Jonathan Lekkerimaki – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2026 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #22 Vancouver Canucks – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 18:00:37 +0000

Prospect System Ranking – 22nd (Last Year - 20th)
GM: TBD
COACH: Adam Foote Hired: May 2025

Things went from bad to worse for the Vancouver Canucks in 2025–26, as the organization finally committed to a full-scale rebuild. With franchise cornerstone and captain Quinn Hughes no longer in the picture, a new era has begun in Vancouver — one centred on rising young players such as Zeev Buium. Complicating matters is a prospect system that currently lacks the kind of elite, high-end talent typically associated with rebuilding teams. That outlook could begin to change at the upcoming draft, where Vancouver holds an impressive 10 selections, including a top-3 pick. Still, it may take several draft cycles before those additions significantly reshape the organization’s pipeline.

There are, however, some encouraging signs within the system. Young defensemen Tom Willander and Elias Pettersson have already established themselves as full-time NHL contributors, while Sawyer Mynio (167th) and Kirill Kudryavtsev (174th) have become reliable presences on the blue line for the Abbotsford Canucks in the AHL. Meanwhile, Braeden Cootes (29th) currently sits atop the organization’s prospect rankings and has already appeared in three NHL games. While the AHL may be the most appropriate next step for the 2026–27 season under the league’s updated eligibility rules, he should remain firmly on Vancouver’s NHL radar. Jonathan Lekkerimäki (33rd) has also shown promising offensive instincts in the AHL, emerging as one of Abbotsford’s most dangerous goal scorers. However, injuries have slowed his development and prevented him from fully translating that scoring touch at the NHL level.

A rebuild is now firmly underway in Vancouver, and the road ahead may involve some difficult seasons in the standings. Yet, with the possibility of selecting near the top of the draft this June, the Canucks could take an important first step toward reshaping their future.

NHL	RNK	PLAYER	POS	AGE	HT/WT	2024-25 TM	GP	G(W)	A(L)	PTS(GAA)	PIM(SPCT)
Van	1	Braeden Cootes	C	19	6-0/185	Sea-PA (WHL)	45	24	39	63	8
Van	1	Braeden Cootes	C	19	6-0/185	Vancouver (NHL)	3	0	0	0	0
Van	2	Jonathan Lekkerimaki	RW	21	5-11/170	Abbotsford (AHL)	21	13	7	20	8
Van	2	Jonathan Lekkerimaki	RW	21	5-11/170	Vancouver (NHL)	13	2	1	3	0
Van	3	Sawyer Mynio	D	21	6-1/175	Abbotsford (AHL)	58	3	18	21	42
Van	4	Kirill Kudryavtsev	D	22	5-11/200	Abbotsford (AHL)	44	2	18	20	4
Van	4	Kirill Kudryavtsev	D	22	5-11/200	Vancouver (NHL)	3	0	2	2	0
Van	5	Aleksei Medvedev	G	18	6-3/180	London (OHL)	36	16	15	3.26	0.891
Van	6	Victor Mancini	D	24	6-3/215	Abbotsford (AHL)	33	4	8	12	16
Van	6	Victor Mancini	D	24	6-3/215	Vancouver (NHL)	24	0	3	3	7
Van	7	Ty Mueller	C	23	5-11/185	Abbotsford (AHL)	61	16	21	37	30
Van	7	Ty Mueller	C	23	5-11/185	Vancouver (NHL)	6	1	0	1	2
Van	8	Wilson Bjorck	C	20	6-0/165	Colorado College (NCAA)	31	5	10	15	16
Van	9	Anthony Romani	D	20	6-0/185	Michigan State (NCAA)	37	14	14	28	12
Van	10	Riley Patterson	C	20	6-0/190	Niagara (OHL)	60	40	44	84	16
Van	10	Riley Patterson	C	20	6-0/190	Abbotsford (AHL)	4	1	1	2	4
Van	11	Nikita Tolopilo	G	25	6-6/230	Abbotsford (AHL)	19	8	8	3.07	0.897
Van	12	Danila Klimovich	RW	23	6-1/200	Abbotsford (AHL)	63	18	16	34	62
Van	13	Vilmer Alriksson	LW	21	6-6/215	Abbotsford (AHL)	43	6	3	9	56
Van	14	Kieren Dervin	C	19	6-1/180	Kingston (OHL)	53	17	25	42	20
Van	15	Matthew Lansing	C	19	6-1/185	Quinnipiac (NCAA)	40	8	10	18	20

Braeden Cootes, C, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)

Braeden Cootes surprised everyone when he made the Vancouver Canucks coming out of training camp. While that may have spoken as much to the Canucks depth (or lack thereof) at centre, it also spoke to Cootes’s pro-ready game. He averaged just under 11 minutes per game in three contests with the Canucks before being reassigned to the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL. Cootes was selected to play for Team Canada at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, where he helped the team win a bronze medal. After the tournament, he was traded to the Prince Albert Raiders. Cootes is a high energy, high motor forward who plays a 200-foot, detail-oriented game. His skating is a calling card and is already pro ready. He plays on both the power play and penalty kill at the junior level, but there’s some question as to how much of a scorer he’ll be as a pro. His forechecking and defensive play puts his floor as a third line center, but if his offensive skills and play driving continue to improve, he could be a dynamic second line player.
Jonathan Lekkerimaki, RW, Abbotsford Canucks (AHL)

Jonathan Lekkerimaki is a talented offensive forward who has a great release that should net him a significant number of goals once he graduates to full-time status at the NHL level. Lekkerimaki can rip pucks home from the top of the circle, but he’s also got an extremely capable one-timer that can beat goalies cleanly on the power play. Lekkerimaki isn’t just a one-dimensional shooter, however; he also has a nice pair of hands to go along with a cerebral hockey sense that suggests he will pile up assists at the next level. Defensively, Lekkerimaki has gotten better at playing against men in his own zone, and while he isn’t the most physical of players, he competes well enough for pucks that Canucks fans shouldn’t be too worried about his lack of physicality. Lekkerimaki will definitely need to play with linemates that are willing to go grind to help him retrieve the puck, but once he finds those linemates, look out. This player is a 60+ point player in the making, and it’s only a matter of time before we see him break out with the Canucks.
Sawyer Mynio, D, Abbotsford Canucks (AHL)

Sawyer Mynio has come along nicely as a defensive prospect within the Vancouver Canucks’ system, where he has been tasked with playing tough minutes this year for a post-championship (but depleted) Abbotsford Canucks team. Mynio’s game starts with solid play in his own zone. He’s as reliable as they come defensively, and at times this season with Abbotsford, he has looked like a player beyond his years in his own zone, exhibiting poise with the puck while facing extreme pressure from opposing players. Mynio is also a capable defender who can move the puck well in transition, which won’t harm his deployment at the NHL level. Mynio won’t become a power play option at the NHL level, but he should be able to carve out a nice career as a top four defender who can play reliable minutes on both sides of the puck. Expect Mynio to spend another season in Abbotsford building experience and confidence in his game, but once he gets his NHL opportunity, lookout. He won’t be in the AHL for too long.
Kirill Kudryavtsev, D, Abbotsford Canucks (AHL)

Kirill Kudryavtsev is one of the more intriguing prospects in the Vancouver Canucks’ system; he is a sturdy defender who also has good offensive ability, and this combination of attributes is becoming more and more of a rarity in today’s NHL. When Kudryavtsev is in the offensive zone, he’s exceptional at using tight space along the wall to create give-and-go plays with his teammates. He’s also good at creating passing lanes using his deceptive stickhandling, and he has a nice release from the point that can beat goalies through screens. Kudryavtsev is also a capable defender in his own zone, but he still has room to improve the level of physicality and mean streak he displays in his own end. He can also be too passive at times with his gap control, which gives opposing forwards more time and space to make plays. Kudryavtsev ultimately projects as a bottom-pairing defender who can play on both sides of the puck and may develop into a second-unit penalty killer at the NHL level.
Alexei Medvedev, G, London Knights (OHL)

Numbers-wise, Medvedev has seen a large dip in save percentage, but such is to be expected on a retooling London squad that lost loads of integral parts from their back-to-back championship runs. Medvedev has remained calm and composed in the Knights’ crease, with strong positioning and technical movement. His athleticism is very good, allowing him to get cross-crease quickly and deny one-timers. The key weakness to his game this year has been his tracking through traffic, and occasionally, he’s gotten beaten trying to lean off-center and peek through bodies. The Canucks did not hesitate to select Alexei in the top 50 in the 2025 draft, clearly seeing him as a potential successor to Demko. In terms of NHL projection, Medvedev projects as more of a 1B goalie in a tandem, as he’s been far more effective splitting time in the crease and rarely has faced a high work rate.
Victor Mancini, D, Abbotsford Canucks (AHL) (Currently on Vancouver Canucks, NHL)

Victor Mancini is a strong defender with good size who competes extremely hard in his own end. Mancini is never going to wow you offensively, but he has a good first pass for a player of his size (6-foot-3, 229 pounds), and he can make simple plays in the offensive zone to keep the pressure alive for his forwards. Mancini’s bread and butter ultimately comes with his play in his own zone, where he’s excellent at using his frame to angle opposing players away from his own net. He’s also very good at using his stick to get into shooting lanes, which forces pucks away from his own goal and out of trouble. The Abbotsford Canucks have struggled this year in their own zone after their Calder Cup championship last season, but when Mancini is on the ice, their play in their own zone has vastly improved and it’s due in part to Mancini’s calming presence. Mancini ultimately projects as a bottom-pairing defenceman who can be counted upon to kill penalties at the NHL level.
Ty Mueller, C, Abbotsford Canucks (AHL)

Ty Mueller has really come a long way as a prospect since his freshman year at the University of Nebraska-Omaha in the NCAA. Drafted as an older forward, Mueller is a dependable player at both ends of the ice. He does not have any one standout offensive attribute that screams high-end NHL skill, but he is good at everything and can be a very good complementary piece to players that are more skilled on his line. Defensively, Mueller tracks pucks well and always puts himself into good positioning, which allows him to break up plays in his own zone before they happen with his impressive reads. Projecting Mueller to the NHL level is difficult, however, because he is not talented enough offensively to play in an NHL top six, but also not strong enough defensively to really occupy a checking role at the NHL level. Nevertheless, Mueller has continued to grind away at his game, particularly on the defensive side of the puck, and there’s a chance he could become a fourth line forward at the NHL level.
Wilson Bjorck, RW, Colorado College (NCAA)

Bjorck dominated in the Swedish J20 bracket last season. His motor was on full display, showcasing an unrelenting energy on the ice. His feet were always moving, either on the forecheck, on the back check, or to get into good spots for his teammates. Bjorck had a good feel for where to be, when to be there, and the proper angles to take to maximize what his end goal was. His skating was only above average, and some questions remained about his game translating to the smaller ice surfaces of North America. Bjorck would make the move overseas for this season, joining Colorado College. Despite the questions, his game did translate quite well to the college scene. Despite his production being only modest, his underlying stats show that he was an important piece of the team. His transitional game has been a bright spot, where he has been leaned on heavily by his peers. There are definitely still moments where he struggles with time and space with the puck on his stick, thanks to the smaller ice surface, but with another two seasons in the NCAA, he will almost certainly be adjusted and able to produce more offence. He projects as a potential middle six energy winger with center capabilities.
Anthony Romani, RW, Michigan State University (NCAA)

Romani, a sixth-round pick of the Vancouver Canucks, was drafted out of the OHL’s North Bay Battalion. His selection comes after he produced 111 points in 68 games, including 58 goals, after previously going undrafted in 2023. His shooting ability, as evidenced by his OHL-leading goal totals, was on display consistently. Romani’s playmaking ability was also evident at times, though it was overshadowed by his goal-scoring traits. The very next season, he would play just six games with North Bay, before being dealt to the Barrie Colts. In total, he played 35 games and registered 35 points, including 21 goals. While his regular season was nowhere near the same level as the previous season, it was in the playoffs where he shined. In 16 postseason games with Barrie, he posted 24 points. The following season, he made the jump to the NCAA, joining Michigan State. In 35 games this season he has produced 27 points. His shot is still a weapon, though he hasn’t been a dominant goalscorer just yet. With another year or two in the NCAA, as his role expands and he becomes more comfortable at the collegiate level, Romani has the skillset to shine. He projects as a middle six goal-scoring winger with power play upside.
Riley Patterson, C, Niagara IceDogs (OHL) (Currently on Abbotsford Canucks, AHL)

Patterson was traded over the offseason from Barrie to Niagara after wanting a fresh start, and he made his mark on a floundering Ice Dogs group. The Etobicoke native’s production has taken a massive step in 2025-26, bringing him within striking distance of the league lead in points. His shot is a great asset. He shoots low, rarely misses the net, and forces goaltenders to make difficult saves when coming across the crease. He gets power and a quick release from his wrister, and his one-timer is extremely consistent in forcing rebounds if not scoring. His wheels give him added depth, allowing him to contribute on the rush, and while he doesn’t throw hard hits, he uses his body effectively in battles to separate the puck from opponents. It’s clear the Vancouver Canucks made a savvy selection at 125th with Riley, and this past fall, they signed him to an entry-level contract. Most likely, expect Patterson to return to the OHL for the 2026-27 season, but with the dreadful outlook of the Canucks over the next 24 months, spots could open up if he puts on a masterclass at training camp.
Nikita Tolopilo, G, Vancouver Canucks (NHL)

Just barely still eligible for our list due to his age, Tolopilo has strung together back-to-back solid AHL seasons and has been largely excellent in limited NHL action this year too. The big Belarussian goaltender may not be a future starter, but he does look like someone who could work in a platoon or back-up role moving forward.
Danila Klimovich, RW, Abbotsford Canucks (AHL)

It seems like we’ve been waiting forever for a breakout from Klimovich, a big Belarussian winger. Instead, we’ve seen regression this year and that may mean that his time in the organization is drawing close to the end.
Vilmer Alriksson, LW, Abbotsford Canucks (AHL)

While Alriksson does seem to have his fans in the Canucks’ fan base, having modest expectations for him is important. The big winger can bang bodies and he’s athletic for his size, but he’s not likely to develop into more than a fourth line option for the Canucks in the future.
Kieren Dervin, C, Kingston Frotencas (OHL)

Drafted out of the storied St. Andrew’s College program, Dervin has the skill and creativity to be a pro player. But, the physical tools need time to catch up. He’s been OK with the Frontenacs this year in the OHL, but the Canucks won’t know what they have in Dervin until he’s played a few years at Penn State.
Matthew Lansing, C, Quinnipiac University (NCAA)

Best described as a lunch pail type. Lansing is a hard working pivot who projects as a bottom six, penalty killer. However, he has had an impressive freshman season with Quinnipiac.

McKeen’s 2025-26 Hockey Pool Yearbook Feature – Fantasy Prospect Rankings

Peter Harling — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 19:47:09 +0000

ST. LOUIS, MO - APRIL 12: Boston defenseman Cole Hutson (44) handles the puck during the championship game of the NCAA D1 Frozen Four between the Boston University Terriers and the Western Michigan Broncos on April 12, 2025, at Enterprise Center, St. Louis, MO. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire)

When preparing for a fantasy draft or evaluating prospects for a trade in your fantasy league you need to understand the difference between rankings, and fantasy rankings. The difference can be subtle, or significant depending on your leagues scoring and format. Generally speaking, fantasy rankings are based on projected point production. I have found that the vast majority of readers who read and follow my work are in dynasty keeper leagues with peripheral stats, or bangers leagues. The following rankings are based on projected point production and include added value to players who can contribute other stats, such as hits, blocks, PIMs, and faceoff wins. In fantasy hockey, we have a limited number of prospect roster spots and as such I put higher value on prospects who have a quicker ETA to the NHL or have superstar upside. This will help you identify the top 30 forwards, 20 defencemen and ten goalies to target in your fantasy leagues. To be considered a prospect skaters must be under 26-years-old as of September 15th, 2024, and have played in under 60 career games, or less than 35 in a single season. For goalies, less than 30 career games played, or 15 in a single season.

Forwards

1 - Ivan Demidov, RW – Montreal Canadiens

Demidov made his NHL debut with much anticipation and expectations, and he did not disappoint with a two-point showing in his first game. There is a lot of hype surrounding Demidov and if he lives up to the potential, he could very well go down as one of the all-time scoring leaders in Montreal and flirt with 1,000 career points, joining the ranks of legends like Guy Lafleur, Jean Beliveau, and Henri Richard.

2 - Ryan Leonard, C – Washington Capitals

The big man on campus was the Hockey East Player of the Year and scoring champion with 49 points in 37 games at Boston College. He also captained Team USA to a WJC Gold Medal and then made his NHL debut in Washington scoring his first career goal. Leonard will be an NHL regular starting in the 2025-26 season and should be a Calder contender in his rookie season. His value in multi-category leagues is even higher.

3 - Isaac Howard, LW – Edmonton Oilers

Hot off a Hoby Baker Award winning season as a senior with Michigan State, Howard and the Lightning were at a contract impasse. Rather than lose him as an unrestricted free agent this summer, the Lightning traded him to the Oilers. Howard should see an opportunity to crack the Oilers roster in a top six role given their lack of prospect depth. His new ELC will fit in the Oilers budget and playing with either Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl could push Howard into the forefront of the Calder race.

4 - Beckett Sennecke, RW – Anaheim Ducks

A late season surge pushed Sennecke up the draft ranking all the way to third overall in his draft season. He has carried that momentum into hi D+1 season scoring 86 points in 56 games for the Generals. Don’t make the same mistake Team Canada made by erroneously omitting him from the 2025 WJC roster, Sennecke is a play driving forward with tremendous hockey sense and skill as well as size at 6-foot-4. Sennecke has another year of junior eligibility but could make the Ducks roster as soon as this season.

5 - Michael Misa, C – San Jose Sharks

Drafted second overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, Misa has been the first overall selection in all my fantasy drafts and mock drafts. Misa has been a highly anticipated fantasy prospect since becoming the latest OHL exceptional status recipient. He has a Memorial Cup Championship on his resume, is coming off a 134-point campaign and will spend his D+1 season developing in the NCAA against bigger, stronger, faster competition that will only make him more NHL ready for his ETA of 2026-27.

6 - Jimmy Snuggerud, RW – St. Louis Blues

After posting 51-points as captain of the Minnesota Golden Gophers and a finalist for the Hoby Baker, Snuggerud made a splash in the NHL with the Blues. Playing in the Blues final seven regular season games, he notched four points and then duplicated that performance in the playoffs. Snuggerud looks to be a lock for a top six role with the Blues and could be a solid Calder sleeper candidate if his early chemistry with Robert Thomas continues.

7 - Gabe Perreault, LW – New York Rangers

A lot of super-star players have come from the USNTDP, but Perreault holds the single season point record with 132 points in the 2022-23 season. Perreault just completed his sophomore season at Boston College and posted 16 goals and 32 assists in 37 games with the Eagles. He also was a key player in the USA WJC Gold Medal with 10 points in seven games. Perreault is a dynamic playmaker that also has a nose for the net and can finish. He played in five NHL games to close the season and while not a lock to make the Rangers out of training camp, he is their top prospect and a fantasy must own.

8 - Berkley Catton, C – Seattle Kraken

Catton was the 2024 draft class leading scorer with his 115-points, which puts him in the company of an elite group of players the likes of Sidney Crosby, Patrick Kane and Connor Bedard to post such lofty production in their draft year. I am not suggesting that Catton has that kind of NHL and fantasy value, but he is the Krakens most dynamically gifted offensive player and has tremendous upside.

9 - Ilya Protas, LW – Washington Capitals

When the Capitals drafted Alexei Protas’ younger brother in the third round, it might have appeared to be a pick motivated by nepotism. Then Ilya moved from the USHL to the OHL with the Windsor Spitfires and had a breakout season to the tune of 50 goals, and 124 points (second in OHL scoring) and now looks like a steal of a third-round pick. Since he was drafted from the USHL, he can move up to the AHL for the coming season and further his development. Look for the Protas brothers to be a force in the Nations capital for the foreseeable future.

10 - Tij Iginla, LW – Utah Mammoth

The first pick in Utah’s franchise history, Iginla was on pace for a stellar D+1 season with 14 goals and 31 points in 21 games with Kelowna before a hip injury ended his season early. After surgery, the expectation is that he will return to Kelowna for an important season of development in the WHL, and with Canada at the WJC before he joins the NHL. Tij was drafted higher than his father, Hall-Of-Famer and Calgary legend Jarome Iginla, can Tij match his old mans career status?

11 - Porter Martone, RW – Philadelphia Flyers

Two things stand out with Martone: his dynamic offensive game and his size. However, for all you banger leaguers reading, don’t be fooled to think he is going to rack up hits and PIM’s as that is not really his game. He is a finesse playmaking winger. Martone has committed to take his development to Michigan State in the NCAA for his D+1 season in hopes that playing against older, stronger and better competition will make him NHL ready for the 2026-27 season.

12 - James Hagens, C – Boston Bruins

The consensus number one ranked prospect heading into the 2025 draft was Hagens. He played his draft year in the NCAA with Boston College and despite posting solid numbers as a freshman, he was unable to keep pace with Macklin Celebrinis’ pace from the previous season, and he fell on draft day to the Bruins. It is quite possible that Hagens ends up being the best fantasy prospect from his draft class, but he will return for at least one more year in the NCAA. Look for a spike in his production and for him to challenge for a Hoby Baker nomination.

13 - Cayden Lindstrom, C – Columbus Blue Jackets

Lindstrom is a unicorn as a 6-foot-4, 214-pound center that scored 46 goals and 46 points in 32 games with Medicine Hat in his draft year. He combines skill, skating, smarts, and size in such a rare and dominant package. A well documented herniated disc back injury that ended his draft season after 32 games and all but eliminated his D+1 season minus a few playoff, and Memorial Cup games is the other side of his story. Lindstrom will play the coming season in the NCAA with Michigan State where he will try to regain his health, conditioning and further his development. If he can realize his massive potential, he has franchise upside and would be a dominant player in multi-category leagues. Or, he could have a set back from his back injury and follow Nolan Patrick’s career path. High risk, but high reward potential.

14 - Arseni Gritsyuk, RW – New Jersey Devils

Gritsyuk may be a sleeper prospect, but don’t sleep on the Russian sniper. He is coming in hot from the KHL where he posted 17 goals and 44-points in 49 games. While he was only a fifth-round pick from the 2019, the now 24-year-old is NHL ready and will step into a top six role in New Jersey. He may not have the same offensive upside as some of the players in the range of his ranking but given his advanced development the wait time is zero, which moves the needle.

15 - Dalibor Dvorsky, C – St. Louis Blues

The AHL can be a meatgrinder that chews up and spits out teenage hockey prospects. Despite that, Dvorsky played last year as a 19-year-old and posted 21 goals and 45 points in 61 games with Springfield and was second in league rookie scoring. Dvorsky also shone at the WJC last year with Slovakia, scoring nine points in just five games. His play earned him an NHL cup of coffee, two games but he failed to record any points playing limited minutes. Dvorsky still needs more AHL development, but his promising development suggests the 10^th overall pick from the 2023 draft is well on his way to becoming an NHL regular and a fantasy must own player.

16 - Jonathan Lekkerimaki, RW – Vancouver Canucks

His first full season in North America was a success as the Canucks 2022 15^th overall pick split time between the NHL and Abbotsford in the AHL. In the AHL he posted 28 points in 36 games and another seven in 16 playoff games en route to a Calder Cup Championship. In his 24 NHL games the Swedish winger posted six points while averaging 12:30 of ice time. Expect him to be a full time NHL player this year and to see elevated minutes, leading to numbers similar to what he produced in the AHL.

17 - Brad Nadeau, RW – Carolina Hurricanes

The Hurricanes must feel like the drafted a top ten player with their 30^th overall pick from 2023. As a freshman in his D+1 season at University of Maine, Nadeau posted 19 goals and 46 points in 37 games. He followed up that with an impressive rookie season in the AHL to the tune of 32 goals and 58 points in 64 games with the Chicago Wolves. His underwhelming production at the WJC with Canada was curious, but the entire team underwhelmed. Nadeau made his NHL debut on April 16^th and earned his first career point against Montreal. Look for his sophomore season to see more NHL opportunities as he plays his way into a top six role with the Canes.

18 - Anton Frondell, C – Chicago Blackhawks

Drafted third overall by the Hawks in 2025, the Swedish center brings size at 6-foot-1, 205 pounds, a high-level hockey sense, and skill level to his game. He would be better slotted as a second line center at the NHL level as his two-way game is more his calling card as opposed to a go-to offensive driver. The 18-year-old will likely play two more seasons in the SHL before crossing over to North America, meaning a little more wait time and a limited offensive ceiling compared to his draft status.

19 - Danila Yurov, RW – Minnesota Wild

The 21-year-old Russian saw his production dip from 0.79 to 0.54 points per game in the final year of his KHL contract. Despite the disappointing production, with 209 career KHL games of development he has signed with the Wild and will play in North America to the delight of fantasy managers who roster Yurov. With Yakov Trenin, Vlad Tarasenko, and Kirill Kaprizov providing some fellow Russian support, he should adjust quickly and could play his way into a top six role sooner than later.

20 - Caleb Desnoyers, C – Utah Mammoth

Desnoyers could be the most underrated player in the 2025 draft, which says a lot sine he was selected fourth overall. A 6-foot-2 center Desnoyers has excellent hockey sense, size, skating, skill and compete. He has played a key role and produced all season starting with a point per game to lead Canada to Gold at the Hlinka. He was the first line center for Team CHL at the Prospects Challenge and was a point per game again. With his club team in Moncton, he posted 84-points in 56 games and lead the Wildcats in playoff scoring with 30-points in 19 games to be named playoff MVP, and a league championship. He is the best two-way player, and that takes nothing away from his offensive game.

21 - Rutger McGroarty, C – Pittsburgh Penguins

After being acquired from the Jets for Brayden Yager, McGroarty made his pro debut and impressed, splitting time between the NHL and AHL. In Wilkes-Barre/Scranton he played 60 games, notching 14 goals and 39 points. While he only played in eight NHL games, he impressed with three points, playing a physical game as well showing he can have an impact away from the puck. With the Pens looking to rebuild, he is a corner stone player going forward, starting now.

22 - Quentin Musty, RW – San Jose Sharks

Musty had a frustrating season. It began by holding out for a trade from Sudbury in the OHL. A deal never happened so he resumed playing and scored 59 points in 33 games before an injury put him on the shelf until the playoffs. He returned for game two but despite four points, the Wolves were swept in four by Kingston. He will turn pro now and play his rookie season in the AHL. The 6-foot-2 winger has size and played a power game at the OHL; he could be an impactful top six winger with his size and shot.

23 - Calum Ritchie, C – New York Islanders

When the Islanders acquired Ritchie at the NHL trade deadline, he instantly became their top prospect. Ritchie started the season in the NHL with the Avalanche where he played seven games and scored his first career goal with his signature shootout move (a spectacular deke as he fakes the shoot like he fanned then quickly backhands it home). He returned to the Oshawa Generals where he dominated with 70 points and 50 PIM in 47 games and led the Generals back to a league championship rematch vs London. Ritchie should be a regular on Long Island this fall.

24 - Matthew Savoie, RW – Edmonton Oilers

The Oilers added Savoie in a trade with Buffalo, and he instantly became the Oilers top prospect. Savoie is an undersized forward at 5-foot-9, 179 pounds but he is also a prolific offensive player. He posted some hefty point totals in the WHL and in his first full pro season, he scored 19 goals and 54 points in 66 games in Bakersfield. He made his debut in Edmonton as well, playing in four games and recorded his first career point. He has the skill to play and produce in the NHL, but size is a concern.

25 - Igor Chernyshov, LW – San Jose Sharks

The big Russian winger made the move to North America after the Sharks selected him with the first pick of round two in the 2024 NHL Draft. His debut was delayed following an off-season shoulder surgery, but when he resumed playing with Saginaw in the OHL he dominated with 19 goals and 55 points in just 23 games. Saginaw was eliminated in the first round, and he was called up to play two AHL games with the Barracuda. It is expected he will play the coming season in the AHL, to further his development, but he has NHL top six winger upside with his size, skating and shooting ability.

26 - Easton Cowan, C – Toronto Maple Leafs

The Leaf's top prospect is poised to bring his game to the NHL for the coming season. In his final year in the OHL with the London Knights, Cowan led the OHL in playoff scoring (39-points in 17 games), added a second straight league championship, and led the Memorial Cup in soring to lead the Knights to victory. He is slightly undersized at 5-foot-11, 185 pounds but he plays a physical game to complement his dynamic skill and vision.

27 - Andrew Cristall, LW – Washington Capitals

A true boom-or-bust player. Cristall is as dynamic an offensive player as you will find. His career WHL point production is off the chart with 412 points in 248 games (1.66 points per game). He finished his WHL career with Spokane in the playoffs where he scored 21 goals and 41 points in 19 games. How could such a dominant player be a bust? He is just 5-foot-10 and 183 pounds as the NHL trends towards size again. Also, his defensive game and compete level is a liability. These factors kept him off the Canada WJC roster. If he plays in the NHL, he will be great, but there have been plenty of prolific junior scorers that never made the NHL.

28 - Cole Eiserman, RW – New York Islanders

“Goal” Eiserman is a polarizing player. His offensive upside is significant. He is the all-time NTDP goal scoring leader, was a key player for USA winning Gold at the 2025 WJC with seven points. As a freshman at Boston University, he scored 25 goals and 36 points in 39 games. His play away from the puck is where scouts have concerns with his game. Eiserman will return for his sophomore season with the Terriers where he will continue to score goals, and more importantly develop his overall game.

29 - Jake O’Brien, C – Seattle Kraken

Perhaps the player from the 2025 draft class with the most upside is O’Brien. The 6-foot-2 center has tremendous vision and hockey sense, a late June birthday means he has plenty of development road head where his potential can grow. While his physical game is lacking as his slender 176-pound frame needs to fill out, there are very few flaws in his game overall.

30 - Liam Ohgren, LW – Minnesota Wild

Ohgren made his North American debut last season and had a tremendously successful rookie season in the AHL scoring 37 points in 41 games on a poor Iowa Wild team. His play earned him an NHL audition of 24 games, but he was limited to an average of 11:06 in ice time and only managed five points. Ohgren should be ready for a bigger role in Minnesota, and his point production should increase with more playing time.

Defence

1 - Zayne Parekh, RD – Calgary Flames

Parekh dominated the OHL in his draft year and then returned for his D+1 season and posted 33 goals, 107 points and 96 PIM. He was an egregious omission from the Team Canada WJC roster and made his NHL debut on April 17^th scoring his first career NHL goal in a 5-1 win over LA. Parekh is still junior eligible as a 19-year-old but is almost assured to be a full time NHL player this season. It should not take long for him to secure a top four pairing and first power play role in Calgary. Parekh could have a similar rookie season as Lane Hutson had and be a Calder candidate.

2 - Cole Hutson, LD - Washington Capitals

Hutson 2.0 is a similar player to his older brother Lane. Cole is developing in the NCAA at Boston University and posted 48 points in 39 games in his freshman season. His real breakout however was on the World stage with USA at the WJC where he led the tournament in scoring with 11 points in seven games. Cole has another season with the Terriers coming up before he is ready to join the Capitals in the NHL. When he arrives, it is not out of the question for him to have the same impact Lane Hutson had, or even better.

3 - Matthew Schaefer, LD – New York Islanders

The top pick from the 2025 Draft class has signed with the Islanders, and all signs point towards him making the Islanders out of training camp and becoming an NHL rookie. A shoulder injury limited him to just 17 games in Erie last season, so a return to the OHL would not be the worst scenario for his long-term development.

4 - Zeev Buium, LD – Minnesota Wild

All Buium does is win. At 19-years-old his trophy case already includes a World Championship, an NCAA Championship, two WJC Golds and a U-18 Gold. Buium made his NHL debut in the playoffs and recorded his first career point playing in four games. Buium is not only a lock to make the Wild roster, but he should also be a top pairing impact player right out of the gate.

5 - Alexander Nikishin, LD – Carolina Hurricanes

The 23-year-old Russian blueliner has been one of the most anticipated players to come from the KHL for several years. The 6-foot-4, 216-pound defender captained SKA St. Petersburg for two seasons and posted career KHL stats of 54 goals and 177 points in 288 games. He has signed in Carolina and made his NHL debut in the playoffs, earning his first career point in four games. He will have to compete with Shane Gostisbehere and K’Andre Miller for top power play deployment but count on Nikishin playing big minutes in his rookie season.

6 - Artyom Levshunov, RD – Chicago Blackhawks

The 2024 second overall pick only played 18 NHL games in his rookie season, but as a 19-year-old he produced 22 points in 52 AHL games with Rockford. Can he breakout as the Hawks top pairing and first power play quarterback in his sophomore season? He will have to outplay Sam Rinzel and Kevin Korchinski to do so, but it is a real possibility as soon as this fall.

7 - Luca Cagnoni, LD – San Jose Sharks

All Cagnoni is missing to be ranked higher is size and draft pedigree. At 5-foot-9 he comes up short by todays NHL standards, and as a fourth-round pick, he lacks the golden ticket first round picks get. However, his on-ice production speaks volumes, scoring 16 goals and 52 points in 64 games as a AHL rookie with the Barracuda. Cagnoni is the future first power play quarterback in San Jose on a unit that will include Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith and Michael Misa. Cagnoni could be a fantasy beast!

8 - Sam Dickinson, LD – San Jose Sharks

Where will Dickinson play in the 2025-26 season? He posted 91 points in 55 games, won a second consecutive OHL Championship and a Memorial Cup Championship. He has another year of junior eligibility remaining, so the AHL is not an option, but has signed an NHL contract so the NCAA is not an option either. He has nothing left to learn in the OHL, so he looks ready to make the jump to the NHL.

9 - Axel Sandin-Pellikka, RD – Detroit Red Wings

ASP is a rising star and the Wings top prospect. The 5-foot-11 right shot defender has tremendous poise on the ice, sees the ice very well, carries the puck and dictates the play with authority. After a solid SHL career of 52 points in 107 games including an SHL Championship, he made his debut in the AHL to close the season. A full year of AHL development is to be expected under GM Steve Yzerman, but a future blueline anchored by Mo Seider, Simon Edvinsson and ASP sets up the Red Wings for a decade.

10 - Tristan Luneau, RD – Anaheim Ducks

After injury limited Luneau to just 13 combined AHL and NHL games in his rookie season, he returned in 2024-25 to post near point per game production with the Gulls with 52 points in 59 games. The 6-foot-1 right shot offensive defenceman has great upside, but he also has his work cut out for him to crack the Ducks top four with competition the likes of Jacob Trouba, Jackson Lacombe, Olen Zellweger, and Pavel Mintyukov.

11 - Carter Yakemchuk, RD – Ottawa Senators

There were a lot of skeptics when Ottawa selected the 6-foot-4 right shot offensive defenceman at seven ahead of Zayne Parekh, Zeev Buium and Sam Dickinson at the ’24 Draft. A lot of those critics were silenced when Yakemchuk nearly made the Sens roster after a tremendous preseason performance. He was returned to the WHL for his senior year and was slightly underwhelming seeing his point totals dip and failing to be make the Canadian WJC roster. His pro career will begin, likely in Belleville for a season before assuming the top pairing role on the right side in Ottawa next to Jake Sanderson.

12 - Sam Rinzel, RD – Chicago Blackhawks

Rinzel had a breakout season in 2024-25. It was not just his 10-goal, 32-point performance as a sophomore at University of Minnesota, but his nine game NHL audition in which he averaged over 23 minutes of ice time including an average of 2:24 powerplay time on ice where he delivered five points. The 21-year-old is the early favorite to be the first power play quarterback heading into the upcoming season. Don’t sleep on Rinzel, he has some big upside.

13 - Seamus Casey, RD – New Jersey Devils

The 5-foot-10 right shot offensive defenceman had a strong rookie season starting in the NHL with an eight-game run with the Devils where he posted three goals before an AHL assignment. Overall, he racked up 18 points in 30 AHL games and finished the season back in the NHL with New Jersey. With Dougie Hamilton, Luke Hughes, and Simon Nemic in the fold, getting ice time, let alone power play time will be difficult barring injury.

14 - Scott Morrow, RD – New York Rangers

Acquired from Carolina along with a first and second round pick in the K’Andre Miller trade, Morrow could fill the gap from Miller out of camp behind Adam Fox on the Rangers second pairing. Morrow had a strong rookie season the year prior posting 39 points in 52 games with the Chicago Wolves and had a 14-game NHL run with the Hurricanes scoring six points.

15 - Logan Mailloux, RD – St. Louis Blues

Acquired from Montreal for Zac Bolduc this summer, Mailloux is now the top defensive prospect in the Blues system. Mailloux is NHL ready after a second AHL campaign with 80 points and 165 PIM in 135 career games, and five points in eight career NHL games. Mailloux will no longer be considered a prospect as he will make the Blues roster full time, and battle Justin Faulk and Cam Fowler for top power play deployment.

16 - David Reinbacher, RD – Montreal Canadiens

The 6-foot-2 Austrian defender made a splash in his AHL debut in 2023-24 when he posted five points in the final 11 games in Laval. Injuries kept him out of action until he returned for the Olympics with Austria and finished the season again in the AHL with Laval. His six points in 13 playoff games with the Rocket are promising but a nearly full season lost to injury suggest he may need a time in the AHL before he is ready for Montreal. The departure of Logan Mailloux improves his stature in Montreal.

17 - Oliver Bonk, RD – Philadelphia Flyers

Widely considered to be a shutdown defender, a red flag in fantasy, Bonk has considerable fantasy value. At 6-foot-2 he has decent size and can play a physical role and contribute hits and blocks. But he has also contributed significant offensive numbers with 150 career regular season points in 189 games with the London Knights. Bonk was deployed as the net front presence on the power play regularly with London and was tried as the first powerplay quarterback for Canada at the WJC. His pro career will begin with a season in the AHL with Lehigh Valley before he becomes a top four NHL regular.

18 - Tanner Molendyk, LD – Nashville Predators

Nashville has a strong track record of drafting and developing top quality NHL defencemen. Tanner Molendyk is the latest and he nearly made the Predators out of training camp last year before returning for his final year in the WHL. He was a point per game player with Saskatoon and Medicine Hat and at the Memorial Cup. Molendyk will be an AHL rookie this season, but it likely won’t be long before he is patrolling the Predators blueline in a top four capacity.

19 - Hunter Brzustewicz, RD – Calgary Flames

His fantasy value took a big hit when the Flames drafted Zayne Parekh. Brzustewicz is an offensive defenceman that posted a 92-point season in the OHL, and in his AHL rookie campaign last year impressed with five goals and 32 points in 70 games with the Wranglers. Brzustewicz was a key piece in return from the Elias Lindholm trade so the Flames are invested, he has great offensive and fantasy upside, but the Parekh addition will take some of that critical power play ice time up.

20 - Tom Willander, RD – Vancouver Canucks

After two seasons in the shadow of a Hutson with the Boston University Terriers, Willander may be an underrated fantasy defenceman. With all the top offensive deployment at BU going to the Hutson’s, lane and Cole, Willander still managed to produce 49 points in 77 career games with the Terriers. His play with Sweden at the WJC was impressive as well with five points in seven games. Willander is a strong skating, puck moving two-way defender with offensive upside. Willander was signed by the Canucks and will start his professional career in the AHL with defending Calder Cup Champions Abbotsford.

Goalies

1 - Yaroslav Askarov – San Jose Sharks

The Sharks are building something special and Askarov should be a key piece of that puzzle. A top ranked goalie prospect for years, the move from Nashville and out from under Juuse Saros, gives Askarov has the opportunity to seize a starting role in San Jose. With the young core and foundations now in place, it’s just a short matter of time before this team becomes a powerhouse, and Askarov is a fantasy star.

2 - Jesper Wallstedt – Minnesota Wild

There is no sugar coating this, Wallstedt had a terrible season posting brutal numbers in both the AHL, and NHL in his third season in North America. Despite the setback, Wallstedt remains an elite goalie prospect and with the Wild building a defence that consist of Brock Faber, Zeev Buium, and David Jiricek the future still remains very bright.

3 - Jacob Fowler – Montreal Canadiens

It is difficult to understand how Fowler was not the top goalie selected in his draft year. Five other goalies went before he was selected 69^th overall in the third round of the 2023 NHL Draft. Since then, he has established himself as an elite prospect playing at Boston College in the NCAA. Fowler has won a WJC Gold Medal with USA, a Hockey East Championship, and was named the Goalie of the Year winning the Mike Richter Award. Fowler is trending to be the next great Montreal Canadiens goalie following the likes of Ken Dryden, Patrick, Roy and Carey Price.

4 - Ilya Nabokov – Colorado Avalanche

A late bloomer, Nabokov was drafted in 2024 by the Avalanche after a breakout season in the KHL as a 21-year-old, where Nabokov won a Gagarian Cup and playoff MVP. Nabokov has signed his ELC with Colorado but has been loaned back to play the 2025-26 season in the KHL to ensure he gets playing time. Expect him to finish the season in the AHL as the KHL season ends in March, allowing him a small sample of North American hockey before being full time in 2026-27.

5 - Sebastian Cossa – Detroit Red Wings

The Wings 2021 15^th overall draft pick has now played three full seasons of professional hockey with time in the ECHL, AHL, and he made his NHL debut in December with a 6-foot-5 shootout win over Buffalo. The past two seasons have been consistent and strong for Cossa, playing 40+ games in Grand Rapids and posting 20+ wins. The addition of John Gibson suggests that Detroit thinks he needs a little more development before he becomes their starting goalie.

6 - Drew Commesso – Chicago Blackhawks

On last years list I suggested Commesso was on track to develop into the Hawks starting goalie for the Connor Bedard glory years. Since then, the Hawks acquired Spencer Knight, and he appears to be the incumbent franchise goalie for the foreseeable future. Commesso had another impressive year of development in the AHL and is still quite capable of being an NHL starting goalie. Where and when are less certain now.

7 - Trey Augustine – Detroit Red Wings

The Red Wings added insulation to their goaltending future when they selected Augustine 41^st overall in 2023. Since then, he has been developing with Michigan State U. in the NCAA with a career record of 42-16-6, two Big Ten Championships and two WJC Gold Medals with USA. Augustine will play his junior season with the Spartans and will also need some AHL development time. He is further away than Cossa, but his upside could be higher.

8 - Niklas Kokko – Seattle Kraken

Kokko made his North American debut last season, and it was a strong one posting a 20-10-2 record in the AHL with a 2.26 GAA and .913 SV%. His strong play earned him an NHL recall, and he had a rough start coming in to relieve Joey Daccord in a 7-2 loss to the Blues where he allowed two goals on six shots. With Grubauer and Daccord under contract for the next two seasons, the 21-year-old Finnish netminder can continue to develop in the AHL with Coachella. He is a prospect on the rise.

9 - Mikhail Yegorov – New Jersey Devils

The Devils selected the Russian goalie from the USHL with their second-round pick in 2024 and Yegorov started his D+1 season back in the USHL with Omaha. Committed to Boston University in the NCAA, the Terriers were having goaltending concerns and brought “Big Mike” in just in time for the Bean Pot Tournament where he was outstanding leading the Terriers to victory. Yegorov played in 18 games total with an 11-6-1 record and 2.15 GAA. Still only 19-years-old, the 6-foot-5 netminder is a long way from the NHL, but he is showing tremendous potential.

10 - Hampton Slukynsky – Los Angeles Kings

Perhaps Slukynsky is still a little under the radar and not quite a household name in less deep dynasty leagues, but that is about to change. Selected 118^th overall by the Kings, Slukynsky posted a 19-5-1 record as a freshman at Western Michigan and a sparkling 1.90 GAA. His trophy case includes USHL Goalie of the Year, Championships from the USHL, NCAA National and NCHC, and Gold Medals with USA from the U-18, WJC and World Championship. He is still just 20-years-old and needs a lot of development time before the NHL, but his stock is rising fast!

NHL: CULLEN – 20 FANTASY POINTS – With the season starting on Tuesday, players are starting to move, and rookies are starting to get noticed

Scott Cullen — Sat, 04 Oct 2025 16:17:49 +0000

Each week, I dig into the stats to find information that can help you make better fantasy hockey decisions. With the season starting on Tuesday, players are starting to move, and rookies are starting to get noticed.

#1 The Edmonton Oilers traded future considerations to the Utah Mammoth for goaltender Connor Ingram. While Ingram is coming off a tough season in Utah, when he had a .882 save percentage in 22 games and ended up in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program, he had a .907 save percentage across 77 games in the previous two seasons, so there is a world in which he is capable of handling a starting job, but he’s more like insurance. Ingram is expected to start the season in the American Hockey League and, if he regains his form, he will be an option for the Oilers if Stuart Skinner continues to struggle.

#2 Ingram wasn’t the only goalie moving, as the Vegas Golden Knights are reportedly going to sign former Flyers netminder Carter Hart. As one of the infamous accused in the Hockey Canada trial this summer, Hart was going to come with some controversy and there was a petition to stop the Golden Knights from signing him, but if reports are correct, it looks like Hart will share the crease in Vegas with Adin Hill, which will send Akira Schmid to the American Hockey League. Hart, 27, had a couple of excellent seasons to start his career before dropping off dramatically in his third campaign. In the three seasons that he has played since then, Hart has been a little better than average, so he should be able to fulfill the on-ice expectations. Hart’s arrival probably puts a limit on Hill’s fantasy appeal. He delivers consistently solid results but played in a career-high 50 games last season and Hart’s presence makes it less likely that he will see that many games this season.

#3 Oft-injured centre Josh Norris is looking for a fresh start with the Sabres after last season’s trade from Ottawa and Norris has delivered seven points (3 G, 4 A) in four preseason games. He has managed just four shots on goal, so it’s reasonable to expect that he won’t score on 75 percent of his shots long-term, but Norris is earning a prime opportunity to play with Tage Thompson and Zachary Benson on Buffalo’s top line. Norris scored a career-high 35 goals in 66 games in 2021-2022 with the Senators and managed 21 goals in 56 games last season, so if he manages to stay healthy, a 30-goal season is not out of the question.

#4 With Zach Hyman out until November while he recovers from a wrist injury suffered in last year’s playoffs, the Oilers are naturally taking a look at options to fill his role on the top line and physical winger Trent Frederic is getting a shot alongside Connor McDavid on the top line. Frederic is known much more for his physical play and had just 15 points (8 G, 7 A) in 58 games last season, but he is just one season removed from contributing a career-best 40 points (18 G, 22 A) for the Boston Bruins in 2023-2024. Anyone who plays alongside McDavid will generate interest for fantasy managers, but Frederic’s fantasy relevance is going to be closely tied to who his linemates are in Edmonton.

#5 After getting a chance to play late last season and into the playoffs with the Blues, 2022 first-round pick Jimmy Snuggerud is a rookie to watch heading into the 2025-2026 season. He had 51 points (24 G, 27 A) in 40 games as the captain at the University of Minnesota last season and indications in St. Louis are that Snuggerud will start the season on the first line, with Robert Thomas and Pavel Buchnevich, while also getting a spot on the Blues’ first power play unit. It’s risky to put expectations on rookies but it sure looks like Snuggerud will have a chance to be productive right out of the gate.

#6 Carolina has given 2023 first-rounder Bradly Nadeau a chance in a scoring role and he’s at least offering a good accounting of himself. In five preseason games, Nadeau has five points (3 G, 2 A) and 15 shots on goal, so he’s certainly a credible option if the Hurricanes have a need on the wing in their middle six. That doesn’t look like a huge need, given what they have on the roster already, but Nadeau had 58 points (32 G, 26 A) in 64 games as an AHL rookie last season, so he’s knocking on the door, whether that gets answered at the start of the season or some time in the not-too-distant future.

#7 A rebuilding team like the Pittsburgh Penguins has to hope that they can find some young players that will help take this team into its next era and 2025 first-round pick Ben Kindel has impressed in training camp. He has three points (1 G, 2 A) and 15 shots on goal in six preseason games and might get a nine-game trial at the start of the season. With veteran winger Bryant Rust injured for at least a couple of weeks and Danton Heinen getting waived, that could provide the opportunity. Kindel had 99 points (35 G, 64 A) in 65 games for Calgary of the WHL last season, so he has some offensive chops, and may be worth watching as the season gets underway.

#8 If not Kindel, maybe it will be Filip Hallander getting a shot with the Penguins. The 2018 second-round pick played three games for the Penguins in the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 seasons but returned to Sweden, and last season produced 53 points (26 G, 27 A) in 51 games for Timra in the Swedish Hockey League.

#9 A seventh-round pick by the Detroit Red Wings in 2023, Emmitt Finnie has made huge strides since then and is challenging for a roster spot in Detroit to start the season. getting a top line shot in Detroit. A high-energy winger, Finnie was the captain for the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League last season, putting up 84 points (37 G, 47 A) in 55 games. He joined Grand Rapids of the American Hockey League at the end of the season and contributed five points (1 G, 4 A) in 13 regular season plus playoff games. It’s entirely possible that Finnie will start the season in the AHL, but he’s seen time on Detroit’s top line, with Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond, and if he starts the season in that spot, Finnie might have fantasy value early in his NHL career.

#10 A 2022 first-round pick by the Chicago Blackhawks, defenceman Sam Rinzel played two seasons at the University of Minnesota, putting up 60 points (12 G, 48 A) in 79 games before joining the Blackhawks at the end of last season. He contributed five assists and 22 shots on goal in his first nine games, with three of those points coming on the power play. Rinzel is slated to quarterback Chicago’s top power play unit, so the rookie blueliner has a chance to be productive immediately.

#11 Rinzel’s teammate in Chicago, centre Frank Nazar, signed a seven-year contract extension worth more than $46 million in the summer, a big commitment for a player who has played a total of 56 games in his NHL career. Nazar has 27 points (13 G, 14 A) and 93 shots on goal in those 56 games, which suggests that the Blackhawks are projecting good things for their 2022 first-round pick. Nazar is on PP1 to start the season and is skating between veterans Teuvo Teravainen and Tyler Bertuzzi at even strength.

#12 A fifth-round pick in 2019 by the New Jersey Devils, right winger Arseni Gritsyuk has shown some potential in the preseason, chipping in four points (2 G, 2 A) with 12 shots on goal in five games. He doesn’t have an easy path to ice time in New Jersey, but after scoring 44 points (17 G, 27 A) in 49 KHL games last season, he should be NHL-ready.

#13 With injuries hitting the defending Stanley Cup champs hard, look for second-year right winger Mackie Samoskevich to take advantage of the opportunity offered to him. He had 31 points (12 G, 19 A) in 72 games last season and is looking like he could start the season on the Panthers’ first power play unit.

#14 Veteran forward Max Domi is getting the first crack at replacing Mitch Marner on right wing with Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies on the Maple Leafs’ top line. Domi is a solid playmaker, though not in Marner’s class, and he is a couple of years removed from a 56-point season. His inconsistent play does suggest that he might not last the whole season in that spot, and the Leafs have Matias Maccelli available to push Domi for that spot in the lineup.

#15 With all the quality depth that the Devils have on the wings, it comes as a bit of a surprise that Evgenii Dadonov is getting a shot on the top line with Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt. Dadonov had 40 points (20 G, 20 A) in 80 games for Dallas last season, but he is 36, so maybe not the prime candidate to last in that spot.

#16 Acquired from the Montreal Canadiens as part of the return in the Noah Dobson trade, Emil Heineman is getting a look on the Islanders’ top line with Bo Horvat and Jonathan Drouin. Heineman had 18 points (11 G, 7 A) in 62 games as a rookie for the Habs last season but played fewer than 12 minutes per game. If he plays a bigger role with the Islanders, perhaps there is some offensive potential to be unlocked. He has two goals and eight shots on goal in four preseason games.

#17 The Philadelphia Flyers acquired Nikita Grebenkin from the Toronto Maple Leafs as part of the Scott Laughton trade at least season’s trade deadline and Grebenkin has been impressive in Flyers camp. He has one goal and nine shots on goal in four preseason games, but he also brings a physical presence and is getting a look alongside veterans Sean Couturier and Travis Konecny, a decent indication that the Flyers are interested in seeing what he can do for them.

#18 In Vancouver, an injury to Nils Hoglander may help Jonathan Lekkerimaki secure a regular spot in the lineup to start the season. He had a modest six points (3 G, 3 A) in 24 games for the Canucks last season but showed well in the AHL, with 28 points (19 G, 9 A) in 36 games for Abbotsford, so it could be worth watching the 2022 first-round pick.

#19 With a few injuries up front, including to right winger Kaapo Kakko, the Seattle Kraken are giving 2021 third-round pick Ryan Winterton a chance to play. He had 37 points (18 G, 19 A) in 56 games for Coachella Valley of the AHL last season and he has three points (2 G, 1 A) and seven shots on goal in four preseason games, which might be enough to get him a spot on the opening night roster.

#20 Coming off a disappointing 2024-2025 season, the Nashville Predators are naturally open to having new faces challenge for spots in the lineup. James Wood was a first-round pick in 2023 and was in contention for a spot but is week-to-week with a lower-body injury. That could create room for 2025 fifth overall pick Brady Martin, an 18-year-old who has three points (2 G, 1 A) and four shots on goal in three preseason games. If not Martin, maybe it could be 2022 first-round pick Joakim Kemell, who had 40 points (15 G, 25 A) in 65 AHL games for Milwaukee last season.

MCKEEN’S 2025-26 NHL YEARBOOK – VANCOUVER CANUCKS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #20

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 16:31:46 +0000

Prospect System Ranking – 20th (May 2025 - 18th)
GM: Patrik Allvin Hired: January 2022
COACH: Adam Foote Hired: May 2025

After riding the highs of a strong 2023-24 campaign, the Canucks stumbled in 2024-25, weighed down by off-ice drama and inconsistent play.

There are, however, reasons for optimism. Vancouver added Braeden Cootes – a heart and soul type – with the 15th overall pick and landed a potential goaltender of the future in second-rounder Aleksei Medvedev. Behind the bench, Rick Tocchet’s departure paved the way for Adam Foote to take over as head coach, ushering in a new era in the Pacific Northwest.

Despite late-season stalls in contract negotiations, Tom Willander (11th overall, 2023) was ultimately signed to his entry-level deal. Fresh off a run to the NCAA Championship game and another standout World Juniors performance, Willander is now ready to push for a full-time NHL role as early as this season.

Meanwhile, the rest of the pipeline has shown encouraging progress. Jonathan Lekkerimäki made a dazzling North American debut, lighting up the AHL with his scoring touch and earning multiple NHL call-ups. While his production dipped during a Calder Cup championship run, he remains highly regarded within the organization. Fellow Swede Elias Pettersson seized a full-time spot on Vancouver’s blue line, playing with poise well beyond expectations and is already nearing graduation. In the AHL, Aatu Räty’s two-way play and steady output have him firmly in the conversation for a 2025-26 roster spot.

Fresh off the organization’s first championship in its history, Vancouver’s pipeline is pulling its weight. The challenge now is translating that success to the NHL level.

The Canucks’ prospect system may not yet rank among the league’s elite, but it’s clearly trending upward. If management can balance addressing immediate roster needs with nurturing its emerging talent, the franchise’s future could arrive sooner than expected.

Vancouver Canucks Top-15 Prospects

1 - Jonathan Lekkerimäki

Following his breakout season in the SHL with Orebro, Lekkerimaki’s first year in North America had to be considered a mild success. He split the year between Vancouver and Abbotsford and has shown considerable flashes of greatness at the NHL level. At the AHL level consistency was a bit of an issue but again there were great flashes. Obviously, his shot and shot generation ability thanks to his terrific hands and creativity are his standout traits. His ceiling as an offensive player in the NHL is extremely high. The former first rounder has the ability to be a perennial 30 goal…even 40 goal scorer in the NHL. So, what are the next steps? Lekkerimaki has to get stronger. He’s been too easily separated from the puck at the NHL level, and he’s had trouble seeking out scoring opportunities through the middle of the ice. The expectation is that Lekkerimaki should crack Vancouver full time next year and be a potential impact player on their power play.

2 - Tom Willander

Tom Willander needed some time to get comfortable on the smaller North American ice, but his growth over two seasons at Boston University has been steady and noticeable. The Terriers relied on the 2023 first-round pick in all situations last year, and he did not look out of place. Willander is a reliable workhorse that has the ability to control the pace of the game when he’s on the ice, largely thanks to his high-end skating ability. He’s a weapon in transition, where he couples his skating ability with smart, quick passes. When defending, he closes gaps quickly, is steady positionally, and defends well with his stick. He is also competitive and unafraid to get involved physically. Willander will likely spend this year in Abbotsford but will make his way to Vancouver before too long, he has the potential to be a high-end shutdown defender with above-average puck moving ability.

3 - Braeden Cootes

Vancouver can be a tough hockey market to play in, so the Canucks have an enhanced need to find prospects with resilient mental fortitude. Cootes more than proved that he's that type of player throughout his 2024-25 season, leading the rebuilding Seattle Thunderbirds as their captain and most trusted forward, and then captaining Canada to a gold medal at this past spring's IIHF U18 tournament. He's a smart, consistent and dedicated center who is easy for any coach to heavily rely on. At first glance his recent scoring totals could seem underwhelming for a prospect who was drafted so high, but he's actually pretty dangerous as both a shooter and a playmaker, traits that he hasn't always been able to display because there hasn't been enough depth around him to properly share offensive responsibilities. Bo Horvat became a fan favourite in Vancouver because of his leadership and all the little things he contributed outside of his points, and Cootes is cut from a very similar kind of cloth.

4 - Elias Pettersson

The “other” Elias Pettersson was an absolute revelation for the Canucks this past year in his first professional season in North America. He started the season in Abbotsford, but after a very strong start, he was up with the Canucks, playing a steady third pairing role. He kept things simple with the puck, executing breakouts/chip outs, while limiting turnovers. But defensively, he was a standout. His mobility and length make him very difficult to beat off the rush; he’s a beast transitionally. He’s also been very effective in tight corners, showing the confidence already to play aggressively and physically. It remains to be seen how much offensive upside Pettersson possesses, however, there is no doubt that he can be a defensive stalwart and a penalty killing anchor. Expect him to play an even larger role for the Canucks next year, especially after another off season of training.

5 - Aatu Raty

The Canucks have to be really happy with the play of Raty last year, who was originally acquired as part of the Bo Horvat trade with the Islanders. The big pivot was consistently strong as an AHL player for Abbotsford, but with so many injuries to their bottom six, he was thrust into an NHL role later in the year and closed the season on a real high note. He was getting to the net. He was playing both ends. He was bringing a physical element. He was active in puck pursuit. Raty is never likely to be a top end offensive player at the NHL level. However, what he showed to end last season is that he can develop into the ideal third line center for the Canucks in the near future. One would have to believe that the expectation for Raty would be for him to grab a permanent NHL role next year.

6 - Alexei Medvedev

Medvedev is a phenomenal skater with excellent positioning and an ideal stance, maximizing efficiency for movement and filling the net. He also boasts some quick hands. Balancing that Canadian-developed technique, he still has the raw athletic nature of the Russian goalie. His agility and quickness are elite, while also having impressive joint mobility and flexibility. Where all of these attributes culminate is in his poise and decision making. Having such refined control of this level of athleticism is exceedingly difficult. But this is exactly where Medvedev shines. Skill set-wise, he lacks a true weakness. The problem with Medvedev as a prospect is his situation in London. Playing as a tandem on the best junior team in the world lightens the load on the goalie. Practically every game he played, he had adequate rest, along with having the far superior team in front of him. This has created a low-stress environment and has left him untested. How he adapts to a starter role facing adversity will dictate his future, but when looking at raw talent, one can believe he could be an NHL starter one day.

7 - Kirill Kudryavtsev

Much like Elias Pettersson, Kudryavtsev was a pleasant surprise for the Canucks in his first professional season. He stepped into an immediate top four role with Abbotsford and firmly put himself on the Canucks’ radar for a roster spot moving forward. He’s been highly effective at both ends and has worked really hard to refine his game in the last few years. Most impressive might be the transformation of his decision making with the puck, which was a weakness as a draft eligible player, but has now become a strength of his at the pro level. His four mobility also makes him an excellent transitional defender, and he’s aggressive with his gaps to make up for a lack of length. Kudryavtsev’s NHL upside may not be extremely significant, but there’s definitely a chance that he could be a long-time number-four-or-five defender for the Canucks; someone who can provide a steady two-way influence in a depth role.

8 - Sawyer Mynio

A member of the 2023 WHL championship-winning Seattle Thunderbirds, Mynio was exactly the type of defenceman that the Hitmen wanted for their own big playoff push this spring: experienced, tough, smart, reliable and versatile. Fast forward a few months post-trade and it's clear that the team received exactly what they paid for, with a torrid winning pace being compelling evidence of that, though their big playoff push was halted in the second round. You could go so far as to call him a "duct tape" kind of defender: maybe never the ideal tool for a certain job or situation, but he can almost always make it work in a pinch, and good coaches fully understand that kind of value in a player. Mynio has made a lot of progress during his tenure in the WHL, more than anyone probably expected, which is a very encouraging sign for his career moving forward. Canucks fans will appreciate what he brings to the table.

9 - Linus Karlsson

It was another good year in North America for Karlsson, as he finally broke through to play about a third of the year with the Canucks. When he wasn’t with Vancouver, he was operating at well over a point per game in the AHL, proving to be ready for that next challenge. Karlsson excels playing through the middle of the ice and near the net. He really embraced that net front presence role this year in his limited time with Vancouver; head coach Rick Tocchet even compared him to former Red Wings great Tomas Holmstrom. However, at the AHL level Karlsson has shown a few more levels to his game, as a lethal scoring option on the power play and as a strong, detail oriented two-way player. Next year will be a big one for Karlsson. He already earned a new contract, but he’ll try to establish himself as an everyday NHL player in the Canucks’ bottom six. Otherwise, he’ll require waivers to be sent down to the AHL and may find himself on the outside looking in long term in the organization.

10 - Arshdeep Bains

Originally a free agent signing by the Canucks out of Red Deer after Bains captured a WHL scoring crown, he’s been a standout at the AHL level the last two seasons. As such, he’s also seen a few cups of coffee with Vancouver. At the AHL level, he’s excelled as a playmaker who can create coming off the wall and bring a physical element. At the NHL level, the physical element has been there, but he’s struggled with the pace and making skilled plays against bigger defenders. This will be a big offseason for him, as he will no longer be exempt from waivers next year. It could be one final chance for him to crack Vancouver’s roster full time, likely in a bottom six role. Is Bains more of a conventional tweener or AAAA player? We may get the answer to that soon.

11 - Ty Mueller

Mueller has long looked like that kind of nice player who contributes in all three zones but was hard to get a read on with respect to upside. Over three years of college play, there was promise but no explosion offensively. However, his rookie season in the AHL was highly successful, seeing him contribute from beginning to end and add another 12 points in his team’s Calder Cup victory. In line for another cup of coffee in Vancouver this season?

12 - Danila Klimovich

Drafted off the strength of six goals in five U18 Worlds contests, Klimovich is a solidly built player who likes to rip pucks between the faceoff dots. Once quickly thrown into life in a new country while playing against pro men as an 18-year-old, the culmination of his first four seasons in North America was 25 goals and an AHL Calder Cup last season. His mere four points (all goals) in 16 playoff games is another matter. He should get an NHL look this season.

13 - Anthony Romani

Drafted in his DY+1 after exploding for 111 regular season points, Romani entered last season with some big hopes, but a broken clavicle bone in early October led to him missing almost 100 days of action. Before playing another game, he was traded to the Barrie Colts for whom he piled on the post-season points going 12-12-24 in 16 playoff games. He’ll be a freshman at Michigan State this fall, coming in to take on a scoring role right off the bat.

14 - Riley Patterson

Featuring good size and speed, Patterson often displays a shot and level of talent that makes one wonder why he’s not producing more. His draft season was just fine but his DY+1 was little more than a repeat performance of the prior season, albeit he certainly contributed nicely with 12 points in 16 playoff games. Still fairly young (turns 20 next March), he’s in line for a big season in Barrie, should he return.

15 - Kieren Dervin

Heading to Penn State as of the 2026-27 season, Dervin jumped from a strong showing as a go-to scorer at St. Andrew’s College to Kingston of the OHL to conclude the season as a depth player. Still lacking in strength and conditioning, a full season of OHL play should be exactly what the development coach orders. It’ll also be important to find consistency in applying his strong transition game as well as skating and passing skills. Long-term project.

2025 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: #18 VANCOUVER CANUCKS – Top 15 NHL Affiliated Prospects

Sat, 24 May 2025 12:19:04 +0000

Subscribers can download the PDF in subscriber downloads.

Please note you can scroll through the PDF document here as well

Vancouver 25 Prospects

AHL: Early Season Favourites – AHL – Graf, Lekkerimäki, Kerins & Cagnoni

Dave Hall — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 14:00:20 +0000

The 2024-25 season is well underway, and our scouts have been busy soaking in the action around the globe. Our scouts have also been paying close attention to already-drafted and free-agent-signed prospects playing in the AHL. Analyzing early season play can be difficult, perhaps even a bit of a ruse. Hot starts aren’t always sustainable, and cold starts are not always indicative. However, players can still catch our attention in positive ways, and that’s what this series intends to highlight.

Dave Hall - AHL Central and Pacific Division Regional Scout

Collin Graf - C/RW - San Jose Barracuda

6’1", 190lbs - 2002-09-21

College free agents have always been somewhat of a coin flip. Sometimes, they thrive, and sometimes, they sink. For every player who successfully transitions to the NHL, several fade into AHL obscurity. But there's one name making waves in the AHL, doing his best to prove that narrative wrong, and that’s San Jose product Collin Graf.

Widely regarded as the top free agent from last year’s class, Graf hasn't just transitioned smoothly to the pro game; he’s been thriving. With 19 points, he’s leading all AHL rookies and sits fourth (tied) among all skaters. Fourteen of those points have come by way of assists, with eight being primary—a testament to the direct effect he's having on San Jose Barracuda's offence. Named October’s AHL Rookie of the Month, Graf plays with poise beyond his years. His hockey IQ is off the charts, allowing him to anticipate the play and execute with precision.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Graf-Asssits.mp4

It's not just about the assists, though. He's an effective, dual-threat provider who can make things happen in tight spaces and from various areas of the ice. Whether it be with the help from others or doing things all by himself, his ability to score should be slept on.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Colin-Graf-goals.mp4

And it’s not just about his offensive prowess. Averaging just under 20 minutes of ice time per night, he's earned his coaches' trust and is seeing time in all situations—including penalty killing.

Defensively, he’s been just as impressive, sporting a plus-9 rating (good for fourth-best in the league) and showcasing his willingness to do the dirty work—battling in corners, blocking shots, and playing the right way in his own zone.

San Jose is already home to several young, blossoming stars; there’s every reason to think Graf could be next in line. The Sharks may want to play the slow game with his development, but a call-up seems inevitable if he continues this kind of performance at the AHL level.

Jonathan Lekkerimäki - RW - Abbotsford Canucks

5'11" 172lbs - 2004-07-24

The transition from Sweden to North America can be daunting, particularly for players not used to the physical rigours of the North American game. Many wondered how Jonathan Lekkerimäki would fare after his impressive rookie season in the SHL—would he be able to translate that success, or would the adjustment be too much?

So far, Lekkerimäki has silenced the doubters. Despite missing Abbotsford’s first few games due to illness, the Swedish rookie came roaring out of the gate and has already established himself as one of the AHL’s premier offensive weapons. Since debuting on October 25th, Lekkerimäki has been lighting the lamp at a point-per-game clip, with seven points to date.

What’s most impressive is his relentless shot volume. With 44 shots on goal in just nine games, he's averaging just under five shots per game. Whether it’s off the rush or from the half-wall—his bread and butter—he's shooting often, and he's shooting well.

Simply put, he's shooting from everywhere and anywhere.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Lekkerimaki-shots.mp4

His hot start has already warranted a seven-game audition in Vancouver, where he scored his first NHL goal.

Jonathan Lekkerimäki fires home his first NHL goal! pic.twitter.com/58kfEmsr7t

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 15, 2024

It’s not all roses and butterflies with his game, however. Lekkerimäki still has work to do on the defensive side of the puck. He sits at minus-8 for the season in the American League and minus-4 at the NHL level. His frame is slight, and so far, it's quite evident. While it's not for lack of effort, his ability to gain good body position or win out 50/50 puck battles is hindered by his smaller stature.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Lekk-body-position.mp4

For a player to succeed in Rick Tocchet’s system, being effective on both sides of the puck is a non-negotiable. Lekkerimäki's defensive shortcomings might be a small blemish on an otherwise bright start, but it’s something that will need attention if he wants to carve out a permanent role with Vancouver.

Still, there’s no denying that Lekkerimäki is an elite shooter—a pure sniper whose goal-scoring instincts and relentless desire to fire the puck will eventually propel him to the NHL. The defensive lapses may be a work in progress, but his offensive prowess is undeniable, and Canucks fans have plenty to be excited about as he continues to refine his game.

Rory Kerins - C/LW - Calgary Wranglers

5'11",190lbs - 2002-04-12

They don’t all have to be high-pedigree prospects to stand out, and Rory Kerins is exhibit A. Despite not being a household name, it's impossible to ignore what he’s been doing with the Calgary Wranglers this season.

As a sophomore with 54 games of AHL experience under his belt from last year, the former OHL standout has come out of the gate swinging. The Ontario native collected eight points in his first four games and hasn’t looked back since, leading the league with 13 goals and 19 points in just over a month of play. He’s produced points in 15 games and is proving that his standout 118-point season with the Soo Greyhounds in 2021-22 wasn’t a simple “one-off.”

What makes Kerins’ production so promising is where he’s cashing in. Despite standing at just 5-foot-10, he makes a living in the tough areas of the ice—he's constantly battling in the blue paint, and with his quick hands, he's a threat to capitalize on rebounds and stuff-ins. Of course, he can capitalize with a quick snapshot, too.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Kerins-goals.mp4

While he may not have the flashiest game, his hard-nosed approach and willingness to pay the price in high-danger areas make him a player that NHL teams crave in their bottom-six roles. Yes, he’s shooting at an unsustainable 28% rate, and that scoring pace may level out, but his mix of offensive skill and willingness to grind it out has certainly turned heads. At this rate, a call-up to Calgary’s big club might be more of a question of when rather than if.

Luca Cagnoni - D - San Jose Barracuda

5'9",180lbs - 2004-12-21

Of course, it doesn’t take long to pinpoint his overall weakness and the element that will keep his ability to work his way up the ranks a challenge. That’s his size. He seems to fit in quite nicely at the American League level. Yet, the jump to the highest level is a large one. So far, though, he’s proven at each level that his size is no barrier, knocking down those walls at each and every turn.

It’s hard to ignore what’s happening over in San Jose. We’ve already covered Collin Graf, and now it’s time to spotlight another thriving youngster—defenceman Luca Cagnoni.

With 16 points, the former fourth-round draft pick ranks second among all AHL defenders in scoring. But are we really surprised? After all, he’s fresh from a 204 Western League career in which he nearly produced at a point-per-game clip.

At just 5-foot-9 and 181 pounds, he isn’t your prototypical size for a professional defender. So, would his skill be enough to transition effectively? So far, the answer has been a resounding yes. He’s brought the same offensive flair that made him a standout in juniors and has quickly established himself as a key driver of offence from the blue line for the San Jose Barracuda.

In today’s NHL, the landscape has evolved for undersized yet dynamic defenders, and Cagnoni fits that mould perfectly. He’s not the most explosive skater, but his edgework and agility are top-notch, and he uses crafty manipulations to freeze and shake off opposing defenders to make plays.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Cagoni-dipsy.mp4

Whether he’s quarterbacking a power play, walking the line, or activating from the point, his IQ always makes him a threat to make something happen. Thanks to his quick processing, he's able to thread creative passes and seemingly create offence from nothing.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/cagnoni-asist.mp4

Of course, he can walk the line and finish things himself as well.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/canoni-goal.mp4

His biggest hurdle will always be his size, and the jump from AHL to NHL is daunting for a smaller defender. However, Cagnoni has proven that size is just a number—he’s defied expectations at every level and continues to make believers out of doubters with his play.

Honourable mentions to keep tabs on: Sam Colangelo, Jagger Firkus and Eduard Sale

NHL: CULLEN – 20 FANTASY POINTS – Ovechkin and Strome leading surprising Capitals plus much more

Scott Cullen — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 20:47:55 +0000

Washington Capitals center Dylan Strome (17) (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire)

Each week, I’ll dig into the stats to find information that can help you make better fantasy hockey decisions. This week Alex Ovechkin and Dylan Strome are leading the surprising Capitals, Anders Lee is back in a big role for the Islanders, the Canucks call up a top prospect, a veteran Canadiens winger is picking up his play, and much more!

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

#1 There was a time last season, like when he had five goals through 29 games, that Washington Capitals left winger Alex Ovechkin looked like he might be washed. He recovered to score 26 goals in his last 50 games of the season and has started this season with 10 goals and nine assists in 15 games. There is some good fortune involved. While Ovechkin has buried 10 goals in 15 games, he is generating 3.60 shots on goal per game. He had routinely put up more than four shots on goal per game before last season, when that rate dropped to 3.43 shots per game. The difference for Ovechkin this season is that he has scored on 18.5 percent of his shots, which would be the highest rate of his career. This suggests that selling high on Ovechkin might offer some value, because it is hard to imagine his production getting better than it has been to this point in the season.

#2 Reaping the rewards of playing with Ovechkin – or is it the other way around? – Capitals centre Dylan Strome is thriving, with 23 points (5 G, 18 A) in 15 games. Strome does have an on-ice shooting percentage of 19.6 percent, which is outrageously high and not sustainable, so he almost assuredly will not continue scoring at a 125-point pace. Like Ovechkin, there is probably more value in Strome as a trade chip than in hoping that he will continue to score at this rate.

#3 New York Islanders captain Anders Lee started the season on the third line, but injuries to Anthony Duclair and Mat Barzal have pushed him back up the depth chart and he is making the most of his opportunity. The 34-year-old winger has 10 points (4 G, 6 A) in his past seven games while playing more than 18 minutes per game. Lee is averaging 11.26 shots per 60 minutes of five-on-five play, which ranks eighth in the league. Lee is skating on the Isles’ top line with Bo Horvat and Jean-Gabriel Pageau.

#4 With Brock Boeser in concussion protocol, the Vancouver Canucks called up top prospect Jonathan Lekkerimaki and the 15th pick in the 2022 Draft scored his first NHL goal in his second game. Lekkerimaki had seven points (5 G, 2 A) in seven AHL games to earn his promotion and was inserted on a line with Pius Suter and J.T. Miller. The question is, will the Canucks keep him once Boeser returns? There may be room to slide Suter down the depth chart and keep Lekkerimaki in a scoring role, but that is going to require close monitoring of the situation. The good news is that Lekkerimaki didn’t look out of place in his first taste of NHL action.

#5 Montrel Canadiens veteran Brendan Gallagher has started to contribute more offensively, though he is scoring on 21.9 percent of his shots and that is not a sustainable rate for a player who has exceeded 13 percent over a full season once in his career. Nevertheless, in his past nine games, Gallagher has delivered seven points (5 G, 2 A) while playing more than 14 minutes per game. He would only have value in deep leagues, but there is a chance that he offers more appeal now than he has for several seasons.

#6 The circumstances in Buffalo dictate that there is a ceiling on the production of defenceman Bowen Byram, because Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power are also competing for the most productive minutes on the Sabres blueline. Even so, Byram is cooking lately. He has seven points (2 G, 5 A) while averaging 25 minutes of ice time per game in his past seven games. There have reportedly been other teams lurking around the Sabres, offering to make a deal for Byram but it’s understandable that Buffalo likes what he offers, even if he is not quarterbacking the top power play unit.

#7 After he erupted for 31 goals last season, Los Angeles Kings winger Trevor Moore is not as likely to sneak up on opponents this season. Moore started slowly this year, with three points (1 G, 2 A) in his first 11 games, but he is currently riding a six-game point streak, during which he has nine points (2 G, 7 A) while playing nearly 17 minutes per game. Moore’s offensive surge has helped to lift the production of centre Phillip Danault, who had three assists in 11 games to open the season but has contributed six points (1 G, 5 A) in seven games since.

#8 Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin is getting activated Friday after spending six months on suspension after violating the policies of the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. The Avalanche have managed to survive this season, and they have recently activated Artturi Lehkonen and Jonathan Drouin from the injured list, but Nichushkin is likely to have an even bigger impact. Before getting suspended last season, Nichushkin had set career highs with 28 goals and 53 points in just 54 games. It looks like Nichushkin and Lehkonen will skate on the wings with Casey Mittelstadt, suddenly giving the Avalanche a much more formidable second line.

#9 Jake DeBrusk was Vancouver’s big free agent signing in the offseason and he had zero goals and four assists in nine games before finally finding the back of the net. He has five points (3 G, 2 A) in his past six games and as centre Elias Pettersson starts to emerge from his season-opening slump, DeBrusk is in a better spot to carry his production forward, skating on a line with Pettersson and Conor Garland.

#10 With captain Mark Stone injured, Vegas Golden Knights winger Pavel Dorofeyev is making the most of his opportunity and has landed on the top line with Jack Eichel and Ivan Barbashev. In his past 10 games, which includes games before Stone was injured, Dorofeyev has produced 10 points (7 G, 3 A) with 38 shots on goal. That shot rate is a great indicator that this production will continue. Maybe not at the rate of seven goals per 10 games, but 3.8 shots per game is strong underlying production.

#11 The Washington Capitals have been a surprise team this year, so they are a better source for fantasy value than might have been expected. Defenceman Rasmus Sandin was held off the scoresheet in the first five games of the season, but has since contributed eight points (2 G, 6 A) in 10 games. Like other Capitals, Sandin has a high on-ice shooting percentage (14.5 percent) that does suggest that his production is likely to slow down.

#12 Buffalo Sabres centre Dylan Cozens had 31 goals and 68 points in 2022-2023, only to collapse to 18 goals and 47 points last season. He is just 23 years old, so he has time to get back on track, but he started slowly in 2024-2025, with zero points in his first five games. He hasn’t busted out yet, but has four points (3 G, 1 A) in his past seven games. Cozens in only scoring on 6.0 percent of his shots, so that should get better, and the Sabres are continuing to give him quality ice time, including first-unit power play time, so he could be a possible buy-low candidate.

#13 In deep leagues, it’s always worth keeping tabs on Florida Panthers winger Evan Rodrigues, who has established that he is a reliable secondary scoring option on an excellent team. Rodrigues has six points (3 G, 3 A) in his past six games, even though he has just seven shots in that time. He is typically a reliable shot generator, and his production does tend to fluctuate based on his role. Right now, he is skating on Florida’s third line with Anton Lundell but has also spent time in the top six as well.

#14 New York Islanders rookie winger Maxim Tsyplakov needs to improve his shot rate, but he is starting to become a secondary offensive option. He has seven points (1 G, 6 A) in the past 10 games, but has just 12 shots on goal in that time, which is not nearly enough for a forward getting more than 16 minutes of ice time per game. There are 162 forwards that have played at least 200 five-on-five minutes this season and Tsyplakov ranks 143rd with 4.80 shots on goal per 60 minutes.

#15 2021 first-round pick Matt Coronato had just nine points in 39 games for the Calgary Flames last season and started this year in the AHL, where he scored two goals in two games to earn a recall to the big club. Coronato has five points (3 G, 2 A) with 12 shots on goal in his past five games and he is getting a real opportunity, skating alongside Mikael Backlund and Blake Coleman at evens, as well as playing on Calgary’s first power play unit.

#16 The Winnipeg Jets can move centre Vladislav Namestnikov all around the lineup and his two-way game makes him a valuable and versatile player. For fantasy managers, however, offensive production drives his value, and he has contributed five points (3 G, 2 A) in his past six games. Skating on a line with Cole Perfetti and Nikolaj Ehlers on his wings gives Namestnikov the opportunity to provide enough offensively that he can hold some appeal in deep leagues.

#17 Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson is crushing it in a goaltending tandem with Charlie Lindgren. Thompson has started eight games and has a 7-0-1 record with a .906 save percentage. That does make Thompson the slightly better option in the Washington net, but there is little indication that the Capitals are going to turn to either one as a number one option between the pipes. For fantasy managers, that makes Thompson a useful player to move in and out of the lineup, depending on when he is scheduled to start.

#18 I often mention shot rates as an indicator for a player’s production. Among forwards that have played at least 200 five-on-five minutes, the shots per 60 minutes leaders are: Brady Tkachuk, Logan Stankoven, Jeff Skinner, Anthony Beauvillier, Carter Verhaeghe, Auston Matthews, Bobby McMann, Anders Lee, Connor McMichael, and Ryan Donato. Some of those names are expected, but it should make players like Beauvillier, McMann, Donato, and even Stankoven worth an extra look when scouring the fantasy waiver wire.

#19 Adding shot quality into the mix, the forwards that are leading in individual expected goals per 60 minutes of five-on-five play: Connor McMichael, Will Cuylle, Connor McDavid, Sean Monahan, Auston Matthews, Jack Roslovic, Nino Niederrieter, Barrett Hayton, Seth Jarvis, and Jeff Skinner. McMichael has been enjoying a breakout season and has the underlying numbers to support it and Cuylle is delivering more in his sophomore campaign for the Rangers. Roslovic is getting a great opportunity in Carolina and Niederreiter continues to thrive on Winnipeg’s third line.

#20 It is not easy to take on a San Jose Sharks goaltender, but it could be worth considering Mackenzie Blackwood, who has a 3-5-2 record in 10 starts, but his .910 save percentage and 4.68 Goals Saved Above Expected are very promising signs. He had a 44-save shutout at New Jersey, against his former team, and the Sharks are starting to win some games, so Blackwood’s record could start to improve merely through the team getting better rather than any improvement needed in his own performance.

*Advanced stats via Natural Stat Trick.

AHL: HALL – AHL Rookies to Watch – Pacific Division

Dave Hall — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 19:54:43 +0000

The American Hockey League season is officially upon us, and the NHL affiliates aim to reclaim their spot as the best development system in North America. With unique and perhaps unpopular league rules, including a veteran cap and required age minimum, the AHL offers an interesting balance between competitive and developmental rosters.

However, each year, the league receives a healthy injection of 20-year-olds, typically considered high-pedigreed prospects within their respective systems. This year is no different. Here at Mckeens, we will look at a few rookie skaters to watch this year within each Division.

First up: the Pacific Division.

Jagger Firkus, RW, Coachella Valley Firebirds

Seattle Kraken's 2022 second-round draft pick, Jagger Firkus, is coming off an explosive final season in the WHL and is now ready to take that firepower to the professional ranks. The 2023-24 season was a banner year for the undersized winger, as he racked up an exhausting list of accolades, including:

CHL Player of the Year
CHL Top Scorer Award (126 points)
WHL (East) First All-Star Team
WHL Champion
Bobby Clarke Trophy (Most Points in WHL)
Four Broncos Trophy (WHL Player of the Year)
WHL Playoffs Most Points (32 points)

Firkus led the entire Canadian Hockey League in scoring with 126 points, wrapping up a 310-point (144 goals, 166 assists) junior career across 230 games, all with the Moose Jaw Warriors. Despite his smaller size at 5-foot-11, Firkus continues to find new creative ways to light up the scoreboard with his incredible release and fluid offensive creativity.

Now in his third-year post-draft, he will look to translate that dynamic scoring ability to the AHL with the Coachella Valley Firebirds, who will aim to make an appearance in the Calder Cup finals for a third consecutive season.

Jonathan Lekkerimäki, RW, Abbotsford Canucks

After a challenging draft-plus-one year that was riddled with health setbacks, Jonathan Lekkerimäki burst onto the scene in 2023-24 with an incredible rookie performance in the SHL. He led all SHL rookies with 19 goals and led that same field, along with his team, with 31 points. His dominant offensive play extended to the World Juniors, where he led the tournament in goals (7) and won the MVP award, contributing to Sweden's Silver Medal on home soil.

Lekkerimäki will now look to bring his scoring prowess to the Abbotsford Canucks, where he will be a central figure on the team's offence. Known for his elite-level release from the perimeter, he will be tasked with handling all of Abbotsford’s heavy lifting in the offensive zone, grabbing the keys to the team’s top-line minutes while being a key piece on the power play. Assuming a strong start doesn’t earn him an NHL call-up sooner rather than later, he’ll be a must-see prospect within this Pacific Division.

Luca Cagnoni, LD, San Jose Barracuda

Luca Cagnoni’s ability to produce offensively as a defenceman has been nothing short of impressive. After a stellar 2023-24 season that saw him notch 90 points with the Portland Winterhawks, he says goodbye to a near-point-per-game WHL career with 193 points in 205 games. Now set to embark on his pro career with the San Jose Barracuda, Cagnoni will focus on adapting his high-octane offensive game to the AHL level as a go-to option in all necessary scoring situations.

Standing at just 5-foot-9, Cagnoni's size continues to raise questions about his ability to handle professional hockey's physical demands. However, as one of the more underrated and dynamic offensive defenders within the prospect circuit, his pedigree continues to hold merit as a future NHL hopeful and is certainly worth keeping an eye on as he looks to make his mark in the Pacific Division.

Matt Savoie, C, Bakersfield Condors

The Edmonton Oilers are pushing for a Stanley Cup, but that pursuit has left their farm system lacking in young offensive talent—until they traded for Matt Savoie. The very moment the deal was finalized, the 20-year-old inherited the responsibility as the organization’s top prospect and will immediately be one of the Bakersfield Condors' primary offensive weapons.

Savoie, fresh off a fruitful WHL career, recording 263 points in just 183 WHL games, has already shown he can handle professional play. Although a small sample size, he already posted five points (two goals, three assists) in a six-game AHL stint with the Rochester Americans last season.

Though his smaller frame at 5-foot-9 might pose challenges as he levels up through the pro ranks, his speed and creativity should allow him to thrive at the AHL level, making him one of the most exciting players to watch not only in Bakersfield but the entire AHL, this season.

Hunter Brzustewicz, RD, Calgary Wranglers

It’s not every day that an NHL organization trades one of their newly minted prospects on the verge of flirting with 100 points as an OHL defenceman. Yet, that’s exactly what the Canucks did, sending Hunter Brzustewicz to the Calgary Flames organizations at last year’s NHL deadline in exchange for a rental asset. With that in his rearview, pushing for an NHL spot in Alberta is on the menu, and although he has yet to play a game at the pro level, it doesn’t feel too far away.

After turning heads during his first NHL preseason with Calgary, Brzustewicz looked strong enough to battle for a spot on the Flames' roster, eventually falling just short. Now that reality has set, Brzustewicz will naturally kick off his pro career deployed on the Wranglers’ defensive corps but will do so as the team’s top right-handed option.

His poised, polished two-way game is defined by his high hockey IQ, excellent edgework, and smooth transitions. He may not play at the fastest pace, but his ability to dictate play, quarterback the power play, and ability to consistently make smart decisions has made him a key addition to the Wranglers.

Now, following a year in which he finished second among OHL defenders in scoring with a whopping 92 points, he’ll be looking to show why he should have been taken well above his eventual 75th overall landing spot.

Filip Bystedt, C, San Jose Barracuda

Filip Bystedt may not garner as much attention as some of his fellow Sharks’ prospects. Still, he has quietly been developing into an impressive two-way player and an important piece to this system’s future while overseas. Joining the Barracuda late in the 2023-24 season, Bystedt kicked the door down immediately, commanding the respect of Sharks fans, scoring seven points (four goals, three assists) in eight games, including a standout three-point debut.

The 2022 first-round pick carries a unique combination of size (6-foot-4) and skill, which he compliments with an elegant skating stride and ability to play two-way hockey. While fulfilling a top-line role at the NHL level may not be in the cards, he feels destined to play meaningful middle-six minutes for the Sharks somewhere down the road.

For now, he brings an exciting mix of responsible yet skilled game to the Barracuda and should formulate part of this team’s top-six forward group as they look to improve on their spot in the basement of the Pacific Division from last year.

MCKEEN’S 2024-25 NHL YEARBOOK – VANCOUVER CANUCKS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #22

Introduction - Dave Hall, Profiles - Derek Neumeier — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 13:00:13 +0000

_{231221 Jonathan Lekkerimäki of Sweden looks dejected after the under-20 international friendly ice hockey game between Sweden and USA on December 21, 2023 in Ängelholm. Photo: Maxim Thoré / BILDBYRÅN / kod MT / MT0513}

Prospect System Ranking – 22nd (Previous Rank - 16th)
GM: Patrik Allvin Hired: January 2022
COACH: Rick Tocchet Hired: January 2023

Everything seemed to fall into place for the Vancouver Canucks in 2023-24, with success resonating throughout the organization. Several players hit career highs, Rick Tocchet earned the Jack Adams Award for Coach of the Year, and Patrik Allvin was a finalist for GM of the Year.

Most importantly for the future and a prospect system dwindled by years of poor asset management, Jonathan Lekkerimäki, our 19th-ranked prospect at McKeen’s, had a breakout season overseas. He collected an impressive list of accolades, including team MVP, Rookie of the Year, and World Juniors MVP, all while leading all U23 skaters in points (31) in the SHL. Now officially in North America, Lekkerimäki is likely to spend some time in Abbotsford, but isn’t far off from earning minutes in Vancouver.

Lekkerimäki will join a group of prospects on the cusp of NHL duty, including Aatu Räty (ranked 79th), Arshdeep Bains (ranked 208th), Linus Karlsson (ranked 293rd), and Elias Pettersson (no, not that one), who is set to embark on his first full season in North America.

Tom Willander, who comes in as our 46th-ranked prospect, will spend at least one more season at Boston University but is another intriguing youngster capable of carving out a top four role in the next few years. With Montreal’s Lane Hutson no longer in the picture at BU, the blueline is there for Willander to command in 2024-25.

The biggest jump of 2024-25 will likely come between the pipes. With both Vancouver’s regular netminders–Thatcher Demko and Casey DeSmith–suffering playoff injuries, Arturs Silovs (202nd) was thrust into the crease, despite having just five regular season starts to his name. He played exceptionally well, helping the Canucks come within one goal of reaching the Western Conference Finals. His performance earned him a two-year extension and a shot at becoming the team’s permanent backup.

The system is still a work in progress, and with no picks in the first or second rounds of the 2024 NHL Draft, there is still much ground to cover. However, it’s a step in the right direction under a new regime that appears to know what it’s doing.

Vancouver Canucks Top-15 Prospects

1. Jonathan Lekkerimaki

Lekkerimaki really started to heat up during the 2023 HockeyAllsvenskan playoffs, and once that began happening you could see that a switch had flipped for him. He hasn’t slowed down at all since then, and has firmly re-established himself as one of the most dynamic and dangerous prospects in the sport. It’s not often that a teenager leads an SHL team in both goals and points, but the young Canucks sharpshooter did that this season for Orebro, which just goes to show how good he truly was. He’s a high-end goal-scorer both with his one-timer, which he can let rip with expert power and precision, as well as his ability to burst past opposing defenders with speed before then deking the goalie out of his pads. The highlight-reel that he will accumulate by the end of his career will be quite a long one.

2. Tom Willander

Willander was a late riser up everyone's 2023 draft boards, and his seamless transition to living in North America and playing hockey in the NCAA are great indicators that he will be able to adapt to the NHL one day and make an impact there as well. He is already a dominant two-way player with Boston University, using his powerful and flawless skating ability to tilt the ice whenever he's out there. The value he brings is less about the sheer number of points he produces, and more so the ability to control the flow of the game around him and dictate its outcomes. It's very easy to project him as someone who will be able to play in a Top 4 role in the NHL and match up well against the most dangerous forwards the league has to offer.

3. Aatu Raty

Raty spent the entirety of his 2023-24 campaign with Abbotsford, and while he might be personally disappointed that he didn’t get to play any games for Vancouver, the argument could be made that all that consistency was important to stabilize his development, because there was a lot of moving around and mixed results for him over the past few seasons. The results were encouraging, with better production rates and him taking on a bigger role within his team. Next season will likely be a similar story, considering the competition among forwards in the organization right now, but if he truly plays himself up the depth chart, he’ll get rewarded for it. A two-way center with size and skill, he could be a very impactful NHLer one day if he continues to stick to the plan and takes things as they come to him.

4. Arturs Silovs

Silovs has turned out to be a very valuable find for the Canucks as a 6th-round draft selection. He hasn’t exactly knocked anyone’s socks off since he was picked, but he’s certainly proven himself to be a good supporting goalie at the very least, with the possibility of him still becoming something more one day. He lets his large frame do most of his work while he’s between the pipes, while also doing a good job of keeping his head clear and not riding the highs and the lows of the game situations in front of him. His surprise success for Vancouver in last year’s playoffs, stepping up in relief of the injured Thatcher Demko, all but cemented his right to play full-time in the NHL in 2024-25, which will be his biggest and most important challenge yet. What he does next could change the entire trajectory of his career.

5. Arshdeep Bains

What an incredible story Bains continues to write for himself. In the span of a few short years, he's gone from being an undrafted longshot, to earning a contract with his favourite childhood hockey team, to establishing himself as one of their very best prospects. His success also extends well outside of the Canucks organization, providing valuable representation for the Canadian Sikh community's growing love of the sport. He thinks the game at a very high level, which has been the primary source of his ability to keep making repeated gains in a multitude of areas and consistently year over year. It’s fair to say that he’s exceeded everyone’s expectations thus far into his career. A track record like his, along with how well-rounded his game already is, signals that he won't be confined to just a single NHL pathway and could earn different roles within a roster.

6. Linus Karlsson

Karlsson has quietly emerged within the Canucks system as quite a steady point producer. That was true of his time in the Swedish professional ranks and has carried over nicely to North America. He’s a little on the older side for a prospect, at 24 years of age now, but him leading Abbotsford in scoring at a point-per-game clip should not be undervalued. He’s a real jack-of-all-trades type of center, and that will either end up being a blessing or a curse for him as he tries to make Vancouver full-time, because he’ll be at the whim of the team’s roster construction and whether they need another guy like him, versus someone who fills a more specialized role. The good news is that there should be a small number of forward spots open next fall for someone promoted internally.

7. Kirill Kudryavtsev

The Greyhounds pulled off a major turnaround this past season compared to the last one, and Kudryavtsev played an essential role in how they did it as one of their most trusted defensemen. His game didn’t necessarily get an overhaul from one year to the next, but he fine-tuned his play, increasing both the efficiency and effectiveness of how he plays. Sometimes it’s about perfecting what you have, not looking for something else. He’s a mobile two-way defender who plays a heads-up brand of hockey and displays a lot of comfort when the puck is on his stick. Will he ever be a go-to powerplay specialist or penalty killer for the Canucks? Probably not. But he could still bring value to the team through an ability to reliably pick up retrievals, evade forecheck pressure, and turn the puck back up the ice quickly and accurately.

8. Elias Pettersson

All jokes aside about the Canucks having two players in the organization with the exact same name, this Elias Pettersson is a very solid young defenseman in his own right and is on a promising course to make it to the NHL one day. He’s very well equipped as a modern-day shutdown defenseman, with a good blend of reach, mobility, and poise with the puck. He also understands how to play physically and land big hits without getting himself into penalty trouble, though he will have to get his hands dirty a little more often once he starts playing in North America full-time. Him being a part of Abbotsford’s AHL playoff run this spring is a good introduction to that. Adding a more of an offensive element to his game would be nice as well, but it won’t be a necessity for him.

9. Sawyer Mynio

It's amazing what being surrounded by elite talent can do for a player, especially when they are good learners and know how to make the most out of the opportunity. Mynio is a textbook example of what that looks like. The spotlight rarely shone on him last year as a member of the WHL-champion Seattle Thunderbirds, with it understandably getting hogged instead by the team's surplus of stars, but Mynio was out there every game too, grinding and growing. The results of that work have been incredible to see, as he managed to improve every facet of his game, while also becoming the new face of the organization and one of its leaders on and off the ice as they look to usher in a new era. That kind of experience is hard to find and even harder to replicate.

10. Jett Woo

The hype about Woo has cooled off significantly since he was picked 37th overall in the 2018 NHL entry draft, and for a while it looked like it was going to freeze completely, but give him credit: he’s dug in, battled hard, and has made himself look like a legitimate NHL prospect again. He’s a stocky, physical blueliner who developed a reputation for delivering sturdy hits, and after a bit of a warming-up period in the AHL has started to look more like his old self. The offensive side of his game has fluctuated a lot from year to year, but this season was his best one yet as a pro, and he led all defensemen on his team in scoring. It looks like there won’t be any room for him on the big club at first, but if injuries occur on the blueline Woo could be first in line to get a look.

11. Max Sasson

Just how far has Sasson come in his development? To put it into perspective, in 2017 he was selected in the 19th round in the USHL draft. Three years later he was an assistant captain in the league. Three years after that he was scoring at a point-per-game pace in the NCAA. Now he's thriving in the AHL. Even if he never becomes more than a high-character glue guy, someone like that often finds a way to take their careers farther than others.

12. Cole McWard

It must have stung a little for McWard to play all but one game in the AHL last season, after going straight from the NCAA to the moribund Canucks at the end of 2022-23 and even scoring his first NHL goal. The organization might have hoped that he’d grab the bull by the horns down in Abbotsford and then force his way back up, but it hasn’t happened yet. Any look he gets now will need to be earned, not given.

13. Melvin Fernström

No player picked in the 2024 NHL draft had a stronger disconnect between their stats and their on-ice performance than Fernström. How he scored so much last year still remains something of a mystery, but a large part of it is his uncanny anticipation, knowing how to be in the right place at the right time. It will be fascinating to see if that continues to work for him, since he doesn’t drive much play off his own stick.

14. Anthony Romani

It’s a downright travesty that Romani had to miss almost all of North Bay’s big playoff run due to injury, because he was having one of the best Cinderella seasons in recent league history. Nobody expected him to more than double his goal and point totals from the prior year and challenge for the league scoring title. Was it all just a flash in the pan? Nobody knows for sure yet, but the Canucks picked Romani on the off chance that it wasn’t.

15. Josh Bloom

The jump from junior hockey to professional hockey isn’t always easy, and Bloom experienced that the hard way last season, struggling in both the AHL and the ECHL before going back to Saginaw as an overage player. On the bright side, he did get to win a Memorial Cup with the Spirit, so it’s not all bad. Prior flashes of offensive upside haven’t fully materialized, so focusing on his checking work might be a necessary shift.

MCKEEN’S 2024 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #16 Vancouver Canucks – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Player Profiles - Derek Neumeier, Team Overview - Robert Howard — Wed, 05 Jun 2024 15:00:46 +0000

240127 Örebros Jonathan Lekkerimäki under ishockeymatchen i SHL mellan Örebro och Timrå den 27 januari 2024 i Örebro.
Foto: Aron Broman / BILDBYRÅN / COP 341 / AM0032

The first full season under Rick Tocchet was a resounding success resulting in a landslide win for the Jack Adams Award for coach of the year. While not being able to close their second series with Edmonton, despite being up three games to two, they performed admirably and had some tough luck with injuries. The Canucks outpaced the Oilers in the regular season to win the Pacific Division with 109 points, a massive improvement over last season’s 83 points. GM Patrik Allvin was a buyer at the deadline orchestrating a massive trade for Elias Lindholm, a free agent following the season. It cost the organization their first-round pick, plus Andrei Kuzmenko along with promising prospects Hunter Brzustewicz and Joni Jurmo. A bold play for a potential rental that looked like it might backfire as he acclimatized to his new surroundings, producing a disappointing 12 points in 26 games. He finished third in team scoring in the playoffs with 10 points in 13 games, including some key ones.

The prospect pool remains in the middle of the pack and actually up from 23rd to 16th. The reason is the presence of three prospects that rank in our top 60. Jonathan Lekkerimaki is ranked at #12 and had a tremendous season and developing quickly in Sweden and joining Abbotsford to end the season. A late riser in the draft last season, Tom Willander was selected at #11 overall and ranked by McKeen’s in our top 200 at #28, He transitioned seamlessly to North America at Boston College and was a dominant two-way player. Aatu Raty, a two-way center, is ranked 59th by McKeen’s and had a strong season in Abbotsford. Without their first two picks in this year’s draft, the prospect ranking is only likely to fall at this point.

RNK	PLAYER	POS	AGE	HT/WT	TM	Acquired	GP	G(W)	A(L)	PTS(GAA)	PIM(SPCT)
1	Jonathan Lekkerimaki	RW	19	5-11/170	Orebro (SHL)	`22(15th)	46	19	12	31	10
					Abbotsford (AHL)	`22(15th)	6	1	1	2	0
2	Tom Willander	D	19	6-1/180	Boston University (HE)	`23(11th)	38	4	21	25	12
3	Aatu Raty	C	21	6-2/185	Abbotsford (AHL)	T(NYI-1/23)	72	18	34	52	18
4	Arshdeep Bains	LW	23	6-0/185	Abbotsford (AHL)	FA(3/22)	59	16	39	55	28
					Vancouver (NHL)	FA(3/22)	8	0	0	0	6
5	Linus Karlsson	C	24	6-1/180	Abbotsford (AHL)	T(SJ-2/19)	60	23	37	60	30
					Vancouver (NHL)	T(SJ-2/19)	4	0	0	0	0
6	Arturs Silovs	G	23	6-4/205	Abbotsford (AHL)	`19(156th)	34	16	11	2.74	0.907
7	Sawyer Mynio	D	19	6-1/175	Seattle (WHL)	`23(89th)	63	16	37	53	66
8	Max Sasson	C	23	6-1/180	Abbotsford (AHL)	FA(3/23)	56	18	24	42	36
9	Jett Woo	D	23	6-0/205	Abbotsford (AHL)	`18(37th)	62	7	24	31	93
10	Elias Pettersson 2	D	20	6-1/185	Vasteras (HockeyAllsvenskan)	`22(80th)	34	3	11	14	8
11	Aidan McDonough	LW	24	6-3/190	Abbotsford (AHL)	`19(195th)	58	11	8	19	10
12	Cole McWard	D	22	6-1/205	Abbotsford (AHL)	FA(4/23)	57	4	13	17	16
13	Filip Johansson	D	24	6-0/175	Abbotsford (AHL)	FA(6/22)	55	5	13	18	10
14	Kirill Kudryavtsev	D	20	5-11/200	Soo Greyhounds (OHL)	`22(208th)	67	5	42	47	18
15	Nikita Tolopilo	G	23	6-6/230	Abbotsford (AHL)	FA(3/23)	35	20	13	2.83	0.905

1. Jonathan Lekkerimaki, RW, Orebro HK (SHL)

Lekkerimaki really started to heat up during the 2023 HockeyAllsvenskan playoffs, and once that began happening you could see that a switch had flipped for him. He hasn’t slowed down at all since then and has firmly re-established himself as one of the most dynamic and dangerous prospects in the sport. It’s not often that a teenager leads an SHL team in both goals and points, but the young Canucks sharpshooter did that this season for Orebro, which just goes to show how good he truly was. He’s a high-end goal-scorer both with his one-timer, which he can let rip with expert power and precision, as well as his ability to burst past opposing defenders with speed before then deking the goalie out of his pads. The highlight-reel that he will accumulate by the end of his career will be quite a long one.

2. Tom Willander, D, Boston University (NCAA)

Willander was a late riser up everyone's 2023 draft boards, and his seamless transition to living in North America and playing hockey in the NCAA are great indicators that he will be able to adapt to the NHL one day and make an impact there as well. He is already a dominant two-way player with Boston University, using his powerful and flawless skating ability to tilt the ice whenever he's out there. The value he brings is less about the sheer number of points he produces, and more so the ability to control the flow of the game around him and dictate its outcomes. It's very easy to project him as someone who will be able to play in a top four role in the NHL and match up well against the most dangerous forwards the league has to offer.

3. Aatu Raty, C, Abbotsford Canucks (AHL)

Raty spent the entirety of his 2023-24 campaign with Abbotsford, and while he might be personally disappointed that he didn’t get to play any games for Vancouver, the argument could be made that all that consistency was important to stabilize his development, because there was a lot of moving around and mixed results for him over the past few seasons. The results were encouraging, with better production rates and him taking on a bigger role within his team. Next season will likely be a similar story, considering the competition among forwards in the organization right now, but if truly plays himself up the depth chart he’ll get rewarded for it. A two-way center with size and skill, he could be a very impactful NHLer one day if he continues to stick to the plan and takes things as they come to him.

4. Arshdeep Bains, LW, Abbotsford Canucks (AHL)

5. Linus Karlsson, C, Abbotsford Canucks (AHL)

6. Arturs Silovs, G, Abbotsford Canucks (AHL)

Silovs has turned out to be a very valuable find for the Canucks as a 6th-round draft selection. He hasn’t exactly knocked anyone’s socks off since he was picked, but he’s certainly proven himself to be a good depth goalie at the very least, with the possibility of him still becoming something more one day. He lets his large frame do most of his work while he’s between the pipes, while also doing a good job of keeping his head clear and not riding the highs and the lows of the game situations in front of him. He’s done a good enough job over the past two years in his call-ups to Vancouver, but he’ll probably need to beat out his competition and prove himself as a quality AHL starter — which hasn’t exactly happened yet — before he’ll get trusted as a proper backup at the NHL level.

7. Sawyer Mynio, D, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)

8. Max Sasson, C, Abbotsford Canucks (AHL)

Just how far has Sasson come in his development as a hockey player? To put it into perspective, in 2017 he was selected in the 19th round, 303rd overall, in the USHL Entry Draft. Three years later he was an assistant captain in the league. Three years after that he was scoring at a point-per-game pace in the NCAA. Now, at age 23, he's thriving in the AHL. With a story like that, and a proven track record of improving himself year over year and exceeding all expectations, how could you doubt his ability to reach the NHL one day, too? Even if he never becomes more than a high-character glue guy for the Canucks, someone like that is always welcome among a coaching staff and in the locker room, and they often find ways to take their careers farther than other prospects who have more skill but lack the same intangibles.

9. Jett Woo, D, Abbotsford Canucks (AHL)

The hype about Woo has cooled off significantly since he was picked 37th overall in the 2018 NHL entry draft, and for a while it looked like it was going to freeze completely, but give him credit: he’s dug in, battled hard, and has made himself look like a legitimate NHL prospect again. He’s a stocky, physical blueliner who developed a reputation for delivering sturdy hits, and after a bit of a warming-up period in the AHL has started to look more like his old self. The offensive side of his game has fluctuated a lot from year to year, but this season was his best one yet as a pro, and he led all defensemen on his team in scoring. With the big club set to lose four NHL defenders to free agency this summer, how much consideration will Woo get at making the team?

10. Elias Pettersson, D, Vasteras IK (HockeyAllsvenskan)

All jokes aside about the Canucks having two players in the organization with the exact same name, this Elias Pettersson is a very solid young defenseman in his own right and is on a promising course to make it to the NHL one day. He’s very well equipped as a modern-day shutdown defenseman, with a good blend of reach, mobility and poise with the puck. He also understands how to play physically and land big hits without getting himself into penalty trouble, though he will have to get his hands dirty a little more often once he starts playing in North America full-time. His being a part of Abbotsford’s AHL playoff run this spring is a good introduction to that. Adding a more of an offensive element to his game would be nice as well, but it won’t be a necessity for him.

PROSPECT CRITERIA: Players under 26 years of age as of 9/15/2024 who have appeared in less than 60 games (30 for goalies) and less than 25 in one season (25 for goalies).