John Beecher – McKeen's Hockey

NHL: CULLEN – 20 FANTASY POINTS – Colton, Stolarz, Wolf, and More

Scott Cullen — Sat, 19 Oct 2024 13:00:21 +0000

_{CALGARY, AB - FEBRUARY 20: Calgary Flames Right Wing Jonathan Huberdeau (10) looks on during the second period of an NHL game between the Calgary Flames and the Philadelphia Flyers on February 20, 2023, at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, AB. (Photo by Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire)}

Each week, I’ll dig into the stats to find information that can help you make better fantasy hockey decisions. Injuries are forcing changes early in the NHL season, and our sights are set on Ross Colton, Anthony Stolarz, the surprising Calgary Flames and more!

Here is this week’s edition of 20 Fantasy Points:

#1 With injuries decimating Colorado’s forward lines, the Avalanche have moved Ross Colton up to play on the left wing on Colorado’s top line with Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen. Colton’s ice time is up nearly five minutes per game compared to last season, which was his career high, and he has five points (4 G, 1 A) with 18 shots on goal and 18 hits in five games. When the Avalanche get players back from injury, it is more likely that Colton will slide back to a third-line centre role, but with the Avs missing Jonathan Drouin short term and Valeri Nichushkin, Artturi Lehkonen, and Gabriel Landeskog long term, the opportunity is there for Colton to have a bigger impact than he has to this point in his career.

#2 When Joseph Woll landed on the injured list to start the season, Anthony Stolarz was thrust into the No. 1 goaltending job for the Toronto Maple Leafs and the 6-foot-6 netminder is thriving in the early going. Stolarz has a .940 save percentage in three starts and that is just picking up where he left off last season, when he had a .925 save percentage in 27 games for Florida. Stolarz, 30, has never played more than 28 NHL games in a season, so it remains to be seen if he can handle a starter’s workload, but it’s safe to expect that he will see more action in Toronto this season than in any of his previous NHL seasons.

#3 Entering this season, Calgary Flames left winger Jonathan Huberdeau was practically considered a lost cause, with a massive long-term contract and declining production since arriving in Calgary. But what if the 31-year-old Huberdeau isn’t cooked just yet? Skating on a line with Martin Pospisil and Anthony Mantha, the trio has helped Calgary to a 4-0 start, while Huberdeau has scored three goals at even strength and added three assists on the power play.

#4 Avalanche centre Casey Mittelstadt is getting pushed into a bigger role in Colorado. He has five points (4 G, 1 A) and 17 shots on goal in five games, which is solid, but he is averaging more than 21 minutes of ice time per game, an increase of more than five minutes per game compared to his ice time with the Avs after he was acquired from Buffalo last season. Mittelstadt has produced 59 and 57 points in the past two seasons, respectively, and could very well exceed those totals this season.

#5 After dominating in the American Hockey League, Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf got called up last season and finished with a .893 save percentage in 17 games for the Flames – not exactly making his case to be the franchise goaltender of the future. When the Flames dealt Jacob Markstrom in the offseason, though, the door was opened for Wolf to step through and he has stopped 68 of 72 shots in his first two starts this season. If the Flames are going to get top-tier goaltending, that does have the potential to change expectations but, for now, it’s just encouraging to see Wolf performing this way at the highest level.

#6 Former Flames centre Sean Monahan signed in Columbus as a free agent, with hopes of re-connecting with Johnny Gaudreau. This summer’s tragedy halted those plans, but the veteran Monahan has stepped into a leadership role for the Blue Jackets, producing four points (2 G, 2 A) and 12 shots on goal in his first four games. His primary linemates have been Kirill Marchenko and Yegor Chinakhov and the trio has been outrageously dominant in the early going, controlling 79.7 percent of expected goals during five-on-five play.

#7 The No. 1 pick in the 2024 Draft, Macklin Celebrini put up a goal and an assist in his NHL debut then immediately landed on the injured list due to a lower-body injury. With Celebrini out, Mikael Granlund has moved back to the middle, centering William Eklund and Tyler Toffoli on the top line. That shuffle has also opened up a spot for Klim Kostin in San Jose’s top six. Granlund does have five assists in five games and is playing more than 21 minutes per game.

#8 Seattle Kraken left winger Jared McCann has scored 69 goals across the past two seasons and yet was still available in quite a few leagues early in the season. He has seven points (3 G, 4 A) and 11 shots on goal in five games and McCann and Jordan Eberle had a productive game Thursday night against Philadelphia with Shane Wright skating at centre between the two veteran wingers.

#9 Two thirds of the Utah Hockey Club’s top line is sitting out there, waiting to be scooped up on fantasy waivers. Barrett Hayton and Nick Schmaltz are productive, and it doesn’t hurt that they get to play with a skilled winger like Clayton Keller. Hayton has six points (4 G, 2 A) in five games, already exceeding his goal total from last season when he was limited to just 33 games. Schmaltz has six assists in five games and, in this small sample, has averaged 2.60 shots on goal per game, which would represent a career high.

#10 Utah defenceman Sean Durzi is going to be out 4-5 months after surgery was required for an upper-body injury that he suffered Monday at New Jersey. Durzi had played more than 25 minutes per game through the first three games of the season before getting hurt in Game No. 4. His absence will offer an opportunity for Juuso Valimaki to get a chance on Utah’s second power play unit. Valimaki is still looking for his first points of the season and he only had 17 points (2 G, 15 A) in 68 games last season, but the year before that, he contributed 11 power play points among his 34 points overall, so there is a chance for Valimaki to recapture some of that offensive part of his game.

#11 Chicago Blackhawks winger Teuvo Teravainen returned to the team that drafted him and where he started his NHL career when he signed as a free agent in the summer. He has been a good fit on Connor Bedard’s wing, which should be expected, given Teravainen’s playmaking ability and Bedard’s ever-dangerous shot. Teravainen has seven points (3 G, 4 A) in five games and is skating on Chicago’s top line with Bedard and Nick Foligno while also getting first unit power play time. Teravainen has topped 60 points four times in his career, hitting a career high of 76 points in 2018-2019.

#12 Penguins rookie goaltender Joel Blomqvist is challenging Tristan Jarry for a bigger share of playing time in the Pittsburgh crease. The 22-year-old was a second-round pick in 2020 and has a .908 save percentage in his first four games. He had a .919 in 47 AHL games and with Jarry struggling (.836 save percentage through three games), opportunity is knocking for Blomqvist.

#13 When the Toronto Maple Leafs remodeled their blueline in the offseason, Chris Tanev was the defender that drew the most attention. Fresh off a Stanley Cup in Florida, Oliver Ekman-Larsson has moved into a prime role on the Maple Leafs blueline, quarterbacking the top power play and playing nearly 22 minutes per game. Ekman-Larsson has three assists and 15 shots on goal in four games, which is very encouraging production, particularly that shot rate, which is far higher than Ekman-Larsson has produced previously.

#14 A lower-body injury kept veteran Pittsburgh Penguins winger Bryan Rust out of the lineup for the first couple of games this season, but he has returned to action and has been thrust into a big role, skating on the right side with Sidney Crosby and Anthony Beauvillier. In his first three games, Rust has two points (1 G, 1 A) and 13 shots on goal while averaging 20:31 of ice time per game. He has scored at least 20 goals in five consecutive seasons, recording more than 55 points in three of those five seasons. In the three seasons that he has finished with at least 55 points, Rust missed at least 20 games, so there is still potential for him to produce more over a full season merely by staying healthy.

#15 Drafted with the 21st pick in 2020, Yegor Chinakhov displayed his potential last season, scoring 29 points (16 G, 13 A) in 53 games, a sign that he was going to be able to contribute at this level. In the early going this season, he is taking it to another level, producing six points (2 G, 4 A) with 13 shots on goal in his first four games. Not only is he skating on the top line with Monahan and Marchenko, but Chinakhov is getting first unit power play time, too, so a breakthrough season could be on the way.

#16 The New Jersey Devils went out in the offseason and added some grit to their forward ranks, acquiring Paul Cotter in a trade with Vegas and signing Stefan Noesen, a former Devil who had been playing in Carolina. Cotter had 25 points (7 G, 18 A) in 76 games last season for the Golden Knights, but already has six points (5 G, 1 A) in seven games for the Devils. He has 15 shots on goal and 20 hits, too, which can make him a more valuable fantasy contributor and he has moved up the depth chart to skate with Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt at even strength. Noesen had a career-high 37 points in 81 games for the Hurricanes last season and has started this season with six points (2 G, 4 A) in seven games and is working on a line with veterans Tomas Tatar and Erik Haula.

#17 The leading rookie goal scorer early in the season is Devils defenceman Seamus Casey, who has three goals in his first seven NHL games. Montreal’s Emil Heineman and Philadelphia’s Matvei Michkov are tied for second with two goals. Casey is a smallish defender who was a second-round pick in 2022. He played two seasons at the University of Michigan, and had 45 points (7 G, 38 A) in 40 games as a sophomore last season. Casey might owe his opportunity to another former Wolverine, as Luke Hughes is recovering from shoulder surgery, opening up a spot on the New Jersey blueline to start the season.

#18 John Beecher, a first-round pick of the Bruins in 2019, has jumped out to a hot start with five points (2 G, 3 A) in five games. Beecher’s ice time is up to 13:35 per game, but he is likely still a risky player for fantasy managers. He had just 10 points (7 G, 3 A) in 52 games last season and only had 36 points in 87 AHL games, so it is difficult to project big things offensively over the long haul. As a short-term option in deep banger leagues, maybe he could have some value for fantasy managers.

#19 Seattle Kraken centre Matty Beniers saw his production fall off dramatically last season and one of the main concerns when it comes to sustainable production is that Beniers had a very low shot rate, averaging just 1.73 shots per game last season. While Beniers has just one assist through five games this season, there might be a slight reason for optimism in that he is averaging 2.60 shots on goal per game. In most leagues, it’s probably worth waiting to see some production start to materialize before assigning too much value to Beniers, but he could be a viable buy-low or waiver wire option.

#20 Blue Jackets winger Kent Johnson suffered an upper-body injury against Buffalo on Thursday, but it is worth noting that an injury to Johnson would not have caused a ripple in the hockey universe. He had just 16 points (6 G, 10 A) in 42 games for the Blue Jackets and was demoted to the AHL, where he did put up 15 points (5 G, 10 A) in 10 games. Nevertheless, with a new coach and a fresh start in Columbus, Johnson has responded with five points (2 G, 3 A) in four games and had logged more than 21 minutes in the second and third games of the season before playing just six minutes against the Sabres before getting hurt. Track Johnson’s health, though, because he is a skilled player and if he is getting a legit opportunity to shine in Columbus, then he could be a fantasy sleeper.

MCKEEN’S 2023-24 NHL YEARBOOK – BOSTON BRUINS – Top 20 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #27

Brock Otten, Derek Neumeier, Chapin Landvogt and Josh Bell — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 20:08:04 +0000

Top 20 Boston Bruin Prospects

BRIGHTON, MA - JULY 06: Boston Bruins forward Fabian Lysell (21) waits for his turn at a drill during Boston Bruins Development Camp on July 6, 2023, at Warrior Ice Arena in Brighton, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire)

1. Fabian Lysell

Lysell wasted no time after the Bruins selected him 21st overall in 2021. After hearing his name called, he decided to come to North America, where he has been extremely impressive so far. He spent his first season in the WHL with the Vancouver Giants, leading the team in points with 62. Last season, he was just as impressive after having move up to the AHL. Lysell’s ability to generate offense has been on full display since coming overseas, highlighted by his ability to stickhandle like the puck is on a string as well as his high-end passing skill. He’s incredibly elusive and creative but needs to pick his opportunities better. There are also some consistency concerns in his game as he seems to lose confidence in himself on occasion. If Lysell can put the pieces together, and he did that very well last year as an AHL rookie, he could very well be a top six playmaker in the near future.

2. Mason Lohrei

After going undrafted in 2019, Lohrei has been making the Bruins look good. They surprisingly called his name 58th overall in the 2020 NHL Draft and he has since responded very well, earning USHL Defenseman of the Year honours in 2020-21, leading all defenders in goals (19), assists (40), and points (59). But he wasn’t done there. He joined Ohio State University the following season and was named to the Big Ten All-Rookie Team. Last season, his final one in the NCAA ranks, didn’t have the same lustre around it, but he was playing on a weaker team. Lohrei’s two-way potential is still there. He contributes at both ends, carrying the puck well in transition, showing promising mobility, playing physically, and being trusted to be on the ice in all situations. He’s still a bit of a project and there is a need for some refinement in his game if he’s going to succeed in the NHL, but he could be a reliable bottom-pairing defender.

3. Matthew Poitras

Looking at the type of player that the Bruins value, Poitras is the perfect fit. A coach’s dream, he never takes his foot off the gas, being dependable in all scenarios, and being patient in his play. He’s not a player who is going to be overly dynamic at the next level, but he’s capable of having flashes. A recent draftee, Poitras was selected 54th overall in the 2022 NHL Draft from the OHL’s Guelph Storm. He took a big offensive step forward last season, nearly doubling his offensive output from his rookie season and finishing second in the league in assists. This largely comes from his hardworking style of play, as the puck usually ends up on his stick, which won’t happen as much as he moves up. Tenacious players tend to make it against all odds, so you can bet on Poitras reaching the NHL in due time.

4. Reilly Walsh

After splitting his draft year between the USHL’s Chicago Steel and Prep school Proctor Academy, the Devils bet on Walsh and selected him 81st in the 2017 NHL Draft. He then moved on to the NCAA with Harvard University where he spent three years, playing consistent, productive hockey without shining too brightly. He signed with the Devils and jumped to the AHL in 2020-21 where he continued that trend of consistency. After being on the trade block this season, the Bruins acquired him in the offseason, for Shane Bowers, and are looking for him to take that next step. Walsh is an offensive defender who moves very well with the puck on his stick, isn’t afraid to jump up into the rush, and has a great shot. He has quick edges and a level of deception in his game. The defender likely caps out as a bottom-line defender, but a contributing one who could see time on the power play as well.

5. Brandon Bussi

In terms of trending prospects, it’s nearly impossible to ignore Bussi at this point. An undrafted goaltender, Bussi had been biding his time, waiting for an NHL team to bet on him. After his third NCAA season with Western Michigan University, the Bruins did just that, signing him to a one-year contract as a collegiate free agent. With a .910 save percentage over his NCAA career, expectations weren’t overly high, more in line with a “let’s see” approach. He jumped to the AHL last season and was remarkable in net. He took over the Providence crease as the number-one netminder and ran with it, sitting near the top of the league in all categories. He was even named to the AHL All-Star Classic and AHL All-Rookie Team. It remains to be seen how high Bussi can climb, but he’s still young at 24 and his size, positioning, and mobility all suggest that he’s well on his way to the next level.

6. Alec Regula

Acquired recently in the Taylor Hall/Nick Foligno swap with the Chicago Blackhawks, Regula is a hulking, stay-at-home defender entering his fourth season of professional hockey. The good news for Boston is that he will be eager for a fresh start and an opportunity to establish himself as an NHL regular. The bad news is that he is no longer exempt from waivers and the team already has an extremely deep pro blueline. What ultimately ends up happening with Regula at training camp will be interesting, but there is no question that he could be a steady, third pairing defender immediately. He’s got size. He’s got reach. He’s very mobile for such a large defender. He’s an intense physical competitor. The puck skills are relatively limited. Long gone are the days where he used to play the netfront, bumper position for the London Knights on the powerplay a-la Zdeno Chara (he scored 27 goals for London in 2020). However, he definitely has a projection of an NHL defender who can pair well with a more aggressive offensive type, especially given his right shot. Boston will have to make room for him, trade him again, or risk losing him on waivers to another NHL franchise for free.

7. John Farinacci

The captain of Harvard in the NCAA, Farinacci played out his NCAA eligibility in order to earn free agent status, opting not to sign with the Arizona Coyotes who had originally selected him. Almost immediately upon earning said status, Farinacci signed with Boston, gaining status as a potential roster option for this upcoming season. He plays a polished two-way game and can find success playing a heavy style, making him a suitable bottom six candidate to start with. How much upside does Farinacci have? That remains to be seen. His shot might be his best asset as a pro, although his patience and playmaking ability did improve during his senior year. Even if he tops out as a high end third line option, Farinacci would bring a ton of value to Boston as a free agent signing. He can kill penalties, play a variety of different roles, and should move quickly through the system, helping to fill the gaps left by some of Boston’s high profile exits.

8. Georgii Merkulov

After going undrafted and relatively unnoticed in his first year of draft eligibility back in 2019, playing with the MHL’s Kapitan Stupino, Merkulov made a change. He decided to head overseas, joining the USHL’s Youngstown Phantoms where he spent two seasons, going undrafted both times. He next moved on to the NCAA and Ohio State University, where he spent just one year before the Bruins swooped in and signed him as a free agent. That’s been looking like a great move so far, as Merkulov was a top player on the Providence Bruins last season. He has an excellent shot, has a knack for creating separation, and is a strong playmaker as well. He struggles in the face-off dot and his defensive awareness and effort aren’t always there, but he’s well on his way to being a secondary scoring option at the NHL level.

9. John Beecher

When the Bruins drafted Beecher back in 2019, 30th overall, he was coming off a fine season with the USNTDP and heading to the NCAA’s University of Michigan. He spent three seasons with the Wolverines, where it seemed like his development stalled, never really taking the next step in his game. Now in the AHL, he has shown some improvement with his physicality and ability to get off the wall, even chipping in offensively fairly well, but there is still concern with his lack of consistency and failure to take over games or drive a line. He tends to sit back too often, letting the play come to him. Whether or not he makes the NHL as a consistent contributor is a real question, and it’s hard to see his ceiling as more than a bottom six role player, despite his physical gifts.

10. Riley Duran

A lesser known but promising piece of the Bruins’ pool is Duran. Selected in 2020 way down at 182nd overall out of high school, the forward made the shift to the USHL the following season but didn’t take off. In 2021-22, he jumped to the NCAA where he emerged as a real prospect of note with Providence College. So much so that he was named to Team USA at the 2022 World Juniors. He has strong positioning, plays with high energy, and isn’t afraid to jump into puck battles. His skill level isn’t overly exciting - he’s more of a reliable depth player. As the Bruins tend to prefer, Duran has good size at 6-foot-2 and will continue to build strength before he reaches the next level. His ceiling isn’t very high, but he seems like a player who could plug into a third- or fourth-line role while able to play up if needed.

11. Brett Harrison

Drafted 85th overall in 2021, Harrison’s shot is a bright spot, getting a great deal of weight behind a full arsenal of shots. He does well getting to the front of the net as well. His skating stride, shot selection, and overall consistency are red flags in his game though. His development has seemed to stall since being drafted. It's hard to see him as more than a depth piece but he could cut out a bottom six role for himself if everything goes to plan.

12. Dans Locmelis

2022-23 was a coming out party for the talented Latvian center. He was among the best players in the Swedish J20 league and visibly improved his skating to become a more dangerous and consistent offensive player. He will attend UMass this year and should have a good season.

13. Jakub Lauko

Even though the offensive production wasn’t terrific at the AHL level, Lauko filled in admirably with Boston last year to help offset injuries with the big club. This coming season Lauko is no longer exempt from waivers, so it is a big year for the speedy winger.

14. Marc McLaughlin

Don’t expect McLaughlin to ever be a big-time offensive contributor as that’s not his game, but with his work ethic and defensive awareness, he profiles perfectly as a fourth line center and penalty killing anchor.

15. Trevor Kuntar

After three years at Boston College, Kuntar is turning pro this year after signing with Boston. The big, power center is a capable goal scorer but it will be interesting to see how his skating and pace translates to the pro level.

16. Andre Gasseau

A big, two-way center, Gasseau was surprisingly fantastic as a freshman with Boston College last year, flashing more offensive upside than he was perceived to have. It will be interesting to see him grow with the program and continue to develop as an offensive play driver.

17. Frederic Brunet

Even though Brunet finished second in defensive scoring in the QMJHL last year, it looks like the plan might be for him to return as an OA this upcoming season as he is currently without an ELC. Training camp performance may dictate where they start the talented offensive blueliner.

18. Oskar Jellvik

Another player in the Bruins/Boston College pipeline, Jellvik is a skilled playmaking forward who just finished his freshman year after coming over from Sweden. He remains a long term project, but one with terrific offensive upside.

19. Ryan Mast

Even though the offensive production was adequate in the OHL, don’t expect Mast to be a big-time offensive contributor at the pro level. How his defensive game transitions to the pro level this year will dictate whether he can be a long term NHL fixture on the blueline.

20. Beckett Hendrickson

The son of long time NHL forward Darby Hendrickson, Beckett is coming out of the NTDP and will be playing with Sioux Falls in the USHL this year before heading to the University of Minnesota the following year. A lunch pail type, Hendrickson will be looking to prove that he has offensive upside.

MCKEEN’S 2023 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #8 Buffalo Sabres

Josh Bell — Tue, 23 May 2023 21:47:50 +0000

Prospect System Ranking – 8^th (1^st last year)

There is genuine excitement building in Buffalo following a really strong season, with some playoff aspirations for a time. They have arguably the most exciting group of graduates in the NHL in Owen Power, Jack Quinn, J.J. Peterka, Dylan Cozens, Rasmus Dahlin, and Mattias Samuelsson. Four of them were top 10 picks in their draft year. You can add Peyton Krebs, acquired in the Eichel trade to this group. At the 2022 Draft they had three first round picks in Matthew Savoie (#25^th ranked by McKeens), Noah Ostlund (#63), and Jiri Kulich (#18). The fact that they had so many graduates, and still rank this highly in organizational depth is a testament to their scouts and development team.

GM Kevyn Adams took over in June 2020, right before the draft, and has drawn good reviews as a steady hand. He was proactive in signing his two franchise centerman Tage Thompson (25-years-old) and Dylan Cozens (22) to long term deals at a reasonable AAV of $7.1 million that will benefit them for years. His biggest trade was moving Jack Eichel for a first and a second, hometown hero Alex Tuch, who is thriving, along with the former 17^th overall pick, Peyton Krebs. He has also successfully stepped into an NHL role. Adams brought in a lot of futures and changed the culture seemingly overnight in a high-pressure transaction. Eichel has gone on to thrive in Vegas, but the pieces Adams extracted are already fixtures in the line-up and Ostlund is a promising prospect. The Sabres are going to be competitive as soon as next season, and only get better as this group hits their prime. A reward to Buffalo fans who have been waiting 12 years for a playoff appearance and seen their share of dysfunction.

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 03: Rochester Americans right wing Jiri Kulich (25) on the ice during the first period of the American Hockey League game between the Rochester Americans and Cleveland Monsters on December 3, 2022, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire)

Jiri Kulich

While Matthew Savoie was the Sabres’ top-10 selection in the 2022 NHL Draft, it’s been 28th-overall-pick Jiri Kulich looking more and more like the team’s top prospect. The Czech forward made the jump overseas this season, going straight to the AHL and fitting right in. The transition to the league wasn’t a difficult one for the centreman, having spent the previous season with HC Energie Karlovy Vary in the top men’s league in Czechia. He’s been a regular and a standout player on Team Czechia, most recently helping them to a 2023 World Juniors silver medal. Kulich plays hard, fast, and smart - the perfect trifecta for any NHL player. He’s a player that could be thrown into any role or situation and thrive. At this point, there’s little question of if he’ll make it to the NHL, but rather when.

2. Matthew Savoie

In terms of dynamic prospects, you’d be hard-pressed to find one better than Savoie. The Winnipeg Ice centreman has been tearing up the WHL for the past two seasons, eclipsing 35 goals and 90 points in both campaigns. He led all rookies in points last season and was rewarded by being selected ninth overall by the Sabres. He’s so difficult to defend due to his excellent edgework and impressive hands to match. He might just be one of the best skaters not in the NHL right now. Savoie’s a well-rounded, offensive threat, with a shot that will stand out in the NHL and strong playmaking with a knack for feeding the slot. He plays at a high pace and isn’t afraid to dive into battles, despite his 5-foot-9 frame. He has the talent to be a top-line threat and seems like a safe bet for the top six, at the very least.

3. Devon Levi

What a successful journey it’s been for Devon Levi. Starting with the CCHL’s Carleton Place Canadians in 2019-20, the goaltender has been MVP of the CCHL and 2019 World Junior A Challenge, Player of the Year in the CJHL and Hockey East, and on top of that, Top Goaltender of the NCAA and 2021 World Juniors. And that’s just the Cole’s note version of his extensive resume to date. While critics will be quick to point out his size, at “just” six feet, he has all of the aspects that should lead him to continued success in his career. He’s so quick and precise in his movement, using strong edges to maintain his positioning. His tracking is among the best of any goaltending prospect and his patience is elite. The wait for Levi to be an NHL regular shouldn’t be long, as the prospect has already signed his entry-level deal and made the jump to the NHL from Northwestern University.

4. Isak Rosen

Like Kulich, Isak Rosen is in his first season in North America and has wasted no time getting accustomed to the game. This should come as no surprise since the Swede spent the two seasons prior playing in the SHL with Leksands IF. The Sabres drafted him in 2021 at 14th overall, spending just one more season in Sweden before heading directly to the AHL. Rosen is such a fun player to watch, stemming from just how light he is on his feet and how quickly he can change directions, making him extremely unpredictable. He’s very patient and his intelligence shows with the puck on his stick, waiting for the opportune moment to make a move and create chances. Consistency and finding ways to break through to the middle of the ice appear to be the biggest hurdles for him right now, but he’s well on his way to being a productive middle-six winger.

5. Noah Ostlund

Sticking with the top Swedes in the prospect pool, Noah Ostlund is the third prospect on this list from the Sabres’ ridiculous first round in the 2022 NHL Draft. Ostlund was the second taken, 16th overall. Ostlund may take some more time than Rosen to make the jump though, playing just 11 SHL games last season, without recording a point. He has been playing in the HockeyAllsvenskan this season with Djurgardens IF, where he’s been getting used to playing against men. The centreman brings a promising two-way presence combined with very agile feet. He can tend to be outmuscled on the puck rather often, so there is some concern about how that will translate coming overseas. This complicates his projection, but he does the talent and work ethic to be a contributing middle-six forward. Another year in Sweden, plus some time in the AHL will be beneficial.

6. Prokhor Poltapov

The Sabres have shown in recent drafts that they’re going to bet on skill and all the rest will fall into place. That seems to be the thought process behind selecting Russian forward Prokhor Poltapov 33rd overall in 2021. The forward also fits a Sabres mould in his energy level, playing like a wind-up car when he’s on the ice. He has the potential to pull off highlight-reel plays but that isn’t always on display. That makes him a player to always keep an eye on though, as you never know when he’s going to go off. After spending the 2021-22 season bouncing between the MHL, VHL, and KHL, he’s carved out a role for himself in the KHL this season, granted in an extremely limited role. His ceiling isn’t overly high, especially due to some inconsistency, but he’s signed in Russia until 2024-25, so he has some time to develop.

7. Ryan Johnson

The first and only defender in the Sabres’ top 10, Ryan Johnson could easily be higher on this - but that’s a testament to the team’s system right now. Drafted 31st overall in 2019, Johnson was coming off a one-and-done USHL season where he was named to the All-Rookie Team. He then jumped to the NCAA’s University of Minnesota where he’s been a huge part of the program. His numbers don’t jump off the page, but he’s still the No. 1 defender on the NCAA’s top team. His reliability, excellent mobility, and his ability to dictate the play all stand out as highly coveted, easily translatable traits. There’s likely not a ton of offensive upside to his game, but there’s also not a lot of downside to his game. He’s in his senior year and doesn’t seem far off from stepping into an NHL role - potentially the top four.

8. Aleksandr Kisakov

While there’s often a waiting period for Russian prospects after they’ve been drafted, Aleksandr Kisakov didn’t take much, spending just one more year in the MHL before signing and coming over to the AHL. In Russia, he showed off his ability to play a quick, high-pace game, noticeably standing out with his speed and offensive talent. He’s extremely creative and unpredictable with the puck on his stick. He’s struggled to find that consistent offensive magic since he joined the Rochester Americans though, adjusting to the improved speed and strength of the AHL. It remains to be seen if he’ll be able to get back to that level or if he’ll end up as more of a depth piece in a lineup. There’s a high ceiling and low floor here to keep an eye on but either way, he’s a longer-term project. Expect a few more years in the AHL to get him comfortable.

9. Olivier Nadeau

Selected in the 2021 NHL Draft, 97th overall, Olivier Nadeau provides the Sabres’ farm system with a bigger, strong piece for the future. While the majority of their top prospects are high-skill, high-ceiling pieces, Nadeau is more of a high-floor, low-ceiling prospect. Imagining him as a bottom-six forward seems like just a matter of time and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him crack the top-six. He has a big body that protects the puck so well and navigates to the middle of the ice very well. He does have promising offensive ability too and should be a contributor at every level, at least in a secondary-scoring role. His skating looks to be the biggest hole in his game right now, so much so that he may struggle to adjust to the AHL level. Still, he’s been a top player in the QMJHL that looks ready to take the next step.

10. Lukas Rousek

After being passed over in the NHL Draft twice, the third time was the charm for Lukas Rousek who was selected 160th overall in 2019 by the Sabres. At that time, he was already in his second season in the top men’s league in Czechia. Post-draft, he spent two more seasons with HC Sparta Praha taking noticeable steps forward each season. After an ACL reconstruction surgery to start the 2021-22 season, he played just 19 games that season but came on strong in the playoffs. This season, he’s become a top player for the Amerks, highlighted by his excellent playmaking and work ethic. He’s a strong skater who seems to always know where to be on the ice. Seeing how easily he’s transitioned to the AHL, it looks like Rousek could be a middle-six winger, who looks like a very safe bet to be a regular at this point.

MCKEEN’S 2023 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #24 Boston Bruins

Josh Bell — Sat, 13 May 2023 15:19:42 +0000

Prospect System Ranking – 24^th (27^th last year)

A record-breaking season with 135 points and the President’s Trophy, ended in heartbreak with a first round lost to last season’s President’s Trophy winner, the Florida Panthers. With Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci possibly in their final season, the Hollywood script was written. GM Don Sweeney (since 2015) made some widely praised trade deadline deals moving out his 2023 and 2024 first round picks, plus a 2023 third, a 2025 second and fourth for Tyler Bertuzzi (from Detroit) and Garnet Hathaway and Dmitry Orlov (from Washington). All players well suited to the style of play in the playoffs and solid fit with the Bruin system and culture. Having acquired Hampus Lindholm in the previous season for three picks (one first, two seconds), plus two prospects, the well is not surprisingly dry for prospects on the cusp. They are one of two teams with no graduated prospects from the last five drafts.

It is a testament to the scouting and development team that they find themselves with four prospects (Lysell #33, Lohrei #93, Poitras #155, Bussi #166 – 10^th among goalies) in the top 200 and the 33^rd ranked Fabian Lysell. After a successful rookie season in the AHL, and as Lysell’s confidence grows, he may find himself in a top six role before too long. The Bruins have only five regular forwards from their line-up that are not UFA’s, so an opportunity awaits. The defense is more set going forward. Despite that they have cap issues. GM Sweeney has many questions to answer with his veterans, and how to approach the coming season. No doubt some of those will be tied to the decisions that Bergeron and Krejci make on retirement. Not much left on the shelf to sell, it will be an interesting offseason.

220814 Landon Slaggert of USA and Fabian Lysell of Sweden during the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship group stage game between USA and Sweden on August 14, 2022 in Edmonton.
Photo: Joel Marklund / BILDBYRÅN / kod JM / JM0358

Fabian Lysell

Fabian Lysell wasted no time after the Bruins selected him 21st overall in 2021. After hearing his name called, he decided to come to North America, where he’s been extremely impressive so far. He spent the first season in the WHL with the Vancouver Giants, leading the team in points (62). This season, he’s been just as impressive in the AHL. Lysell’s ability to generate offense has been on full display since coming overseas, highlighted by his ability to stickhandle like the puck is on a string and his high-end passing skill. He’s so elusive and creative but needs to pick his opportunities better. There are also some consistency concerns in his game as he seems to lose confidence in himself. If Lysell can put the pieces together, and he has been doing that very well so far in AHL rookie season, he could very well be a top-six playmaker in the near future.

2. Mason Lohrei

After going undrafted in 2019, Mason Lohrei has been making the Bruins look good. They surprisingly called his name 58th overall in the 2020 NHL Draft, and he responded very well, earning USHL Defenseman of the Year honours in 2020-21, leading all defenders in goals (19), assists (40), and points (59). But he wasn’t done there. He joined Ohio State University the following season and was named to the Big Ten All-Rookie Team. His current season doesn’t have the same lustre around it, but he’s playing on a weaker team. Lohrei’s two-way potential is there. He contributes at both ends, carrying the puck well in transition, showing promising mobility, playing physically, and being on the ice in all situations. He’s still a bit of a project prospect and there’s a need for some refinement in his game if he’s going to succeed in the NHL, but he could be a reliable bottom-pairing defender.

3. Matthew Poitras

Looking at the type of player that the Bruins value, Matthew Poitras is the perfect fit. He’s a coach’s dream, never taking his foot off the gas, being dependable in all scenarios, and being patient in his play. He’s not a player that’s going to be overly dynamic at the next level, but he’s capable of having flashes. He’s a recent draftee, being selected 54th overall in the recent 2022 NHL Draft from the OHL’s Guelph Storm. He has taken a big offensive step forward this season, projected to nearly double his offensive output from his rookie season and is among the league leader in assists. This largely comes from his hardworking style of play, as the puck usually ends up on his stick, which won’t happen as much as he moves up. Tenacious players tend to make it against all odds, so you can bet on Poitras reaching the NHL in due time.

4. Brandon Bussi

In terms of trending prospects, it’s nearly impossible to ignore Brandon Bussi at this point. An undrafted goaltender, Bussi had been biding his time, waiting for an NHL team to bet on him. In his third NCAA season with Western Michigan University, the Bruins did just that, signing him to a one-year contract in college free agency. With a .910 save percentage over his NCAA career, expectations weren’t overly high, taking more of a “let’s see” approach. He jumped to the AHL this season and has been remarkable in net. He took over the crease as the number-one netminder and has run with it, sitting near the top of the league in all categories. He was even named to the AHL All-Star Classic. It remains to be seen how high Bussi can climb, but he’s still young at 24 and his size, positioning, and mobility all look like he’s well on his way to the next level.

5. Georgii Merkulov

After going undrafted and relatively unnoticed in his first year of draft eligibility back in 2019, playing with the MHL’s Kapitan Stupino, Georgii Merulov made a change. He decided to head overseas, joining the USHL’s Youngstown Phantoms where he spent two seasons - still going undrafted. He then moved on to the NCAA and Ohio State University, where he spent just one year before the Bruins swooped in and signed him as a free agent. That’s been looking like a great move so far, as Merkulov is a top player on the Providence Bruins this season. He has an excellent shot, has a knack for creating separation, and is a strong playmaker as well. He’s struggled in the face-off dot this season and his defensive awareness and effort aren’t always there, but he’s well on his way to being a secondary scoring option at the NHL level.

6. John Beecher

When the Bruins drafted John Beecher back in 2019, 30th overall, he was coming off a fine season with the USNTDP and heading to the NCAA’s University of Michigan. He spent three seasons with Michigan, where it seemed like his development stalled, never really taking the next step in his game throughout his time there. Now in the AHL, he has shown some improvement with his physicality and ability to get off the wall, even chipping in offensively fairly well, but there is still concern with his lack of consistency and failure to take over games or drive a line. He tends to sit back too often, letting the play come to him. Whether or not he makes the NHL as a consistent contributor is a real question, and it’s hard to see his ceiling as more than a bottom-six role player.

7. Riley Duran

A lesser-known but promising piece of the Bruins’ pool is Riley Duran. Selected in 2020 way down at 182nd overall out of high school, the forward made the shift to the USHL in the following season but didn’t take off. In 2021-22 he jumped to the NCAA where he took off with Providence College. So much so that he was named to Team USA at the 2022 World Juniors. He has strong positioning, plays with high energy, and isn’t afraid to jump into puck battles. His skill level isn’t overly exciting - he’s more of a reliable depth player. As the Bruins like, he has good size at 6-foot-2 and will continue to build strength before he reaches the next level. His ceiling isn’t overly high, but he does seem like a player that would plug into a third- or fourth-line role but be able to play up if needed.

8. Brett Harrison

Drafted 85th overall in 2021, Brett Harrison already had one OHL season under his belt and was expected to take a big step forward in 2020-21. Instead, the OHL season was cancelled and the centreman headed overseas to the U20 SM-sarja for seven games. Combined with an Under-18s gold medal with Team Canada, that was enough for the Bruins to bet on him. He’s been a productive forward in the OHL since then, but his development has noticeably slowed, if not stalled. His shot is a bright spot, getting a great deal of weight behind a full arsenal of shots. He does well getting to the front of the net as well. His skating stride, his shot selection, and overall consistency are red flags in his game though. It’s hard to see him as more than a depth piece but could cut out a bottom-six role for himself if everything goes to plan.

9. Marc McLaughlin

Yet another player in the Bruins’ system that came up through the NCAA, Marc McLaughlin is another prospect that doesn’t garner a ton of attention. But he does seem to be the mould of a Bruins player. He came up through the USHL, serving as the captain in his final year with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders. Jumping to Boston College, he eventually earned the “C” again and was a point-per-game player in his final two seasons. The Bruins signed him as a free agent, in a big year for him as he also dressed for Team USA at the Olympics. He’s a strong skater, who plays a very intelligent, defensive-leaning game. He’s not going to be the most offensive player, but this season in the AHL has shown that he’ll be a contributor. A bottom-six role, with a role on a first penalty kill unit, seems very realistic and not too far off.

10. Jakub Lauko

Jakub Lauko looks to be graduating from this list soon, after a long path since being drafted 77th overall back in 2018. Drafted out of Czechia, he then joined the QMJHL’s Rouyn-Noranda Huskies where he had a strong season, including a QMJHL and CHL Memorial Cup Championship. He then jumped to the AHL, but in the shortened season. In 2020-21, he headed back to Czechia until the AHL season kicked off and he’s been with the P-Bruins since. This season, he’s seen time in the NHL, but if he sticks is a real question. He’s mainly a call-up as needed but has some work to do if he’s going to be a regular. Despite his intelligence and awareness, he tends to be more of a passenger when he’s on the ice. At this point, he’s never going to be an overly offensive threat and he may be close to his ceiling.

AHL: BELL – Stock Up, Stock Down – 10 Early Impressions

Josh Bell — Tue, 22 Nov 2022 12:44:16 +0000

CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 09: Cleveland Monsters right wing Kirill Marchenko (86) on the ice during the first period of the American Hockey League game between Grand Rapids Griffins and Cleveland Monsters on November 9, 2022, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire)

Stock Up, Stock Down: Early Impressions on AHL Prospects

With the puck dropping on the AHL season just over a month ago, it’s the perfect time to take an early look at how some of the prospects in the league are performing.

Some surprising names have been lighting up the league and received early call-ups to the NHL, while others came in with high hopes and haven’t exactly reached those expectations. It’s a point in the season where players can still come back down to earth or find their stride and turn their season around.

While many more are off to hot or cold starts, here are 10 prospects in the AHL that have already seen their stock rise or fall this season.

Stock Down: John Beecher, C, Providence Bruins

Boston Bruins prospect John Beecher wrapped up his NCAA career last season, jumping to the AHL at the end of the year for a taste of the next level. He played well, with five points (three goals, two assists) in nine games, followed by one assist in two playoff games.

After starting the season looking like a contender for an NHL role, he started in the AHL and just hasn’t taken that step forward in his development. It was expected that he would take on a big role in Providence, but his struggles have led to him sliding down the lineup into the bottom six and collecting just four points (two goals, two assists) in his first 15 games.

The biggest issue for Beecher right now is his processing. There seems to be a delay in his thinking and reacting. This is resulting in bad passes, trouble receiving passes, being caught out of position, and bad giveaways. He just looks to be missing a step in his game. He’s not pushing the pace or driving play. He’s not making it hard for the other team to play against him. The season is still young, and Beecher can still turn it around, but right now there is reason to be worried about the young prospect.

Stock Up: Samuel Bolduc, D, Bridgeport Islanders

The 2021-22 season was rough for Samuel Bolduc, his second in the AHL. After putting up 14 points in 24 games in his rookie season, he started the season injured and just could bounce back, collecting just seven in 57 games.

So far this season, Bolduc has taken a big step forward, already recording 13 points (two goals, 11 assists) in 14 games. This is largely thanks to a seven-game point streak he had, including one three-assist performance. He’s been playing significant power-play minutes and has been given increasing time on the penalty kill.

This step forward began last season when Bolduc really started taking strides in the back half, showing improvement in his reading of the play and his ability to utilize his body to control opponents. His defensive game has continued to impress this season, while his offensive game appears to continuously trend upwards. He’s making quick decisions with the puck, showing off great passing, and getting pucks on net at the right moments. Expect the 6-foot-4, 220-pound defender to make the jump to New York at some point this season for his first NHL game.

Stock Up: Matej Blumel, W, Texas Stars

Arguably the AHL prospect that has raised their draft stock most this season, Matej Blumel came back to North America after three seasons playing in the top professional league in Czechia. Originally drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in 2019 (100th overall), the team opted not to sign him and lost his rights on June 1, 2021.

Just over a year later, the Dallas Stars signed the former USHL player to a two-year, entry-level contract, a decision that’s looking like a brilliant one at this point. He started his season with a seven-game point streak, with 11 points (five goals, six assists) in that time. He was called up to the NHL, where he had one goal through four games, before being sent back to Texas.

When Blumel’s on the ice, you need to be worried. He’s averaging 0.44 expected goals per game and a 62% Corsi for percentage. He’s driving the net, hunting down rebounds, moving the puck around well, utilizing a big one-timer, and showing off impressive patience. He’s creating offense in a number of different ways and is a dangerous player every time he hits the ice. It looks like the Oilers will be regretting the decision not to sign the winger.

Stock Down: Grigori Denisenko, LW, Charlotte Checkers

When the Florida Panthers drafted Grigori Denisenko 15th overall in the 2018 NHL Draft, they were hoping they were drafting a future top-six offensive talent. It looked promising to start, spending the majority of the next two seasons in the KHL, leading the 2019 World Juniors in points, and captaining Russia at the 2020 World Juniors.

Since over from Russia in the 2020-21 season, the winger just hasn’t been able to find his groove. This has been further complicated by the pandemic and a broken kneecap, but this season, he’s healthy and still struggling to put up points. Through 15 games, he has just four points (one goal, three assists).

The forward looks to lack confidence in his game. Looking at his shot maps from his draft year to this season, his shots are coming from further and further out. This season, he rarely shoots from inside the house, navigating the perimeter instead. He’s rushing his decisions, throwing the puck away into traffic. He needs to take a step back, slow his game down, and start to regain confidence. He’s playing on the power play regularly, so it could come. Don’t completely write him off yet, but he’s going to need to turn it around fast.

Stock Up: Ruslan Iskhakov, C, Bridgeport Islanders

Right there with Blumel as one of the most impressive AHL prospects to start the season, Ruslan Iskhakov is taking the league by storm. When we talk about interesting paths to the NHL, Iskhakov might just take the cake. He’s played in the MHL, Slovakia U18, NCAA, Liiga, and the DEL before coming to the AHL this season.

Entering his rookie season, expectations weren’t overly high for the 2018 draft pick. Yet, he exploded out of the gate, collecting 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) in his first nine games. He was named AHL Rookie of the Month for his efforts. He’s playing on the top line and the top power-play unit, and it looks like the sky is the limit for the forward.

Iskhakov is showing off his talent in a number of ways. He’s forcing turnovers in the offensive zone, he’s making some pinpoint-accurate passes, and just as accurate shots. He’s remarkably quick on loose pucks and he’s showing off great vision. If he keeps this up, it won’t be long before he hits the NHL ice.

Stock Up: Kole Lind, RW, Coachella Valley Firebirds

Drafted all the way back in 2017 by the Vancouver Canucks, it’s been a long ride for Kole Lind. Now with the Seattle Kraken organization, he has had a taste of NHL action, playing 23 games last season, and now it looks like he wants to get back there as soon as he can.

In the Coachella Valley Firebirds’ first season in the AHL, Lind collected the first goal and later the first hattrick in franchise history. He’s collected 14 points (six goals, eight assists) through 13 games so far, second on the team behind 2021-22 league points leader Andrew Poturalski.

Lind has been showing off a hard, accurate shot this season, and a powerful one-timer on the power play. He drives the net hard, with or without the puck, battling for position and getting his stick on pucks. He moves the puck around well, both in assisting transition and around the offensive zone. Don’t be surprised to see him called up soon.

Stock Up: Kirill Marchenko, RW/LW, Cleveland Monsters

The wait for Kirill Marchenko is just about over for Columbus Blue Jackets fans. Drafted back in 2018, 49th overall, the Russian forward is finally spending his first season in North America - and it’s been going very well.

The 22-year-old has already racked up 14 points (eight goals, six assists) in 12 games. While he didn’t exactly pop in the pre-season, it looks like this was his time to get settled as he hasn’t slowed down since the AHL season started, recording a point in all but two games.

His offensive awareness is sky-high and with his impressive start to the season, he’s oozing confidence. He shows a great deal of patience with the puck, drawing defenders in and creating space for his teammates. He has a full arsenal of ways to put the puck in the net from a net-front tip, a quick wrist shot, or a pass to a teammate. He’s not far off from breaking into the NHL.

Stock Down: Jan Mysak, LW, Laval Rocket

There were a lot of expectations coming into the season for Jan Mysak. After a 64-point season in the OHL, helping the Hamilton Bulldogs to an OHL Championship, a strong performance at the World Juniors where he was named to the All-Star Team, and a strong NHL pre-season, he was expected to pop. That hasn’t happened.

Adding to these expectations, Mysak actually already spent time in the AHL in the 2020-21 season when the OHL season was shut down, playing in 22 games and potting two goals. That’s more than he has this season, with just one goal in 15 games.

He’s averaging just 12:21 minutes per game, among the lowest on the team. He’s playing on the fourth line, has even been scratched, and he hasn’t seen significant power play time. While he hasn’t been in a position to succeed, he’s also not knocking down the door for a bigger role. He can get caught out of position, losing his mark and giving up opportunities, and he just hasn’t produced offensively yet, granted there are flashes of chances. Mysak needs more opportunity, but he needs to take advantage of the ice he does have, which hasn’t happened yet.

Stock Down: Victor Soderstrom, D, Tucson Roadrunners

When the Arizona Coyotes drafted up in the 2019 NHL Draft to the 11th overall pick and selected Victor Soderstrom, expectations were set. Trading up, especially at that point in the draft, these expectations are unavoidable to justify the transaction. For Soderstrom, those expectations have yet to be met.

Now in his third season in North America, the hope was that the defender could take the step forward and make the jump to the NHL. Not only has that not been the case, but even within the AHL, he seems to have taken a step back. After collecting 19 points in 32 games last season (0.59 points per game) he’s recorded just five assists in 13 games this year (0.38 points per game).

On top of not producing (despite significant power play time), the defender’s possession and defensive game has struggled throughout the season. The most glaring concern is the turnovers that he produces, especially in his own zone. The defender tends to panic when under pressure, throwing the puck away. He’s been burned this season with turnovers leading to goals against, but his teammates have bailed him out on other occasions. The ceiling of Soderstrom is very much in question at this point in his development.

SAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 12: Los Angeles Kings defenseman Jordan Spence (53) carries the puck during the NHL game between the San Jose Sharks and the Los Angeles Kings on March 12, 2022 at SAP Center in San Jose, CA. (Photo by Matt Cohen/Icon Sportswire)

Stock Up: Jordan Spence, D, Ontario Reign

The resumes that Jordan Spence has built through his young career is truly impressive, from QMJHL Rookie of the Year to QMJHL Defender of the Year, to AHL All-Star and All-Rookie Team nods last season, it’s safe to say that the bar was high for the defender. And he hasn’t disappointed.

Spence started his season going a point-per-game, with 12 assists through 12 games. He sits second on the Ontario Reign in points and second in the league for assists from a defender. Both Spence and Brandt Clarke look ready for the NHL, but there just aren’t any spots for them to fill right now.

The defender’s passing has definitely stood out throughout his time in the AHL from his outlet passes to his puck movement in the offensive zone. He’s getting pucks through traffic and on net, creating rebounds that his forwards can bury. He’s not afraid to step up to get a closer shot or to pull defenders out of position. He’s ready for the NHL.

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

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

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

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

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

You can access the full list by linking here.

Risers

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

Jack Quinn - Buffalo Sabres

Movement: (37 to 11)

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

Xavier Bourgault - Edmonton Oilers

Movement: (60 to 27)

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

Brennan Othmann - Flint Firebirds

Movement: (78 to 33)

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

JJ Peterka - Buffalo Sabres

Movement: (80 to 22)

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

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

Jakob Pelletier - Calgary Flames

Movement: (89 to 39)

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

Kirill Marchenko - Columbus Blue Jackets

Movement: (91 to 37)

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

Mavrik Bourque - Dallas Stars

Movement: (99 to 31)

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

Scott Perunovich - St. Louis Blues

Movement: (102 to 43)

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

Logan Stankoven - Dallas Stars

Movement: (104 to 30)

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

Olen Zellweger - Anaheim Ducks

Movement: (119 to 28)

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

Brock Faber - Minnesota Wild

Movement: (142 to 72)

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

Dustin Wolf - Calgary Flames

Movement: (154 to 45)

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

Wyatt Johnston - Dallas Stars

Movement: (158 to 16)

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

Luke Evangelista - Nashville Predators

Movement: (189 to 67)

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

Bobby Brink - Philadelphia Flyers

Movement: (201 to 64)

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

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

Pyotr Kochetkov - Carolina Hurricanes

Movement: (235 to 71)

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

Jordan Spence - Los Angeles Kings

Movement: (249 to 62)

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

Devon Levi - Buffalo Sabres

Movement: (279 to 34)

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

Matthew Knies - Toronto Maple Leafs

Movement: (283 to 61)

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

Arseni Gritsyuk - New Jersey Devils

Movement: (NR to 63)

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

Scott Morrow - Carolina Hurricanes

Movement: (NR to 74)

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

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

Fallers

Victor Soderstrom - Arizona Coyotes

Movement: (26 to 111)

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

Chaz Lucius - Winnipeg Jets

Movement: (36 to 144)

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

Connor Zary - Calgary Flames

Movement: (45 to 266)

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

Justin Barron - Montreal Canadiens

Movement: (64 to 164)

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

Oskar Olausson - Colorado Avalanche

Movement: (67 to 245)

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

Ozzy Wiesblatt - San Jose Sharks

Movement: (68 to 216)

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

Jacob Bernard Docker - Ottawa Senators

Movement: (92 to Honorable Mention)

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

John Beecher - Boston Bruins

Movement: (109 to 234)

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

Noel Gunler - Carolina Hurricanes

Movement: (113 to 242)

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

William Stromgren - Calgary Flames

Movement: (116 to Honorable Mention)

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

David Farrance - NHL Free Agent

Movement: (134 to Not Ranked)

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

Michael Dipietro - Vancouver Canucks

Movement: (144 to Honorable Mention)

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

MCKEEN’S 2022-23 NHL YEARBOOK – BOSTON BRUINS – Top 20 Prospects

Contributors – Brock Otten, Ethan Hetu, Arlo Schulz, Dylan Krill, Zack Szweras — Sun, 18 Sep 2022 14:56:12 +0000

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 24: Boston Bruins center Jack Studnicka (23) carries the puck during a game between the Boston Bruins and the Tampa Bay Lightning on March 24, 2022, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire)

1 - Fabian Lysell RW

It was a successful transition to North American hockey for Lysell, who came across the pond to play for the WHL’s Giants in 2021-22 after being drafted in the first round by the Bruins. Lysell didn’t disappoint, posting 62 points in 53 games as he adjusted to the smaller ice surface. Where he shined though, was in the playoffs, breaking out for 21 points in just 12 games as the underdog Giants barely grabbed the final playoff spot but proceeded to shock the top-seeded Everett Silvertips in the first round and then put up a six-game fight against the Kamloops Blazers, largely on the back of a strong power play that featured Lysell’s distributing abilities. A great playmaker, Lysell is known mostly for his skating abilities, drawing comparisons to Pavel Bure and Connor McDavid with his first step and ability to change directions or switch lanes to find open ice. He sees the ice well and is adept at creating passing lanes. A weapon on the rush with his puck handling, Lysell is also strong on the cycle and adapted to the North American game well. He is a weapon on the powerplay working off the half wall, and his defensive game is surprisingly advanced for his age. It’s easy to see why the Bruins made Lysell unavailable in trade talks last year, as he possesses all the skills to be a top-line winger in the NHL. Lysell’s shot is underrated but he could stand to use it more, and he needs to add strength as he still gets pushed off the puck too easily at times. He’s likely headed back to the WHL for one more season. - AS

2 - Mason Lohrei D

The Boston Bruins aren’t flush with talented prospects, and part of the reason their system is growing a bit thin is the lack of high-end picks GM Don Sweeney has been able to make. The side-effect of the team’s chase of a second Stanley Cup in the 21st century has been the team’s scouts have often been without many of their high picks, and as a result, the team’s farm is lacking in truly dynamic talents who set themselves apart from the pack. They do have a few players who fit that billing, though, and Mason Lohrei is definitely one of them. The 21-year-old blueliner was the Bruins’ top pick at the 2020 draft, getting selected 58th overall. As an overage pick, many wondered if Lohrei was the most prudent pick for a team badly in need of slam-dunk quality prospects. Speaking now after his freshman season as an Ohio State Buckeye, it seems clear that the Bruins’ selection of Lohrei, who was ranked outside of the top 125 by NHL Central Scouting, was smarter than it initially seemed to be. Lohrei was one of the best first-year defensemen in the NCAA, flashing incredible amounts of raw offensive talent. You can put Lohrei’s skill with the puck on his stick up against any other NCAA blueliner. He is a legitimate offensive generator out of the back end, and that’s not exactly common. With that being said, though, there are real questions about Lohrei’s game that cause concern. First and foremost, the major question to Lohrei’s profile is if his impressive size (six-foot-four) is a benefit or detriment to his game. His size gives him more ways to provide value, and more tools to work with in case he needs to adjust his game. But on the other hand, one wonders if Lohrei’s size contributes to his lackluster mobility, and if his style is better suited for a different body type. Lohrei has enough talent to become an impactful NHL defenseman, but his game and his tools will need to evolve if he wants to be the same defenseman he is in college when he turns pro. - EH

3 - Jack Studnicka C

The reality is that this upcoming season will be the most critical of Studnicka’s young career. The former OHL’er and highly touted second round selection was an AHL All Star and a member of the All-Rookie team in 2020. Since then, his development has plateaued as he has been unable to get over the hump to become a full time NHL player. The difference this year is that he will require waivers to be sent down to Providence, potentially exposing him to other NHL teams should he not crack the Bruins roster out of training camp. The problem is, the Bruins brought back David Krejci and additionally brought in Pavel Zacha to an already crowded forward group. That means Studnicka is going to need to beat out the likes of Tomas Nosek, Trent Frederic, and fellow prospect Oskar Steen for a spot. At his best at center, would Studnicka be able to handle a transition to wing at times? The heady two-way pivot is not a dynamic offensive player. However, he is versatile, excels as a playmaker down low, and is a strong defensive presence. The key for him has always been whether he can improve his skating enough to play that high energy role at the NHL level. There is still a chance that Studnicka develops into a dependable third line center for the Bruins; it is too early to give up on him. However, time is off the essence. - BO

4 - Matthew Poitras C

The 54^th overall selection in the 2022 NHL Draft, Matthew Poitras was apart of a young Guelph Storm team last year and will be ready to take a step forward as a leader of the group. Poitras was the 12^th overall selection in the 2020 OHL Draft, but due to the Covid-19 shutdown, was forced to miss his first OHL year. Fortunately for Poitras, he didn’t lose his game and quickly adapted to the OHL in his first season. Poitras finished the OHL season with 50 points (21G,29A) in 68 games for third in points on his team, and also four points (1G,3A) in five playoff games, tied for first on his team. Poitras has a style of game that fits the Bruins very well. A highly competitive forward who makes smart decisions with and without the puck consistently and also has the tools to contribute offensively. Already being a driving force for his team, Poitras will have the ability to once again have a big year and take a step forward in his development. Poitras’ best assets are his competitiveness and his hockey sense, more specifically his positional awareness. He has the understanding of where and when to be at all times in all three zones, being a step or two before his opponents, being very effective for his team to contain puck possession. Going into the next season, Poitras will be one of the top players on the Storm and will be looking to push farther in the playoffs than previously. You could expect Poitras to have a jump in point production and still remain an effective 200-foot player. - DK

5 - Georgii Merkulov C

Georgii Merkulov went undrafted, and he’s a name many might not recognize on a list of top prospects. He had only a single season of college hockey under his belt before he signed with the Bruins, and he has just nine professional games to his name. He simply hasn’t had the chance to get in front of many hockey fans, especially the ones who don’t follow Big Ten hockey or the USHL very closely. But if there’s one thing to say about Merkulov as a prospect, it’s that those who haven’t been paying attention have been missing out. Merkulov, who led the Ohio State Buckeyes in scoring last season, is an extremely gifted offensive prospect. He has all the skill you want to see from a player in his role. Merkulov has puck skills galore and can make difficult passes look easy. Looking at those parts of his game, Merkulov looks to have clear top-six upside. But looking at just the positives would give an incomplete picture of Merkulov’s game. He possesses a great degree of offensive talent, that much is undeniable, but it’s largely unrefined offensive talent. The best creators of offense in the NHL are the ones who have found ways to remain positive contributors to an attack both with and without the puck. Merkulov can contribute to an offense in spades, but he wants to do it on his terms. He can create space for himself with the puck on his stick but is far too passive when his linemate is the one attracting attention. Overall, Merkulov’s game when he isn’t handling the puck is simply passive, and while that can work at lower levels it’s likely to infuriate NHL coaches. If Merkulov’s time in the AHL can get him to develop a more refined, balanced offensive approach, he can be a strong NHL forward, but if he continues to simply rely on his skill alone, he’ll have trouble breaking through. - EH

6 - John Beecher C

John Beecher, the Bruins’ first-round pick at the 2019 draft, had a difficult time at the University of Michigan, never quite finding a way to be a go-to forward on Wolverines teams that were filled with top prospects during his three years there. Beecher’s freshman year was perhaps his most promising campaign as a Bruins prospect, as after that point he stagnated and saw his level of importance in the Michigan forward group decline. There are aspects to Beecher’s game that make it clear why he was a top pick at the 2019 draft. He has a combination of size and speed that NHL front offices typically trip over themselves to acquire. Beecher has a big six-foot-three frame that he’s filled out well, and he skates better than most players of that size and weight profile. When Beecher is engaged, he’s that rare prospect that can play a sort of throwback-style power forward game at a modern-day fast pace. But those moments of strong engagement where he flashes top prospect upside came too infrequently for him to solidify a place as a scoring forward at Michigan, and by the end of his collegiate career he had settled into more of a third-line shutdown role for the Wolverines. Beecher looked promising when he had an 11-game run with the AHL Providence Bruins, and he will likely return to Providence next season with the hope of becoming a top player there. Next season will go a long way towards determining if Beecher’s offensive struggles at Michigan were due to opportunity rather than ability, although, like with most things, the reality is probably somewhere in between. If he can have success at the AHL level, Beecher could become a useful middle-six player who offers a unique blend of size and speed. - EH

7 - Oskar Steen RW

A former selection of the Bruins in 2016, Steen has slowly progressed into an NHL prospect and, perhaps, even an NHL player. Patience is a virtue and the Bruins have been very patient with Steen. In 2019, Steen had a breakout performance in the SHL that prompted Boston to sign him to his ELC. Since then, across three AHL seasons, he has steadily improved as a North American pro. This culminated with a long look at the NHL level last year, where Steen scored his first two NHL goals and subsequently earned a two-year contract extension (on a surprising one-way deal). It is clear that the Bruins feel Steen can be a highly productive and useful member of their bottom six forward group for this upcoming season. The key to Steen’s success is his high work rate. He may not be tall (5’9), but he is built like a fridge. His strong skating ability and tenaciousness make him such a tough player to win one-on-one battles against. He competes for every puck in all three zones, supports his linemates by working the wall and retrieving pucks, and is a generally intelligent two-way player. The offensive upside is not significant. In all likelihood, Steen tops out as a third line hustler. However, that’s not bad for a former sixth round selection. - BO

8 - Marc McLaughlin C

One of the ways the Bruins have made up for the trades that have cost them many draft picks is through the aggressive recruitment of NCAA free agents. The Bruins, as the NHL’s lone franchise in Boston, are uniquely situated to evaluate and pluck from the college ranks, thanks to Boston being the home of quite a few of college hockey’s top programs. McLaughlin was one of the team’s marquee college signings last season, and his immediate jump to the Bruins’ NHL roster is evidence of that. McLaughlin, who was selected for the United States’ team at the Beijing Winter Olympics, plays the sort of game that looks tailor-made for NHL coaches. He’s responsible. As the former captain of the Boston College Eagles, he brings leadership and a strong work ethic. He’ll rarely take a shift off, and even more rarely find himself out of the lineup due to injury. He’s always available, and the play he puts forth is extremely consistent. The 23-year-old McLaughlin chips in on both ends of the ice, and his polished two-way game is what gives him the chance of sticking as a center in the NHL. He’s smart enough defensively to handle the immense burdens placed upon NHL pivots, and he could eventually see time as a penalty killer. Offensively, McLaughlin’s best tool is his shot. He was a 20-goal-scorer in his senior season in the NCAA and has a shot that could make him a secondary goal-scoring option in the NHL. If he can continue to grow and maintain the consistency he’s displayed so far as a pro, McLaughlin can have a long career as a third or fourth liner who coaches regularly rely on to play difficult minutes and keep the locker room together in the face of the inevitable challenges an NHL season presents. - EH

9 - Brett Harrison C

The 85th overall selection in the 2021 NHL Draft, Brett Harrison continues to show improvements year after year, finding ways to impact the game in anyway he can. The former 16th overall selection in the 2019 OHL Draft quickly adapted and was very effective in his rookie year, finishing with 37 points (21G,16A) in 58 games. During the 2020-2021 season while the OHL was shutdown due to Covid-19, Harrison made the trip to Europe like some others and played seven games in the U20 SM-sarja and 1 game in the Mestis, finishing with 9 points (4G,5A) in the seven U20 games. Harrison also got the opportunity to play in the U18 World Championship. During the 2021-2022 season, Harrison took another step forward and finished the year with 61 points (27G,34A) in 65 games, which was 2nd on the team for points, 2nd on the team for goals and 3rd on the team for assists. Harrison’s best assets are his competitiveness and hockey sense. He has the understanding of how to use his body and stick to consistently win puck battles, protecting to puck with his size and out-battle opponents with his high motor and active stick. Harrison is always in the play because he has great awareness and positioning, reading and anticipating plays in all three zones. He has the ability to be a great complementary player. Going into the 2022-2023 season, Harrison will look to have another big year in the OHL, being a leader on and off the ice for the Generals. You could expect an increase in points. - DK

10 - Oskar Jellvik LW

Jellvik was selected in the 5^th round, 149^th overall in the 2021 NHL draft by the Boston Bruins. Like many prospects, his opportunities for development in his draft year were significantly diminished by the COVID-19 pandemic. The majority of J20 games were cancelled because of the pandemic, limiting Jellvik to 13 J20 games. In that time, he was able to show promising offensive skill with 6 goals and 12 points. He was also given a small chance in the SHL, with three games in a limited role. Although there was little information on him, the Bruins still took a flyer on him in the 5^th round. This past season, Jellvik showed good reason as to why the Bruins used draft capital on him after playing a full season in the J20 with Djurgårdens, with whom he posted 55 points in 41 games, finishing 7^th in points in the league. He continued his offensive performance with 9 points in 6 playoff games. Jellvik’s best attributes are his skating and puck handling abilities. His skating stride is close to textbook, with good extensions, crossovers and ankle flexion. He will be making the transition from Swedish hockey to North American hockey as he is committed to play the 2022-23 season with Boston College. As a Boston draft pick, this will allow the Bruins to keep a close eye on his performance as well as allow their development staff to work with him throughout the season. It will be intriguing to see how Jellvik fairs with this transition from the Swedish junior league to college hockey. - ZS

11 - Riley Duran

A strong skating and competitive forward, Duran was surprisingly excellent at Providence (NCAA) last year as a freshman. His performance at the recent World Junior Championships was very encouraging.

12 - Brandon Bussi

The Bruins signed the massive netminder out of Western Michigan University this offseason and he was immediately solid for Providence (AHL) after turning pro. Bussi could be a diamond in the rough for Boston as they build depth at the goaltending position post Tuukka Rask.

13 - Ryan Mast

The Sarnia Sting defender made positive strides in the OHL this past season, especially from an offensive perspective. The key for him will be to continue to improve his four-way mobility.

14 - Cole Spicer

A key depth piece on the U.S. NTDP this past season, Spicer is an intelligent playmaking pivot. He will attend the University of Minnesota-Duluth this coming year.

15 - Reid Dyck

One of our pre-draft favourites, Dyck is a highly athletic netminder with Swift Current of the WHL. He was excellent for Canada at the U18’s and should blossom as the Broncos become one of the CHL’s top teams over the next two seasons.

16 - Kai Wissmann

Fresh off an extremely impressive performance at the World Championships for Germany, the Bruins inked the 6’4, right shot defender to an NHL deal. His progression in the DEL the last few years has been rapid, and he could be one to watch.

17 - Trevor Kuntar

A competitive, power center, Kuntar had a better sophomore year with Boston College. The goal scoring center needs to continue to upgrade his quickness.

18 - Matias Mantykivi

A well rounded and intelligent playmaking forward, Mantykivi is coming off of a breakout campaign in Liiga on a strong Ilves team. If he can take another step forward this year, he will be a rapid riser in the Bruins’ system.

19 - Kyle Keyser

The former Oshawa Generals star finally broke through as a full time AHL player last season, his third as a pro. An excellent athlete in the crease, Keyser will look to show further improvement this season to stay in Boston’s long-term plans.

20 - Philip Svedeback

The Swedish netminder came to play in the USHL last year, performing well for Dubuque. Now he will take his talents to Providence (NCAA).

2021-22 TOP 15 PROSPECTS: BOSTON BRUINS – RANK: #25 – TIER V

McKeen's Hockey — Fri, 10 Sep 2021 15:10:03 +0000

Boston Bruins

#25 Boston - Can't blame the class of 2015 for this. Blame the classes of 2018-21. Bruins simply haven't drafted enough high upside players.

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 16: Boston Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman (1) stares down a shot during a game between the Boston Bruins and the New York Islanders on April 16, 2021 at TD garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire)

Fabian Lysell - RW

There are many players out there with great feet and many others with great hands, but only a handful who combine speed in all limbs as well as Lysell. He is electric in transition, constantly forcing defenders back into their heels as he gains the zone with speed, His hands are soft and creative. He can change direction faster than many of his peers can skate in a straight line. Additionally, he will look to play the middle lane, not content to stick to the outside like many players of his ability and stature would. Without question, he has as much upside as any forward taken in 2021, and that is why the Bruins chose him at 21st overall.

There are certainly some perceived concerns over his selfishness on the ice and his overall awareness and ability to consistently get the best out of his skill set, one of the reasons he fell to Boston. However, he is a long-term commitment. Lysell has signed with Boston and intends to play in North America this year. Whether that is in the AHL or in the WHL with Vancouver, remains to be seen. However, if his development goes according to plan, Lysell could develop into a high-end top line forward for the Bruins. - McKeen’s Draft Guide 2021

Jeremy Swayman - G

Tuukka Rask is an unsigned free agent and recuperating from hip surgery that will keep him from playing until January or February, at the earliest. Jaroslav Halak, the practically ideal backup netminder, moved on to Vancouver as a free agent. Boston brought in Linus Ullmark through free agency, but he is no more proven as a starter at the NHL level than Swayman. Long story short, we may be looking at the new Bruins’ starting netminder right here, or at the very least, an equal share tandem goalie.

In his first professional season, Swayman was stellar at both AHL and NHL levels, pitching three shutouts in 19 combined regular season games, making a seamless adjustment after winning the Mike Richter Trophy as the top collegiate goalie the year prior. He has ideal size, moves very well, and is impressively calm in the face of a heavy opposition attack. A full season in the NHL will challenge him more than he has ever been challenged before, but he has yet to show weakness on the ice, dating back to his time at the U14 level in Anchorage, Alaska. Florida’s Spencer Knight gets all the hype for the Calder this year, but we strongly advise you not to sleep on Swayman. He could be special. - RW

John Beecher - C

There were a lot of prospects who were happy to see the end of the 2020-21 season and Beecher may have been the leader of that group. The headline disappointment was surely his being forced to miss the WJC because of a late COVID exposure that also forced his roommate, San Jose prospect Thomas Bordeleau, to miss out. Digging even a little bit deeper, we see that maybe Beecher should not have gone to the WJC anyway, COVID, or no COVID. Where he once was reasonably looked at as a unicorn, with massive size and world class skating speed, and just enough latent skill to dream on a unique top six center, through two seasons with Michigan, his offensive game has stagnated, with him not even looking like he could crest the 0.5 PPG mark.

To make matters worse, he is not putting his great size to use like he could and should. Of course, Beecher is still heavily involved in his own zone, and a future shut-down center is both possible and likely, but he simply doesn’t put any of his strength into working the puck, as he seems to be able to win far more puck battles than he does, and that he should at least make more of an effort to get involved in those puck battles in the first place. Until he adds that grit to his game, he will have a hard time reaching his projected ceiling. - RW

Jack Studnicka - C

After a very strong first pro season in Providence in 2019/20, Studnicka really put himself on the map as a considerable prospect. He was an AHL All-Star and named to the All-Rookie team. The workhorse, two-way center continued that momentum to last season, as he split the year between Boston and Providence. With the Bruins, Studnicka showed promise in a bottom six role, even killing penalties for Boston.

The best part of Studnicka’s game is his awareness at both ends of the ice and his overall IQ with the puck. A safe player, Studnicka has worked hard to improve his ability to play with pace, which includes improving his explosiveness and ability to make plays at top speed. His calling card as an NHL player will likely be his ability to kill penalties, take key faceoffs, and work as a playmaker down low to open up space for his linemates. This upcoming season, Studnicka will look to secure a 3rd or 4th line center role for the Bruins and establish himself as a full time NHL player. As he continues to improve his skating, he has a chance to play higher in the lineup and should have a long NHL career. - BO

Mason Lohrei - D

Taking a big chance in his second year of draft eligibility, Boston saw enough of Lohrei to call out his name in the second round in 2020. He had great size, and skated well enough, but the consistency was not there, and it did leave some scratching their head after the pick. This past season, the Ohio State commit showed a ton as he took massive steps forward in nearly every developmental area. As the USHL’s defenseman of the year, he would take over shifts with his plus speed, mature composure, and impressive vision in the neutral and offensive zones.

Defensively, he was near dominant as well, with tight gaps, clever use of a very lengthy stick, and the trust of his coaches to play in the most difficult of situations. He is not a very physical player, despite his size, because he allows his stick to do the heavy lifting for him. If there are concerns remaining, it is that Lohrei’s great work last year came as a 20-year-old, while most of the more talented players he faced off against were 17 and 18 years old. Our assessment of his true ceiling will depend on how he acclimates to the Big Ten this year. - RW

Jakub Lauko - C

This past season, for Jakub Lauko, was all about getting healthy and regaining his confidence as an offensive player. The speedy Czech forward missed a good chunk of his first pro season in North America (2019/20) after suffering an MCL injury at the World Juniors. However, the injury appears to be in the rear-view mirror as Lauko re-established himself as one of Boston’s top young players in 2020/21. A successful start in the Czech league was followed by an even more successful conclusion with Providence that saw him finish second in scoring for Boston’s AHL club.

For Lauko, his game is built around his ability to generate chances with his aforementioned speed and ability to play with pace. The knee injury did not slow him down one bit, and he looks every ounce of the dangerous attacker that he did previous to it. Lauko is also a dedicated two-way player who can succeed when placed in a variety of different roles. This versatility makes him a very valuable player. It is possible that he sees some action with Boston as early as this coming season and his projection is that of a high-end middle six forward. - BO

Urho Vaakanainen - D

It seems like forever ago that the Bruins selected Vaakanainen with their first-round pick because he has already played three seasons in North America. The mobile stay at home blueliner has not been terrible, splitting time between Boston and Providence, but the lack of development in his offensive game does suggest that his potential impact at the NHL level may be limited.

The 22-year-old defender has already proven that he can handle defensive assignments at the NHL level and that he can excel on the penalty kill. He takes away space well with his feet, even if he doesn’t have elite reach or size. However, he remains tentative to play with the puck and still has not yet developed the confidence to use his plus mobility to skate himself out of trouble in the defensive end. Vaakanainen is still exempt from waivers for another year, however there is a chance that he secures a third pairing role this season for Boston. Even with the Bruins bringing in Derek Forbort this offseason, the number six spot is up for grabs, and it could have Vaakanainen’s name on it. - BO

Brett Harrison - C

A big, goal scoring center, Brett Harrison is the kind of player who has a really strong understanding of how he needs to play to be successful. This is not a young man who struggles with his on-ice identity; support puck carriers, keep plays alive, and get to the front of the net so that he can use his soft hands to score. However, he also projects as a two-way center because of his anticipation and awareness. At the U18’s, Harrison may not have done himself any favors, as his lack of power and grace in his skating stride prevented him from making a consistent offensive impact. This in turn caused him to be used sparingly at even strength. As he continues to improve his explosiveness, he could reasonably develop into a solid NHL player given that his style of play and skill set should translate well to the NHL level.

A third-round selection by Boston this year, Harrison will return to play in the OHL with the Oshawa Generals this coming season, after playing sparingly in his draft year due to the OHL hiatus (he went to Finland to get ice time). Look for him to be an offensive leader for the Generals. Simply put, Harrison is a real intelligent player who is currently somewhat limited by his skating deficiencies. With some work, Harrison has a chance to be a long-time pro. - McKeen’s Draft Guide 2021

Jack Ahcan - D

Overlooked three times at the draft, once each as a high school phenom, a USHL point man, and a collegiate whiz kid with a pedigree that included a regular role for a Gold Medal winning Team USA at the WJC, Ahcan nonetheless continued to excel with St. Cloud State, finishing his time on campus third all time for points among all Huskies’ defenders. The Bruins signed him as an undrafted free agent immediately after his senior season, and he acclimated to the pro game rather well. Although Ahcan played a few games in the ECHL, he produced as an offensive defender with Providence, and played in three NHL games to boot, with over 20 minutes of ice time in two of those contests.

His lack of size will always be an issue, but the rest of his game – the things he has control over – has always held up well, without any glaring weaknesses that could hold him back. He is a solid puck mover and prone to making good decisions with the puck. He may not be an elite skater, but he has nothing to be ashamed of concerning his mobility. Ahcan will be in tough to earn a regular role on the Boston blueline this season, with a few young players higher on the Bruins’ pecking order, but if any falters, Ahcan will be one of the first guys up. - RW

Trevor Kuntar - C

Boston’s third round pick last year, Kuntar was a second-year wrecking ball across the USHL, often the only player worth watching on his moribund Youngstown side. The offense he generated with the Phantoms didn’t quite come so easily as a freshman with Boston College, although he still flashed just enough to suggest that the offense will increase over time. What stayed with Kuntar was his crash-and-bang approach, as he showed zero hesitation to get involved in the dirty areas against collegians.

The Bruins have tended towards lower upside players in the draft for many of their picks in the past few drafts, and Kuntar may be one of those, although his floor is higher than a number of others, in that there isn’t much else that we would want to see from him, outside of additional comfort at the collegiate level, before we would feel that he is ready to ascend to his rightful place in a bottom six role. He has enough skill to even double his scoring output in college, and the versatility to fill in any role asked of him. He will be loved by fans more than fantasy hockey players, but either way, he should provide positive value on an entry level deal for his team within a few years. - RW

Brady Lyle - D

Turned a strong AHL season with Providence into an ELC with Boston and is really making waves in the Bruins organization. Lyle can really shoot the puck and his instincts at both ends are sound. With another year at the AHL level, he could be pushing for a third pairing spot.

Zachary Senyshyn - RW

It seems like forever ago that the Bruins passed up on Barzal to select Senyshyn (among others). His development has not gone according to plan, but he is coming off of his best AHL season to date and earned an eight-game look with the Bruins. This is probably his final season in the organization to show that he can be an NHL player.

Oskar Steen - RW

Undersized, but strong skating center who loves to attack and push the pace. Entering his third pro season in the organization and looks like a potential bottom six forward for the Bruins within the next season or two.

Ryan Mast - D

A recent selection by the Bruins, Mast was rated highly by us in our 2021 Draft Guide, and we are sticking to our guns here. He has the potential to be a high-end defensive defender at the NHL level and will look to resume his development with Sarnia of the OHL this coming year.

Curtis Hall - C

Hall is a big (6’4, 216lbs) two-way center who just completed his first pro season with Providence after two good years at Yale. The upside may not be significant, but it is easy to see him as an NHL player in some capacity down the line.

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

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

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

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

PROSPECT CRITERIA

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

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

2021 World Junior Championship: USA Roster Training Camp Preview

Ryan Wagman — Thu, 03 Dec 2020 12:32:57 +0000

Even though many prominent leagues have not yet experienced their opening faceoffs, the WJC is fast upon us. This has impacted the selection process for the American squad as much, if not more, than most other nations. Of the 29 players (three goalies, nine defensemen, and 17 forwards) currently invited to the training camp (starting December 6th), only three spent last season playing (and are still currently eligible to play) with CHL clubs. Those three (Dustin Wolf, Arthur Kaliyev, and Nick Robertson) have all yet to play in games of consequence this season. One other player (Alex Turcotte) was assigned by his NHL club Los Angeles to Germany, but he left before games got underway. Another (Trevor Zegras) has also turned pro, but neither the NHL nor the AHL has started yet, so he will also be coming to camp cold.

The remaining 25 invitees are all currently part of various NCAA programs. Nine of those play at schools that have yet to play yet due to the pandemic. Two of those players (John Farinacci and Henry Thrun) nominally play at Harvard, which will not be playing at all this year, and so have decided to return to the USHL to get their game action in for the season. As for the rest, well, no one has played more than the eight games played by Cole Caufield, so there is little we can say that is new about anyone beyond what we knew of these players going into the offseason.

In addition to getting reps in at the training camp, some of the 29 players included will be fighting for a spot on the final roster that heads up to Alberta for the big tournament. The final roster will consist of 25 players, which leads us to conclude that one defenseman and three forwards will face the chopping block. And with (maybe) only the ten players who are returning from the 2020 WJC roster, there could be a few surprises along the cuts, although the keys to American success this year will likely be the usual top end of the roster players - particularly the number one goalie and their bevy of skilled forwards - who should be on the final roster, barring untimely injuries. Let’s have a look at those players:

Spencer Knight. Photo courtesy of the USNTDP.

G Spencer Knight (Boston College - Florida Panthers, 13^th overall, 2019)

When the WJC kicks off on December 25, the third and final game of the night will pit the top two goaltending prospects in the game against one another in Knight and Yaroslav Askarov (Russia). In fact, in putting together our recent top prospect list (check out the upcoming McKeens Annual Guidebook), the debate over which of the two should rank higher was contentious. There are numerous elements of Knight’s game that suggest that he is very close to NHL ready, even if nominal Florida starter Sergei Bobrovsky is signed for another six years. He is incredibly athletic and handles the puck better than most NHL’ers. He is technically adroit, reads the game very well, and gets stronger the longer the puck remains in his zone. His focus has seemingly only improved since leaving the USNTDP for college. He was a top 10 collegiate netminder as a freshman and was a star at last year’s WJC. There is no reason why he should not be the starter again this year.

D Cam York (Michigan- Philadelphia Flyers, 14^th overall, 2019)

Often used as the seventh defenseman last year, York is ready to take over the reins now as the clear number one offensive defenseman for the 2021 WJC, especially as he is the only blueliner on the roster with previous WJC experience. The California native is a fantastically mobile skater, and he has tangibly improved his two-way game since getting to Ann Arbor last season. His vision is high end and helps him play as a possession driver at a high level. York’s ability to read the ice will make the US team more dangerous whenever he is on the ice and allow him to be impactful on both sides of the puck. He will certainly play a more central role on the current roster than he did last year.

D Jake Sanderson (North Dakota – Ottawa Senators, 5^th overall, 2020)

The top defenseman selected in the 2020 NHL draft, Sanderson’s developmental trajectory is hard to beat as he seemingly took quantifiable steps forward every weekend throughout his draft year. On the downside, he hasn’t played a competitive game since his draft year was cancelled. He is big, an incredibly fast and fluid skater, can lead the rush as well as he can shut down the opposition. Sanderson isn’t the biggest blueliner coming to the training camp, but he is likely the most physically dominating. In light of the pandemic, he was not able to play in the WU18 last year, but it would not at all be surprising if he were to ascend to the top pairing by the time the knock out rounds begin. I expect him to play heavy minutes at even strength and on both special teams.

D Henry Thrun (Harvard/Dubuque – Anaheim Ducks, 101^st overall, 2019)

One of the more underrated members of the star USNTDP class of 2019, Thrun exceeded all expectations as a freshman last year with Harvard. While he was always quietly competent at both ends albeit a very good puck mover, he immediately joined the Crimson as a third offensive blueliner after the veteran duo of Jack Rathbone and Reilly Walsh. None of his individual tools grade out as exceptional, but they all work in harmony together. He has an NHL frame. He minimizes his mistakes. His passes are remarkably accurate and firm. He has enough of a point shot to play secondary power play minutes as well. As Harvard will not be fielding a hockey team this year due to the pandemic (or any other winter sport), Thrun has returned to the USHL to play with Dubuque for the year, although he has only appeared in two games thus far.

C John Beecher (Michigan – Boston Bruins – 30^th overall, 2019)

Of all of the players invited to the training camp, Beecher may have the lowest offensive upside, yet there are few players more assured of making the final roster anyway. Simply put, he isn’t there to fortify the American attack. Beecher is exceptionally large and strong, and he skates like the wind. He has soft hands and plays a responsible two way game that works at center or on the wing. He reads the game well and is a reliable penalty killer. He is a puck possession monster. Outside of his speed, which you might not expect when you first look at him, there are no real surprises with Beecher. He plays an honest, hard-working game and should be able to physically dominate at the U20 level.

LW Matthew Boldy (Boston College – Minnesota Wild – 12^th overall, 2019)

A top performer with the famed 2019 USNTDP class, Boldy’s first half season of collegiate hockey was poor enough that his exclusion from last year’s WJC roster was not surprising. In the second half though, he turned it on, doing more than enough to ensure that he wouldn’t be overlooked a second time. Boldy simply does everything well. He is a plus skater, with a big shot and underrated puck skills. He plays hard at both ends, with and without the puck. He can play both special teams. If the first two games of this season are anything to go by, he hasn’t so much picked up where he left off last season, but emerged from the lengthy hiatus stronger than ever. I would not be surprised at all if he finishes the tournament leading the team in scoring.

RW Cole Caufield (Wisconsin – Montreal Canadiens – 15^th overall, 2019)

A scorer at practically every stop of his career, Caufield only has to improve upon his output at last year’s WJC to remove the word “practically” from earlier in this sentence. The Canadiens wanted him to join Trevor Zegras and Alex Turcotte in turning pro this offseason, but Caufield had unfinished business with the Badgers and made the wise choice to return to school. In the early going, that has allowed him to explore other parts of his game besides the sniping skills which put him on the scouting radar years ago. He will never be a physical force, but he has shown more grit this season. Moreover, he has added dimensions to his offensive game, looking to pass more often than in the past. Caufield will leave this year’s tournament with a better taste in his mouth than last year.

LW Arthur Kaliyev (Hamilton - Los Angeles Kings – 33^rd overall, 2019)

Uzbekistan born, New York City raised, Kaliyev is every inch the sniper that Caufield is, but has long carried the knock of disinterest away from the puck. He is one of the weaker skaters on the team, even when he is going at 100%, which means that he is more reliant on his linemates to create an opportunity for him to capitalize on, but there are few outside of the NHL who can capitalize like Kaliyev. He has fantastic hands, which serve to set up his shot, but have also shown a greater ability to set up shots for others, as he is not as single-minded as the detractors often make him out to be. He performed well at last year’s WJC and could rack up the points to a greater extent given a longer run by the Americans this year.

LW Nicholas Robertson (Peterborough – Toronto Maple Leafs – 53^rd overall, 2019)

The one player on this roster with NHL experience, Robertson played a few games for Toronto in the play-in round in the summer, scoring his first career goal in the process. Although lacking in stature, he plays hard, is an agile and shifty skater who plays at a high pace, and is yet another sniper in the ranks here. Despite his amazing numbers in the OHL as well as his exploits at last year’s WJC, Robertson does not need to play a top six role to provide value. His hustle and determination helps him in creating surprise scoring chances, and he can elevate the play of his linemates, instead of requiring a lift from them as some other top scorers may require. Of note, while he was invited to the training camp, it is not a guarantee that he will be allowed to play on the team, as that approval from Toronto may depend on the start of the NHL season.

C Alex Turcotte (Eisbaren Berlin – Los Angeles Kings – 5^th overall, 2019)

Turning pro after a single collegiate season with Wisconsin, Turcotte has been in limbo for the last few months, first being sent to the Kings’ German league affiliate (speaking loosely) in Berlin, but leaving before the DEL started. His contributions go unrecorded on the stat sheet more than anyone else discussed here, outside of Beecher. That said, he is a very good skater, who will flash occasional brilliance with the puck. He has a knack for spotting a minute weakness in an opposing defense and finding a way to make them pay. His constant hustle and intensity ensure that he is a positive contributor even when he isn’t scoring. Captain material, Turcotte has the type of game that sometimes achieves greater things the higher up the hockey ladder he goes. Like Caufield, I expect him to produce more at this WJC than he did at last year’s.

C Trevor Zegras (San Diego – Anaheim Ducks – 9^th overall, 2019)

Saving the best for last? Possibly. Our highest ranked prospect who wasn’t drafted this year, Zegras started last year’s WJC on the fourth line and ended his tournament leading all contenders in assists. Simply put, he is one of the more gifted and creative playmakers outside of the NHL (for now). He has a very good shot as well, giving defenders multiple things to worry about. With him on the ice, every possession is a scoring chance. He is a fine skater and sees things that no one else can, and he can make the impossible possible. He should be the first line center. Like Turcotte, Zegras turned pro after one season in college. This tournament should be the coda on a fine amateur career and the prelude to a successful professional life.

Sleeper – D Jackson Lacombe (Minnesota – Anaheim Ducks – 39^th overall, 2019)

A smooth skater who excels at getting the puck out of his own end, Lacombe did surprisingly well in his freshman year at the University of Minnesota after spending the supermajority of his draft year playing prep school hockey. He overtook numerous older, drafted defenders on the Gophers depth chart and showed a well-rounded, capable game in all areas. I expect him to get to the next level this year and a solid showing at the WJC could serve as a springboard to greater things.

Expectations

The American roster is very top heavy with the forwards, and has one of the best U20 goaltenders on the planet between the pipes, but the blueline could be a sore spot unless some members find new levels to their games. They will be playing in tough division, with Russia and Sweden among their first round competition. I expect them to win one of those games, but Sweden may be a bridge too far, as the Tre Kronor never lose in the round robin portion. The American roster should be seen as slightly better than 50/50 to leave Alberta with a medal.

Roster Prediction

Goaltender

Spencer Knight

Dustin Wolf

Drew Commesso

Team USA will take all three goalies in the training camp to Alberta. Knight will start the bulk of the games and Wolf will be his primary backup, probably getting the start against Austria, in the second game of a back-to-back after the opener against Russia. More than that and this tournament has likely gone off the rails for the Americans.

Defense

Cam York Drew Helleson

Jake Sanderson Henry Thrun

Jackson Lacombe Brock Faber

Ryan Johnson Cam McDonald

There are only two right handed shots among the nine brought to camp. Helleson is one of them and his defense-first game should act as a nice counterpoint to Cam York’s offensive flair. Thrun’s all-around steadiness is likewise a nice balance to the more inexperienced Sanderson, even if Sanderson has superstar potential. I give the undrafted McDonald the edge for the last blueline spot over Alex Vlasic as Team USA head coach Nate Leaman is also McDonald’s coach at Providence. Vlasic, on the other hand, is a giant, but hasn’t yet shown that he can hold his own against the best at his age level.

Forwards

Matthew Boldy Trevor Zegras Cole Caufield

Arthur Kaliyev Alex Turcotte Bobby Brink

Nicholas Robertson Matthew Berniers Thomas Bordeleau

Robert Mastrosimone John Beecher Landon Slaggert

Patrick Moynihan Brendan Brisson

The 17 forwards invited to camp include nine natural centers, so some guys will be playing out of position. That said, a number of these players are flexible and can play wherever needed, which should help guys like Bordeleau, Mastrosimone, and Slaggert make the final cut. The top nine here should be able to stand up against any other nation’s, and the fourth line also packs a wallop, with skill and drive. The three forward cuts are then Brett Berard, Sam Colangelo, and John Farinacci. An interesting sub-plot may be Colangelo and Brisson, teammates last year with the Chicago Steel, competing for the last forward spot. Colangelo has a size/power dimension that only Beecher can bring among the others under consideration, but Brisson is a line driver and has already played some – and well – with Michigan this year, while Colangelo has not yet played a competitive game since his draft year was cut short. Moynihan vs. Berard is another subplot, as both as part of Leaman’s Providence team. Moynihan performed well as a freshman, while Berard will have another chance to make the WJC roster next year.

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2021 World Junior Championship: USA Roster Training Camp Preview

G Spencer Knight (Boston College - Florida Panthers, 13th overall, 2019)

D Cam York (Michigan- Philadelphia Flyers, 14th overall, 2019)

D Jake Sanderson (North Dakota – Ottawa Senators, 5th overall, 2020)

D Henry Thrun (Harvard/Dubuque – Anaheim Ducks, 101st overall, 2019)

C John Beecher (Michigan – Boston Bruins – 30th overall, 2019)

LW Matthew Boldy (Boston College – Minnesota Wild – 12th overall, 2019)

RW Cole Caufield (Wisconsin – Montreal Canadiens – 15th overall, 2019)

LW Arthur Kaliyev (Hamilton - Los Angeles Kings – 33rd overall, 2019)

LW Nicholas Robertson (Peterborough – Toronto Maple Leafs – 53rd overall, 2019)

C Alex Turcotte (Eisbaren Berlin – Los Angeles Kings – 5th overall, 2019)

C Trevor Zegras (San Diego – Anaheim Ducks – 9th overall, 2019)

Sleeper – D Jackson Lacombe (Minnesota – Anaheim Ducks – 39th overall, 2019)

Expectations

Roster Prediction

Goaltender

Spencer Knight

Dustin Wolf

Drew Commesso

Defense

Cam York Drew Helleson

Jake Sanderson Henry Thrun

Jackson Lacombe Brock Faber

Ryan Johnson Cam McDonald

Forwards

Matthew Boldy Trevor Zegras Cole Caufield

Arthur Kaliyev Alex Turcotte Bobby Brink

Nicholas Robertson Matthew Berniers Thomas Bordeleau

Robert Mastrosimone John Beecher Landon Slaggert

Patrick Moynihan Brendan Brisson

G Spencer Knight (Boston College - Florida Panthers, 13^th overall, 2019)

D Cam York (Michigan- Philadelphia Flyers, 14^th overall, 2019)

D Jake Sanderson (North Dakota – Ottawa Senators, 5^th overall, 2020)

D Henry Thrun (Harvard/Dubuque – Anaheim Ducks, 101^st overall, 2019)

C John Beecher (Michigan – Boston Bruins – 30^th overall, 2019)

LW Matthew Boldy (Boston College – Minnesota Wild – 12^th overall, 2019)

RW Cole Caufield (Wisconsin – Montreal Canadiens – 15^th overall, 2019)

LW Arthur Kaliyev (Hamilton - Los Angeles Kings – 33^rd overall, 2019)

LW Nicholas Robertson (Peterborough – Toronto Maple Leafs – 53^rd overall, 2019)

C Alex Turcotte (Eisbaren Berlin – Los Angeles Kings – 5^th overall, 2019)

C Trevor Zegras (San Diego – Anaheim Ducks – 9^th overall, 2019)

Sleeper – D Jackson Lacombe (Minnesota – Anaheim Ducks – 39^th overall, 2019)