Kirill Slepets – McKeen's Hockey

NHL: BELL – 2024 Trade Deadline – Insight into Each NHL Team’s New Prospects

Josh Bell — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 14:00:01 +0000

_{ANAHEIM, CA - JANUARY 08: Anaheim Ducks right wing Jacob Perreault (64) on the ice making his NHL debut during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Rangers played on January 8, 2022 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire)}

The 2024 NHL Trade Deadline has come and gone. Some teams bolstered their lineup with the hopes of a deep playoff run (I’m looking at you, Vegas Golden Knights), and others sold off help now for potential later (Calgary Flames).

While the focus of the trade deadline is always the big NHL names that move teams - the Jake Guentzals, the Noah Hanafins, the Tomas Hertls - quite often there are names attached to these big moves that fly under the radar. Sure, some of the top prospects might get a mention or two, but the unsigned guys, the guys that likely need a fresh start, and some of the forgotten names get, well, forgotten.

If your team acquired a new prospect within the two weeks leading up to the deadline, I’ve got you covered. Here’s a brief scouting report on every prospect moved over the 14 days leading up to the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline.

Zakhar Bardakov, F, Colorado Avalanche

Zakhar Bardakov embodies the classic power forward archetype, standing at an imposing 6-foot-2, 198 pounds. His prowess lies in net-front presence, excelling in board battles, and tip-ins. While possessing a powerful and accurate shot, Bardakov's offensive awareness and overall skill is a work in progress. Though not the fastest skater, his adequate skating is complemented by a strong penalty-killing ability and relentless forechecking. Expect Bardakov to evolve into a bottom-six winger, contributing on special teams and wearing down opponents.

Cole Brady, G, Dallas Stars

Cole Brady displays promise with good reflexes and occasional moments of brilliance. However, consistency remains a challenge for him. With continued development, the 6-foot-5 netminder has the potential to get a look in the NHL, but that role very much remains to be determined. Fine-tuning his technique and enhancing consistency are crucial steps for reaching his full potential and continuing to climb the ladder.

Riley Damiani, C, Calgary Flames

Despite standing at 5-foot-10, Riley Damiani's speed and strong work ethic make him a valuable prospect in the pipeline. Known for defensive play initially, Damiani has showcased offensive potential, particularly on the power play, with a good shot and adept plays in tight spaces. However, enhancing his offensive consistency is a priority. Damiani is projected to be a reliable two-way center contributing at the NHL level, likely in the bottom six.

David Edstrom, C, San Jose Sharks

David Edstrom, a raw, yet talented center with a 6-foot-3, 190-pound frame, exhibits effective skating, decent acceleration, and balance. While not flashy, he uses his size and strength for puck protection and board battles. Edstrom demonstrates offensive potential with a strong shot and glimpses of playmaking ability. Despite solid defensive efforts, his awareness can be inconsistent. With added muscle and refined defensive skills, Edstrom has the potential to be a top-six center excelling on both ends of the ice. More likely, expect him to fit into the middle six.

Artyom Grushnikov, D, Calgary Flames

Artyom Grushnikov may lack offensive flair, but his exceptional skating and hockey IQ make him a coveted asset in any farm system. Known for shutting down plays in the neutral zone and maintaining tight gap control, Grushnikov reads the game well. He’s not going to appear often on the scoreboard, but he occasionally contributes with his skating ability. Expect Grushnikov to develop into a reliable, shutdown defenseman excelling in his own zone.

Jeremy Hanzel, D, Nashville Predators

Jeremy Hanzel could be a hidden gem for the Nashville Predators. The defender combines modern offensive skills with intelligence. Hanzel, a deceptive puck handler, creates space and finds teammates with slick moves. While his defensive game is under development, Hanzel's offensive potential is evident. Refining defensive awareness and positioning is crucial for him to become a well-rounded defenseman.

Ville Koivunen, F, Pittsburgh Penguins

Selected likely too low in the 2021 NHL Draft (51st overall), Ville Koivunen may not be a guaranteed star, but he does have the potential to develop into just that. Skilled, with a nose for the net, Koivunen's shifty puck handling and high hockey IQ make him a very promising player. While his defensive awareness could stand to improve, Koivunen's overall game is strong. With added strength, he could become a top-six winger, and be a key returning piece in the Jake Guentzal trade.

Cruz Lucius, RW, Pittsburgh Penguins

Cruz Lucius, a right-wing prospect, boasts an impressive offensive skill set thanks to his ability as a playmaker. Standing at 6-foot, 179 pounds, Lucius’ key contributions come in his own end though through his retrievals and support in the defensive end. He lacks the shot that his brother, Chaz, has, but don’t underestimate it. The biggest opportunity for Lucius is to add a level of consistent pace to his play, which will be a determining factor in his future success.

Jan Mysak, F, Anaheim Ducks

Jan Mysak brings a well-rounded skill set to the Anaheim Ducks, with strong hockey IQ and vision. His above-average skating aids offensive transitions, and his versatility allows him to play center and wing. Mysak's scoring threat is enhanced by a strong shot and the ability to find open ice. Mysak was on a strong path forward in his development, and it will be interesting to see how he does with the change of scenery. A personal favourite since the NHL Draft, I believe Mysak could develop into a top-six winger still.

Dmitri Ovchinnikov, F, Minnesota Wild

Dmitri Ovchinnikov possesses good hands and a knack for scoring in tight spaces. Playing a smart, offensive game with a strong compete level, Ovchinnikov plays a very fast game and utilizes his agility effectively. While not the biggest player at 5-foot-10, he plays a bigger game and consistently pushes the pace of play. Continued development and added strength could see Ovchinnikov as a reliable middle-six forward with an intriguing offensive upside.

Jacob Perreault, W, Montreal Canadiens

Montreal Canadiens fans have reason to be excited about Jacob Perreault, a right-handed winger with a strong skating stride and elite shot. He seems to have taken a bit of a step back in his development, but a move to a new organization in his home province could be just what he needs to get back on track. His play off the puck will be one of the biggest question marks moving forward, as he’s been quite inconsistent. If the Habs development team can get him on track, Perreault could still become a dangerous NHL sniper.

Mathias Emilio Pettersen, W, Dallas Stars

You never truly know how a prospect is going to develop, and Mathias Emilio Pettersen is an example of that. Drafted 167th overall in 2018, he’s progressed very well and has become a very reliable asset in the AHL. His vision and ability to set up teammates are top-notch, accompanied by a powerful and accurate shot. Questions about his size and strength linger, but if he continues on the path he’s on, Pettersen has the potential to be a bottom-six, contributing forward.

Vasili Ponomaryov, C, Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Penguins fans can anticipate excitement with Vasili Ponomaryov, a tenacious two-way center excelling in puck pursuit and offensive spark. His stickhandling and creativity make him a threat in transition, and relentless forechecking creates turnovers. Ponomarev's balance and lower-body strength contribute to his competitiveness. With tightened defensive play and improved positioning, Ponomarev could evolve into a reliable middle-six pivot. He’s been another favourite of mine since his draft year.

Calle Själin, D, Buffalo Sabres

Calle Själin, a 24-year-old lefty, is a reliable puck-moving defender who makes smart decisions in his own zone. While not a physical force, his effective defending stems from skating and positioning. His offensive upside does appear to be quite limited, he tends to be a safer, more passive player which will always limit the excitement he brings to the ice. But Själin's reliability and intelligence could be enough to earn him a look in the future, maybe even carve out a spot on a bottom-pairing line.

Kirill Slepets, W, Toronto Maple Leafs

Kirill Slepets is a winger who brings tremendous speed, and solid skill and creativity. Slepets' ability to navigate defenders and create scoring chances is impressive, particularly on the power play. He’s on the smaller size at 5-foot-10, 165 pounds, but his skating might just be enough to make up for that. With his KHL contract ending, the Russian forward could be an intriguing option for the Maple Leafs next season if he decides to sign.

Graham Sward, D, Colorado Avalanche

Graham Sward, a two-way defenseman, demonstrates solid positioning and awareness. Standing at 6-foot-3, 192 pounds, his high on-ice intelligence compensates for some much-needed skating improvements. His movement of the puck is strong, especially in transition. Sward's ability to read plays and make smart decisions positions him as a potential reliable bottom-pair defenseman, but his movement does need some improvements to reach that potential.

Ty Taylor, G, Edmonton Oilers

The future is uncertain for Ty Taylor, drafted by Tampa Bay back in 2018. With an uninspiring NCAA career and mixed performance in professional leagues, including playing in Scotland, Taylor's pro aspirations may be quickly fading. He has good size at 6-foot-4, 201 pounds, and has had glimpses of technically sound play (especially back in his BCHL days), but he has yet to take significant steps forward since his draft year. Granted - goalies are weird.

Jack Thompson, D, San Jose Sharks

Jack Thompson is a well-rounded defenseman who can contribute offensively and excels in his own zone. Thompson's major asset is his skating, allowing him to thrive in all three zones. Not afraid to join the rush, he possesses a booming slapshot and efficient breakout passes. Defensively, Thompson is positionally sound and reads the play well. While not the biggest defender, his mobility allows him to shut down plays effectively. With continued development, Thompson has the potential to be a top-four force contributing on both ends.

Luke Toporowski, C, Minnesota Wild

Luke Toporowski is a centreman with a high motor and relentless work ethic. His speed creates scoring chances, and his well-rounded two-way game is evident. He did seem to be stalling in his development this season, but a move to the Minnesota pipeline could be just what he needs to get on the right track. Toporowski's good defensive awareness and positioning suggest he could become a valuable two-way center with continued development.

Cade Webber, D, Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs fans can anticipate the imposing presence of Cade Webber on the blue line, standing at an impressive 6-foot-6. Known for his physicality that challenges opponents, his zone exits are a strength. Don’t expect him to be on the scoresheet too often though, as his offensive talent is not what attracts scouts to his game. Instead, Webber has the potential to become a shutdown defenseman, contributing effectively on the penalty kill. He could be a piece that the Maple Leafs have long been searching for.

McKeen’s 2020-21 Hockey Yearbook: Carolina Hurricanes Top 20 Prospects

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 21:29:15 +0000

McKeen's Top 20 Carolina Hurricanes prospects for the 2020-21 season. You can read an organizational assessment prior to the draft in Ryan Wagman's article found here. Following the draft we provided a review on each teams performance based on our rankings found here.

Seth Jarvis, C (13^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Jarvis led his team in scoring last year and finished second to Adam Beckman in the WHL with 98 points. From January on, he had 63 points in 26 games. An explosive player in transition, he is at his best when he can attack with pace. His first step quickness allows him to turn plays around in an instant. He has an uncanny ability to dart in and out of traffic, changing his angles of attack and his pace to sneak past defenders. His hands can also keep up with his feet. He maintains possession through his quick stops, starts, and turns, and is difficult to stick check because of how he manages space. Jarvis also possesses a high-end intelligence level, both with and without the puck, exceling in all three zones. Equal parts playmaker and goal scorer, he can beat you in a lot of different ways. His explosiveness, puck skill, finishing ability, tenaciousness, and high IQ make him a potential high-scoring impact first line winger. He also can provide versatility by playing multiple roles and that should endear him to coaches at the next level rather quickly. - BO

Dominik Bokk, RW (Trade: Sep. 24, 2019. Originally: 25^th overall, 2018 [St. Louis]. Previous ranking: 1)

Bokk has elite skills but displays consistency issues as well. He has an accurate and fast wrist shot and can score from almost any angle. He rarely scores outside the circles, and his shot is lethal from the rush. He also possesses strong puck control and can deke his way through traffic. He has the vision to find an open teammate as well. Bokk is a frustrating prospect in the sense that he sees the ice well, and has all the technical tools, but does not always use them. There are some concerns that he is too much of a skills player and lacks the instincts to make the right play at the right time to win a game, which also could explain his consistency issues. Without the puck, he still has a lot of work to do on his game which might be instinct-related. I would like to see him get more into open spaces, while defensively he needs to cover the ice better and be more active. All-in-all, Bokk is still a year or two away from playing in the NHL and Carolina needs to work on his all-around game if he is to reach his considerable potential. - JH

Ryan Suzuki, C (28^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 2)

Suzuki projects as a premier playmaking center who has among the best vision and touch of any pivot in the OHL. That said, many parts of his game are still a work in progress. After a trade from Barrie to Saginaw, he formed instant chemistry with Cole Perfetti, and his play and commitment away from the puck really seemed to improve. At his best, Suzuki can drive the play with his strong skating ability, creativity, and penchant for working the half wall. He is especially dangerous on the powerplay with his vision and pinpoint passing ability on both his forehand and backhand. He still needs to improve his confidence in his shot, his ability to fight through traffic, the consistency of his zone entry success, offensive zone turnovers, and defensive commitment in the neutral and defensive zones. That said, he has already shown improvements. We saw him initiate challenges for the puck more consistently. And we saw him drive the middle to open up room for linemate Perfetti. As an NHLer, Suzuki certainly projects as a top six, playmaking center. Suzuki’s game is not as mature as his brother Nick (Montreal), however he does have the similar potential. - BO

Jake Bean, D (13^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 3)

In addition to patience on one of the top power plays in the Eastern Conference, Bean also brings a strong defensive game when penalty killing. Despite early concerns where skating and confidence were concerned, he quickly earned top minutes providing the Checkers with stability on the back end. He continues to get better offensively, carrying the puck well, and has gotten better at reading when to rush the puck or pass. A worrisome note is that while he may have gotten better at knowing when to let go of the puck, passing the puck and making the right play is another thing. Consistency throughout the season was a struggle as a really good game with several points one day would be followed by a game where he turns the puck over multiple times. Bean will have to work on bringing the same high intensity throughout the entirety of next season and avoiding neutral zone turnovers as much. He can skate, shoot, his hands are good, he protects the puck well, and his individual skill is NHL level, but the details in puck movement need to be tightened up before he takes up an eventual top four spot in the NHL. – SC

Noel Gunler, RW (41^st overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Gunler has three high end elements to his profile. First off, the man can skate. Not in the elite speed sense, but he takes off quickly, is very agile, and he moves well in four directions. Gunler has skills. He is far ahead of his age-cohort in his ability to create scoring chances on his own. Gunler can shoot. He is actually more natural as a finisher with his heavy wrister than as a creator. He reads goalies well, knowing when to fire and he doesn’t need to be in tight to pick his spot either, as he has the power to connect from long range. He will let a linemate do the heavy lifting, emerging at the critical moment in a high danger spot. Unfortunately, his effort level varies not just game-to-game, but shift-to-shift, and within a given shift as well. He can be a game breaker, and he can also be a completely transparent fifth wheel. He has also rubbed a lot of people in Sweden the wrong way and has rarely played internationally for his homeland. He could be a future first line weapon, and he could fail to establish himself as a regular NHL’er. – RW

Joey Keane, D (Trade: Feb. 18, 2020. Originally: 88^th overall, 2018 [NY Rangers]. Previous ranking: 4)

With the Hartford Wolfpack, Keane found his stride immediately as a professional and kept it up with Charlotte Checkers after being traded from the Rangers, earning 7 points in 9 games. Keane is a strong skater, skilled passer, creative puck handler and quick shooter. He is a threat no matter where he is on the ice and creates plays from all zones. His first games with Charlotte were shaky, but as his confidence grew, he proved that he could contribute with anyone to find the back of the net. Being so offensively driven and having been given a lot of freedom in his major junior years, Keane has slacked off on the details of his defensive game, not always being as present as he should be away from the puck. He will be starting next season back in the AHL, which means he will have to be better on the back end. He has all the tools and an opportunity to earn a top defensive spot in the NHL in the future and the changes to be made are so minute that he should grow into them within the next two seasons. - SC

Jamieson Rees, C (44^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 5)

A competitive firecracker, Rees is an ultra-intense offensive forward who had one of the better point-per-game averages in the OHL last season. That said, his style of play, coupled with his average size, has created injury issues. He also struggles towing the line between playing hard and playing reckless, resulting in several suspensions, limiting his time on ice and hampering his development. An explosive skater, and aggressive player, he pushes the pace on the attack and will look to drive the net. He is often the first man into the offensive zone to apply pressure. He plays a physical two-way game and excels as a penalty killer because of his tempo. His decision making with the puck needs to improve as turnovers can be an issue, especially in the offensive zone. He has the skill level, but with a tendency to force the issue or overhandle the puck. This was exasperated last season on a weak Sarnia team, leading to frequent frustration. That said, Rees is a very talented prospect. He needs to stay healthy, avoid penalties, and continue to mature. He has the makings of a very reliable middle six forward who can play in a variety of situations. – BO

Tuukka Tieksola, RW (121^st overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 6)

Tieksola was one of the top players in the Finnish U20 league in 2019-20. There were many moments when he looked too good for the junior level – he probably should have spent more time playing against men in Finland’s second-highest league. He is a highly skilled winger with a great blend of speed, skill and vision. More of a playmaker than goal-scorer, but he is a good finisher with a precise shot. A smooth skater, Tieksola has very quick feet and uses crossovers to accelerate. He plays at a fast pace and can execute plays at high speeds. He sees the entire ice and moves the puck really well – finding lanes for cross-ice passes. He is dangerous on the power play. Slick and crafty, he plays with poise and can hold on to the puck in the final third. Not particularly physical, but he plays with good effort and intensity. An exciting prospect with lots of potential – it will be interesting to see if he can earn ice-time in the Liiga next season. - MB

Patrik Puistola, RW (73^rd overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 7)

Puistola split the 2019-20 season split between three Liiga teams. He had very limited ice-time with Tappara, was loaned to Jukurit and later on to KooKoo. He was one of the bright spots on the Finnish World Junior team. Puistola is a talented goal-scorer and extremely dangerous around the net. He is an excellent finisher and has a scorer’s touch in tight. His wrist shot is quick, and he does not need a whole lot of room to score. He has swift hands and overall, his stickhandling is very good. He has some impressive dekes in his repertoire and exhibits confidence with the puck. The main area for needed improvement is his skating. He has a bit of a choppy and ineffective stride. His balance could be much stronger as well. He is quite physical and does not shy away from contact. In fact, Puistola likes to engage physically and seems to enjoy physical confrontations. He signed a two-year contract with JYP, in Liiga, where he will try to take on a bigger role. - MB

Pyotr Kochetkov, G (36^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 8)

After a breakout 2019 season that saw Kochetkov named the top goaltender at the year’s World Junior Championships, the Hurricanes made him a second-round selection in his third year of NHL draft eligibility. The 2020 season was much more uneven for Kochetkov, bouncing around between four different teams, in addition to failing to secure a full-time spot in the KHL. He is certainly still intriguing because of his athleticism and size combination. He is extremely quick in the crease, displaying a somewhat unorthodox, aggressive, scrambling style in the crease that may need some refinement in North America. A late season trade to Vityaz Podolsk did bring about better fortunes for Kochetkov, so perhaps the 2020-21 season will be the year he establishes himself as a full time KHL netminder. Of course, he possesses the potential to be a starter for Carolina somewhere down the line. - BO

Jack Drury, C (42^nd overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 9)

Drury, nephew of former NHLer Chris Drury, just completed his sophomore season at Harvard. He spent two seasons playing for Waterloo in the USHL before joining the Crimson where he finished second on the team in scoring as a sophomore. Drury also played in the World Junior Championship in both of his collegiate seasons and he was a named to the ECAC All-Rookie Team as a freshman. Drury plays bigger than his 6-0” frame. He is a solid two-way forward who can obviously score. A mainstay on the penalty kill, he has an active defensive stick and causes turnovers. Drury is physical and will fight for the puck along the boards. He has good speed and a quick shot. He is capable of setting his teammates up but also has success scoring himself. The center also has really soft hands and makes difficult passes look effortless. He has been expected to return to Harvard as a junior, but recently rumors have spread that he might spend the 2020-21 playing in Europe as all Ivy League schools will be foregoing the Fall Sports schedules. – JS

Morgan Geekie, C/RW (67^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 10)

As a relatively recent third round selection, Geekie seemed like a longshot to earn a spot on Carolina’s 2020 playoff roster, although he managed to play the exhibition game leading into qualifiers. He finished third in points this season with the Charlotte Checkers, managing to put his passing and shooting skills in the spotlight. He is a smart player who plays a full 200-foot game and does well at killing penalties since his forechecking positioning is so strong. Geekie will need to keep working on his physical game and keep getting bigger and stronger before he makes a full time jump to the Carolina Hurricanes. He has the potential to earn an early call up next season where this year’s postseason experience will be good for such a consistent player and he can turn into a permanent third line fixture with Carolina. Geekie is clever and an asset thanks to his persistence and work ethic department, he has the drive to make it based on motivation alone, let alone his strong skill. – SC

Vasily Ponomarev, C (53^rd overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Ponomarev had a solid, if unspectacular, CHL debut season with Shawinigan. He is a powerful skater with strong legs and an impressive first few steps, who can play strong on the puck and win more positional battles than you might expect for a player of his stature. His other offensive tools also project well. Ponomarev has an accurate wrist shot that he releases quickly and on which he is able to change the angle before firing, giving it deception. He may be even more gifted as a playmaker. He reads space on the ice exceptionally, and is creative, helping him find elusive passing lanes. Thanks to his ability to process the game, he was also used regularly on the penalty kill. Responsible at both ends, his work ethic was appreciated by his coaching staff. Even if his skill game is not enough to project as a top six NHLer, he is versatile enough to make it work further down the lineup, keeping him out of boom-or-bust territory. He could be primed to take a big step forward in his second North American season. – RW

Jeremy Bracco, C/RW (UFA: Oct. 16, 2020. Originally: 61^st overall, 2015 [Toronto]. Previous ranking: 6^th [Toronto])

Previously the dark sheep of the Toronto organization, Bracco’s talent and hockey IQ are unquestionable but it is hard to determine where he fits in his return to play. From powerplay to odd man rushes, he takes the lead in capitalizing on breaks and has proven to be dangerous. He can skate and shoot, and he knows when to make a pass or when to hold onto it. He has enough experience to earn an NHL callup, but the adjustment may be harder in terms of physicality and space. A weak spot seems to be knowing when to let go of the puck, oftentimes he gets himself into trouble by holding onto the puck too long and getting closed out and cut off. Given the chance, Bracco could do well as a third liner but discipline on and off the ice will need to be established first. Regardless of personal matters, Bracco remains a top talent and a forward who is capable of putting up 30+ point seasons in the NHL, he will hopefully come back next season better than ever, with a new chance in a new organization, after signing with Carolina as a free agent. - SC

David Cotton, C (169^th overall, 2015. Previous ranking: 11)

The sixth-round draft pick spent one season in the USHL after being drafted and before joining the Eagles. Cotton stayed on campus for four full seasons, signing with Carolina (along with his brother, Jason) following the season. The Texas native played U16 hockey in Colorado before joining prep school in Massachusetts. As a high school athlete, he was named to the All-USA Hockey First Team. Cotton is a two-way forward and plays well defensively but has contributed his fair share of points as well and captained the Eagles as a senior. Cotton is an intimidating presence on the ice and can skate well with his 6-2”, 201-pound frame. He protects the puck well. He has excellent, soft hands, allowing him to corral and dish passes even under pressure and through traffic. Defensively, Cotton is pesky and aggressive. He also has a long reach, which he uses well. He will have to show what role he can play in the AHL before he earns an NHL debut. - JS

Eetu Makiniemi, G (104^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 12)

Makiniemi was a relatively unknown prospect when the Hurricanes selected him in the fourth round of the 2017 draft. However, that should not be the case any longer. He was named the best goalie in Finland’s second-highest league. He was stellar in many games and gave his team a chance to win almost every night. He is a hybrid goalie with very good skating ability. He is highly flexible, athletic, and has the ability to make extension pad saves. He also has strong recovery speed, and he makes big saves in key moments. He stays composed even when the stakes are high. There are two things that he has improved a great deal: consistency and rebound control. In the junior level, he occasionally let in some easy goals that he should have saved. His rebound control used to be an occasional issue but has gotten much better lately. There is no doubt in my mind that Makiniemi has NHL potential. He will likely get at least a decent amount of starts in the Liiga next season. - MB

Anttoni Honka, D (83^rd overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 13)

Honka had a fairly good season with JYP in the Liiga. However, his World Juniors performance left me wanting more. He has very good puck skills, he handles the puck with ease and has some deception in his game. He is also a smooth skater, light on his feet, and moves well in all directions. He does not have blazing speed, but his skating is an asset, nonetheless. The main concerns are still his defensive game and decision making. He needs to defend the middle of the ice more effectively, as he gets caught out of position and does not keep his gaps tight enough. I would like to see him apply more stick pressure defensively. His style of play is quite risky, and I am not sure if that will translate to the NHL. He shows flashes of high-level skill and vision, especially on the power play, but his game is too erratic right now. I am interested to see what kind of progress he will make next season, now that he has finally re-signed with the Hurricanes. - MB

Kirill Slepets, RW (152^ndoverall, 2019. Previous ranking: 14)

Slepets is a strong skater who plays an active game away from the puck. He has good quickness in his first few strides and can spin off pressure along the boards. However, he lacks in explosiveness and his balance could be a tad stronger. He is always in motion and does not quit on plays. He works tirelessly and constantly puts pressure on opponents. He is shifty with the puck and carries it well through the neutral zone and into the offensive zone. He shows good offensive vision, and he can execute an effective passing game without much flash or dash. However, at the moment he does not play a very physical game. He needs to show more situational toughness and win puck battles at a higher rate. He has offensive skill; he moves well and plays with a good approach. Slepets is an interesting player who has potential to improve his overall game and reach an NHL ceiling. – MB

Zion Nybeck, RW (115^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

I would understand if you experience a touch of cognitive dissonance seeing Nybeck ranked near the end of the Hurricanes’ top 20, as he was the SuperElit’s leading scorer last season as a 17-year-old in a U20 league. He plays with great touch and is a high-end playmaker. His vision is advanced, and he successfully walks the fine line between playing creatively and simply. Our concerns are two-fold. First off, he is tiny (he looks up to Cole Caufield). Second, his skating is a problem. He has a low center of gravity which helps but has little power to his stride. Either one of those things could prevent him from ever reaching his full potential, but if he does, look out! The other elements of his game are incredibly impressive, particularly the aforementioned puck skills, but also his advanced IQ, most prominent in his offensive reads. He even has a strong shot for a smaller player (again, he still looks up to Caufield there). Boom or bust for sure, but few systems have players with this type of upside this far down their list. - RW

Blake Murray, C (183^rd overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 15)

Coming into this past season, the focus for the 6-2” power center was on improving his footspeed, consistency, and engagement level without the puck. His goal scoring ability has never been questioned, as he put up 30 in his draft year (and 35 this year). However, it was the lack of a more well-rounded game that caused Murray to slip all the way to the sixth round. Encouragingly, those finer points definitely took a nice step forward in 2019-20. While his explosiveness could still stand to improve, his top speed and ability to cut and change direction with the puck have been upgraded. Additionally, Murray’s willingness to use his size to his advantage without the puck became more consistent. This bodes well for the future as he returns to Sudbury next year for his draft +2 season and will look to hit the 40-goal mark. Barring continued improvements to his skating, Murray projects as a middle six goal scoring forward. It remains to be seen whether he will be able to stick down the middle, but he has the size and touch to in traffic to be able to succeed at the pro level. - BO

MCKEEN’S 2020 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – CAROLINA HURRICANES – ORGANIZATIONAL RANK: 5

Tue, 29 Sep 2020 11:19:37 +0000

Carolina Hurricanes

“We won’t be drafting defense in the first round as long as I’m here…I’ve got to have more offense, I want to lose five to four, not two to one…If we lose five to four, I’ll at least have fun.”

Carolina Hurricanes’ owner Tom Dundon, as told to Lauren Ohnesorge, Senior Staff Writer, Triangle Business Journal, Dec. 12, 2018

Dundon took over as majority owner of the Hurricanes on January 11, 2018. It has only been two drafts since he famously uttered the words above, but the Hurricanes have not drafted a blueliner in either of the first two rounds in either draft class. In fact, in their 2018 draft class, they only selected one defender in six picks, that coming in the sixth round. The ‘Canes made more picks last year, and three of their 12 picks (all of which taken in the third and fourth rounds) were used on defensemen.

The veracity of his statement aside, it leads me to question the wisdom of such an approach. The Hurricanes have nine defensemen on their roster approaching the play-in round. The crew members are all still within their respective primes, with 30-year-old Jake Gardiner standing as the only one whose age begins with a ‘3’.

As much as that approach would not have made a difference in the team’s acquisitions of stars Brett Pesce and Jaccob Slavin, drafted in the third and fourth rounds respectively, Gardiner, Dougie Hamilton, Brady Skjei, and Haydn Fleury were all first rounders, even if only the latter was drafted directly by Carolina.

Perhaps Dundon’s thinking is to avoid drafting defensemen early because he can trade for former first rounders or sign them as free agents instead, like three of the four above were. In which case, the approach would seem to entail a leveraging of the forces in the player market. On the other hand, the ‘Canes have also recently experienced the reverse, as last February, they traded a former first round pick, winger Julien Gauthier, who had yet to fully establish himself as a full-time NHLer, to the Rangers for blueliner Joey Keane, who had been drafted in the third round 20 months previously. So, what is the difference between drafting a defenseman in the first round and trading your first rounder for a different defenseman?

If Dundon’s thinking is to draft for skill and foster a high scoring environment, that is clearly not yet the case. Over the last two seasons the Hurricanes have averaged 3.07 goals for per game (14^th overall) and surrendered 2.76 per game (8^th). The combined total of 5.83 goals (both sides) per Hurricanes game over the last two seasons ranks 21^st in the NHL. In other words, Dundon’s teams haven’t played in many 5-4 games.

Of course, we would be remiss if we did not look at how much more and more top end young defensemen contribute to the offensive game. We need look no further than two of the finalists for this year’s Calder Trophy, in Quinn Hughes and Cale Makar. Both were top ten picks in their respective drafts and bring dynamic skill to the game, generating offensive chances better than most forwards, much less other defenders. I will not fault Carolina for drafting Andrei Svechnikov second overall in 2018, leaving Hughes on the board, and there does not seem to have been any defenders available when Carolina chose Ryan Suzuki 28^th overall last summer that would currently have the team regretting its choice, but at some point soon – maybe even this year – they might want to rethink such a blanket approach to drafting. No team should go too long with only three of its top 15 prospects lining up on the blueline.

BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 10: Boston University Terriers forward Jake Wise (17) spins around to take a shot on goal during Beanpot Tournament Championship game between the Northeastern Huskies and Boston University Terriers on February 10, 2020, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Mark Box/Icon Sportswire)

Dominik Bokk, RW (Trade: Sep. 24, 2019. Originally: 25^th overall, 2018 [St. Louis]. 2019 Rank: 2 [St. Louis])

Bokk has elite skills but displays consistency issues as well. He started last season with only two points in his first 19 SHL games. He received ice-time and power play shifts all year, so it was not a usage issue which is often the case with young talents. After a good showing at the WJC he started to really pick up his game. He scored in his first five games back and had 10 goals in a span of 13 games before hitting another slump without hitting the net in his last nine games before the pandemic ended the season.

Scoring 10 goals in 13 SHL games is rare as a junior player. He has an accurate and fast wrist shot and can score from almost any angle. He rarely scores outside the circles; his shot is lethal from the rush. He also possesses strong puck control and can deke his way through traffic. He has the vision to find an open teammate as well.

Bokk is a frustrating prospect in the sense that he sees the ice well, and has all the technical tools, but does not always use them. There are some concerns that he is more of a skill-product and lacks the instincts to make the right play at the right time to win a hockey game, which also could explain his consistency issues.

Without the puck, he still has a lot of work to do on his game which also can be an instinct issue. Offensively I would like to see him get more into open spaces and defensively he needs to cover the ice better and be more active. All-in-all, Bokk is still a year or two away from playing in the NHL and Carolina needs to work on his all-around game if he is to reach his considerable potential. - JH

Ryan Suzuki, C (28^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 2)

In Ryan Suzuki, the Carolina Hurricanes have a premier playmaking center who has among the best vision and touch of any pivot in the OHL. The issue is that many parts of his game are still a work in progress. A trade from the Barrie Colts to the Saginaw Spirit was certainly great for Suzuki and his development. He formed instant chemistry with top 2020 NHL draft talent Cole Perfetti, and under coach Chris Lazary, his play and commitment away from the puck really seemed to improve.

At his best, Suzuki can drive the play with his strong skating ability, creativity, and penchant for working the half wall. He is especially dangerous on the powerplay with his vision and pinpoint passing ability on both his forehand and backhand.

The aforementioned issues that still need to be ironed out include his confidence in his shot, his ability to fight through traffic, the consistency of his zone entry success, offensive zone turnovers, and defensive commitment in the neutral and defensive zones. But, as stated, his overall game really started to make strides once he got to Saginaw. We saw him initiate challenges for the puck more consistently. And we saw him drive the middle to open up room for linemate Perfetti.

As an NHL player, Suzuki certainly projects as a top six, playmaking center. The Hurricanes are likely going to need to be patient with Ryan. His game is not as mature as his brother Nick (of Montreal), however he does have the same potential. - BO

Jake Bean, D (13^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 8)

After making the roster as an extra for the Carolina Hurricanes playoff run in 2020, Bean’s future seems to have brightened even more. Although he was without a callup last season, he managed to lead the AHL Charlotte Checkers for points as a defenseman. Not only bringing patience to one of the top power plays in the Eastern Conference, he also brings a strong defensive game when penalty killing.

Despite getting off to a slow start where skating and confidence were concerned, Bean soon earned top minutes providing the Checkers with stability on the back end. He only continues to get better where his offensive play is concerned and continues to carry the puck well and has gotten better at reading when to rush the puck or pass. A worrisome thing to note is the fact that while he may have gotten better at knowing when to let go of the puck, passing the puck and making the right play is another thing. Consistency throughout the season was a struggle for Bean who would have a really good game with several points one day and the next would falter and turn the puck over multiple times in a game.

He will certainly have to work on bringing the same high intensity game throughout the entirety of next season and avoiding turning the puck over in the neutral zone as much. He can skate, he can shoot, his hands are good and he protects the puck well, his individual skill is NHL level but the details in the way he moves the puck need to be tightened up before he takes up an eventual top four spot with the Hurricanes. - SC

Joey Keane, D (Trade: Feb. 18, 2020. Originally: 88^th overall, 2018 [NY Rangers]. 2019 Rank: 10 [NY Rangers])

After being traded from the Rangers at the deadline, Keane added another solid blueline piece to the Carolina Hurricanes’ growing collection. With the Hartford Wolfpack he found his stride nearly immediately upon stepping on the ice for his rookie professional year and did the exact same thing with the Charlotte Checkers after the trade, earning seven points in nine games.

Keane embodies the idea of the new age of offensive defensemen as a strong skater, skilled passer, creative puck handler and quick shooter. He is a threat no matter where he is on the ice and creates plays from all zones. His first games with Charlotte were shaky as they tried to find appropriate partners for him but as his confidence built, he found a way to prove that he can contribute to finding the back of the net with all teammates.

Being so offensively driven and having been given a lot of freedom in his major junior years, Keane has since slacked off on the details of his defensive game, at times being on for goals scored and not being as present as he should be away from the puck. Keane will be starting next season in the AHL with the Checkers again which means he will have to be better on the back end. Keane has all the tools and an opportunity to earn a top defensive spot on Carolina’s roster in the future and the changes to be made are so minute that he should grow into them within the next two seasons. - SC

Jamieson Rees, C (44^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 4)

A competitive firecracker, Rees is an ultra-intense offensive forward who had one of the better point-per-game averages in the OHL last season. The issue is that Rees’ style of play, coupled with his average size, has created injury issues. He has also had a difficult time towing the line between playing hard and playing reckless. This has resulted in several suspensions. Over the last two seasons in the OHL, Rees has played less than 40 games both times. Moving forward, staying on the ice will be necessary for his development.

An explosive skater, Rees brings aggressiveness to all facets to his game. He pushes the pace on the attack and will look to drive the net to create scoring chances. He is often the first man into the offensive zone to apply pressure on the forecheck. He uses physicality to play a two-way game and excels as a penalty killer because of the tempo that he plays at.

Rees’ decision making with the puck will definitely need to improve as turnovers can be an issue, especially in the offensive zone. He has the skill level, but he has a tendency to try to force the issue or overhandle the puck. This was exasperated this season on a weak Sarnia team, as on many nights there was an element of frustration to his game.

That said, Rees is a very talented prospect. He just needs to stay healthy, stay out of the box, and continue to mature. He has the makings of a very reliable middle six forward who can play in a variety of situations. - BO

Tuukka Tieksola, RW (121^st overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

He is a highly skilled winger with a great blend of speed, skill and vision. More of a playmaker than goal-scorer, but he is a good finisher with a precise shot. A smooth skater, Tieksola has very quick feet and uses crossovers to accelerate. He plays at a fast pace and can execute plays at high speeds. He sees the entire ice and moves the puck really well – finding lanes for cross-ice passes.

He is dangerous on the power play. Slick and crafty, he plays with poise and can hold on to the puck in the final third. Not particularly physical, but he plays with good effort and intensity. An exciting prospect with lots of potential – it will be interesting to see if he can earn ice-time in the Liiga next season. - MB

Patrik Puistola, RW (73^rd overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 5)

Puistola is a talented goal-scorer and extremely dangerous around the net. He is an excellent finisher and has a scorer’s touch in tight. His wrist shot is quick, and he does not need a whole lot of room to score. He has swift hands and overall, his stickhandling is very good. He has some impressive dekes in his repertoire and exhibits confidence with the puck.

The main area for needed improvement is his skating. He has a bit of a choppy and ineffective stride. His balance could be much stronger as well. He is quite physical and does not shy away from contact. In fact, Puistola likes to engage physically and seems to enjoy physical confrontations. He signed a two-year contract with JYP, in Liiga, where he will try to take on a bigger role. - MB

Pyotr Kochetkov, G (36^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 7)

He is certainly still intriguing because of his athleticism and size combination. He is extremely quick in the crease, displaying a somewhat unorthodox, aggressive, scrambling style in the crease that may need some refinement in North America.

A late season trade to Vityaz Podolsk did bring about better fortunes for Kochetkov, so perhaps the 2020-21 season will be the year he establishes himself as a full time KHL netminder. Of course, he possesses the potential to be a starter for Carolina somewhere down the line. - BO

Jack Drury, C (42^nd overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 12)

Drury plays bigger than his 6-0” frame. He is a solid two-way forward who can obviously score. A mainstay on the penalty kill, he has an active defensive stick and causes turnovers. Drury is physical and will fight for the puck along the boards. He has good speed and a quick shot. He is capable of setting his teammates up but also has success scoring himself. The center also has really soft hands and makes difficult passes look effortless.

He has been expected to return to Harvard as a junior, but recently rumors have spread that he might spend the 2020-21 playing in Europe as all Ivy League schools will be foregoing the Fall Sports schedules. - JS

David Cotton, C (169^th overall, 2015. 2019 Rank: 10)

Cotton is a two-way forward and plays well defensively but has contributed his fair share of points as well and captained the Eagles as a senior. Cotton is an intimidating presence on the ice and can skate well with his 6-2”, 201-pound frame. He protects the puck well. He has excellent, soft hands, allowing him to corral and dish passes even under pressure and through traffic. Defensively, Cotton is pesky and aggressive. He also has a long reach, which he uses well. He will have to show what role he can play in the AHL before he earns an NHL debut. - JS

Eetu Makiniemi, G (104^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: UR)

He is a hybrid goalie with very good skating ability. He is highly flexible, athletic, and has the ability to make extension pad saves. He also has strong recovery speed and he makes big saves in key moments. He stays composed even when the stakes are high. There are two things that he has improved a great deal: consistency and rebound control. In the junior level, he occasionally let in some easy goals that he should have saved. His rebound control used to be an occasional issue but has gotten much better lately.

There is no doubt in my mind that Makiniemi has NHL potential. He will likely get at least a decent amount of starts in the Liiga next season. - MB

Morgan Geekie, C/RW (67^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 16)

He is a smart player who plays a full 200-foot game and does well at killing penalties since his forechecking positioning is so strong. Geekie will need to keep working on his physical game and keep getting bigger and stronger before he makes a full time jump to the Carolina Hurricanes. He has the potential to earn an early call up next season where this year’s postseason experience will be good for such a consistent player and he can turn into a permanent third line fixture with Carolina.

Geekie is clever and an asset thanks to his persistence and work ethic department, he has the drive to make it based on motivation alone, let alone his strong skill. - SC

Anttoni Honka, D (83^rd overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 14)

The main concerns are still his defensive game and decision making. He needs to defend the middle of the ice more effectively, as he gets caught out of position and does not keep his gaps tight enough. I would like to see him apply more stick pressure defensively.

His style of play is quite risky, and I am not sure if that will translate to the NHL. He shows flashes of high-level skill and vision, especially on the power play, but his game is too erratic right now. I am interested to see what kind of progress he will make next season. - MB

Kirill Slepets, RW (152^ndoverall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 19)

He is shifty with the puck and carries it well through the neutral zone and into the offensive zone. He shows good offensive vision and he can execute an effective passing game without much flash or dash. However, at the moment he does not play a very physical game. He needs to show more situational toughness and win puck battles at a higher rate.

He has offensive skill; he moves well and plays with a good approach. Slepets is an interesting player who has potential to improve his overall game and reach an NHL ceiling. - MB

Blake Murray, C (183^rd overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 17)

Encouragingly, those finer points definitely took a nice step forward in 2019-20. While his explosiveness could still stand to improve, his top speed and ability to cut and change direction with the puck have been upgraded. Additionally, Murray’s willingness to use his size to his advantage without the puck became more consistent.

This bodes well for the future as he returns to Sudbury next year for his draft +2 season and will look to hit the 40-goal mark. Barring continued improvements to his skating, Murray projects as a middle six goal scoring forward. It remains to be seen whether he will be able to stick down the middle, but he has the size and touch to in traffic to be able to succeed at the pro level. - BO

Russia 2019-20 Season Preview: Top Prospects to Watch

Alessandro Seren Rosso — Fri, 11 Oct 2019 14:19:13 +0000

The 2019-20 KHL season started around one month ago, but as the season is still young it is still possible to have a look at the teams and the players seeking possible surprises or confirmations of previous assessments. Who are the contenders? Who are the top prospects in the league? Are there any 2020 draft candidates getting significant time on ice? This article will focus on players who are playing in the KHL or have a good chance to play in the KHL, although it will touch on prospects from lower levels towards the end.

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - DECEMBER 16: forward Kirill Kaprizov (77) of Russia National Team celebrates the score during Euro Hockey Tour Channel One Cup ice hockey match between Russia and Finland on December 16, 2018, in VTB Ice Palace at Park of Legends, Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Anatoliy Medved/Icon Sportswire)

Western Conference

Championship contenders

CSKA Moscow - The reigning KHL champions, led by Kirill Kaprizov (Minnesota) and Mikhail Grigorenko, and backstopped by Ilya Sorokin (Islanders) started the KHL season on a positive note and is now the second seed in the Tarasov Division, in a prime position to try to win back-to-back titles. Kaprizov is currently among the league’s top scorers, with Mikhail Grigorenko not so far behind. CSKA is again counting on strong production by undrafted Konstantin Okulov, whose contract is set to expire this spring. CSKA Moscow has a high number of players in a contract year and is likely to see most of them actively seeking NHL options next summer, including Okulov.

SKA St. Petersburg - A perennial contender, this summer SKA lost a few key players, the most important being Nikita Gusev, and started some kind of rebuild, focusing on a younger roster. However, the team currently sits on second place in the Western Conference. Vladimir Tkachyov is having a career year and is looking excellent on the attack for the St. Petersburg franchise. In goal, undrafted Alexei Melnichuk is posting incredible stats as he won the starting goalie position off Pyotr Kochetkov (Carolina), who didn’t look sure between the pipes. Melnichuk’s contract is set to expire next spring. Blue chip prospect Vasili Podkolzin is yet to score his first KHL points, even if he already played ten games with St. Petersburg.

Vityaz Podolsk - The main sensation of the first month of the regular season, Vityaz is now the first seed of the Western Conference, led by the former Washington Capitals star Alexander Semin. Vityaz is mostly a young, fast, and well-coached team without many superstars or hot prospects, but with solid options on both offense and defense like Semin and former NHL prospects Jakub Jerabek and Miro Aaltonen. While it’s hard to think that Vityaz will keep the pace for the whole season, it is certainly interesting to see what the underdogs can achieve.

Eastern Conference

Championship contenders

Avangard Omsk - Runners up last year, Avangard Omsk, coached by Bob Hartley, strengthened up their lineup signing former NHL prospects Sven Andrighetto and Nikita Scherbak – among others. After a strong season last year, it is expected that Artyom Manukyan (Vancouver) will make another jump forward in his progress, however he is still out with an undisclosed injury. 2019 fifth-round pick Arseni Gritsyuk (New Jersey) had a strong start in the MHL and it is expected that Hartley will call him up at least once this season.

Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg - The Ural franchise made some noise this summer signing former Stanley Cup champion Pavel Datsyuk and also managing to sign to a new four-year deal with their top prospect, Anatoli Golyshev (Islanders). However, Datsyuk only played a couple of games and Golyshev is yet to debut this season as both picked up injuries in the summer. Avtomobilist was excellent in the regular season last year but failed during the playoffs – this season they will certainly want to revert the trend.

Ak Bars Kazan - After a disappointing first-round exit last time around, Ak Bars tried to shake things up hiring former Boston Bruins forward Dmitri Kvartalnov as their new bench boss. The team also got fresher blood into its lineup and is now featuring Danila Zhuravlyov (Colorado), and Dmitri Voronkov (Columbus) – both already scored their first points in the KHL. As usual, Ak Bars have one of the best lineups in the league, and among its leaders we can find Canadian forward Justin Azevedo, in his sixth season with the team, one of the longest-serving foreign players in the KHL.

Top NHL prospects to watch

Kirill Kaprizov (Minnesota) - One of the best players in the league, Kaprizov is currently the KHL top scorer and one of the hottest prospects around. An offensively gifted player, Kaprizov can find the crease from multiple positions and showcases great poise.

Ilya Sorokin (Islanders) - The netminder is young, but already a veteran in the KHL and is as usual posting monster-like stats backstopping a very competitive CSKA side. Just like Kaprizov, he is set to move to the NHL after the 19-20 season as his contract will expire.

Vasili Podkolzin (Vancouver) - The 2019 first-rounder isn’t looking out of place, even if he has yet to get on the scoresheet. So far, Podkolzin has only enjoyed limited time on ice, but it might change after the WJC, especially if he has a strong performance there. Podkolzin is finding it a bit hard to translate his game to pro hockey thus far, but it is most likely just a matter of time.

Alexander Romanov (Montreal) - Last year’s WJC top defenseman started the season on a positive note with CSKA with his usual calmness and reliability in the defensive zone. He is patrolling the blue line with great poise and is growing at a good pace.

Andrei Altybarmakyan (Chicago) - Changing teams was good for Altybarmakyan, who is now enjoying top line minutes with HK Sochi and is scoring at a good rate. A technically-sound player, the St. Petersburg native with Armenian roots is poised for a strong 19-20 season and perhaps a call to the national team.

Artur Kayumov (Chicago) - Lokomotiv had a rocky start of the season, failing to find the net with consistency, but Kayumov already netted two pucks and is certainly going to get more as the season goes on. The smooth-skating forward is making good strides forward, but is still at least at a couple of years before he can have a real chance in the KHL.

Grigori Denisenko (Florida) - Denisenko was expected to take on a prominent role with Lokomotiv, and while he had some time on ice, he hasn’t delivered so far. Now the team has changed its head coach and anything can happen – but a player with his talent should start to score as soon as possible.

Danila Zhuravlyov (Colorado) - The gifted defenseman is enjoying a good role in a stacked Ak Bars lineup and this is also a great sign of trust from his coaches. Zhuravlyov is delivering with good performance on the blue line and some interesting offensive runs, but he should be less shy and play and shoot the puck more regularly. That being said, he has all the time in the world.

Dmitri Voronkov (Columbus) - Zhuravlyov’s teammate is also enjoying a good time on ice and has earned his coaches’ trust and has already scored his first KHL goal as well as had his first fight this year. Not overly physical, but a player who isn’t shy of the physical play, he can play on either center or wing and can develop into a very solid option for the bottom-six lineup spots at the NHL level. His versatility and strong play of this season can earn him a trip to the 2020 WJC.

Kirill Slepets (Carolina) - The breakaway specialist has yet to play in the KHL this year as he played only in the VHL, the Russian’s second tier league, but is expected to have his debut soon. He has some of the best wheels in Russia and it will be exciting to check how he will fare with the pros.

Pavel Dorofeyev (Vegas) - A smooth skater with soft hands, Dorofeyev is one of the few positive things for Metallurg so far in the season as the team is now sitting in one of the bottom spots in the Eastern Conference standings. Dorofeyev is developing nicely and is expected to play a leading role at the upcoming WJC.

Daniil Misyul (New Jersey) - The physical defenseman is a great competitor and a player who plays bigger than his size. He needs to cut down penalties and become more involved in the offensive play – his production mostly lies on his cannon of a shot – but he has all the tools to develop into a capable NHL defenseman.

Honourable Mentions

Nikolai Kovalenko (Colorado), Pyotr Kochetkov (Carolina), Artyom Manukyan (Vancouver), Anatoli Golyshev (Islanders), Rushan Rafikov (Calgary), Danil Savunov (Arizona).

Top 2020 NHL draft prospects to watch

Yaroslav Askarov, SKA - The best goaltending prospect in Russia, at least since the times of Andrei Vasilevsky, Askarov is now playing pro hockey in the VHL and is expected to have his KHL debut soon. Will he start at the 2020 WJC?

Rodion Amirov, Salavat Yulaev - The forward has a great shot and an excellent nose for the net. A late-2001 born, he recently had his first KHL assist and certainly his first KHL goal is just a matter of time. First-round talent.

Alexander Nikishin, Spartak - A player with an NHL body and smooth hands, Nikishin is an offensive defenseman who likes to join the rush and play the puck. He is finding himself often on the ice for Spartak and this means that the late-2001 born is on the right path to become a reliable player in the future.

Shakhir Mukhamadullin, Salavat Yulaev - The defenseman is having steady ice time on a strong Salavat Yulaev lineup, and this is something that you meet rarely in the KHL. He needs to keep on working and gaining weight, but he has all the tools to become a first-round selection this year.

Alexander Pashin, Salavat Yulaev - A gifted scorer with a smallish frame, Pashin has yet to have his debut at the pro level. He started very well this season in the MHL, but he needs to gather more experience. After a strong performance at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, many scouts have his name on their draft list.

Marat Khusnutdinov, F, SKA
Pavel Tyutnev, F, Lokomotiv
Maxim Groshev, F, Neftekhimik
Ivan Didkovsky, F, Dynamo Moscow
Vsevolod Skotnikov, G, CSKA
Maxim Beryozkin, F, Lokomotiv
Dmitri Ovchinnikov, F, Sibir
Kirill Kirsanov, D, SKA
Ilya Rychkov, F, SKA
Maxim Motorygin, G, Dynamo Moscow

Older players

F Nikita Rtishchev

D Mikhail Gordeyev

D Danila Galenyuk

Top undrafted players who can make the jump next year

F Konstantin Okulov, CSKA

G Alexei Melnichuk, SKA

F Daniil Vovchenko, Severstal

Carolina Hurricanes 2019-20 Prospect Review: Top 20

Sat, 14 Sep 2019 10:43:12 +0000

In 2010, the Hershey Bears, long the Washington Capitals’ AHL farm club, won the Calder Cup for the second year in a row and the third time in five seasons. The NHL Capitals had won the President’s Trophy, but were knocked out in the first round of the playoffs. The following season, the Capitals, whose NHL roster was fortified by AHL champs including John Carlson, Karl Alzner, Mathieu Perreault, Michal Neuvirth, and Braden Holtby, finished the season with 14 fewer points, but at least made the second round.

In 2011, the Calder Cup was won by the Binghamton Senators. The NHL Sens were not a playoff team. The following year, they increased their tally by 18 points and made the playoffs. Erik Condra, Colin Greening, Bobby Butler, Kaspars Daugavins, and others made the leap.

The 2012 AHL champ was the Norfolk Admirals, then the Tampa affiliate. The following year, the Lightning promoted Norfolk head coach Jon Cooper to the NHL. The Lightning did not make the playoffs either in the Calder Cup year, or the following year, but have been among the top handful of teams in the league ever since. Among the Admirals who have been regular NHL contributors in the ensuing years include Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat, and Alex Killorn.

We could go on looking at the remainder of the Calder Cup champs of the past seven season. While not every NHL team saw their fortunes improve by picking up the tail winds of an AHL championship affiliate, the impact is generally positive. The Red Wings are a notable exception. Their affiliate in Grand Rapids has taken home two titles in the last decade (2013 and 2017), even as the Red Wings have gone from a perennial powerhouse organization to an NHL afterthought as their NHL core aged out of the league.

The Dallas Stars were a playoff team when their AHL affiliate won the Calder Cup, but the NHL team missed the postseason in the following year. The LA Kings saw their affiliate win the AHL title the year following a Stanley Cup championship. The NHL Kings missed the playoffs when they were trying to defend their title. But they returned the playoffs in the year after the Calder Cup. The Columbus Blue Jackets were another success story. Their AHL team, the Lake Erie Monsters, won the Calder Cup in 2016 as the Blue Jackets missed the playoffs for the sixth time in seven seasons. But the Jackets made the postseason in 2017 and in the two seasons since. Finally, the Toronto Maple Leafs had basically the same results the year after their AHL club won the title as they had during the Calder Cup run.

The baton has now been passed to the Carolina Hurricanes, after their AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, won last year’s Calder Cup. The Checkers played with a young lineup, full of potential future NHLers, including a few who feature prominently below and, hopefully, in the Hurricanes’ future. Maybe starting goalie Alex Nedeljkovic wins the backup job this year. Maybe 2017 first rounder Martin Necas, or 2016 first rounder Jake Bean can make the leap. Or it could be the less heralded Morgan Geekie, who uses a point per game postseason run to springboard his career. Whether the Hurricanes can cement themselves as postseason contenders now, after years of futility, remains to be seen, but the future of this franchise will bear the stamp of the 2018-19 Calder Cup titlists.

-Ryan Wagman

Carolina Hurricanes Martin Necas (88) (Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire)

1 Martin Necas, C (12^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 2) No need to hide the lede here. Necas was fantastic in his age 19/20 season in the AHL- his first full season in North America – and is ready for an NHL job. He is a fantastic skater with high end agility who is able to skate into traffic and avoid taking on big hits. A quick dynamic playmaker, he has scintillating puck skill which he combines with the aforementioned feet to help him create room for himself in the offensive zone. He is not an aggressive player, but he uses his mature frame well to help walk out of the corners with the puck on his stick. For all of his offensive ability, Necas also works hard off the puck and can play in a two-way role if he doesn’t reach his first line upside. Charlotte would not have won the Calder Cup without him, and the Hurricanes will soon be leaning on him to succeed as well. - RW

2 Ryan Suzuki, C (28^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) The brother of OHL champion and Montreal Canadiens prospect, Nick Suzuki, Ryan is a playmaker cut from a similar cloth. His puck skill, creativity, and vision with the puck are all well above average. He also skates better than his older brother. That said, his game lacks consistency due to a current inability to be effective through the middle of the ice and in traffic, both largely functions of his still immature frame. He can be kept to the perimeter and relies too much on his passing ability. As he learns to be more assertive, gains strength, and improves his confidence in his shot, Suzuki could develop into a terrific top six center prospect. While patience may be required here, the wait may be worth it for Carolina. - BO

3 Janne Kuokkanen, LW (43^rd overall, 2016. Last Year: 4) Although Kuokkanen did not play a part in Charlotte’s Calder Cup run, as his season ended in mid-March due to an injury requiring surgery, he was one of the team’s most consistently impressive forwards during the regular season. Gifted with fantastic hands, the playmaker has the full complement of tools available to him. His skating and shot are both above average tools, while his keen hockey brain helps it all coalesce. The former second round pick even has an NHL frame, even if he does not play a very physical game. He is a hard worker who gives his all in all three zones. On an organization that is known for scouting Finland heavily, Kuokkanen has the highest upside of the bunch. Assuming a return to good health, he is ready to play a lot more than the seven NHL games he received last year, although that is dependent on more than him. He has top six upside and is very close to being there. - RW

4 Jamieson Rees, C (44^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) Rees is a ball of energy on the ice with a non-stop motor. He uses his high end skating ability to put consistent pressure on puck carriers and is always buzzing around looking to force a turnover. He is also a very physical player, given his lack of size. As an offensive player, he possesses skill and finishing ability in tight. On the downside, his decision making with the puck will need to improve. His game can become a little erratic as he tries to force the tempo with the puck. Additionally, there is some concern about his durability, given his lack of size, style of play, and injury history. If he manages to stay healthy, he has the makings of a reliable middle six forward who can provide versatility to a lineup. - BO

5 Patrik Puistola, RW (73^rd overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) In this year's draft, the Hurricanes selected a highly skilled winger in Puistola. He had a significant impact in Finland's second-highest league and played well in the Liiga despite limited ice-time. He has great poise with the puck, can weave in and out of traffic and he sees the ice very well. He has an accurate wrist shot, one-timer and backhander, making for a strong variety in his shot selection to help accentuate his goal-scorer's blade. When you combine his quality passing skills with strong offensive instincts, you have a player that can be a dual threat in the offensive zone. His main areas for improvement are his quickness, agility and strength. Puistola has the potential to be a consistent point producer in the NHL. - MB

6 Eetu Luostarinen, C (42^nd overall, 2017. Last Year: 7) Luostarinen was considered a surprise pick in the second round of the 2017 draft, however the 6-3” center has made significant strides and had an excellent season in the Liiga last year to help prove the Hurricanes point. He is a prototypical KalPa product in the sense that he has plenty of finesse and poise and he stickhandles well in tight spaces. His skating was fairly good in his draft year but he has since added explosiveness, quickness, and improved his endurance. Moreover, he has added power to his game, not only strength-wise but his shot is also more powerful than it used to be. Luostarinen is dependable without the puck and can play in a more defensive role if needed. Considering the upward trend in his development, it is reasonable to think that he will only continue to improve his play on both sides of the puck. - MB

7 Pyotr Kochetkov, G (36^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) Even if he was snubbed for two straight drafts – and in fairness, he lacked the exposure to receive real consideration – Kochetkov had a breakout season in 2018-19, being awarded Best Goalie honors at the 2019 WJC and playing the whole year at the pro level, even getting to stop pucks in two KHL games. He is tall and athletic, with great ability in challenging forwards and being very aggressive in his lateral movements without overdoing it. He showed poise and calm – both qualities that allow him to thrive when there are many shots and traffic in front of the crease. This offseason, Kochetkov moved to SKA St. Petersburg. On the one hand, this means that he will be part of a quality system, but on the other hand, he will also have much more competition for minutes. - ASR

8 Jake Bean, D (13^th overall, 2016. Last Year: 8) Drafted as a potential high end puck moving defenseman, Bean has not seen his game take off like some other recent prospect blueliners, but he has seen his game mature steadily and his introduction to the pro game last year was pretty painless. He has a very high panic threshold, allowing him to remain calm with the puck in the face of opposing pressure. He can walk the blueline nicely, but his best work comes in his ability to exit his own zone with total control. Whether he skates the puck out or finds a passing option, he can be relied on to kickstart the transition to offense. He is a solid skater more so than a blazer, but his ability to read the opposition helps his feet play up as well. Bean has second pairing upside, with added utility on a second power play unit. - RW

9 Julien Gauthier, RW (21^st overall, 2016. Last Year: 6) An absolute unit, Gauthier has not yet lived up to his former first rounder billing, but his game did make several positive strides in his second AHL campaign. In addition to his bouncer’s size, he is a high end athlete and skates very well. His shot can be a beast when he gets into proper shooting position as well. An avid forechecker, his North-South game is advanced, but he has rather little East-West element to his play, which may limit his upside. His hands are just soft enough to give him the possibility of playing as a puck retrieval specialist on a top six line, helping to create space for more gifted linemates as he does play a modern, physical game, putting his frame to good use. He still needs to read the game at a quicker pace to reach that ceiling, but his floor is still a solid bottom six NHL winger. -RW

10 David Cotton, C (169^th overall, 2015. Last Year: Not ranked) Cotton is an impressive first line forward from Boston College. Until last year he had combined for 19 goals over two seasons, but he broke out last year with a 23 goal, 36-point season. Left wing could be his calling even though he is capable of playing the center position. He has a solid 200-foot game and in big games he was their most dominant offensive player. He could be covered for a few periods but he would eventually break through. At 6-3”, 204 pounds, he is a beast in the crease, and he can lose defenders along the wall. He is an excellent passer and he has fast hands. He could be a bottom six forward for someone in the future. Carolina hopes it will them after his senior season ends. - RC

11 Stelio Mattheos, C (73^rd overall, 2017. Last Year: 16) Mattheos is a player who has shown that he can elevate his game to the opportunity. He progressed steadily year over year in all aspects of his game, and has gradually moved his points per game from .88 to 1.32 and finally to 1.45. He is a shoot first player who produced over four shots per game last season. He plays a power forward style but moves quick enough to be very effective in open ice. He has improved his faceoff skills and is more than capable in his own zone where can separate his man from the puck and transition play forward. In the offensive zone he goes to the front of the net with or without the puck and is an excellent cycle player maintaining possession along the wall. He has strong potential as a middle six forward however he is going through a round of cancer treatment and is obviously focused on bigger things than hockey right now. - VG

12 Jack Drury, C (42^nd overall, 2018. Last Year: 12) Drury comes from a hockey family and he currently plays for Harvard University. In his freshman season he had nine goals and 24 points in 32 games. He had the WJC spring in his skating in the second half of the season. He played with confidence. He didn’t get any points in the tournament, but it was great experience for him, and he took home a silver medal. He was very good on draws this season. He was able to produce some offense from them as well. He is not elite in any area of the game and he has to work on his man strength, but the speed and hockey sense are there and those are only going to get better over time. At 6-0”, 185 his frame will allow him to play the center position when he turns pro. He could be a second- or third-line center in the NHL someday for the Carolina Hurricanes. - RC

13 Chase Priskie, D (177^th overall, 2016 [Washington]. Last Year: 118 [Washington]) Priskie was a top-pairing D-man for the Quinnipiac Bobcats and had had been doing it well for the last four years, really blossoming as a senior. The Washington Capitals had drafted him in the sixth-round back in 2016. In his second year as team captain, the blueliner had 17 goals and 39 points in 36 games. He also had a good run in the playoffs eventually losing in the Regionals to Minnesota Duluth, so no shame there. His college eligibility exhausted, he decided to not sign with the Capitals and the Carolina Hurricanes jumped at the chance of getting him. He can handle the power play. He has good speed and a solid one-timer and wrist shot. Bringing the puck up the ice is innate. He will probably be on Charlotte’s penalty kill too. He could be a third pairing call up this season. - RC

14 Anttoni Honka, D (83^rd overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) Honka is a skilled skater with agility, quickness, and strong foot speed. He can stop and start on a dime and he is highly shifty on his skates. He can start the attack with crisp passes, has a soft touch on the puck and some slick moves in his repertoire. His shot isn't the hardest, but he is adept at getting shots on net from the point. He lacks much of a physical element to his game and does not engage in battles as often as he should. Also, oftentimes his decision making and defensive game leave a lot to be desired, as he can be out of position and give too much room for the opposing forward to operate with. Given his great skating and puck skills, there is no doubt that Honka has immense talent, yet he has ways to go before reaching the NHL level. - MB

15 Saku Maenelanen, LW/RW (125^th overall, 2013 [Nashville]. Last Year: 13) If this list was about upside only, Maenelanen probably gets left on the cutting room floor. Unsigned at press time, the RFA split last season pretty evenly between the NHL and the AHL, coming one NHL game short (we don’t include postseason play) of losing his prospect eligibility. The concern is that his well-rounded offensive game that enticed Nashville to draft him as a teen and Carolina to sign him as a free agent after the 2017-18 season. He is a fine skater who seems able to follow the pace of the North American game, but he rarely was able to get himself in position to show off what he can do in the offensive zone. His big frame also went underutilized. Already 25 years old, there is little room for improvement, but at the very least, he has shown he can play a role on the small ice. - RW

16 Morgan Geekie, C/RW (67^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 19) A bit of a late bloomer, Geekie took a huge step forward in his second year of draft eligibility and was full value for the early third round slot in which Carolina drafted him. After one final WHL campaign, which included a blistering postseason, he stepped into the professional game without a hitch, once again peaking during the postseason. He has plus size, moves well for a big man and has quietly effective offensive instincts which help him to outproduce his tools. He has the strength to protect the puck, and the quickness of hands to capitalize on a broken play and make something happen. If playoff Geekie can show up with more regularity in the regular season, he could quickly find himself playing top nine minutes in the NHL. He might not be far removed from his first opportunity. - RW

17 Blake Murray, C (183^rd overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) It is pretty rare to see big, power centers with goal scoring prowess fall to the back half of the draft, but that happened with Murray in June. Part of the reason for his relative fall is that scouts have concerns over his wavering intensity level in the offensive end as well as how his skill set will translate to the next level. Even with those warts, his goal scoring ability and potential as a driving force down the middle cannot be ignored. As he fills out and learns to use his size more consistently, he possesses a high ceiling as a goal scoring center. - BO

18 Alex Nedeljkovic, G (37^th overall, 2014. Last Year: Not ranked) Generously listed at 6-0”, Nedeljkovic is far from the modern day ideal for stature in a goalie. But he makes it work. He was a star in the OHL, capping off his draft year by backstopping Team USA to a WU18 gold medal. He was later one of the best goalies at the 2016 WJC, helping America to a Bronze medal. And of course, he played the lion’s share in net for the Checkers’ AHL title last season. He makes up for his size deficiency with quick, agile legs and very good lateral mobility. He has also long carried a reputation as a masterful puck handler for a goalie. He is also surprisingly adept at tracking the puck through the mass of bodies near the crease, yet he rarely plays above the paint like Juuse Saros, another small goalie of note. Like Saros, Nedeljkovic could be a pretty good NHL backup in short order. - RW

19 Kirill Slepets, LW (152^nd overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) A technically-sound forward with speed to burn, Slepets makes things happen with his excellent acceleration and top speed. He is gifted with smooth hands and showed at the 2019 WJC that he is hard to contain when the game opens up and he has the chance for a breakaway. He is not only a speedster, but he also reading of the game at a high level and can sniff out scoring chances around the crease. An underrated aspect of his game is his passing ability. He is not a playmaker, but he can find his partner during an odd man rush or sacrifice a shot for a better positioned linemate. Slepets only played in 10 games at the KHL level last year and he is poised for a jump forward. He will be 22 when his KHL contract runs out in 2021 – the ideal age to move overseas if he will have more pro games under his belt. - ASR

20 Domenick Fensore D (90^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) This list finishes off with a third straight little player. At 5-7”, 150, Fensore is the smallest of them all. He might also be the purest, most unadulterated fun player to watch in this system. His feet are constantly moving and despite his small size, he loves to blow up opponents with open ice hits. More than that though, he loves to rush the puck. He will take chances, get in deep in the offensive zone and will gladly put himself in harm’s way to make something happen. Once in a while, he gets caught and the opponent will have an odd-man rush going the other way, but so far, he has succeeded more often than he has failed. There are so many extremes to Fensore’s game that he has boom-or-bust written all over him. Whichever direction he goes, he will be a joy to watch him get there. - RW

McKeen’s 2019 NHL Shadow Draft

Ryan Wagman — Tue, 25 Jun 2019 12:00:27 +0000

Before writing up our division by division draft reviews, I wanted to take some time to conduct the McKeen's Hockey Shadow draft and then share a few draft thoughts. As a reminder, for the shadow draft, we assume that we are picking 16^th in any given round and simply draft the top ranked player on our board at that point, with the only tweaks being that we cannot draft more than one netminder and that our shadow draft class needs at least two forwards and two defensemen.

For additional context, here are our shadow classes from the 2017 and 2018 drafts, including the slot, the player we would have chosen, where that player was actually selected (if he was selected at all), and the actual player selected at that slot.

Pick #	2017 Draft - Player	McKeens Rank	Actual Draft slot	Actual Pick
16	Kristian Vesalainen	9	24	Juuso Valimaki
47	Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen	32	54	Alex Formenton
78	Keith Petruzzelli	37	88	Stuart Skinner
109	Adam Ruzicka	40	109	Adam Ruzicka
140	Sasha Chmelevski	61	185	Zach Fischer
171	Kirill Slepets	74	Undrafted	D'Artagnan Joly
202	Emil Oksanen	76	Undrafted	Filip Sveningsson

The positional rules went into effect after the 2017 draft saw us pick two goalies and zero defensemen. How did we do? I think we come out ahead for 2017. Vesalainen has yet to fully breakthrough in the NHL while Valimaki split last season between the NHL and the AHL. I still believe that Vesalainen has greater upside. Formenton and Luukonen both had tremendous final seasons of junior eligibility last year, but “our” guy looks like a potential number one netminder and Formenton still seems more likely to top off as a third line forward with exceptional speed. Petruzzelli and Skinner might be a wash as it is too early to tell on either and neither has really demanded attention.

Ruzicka was nailed in the fourth round while we crushed the NHL in both the fifth and sixth rounds. The NHL picks at those slots – Zach Fischer and D’Artagnan Joly – were both left unsigned and their NHL rights were surrendered. We drafted Sasha Chmelevski, who has since blossomed into a top CHL player while Slepets went undrafted until now, but Carolina took him this year, showing that we were definitely on to something. I will give the seventh round to the NHL as Svenningson is moving up the ranks in Sweden, having a solid first senior season in the Allsvenskan. He isn’t yet signed to an ELC, but our pick Emil Oksanen was not been drafted or signed anyway and his career hasn’t really taken off.

Pick #	Player	McKeens Rank	Actual Draft slot	Actual Pick
16	Joe Veleno	10	30	Martin Kaut
47	Akil Thomas	26	51	Kody Clark
78	Blake McLaughlin	40	79	Sampo Ranta
109	Aidan Dudas	52	113	Tyler Weiss
140	Alexis Gravel	67	162	Brandon Saigeon
171	Merrick Rippon	85	Undrafted	Nikolai Kovalenko
202	Danila Galenyuk	96	Undrafted	Shamil Shmakov

It is harder to yet judge the 2018 results, but we’ll give it a shot. The real #16, Martin Kaut, went right to the AHL and more or less held his own as a teenager while also impressing at the WJC. Our pick, Joe Veleno, also made Canada’s WJC roster and finished fourth in QMJHL regular season scoring. Veleno may have had more of an eye-popping season this year, but I will not discount Kaut’s accomplishments in his D+1 season. Let’s call it a wash for now even if I may yet prefer Veleno as bias might be present.

In the second round, I prefer our pick of Akil Thomas to Colorado’s selection of Kody Clark. If we are comparing fathers, Clark wins hands down, but Thomas finished eighth in OHL scoring this year while Clark had less than half as much production. In a nice little coincidence, the third-round picks both went on to play for the University of Minnesota. McLaughlin had a slightly more effective freshman season especially looking better over the season half of the season, but the gap is not enough to overcome the confidence interval. We’ll call it even for now.

In the fourth round, neither our pick (Aidan Dudas) nor the real pick (Tyler Weiss) had especially good seasons. Dudas essentially repeated his production from his draft year while Weiss struggled to impact in his first NCAA campaign. No winner. I am prepared to give McKeens a slight edge in the fifth round, as Alexis Gravel took a big step forward last year, and was a rock in the QMJHL playoffs, taking Halifax to the Q finals and keeping up the good work in the Memorial Cup. To be honest, Saigeon had a nice season as well, but he was an onverager, so his step forward was less noteworthy. Neither of our last two picks, Merrick Rippon or Danila Galenyuk were drafted. Rippon was basically the same guy this year while Galenyuk took a modest step forward and I think we should continue to keep our eyes on him.

The NHL easily wins the sixth round, as Nikolai Kovalenko spent the year in the KHL and played in the WJC. He is still a far ways from the NHL but he is still on the radar. The NHL seventh rounder, netminder Shamil Shmakov, took a step back while failing to get out of the Russian junior ranks. I prefer Galenyuk at this stage, but will call it a tie, because Shmakov at least has his NHL rights under control for now.

Track record established (pretty solid) let’s look at how our shadow draft for 2019 played out.

Pick #	Player	McKeens Rank	Actual Draft slot	Actual Pick
16	Peyton Krebs	8	17	Alex Newhook
47	Albert Johansson	26	60	Drew Helleson
78	Pavel Dorofeyev	31	79	Alex Beaucage
109	Marshall Warren	35	166	Marc Del Gaizo
140	Yegor Chinakhov	49	Undrafted	Sasha Mutala
171	Nikola Pasic	53	189	Luka Burzan
202	Oleg Zaytsev	66	Undrafted	Trent Miner

Once again, we are going up against the Colorado Avalanche scouts this year, who had the 16^th pick, although the fourth-round pick of Del Gaizo was actually made by Nashville following a pick swap.

If you look at where we had ranked the players drafted, we are clearly excited by how our shadow draft played out. Krebs was a top ten talent and may have fallen a few slots due to an achilles injury that will delay his 2019-20 season a touch but should have zero impact on his long-term prognosis. We had our second and third rounders also slotted as first round talents. Both Johansson and Dorofeyev have dynamic offensive skills and I especially feel that Johansson will make his real draft slot look laughable (in a good way) within two years. He was a late riser and capped his season with an impressive WU18 tournament. Dorofeyev has his warts, namely lack of interest in his own zone, but I am happy to bet on the skills here.

As much as I like those picks, I love getting Marshall Warren in the fourth round. His real-life fall to the sixth was the biggest shock of the draft for me. He is a truly dynamic puck moving defender and while he can play a risky game, having seen him extensively, I always got the sense that his risks were calculated. I have inquired around with some sources about why he might have fallen and received some speculative theories, but nothing definitive. One source simply stated that he had no clue. Our bottom three round picks were long term plays with European flavor, although Zaytsev spent this past season in the WHL. They are all tools bets and I am happy to take those in any draft, but especially in the back half.

I am happy to welcome these seven young men into the McKeen’s family. We will look back at these picks again next year to track everyone’s progress.

Now for some random thoughts about the draft

I had thought that all of the USNTDP U18 class, barring Danny Weight, would be drafted. As it turns out, Michael Gildon and Cam Rowe joined him in limbo. Gildon’s not being selected was especially surprising. He plays a heavy game, but with good wheels and good hands. He can play with talented players and keep the pace. He is going to a good program at Ohio State and will have a chance to play in a top six role right away as the Buckeyes have had a lot of turnover. Rowe is a very athletic netminder, but his technical game falters way too quickly. North Dakota has a good reputation for developing goalies and he could be a redraft with a bit of refinement to his game.
As I personally cover the USHL most fervently, the late seventh round pick of McKade Webster by Tampa was odd. In his first year of eligibility, I liked him enough with Green Bay, although not enough to consider him for our draft rankings. A decent future collegian basically. He went back to Green Bay for 2018-19 but has limited to six games due to injury. What did he do in six games that he didn’t show when healthy the year before? I have no clue.
There were 41 players drafted that we didn’t have on our expanded list, slightly better than the 44 we completely whiffed on last year. A good number of the 41 we didn’t rank were redrafts we didn’t feel had improved enough. Most of the rest were deep scouting cuts from Europe. Also, there was Cade Webber, who I think we meant to have in our top 217, but somehow omitted. I will take the blame on that one. He went higher than we would have ranked him, but I will not slam Carolina for taking him in the fourth round when completed by reviews in the coming days.
I mentioned Marshall Warren in the shadow draft above as being the biggest faller. The biggest risers were a quintet of second rounders who we had as much later picks. Shane Pinto was the first pick of day two and while his numbers were great and he is a late bloomer, I never saw him as a dynamic player and would have been more comfortable with him in the third round. Artemi Knyazev was similar. Dillon Hamaliuk was ranked in the fifth-round area, but with the caveat that he could have been graded considerably higher if not for a devastating knee injury which cut his season short. We are not privy to medicals, so I will presume that San Jose was fine with what they saw there. The final two who jumped were a pair of combine stars in Jayden Struble and Samuel Bolduc. We actually had Bolduc as an honorable mention player (218-325) and probably should have ranked him closer to the 150 range. Still would have been drafted too high for our tastes, but live and learn. The combine can boost some guys into the second tier.
I didn’t count how many, but teams are more and more willing to draft second- and third-year eligible players, even pretty high. If I’m not mistaken, three were taken in the second round (Kotchetkov, Fagemo, Leason), all roughly in line with where we had them ranked.
This means nothing but a few giggles from myself on the media riser on day two, but we ranked a few guys exactly where they were drafted after the top two. Going exactly in line with our rankings were Matthew Boldy (12), John Beecher (30), Vladislav Kolyachonok (52), Gianni Fairbrother (77), Sasha Mutala (140), Elmer Soderblom (159). 24 picks were made within two slots of where we had them ranked.
92 of our top 100 were drafted, one less than last year, but roughly on par with our expectations. I’ll be satisfied when we break 95, but our misses included players from Russia, the Czech Republic, OHL, WHL, and the USHL. No real patterns to glean lessons from but we will come back better and stronger next year. Ever onwards, ever upwards.

MCKEEN’S 2019 NHL DRAFT GUIDE: Final Rankings – Top 217 Plus 100 Honourable Mention

Iain Morrell — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 17:52:23 +0000

MCKEEN'S RELEASES FINAL 2019 NHL DRAFT RANKINGS

KOSICE, SLOVAKIA - MAY 13: USA's Jack Hughes #6 and Finland's Kaapo Kakko #24 shake hands following a 3-2 overtime win for team USA during preliminary round action of the 2019 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship at Steel Arena on May 13, 2019 in Kosice, Slovakia. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images)

American center Jack Hughes or Finnish Winger Kaapo Kakko?

That is the decision facing the New Jersey Devils who won the draft lottery for the second time in the past three seasons and hold the top pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.

Hughes (5-foot-10, 170 pounds) led the USA Hockey National Team Development Program under-18 team in scoring while setting the NTDP career record for assists (154) and points (228) in two seasons (110 games) with the program.

He earned the highest Overall Future Projection (OFP) score of 64.50, as per the 20/80 grading system developed by McKeen's Director of Scouting Ryan Wagman.

Skating, shooting, puck skills, hockey IQ, physicality - these are the attributes measured for skaters using the 20/80 grading system to arrive at an Overall Future Projection (OFP) score.

Six areas are assessed for goalies: athleticism/quickness, compete/temperament, vision/play reading, technique/style, rebound control and puck handling.

BROADWAY KAAPO

Kakko (6-foot-2, 195 pounds) earned the next highest OFP score at 64.00.

The Turku, Finland native will go to the New York Rangers with the second pick, their highest draft position since taking Brad Park in 1966 before expansion (1967-68).

Kakko led Finland with six goals while winning gold at the 2019 World Championships at just 18 years, 102 days old to become the youngest player in IIHF history to win gold at the Under-18, Under-20, and WM (World Men) levels, supplanting Connor McDavid of Canada (19 years, 130 days) from the record books.

The Chicago Blackhawks have the number three pick with the top defenseman Bowen Byram of the Vancouver Giants next on the McKeen's OFP scale (63.40).

Seven players in total received OFP scores of at least 60.00 this season, up from five in 2018 - and just two in 2017 when the Devils selected Nino Hischier first overall.

The next five spots in the rankings are all centers - Kirby Dach of Saskatoon (63.20 OFP), Dylan Cozens of Lethbridge (61.40), the NTDP duo of Trevor Zegras (61.25) and Alex Turcotte (60.00), and Peyton Krebs of Kootenay (59.65).

ALL AMERICAN

Spencer Knight. Photo courtesy of the USNTDP.

Spencer Knight of the NTDP is the top-rated goaltender available (55.75 OFP) at No. 32 in the McKeen's rankings.

Knight will likely go in the opening round of what will be a record haul for the U.S. National Team Development Program as upwards of eight players could be taken in the top 31 selections.

As for past records, the Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) had four players taken in the opening round of the 1979 NHL Draft - as did the Toronto Marlboros (OHA) in 1972 and the Montreal Junior Canadiens (OHA) in 1969.

Along with Hughes (1st), Zegras (6th), and Turcotte (7th), wingers Matthew Boldy and Cole Caufield are ranked at No. 12 and 13 on the McKeen's list, with defenseman Cam York at No. 17 and center John Beecher at 30th.

Caufield (5-foot-7, 165 pounds) scored 14 goals at the U18 World Junior Championship, tying Alex Ovechkin's single-tournament goals record. However, the United States lost in a shootout to Russia in the semi-finals.

There are also four others in the program ranked in the 32 to 62 range (second round) - all defensemen - Marshall Warren (35th), Alex Vlasic (54th), Henry Thrun (58th) and Drew Helleson (62nd).

In total, 16 players from the NTDP are ranked among the top 100.

SWEDE GOLD - SWEET SEIDER

ORNSKOLDSVIK, SWEDEN - APRIL 23: Swedens Philip Broberg #4 makes a pass during preliminary round action against Russia at the 2019 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship at Fjallraven Center on April 23, 2019 in Ornskoldsvik, Sweden. (Photo by Steve Kingsman/HHOF-IIHF Images)

Sweden won a first-ever gold medal at the U18 World Juniors.

Four blueliners on that Swedish team are first-round candidates led by Philip Broberg of AIK, named 'Top Defenceman' at the U18 tournament, and Victor Soderstrom of Brynas, ranked No. 9 and 10 respectively on McKeen's.

U18 captain Tobias Bjornfot of Djurgardens is ranked 19th and Albert Johansson of Farjestads is 26th.

Following Dominik Bokk's selection in 2018 (25th to St. Louis), Germany will produce another first-round pick this year in Adler Mannheim defenseman Moritz Seider.

The 6-foot-3, 185-pound, right-shot blueliner displayed impressive skills and maturity for his age while appearing at the 2019 World Championships (5-2-0-2).

Seider earned an OFP score of 57.50 and is ranked No. 15.

He will become the highest-selected German-born player at the NHL Draft since the Edmonton Oilers took Leon Draisaitl third overall in 2014.

Here are our final 2019 NHL Draft Rankings. They are a culmination of a season’s worth of prospect analysis and coverage on mckeenshockey.com and the tremendous work put in rinks and looking at screens and numbers from our committed team. Enjoy!

RANK	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	HT/WT	DOB	Nation
1	Jack Hughes	C	NTDP (USA)	5-10/170	14-May-01	USA
2	Kaapo Kakko	RW	TPS Turku (Fin)	6-2/195	13-Feb-01	Finland
3	Bowen Byram	D	Vancouver (WHL)	6-0/195	13-Jun-01	Canada
4	Kirby Dach	C	Saskatoon (WHL)	6-3/200	21-Jan-01	Canada
5	Dylan Cozens	C	Lethbridge (WHL)	6-3/185	9-Feb-01	Canada
6	Trevor Zegras	C	NTDP (USA)	6-0/170	20-Mar-01	USA
7	Alex Turcotte	C	NTDP (USA)	5-11/185	26-Feb-01	USA
8	Peyton Krebs	C	Kootenay (WHL)	5-11/180	26-Jan-01	Canada
9	Philip Broberg	D	AIK (Swe 2)	6-3/200	25-Jun-01	Sweden
10	Victor Soderstrom	D	Brynas (Swe)	5-11/180	26-Feb-01	Sweden
11	Vasili Podkolzin	RW	SKA-1946 St. Pete. (Rus Jr)	6-1/190	24-Jun-01	Russia
12	Matthew Boldy	LW	NTDP (USA)	6-1/190	5-Apr-01	USA
13	Cole Caufield	RW	NTDP (USA)	5-7/165	2-Jan-01	USA
14	Raphael Lavoie	RW	Halifax (QMJHL)	6-4/195	25-Sep-00	Canada
15	Moritz Seider	D	Adler Mannheim (DEL)	6-3/185	6-Apr-01	Germany
16	Simon Holmstrom	RW	HV 71 (Swe Jr)	6-1/185	24-May-01	Sweden
17	Cam York	D	NTDP (USA)	5-11/175	5-Jan-01	USA
18	Alex Newhook	C	Victoria (BCHL)	5-10/195	28-Jan-01	Canada
19	Tobias Bjornfot	D	Djurgardens (Swe Jr)	6-0/200	6-Apr-01	Sweden
20	Philip Tomasino	C	Niagara (OHL)	5-11/180	28-Jul-01	Canada
21	Arthur Kaliyev	RW	Hamilton (OHL)	6-2/190	26-Jun-01	USA
22	Ryan Suzuki	C	Barrie (OHL)	6-0/180	28-May-01	Canada
23	Samuel Poulin	LW	Sherbrooke (QMJHL)	6-1/205	25-Feb-01	Canada
24	Thomas Harley	D	Mississauga (OHL)	6-3/190	19-Aug-01	Canada
25	Ryan Johnson	D	Sioux Falls (USHL)	6-0/175	24-Jul-01	USA
26	Albert Johansson	D	Farjestads (Swe Jr)	5-11/165	4-Jan-01	Sweden
27	Robert Mastrosimone	LW	Chicago (USHL)	5-10/160	24-Jan-01	USA
28	Connor McMichael	C	London (OHL)	5-11/175	15-Jan-01	Canada
29	Matthew Robertson	D	Edmonton (WHL)	6-3/200	9-Mar-01	Canada
30	John Beecher	C	NTDP (USA)	6-3/210	5-Apr-01	USA
31	Pavel Dorofeyev	LW	Magnitogorsk (KHL)	6-1/170	26-Oct-00	Russia
32	Spencer Knight	G	NTDP (USA)	6-3/195	19-Apr-01	USA
33	Bobby Brink	RW	Sioux City (USHL)	5-10/165	8-Jul-01	USA
34	Brett Leason	RW	Prince Albert (WHL)	6-4/200	30-Apr-99	Canada
35	Marshall Warren	D	NTDP (USA)	5-11/170	20-Apr-01	USA
36	Egor Afanasyev	RW	Muskegon (USHL)	6-3/205	23-Jan-01	Russia
37	Ville Heinola	D	Lukko Rauma (Fin)	5-11/180	3-Feb-01	Finland
38	Nolan Foote	LW	Kelowna (WHL)	6-3/190	29-Nov-00	Canada
39	Samuel Fagemo	RW	Frolunda (Swe)	6-0/195	14-Mar-00	Sweden
40	Nick Robertson	LW	Peterborough (OHL)	5-9/160	11-Sep-01	USA
41	Nils Hoglander	RW	Rogle (Swe)	5-9/185	20-Dec-00	Sweden
42	Jamieson Rees	C	Sarnia (OHL)	5-10/175	26-Feb-01	Canada
43	Jakob Pelletier	LW	Moncton (QMJHL)	5-9/165	7-Mar-01	Canada
44	Antti Tuomisto	D	Assat Pori (Fin Jr)	6-4/190	20-Jan-01	Finland
45	Lassi Thomson	D	Kelowna (WHL)	5-11/190	24-Sep-00	Finland
46	Michal Teply	LW	Bili Tygri Liberec (Cze)	6-3/185	27-May-01	Czech
47	Brayden Tracey	LW	Moose Jaw (WHL)	6-0/175	28-May-01	Canada
48	Arseni Gritsyuk	RW	Omskie Yastreby (Rus Jr)	5-10/170	15-Mar-01	Russia
49	Yegor Chinakhov	RW	Omskie Yastreby (Rus Jr)	6-0/175	1-Feb-01	Russia
50	Mattias Norlinder	D	MoDo (Swe Jr)	5-11/180	12-Apr-00	Sweden
51	Karl Henriksson	C	Frolunda (Swe Jr)	5-9/165	5-Feb-01	Sweden
52	Vladislav Kolyachonok	D	Flint (OHL)	6-1/185	26-May-01	Belarus
53	Nikola Pasic	RW	Linkopings (Swe Jr)	5-10/185	16-Oct-00	Sweden
54	Alex Vlasic	D	NTDP (USA)	6-6/200	5-Jun-01	USA
55	Pyotr Kochetkov	G	HK Ryazan (Rus 2)	6-1/175	25-Jun-99	Russia
56	Albin Grewe	RW	Djurgardens (Swe Jr)	5-11/190	22-Mar-01	Sweden
57	Trevor Janicke	C	Central Illinois (USHL)	5-10/195	25-Dec-00	USA
58	Henry Thrun	D	NTDP (USA)	6-2/190	12-Mar-01	USA
59	Yegor Spiridonov	C	Stalnye Lisy Mag. (Rus Jr)	6-2/195	22-Jan-01	Russia
60	Patrik Puistola	LW	Tappara (Fin Jr)	6-0/175	11-Jan-01	Finland
61	Ilya Nikolayev	C	Loko Yaroslavl (Rus Jr)	6-0/190	26-Jun-01	Russia
62	Drew Helleson	D	NTDP (USA)	6-3/195	26-Mar-01	USA
63	Graeme Clarke	RW	Ottawa (OHL)	5-11/175	24-Apr-01	Canada
64	Ronnie Attard	D	Tri-City (USHL)	6-3/210	20-Mar-99	USA
65	Mads Sogaard	G	Medicine Hat (WHL)	6-7/195	13-Dec-00	Denmark
66	Oleg Zaitsev	C	Red Deer (WHL)	6-1/185	7-Jan-01	Russia
67	Isaiah Saville	G	Tri-City (USHL)	6-1/190	21-Sep-00	USA
68	Kaedan Korczak	D	Kelowna (WHL)	6-3/190	29-Jan-01	Canada
69	Adam Najman	C	Benatky nad Jizerou (Cze 2)	5-11/175	23-Jan-01	Czech
70	Mikko Kokkonen	D	Jukurit (Fin)	5-11/200	18-Jan-01	Finland
71	Michael Vukojevic	D	Kitchener (OHL)	6-3/210	8-Jun-01	Canada
72	Patrick Moynihan	RW	NTDP (USA)	5-11/185	23-Jan-01	USA
73	Michael Gildon	LW	NTDP (USA)	6-1/195	21-Jun-01	USA
74	Judd Caulfield	RW	NTDP (USA)	6-3/205	19-Mar-01	USA
75	Vladislav Firstov	LW	Waterloo (USHL)	6-1/180	19-Jun-01	USA
76	Hugo Alnefelt	G	HV 71 (Swe Jr)	6-3/195	4-Jun-01	Sweden
77	Gianni Fairbrother	D	Everett (WHL)	6-0/195	30-Sep-00	Canada
78	Jackson Lacombe	D	Shattuck-St. Mary's (USHS-MN)	6-1/170	9-Jan-01	USA
79	Ethan Keppen	LW	Flint (OHL)	6-2/210	20-Mar-01	Canada
80	Anttoni Honka	D	JyP Jyvaskyla (Fin)	5-10/180	5-Oct-00	Finland
81	Roman Bychkov	D	Loko Yaroslavl (Rus Jr)	5-11/160	10-Feb-01	Russia
82	Ryder Donovan	C	Duluth East (USHS-MN)	6-3/185	4-Oct-00	USA
83	Nathan Legare	RW	Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)	6-0/205	11-Jan-01	Canada
84	Billy Constantinou	D	Kingston (OHL)	6-0/185	25-Mar-01	Canada
85	Vojtech Strondala	C	Slavia Trebic (Cze 2)	5-7/155	17-Dec-00	Czech
86	Case McCarthy	D	NTDP (USA)	6-1/195	9-Jan-01	USA
87	Simon Lundmark	D	Linkopings (Swe)	6-2/200	8-Oct-00	Sweden
88	Zac Jones	D	Tri-City (USHL)	5-10/175	18-Oct-00	USA
89	Erik Portillo	G	Frolunda (Swe Jr)	6-6/210	3-Sep-00	Sweden
90	Daniil Misyul	D	Loko Yaroslavl (Rus Jr)	6-3/180	20-Oct-00	Russia
91	Daniil Gutik	LW	Loko Yaroslavl (Rus Jr)	6-3/180	31-Aug-01	Russia
92	Hunter Jones	G	Peterborough (OHL)	6-4/195	21-Sep-00	Canada
93	Michael Koster	D	Chaska (USHS-MN)	5-9/175	13-Apr-01	USA
94	Aliaksei Protas	C	Prince Albert (WHL)	6-5/205	6-Jan-01	Belarus
95	Blake Murray	C	Sudbury (OHL)	6-2/190	5-Jul-01	Canada
96	Cole MacKay	RW	Sault Ste Marie (OHL)	5-10/190	13-Jun-01	Canada
97	Trent Miner	G	Vancouver (WHL)	6-0/185	5-Jan-01	Canada
98	Semyon Chistyakov	D	Tolpar Ufa (Rus Jr)	5-10/170	7-Aug-01	Russia
99	Leevi Aaltonen	RW	KalPa (Fin Jr)	5-9/175	24-Jan-01	Finland
100	Antti Saarela	C	Lukko Rauma (Fin)	5-11/185	27-Jun-01	Finland
101	John Farinacci	C	Dexter (USHS-MA)	5-11/185	14-Feb-01	USA
102	Marcus Kallionkieli	LW	Sioux City (USHL)	6-2/195	20-Mar-01	Finland
103	Andre Lee	LW	Sioux Falls (USHL)	6-4/200	26-Jul-00	Sweden
104	Kirill Slepets	RW	Loko Yaroslavl (Rus Jr)	5-10/165	6-Apr-99	Russia
105	Shane Pinto	C	Tri-City (USHL)	6-2/190	12-Nov-00	USA
106	Jordan Spence	D	Moncton (QMJHL)	5-10/165	24-Feb-01	Canada
107	Keean Washkurak	C	Mississauga (OHL)	5-10/185	16-Aug-01	Canada
108	Owen Lindmark	C	NTDP (USA)	6-0/195	17-May-01	USA
109	Matej Blumel	RW	Waterloo (USHL)	5-11/200	31-May-00	Czech
110	Jack Malone	RW	Youngstown (USHL)	6-1/190	13-Oct-00	USA
111	Jayden Struble	D	St. Sebastian's (USHS-MA)	6-0/195	8-Sep-01	USA
112	Artemi Knyazev	D	Chicoutimi (QMJHL)	5-11/180	4-Jan-01	Russia
113	Maxim Cajkovic	RW	Saint John (QMJHL)	5-11/185	3-Jan-01	Slovakia
114	Matvey Guskov	C	London (OHL)	6-1/180	30-Jan-01	Russia
115	Nikita Okhotyuk	D	Ottawa (OHL)	6-1/195	4-Dec-00	Russia
116	Valeri Orekhov	D	Barys Astana (KHL)	6-1/190	17-Jul-99	Kazakhstan
117	Zdenek Sedlak	RW	Karpat Oulu (Fin)	6-2/205	23-Mar-00	Czech
118	Alexander Yakovenko	D	Muskegon (USHL)	5-11/175	22-Feb-98	Russia
119	Yannick Bruschweiler	C	GC Kusnacht Lions (Sui 2)	5-10/175	29-Aug-99	Switzerland
120	Ilya Mironov	D	Loko Yaroslavl (Rus Jr)	6-3/200	15-Mar-01	Russia
121	Albert Lyckasen	D	Linkopings (Swe Jr)	5-10/180	29-Jul-01	Sweden
122	Keegan Stevenson	C	Guelph (OHL)	6-1/185	31-Dec-00	Canada
123	Ilya Konovalov	G	Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)	6-0/195	13-Jul-98	Russia
124	Cole Schwindt	RW	Mississauga (OHL)	6-2/185	25-Apr-01	Canada
125	Domenick Fensore	D	NTDP (USA)	5-7/155	7-Sep-01	USA
126	William Francis	D	Cedar Rapids (USHL)	6-5/210	16-Nov-00	USA
127	Simon Gnyp	D	Kolner (Ger Jr)	5-11/180	10-Sep-01	Germany
128	Tuukka Tieksola	RW	Karpat Oulu (Fin Jr)	5-10/150	22-Jun-01	Finland
129	Ethan Phillips	C	Sioux Falls (USHL)	5-9/150	7-May-01	Canada
130	Linus Pettersson	RW	MoDo (Swe)	5-7/145	11-Apr-00	Sweden
131	Matias Maccelli	LW	Dubuque (USHL)	5-11/170	14-Oct-00	Finland
132	Anthony Romano	C	Sioux Falls (USHL)	5-11/185	7-Oct-00	Canada
133	Nikita Alexandrov	C	Charlottetown (QMJHL)	6-0/180	16-Sep-00	Germany
134	Arturs Silovs	G	HS Riga (Lat)	6-4/205	22-Mar-01	Latvia
135	August Hedlund	G	AIK (Swe Jr)	6-4/185	7-Jan-00	Sweden
136	Nicholas Porco	LW	Saginaw (OHL)	6-0/175	12-Mar-01	Canada
137	Joe Carroll	C	Sault Ste Marie (OHL)	6-2/200	1-Feb-01	Canada
138	Alex Beaucage	RW	Rouyn Noranda (QMJHL)	6-1/195	25-Jul-01	Canada
139	Luke Toporowski	C	Spokane (WHL)	5-11/180	12-Apr-01	USA
140	Sasha Mutala	RW	Tri-City (WHL)	6-0/200	6-May-01	Canada
141	Harrison Blaisdell	C	Chilliwack (BCHL)	5-11/180	18-Mar-01	Canada
142	Valentin Nussbaumer	C	Shawinigan (QMJHL)	5-11/165	25-Sep-00	Switzerland
143	Dustin Wolf	G	Everett (WHL)	6-0/155	16-Apr-01	USA
144	Ondrej Psenicka	RW	Sparta Praha (Cze Jr)	6-5/195	7-Jan-01	Czech
145	Juuso Parssinen	C	TPS Turku (Fin Jr)	6-2/205	1-Feb-01	Finland
146	Mitchell Brewer	D	Oshawa (OHL)	6-0/205	20-Mar-01	Canada
147	Lukas Parik	G	Liberec (Cze Jr)	6-4/185	15-Mar-01	Czech
148	Grant Silianoff	RW	Cedar Rapids (USHL)	5-11/170	4-Jan-01	USA
149	Josh Nodler	C	Fargo (USHL)	5-11/195	27-Apr-01	USA
150	Bryce Brodzinski	RW	Blaine (USHS-MN)	6-0/195	9-Aug-00	USA
151	Colten Ellis	G	Rimouski (QMJHL)	6-1/190	5-Oct-00	Canada
152	Rhett Pitlick	LW	Chaska (USHS-MN)	5-9/160	7-Feb-01	USA
153	Dillon Hamaliuk	LW	Seattle (WHL)	6-3/190	30-Oct-00	Canada
154	Aleksei Sergeev	C	Quebec (QMJHL)	5-9/185	22-May-00	Russia
155	Jack York	D	Barrie (OHL)	6-0/190	17-Sep-00	Canada
156	Jacob LeGuerrier	D	Sault Ste Marie (OHL)	6-1/200	22-Nov-00	Canada
157	Zach Uens	D	Wellington (OJHL)	6-1/180	13-May-01	Canada
158	Josh Williams	RW	Edmonton (WHL)	6-1/195	8-Mar-01	Canada
159	Elmer Soderblom	RW	Frolunda (Swe Jr)	6-6/220	5-Jul-01	Sweden
160	Kyle Topping	C	Kelowna (WHL)	5-11/185	18-Nov-99	Canada
161	Albin Sundsvik	C	Skelleftea (Swe Jr)	6-1/185	27-Apr-01	Sweden
162	Cameron Rowe	G	NTDP (USA)	6-2/200	1-Jun-01	USA
163	Filip Lindberg	G	Massachusetts (HE)	6-0/180	31-Jan-99	Finland
164	Liam Svensson	C	Frolunda (Swe Jr 18)	6-3/195	2-Feb-01	Sweden
165	Xavier Simoneau	C	Drummondville (QMJHL)	5-6/170	19-May-01	Canada
166	Pavel Gogolev	RW	Guelph (OHL)	6-0/175	19-Feb-00	Russia
167	Danil Antropov	LW	Oshawa (OHL)	6-1/185	20-Dec-00	Canada
168	Daniel D'Amico	LW	Windsor (OHL)	5-9/185	26-Jan-01	Canada
169	Vladimir Alistrov	LW	Edmonton (WHL)	6-2/175	12-Feb-01	Belarus
170	Reece Newkirk	C	Portland (WHL)	5-11/175	20-Feb-01	Canada
171	Sergei Alkhimov	LW	Regina (WHL)	6-0/210	3-Jul-01	Russia
172	Adam Beckman	LW	Spokane (WHL)	6-1/170	10-May-01	Canada
173	Alexander Campbell	LW	Victoria (BCHL)	5-10/150	27-Feb-01	Canada
174	Taylor Gauthier	G	Prince George (WHL)	6-1/195	15-Feb-01	Canada
175	Max Crozier	D	Sioux Falls (USHL)	6-1/195	19-Apr-00	Canada
176	Santeri Hatakka	D	Jokerit (Fin Jr)	6-0/175	15-Jan-01	Finland
177	Kalle Loponen	D	Hermes (Fin 2)	5-10/185	13-Mar-01	Finland
178	Eric Ciccolini	RW	Toronto Jr Canadiens (OJHL)	5-11/160	14-Jan-01	Canada
179	Aku Raty	RW	Karpat Oulu (Fin Jr)	5-11/170	5-Jul-01	Finland
180	Arvid Costmar	C	Linkopings (Swe Jr)	5-11/180	7-Jul-01	Sweden
181	Matt Brown	LW	Des Moines (USHL)	5-9/180	9-Aug-99	USA
182	Sven Leuenberger	C	Zug (Sui)	5-10/185	18-Feb-99	Switzerland
183	Jasper Patrikainen	G	Pelicans (Fin)	6-0/175	1-Jul-00	Finland
184	Jack Williams	G	Springfield (NAHL)	6-3/175	21-Jun-01	USA
185	Mikhail Abramov	C	Victoriaville (QMJHL)	5-10/160	26-Mar-01	Russia
186	Ben Brinkman	D	Minnesota (B1G)	6-0/215	4-Oct-00	USA
187	Chris Giroday	D	Green Bay (USHL)	6-1/175	13-Dec-00	Canada
188	Petr Cajka	C	Erie (OHL)	6-0/170	11-Dec-00	Czech
189	Mark Kastelic	C	Calgary (WHL)	6-3/215	11-Mar-99	USA
190	Kevin Wall	RW	Chilliwack (BCHL)	6-0/190	1-Feb-00	USA
191	Lucas Edmonds	RW	Karlskrona (Swe Jr)	5-11/175	27-Jan-01	Sweden
192	Carter Gylander	G	Sherwood Park (AJHL)	6-5/175	5-Jun-01	Canada
193	Ethan de Jong	RW	Quinnipiac (ECAC)	5-10/170	12-Jul-99	Canada
194	Wiljami Myllyla	RW	HIFK Helsinki (Fin Jr)	6-0/170	9-Apr-01	Finland
195	Yaroslav Likhachyov	RW	Gatineau (QMJHL)	5-10/170	2-Sep-01	Russia
196	Layton Ahac	D	Prince George (BCHL)	6-2/195	22-Feb-01	Canada
197	Alfred Barklund	D	Orebro (Swe Jr)	6-2/200	21-Oct-00	Sweden
198	Radek Muzik	LW	Lulea (Swe Jr)	6-3/180	25-Mar-01	Sweden
199	Marcus Pedersen	RW	Linkopings (Swe Jr)	6-2/165	25-May-01	Sweden
200	Filip Koffer	RW	Pardubice (Cze Jr)	5-11/175	4-Mar-01	Czech
201	Henri Nikkanen	C	Jukurit (Fin Jr)	6-3/200	28-Apr-01	Finland
202	Marc Del Gaizo	D	Massachusetts (HE)	5-9/190	11-Oct-99	USA
203	Tag Bertuzzi	LW	Hamilton (OHL)	6-0/200	18-Feb-01	Canada
204	Martin Hugo Has	D	Tappara (Fin Jr)	6-4/190	2-Feb-01	Czech
205	Jet Greaves	G	Barrie (OHL)	5-11/165	30-Mar-01	Canada
206	Mason Millman	D	Saginaw (OHL)	6-1/175	18-Jul-01	Canada
207	Janis Jerome Moser	D	Biel-Bienne (Sui)	6-0/160	6-Jun-00	Switzerland
208	Nick Abruzzese	C	Chicago (USHL)	5-9/160	4-Jun-99	USA
209	Logan Barlage	C	Lethbridge (WHL)	6-4/200	7-Jan-01	Canada
210	Carter Berger	D	Victoria (BCHL)	6-0/200	17-Sep-99	Canada
211	Nando Eggenberger	LW	Oshawa (OHL)	6-2/205	7-Oct-99	Switzerland
212	Tyce Thompson	RW	Providence (HE)	6-1/180	12-Jul-99	USA
213	Nolan Maier	G	Saskatoon (WHL)	6-0/175	10-Jan-01	Canada
214	Massimo Rizzo	C	Penticton (BCHL)	5-10/180	13-Jun-01	Canada
215	Matthew Steinburg	C	St. Andrew's (CHS-O)	6-1/185	7-Oct-00	Canada
216	Jake Lee	D	Seattle (WHL)	6-1/215	13-Jul-01	Canada
217	Luke Bast	D	Brooks (AJHL)	5-9/170	20-Nov-00	Canada

100 HONOURABLE MENTION IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER:

	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	HT/WT	DOB	Nation
HM	Nathan Allensen	D	Barrie (OHL)	5-11/180	3-May-01	Canada
HM	Ethan Anders	G	Red Deer (WHL)	6-1/175	26-Sep-00	Canada
HM	Nicklas Andrews	D	Des Moines (USHL)	5-10/185	6-Jul-01	USA
HM	Tyler Angle	C	Windsor (OHL)	5-9/165	30-Sep-00	Canada
HM	Marcel Barinka	C	Halifax (QMJHL)	6-0/165	3-Jan-01	Czech
HM	Roman Basran	G	Kelowna (WHL)	6-1/195	26-Jul-01	Canada
HM	Luke Bignell	C	Barrie (OHL)	6-0/170	3-Nov-00	Canada
HM	Mathieu Bizier	C	Gatineau (QMJHL)	6-1/185	13-May-01	Canada
HM	Oscar Bjerselius	C	Djurgardens (Swe Jr)	5-11/185	18-Feb-01	Sweden
HM	Kaden Bohlsen	C	Fargo (USHL)	6-3/190	10-Jan-01	USA
HM	Samuel Bolduc	D	Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)	6-3/210	9-Dec-00	Canada
HM	Jakob Bondesson	D	Rogle (Swe Jr)	6-1/185	22-May-00	Sweden
HM	Cole Brady	G	Janesville (NAHL)	6-5/165	12-Feb-01	Canada
HM	Alex Brannstam	D	Djurgardens (Swe Jr)	5-11/170	3-Jun-01	Sweden
HM	Lynden Breen	C	Central Illinois (USHL)	5-9/165	31-May-01	USA
HM	Jonas Brondberg	D	Vaxjo Lakers (Swe Jr)	6-4/190	26-Jan-01	Sweden
HM	Jeremie Bucheler	D	Victoria (BCHL)	6-4/200	31-Mar-00	Canada
HM	Brett Budgell	LW	Charlottetown (QMJHL)	5-11/190	1-Jun-01	Canada
HM	Luka Burzan	RW	Brandon (WHL)	6-0/190	7-Jan-00	Canada
HM	Felix Carenfelt	LW	Djurgardens (Swe Jr)	5-10/185	13-Feb-00	Sweden
HM	Luke Cavallin	G	Flint (OHL)	6-1/190	29-Apr-01	Canada
HM	Filip Cederqvist	LW	Vaxjo Lakers (Swe)	6-1/185	23-Aug-00	Sweden
HM	Cole Coskey	RW	Saginaw (OHL)	6-0/190	1-Jun-99	USA
HM	Braden Doyle	D	Lawrence Academy (USHS-MA)	5-11/170	24-Aug-01	USA
HM	Justin Ducharme	LW	Chicoutimi (QMJHL)	5-10/180	22-Feb-00	Canada
HM	Nathan Dunkley	C	London (OHL)	5-11/195	3-May-00	Canada
HM	Pontus Englund	D	Timra (Swe Jr)	6-3/205	15-Jul-00	Sweden
HM	Lucas Feuk	LW	Sodertalje (Swe Jr)	6-0/185	19-Feb-01	Sweden
HM	Parker Ford	C	Sioux City (USHL)	5-8/170	20-Jul-00	USA
HM	Ethan Frisch	D	Fargo (USHL)	5-11/190	29-Oct-00	USA
HM	Maxim Golod	LW	Erie (OHL)	5-11/175	18-Aug-00	Canada
HM	Jacob Gronhagen	C	HV 71 (Swe Jr)	6-6/215	18-Jan-01	Sweden
HM	Maxence Guenette	D	Val d'Or (QMJHL)	6-1/180	28-Apr-01	Canada
HM	Hugo Gustafsson	C	Sodertalje (Swe 2)	5-10/160	23-Feb-00	Sweden
HM	Mack Guzda	G	Owen Sound (OHL)	6-4/215	11-Jan-01	USA
HM	Aidan Harper	G	Skipjacks HC 18U (USPHL)	6-2/170	28-May-01	USA
HM	Ludvig Hedstrom	D	Djurgardens (Swe Jr)	5-11/175	14-Apr-01	Sweden
HM	Konsta Hirvonen	LW	HIFK Helsinki (Fin Jr)	5-11/165	1-Nov-00	Finland
HM	Eric Hjorth	D	Linkopings (Swe Jr 18)	6-3/190	8-Jan-01	Sweden
HM	Samuel Hlavaj	G	Lincoln (USHL)	6-4/185	29-May-01	Slovakia
HM	Krystof Hrabik	C	Tri-City (WHL)	6-4/220	24-Sep-99	Czech
HM	Rickard Hugg	C	Kitchener (OHL)	5-11/190	18-Jan-99	Sweden
HM	Aaron Huglen	RW	Roseau (USHS-MN)	5-11/165	6-Mar-01	USA
HM	Aarne Intonen	C	TPS Turku (Fin Jr)	5-11/180	17-Jul-01	Finland
HM	Michal Ivan	D	Drummondville (QMJHL)	6-1/185	18-Nov-99	Slovakia
HM	Dylan Jackson	RW	Dubuque (USHL)	5-9/175	6-Sep-01	Canada
HM	Ty Jackson	C	Dubuque (USHL)	5-7/150	6-Sep-01	Canada
HM	Taro Jentzsch	C	Sherbrooke (QMJHL)	6-1/155	11-Jun-00	Germany
HM	Samuel Johannesson	D	Rogle (Swe Jr)	5-11/175	27-Dec-00	Sweden
HM	Wilson Johansson	RW	Farjestads (Swe Jr)	5-11/175	11-Oct-00	Sweden
HM	Brooklyn Kalmikov	C	Cape Breton (QMJHL)	6-0/165	21-Apr-01	Canada
HM	David Karlstrom	C	AIK (Swe Jr)	6-1/185	12-Mar-01	Sweden
HM	Mans Kramer	D	Frolunda (Swe Jr)	6-2/180	6-Mar-01	Sweden
HM	Jami Krannila	C	Sioux Falls (USHL)	5-10/160	3-Oct-00	Finland
HM	Grayson Ladd	D	Windsor (OHL)	6-1/175	1-Mar-01	Canada
HM	Martin Lang	LW	Kamloops (WHL)	5-11/170	15-Sep-01	Czech
HM	Oscar Lawner	LW	Farjestads (Swe Jr)	5-11/185	13-Feb-01	Sweden
HM	Jonathan Lemieux	G	Val d'Or (QMJHL)	6-0/185	8-Jun-01	Canada
HM	Hugo Leufvenius	LW	Sarnia (OHL)	6-3/230	26-Mar-99	Sweden
HM	Ethan Leyh	LW	Langley (BCHL)	6-0/190	7-Sep-01	Canada
HM	Josh Lopina	C	Lincoln (USHL)	6-1/175	16-Feb-01	USA
HM	Emil Malysjev	D	Saskatoon (WHL)	6-3/190	1-May-01	Sweden
HM	Matias Mantykivi	C	SaiPa (Fin Jr)	5-11/160	21-Jun-01	Finland
HM	Jeremy McKenna	RW	Moncton (QMJHL)	5-10/175	20-Apr-99	Canada
HM	Billy Moskal	C	London (OHL)	6-0/185	22-Mar-00	Canada
HM	Derek Mullahy	G	Dexter (USHS-MA)	6-0/180	20-Mar-01	USA
HM	Kim Nousiainen	D	KalPa (Fin Jr)	5-9/170	14-Nov-00	Finland
HM	Zachary Okabe	RW	Grande Prairie (AJHL)	5-8/165	4-Jan-01	Canada
HM	Oliver Okuliar	LW	Sherbrooke (QMJHL)	6-1/190	24-May-00	Slovakia
HM	Quinn Olson	LW	Okotoks (AJHL)	5-10/170	9-May-01	Canada
HM	Xavier Parent	LW	Halifax (QMJHL)	5-8/170	23-Mar-01	Canada
HM	Tommy Pasanen	D	Sioux City (USHL)	6-3/220	30-Jul-01	Germany
HM	Thomas Pelletier	D	Drummondville (QMJHL)	6-2/195	23-Aug-01	Canada
HM	Andrew Perrott	D	Owen Sound (OHL)	5-11/205	24-Aug-01	USA
HM	Kari Piiroinen	G	Windsor (OHL)	6-0/175	1-Jul-01	Finland
HM	Lukas Pilo	D	Orebro (Swe Jr)	6-1/185	7-Sep-99	Sweden
HM	Garrett Pinoniemi	C	Holy Family Catholic (USHS-MN)	5-11/150	15-Jun-01	USA
HM	Mason Primeau	C	North Bay (OHL)	6-5/205	28-Jul-01	Canada
HM	Kirby Proctor	D	Des Moines (USHL)	6-3/190	19-Apr-01	Canada
HM	Liam Ross	D	Sudbury (OHL)	6-2/195	13-May-01	Canada
HM	Henrik Rybinski	RW	Seattle (WHL)	6-0/175	26-Jun-01	Canada
HM	Nikita Sedov	D	Regina (WHL)	6-1/185	5-May-01	Russia
HM	Egor Serdyuk	RW	Victoriaville (QMJHL)	5-10/160	3-Jun-01	Russia
HM	Nikita Shashkov	LW	Sibir Novosibirsk (KHL)	5-11/180	26-Mar-99	Russia
HM	Ryan Siedem	D	Central Illinois (USHL)	6-2/190	25-Feb-01	USA
HM	Samuel Sjolund	D	AIK (Swe Jr)	6-1/175	19-May-01	Sweden
HM	Hunter Skinner	D	Muskegon (USHL)	6-2/175	29-Apr-01	USA
HM	Dominik Sojka	C	Banska Bystrica (Svk Jr)	6-5/210	16-Feb-01	Slovakia
HM	Kyen Sopa	RW	Niagara (OHL)	5-9/185	30-Sep-00	Switzerland
HM	Tyler Spott	D	Green Bay (USHL)	5-10/170	17-Jun-00	Canada
HM	Matthew Struthers	C	North Bay (OHL)	6-2/210	26-Dec-99	Canada
HM	Roope Taponen	G	HIFK Helsinki (Fin Jr)	6-0/165	14-Mar-01	Finland
HM	Jacob Tortora	LW	Barrie (OHL)	5-6/165	25-Jul-99	USA
HM	Bobby Trivigno	LW	Massachusetts (HE)	5-8/155	19-Jan-99	USA
HM	Eric Uba	RW	Flint (OHL)	6-0/195	17-Dec-00	Canada
HM	Max Wahlgren	RW	MoDo (Swe)	6-1/185	9-May-01	Sweden
HM	Carl Wang	D	Sodertalje (Swe Jr)	6-2/195	28-Mar-01	Sweden
HM	Matteus Ward	G	Linkopings (Swe Jr)	6-0/170	7-Mar-01	Sweden
HM	Lukas Wernblom	C	MoDo (Swe 2)	5-9/170	22-Jul-00	Sweden
HM	Jonathan Yantsis	RW	Kitchener (OHL)	6-2/210	28-Apr-99	Canada

MCKEEN’S 2019 NHL DRAFT GUIDE: Russia – It’s not only about Podkolzin

Viktor Fomich — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 13:03:59 +0000

This year, when a hockey fan hears the words 'draft' and 'Russia', his brain automatically gives out Vasiliy Podkolzin's name as the result. The reason is pretty obvious — he is one of the top talents out there. With that being said, this year's Russian-based draft class definitely doesn't end on Podkolzin's name, so let's have a look at the other talent available.

VANCOUVER, BC - JANUARY 2: Russia's Vasili Podkolzin #11 skates with the puck while fending-off Slovakia's Milos Fafrak #19 during quarterfinal round action at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship at Rogers Arena on January 2, 2019 in Vancouver, BC Canada. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images)

Possibly the biggest question of the entire draft is where Vasiliy Podkolzin will end up being picked. While being a 200ft competitor and a complete player that every coach wants to see on his team, there are still questions about his offensive upside. And, which is probably more important in terms of a draft position, the good old "Russian factor" comes into play. Podkolzin will stay in Russia for at least two years and not every NHL team is ready to spend a high-end pick on a prospect who is not expected to report immediately, or in the near future.

As mentioned, this year is not only about Podkolzin and Pavel Dorofeyev is the player who is definitely eager to prove that. Dorofeyev is very mobile, has a great attacking skill set, works hard and is able to generate offense. If a team needs an injection of some pure Russian skill to their prospect pool, they will want to take a look at Dorofeyev, who should be still available in the second half of the first round.

CHELYABINSK, RUSSIA - APRIL 24: Russia's Yegor Spiridonov #7 plays the puck while Slovakia's Alexander Zekucia #5 defends during preliminary round action at the 2018 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship. (Photo by Andrea Cardin/HHOF-IIHF Images)

This year's top Russian prospects are about to break some stereotypes about Russian hockey, as there are some quality two-way players in this year’s draft. Yegor Spiridonov and Ilya Nikolayev are centers who play a responsible defensive game and can contribute to the offense too: Spiridonov with his powerful right-handed shot and willingness to crash the net and Nikolayev with his mobility and playmaking talent. Both have middle-six center potential written all over them and could be picked in the late first/early second round territory.

In search for some skill available in the later rounds let's check the Siberian city of Omsk, where the winger duo Arseniy Gritsyuk and Yegor Chinakhov play. Chinakhov possesses a great release and precision on his wrister and Gritsyuk has the skill and creativity to come up with something unpleasantly surprising for opposing defensemen.

Not exactly a high-end crop of Russian-based defensemen at this year's draft, but there are still some interesting names out there. Daniil Misyul combines a 6'3" frame with great skating and has impressed everyone by showing confidence even against top KHL teams at the end of the season. When talking about Semyon Chistyakov, the first word that comes up is 'athleticism'. Despite not being particularly big, he is extremely strong and can really move his feet. Roman Bychkov is a defenseman that plays a cerebral game: cool-headed in his own end, creative in the attack and able to create something good.

Goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov of Russia during the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship semifinal game between Russia and USA on January 4, 2019 in Vancouver.
Photo: Joel Marklund / BILDBYRÅN / kod JM / 87837

There are definitely no issues with goalie talent production in Russia and this year's draft proves it once again with Pyotr Kochetkov and Ilya Konovalov being among top goalie prospects available. Kochetkov's size and mobility combination impressed everyone both at the CAN/RUS Series and at the WJC, where he was named the best goaltender in the tournament. Konovalov is not that naturally gifted but works hard and has great technique and consistency. Those abilities allowed him not only to win starter's job in the KHL, but also to post sensational numbers there, including 10 shutout wins.

When talking about the first half of the draft there have been also other names mentioned, like defenseman Ilya Mironov and wingers Kirill Slepets, Daniil Gutik, Dmitriy Sheshin, not to mention a lot of candidates for the lower rounds, leaving no doubt that Russia continues to produce a deep pool of hockey talent.

McKeen’s April 2019 NHL Draft Rankings – Top 93 – For Subscribers

McKeen's Hockey — Thu, 04 Apr 2019 12:50:17 +0000

A powerhouse 2018-19 USNTDP dominates the 2019 draft rankings.

Here we are with the penultimate draft rankings for the 2019 class. Many players considered for the list below have finished their seasons. Others in in their respective leagues’ playoff pushes.

The Harlem Globetrotters USNTDP U18 team is still dominating everyone in their path, including the rankings below. We currently feature seven national program members in our projected top 31 and a few more who have just missed.

In one sense, this ranking has a feel of “plus ca change, plus ca meme-chose”. On the other, there are some noteworthy changes to the previous ranking.

Near the top, Jack Hughes still holds on to the highest ranking, but Finnish wunderkind Kaapo Kakko is inching closer to the pole position. Both talented forwards should have a final chance to prove themselves at the upcoming U18 tournament in Sweden. An indication of how close the two player are is that if Kakko was a center like Hughes, or Hughes a winger like Kakko, the spots might be reversed.

We see that Russian forward Vasili Podkolzin has been bumped down from the third spot to fifth. That change is more connected to lackluster production in domestic action more than talent, but a touch of the fear that he may not come over to North America for two or three years will likely impact his actual draft stock more at the end of the day – if those rumors are proven to have merit. We don’t move him down much, but when you are listed that high, every slot counts.

Bowen Byram, Vancouver Giants.

Filling that vacuum are WHL talents Kirby Dach and Bowen Byram, two very different player who both have high end potential. Dylan Cozens is right behind those two, and for now, slotted on the far side of Podkolzin. All three are so close that they could end up in practically any order once we end the rankings after the season runs to a finish.

A handful of prospects have dropped out of our first round between our mid-year ranking and this one. WHL wingers Nolan Foote and Brett Leason only fell a few slots in what is essentially a numbers game and a lot of time in the spotlight allowing some flaws (lack of a dynamic skill set for Foote and footspeed concerns for Leason) to drag them down.

We have also moved Spencer Knight out of the first round, returning to a core principal that goalies should not go in the first round. In Knight’s case, while his skill set is first round worthy, the risk is too high. He has little experience being a workhorse and we simply don’t know how his play will be impacted by a great increase in playing time. Secondly, the team in front of him is so dominant, he has scarcely been tested yet. He is still the top netminder in the draft class, but a much safer bet for the early second than the late first.

Finnish blueliner Ville Heinola was one of our bigger droppers this time out, dropping from 25 to 41. We still appreciate his overall game, but he simply lacks one big selling point for a first-round appraisal at this time. Our biggest drop from the first round goes to Quebec league winger Jakob Pelletier. We knew he was small when we had ranked him originally, but we have (we reserve the right to change our minds in the next few weeks and months) concluded that his foot speed and skill game are not enough to make up the difference. He is a good player, and well worthy of a pick, but our former 20^th overall ranked player is now down at 53.

So, who has jumped up into the top 31 to replace the fallen? The highest ranked newcomer is Swedish winger Simon Holmstrom, who has torn up the Swedish U20 league and his late May 2001 birthdate suggests at a higher untapped upside still in store. He jumps in at 14.

Some late looks suggest that our previous assessment of Mississauga defender Thomas Harley were too harsh. He is big, is a beautiful skater and has a strong transition game. He now is ranked 21^st.

Towards the end of the first round, we now include Albert Johansson, a Swedish blueliner, at 27, while QMJHL winger Samuel Poulin is 30^th and WHL import defender Lassi Thomson closes out the first round. Between these final three skaters and the players they have replaced, there is not much of a gap, but we simply feel that they all have higher floors, and are thus somewhat safer on day one.

You may have other questions about our rankings, and we invite you to ask them either via email or on twitter. We take great pride in the 20-80 grading system that we use to sort through the world of prospects, allowing us to compare players from one league to another and we go to great lengths to ensure that our approach is systemic and repeatable.

Also, please remember that this list is a still a snapshot ranking, based on what we know and see now. As the season continues to wind down, with every week seeing more and more players finish their respective schedules, we will continue to refine the lists to get you the final product – our much anticipated 2019 McKeen’s NHL Draft Guide. Stay tuned! To learn more about our Draft Guide link here

RANK	RPT	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	HT/WT	DOB
1	X	Jack Hughes	C	NTDP (USHL)	5-10/170	14-May-01
2	X	Kaapo Kakko	RW	TPS Turku (Fin)	6-2/195	13-Feb-01
3	X	Kirby Dach	C	Saskatoon (WHL)	6-3/200	21-Jan-01
4	X	Bowen Byram	D	Vancouver (WHL)	6-1/195	13-Jun-01
5	X	Vasili Podkolzin	RW	SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (Rus)	6-1/190	24-Jun-01
6	X	Dylan Cozens	C	Lethbridge (WHL)	6-3/185	9-Feb-01
7	X	Trevor Zegras	C	NTDP (USHL)	6-0/165	20-Mar-01
8	X	Peyton Krebs	C	Kootenay (WHL)	5-11/180	26-Jan-01
9	X	Alex Turcotte	C	NTDP (USHL)	5-11/195	26-Feb-01
10	X	Victor Soderstrom	D	Brynas (Swe)	5-11/180	26-Feb-01
11	X	Matthew Boldy	LW	NTDP (USHL)	6-1/185	5-Apr-01
12	X	Philip Broberg	D	AIK (Swe)	6-3/200	25-Jun-01
13	X	Cole Caufield	RW	NTDP (USHL)	5-7/155	2-Jan-01
14	X	Simon Holmstrom	RW	HV 71 (Swe)	6-0/185	24-May-01
15	X	Cam York	D	NTDP (USHL)	5-11/170	5-Jan-01
16	X	Alex Newhook	C	Victoria (BCHL)	5-10/195	28-Jan-01
17	X	Tobias Bjornfot	D	Djurgardens (Swe)	6-0/200	6-Apr-01
18	X	Ryan Suzuki	C	Barrie (OHL)	6-0/180	28-May-01
19	X	Arthur Kaliyev	RW	Hamilton (OHL)	6-1/190	26-Jun-01
20		Marshall Warren	D	NTDP (USHL)	5-11/170	20-Apr-01
21	X	Thomas Harley	D	Mississauga (OHL)	6-3/190	19-Aug-01
22	X	Raphael Lavoie	C	Halifax (QMJHL)	6-3/195	25-Sep-00
23	X	Connor McMichael	C	London (OHL)	5-11/175	15-Jan-01
24	X	Philip Tomasino	C	Niagara (OHL)	6-0/180	28-Jul-01
25	X	Matthew Robertson	D	Edmonton (WHL)	6-3/200	9-Mar-01
26	X	Moritz Seider	D	Adler Mannheim (Ger)	6-3/185	6-Apr-01
27		Albert Johansson	D	Farjestads (Swe)	5-11/165	4-Jan-01
28	X	Robert Mastrosimone	LW	Chicago (USHL)	5-10/170	24-Jan-01
29		Pavel Dorofeyev	LW	Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk (Rus)	6-1/170	26-Oct-00
30	X	Samuel Poulin	LW	Sherbrooke (QMJHL)	6-1/205	25-Feb-01
31	X	Lassi Thomson	D	Kelowna (WHL)	6-0/190	24-Sep-00
32	X	Bobby Brink	RW	Sioux City (USHL)	5-10/165	8-Jul-01
33	X	Case McCarthy	D	NTDP (USHL)	6-1/195	9-Jan-01
34	X	Nolan Foote	LW	Kelowna (WHL)	6-3/190	29-Nov-00
35	X	Spencer Knight	G	NTDP (USHL)	6-3/195	19-Apr-01
36	X	Albin Grewe	RW	Djurgardens (Swe)	5-11/190	22-Mar-01
37	X	Brett Leason	RW	Prince Albert (WHL)	6-4/200	30-Apr-99
38	X	Egor Afanasyev	RW	Muskegon (USHL)	6-3/205	23-Jan-01
39		John Beecher	C	NTDP (USHL)	6-3/205	5-Apr-01
40	X	Samuel Fagemo	RW	Frolunda (Swe)	6-0/195	14-Mar-00
41	X	Ville Heinola	D	Lukko Rauma (Fin)	5-11/175	3-Feb-01
42	X	Nils Hoglander	RW	Rogle (Swe)	5-9/185	20-Dec-00
43		Pyotr Kochetkov	G	HK Ryazan (Rus)	6-1/175	25-Jun-99
44	X	Patrik Puistola	LW	Tappara (Fin)	6-0/175	11-Jan-01
45	X	Nick Robertson	LW	Peterborough (OHL)	5-9/160	11-Sep-01
46		Isaiah Saville	G	Tri-City (USHL)	6-1/190	21-Sep-00
47	X	Ryder Donovan	C	NTDP (USHL)	6-3/185	4-Oct-00
48	X	Bryce Brodzinski	RW	Blaine (USHS-MN)	6-0/195	9-Aug-00
49	X	Ryan Johnson	D	Sioux Falls (USHL)	6-0/165	24-Jul-01
50	X	Antti Tuomisto	D	Assat Pori (Fin)	6-4/190	20-Jan-01
51	X	Vladislav Kolyachonok	D	Flint (OHL)	6-2/180	26-May-01
52		Michal Teply	LW	Bili Tygri Liberec (Cze)	6-3/185	27-May-01
53	X	Jakob Pelletier	LW	Moncton (QMJHL)	5-9/165	7-Mar-01
54	X	Nikola Pasic	RW	Linkopings (Swe)	5-10/185	16-Oct-00
55		Ilya Nikolayev	C	Loko Yaroslavl (Rus)	6-0/190	26-Jun-01
56	X	Mattias Norlinder	D	MoDo (Swe)	5-11/180	12-Apr-00
57	X	Alex Vlasic	D	NTDP (USHL)	6-6/195	5-Jun-01
58	X	Graeme Clarke	RW	Ottawa (OHL)	5-11/175	24-Apr-01
59	X	Drew Helleson	D	NTDP (USHL)	6-2/180	26-Mar-01
60	X	Mads Sogaard	G	Medicine Hat (WHL)	6-7/195	13-Dec-00
61		Judd Caulfield	RW	NTDP (USHL)	6-3/205	19-Mar-01
62		Roman Bychkov	D	Loko Yaroslavl (Rus)	5-11/160	10-Feb-01
63		Vojtech Strondala	C	Slavia Trebic (Cze)	5-7/155	17-Dec-00
64	X	Oleg Zaitsev	C	Red Deer (WHL)	6-1/185	7-Jan-01
65	X	Jayden Struble	D	St. Sebastian's (USHS-MA)	6-0/195	8-Sep-01
66		Henry Thrun	D	NTDP (USHL)	6-2/190	12-Mar-01
67		Daniil Gutik	LW	Loko Yaroslavl (Rus)	6-3/180	31-Aug-01
68	X	Michael Koster	D	Chaska (USHS-MN)	5-10/170	13-Apr-01
69		Trevor Janicke	RW	Central Illinois (USHL)	5-10/190	25-Dec-00
70	X	Ronnie Attard	D	Tri-City (USHL)	6-3/210	20-Mar-99
71	X	John Farinacci	C	Dexter (USHS-MA)	5-11/185	14-Feb-01
72		Adam Najman	C	Benatky nad Jizerou (Cze)	5-11/175	23-Jan-01
73		Mikko Kokkonen	D	Jukurit (Fin)	5-11/200	18-Jan-01
74	X	Anttoni Honka	D	JyP Jyvaskyla (Fin)	5-10/170	5-Oct-00
75		Michael Gildon	LW	NTDP (USHL)	6-1/195	21-Jun-01
76		Patrick Moynihan	RW	NTDP (USHL)	5-11/185	23-Jan-01
77	X	Vladislav Firstov	LW	Waterloo (USHL)	6-0/180	19-Jun-01
78	X	Blake Murray	C	Sudbury (OHL)	6-2/190	5-Jul-01
79	X	Rhett Pitlick	LW	Chaska (USHS-MN)	5-9/160	7-Feb-01
80	X	Zac Jones	D	Tri-City (USHL)	5-9/175	18-Oct-00
81	X	Hugo Alnefelt	G	HV 71 (Swe)	6-3/195	4-Jun-01
82	X	Simon Lundmark	D	Linkopings (Swe)	6-2/200	8-Oct-00
83	X	Brayden Tracey	LW	Moose Jaw (WHL)	6-0/175	28-May-01
84	X	Valeri Orekhov	D	Barys Astana (Rus)	6-1/190	17-Jul-99
85	X	Aliaksei Protas	C	Prince Albert (WHL)	6-5/205	6-Jan-01
86		Trent Miner	G	Vancouver (WHL)	6-0/185	5-Jan-01
87	X	Kirill Slepets	RW	Loko Yaroslavl (Rus Jr)	5-10/165	6-Apr-99
88		Leevi Aaltonen	RW	KalPa (Fin)	5-9/175	24-Jan-01
89	X	Billy Constantinou	D	Kingston (OHL)	6-0/185	25-Mar-01
90	X	Antti Saarela	C	Lukko Rauma (Fin)	5-11/185	27-Jun-01
91		Yegor Spiridonov	C	Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk (Rus)	6-3/195	22-Jan-01
92	X	Hunter Jones	G	Peterborough (OHL)	6-4/195	21-Sep-00
93		Marcus Kallionkieli	LW	Sioux City (USHL)	6-1/175	20-Mar-01

McKeen’s Mid-Season 2019 NHL Draft Ranking – Top 62

Ryan Wagman — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 14:41:05 +0000

It has been a little over two months since we debuted the 2019 draft rankings on McKeen’s. Much hockey has been played since that time and our views on the 2019 draft class have naturally been refined as well.

Most notably, while we were only comfortable ranking a first round of talent last time, with the increased information, we have also doubled our ranking to now show two rounds worth of players, lined up in the order of their expected future value, roughly through age 26.

In addition to the 62 named we have ranked here, we have thrown in 38 more as unranked “Honorable Mention” players as others whose chances we like of hearing their names called in Vancouver in June.

So with a little over half of the hockey season behind us, what can we say about the Class of 2019?

CHELYABINSK, RUSSIA - APRIL 19: Finland's Kaapo Kakko #33 plays the puck while while Slovakia's Nicolas Ferenyi #11 looks on during preliminary round action at the 2018 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship. (Photo by Andrea Cardin/HHOF-IIHF Images)

We have a top tier of three forwards, all of whom shone to some extent at the recent WJC. It is hard at this stage to see any other players bumping any of Jack Hughes, Kaapo Kakko, or Vasili Podkolzin from the top three, even knowing that Podkolzin is reportedly unlikely to leave Russia in the next few years.

None of these three project to reach the heights of recent top-of-class talents such as McDavid, Matthews, Laine, or Eichel, but all stack up nicely with most recent class leaders.

After that very top, the draft class is heavy with WHL and USNTDP talent. We have four WHLers ranked in the top ten including the four through six slots (Dylan Cozens, Kirby Dach, Bowen Byram), with Peyton Krebs figuring in at #8. Three more WHLers are ranked in the first round while Alex Newhook (#15) from Victoria of the BCHL gives scouts yet another reason to spend ample time along the West Coast.

MAGNITOGORSK, RUSSIA - APRIL 19: USA's Jack Hughes #6 stickhandles the puck up the ice during preliminary round action against Canada at the 2018 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship. (Photo by Steve Kingsman/HHOF-IIHF Images)

Looking at the USNTDP, after top man Hughes, we have seven others ranked in the first round alone, including a run of four in a row between 10 – 13, of Trevor Zegras, Matthew Boldy, Cam York, and Alex Turcotte. The U18 team this year is likely better than any other in recent memory and Jack Hughes is merely one of many standouts. In fact, as this article is written, Hughes is on the sidelines on a day-to-day basis with a nebulous lower body injury. No matter, as his teammates took down Central Illinois by an 11-3 score and then defeated top USHL team Muskegon 4-1 the next day. Before we come to our final ranking, there will be other USNTDP players considered for the first round who we do not have ranked there now, but regardless of the names, it would not surprise in the least to see between 7-10 from the program go on the first day of the draft.

And just like the WHL also calls for an honorable mention with Newhook of the BCHL, as the USNTDP plays most of its games in the USHL, scouts have a few other high profile targets to view there in Chicago’s Robert Mastrosimone (#31) and Sioux City’s Bobby Brink (#34) once the latter returns from an injury sustained at the WJAC in December.

Beyond the inevitable shuffling that goes on in draft lists from month to month, we have added in six names who were not in the top 31 at the first look, all in the back third of the first round. From the OHL, we believe that the scouting reports back up the statistical profiles of London’s Connor McMichael (#22) and Niagara’s Philip Tomasino (#23). Overager Brett Leason (#24) from the WHL’s leading Prince Albert squad is making a great case to join the likes of Tanner Pearson and Henrik Borgstrom as recent second/third year eligibles to have made such leaps in their game as to be first rounders. Finnish blueliner Ville Heinola (#25) had a strong performance at the WJC on route to a Gold Medal for Finland, improving his stock considerably.

Another strong WJC performance helped German defender Moritz Seider sneak on near the back of our first round, although in his case, he played in Division 1A of the WJC tournament, captaining Germany to a championship and a return to the top tier of international U20 hockey.

Finally, our last newcomer to the first round, as we hinted could be the case last time, is a rare elite netminder, in Spencer Knight (#26), naturally from the USNTDP. While Knight was at the recent WJC, he was the third string netminder for the silver medalist Americans and did not suit up for a game. He is simply a prototype of the modern big, athletic netminder and he keeps the puck out of the net. We could attribute his placement towards the end of the first round on the failure of more skaters to assert themselves as first round talents, and there is some truth to that as there is a relatively sharp decline in talent after around the 21^st player on the list below. But that isn’t all. Knight has no red flags on his scouting report outside of his position.

The average first round is a hair over 6-0”, 180 pounds, with none taller than Brett Leason at 6-4”. The top of the class is also very heavy in forwards, with 22 ranked in the top 31 and another 17 in the second round.

With all of this said, I am reminded of what an old scout once told me about how draft classes are made off of what happens after Christmas. That time has only really just begun and there are still three months of regular season play for these young men to complete filling out their resumes for the draft. We fully anticipate that more players will make “The Leap” in the next while and for there to be pop-up players who we may be dismissive of now but for whom by April we will swear MUST be taken on day one. There will be others whose current upward trajectories will stall out and find themselves falling down draft boards. There is a lot of hockey still to be played. The list that follows is our snapshot of where things stand today. Enjoy.

Please hit us up on twitter @mckeenshockey, with any questions/comments about the list.

RANK	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	HT/WT	DOB	GP-G-A-PTS
1	Jack Hughes	C	NTDP (USHL)	5-10/170	14-May-01	28-13-43-56
2	Kaapo Kakko	RW	TPS Turku (Fin)	6-2/195	13-Feb-01	29-11-11-22
3	Vasili Podkolzin	RW	SKA-1946 St. Pete. (Rus Jr)	6-1/190	24-Jun-01	12-6-2-8
4	Dylan Cozens	C	Lethbridge (WHL)	6-3/185	9-Feb-01	47-27-33-60
5	Kirby Dach	C	Saskatoon (WHL)	6-3/200	21-Jan-01	45-18-34-52
6	Bowen Byram	D	Vancouver (WHL)	6-1/195	13-Jun-01	45-17-27-44
7	Philip Broberg	D	AIK (Swe 2)	6-3/200	25-Jun-01	32-1-7-8
8	Peyton Krebs	C	Kootenay (WHL)	5-11/180	26-Jan-01	45-16-38-54
9	Victor Soderstrom	D	Brynas (Swe)	5-11/180	26-Feb-01	27-2-2-4
10	Trevor Zegras	C	NTDP (USHL)	6-0/165	20-Mar-01	35-13-38-51
11	Matthew Boldy	LW	NTDP (USHL)	6-1/185	5-Apr-01	36-21-19-40
12	Cam York	D	NTDP (USHL)	5-11/170	5-Jan-01	35-6-23-29
13	Alex Turcotte	C	NTDP (USHL)	5-11/195	26-Feb-01	14-11-11-22
14	Raphael Lavoie	C	Halifax (QMJHL)	6-3/195	25-Sep-00	44-21-24-45
15	Alex Newhook	C	Victoria (BCHL)	5-10/195	28-Jan-01	42-25-49-74
16	Cole Caufield	RW	NTDP (USHL)	5-7/155	2-Jan-01	36-33-18-51
17	Arthur Kaliyev	RW	Hamilton (OHL)	6-1/190	26-Jun-01	47-33-36-69
18	Matthew Robertson	D	Edmonton (WHL)	6-3/200	9-Mar-01	35-6-16-22
19	Tobias Bjornfot	D	Djurgardens (Swe Jr)	6-0/200	6-Apr-01	27-9-7-16
20	Jakob Pelletier	LW	Moncton (QMJHL)	5-9/165	7-Mar-01	45-25-37-62
21	Ryan Suzuki	C	Barrie (OHL)	6-0/180	28-May-01	43-15-31-46
22	Connor McMichael	C	London (OHL)	5-11/175	15-Jan-01	44-28-26-54
23	Philip Tomasino	C	Niagara (OHL)	6-0/180	28-Jul-01	45-23-25-48
24	Brett Leason	RW	Prince Albert (WHL)	6-4/200	30-Apr-99	41-31-42-73
25	Ville Heinola	D	Lukko Rauma (Fin)	5-11/175	3-Feb-01	23-1-5-6
26	Spencer Knight	G	NTDP (USHL)	6-3/195	19-Apr-01	14-2, 2.42, .920
27	Marshall Warren	D	NTDP (USHL)	5-11/170	20-Apr-01	30-5-12-17
28	Nolan Foote	LW	Kelowna (WHL)	6-3/190	29-Nov-00	45-25-20-45
29	Moritz Seider	D	Adler Mannheim (Ger)	6-3/185	6-Apr-01	25-1-3-4
30	Pavel Dorofeyev	LW	Stalnye Lisy Magn. (Rus Jr)	6-1/170	26-Oct-00	16-13-12-25
31	Robert Mastrosimone	LW	Chicago (USHL)	5-10/170	24-Jan-01	28-16-12-28
32	Samuel Poulin	RW	Sherbrooke (QMJHL)	6-1/205	25-Feb-01	46-19-30-49
33	Mikko Kokkonen	D	Jukurit (Fin)	5-11/200	18-Jan-01	41-1-14-15
34	Bobby Brink	RW	Sioux City (USHL)	5-10/165	8-Jul-01	19-15-18-33
35	Lassi Thomson	D	Kelowna (WHL)	6-0/190	24-Sep-00	46-11-19-30
36	Thomas Harley	D	Mississauga (OHL)	6-3/190	19-Aug-01	47-10-33-43
37	John Farinacci	C	Dexter (USHS-MA)	5-11/185	14-Feb-01	NA
38	Egor Afanasyev	RW	Muskegon (USHL)	6-3/205	23-Jan-01	35-18-22-40
39	Patrik Puistola	LW	Tappara (Fin Jr)	6-0/175	11-Jan-01	18-9-8-17
40	Ilya Nikolayev	C	Loko Yaroslavl (Rus Jr)	6-0/190	26-Jun-01	35-8-11-19
41	Nils Hoglander	LW	Rogle (Swe)	5-9/185	20-Dec-00	33-6-4-10
42	Albin Grewe	RW	Djurgardens (Swe Jr)	5-11/190	22-Mar-01	19-11-17-28
43	Anttoni Honka	D	JyP Jyvaskyla (Fin)	5-10/170	5-Oct-00	16-1-3-4
44	Case McCarthy	D	NTDP (USHL)	6-1/195	9-Jan-01	35-4-12-16
45	Simon Lundmark	D	Linkopings (Swe Jr)	6-2/200	8-Oct-00	25-2-15-17
46	Nick Robertson	LW	Peterborough (OHL)	5-9/160	11-Sep-01	33-17-17-34
47	Jamieson Rees	C	Sarnia (OHL)	5-10/170	26-Feb-01	25-9-15-24
48	Simon Holmstrom	RW	HV 71 (Swe Jr)	6-0/185	24-May-01	13-6-3-9
49	Artemi Knyazev	D	Chicoutimi (QMJHL)	5-11/180	4-Jan-01	37-9-13-22
50	Nathan Legare	RW	Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)	6-0/205	11-Jan-01	47-34-31-65
51	Daniil Gutik	LW	Loko Yaroslavl (Rus Jr)	6-3/180	31-Aug-01	31-5-8-13
52	Oleg Zaitsev	C	Red Deer (WHL)	6-1/185	7-Jan-01	44-8-21-29
53	Valentin Nussbaumer	C	Shawinigan (QMJHL)	6-0/165	25-Sep-00	38-10-13-23
54	John Beecher	C	NTDP (USHL)	6-3/205	5-Apr-01	35-6-16-22
55	Jordan Spence	D	Moncton (QMJHL)	5-10/165	24-Feb-01	48-3-35-38
56	Billy Constantinou	D	Kingston (OHL)	6-0/185	25-Mar-01	45-6-19-25
57	Vladislav Kolyachonok	D	Flint (OHL)	6-2/180	26-May-01	35-3-21-24
58	Nikita Alexandrov	C	Charlottetown (QMJHL)	6-0/180	16-Sep-00	44-21-21-42
59	Kaedan Korczak	D	Kelowna (WHL)	6-3/190	29-Jan-01	47-3-16-19
60	Antti Tuomisto	D	Assat Pori (Fin Jr)	6-4/190	20-Jan-01	38-7-23-30
61	Henry Thrun	D	NTDP (USHL)	6-2/190	12-Mar-01	36-7-17-24
62	Hunter Jones	G	Peterborough (OHL)	6-4/195	21-Sep-00	21-18, 3.36, .905

HM (ALPHABETICAL)
Hugo Alnefelt	G	HV 71 (Swe Jr)	6-3/195	4-Jun-01	19GP, 2.89, .898
Alex Beaucage	RW	Rouyn Noranda (QMJHL)	6-1/195	25-Jul-01	49-28-30-58
Adam Beckman	LW	Spokane (WHL)	6-1/170	10-May-01	46-19-17-36
Mitchell Brewer	D	Oshawa (OHL)	6-0/205	20-Mar-01	47-3-9-12
Maxim Cajkovic	RW	Saint John (QMJHL)	5-11/185	3-Jan-01	41-15-19-34
Joe Carroll	LW	Sault Ste Marie (OHL)	6-2/195	1-Feb-01	43-8-16-24
Graeme Clarke	RW	Ottawa (OHL)	5-11/175	24-Apr-01	34-16-7-23
Nando Eggenberger	LW	Oshawa (OHL)	6-2/205	7-Oct-99	38-16-17-33
Samuel Fagemo	LW	Frolunda (Swe)	6-0/195	14-Mar-00	20-7-7-14
Vladislav Firstov	LW	Waterloo (USHL)	6-0/180	19-Jun-01	38-18-21-39
Taylor Gauthier	G	Prince George (WHL)	6-1/195	15-Feb-01	12-18, 3.04, .906
Michael Gildon	LW	NTDP (USHL)	6-1/195	21-Jun-01	33-11-11-22
Matvey Guskov	C	London (OHL)	6-1/175	30-Jan-01	36-8-14-22
Dillon Hamaliuk	LW	Seattle (WHL)	6-3/195	30-Oct-00	31-11-15-26
Drew Helleson	D	NTDP (USHL)	6-2/180	26-Mar-01	36-5-11-16
Karl Henriksson	C	Frolunda (Swe Jr)	5-9/165	5-Feb-01	34-11-28-39
Ryan Johnson	D	Sioux Falls (USHL)	6-0/165	24-Jul-01	28-4-10-14
Marcus Kallionkieli	LW	Sioux City (USHL)	6-1/175	20-Mar-01	32-17-10-27
Ethan Keppen	LW	Flint (OHL)	6-2/220	20-Mar-01	49-17-20-37
Pyotr Kochetkov	G	HK Ryazan (Rus 2)	6-1/175	25-Jun-99	13GP, 1.91, .937
Jake Lee	D	Seattle (WHL)	6-2/215	13-Jul-01	44-2-17-19
Ilya Mironov	D	Loko Yaroslavl (Rus Jr)	6-3/200	15-Mar-01	28-1-5-6
Blake Murray	C	Sudbury (OHL)	6-2/190	5-Jul-01	45-20-14-34
Sasha Mutala	RW	Tri-City (WHL)	6-1/195	6-May-01	43-12-14-26
Mattias Norlinder	D	MoDo (Swe Jr)	5-11/180	12-Apr-00	30-5-16-21
Nikola Pasic	RW	Linkopings (Swe Jr)	5-10/185	16-Oct-00	25-15-16-31
Shane Pinto	C	Lincoln (USHL)	6-1/190	12-Nov-00	30-17-15-32
Antti Saarela	C	Lukko Rauma (Fin)	5-11/185	27-Jun-01	15-1-5-6
Isaiah Saville	G	Tri-City (USHL)	6-1/190	21-Sep-00	16-3, 1.76, .934
Nikita Shashkov	LW	Sibir Novosibirsk (Rus)	5-11/180	26-Mar-99	18-3-0-3
Xavier Simoneau	LW	Drummondville (QMJHL)	5-7/175	19-May-01	34-15-22-37
Kirill Slepets	LW	Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (Rus)	5-10/165	6-Apr-99	9-1-0-1
Mads Sogaard	G	Medicine Hat (WHL)	6-7/195	13-Dec-00	11-4, 2.43, .930
Yegor Spiridonov	C	Stalnye Lisy Magn. (Rus Jr)	6-3/195	22-Jan-01	36-14-22-36
Luke Toporowski	C	Spokane (WHL)	5-11/180	12-Apr-01	45-13-19-32
Alex Vlasic	D	NTDP (USHL)	6-6/195	5-Jun-01	34-3-12-15
Cade Webber	D	The Rivers School (USHS-MA)	6-6/195	5-Jan-01	NA
Josh Williams	RW	Edmonton (WHL)	6-1/195	8-Mar-01	47-11-15-26

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Zakhar Bardakov, F, Colorado Avalanche

Cole Brady, G, Dallas Stars

Riley Damiani, C, Calgary Flames

David Edstrom, C, San Jose Sharks

Artyom Grushnikov, D, Calgary Flames

Jeremy Hanzel, D, Nashville Predators

Ville Koivunen, F, Pittsburgh Penguins

Cruz Lucius, RW, Pittsburgh Penguins

Jan Mysak, F, Anaheim Ducks

Dmitri Ovchinnikov, F, Minnesota Wild

Jacob Perreault, W, Montreal Canadiens

Mathias Emilio Pettersen, W, Dallas Stars

Vasili Ponomaryov, C, Pittsburgh Penguins

Calle Själin, D, Buffalo Sabres

Kirill Slepets, W, Toronto Maple Leafs

Graham Sward, D, Colorado Avalanche

Ty Taylor, G, Edmonton Oilers

Jack Thompson, D, San Jose Sharks

Luke Toporowski, C, Minnesota Wild

Cade Webber, D, Toronto Maple Leafs

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Seth Jarvis, C (13th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Dominik Bokk, RW (Trade: Sep. 24, 2019. Originally: 25th overall, 2018 [St. Louis]. Previous ranking: 1)

Ryan Suzuki, C (28th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 2)

Jake Bean, D (13th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 3)

Noel Gunler, RW (41st overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Joey Keane, D (Trade: Feb. 18, 2020. Originally: 88th overall, 2018 [NY Rangers]. Previous ranking: 4)

Jamieson Rees, C (44th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 5)

Tuukka Tieksola, RW (121st overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 6)

Patrik Puistola, RW (73rd overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 7)

Pyotr Kochetkov, G (36th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 8)

Jack Drury, C (42nd overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 9)

Morgan Geekie, C/RW (67th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 10)

Vasily Ponomarev, C (53rd overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Jeremy Bracco, C/RW (UFA: Oct. 16, 2020. Originally: 61st overall, 2015 [Toronto]. Previous ranking: 6th [Toronto])

David Cotton, C (169th overall, 2015. Previous ranking: 11)

Eetu Makiniemi, G (104th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 12)

Anttoni Honka, D (83rd overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 13)

Kirill Slepets, RW (152nd overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 14)

Zion Nybeck, RW (115th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Blake Murray, C (183rd overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 15)

MCKEEN’S 2020 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – CAROLINA HURRICANES – ORGANIZATIONAL RANK: 5

Carolina Hurricanes

Dominik Bokk, RW (Trade: Sep. 24, 2019. Originally: 25th overall, 2018 [St. Louis]. 2019 Rank: 2 [St. Louis])

Ryan Suzuki, C (28th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 2)

Jake Bean, D (13th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 8)

Joey Keane, D (Trade: Feb. 18, 2020. Originally: 88th overall, 2018 [NY Rangers]. 2019 Rank: 10 [NY Rangers])

Jamieson Rees, C (44th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 4)

Tuukka Tieksola, RW (121st overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

Patrik Puistola, RW (73rd overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 5)

Pyotr Kochetkov, G (36th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 7)

Jack Drury, C (42nd overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 12)

David Cotton, C (169th overall, 2015. 2019 Rank: 10)

Eetu Makiniemi, G (104th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: UR)

Morgan Geekie, C/RW (67th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 16)

Anttoni Honka, D (83rd overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 14)

Kirill Slepets, RW (152nd overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 19)

Blake Murray, C (183rd overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 17)

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McKeen’s Mid-Season 2019 NHL Draft Ranking – Top 62

Seth Jarvis, C (13^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Dominik Bokk, RW (Trade: Sep. 24, 2019. Originally: 25^th overall, 2018 [St. Louis]. Previous ranking: 1)

Ryan Suzuki, C (28^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 2)

Jake Bean, D (13^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 3)

Noel Gunler, RW (41^st overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Joey Keane, D (Trade: Feb. 18, 2020. Originally: 88^th overall, 2018 [NY Rangers]. Previous ranking: 4)

Jamieson Rees, C (44^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 5)

Tuukka Tieksola, RW (121^st overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 6)

Patrik Puistola, RW (73^rd overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 7)

Pyotr Kochetkov, G (36^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 8)

Jack Drury, C (42^nd overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 9)

Morgan Geekie, C/RW (67^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 10)

Vasily Ponomarev, C (53^rd overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Jeremy Bracco, C/RW (UFA: Oct. 16, 2020. Originally: 61^st overall, 2015 [Toronto]. Previous ranking: 6^th [Toronto])

David Cotton, C (169^th overall, 2015. Previous ranking: 11)

Eetu Makiniemi, G (104^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 12)

Anttoni Honka, D (83^rd overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 13)

Kirill Slepets, RW (152^ndoverall, 2019. Previous ranking: 14)

Zion Nybeck, RW (115^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Blake Murray, C (183^rd overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 15)

Dominik Bokk, RW (Trade: Sep. 24, 2019. Originally: 25^th overall, 2018 [St. Louis]. 2019 Rank: 2 [St. Louis])

Ryan Suzuki, C (28^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 2)

Jake Bean, D (13^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 8)

Joey Keane, D (Trade: Feb. 18, 2020. Originally: 88^th overall, 2018 [NY Rangers]. 2019 Rank: 10 [NY Rangers])

Jamieson Rees, C (44^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 4)

Tuukka Tieksola, RW (121^st overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

Patrik Puistola, RW (73^rd overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 5)

Pyotr Kochetkov, G (36^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 7)

Jack Drury, C (42^nd overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 12)

David Cotton, C (169^th overall, 2015. 2019 Rank: 10)

Eetu Makiniemi, G (104^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: UR)

Morgan Geekie, C/RW (67^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 16)

Anttoni Honka, D (83^rd overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 14)

Kirill Slepets, RW (152^ndoverall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 19)

Blake Murray, C (183^rd overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 17)