185	21-Oct-96
106	Devante Stephens	D	Kelowna (WHL)	6-1/175	2-Jan-97
107	Michael McNiven	G	Owen Sound (OHL)	6-0/205	9-Jul-97
108	Jeremy Lauzon	D	Rouyn Noranda (QMJHL)	6-2/195	28-Apr-97
109	Luke Opilka	G	NTDP (USA)	6-1/195	27-Feb-97
110	Philippe Myers	D	Rouyn Noranda (QMJHL)	6-5/195	25-Jan-97
111	Adam Werner	G	Farjestads (Swe)	6-5/185	2-May-97
112	Brendan Warren	LW	NTDP (USA)	6-0/190	7-May-97
113	Julius Nattinen	C	JyP Jyvaskyla (Fin)	6-2/190	14-Jan-97
114	Colton White	D	Sault Ste Marie (OHL)	6-1/185	3-May-97
115	Samuel Dove-McFalls	LW	Saint John (QMJHL)	6-2/205	10-Apr-97
116	Veeti Vainio	D	Blues (Fin)	6-2/170	16-Jun-97
117	Matt Bradley	C	Medicine Hat (WHL)	5-11/185	22-Jan-97
118	Tyler Soy	C	Victoria (WHL)	5-11/170	10-Feb-97
119	Dmytro Timashov	LW	Quebec (QMJHL)	5-9/190	1-Oct-96
120	A.J. Greer	LW	Boston University (HE)	6-2/205	14-Dec-96

2015 NHL Draft – Top 20 QMJHL Prospects

McKeen's Hockey — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 03:13:10 +0000

Saint John defenceman Thomas Chabot and Halifax forward Timo Meier have followed similar paths this season.

Both were initially tabbed as early second-round projections - and have soared up the rankings throughout the campaign.

The pair are the top players from the QMJHL in the McKeen's rankings for the 2015 NHL Draft - Meier ranked 13th overall with Chabot at No. 15 - and Saint John teammate and blueline partner Jakub Zboril right behind in 16th place.

Chabot's progress has been particularly impressive considering a shaky start which included being a healthy scratch for an early game.

The native of Ste-Marie-de-Beauce, Quebec grew in confidence as a puckmover and offensive catalyst, taking advantage of his outstanding skating mobility.

He found a complementary partner in Zboril, whose steady all-around game brought a sense of stability to a Sea Dogs team that raced to a 20-9-5 record by Christmas.

Saint John came back to earth over the second half, however, due in part to a knee injury to Zboril that cost the Czech import 19 games.

Zboril's absence did present a silver lining though as unheralded blueliner Bailey Webster stepped into a bigger role and has thrived.

Saint John have five players ranked in the top 20 for the QMJHL - and a sixth just outside in fast-rising winger Mathieu Joseph - currently sitting 23rd on the Q list - 104th overall.

QMJHL	ALL	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	HT/WT	DOB
1	13	Timo Meier	RW	Halifax (QMJHL)	6-1/210	8-Oct-96
2	15	Thomas Chabot	D	Saint John (QMJHL)	6-1/180	30-Jan-97
3	16	Jakub Zboril	D	Saint John (QMJHL)	6-1/185	21-Feb-97
4	22	Jeremy Roy	D	Sherbrooke (QMJHL)	6-0/190	14-May-97
5	23	Evgeni Svechnikov	LW	Cape Breton (QMJHL)	6-2/200	31-Oct-96
6	32	Guillaume Brisebois	D	Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL)	6-2/170	21-Jul-97
7	36	Filip Chlapik	C	Charlottetown (QMJHL)	6-1/195	3-Jun-97
8	38	Daniel Sprong	RW	Charlottetown (QMJHL)	6-0/190	17-Mar-97
9	47	Anthony Beauvillier	LW	Shawinigan (QMJHL)	5-10/175	8-Jun-97
10	49	Dennis Yan	LW	Shawinigan (QMJHL)	6-1/180	14-Apr-97
11	61	Callum Booth	G	Quebec (QMJHL)	6-3/200	21-May-97
12	64	Nicolas Roy	C	Chicoutimi (QMJHL)	6-4/200	5-Feb-97
13	68	Samuel Montembeault	G	Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)	6-2/165	30-Oct-96
14	69	Yakov Trenin	LW	Gatineau (QMJHL)	6-2/195	13-Jan-97
15	73	Bailey Webster	D	Saint John (QMJHL)	6-3/210	8-Sep-97
16	80	Nathan Noel	C	Saint John (QMJHL)	5-11/175	21-Jun-97
17	84	Nicolas Meloche	D	Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)	6-2/200	18-Jul-97
18	87	Jean-Christophe Beaudin	RW	Rouyn Noranda (QMJHL)	6-1/185	27-Mar-97
19	92	Adam Marsh	LW	Saint John (QMJHL)	6-0/165	22-Aug-97
20	94	Loik Leveille	D	Cape Breton (QMJHL)	5-11/220	25-Sep-96

McKeen’s 2015 NHL Draft Rankings – March, 2015

McKeen's Hockey — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 20:58:11 +0000

Russian blueliner Ivan Provorov (Brandon) and Swiss forward Timo Meier (Halifax) continued to climb the McKeen's Top 30 rankings for March - identifying the top-eligible players for the 2015 NHL Draft.

Provorov moved up three spots to No. 5 overall - behind a top four that remains unchanged in Connor McDavid (Erie), Jack Eichel (Boston University), Noah Hanifin (Boston College), and Mitchell Marner (London).

Meier has also been on a steady upward trajectory, bolstered by steady improvements in skating. Having entering his second year in the QMJHL as a top 40 draft prospect, the native of Herisau, Switzerland caught stride in November leading into a strong performance at the Under-20 World Juniors.

Meier has been ripping up the Q since the World Juniors - scoring at a near goal-a-game pace (23-21-19-40) to surpass the 40-goal mark (56-42-44-86).

He climbs 11 spots to No. 13 overall - two back of another significant riser in Ottawa forward Travis Konecny.

Following a quiet start (15-2-9-11), the Clachan, Ontario native has grown increasingly sharper as the season goes on - buoyed by a spectacular showing at the CHL Top Prospects Game.

Another big riser this month is Farjestad forward Joel Ek Eriksson who vaults into the top 20 after putting on a convincing show at last month's Five Nations Tournament in the Czech Republic.

The native of Karlstad, Sweden scored 18 goals to tie for the lead in the J20 SuperElit - earning a promotion to the SHL where he has dressed for 34 games for the senior Farjestad team (34-4-2-6).

However, it was his performance at the Five Nations (4-4-0-4) that made believers of the NHL scouts. Ek Eriksson stood out among his peers at a tournament that included a number of disappointing performances from the likes of Swedish teammates Oliver Kylington and Filip Ahl, as well as Michael Spacek (Czech Republic), Jeremy Bracco (USA), and Brendan Warren (USA).

Russia won the tournament - backstopped by outstanding goaltending from Ilya Samsonov, who joins Ek Eriksson, Jacob Larsson (Frolunda), Jonas Siegenthaler (Zurich), and Jack Roslovic (NTDP) as newcomers to the first round.

Here is a look at the McKeen's Top 30 Rankings for the 2015 NHL Draft.

RANK	PREV	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	HT/WT	DOB
1	1	Connor McDavid	C	Erie (OHL)	6-1/195	13-Jan-97
2	2	Jack Eichel	C	Boston University (HE)	6-2/195	28-Oct-96
3	3	Noah Hanifin	D	Boston College (HE)	6-3/205	25-Jan-97
4	4	Mitchell Marner	C	London (OHL)	5-11/160	5-May-97
5	8	Ivan Provorov	D	Brandon (WHL)	6-0/195	13-Jan-97
6	5	Lawson Crouse	LW	Kingston (OHL)	6-4/210	23-Jun-97
7	7	Zach Werenski	D	Michigan (B1G)	6-2/205	19-Jul-97
8	6	Dylan Strome	C	Erie (OHL)	6-3/190	7-May-97
9	9	Pavel Zacha	C	Sarnia (OHL)	6-3/210	6-Apr-97
10	12	Mathew Barzal	C	Seattle (WHL)	5-11/175	26-May-97
11	16	Travis Konecny	C	Ottawa (OHL)	5-10/175	11-Mar-97
12	11	Mikko Rantanen	RW	TPS Turku (Fin)	6-3/210	29-Oct-96
13	24	Timo Meier	RW	Halifax (QMJHL)	6-1/210	8-Oct-96
14	14	Kyle Connor	C	Youngstown (USHL)	6-1/185	9-Dec-96
15	20	Thomas Chabot	D	Saint John (QMJHL)	6-1/180	30-Jan-97
16	21	Jakub Zboril	D	Saint John (QMJHL)	6-1/185	21-Feb-97
17	10	Nick Merkley	RW	Kelowna (WHL)	5-11/190	23-May-97
18	NR	Joel Ek Eriksson	C	Farjestads (Swe)	6-2/180	29-Jan-97
19	18	Colin White	C	NTDP (USA)	6-0/185	30-Jan-97
20	19	Paul Bittner	LW	Portland (WHL)	6-4/210	4-Nov-96
21	25	Brandon Carlo	D	Tri-City (WHL)	6-5/200	26-Nov-96
22	13	Jeremy Roy	D	Sherbrooke (QMJHL)	6-0/190	14-May-97
23	15	Evgeni Svechnikov	LW	Cape Breton (QMJHL)	6-2/200	31-Oct-96
24	23	Jake DeBrusk	LW	Swift Current (WHL)	5-11/170	17-Oct-96
25	32	Jacob Larsson	D	Frolunda (Swe)	6-2/190	29-Apr-97
26	36	Jonas Siegenthaler	D	ZSC Zurich (Sui)	6-2/220	6-May-97
27	17	Oliver Kylington	D	Farjestads (Swe)	6-0/185	19-May-97
28	29	Brock Boeser	RW	Waterloo (USHL)	6-0/195	25-Feb-97
29	NR	Ilya Samsonov	G	Magnitogorsk (Rus)	6-3/200	22-Feb-97
30	NR	Jack Roslovic	C	NTDP (USA)	6-0/185	29-Jan-97