Liam Foudy – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2023-24 NHL YEARBOOK – COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS – Team Preview – Player Profiles

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 19:26:20 +0000

OTTAWA, ON - JANUARY 03: Columbus Blue Jackets Left Wing Johnny Gaudreau (13) before a face-off during second period National Hockey League action between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Ottawa Senators on January 3, 2023, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)

Review: Columbus made a huge free agent splash in the summer of 2022 when they inked Johnny Gaudreau to a seven-year, $68.25 million contract and…then they got worse, dropping from a 37-38-7 record in 2021-22 to 25-48-9 last year. To be fair, that wasn’t Gaudreau’s fault. He did regress significantly from his 115-point showing in 2021-22 to 74 points, but he still served his role as the team’s offensive leader. There wasn’t much backing him though. Patrik Laine was the only other player to even hit the 50-point mark, and Columbus ranked 30th in goals per game with 2.60. The Blue Jackets also had the second-worst five-on-five expected goals against (213.18), which indicates that their defense was horrendous. Even still, goaltender Elvis Merzlikins shouldn’t escape blame for his 4.23 GAA and .876 save percentage in 30 contests, not that the alternatives in net other than Joonas Korpisalo (who was dealt to the Kings on March 1) were much better. In the end, it was a miserable season for Columbus.

What’s Changed? Not a change, but Zach Werenski is expected to be ready for training camp after missing almost the entire 2022-23 campaign because of a shoulder injury, so that will substantially bolster the blue line. He’ll be joined by defensemen Ivan Provorov and Damon Severson, who were acquired from Philadelphia and New Jersey, respectively. Columbus also selected center Adam Fantilli with the third overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, and he might make an immediate impact.

What would success look like? Making the playoffs is probably too much to hope for, but the Blue Jackets might be a bit of an underrated team. Their defense should be substantially better thanks to their summer additions and the anticipated return of Werenski. If they could get a solid rookie season out of Fantilli, who might get a serious look as the team’s second-line center, and some progression from sophomores Kent Johnson and Kirill Marchenko, then their offense will take a meaningful step forward too.

What could go wrong? Even if their defense improves, it won’t be enough if Merzlikins plays like he did last year. With Korpisalo gone, Daniil Tarasov is penciled in to be the backup, but his 4-11-1 record, 3.91 GAA and .892 save percentage in 17 contests with Columbus in 2022-23 did nothing to inspire confidence. The Blue Jackets might have the worst goaltending duo in the league this year. Combine that with the fact that their second line might cons

Forwards

Johnny Gaudreau – LW

Gaudreau’s first season with Columbus may not have led to a high impact in the league standings, but from a personal output perspective, Gaudreau’s offensive outputs eclipsed his peers on the team by significant totals. Most of his damage was done off of the rush, where he also led the Jackets in both controlled entries and shots off of those controlled entries. Gaudreau’s passing also helped to elevate his teammates as only Jakub Voracek had more high danger passes at even-strength last season. Gaudreau’s elite skating and hockey sense enabled him to consistently find time and space for himself throughout the course of the year. As Columbus continues their rebuild, finding top line talent that can provide a set-up element to Gaudreau’s game will be crucial. A lot of the creating that Gaudreau did was independent of a high-level of passes to the danger areas of the offensive zone. Given that he was a mere 13 points away from the Jackets franchise record for points, it’s not unreasonable to assume he could break that record if given a stronger supporting cast of characters in the near future.

Patrik Laine – RW

Laine again struggled with injuries and availability in an otherwise strong campaign. His production was down by three points in one less game than the previous season, but he saw increased returns in his defensive performance and his passing distribution in the offensive zone, giving a much more complete picture of what Laine can do when he’s available and showing engagement throughout the ice. He did a surprising, volunteer stint as a center last season and held his own in the process. He led all Blue Jacket forwards in shot-attempts by a wide margin and was just behind Johnny Gaudreau in quality scoring chance production by a tenth of a percentage point. Laine’s puck handling was also on display in a prominent fashion last year as he was second among Blue Jacket forwards in both chances created off the rush and shots created off of the rush. Laine remains a pure sniper with a high-velocity shot and above-average finishing ability. If he can continue to round out his game as he has the last two seasons, the only thing stopping him from being an impact player is his health and availability. His peripherals outside of scoring getting a bump last season has people interested in whether or not that trend can continue.

Boone Jenner - C

The Blue Jacket’s Captain saw a 2022-23 campaign where, despite a recurring bout of injuries to his hand and back, he was able to post high water marks in goals (26) and points (45) that he had not achieved since the 2015-16 season. Jenner was cemented as Columbus’ top line center and posted those totals in the face of some difficult deployments. The aforementioned injuries seemed to hit Jenner at the worst times and during periods of strong play. Only Patrik Laine attempted more shots than Jenner at even-strength last season. In addition, Jenner’s expected goal shares were a net positive relative to his teammates. As evidenced by his assist totals, play making and passes that created a shot-attempt were not a part of his strong suit last season. Jenner has some youthful challengers around him that can push for the top center spot for the Blue Jackets as the year progresses. Whether or not Jenner can stay healthy and maintain his place in the lineup will be the biggest question of the upcoming season.

Kent Johnson – LW

Johnson’s rookie season needs to be ingested with a heavy dose of perspective. This young member of the Blue Jackets ended his first full professional season on an echelon that he simply wasn’t close to when the year began. When it was all said and done, Johnson was a routine member of the Jackets top six forward group and he carved out 16 goals and 40 points in 79 games despite some raw youthfulness behind his performances. As his game became more refined, so did his ice time. Johnson was deployed heavily in offensive situations and started a higher percentage of his shifts in the offensive zone than any other Blue Jackets forward. Johnson’s finishing ability was on display throughout the year, and he showcased a wrist shot that possessed several deceptive elements. That being said, his ability to control the play at even-strength and contribute to longer offensive shifts will need to improve. Johnson’s share of expected goals was second to last on the team at just 41 percent. Moving into next year, Johnson will need to continue to refine his game and become more involved away from the puck. Drafted as a center, there’s a question as to whether he will remain on the wing or return to his natural position.

Kirill Marchenko – RW

Marchenko was called up in December and scored 13 goals in the first two months of the season before leveling out and cooling off later in the year. He finished the season with a total of 21 goals and had the fourth highest rate of scoring-chance generation on the team. Marchenko also posted some of the stronger defensive returns on a Blue Jackets team that struggled overall from a defensive perspective. Marchenko didn’t do a ton of heavy lifting with regards to zone entries, but he was a volume shooter, generating the fourth highest rate of even-strength shots among Blue Jacket forwards. Marchenko has shown a deep, unique set of offensive skills that he isn’t afraid to utilize. He’s very bullish with the puck on his stick and sometimes holds it to a detriment. He had the lowest number of high danger passes on the Blue Jackets roster and had none attributed to his name in the games tracked by the All Three Zones project. As Marchenko evolves, puck distribution will be a critical element of his game as he looks to further cement his spot in the top six.

Jack Roslovic – C

Roslovic’s season had a mix of successes and struggles but ultimately ended with a performance that is likely a little below the line of where he was deployed. With his time on ice reflective firmly of a second line player, Roslovic finished the season with just 11 goals and the worst share of expected goals among any Blue Jacket forward at this season with just 40.6 percent of the quality shots to his name at five-on-five. These results are perplexing when you consider that Roslovic led the Blue Jackets in zone entries per 60 and created more shots off of the forecheck than any forward on the team per the All Three Zones project. These loose ends make a little more sense when you also consider Roslovic had the second highest rate of giveaways on the team and generally made some low-percentage plays from the exterior of the high-danger areas with those possessions. Additionally, Roslovic’s defensive returns were in the 6th percentile among NHL forwards. The wow-factor that Roslovic can provide hasn’t been consistent enough or developed beyond what fans saw upon his arrival in Columbus. There is a large question around where his best deployment is moving into this upcoming season.

Emil Bemstrom – LW

Bemstrom played 55 games for the Blue Jackets last year as he spent a chunk of time in the AHL with Cleveland. The sheen of an exciting, sniper-based prospect has quickly dissolved off of Bemstrom’s game and there’s some question about where he projects for the current state of the Blue Jackets makeup. His defensive work has been his best attribute so far. While he exhibited an ability to take defensive zone deployments and flourish, he struggled in some critical areas of offensive support. Per the All Three Zones data, Bemstrom put had the lowest total of shots off the forecheck and the second lowest total of zone entries per 60 among Blue Jacket forwards. Bemstrom’s shot, arguably his best asset, hasn’t been used in enough high-danger areas to make an impact. As a result, Bemstrom had the second lowest even-strength shooting percentage on the team at just over four percent. Tying this back into Bemstrom’s lack of shots on the forecheck, and it’s clear that the challenge for him is to find ways to get to the front of the net and generate scoring chances from in tight on goal. There will be a battle for him to carve out his place in the bottom six for Columbus this season.

Cole Sillinger - C

Sillinger hit a lot of struggles in his second year in the league, including a run where he went on a nearly 50 game goal-scoring drought in the middle of the season before ultimately being sent down to the American Hockey League. That sophomore slump, combined with an average-at-best performance in the AHL, raises legitimate questions about where Sillinger will start the year for Columbus in 2023-24. A big problem for Sillinger comes from the results outside of his goal scoring. Goal scoring slumps can be tolerable when players are driving play and generating chances, but that truly was not the case here. Sillinger’s game seemed to develop a vanilla element and appeared to lack confidence. Sillinger’s hallmark in his rookie season was creating space and participating in zone entries. This season, he had the second lowest carry-in percentage of any forward on the Blue Jackets. I’d argue Sillinger’s path to returning to impactful hockey is centric towards putting the puck on his stick more this season. His confidence in carrying the puck and pushing the play forward garnered him a load of shots and chances in his rookie season that were simply missing from his game entirely last year.

Alexandre Texier – RW

Texier returns to the NHL for 2023-24 after playing in Switzerland last year. In dealing with a personal issue, Texier opted to be closer to his family in France. He returns to the NHL with 49 points to his name in 129 career games. Texier’s returns defensively make him a good bet to feature as a winger on the third line. His penalty killing impacts have traditionally been strong as a direct link to his defensive performances at even-strength and it’s expected he’ll make a significant impact in that area as well. He’s coming off of a productive season in Zurich where he scored 35 points in 46 games and played a significant role on special teams. Hearkening back to his last time in the NHL, Texier played a massive role in forechecking per the All Three Zones data from that season. He recovered the third most dump-ins among team forwards that season. The expectation is that he’ll have a continued impact in that area as well as the other traditionally difficult areas of the ice. Expect Texier to be present in front of the net and creating issues for opposing defensemen with his forechecking ability.

Defense

Zach Werenski – D

Werenski’s campaign was cut drastically short after just 13 games last season. Werenski landed awkwardly on his elbow and ended up requiring surgery that would cut his season short. While there isn’t enough of a body of work to make any drastic evaluations from his prior year, what we can acknowledge is how strong he started the year offensively speaking. Through the first 13 games of the year, Werenski registered three goals and five points in that small sample, putting him well on his way to pacing towards a career high in points. With his health back, Werenski will be looked upon as the champion of the Blue Jackets backline. From taking on the most difficult minutes Mike Babcock and the coaching staff can drum up to being looked at to help drive zone entries and offensive contributions. Looking back at the All Three Zone data from 2021-22, Werenski averaged seven more successful zone exits per 60 than his next closest peer, further evidence of the massive role he plays in the Jackets ability to navigate out of the defensive zone successfully. For this year, Werenski will be looking for a continuation of his hot start from the previous year and a clean bill of health.

Ivan Provorov – D

Provorov arrived in Columbus from Philadelphia via a three-team trade. Coming off of a season where his offensive numbers plummeted and he was embroiled in controversy around his vocal decisions to opt-out of team-based social causes, he’ll move to the Jacket’s where his responsibilities in deployment should drastically change. In Philadelphia, he was deployed and used as a number one overall defenseman and the results were, quite frankly, disastrous. Provorov tied a career low in goals (6) despite playing in all 82 games and seeing an increase in minutes. His offensive outputs regarding shot and chance creation dropped to the 29th percentile in the NHL among defensemen. Provorov also struggled defensively and exhibited a few steps back in his decision-making processes. One strength he will certainly bring to the Jacket’s defensive unit is a strong ability to retrieve pucks and get them to safety. He led the Flyers last season and in previous seasons for defensive zone retrievals per hour of even-strength ice time. Overall, a change of scenery was necessary for both player and team in the case of Provorov. With Columbus having a new look, revamped blue line, it may allow him to take on a more friendly deployment that re-centers his performances both offensively and defensively.

Damon Severson – D

Severson arrives in Columbus via a sign-and-trade deal that will keep him with the Blue Jackets for a total of eight years. Severson is expected to be paired on the top pairing alongside offensive defenseman Zach Werenski. This duo should have no issue moving the puck up ice as both defenders have developed a strong reputation for doing so. Per the All Three Zones data, Severson had the second highest average of zone exits with possession per hour of even-strength ice time among Devil defenders. His offensive impacts last season with regards to driving shots and scoring chances put him in an elite company. At even-strength last season, Severson controlled 60% of the expected goals while he was on the ice, a gaudy number that should have Jackets fans excited for his debut. Severson’s performance defensively, while unremarkable, is notably consistent and reliable. The biggest question for this season is how his performance will handle a stark increase in quality of competition. His minutes are sure to grow, and his responsibilities are sure to increase. His mobility and vision should aid him in navigating that new environment with few issues.

Andrew Peeke - D

Peeke once again eclipsed the 80-game mark for the second season in a row. He’s evolved into a one-way, stay-at-home style defenseman who posted extremely respectable results in defensive buckets last season. For instance, among Blue Jacket defenders with at least 500 minutes played, Peeke had the lowest expected-goals against per hour of even-strength hockey on the team. The issue for Peeke is that despite his performance defensively, he’s a detriment to offensive performance. The All Three Zones data reveals a lot of failed zone exits and entries that lead to a scoring chance. Peeke’s skating can be an issue in situations where the game quickly transitions from offensive to defense or vice versa. As a result of some of these limitations, only Erik Gudbranson posted worse puck-possession and expected-goal share numbers than Peeke’s 43 percent in both buckets. His time on ice leads to a lot of low event hockey, but a new potential partner along his flank could assist in some of the heavy lifting around zone exits and offensive contributions to help level out what he does defensively. While the discussion around Peeke’s ceiling as changed, he still has utility when deployed correctly.

ist entirely of rookies and sophomores in Fantilli, Johnson and Marchenko while two of the three forwards on their projected first line – Boone Jenner and Laine – have significant injury histories, and there’s a lot that could go wrong up front too.

Top Breakout Candidate: At the same time, there is plenty of reason to be hopeful about Johnson. The 20-year-old had 16 goals and 40 points in 79 contests last season despite averaging a modest 14:31 of ice time. Selected with the fifth overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, he’s got tons of upside and should play a bigger role this season. A 60-point showing in 2023-24 is far from guaranteed, but not out of the question.

Goaltending

Elvis Merzlikins - G

Few goaltenders have come onto the scene looking brighter – and with better fanfare – before falling as spectacularly from grace as Columbus Blue Jackets starter Elvis Merzlikins. Of all goaltenders in the NHL last season, no one struggled more than the Latvian netminder – who will turn 30 at the end of this upcoming season, making it harder and harder to imagine that his regression is something he can definitively bounce back from.

Merzlikins still boasts a lot of the characteristics in his game that made him so easy to root for when he first hit the ice in Columbus. He’s a lower-body powerhouse who plays using his skating and his edgework as a weapon, consistently capitalizing on needing less time to get from point A to point B than even the average NHL starter. He still has an arsenal of ‘fun’ saves to choose from that he’ll break out when fans least expect it, and he’s still capable of showcasing impressive depth management through stretches of mundane saves. That, when he was at the top of his game, set him apart from so many of the league’s other ‘athletic’ goaltenders; while he was capable of playing a fun and free-wheeling game, he could keep things under control in order to avoid being drawn away from his crease and opening up unnecessary holes. In theory, he has one of the best styles to plonk in net behind a transitioning Columbus roster – but even though he was able to deliver for his first few years in the league, he’s been an Achilles heel for Columbus for going on three seasons now and counting. Last year, his goals saved above expected was the worst in the entire NHL, his quality start percentage was below 30 percent, and he failed to record a shutout for the first time over a full season since he came to the NHL in 2019. It was more than just a smattering of really bad games that dragged his numbers down, too; he was only able to string together eight games with a save percentage above league average eight times all season. Game film makes it hard to figure out why, too; while his reads still looked good and his technique didn’t look like he was slipping, he just kept missing stops that he had gotten well into position for. It looked like a struggle defined in millimeters, making it that much harder to diagnose just why exactly he can’t put it all together anymore. That’s hardly a comfort for the Blue Jackets, who have to hope he’s able to finally return to his old form next year without throwing the younger Daniil Tarasov to the wolves as the team’s only clear-cut starting option. But without fellow tandem partner Joonas Korpisalo around anymore, maybe Merzlikins will finally be able to shake off the seemingly jinxed game he’s been playing for the last few years and reset his game as the team’s lone vet in net.

Projected starts: 50-55

MCKEEN’S 2022-23 NHL YEARBOOK – COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS – Top 20 Prospects

Sun, 18 Sep 2022 16:30:54 +0000

PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 29: Columbus Blue Jackets Left Wing Kent Johnson (13) looks on during the third period in the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Columbus Blue Jackets on April 29, 2022, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire)

1 - Kent Johnson C

There are some prospects where when you watch them either live or on film, you really need to look at the details of their game to find why they’re highly touted. Some prospects don’t make it easy, some prospects only show their upside in very small snippets of game action. Kent Johnson is not one of those prospects. It might only take watching a shift or two to fully understand why the Blue Jackets took Johnson with the fifth-overall selection at the 2021 NHL draft. On the ice, Johnson plays like a machine, a sort of machine that takes any in-game situation and spits out the play that’s most likely to end up on a highlight reel. If there’s one word to define Johnson’s game, it’s flash. He’ll spin around a defender in one moment and then attempt a lacrosse-style goal in the next. There are few prospects who ooze as much raw offensive talent as Johnson, few prospects who can match his puck skills, creativity, or ability to quickly break down a defence at a high speed. Johnson also doesn’t play like one of those all-flash, no-substance players either, the sort that sits atop top prospect lists but never quite pans out as an effective NHL-er. There is a foundation to Johnson’s game, pro-ready habits, and a high hockey IQ that will allow him to translate his immense talent to more difficult levels of competition. There will be an adjustment period, undoubtedly, but if he can continue his development, he has a strong chance to become a dynamic offensive star in Columbus, joining a Blue Jackets team that is, at least on paper, among the most offensively gifted rosters in franchise history. - EH

2 - David Jiricek D

The 6^th overall pick in the last NHL Draft had a strong World Juniors. Even though he wasn´t as dominant and flashy as one might have expected, he was a key defenseman for Czechia and a force at the blueline. Jiříček has shown offensive skills, solid puck-moving, and a strong shot. His defensive game was a pleasant surprise; he was great at using his stick and closing the gaps. Jiříček is a very aggressive, physical player who can lay massive hits. On the other hand, he sometimes makes poor decisions, chases the opposition pointlessly, or allows opponents to easily get past him. Those types of mistakes were kept to a minimum at the World Juniors. Having played two years in the Czech top tier league, Jiříček has established himself in men´s hockey. He even played a couple of games with the Men´s National Team at the last World Championship. There is talk he might be ready for the opening night lineup spot with the Blue Jackets; however, that seems doubtful. Jiříček will likely start the season in the AHL, but he has a chance to play some games in the NHL even this year. He is physically ready for the big stage and has shown progress in important areas of his game. Although he may be a boom-or-bust type, his potential is tremendous despite the risks. If everything goes right, the Blue Jackets will have a legit first-pairing defenseman. - MD

3 - Denton Mateychuk D

Watching Mateychuk play, there are times when it's easy to forget that he is a defenseman, because he spends so much time in the offensive zone — and he does a lot of damage up there. He has top-pairing upside and backs it up with obvious leadership attributes, so it makes sense that Columbus was willing to snag him as high as 12th overall in 2022. He plays his best hockey from the offensive blueline onward, and it's rare to see a defender so comfortable and effective anywhere in the attacking third of the rink. He possesses the vision and playmaking ability to move the puck around the zone and set up his teammates, but he is equally adept at firing shots from the point or getting right into the home plate area to score from in tight. He has an uncanny ability to get himself open in dangerous spaces. While his offensive efforts often leave him less energized for - and less focused on - his defensive assignments, Moose Jaw wants to run-and-gun right now by design, so he essentially plays how they ask him to. He thinks the game quite well and has a competitively high work rate, so improvements from him on the defensive side of the puck are expected to manifest. His skating isn't a weakness by any means, but it's not at the same level as NHL offensive defensemen like Cale Makar, Adam Fox or Quinn Hughes. The young Warriors wrote a nice underdog story last season and are primed to take a big leap this year, and Mateychuk will be an integral cog in their system. - DN

4 - Kirill Marchenko LW

The Blue Jackets have waited patiently for the big winger to cross the pond. His status as a prospect has risen considerably in recent seasons, especially following a strong performance at the 2020 WJC’s. Now he has finally signed and has a great shot of stepping right into Columbus’ lineup as a top nine winger. There is a reason he is listed as a Calder Trophy candidate by us. Marchenko is at his best when he can drive the net and work his way to the net. At 6’3, his puck protection ability is terrific, even when playing with pace. This is because his hands are solid. Marchenko also has a good shot and scoring instincts, something that should help him earn an immediate role in the NHL. There is room for his physical intensity level to be more consistent. The same could be said for his two-way play and his vision as a passer. However, Marchenko has great potential as a top six winger at the NHL level and he could even begin to realize that potential this season in Columbus. Thanks to spending several years in the KHL, he is ready to compete against men. - BO

5 - Corson Ceulemans D

The 25th pick at the 2021 NHL draft, Corson Ceulemans went to the University of Wisconsin and authored an impressive freshman season, displaying clear progress as he got more comfortable on college ice and more confident in his abilities. Ceulemans checks all the boxes of traits scouts want to see in a modern defenseman, and Ceulemans presents those traits with this rambunctious, passionate style that adds some extra spice to his game and presents its own challenges. Ceulemans is big, physical, and willing to do whatever it takes to improve his team’s chances to win a game. If that means diving in front of a howitzer of a slap shot to protect an out-of-position goalie, Ceulemans will do that. If that means engaging in the corners with a physical forward in order to disrupt his possession of the puck, Ceulemans will be there. If that means taking the puck up the ice, securing the offensive zone, and helping his team create scoring chances, Ceulemans will find a way to get the job done. He’s well-rounded, and he’s good at most of the things that he does, which makes his projection easy, at least tools-wise. The issue with Ceulemans sometimes is how he approaches the game. There can sometimes be too much aggression in how he plays, too strong of a desire to achieve every one of his team’s goals on each and every shift. Too often, Ceulemans will get caught attempting to make a play that could end up helping his team greatly but has a very low chance of actually paying dividends. If Ceulemans can learn to add some patience and balance to his game, he can become a strong top-four defenseman at the NHL level. - EH

6 - Dmitri Voronkov LW

Voronkov has s true fighter’s competitive mentality, as he is always in the thick of the battle, where the dirty work needs to be done: hitting hard, getting under opponents’ skin, making the net-front area his office and not being shy about dropping the gloves if an opponent crosses the line. His attacking potential is still a great unknown, as after a great 2021 KHL playoffs, there was no continuation of that success the season after that, which can only be partially explained by his team’s overall offensive struggles, but at least some of the blame needs to fall squarely on Voronkov’s shoulders. This season his team has been revitalized with big names like Alexander Radulov, Vadim Shipachyov, and Vyacheslav Voynov, so they are clearly aiming at becoming the KHL champions, which might affect Voronkov both in good and bad ways: while it might make it harder for him to earn a big role on the team, if he does get sufficient ice time, it might really give his attacking game the right kind of boost and confidence that he needs. Regardless of how things go, there is still ample reason to believe in his NHL potential thanks to his style of play, and with a more advanced attacking game, he can be viewed as a potential versatile middle-six forward. He has two more years on his KHL contract to show what he can do. - VF

7 - Luca Del Bel Belluz C

The 44^th overall selection in the 2022 NHL Draft, Luca Del Bel Belluz is one of the most exciting prospects drafted because of his high-end offensive tools and creativity. As a late 03’ birthday, Del Bel Belluz was eligible to play in the OHL during the 2019-2020 season. During that season he was only able to produce 6 points (1G,5A) in 58 games. After the shutdown year, expectations weren’t high, and Del Bel Belluz was able to come into a new season with added weight and strength. Quickly becoming a top producer on his team, the Steelheads and many scouts were shocked with the amount of improvement that was made in Del Bel Belluz’s game. Finishing the season second in points on his team with 76 points (30G,46A) in 68 games, which also was 24^th in the OHL in points. Del Bel Belluz’s best assets and his playmaking and puck handling. He’s able to make such creative plays with both his vision and ability to see plays before they happen. He has great timing and rarely ever misses an opportunity to create a high-danger scoring chance happen. Whether it be along the boards or in-tight in the slot, he’s able to fight through traffic and keep the puck on his stick like a magnet. Going into the 2022-2023 season, expectations will be high for Del Bel Belluz as he will be one of the top offensive players in the league with a hungry Steelheads team that will be pushing in the playoffs once again. There’s a real possibility that Del Bel Belluz could crack the top 10 in OHL points next season. - DK

8 - Nick Blankenburg D

If one just looks at his age, height and the fact that he went undrafted in every year of his draft eligibility, Nick Blankenburg might not look very relevant to NHL teams. But that view of Blankenburg’s game would be misguided, as there’s a lot to like in the package of tools he offers, despite those realities. Blankenburg, the captain of the Michigan Wolverines in his senior season, signed an entry-level deal with the Blue Jackets and immediately impressed. Blankenburg was fearless, racking up 19 hits in just seven games of action. Despite standing at just five feet and nine inches tall, Blankenburg invites physical contact, and readily engages with forwards in physical battles in order to interrupt play. Oftentimes Blankenburg’s first means of dealing with an incoming offensive rush is to play the body, and that approach has its advantages and disadvantages. On one hand, Blankenburg’s rough-and-tumble physical game can be effective defensively and has the added benefit of being “hard to play against,” a quality NHL coaches and executives highly value. But on the other hand, sometimes the best defensive play can be made with a stick or just through adept positioning, rather than just physical aggression, and Blankenburg hasn’t shown himself to be at a top level in those areas to this point. Offensively, Blankenburg shouldn’t be mistaken for a gifted player, but he does have some chops there. The Blue Jackets gave him a few looks on the power play, and he found ways to fire pucks through traffic and not look out of place. He may not stick as a power-play defenseman long-term, but he was decently productive in college and should get a few more chances there. When taking the full picture of Blankenburg’s game into account, he looks like he can be a sort of “heart-and-soul” bottom-pairing defenseman who brings physicality, leadership, and occasional spurts of offensive ability. - EH

9 - Liam Foudy RW

Is this the year that Foudy finally breaks into the NHL full time? Back in 2020, when Foudy burst onto the scene by playing great hockey for Columbus in the NHL playoffs, it seemed like he would never even see the AHL. Two seasons later and Foudy has yet to rediscover the magic he showed during that playoff run, bouncing between the NHL and the AHL. Foudy is of course known for his blistering speed. The former track star is an absolutely dynamic mover who can cause havoc on the forecheck and penalty kill. As an offensive player, he is still finding his way as his hands and decision-making attempt to catch up to the pace he is capable of playing at. This is why Columbus has continued to send him down to the AHL, in hopes that they can make him more than just a high energy bottom six player. Now Foudy is no longer exempt from waivers meaning that if he does not make the Jackets, he would need to clear to be sent to Cleveland. As such, it would be shocking if he did not make the NHL roster full time this season. This probably includes significant responsibility on the penalty kill, but likely limited playing time at even strength. Even if the offensive game never comes around at the NHL level, Foudy will still provide value as a change of pace, high energy attacker and penalty killer and should have a lengthy NHL career as a fourth liner. - BO

10 - Stanislav Svozil D

A Czech defender who played with the Regina Pats of the WHL this past season, Svozil is a mobile puck mover and a former third round selection of the Blue Jackets. A veteran of the Czech National team program, Svozil also competed for Czechia at the recent World Junior Championships, wearing an “A” and helping them to a solid fourth place finish. Svozil’s best quality is his four-way mobility. An effortless mover in any direction, he is terrific at holding the offensive blueline, using lateral quickness to evade defenders and open up lanes. This mobility also comes in handy in the defensive end as he can be difficult to beat one on one; Svozil defends pace quite well by being aggressive to close off attackers. His overall defensive abilities remain slightly inconsistent. A lot of this has to do with inconsistent physical engagement. At the pro level, he is going to need to be more difficult to play against in order to be considered a true two-way defender. Additionally, his decision making when leading transitional attacks is also inconsistent. This coming season it appears that Columbus is going to have Svozil play at the AHL level as an “underager.” This could actually be good for his development to help him adjust to the pace of play, in addition to forcing him to improve his strength down low. If all goes well, he could project as a second or third pairing defender for the Jackets in a few years. – BO

11 - Daniil Tarasov

The big netminder’s first pro season in North America didn’t exactly go according to plan after he had to undergo surgery on his hip, ending his season prematurely. Expected to make a full recovery, Tarasov will be Cleveland’s starter this season.

12 - Mikael Pyyhtia

A speedy and skilled winger, Pyyhtia was among the leading goal scorers in Liiga last season, a massive step forward for him. Now signed by Columbus, he will likely start his AHL journey this year, although could still be loaned back to Finland so that he can continue to bulk up.

13 - Samuel Knazko

The mobile, two-way defender played for a bunch of different teams last season but finished out the year with Seattle in the WHL. A part of that Slovak team that captured a bronze medal at the Olympics, Knazko will play with Cleveland (AHL) this year.

14 - Jake Christiansen

One of the highest scoring defenders in the AHL last season, Christiansen has emerged as a legitimate candidate to make the Blue Jackets roster this season.

15 - Tyler Angle

While Angle’s second pro season was not as impressive as his debut, he remains a potential NHL contributor in the future because of how well he works the wall and tires out opposing defenders.

16 - Trey Fix-Wolansky

Now fully healed from knee surgery, Fix-Wolansky had his best pro year yet after completing his rehab. Rewarded with an NHL audition, he also scored his first NHL goal. The undersized winger is a cannonball on the ice and now requires waivers to be sent down, giving him good odds to make the NHL roster in a fourth line role this season.

17 - Guillaume Richard

Richard is built to be a potential shutdown defender in today’s NHL, but his freshman season at Providence showed that he might even have some offensive potential.

18 - Kirill Dolzhenkov

A Russian tank, Dolzhenkov is a hulking, power winger who plays through defenders and not around them. He is a long-term project, but one with middle six upside.

19 - Jordan Dumais

One of the draft’s most polarizing players, there is no denying Dumais’ offensive talents and awareness. For a smaller player, he just needs to get quicker to be a pro top six forward.

20 - Aidan Hreschuk

A competitive two-way defender, Hreschuk had a solid freshman season at Boston College. He will return as a sophomore and attempt to improve his offensive production.

2021-22 NHL ROOKIES AND SECOND YEAR BREAKOUT CANDIDATES

Corey Sznajder — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 12:56:50 +0000

Rookies and Second Year Breakout Candidates

Training camp is the most exciting time of year for hockey fans. Development camp just ended, and prospects are fresh on your minds. You hold out hope that maybe, just maybe the kid you just watched tear it up in the preseason can force their way onto the roster. Rookie production is still the best way to shift your team’s projection in a cap world and it’s understandable for fans to be excited about prospects I camp. It’s not always a plug and play situation, though.

Most teams have their rosters set by now and at most, there are only two or three available spots for a rookie. Sometimes those are only depth minutes where they’re stuck on the fourth line to get their bearings in the NHL. There are always exceptions to this rule. You have rebuilding teams going emphasizing “youth movements” where rookies are going to get a lot of rope. Then there’s the high draft picks who are usually too good to keep off the roster and finally, there are teams who are just better at setting up rookies for success than others. There’s a lot of context that goes into what makes a rookie a Calder candidate and the team situation is arguably the most important factor. Do they have the right linemates for him? Are there enough spots open? Are there power play spots open?

Today, we’re going to look at which teams are going to be asking the most out of rookies, which players are walking into favorable situations and which teams have the toughest rosters to crack in the NHL.

The Tiers

Instead of doing the usual “rookies to watch” list, we’re going to put teams into different tiers based on how many top-nine forward spots or top-six defense spots are “open” in training camp and the talent available to them. This is a little subjective because it’s tough to separate out the biases from the coaching staff, but these are all based off CapFriendly’s depth charts and they players they have projected for top-nine/top-six spots vs. how many minutes they played per game last year. (For instance, a player like Isac Lundestrom would have his spot listed as “open” even though he is Anaheim’s first line left winger on Cap Friendly because he is still unproven at the NHL level with fewer than 100 games played and less than .5 points per game). Injuries to players are also taken into account when determining what roster spots are open, but we will get into that later.

Youth Movements/Sink or Swim

First, we’re going to look at the teams with the most holes on their roster, teams that finished near the bottom of the standings last year and are expecting their younger players to hold spots high in the lineup. These aren’t always the best situation to walk into because teams aren’t going to hit on all of their draft picks and will often ask too much out of players who just aren’t ready. Players who are talented enough will benefit long-term from the number of minutes and puck touches they’ll get on these teams, though. Think of Jack Hughes in his first year with the Devils. The production wasn’t there, but you could see his confidence with the puck and how the team ran the offense through him last year. He is poised to take a big step this season now with the talent around him improving.

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 10: Anaheim Ducks Left Wing Trevor Zegras (46) in action during a game against the Los Angeles Kings played on March 10, 2021 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire)

Anaheim

The Ducks went this route with most of their forward prospects like Max Jones and Sam Steel getting regular playing time and struggling to make much of an impact at the NHL level. The one exception was Maxime Comtois, who led the team in goals and looked like a legit offensive threat when the puck was below the faceoff circles. They have much bigger aspirations for their prized center prospect Trevor Zegras, likely the team’s second line center out of camp.

Zegras is in a unique situation compared to other rookies because he got a head start with his 24-game stint last year and formed a nice line with Comtois and Troy Terry when he was moved to center. The three only played seven games together, but they were effective, and it at least gives the Ducks a baseline to work on where to play Zegras on Opening Night. He is likely in the “talent wins out” class of young players because even though he didn’t produce points, he did enough to show he belonged in the NHL at 19 years old.

Zegras was above average at producing shots, one of the best players on the Ducks at creating high danger chances and showed versatility by both being effective off the rush and off cycles. All things that should make him an effective NHLer for a very long time, especially when you consider how hard it was for the Ducks to create any offense off the rush last year. It also helps that his linemates play complementary styles, Comtois being one of the most underrated netfront players in the league and Terry being very effective at creating off the rush.

It’s tough to call Terry a breakout player, seeing how he’s already 24 years old with 148 games of experience, but he should see his point totals see a big improvement if he can start finishing more chances, as he’s going to get plenty of opportunity with Zegras. The same can be said for most of the Ducks young core with most of their top-nine consisting of players under 25, although it’s getting tough to see any future stars in the likes of Steel, Jones and Lundestrom at this point. Zegras taking over and becoming the star Anaheim hopes he can be could cause a ripple effect for some of these players, which is what makes the Ducks an interesting spot for rookies.

With the exception of Zegras and Jamie Drysdale on defense, their more talented players are probably too young for full-time roles, but the team has a lot of spots open with their previous wave of prospects being on their last legs and that could lead to there being more spots open later in the year as opposed to the three or four spots they have open at camp now. They are the one team giving their rookies the most high leverage spots with Zegras and Drysdale, though.

Buffalo

It’s blank canvas in Buffalo as they enter yet another rebuild. Their roster is largely unproven but there aren’t many true rookies expected to make camp. Instead, it’s a lot of players who are still young but have posted very underwhelming results in their brief NHL careers. The Casey Mittelstadts and Henri Jokiharjus of the world. Even Rasmus Dahlin is only 21 years old and has yet to make the impact the Sabres hoped he would when they took him first overall. With Owen Power and Ryan Johnson both in the NCAA this year, Buffalo’s rookie contributions are coming from someone a little off-the-board like a Jack Quinn or maybe goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who should have a shot to make the team with Craig Anderson and Aaron Dell being the only competition.

Buffalo’s main source of hope is going to be tied to whatever progressions Dylan Cozens makes in his second year. The former 7^th overall pick struggled to score at the NHL level in his first year, but there were some encouraging underlying numbers.

He could create off the rush, which is saying a lot when the only player who could do that on Buffalo last year was Taylor Hall, and while he’s not going to take over for Jack Eichel, he should be prepared to get a lot of puck touches because he is the team’s most talented center as of right now. Buffalo likely won’t see the fruits of this for another few years when they get through this rebuild but building up Cozens’ confidence by getting him reps high in the lineup is going to be a priority for them.

Columbus

Even before the injury to Max Domi, the door was open for some younger players to take the reins in Columbus. Adam Boqvist isn’t a rookie, but if they’re looking for someone to fill Seth Jones’ spot on the power play at a low-cost, he could be their best option. His calling card is passing and that could help them get more out of Patrik Laine on the power play, as a righty getting him the puck with pace is key to that 1-3-1 setup working. Filling those shoes at 5v5 is going to be a tougher task that the Jackets might have to fill by-committee. Asking anyone to play the 24-26 minutes Jones averaged a night is tough for anyone, let alone a rookie, but Boqvist is the best skater out of their younger group so he might get first dibs at filling this void.

The number of power play guys departing is what makes Columbus an attractive spot for rookies, although Voracek and Nyquist should slide into those roles. There’s still room for someone like Liam Foudy or Yegor Chinakhov to take one of those spots and maybe push someone like Sean Kuraly or Boone Jenner down the lineup if they can hang at 5v5. Other second year defensemen like Jake Bean and Andrew Peeke are also likely playing big minutes for most of the year and it will be trial by fire to see how much they can handle at the NHL level. Bean’s struggled with decision making and making plays under pressure when he had to play beyond the third pair in Carolina, but he should get plenty of chances to work through this with the Jackets, as they’re going through a transition year.

VANCOUVER, BC - APRIL 22: Ottawa Senators center Shane Pinto (57) skates up ice during their NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on April 22, 2021 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire)

Ottawa

It’s the second year of the youth movement in Ottawa and progression is expected from young forwards like Josh Norris and Tim Stutzle, who will likely be the team’s main scoring. The main rookie to watch is 2019 second round pick Shane Pinto, who played 12 games with the Sens last year. DJ Smith liked him enough to use him on the penalty kill in a few games and his aggressive tendencies there could make him a nice fit with speedster Alex Formenton or maybe Nick Paul in a full-time role. Ottawa’s middle-six center spots aren’t totally up for grabs with Chris Tierney and Colin White in the mix, but both players are coming off down years and Pinto could provide more upside here. He’s in a decent spot for success with how many young players are in the mix with the Sens, although point production might be hard to come by if he’s centering the third line.

Also, in the “not a rookie, but young enough to take a big step” class is Erik Brannstrom. The 22-year-old posted modest results in lower-leverage role last year, paying about 16-17 minutes a night. He’s a very active defender, often challenging forwards before they even get to the blue line and that’s going to result in some growing pains because more talented forwards are going to be able to weave around you if you’re too aggressive. Other smaller defenders like Matt Grzelcyk have had to go through this too and Brannstrom is similar with how his skating and puck skills are going to be what keeps him around even if it doesn’t result in points. A second play spot along with power play time should be open to him from the start of October.

Making the Cut

In this tier, we’re going to look at teams who have their roster set but have a high-leverage spot open for a rookie or young player to take advantage of. Some of these are due to injuries (i.e. Philadelphia losing Kevin Hayes), but other teams like the Rangers and Kings have kept spots open for their younger players expecting them to take the next step. Like the last tier, we’re looking for top-nine forward spots, open power play spots or anywhere in the top-six on defense.

NYR – Vitali Kravtsov, second line RWer

The Pavel Buchnevich trade freed up some cap space for the Rangers down the line, but it also left a gaping hole at the top of their lineup. A breakout year from Kaapo Kakko should cover up some of this, but another player expected to take a leap is Vitali Kravtsov. The ninth overall pick from 2018 didn’t have a great start to his NHL career, recording only four points in 20 games in a depth role. More is expected from him this year and he showed a little of why he can be a decent Buchnevich replacement.

Kravtsov’s boxcar numbers might not have been good, but he did show some very good playmaking ability on the Rangers third line and more of those passes should result in goals now that he’s slated to play higher in the lineup. It’s tough to say if he’s ready to carry the mail on a line because most of his offense came off sequences where the Rangers had sustained possession rather than creating off the rush. Does he have the legs to create on his own or does someone need to do the work in the neutral zone for him? That’s something the Rangers are going to find out next year. Regardless, the opportunity is his to lose, including power play time.

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 30: Los Angeles Kings center Quinton Byfield (55) in action during a game against the Anaheim Ducks played on April 30, 2021 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire)

Los Angeles – Quinton Byfield, entire second power play unit

The Kings are in an interesting spot because they’re rebuilding and have a roster where the top-six spots are taken by veterans. Is there a spot for their second overall pick Quinton Byfield? There is, but it might come at the expense of Gabriel Vilardi, another player finding his way in the league. The Kings are in a position where they can shelter younger players with Anze Kopitar and Phillip Danault taking most of the defensive minutes, but there aren’t many open top-nine spots as of right now.

The good news is that LA has to replace basically their entire second power play unit with Jeff Carter gone and most of the other players not producing much there. This creates a pathway for Byfield (and possibly Arthur Kaliyev at netfront) to get their feet wet in the league and get more puck touches. Also, worth noting that while LA’s top power play unit was quietly one of the best in the league, it shouldn’t take much for Byfield to slide into Alex Iafallo or Dustin Brown’s spot if he is as good as advertised. Based on his AHL production, it should take long to get adjusted, it’s just going to be a challenge for LA to find a spot for him, although he is the type of player who can be “too good” to send back down or play on the fourth line.

The same can be said for Alex Turcotte and most of LA’s other forwards that could be stuck in the AHL to start the year. It’s possible that they could push someone like Trevor Moore or Andreas Athanasiou down the lineup, but it will take some roster maneuvering from the Kings to get all of these kids ice-time. Byfield is likely the one at the top of the list for obvious reasons.

NYI – Oliver Wahlstrom, 1^st line RWer/Noah Dobson, 2RD

The Islanders have exactly two roster spots open and they’re both huge opportunities for second year players. The first is replacing Jordan Eberle on Mathew Barzal’s line, which could be a perfect spot for second year player Oliver Wahlstrom to slide into. He had a solid rookie campaign with 12 goals in 44 games but playing on Barzal’s wing is a chance for him to really put up some numbers. Barzal is one of the best playmakers in the game and Wahlstrom’s calling card so far is that he’s a shot machine who is very good at creating rebound chances. With how much the Isles shoot from the point and Eberle’s minutes needing to be replaced, Wahlstrom could find himself in a spot to put up 20+ goals.

Speaking of point shots, there’s also an opportunity for Noah Dobson to become more than just a third pair guy for the Isles with Nick Leddy out of the picture. The recent signing of Zdeno Chara WILL MAKE IT tough for him to be a direct replacement, but neither Chara or Scott Mayfield brings the puck rushing and offensive skills that Leddy was known for. This is where Dobson can slide in, most notably on the power play. He will probably be asked to play more of a simple game, as it’s tough to imagine him going coast-to-coast like Leddy did, but he will get plenty of opportunities to tee off from the point and maybe use his vision to create from there a little more. The Isles don’t project to have much offense form their blue line, so there’s an opening for Dobson to become more of an integral player instead of just a depth piece.

TBL – Alex Barre-Boulet, 2^nd/3^rd line winger

An undrafted player who has done nothing but score goals in the AHL, Barre-Boulet will get a chance to stick full-time this year. He got an audition as Brayden Point’s winger for 15 games last year and got plenty of chances to show his calling card, shooting the puck every chance he got. He might have to work a little more for his opportunities this year, likely starting on the fourth line, but he has a chance to move up in the lineup with Tampa needing to replace their entire third line and second power play unit from last year.

NSH – Alexandre Carrier, top-four RD

An underrated storyline during Nashville’s run to the playoffs was the emergence of Alexandre Carrier as a top-four defenseman. He played well enough to push Dante Fabbro out of a lineup spot once the team got healthy and with Ryan Ellis gone, the door is open for Carrier to be Josi’s running mate this year. A solid puck-mover and offensive defenseman in the AHL, it will be tough for Carrier to carry over that production. However, he showed that he can do a lot of the little things to stick around at the NHL level. Using his skating to defend the line and keep pucks out of the Nashville zone, he was a good compliment to Josi and one of Nashville’s better defenders.

The one caveat is that this is only 19 games and sustaining it over a full-season is another challenge. Carrier’s play from last year gives him a slight inside edge for this roster spot, though.

MTL – Cole Caufield, 1^ST Line RW

The Canadiens playoff run from last year have all but guaranteed Caufield a spot on the top line. That’s not to say the Habs don’t have other options but with the exception of Brendan Gallagher, it’s hard to see any of the other wingers being able to do what Caufield can. He’s already shown to have a complementary skillset for Nick Suzuki, being a shoot-first player who can trail him off the rush and create chances from in-tight. He scored only four goals in 20 games in the playoffs, but it’s hard to argue that his line wasn’t a threat to strike off the rush whenever they were on. Caufield is likely starting this season in the same spot and is an early favorite to win the Calder based on his projected ice-time.

ST. PAUL, MN - JANUARY 31: Colorado Avalanche Defenceman Bowen Byram (4) skates with the puck during an NHL game between the Minnesota Wild and the Colorado Avalanche on January 31, 2021, at Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN.(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire)

Colorado – Bowen Byram 2LD, Alex Newhook, top-nine forward

With Ryan Graves traded and Devon Toews recovering from shoulder surgery, there’s a real opportunity for the former 4^th overall pick Bowen Byram to standout. Colorado has been a place where defenseman have had career seasons across the board the past couple of years, so it’s a favorable situation or Byram to walk into, especially when considering the forward lines he will be playing behind. Injuries kept him from sticking around last year, so it will be interesting to see how he does in the top-four until Toews gets back. Can he be a building block for the Avs or is he more?

The same can be said for Alex Newhook, another former first round pick expected to break into a full-time role. His is a little more carved out, as the Avs are insulated well at center and he will likely be the third line pivot. The one caveat is that it might be tough for him to put up points depending on who his linemates are. Tyson Jost and JT Compher are good players, but they’ve never been huge point producers. Neither has Val Nichushkin or most of the Avs depth forwards. This will change drastically if he gets Andre Burakovsky as his linemate, though. It’s easy to see him succeeding but being a Calder candidate might depend on how the Avs lines shake out.

Edmonton – Evan Bouchard

If the Oilers weren’t currently employing Tyson Barrie, it would be easy to peg Evan Bouchard as a Calder favorite because he would be getting those power play minutes. The 21-year-old hasn’t quite earned the trust of the coaching staff yet, but when he was in the lineup, he showed that he can create offense, never hesitating to shoot the puck from the point and injecting some life into the bottom-half of the Oilers roster. There’s a slightly easier path for Bouchard to earn a full-time job this year, as he’s likely the best puck-mover the Oilers have in their reconstructed second and third pairs. He is a stealth Calder candidate in the event of an injury to Barrie or Duncan Keith.

Philadelphia – Morgan Frost 2C/3C

Coming off a lost season due to a dislocated shoulder, Morgan Frost has a chance to hit the reset button filling in for an injured Kevin Hayes. The former Greyhound showed some flashes in his first cup of coffee with the Flyers, centering Giroux and Konecny and showing some of the creative offensive instincts that got him drafted in the first round. He was a plus in just about every category except actually finishing chances, which should hopefully come with time.

What makes a prospect like Frost so interesting to follow is most of his offense comes out of “nothing” plays where he doesn’t need to be setup or have a lot of open ice. He proved to be very good at recovering pucks, taking creative routes to the front of the net and quickly making plays to the net to catch defenders off-guard. It didn’t result in as many points as it should have, but the talent is hard to ignore with him. Two years later, he should get plenty of opportunities to earn a spot in the Flyers top-nine.

2021-22 TOP 15 PROSPECTS: COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS – RANK: #17 – TIER III

McKeen's Hockey — Fri, 10 Sep 2021 15:44:10 +0000

Columbus Blue Jackets

#17 Columbus - Columbus has six players in the top 100, but no one else seems likely to threaten the upper echelon. Blue Jackets need more big draft classes like this last one, as they had too many small draft classes in recent years.

Kent Johnson; Photo courtesy of University of Michigan

Kent Johnson - C

What a year for Ann Arbor, three players drafted inside the Top Five (four if you count recruit Luke Hughes) to give the Michigan Wolverines their greatest draft buzz since the days of the Fab Five almost 30 years ago.

Johnson is a master of the scoresheet. His puck skills are sublime. He sometimes plays as if the game is actually a skills competition, treating opponents like pylons. This approach worked tremendously in the BCHL and as well as it could in the Big 10. He is a joy to watch because of his creative approach. Yet scouts are left with the nagging feeling that he will need to make significant alterations to his game to play at the highest levels. As is, too many potential opportunities die on Johnson’s stick, and not through lack of skill, but through needlessly overcomplicating the game. Beyond that, he seldom makes his presence felt without the puck on his stick. The tools are here for an All-Star ceiling, but the pieces do not yet fit together smoothly enough. He will return to Michigan and look to improve his skating, physicality, and decision making. After his sophomore year, the Jackets should get a better read on whether he is ready to turn pro and be an impact player for them. - McKeen’s Draft Guide 2021

Cole Sillinger - C

Born in Columbus, Ohio while his father Mike “Suitcase” Sillinger played with the Blue Jackets – the eighth of a record 12 teams he would play for during his career, young Cole saw his hockey career take off after his father retired back to Regina, Saskatchewan. Interestingly enough, things came full circle when Cole was drafted by the Jackets this year.

Unsure of when, or if, the 2020-21 WHL season would take place, Cole left Medicine Hat to play in the USHL for Sioux Falls. His 46 points in 31 games would lead the Stampede in scoring. Sillinger’s bread and butter is his shot. A high-volume shooter, the shot quality is as impressive as the release, with strength, suddenness, and accuracy. The rest of his package should begin with a look at his game processing capabilities. You might want to attribute his advanced hockey mind to a childhood spent in and out of NHL rinks. He plays a two-way game, with an average of nearly two minutes of shorthanded ice time per game this year. At both ends of the ice, he is more often than not found in a position to make something positive happen for his team, with his stick at the ready to capitalize. He could improve the quickness of his first few steps, or the sharpness of his edges, however Sillinger is an NHL’er in the making. His full skill set has the look of a front line, goal scoring winger, with the questions revolving mostly on what kind of linemate assistance he will need to succeed at the highest level. He will return to Medicine Hat this year and is a candidate to lead the WHL in scoring. - McKeen’s Draft Guide 2021

Yegor Chinakhov - RW

There were quite a few skeptics a year ago when the Blue Jackets selected Chinakhov in the first round of the 2020 NHL draft, even though he was already a competent MHL goal scorer at the time. This past season he continued to do so, progressing further as a blossoming young Russian star. Interestingly enough, those same skeptics were quieter this year. Even though he got injured at the World Juniors, his season had to be considered a success by becoming a KHL champion and winning the KHL rookie of the year award.

Immediately after the end of the KHL season Chinakhov signed his entry-level contract with the Blue Jackets (burning the first year of it that way), but there are reasonable doubts about him being able to play in the NHL next season. However, he does have a history of proving the doubters wrong. He likely starts in the AHL, where he can adjust to the speed and physicality of the North American game. Armed with a wicked shot, deceptive stickhandling ability, and a strong skating base, Chinakhov is a potential top six goal scorer for the Blue Jackets. - VF

Liam Foudy - LW

Speed, speed, and more speed, that is the name of Foudy’s game. Already one of the NHL’s elite skaters, Foudy’s first pro season following a successful 2020 playoff performance with the Jackets, had its moments. No question his speed can play at the NHL level. However, his hands and ability to process the game have yet to catch up to his quickness, causing a lack of production and finish at the NHL level. This led to Foudy being on the shuttle back and forth between Cleveland (AHL) and Columbus. When in the AHL, Foudy was a standout, showing that with patience, his offensive game could come around at the NHL level.

As mentioned, Foudy’s greatest strength is his quickness. A former track star at a young age, Foudy accelerates to top speed as if he were shot out of a cannon. This allows him to be a disruptive force without the puck. With the puck, he is still learning how to best blend his skating and puck skill to be a consistently effective attacker and finisher. Worst case scenario, the offensive skill set never translates, and he becomes an effective fourth line penalty killer. Best case, he learns to utilize his gifts and is able to carve out a long career similar to that of Andrew Cogliano. - BO

Corson Ceulemans - D

The third of three first round selections made by Columbus this year, Ceulemans is a two-way defender headed to the University of Wisconsin after several years playing with the Brooks Bandits of the AJHL (better known as Cale Makar’s alma mater). He showed well at the Under 18’s, playing a critical role for the gold medal winning Canadians. Ceulemans played in all situations for Canada, showcasing his versatility and potential as a two-way defender.

One of Ceuleman’s best attributes is his mobility. A strong and powerful mover in all four directions, Ceuleman rarely puts himself in a position where he cannot recover due to his excellent skating ability. As a powerplay quarterback, Ceuelemans shows great potential because of his big point shot and comfort level with playing deep in the offensive zone. At the University of Wisconsin, he will need to work on his decisiveness with the puck and learn to make quicker decisions. At times, he seems a step too slow to find a teammate with a pass or exploit open shooting lanes. Greater confidence and experience may certainly help in this regard, especially at higher levels when challenged by quicker and more skilled opponents. He is a prospect with a high floor and high ceiling. This means that at worst, Ceulemans probably still develops into a serviceable third pairing defender who can do a little bit of everything, and most importantly play the right side. At best, his confidence offensively grows, and he establishes himself as a dominant two-way defender. - McKeen’s Draft Guide 2021

Kirill Marchenko - LW

Marchenko's progress has been steady over the last couple of seasons, to the point where he has emerged as a top young player in Russia. His development curve is heading towards him becoming one of the top snipers in the KHL, although an injury did interrupt the most recent season. Another thing that he has missed this season was the World Championships, as he was left on the Team Russia taxi squad due to wingers from the NHL joining the team.

Marchenko has the right kind of tools to achieve status as a top player for the Bluejackets in the future: he is very mobile, has good size and, of course, has a high-precision right-handed shot. This coming season is the last season of his current KHL contract — my guess would be that the Blue Jackets management is counting on him to come over after that. He should emerge as one of the top forwards in the KHL this year before making that jump. Marchenko's NHL ambitions probably are at least as a top-six left wing level and given his progress thus far, that looks like a very likely outcome. - VF

Dmitri Voronkov - LW

This has been a real breakout year for Voronkov as he has shown that he can be not just a hard-working player, but also can lead his KHL team in big games. Even in the KHL playoffs, Voronkov's game just kept getting better. His impressive season concluded at the World Championships, where Voronkov played on the top line for Team Russia and made people talk about him as a legitimate candidate for the Olympics next year.

Voronkov is very versatile, always playing with high-intensity and physicality, getting to the dirty areas and under opponents' skin. Every NHL coach wants a player like that on his team. In terms of the offense, it is important not to underestimate Voronkov’s offensive skill set, as it has improved considerably in recent years. At the end of the day Voronkov may become a player who can play anywhere on the NHL team's roster and fans can be certain that his performance will be consistent. There are plenty of reasons to get excited, yet patience is the key for the Blue Jackets fans because Voronkov still has two years left on his KHL contract. When that deal is up, he should be ready to make an immediate impact in Columbus. - VF

Stanislav Svozil - D

A third-round selection this year, Svozil is only 18 years old yet has already spent roughly two full seasons playing against men in the top Czech league. He played big minutes in both the WJC and the WU-18s this year. He can read and anticipate the game at a level well above his age and experience.

In his own end, off the puck or on, he is reliable. His positioning is generally strong, taking good angles to lower the danger of any given play, whether the zone has already been established, or he is facing an opponent trying to enter his zone with control. When he has the chance to exit the zone, he has the wherewithal to make the simple, safe play if it is there, a sign of his maturity and poise. In the offensive zone, his low point totals may be deceptive, as Svozil flashes skills that could contribute more heavily to scoring chance generation. He may need some time to grow more comfortable taking a leading role against men, but even if he doesn’t, his floor is high enough that he could be a serviceable NHL defender. He has already inked his ELC with the Jackets, giving them some flexibility as to where to assign him for the upcoming season. Currently he is slated to play in the WHL with Regina (and Connor Bedard), who own his Import rights. - McKeen’s Draft Guide 2021

Andrew Peeke - D

After three seasons at Notre Dame, the last of which saw him serve as team Captain, Peeke got his pro career off to a promising start in 2019-20, falling three games shy of losing his prospect eligibility before the pandemic ended the season early. A tall, wide-bodied, right-handed shooter, he never demonstrated consistent big-time offensive upside, but profiled in more of a shut-down role, with plus mobility, a very strong off-puck game, and a tendency to transition the puck smartly.

Last year didn’t see so much regression as it did a player caught in the COVID-era no-man’s land of the taxi squad, limiting him to 18 games combined between the NHL and AHL. Peeke took on a workhorse role in his AHL time, but he could not seem to gain the trust of former Columbus coach John Tortorella. However, Torts is gone and incumbent GM Jarmo Kekalainen had enough faith in the former second rounder to grant him a two-year contract extension. Along with the shake up behind the bench, the Columbus blueline has also undergone significant upheaval, with the departure of star Seth Jones just one of the big changes. Peeke should have a real opportunity to establish himself this year, with a top four outcome still a distinct possibility. - RW

Trey Fix-Wolansky - RW

Trey Fix-Wolansky is a smaller player that plays without fear. Typically, a player of his size prefers the perimeter, but Fix-Wolansky is a guy that makes a living driving the net with and without the puck. He is comfortable along the wall and uses his low center of gravity to his advantage in puck battles. The puck skills were very noticeable in Junior but there were concerns he might not be able to handle the puck as much in the pro game. He has adjusted well and makes quicker plays without sitting on the puck as long. At the AHL level he has shown to be a solid and consistent contributor despite Covid shortened seasons and a torn ACL last year affecting his development.

His game revolves around his quick feet, effort and puck skills all of which he has continued to improve upon during his time in the AHL. Fix-Wolansky has a powerful frame and lower body that makes him a challenge to knock off the puck even though he lacks the height and wingspan of most players in the NHL. The Jackets will be looking for him to continue to play his competitive style following the rehab of his knee injury. With diminutive scorer Cam Atkinson moving on, Fix-Wolansky could find himself inserted into the middle six of a Blue Jacket roster in transition as early as next season if he proves to be fully healthy. - VG

Tyler Angle - C

Sometimes breakout performances come out of nowhere and that was the case for Angle last season as a first-year pro with Cleveland. Expectations were low for his first pro year, but he ended up scoring at over a point per game and really put himself on the map as a significant prospect in the system. Angle never stops moving his feet in the offensive zone and has the skill to be an NHL player.

Daniil Tarasov - G

A former third round pick by the Jackets, Tarasov had a strong 2020/21 season, performing well in the KHL. He even joined Cleveland briefly at the end of the season in Russia. He will play in Cleveland full time this year and has a chance to be the starter for the Monsters.

Samuel Knazko - D

The captain of Slovakia’s entry at the World Junior Championships this year, Knazko also suited up for his country at the World Championships in a depth role. The highly mobile blueliner will play in Liiga on loan this year with TPS, his first exposure to full time professional hockey.

James Malatesta

Ranked by McKeens as considerably better than a fifth round pick this year, Malatesta is built like an ox and loves to drive the net to earn scoring chances. Consistency and decision making with the puck remain issues, but he will try to improve upon those with Quebec again this year in the QMJHL.

Guillaume Richard - D

A defense first, stay at home type, Richard will attend Providence College this season. His upside may be relatively limited, but his combination of size and defensive awareness makes him a good bet to become a reliable third pairing defender in the future for Columbus.

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

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

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

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

PROSPECT CRITERIA

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

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

McKeen’s 2020-21 Hockey Yearbook: Columbus Blue Jackets Top 20 Prospects

Tue, 24 Nov 2020 12:54:28 +0000

McKeen's Top 20 Columbus Blue Jackets 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.

Liam Foudy, C (18^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 1)

The focal point of Foudy’s game is his skating ability. A former track star, he shows an explosiveness that would put him into the upper echelon of NHL players. This year he learned to use that speed to be effective without the puck. He works hard to recover dump-ins, force turnovers on the forecheck, and apply pressure on the backcheck, making him a complete two-way player. Offensively, there may still be some limitations. His shot remains average. While his ability to maintain possession through cuts at top speed has improved, his vision and decision making can leave some to be desired. Turnovers can be a part of his game when he tries to force his way into the offensive zone or to the net. While these issues may ultimately limit his NHL potential to that of middle six forward, he still projects as a very valuable player who can provide versatility. He should be able to play as a top penalty killer, and work to open up ice for his linemates. His pace of play will be a major asset in today’s NHL. - BO

Kirill Marchenko, LW (49^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 2)

One of the top young forwards in Russia, Marchenko is coming off a strong season. At 6-2”, he has the size and skill package which all NHL teams are looking for from potential top six wingers. As an offensive player, he is the complete package. He skates well, especially when it comes to using his edgework to create shooting opportunities. He has the skill and creativity to play through traffic and be consistently dangerous. His shot is high end. He sees the ice well as a playmaker. When the puck is not on his stick, that is where Marchenko’s game will need to grow before he can become an impact NHL player. Improving his engagement level in all three zones, and improving his awareness defensively will be key to his development and it will be interesting to see if he can round out his game in the KHL over the next few seasons. He recently signed an extension in the KHL with SKA that will keep him in the KHL until after the 2021-22 season. - BO

Andrew Peeke, D (34^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 3)

Peeke is a big bodied blueliner capable of playing both a strong offensive game and a good defensive game. Although not completely offensively minded, he knows when to pinch low or when to jump in on a play which is what makes him fit in perfectly with the way Columbus’ defensive system is structured. He can shoot and has a good eye for making lead passes and back door plays allowing him to both start a rush and finish one as well. Peeke can play it a little too safe at times, preferring to stay in one spot on the blueline instead of keeping mobile, which could help his vision and give him more passing options. Keeping his feet moving and straying away from one horizontal line will be his go-to improvement project and once he acts on it he should be able to gain more confidence and up his assists column a little. Peeke is an asset on the blueline, with size, a shot, and a good head on his shoulders. - SC

Dmitri Voronkov, LW (114^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 4)

A big-bodied center, Voronkov plays a solid two-way game. He moves surprisingly well given his frame, especially in a straight line. He is a powerful skater and tough to stop when he accelerates with the puck. He has a long reach and uses his body well to protect the puck, not only along the boards and in the corners, but also when taking pucks towards the net. It is difficult to take the puck away from him when he is skating at full speed. He provides excellent net front presence and scores many of his goals from point blank range. He also finishes his checks with regularity. He is purposeful and gets to the areas that matter. He plays an active game away from the puck and takes away time and space from opponents. Offensively he keeps his game rather simple and does not try to complicate things. He is not particularly creative or flashy, but he has skill to make plays and contribute. Voronkov’s style of play seems perfectly suited for North American rinks. - MB

Trey Fix-Wolansky, RW (204^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 5)

Fix-Wolansky may be small, but he packs quite the punch when it comes to carrying the puck and finding open space. He has made the adjustments to his offensive game in order to know what works for him when with the puck or without. He skates well, has good hands, and has the hockey sense to make him a threat and keep him safe when on the forecheck. He is also capable of scoring equally as much as creating scoring chances for his teammates, which is part of what makes him so fun to watch. Fix-Wolansky needed time last season to adjust to the speed at which offensive plays are made. He will need to keep his feet moving and stay sharper in his own end in order to improve his overall game and production. He is a testament to the fact that successful players do not all embody one mold, and that skill and hockey sense play a much bigger role than size in the modern game. - SC

Daniil Tarasov, G (86^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 6)

Tarasov had a decent season with Ässät in the Liiga. He came to Finland with high expectations and made strides as the season progressed. There were some games where he was excellent, but on the other hand, he also had mediocre performances. He didn’t make a whole lot of timely saves that could have changed the outcome of games. But when he is on his game, it is extremely difficult to score on him. Tarasov is an athletic goalie who relies a lot on his quick reflexes. He has quick legs and moves well across the crease but needs to develop the technical side of his game. When the play is more at the other end of the ice and there are fewer shots, he occasionally allows some soft goals. Tarasov has a lot of ability and potential, but he will need a strong goalie coach who puts in the work to help him improve upon his weaknesses. - MB

Matiss Edmunds Kivlenieks, G (Undrafted Free Agent, signed May 25, 2017. Previous ranking: 7)

As a backup goaltender in the AHL, Kivlieniks did well in a part-time role, interestingly, his early-season crease-mate was one of the only other Latvian players and goalies in the NHL system. Kivlieniks is not the biggest goaltender size-wise but he knows how to cover his net and has a good head on his shoulders when it comes to positioning and being able to anticipate plays. He remains calm and collected in high stress situations and is capable of keeping a relatively level head after a bad goal or bad play. He will have to work a little on playing the puck and getting across the crease faster in terms of his pushing and strength. However, he still has a bright future ahead of him and tough competition as a rising goaltender in Columbus’ system, so much so that his play has elicited rumors that the organization could deal away one of their NHL netminders to give Kivlienks a bigger chance. With his determination and focus he can certainly become a starting goalie at some point, opportunity-permitting. – SC

Yegor Chinakhov, RW (21^st overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Our highest ranked undrafted player from our 2019 guide – by far – Chinakhov responded to the snub by laying the Russian junior league to waste, finishing fifth in the league scoring race. He has also bulked up allowing his plus puck skills to play up and to get into better positions for his fine wrist shot. He didn’t stop there, though, as he took advantage of the Russian league’s status as first to restart and parlayed a highly impressive KHL debut into first round pick status by the iconoclastic scouts of Columbus. We still have some concerns about his skating ability, in addition to his stature limiting his ability to play an inside game at the highest levels, but the remainder of his offensive tools all project as above average. Even with his warts, he plays a heady enough game to take advantage of the things he does well while minimizing his weaknesses. He should be able to contribute offensively once he comes over to North America but will need to prove that he will not require sheltering. - RW

Veini Vehvilainen, G (173^rd overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 8)

For a younger goaltender, and one who’s rookie North American professional season was only last year, Vehvilainen’s development and composure were everything that Columbus could have hoped for. From the Finnish Liiga, he brought with him a calm sense of stability, focus, and athleticism. He sees the ice well and is across the net already anticipating plays before they happen, since his timing is good. A weak point is Vehilainen’s reliance on his lateral movement, meaning that he sometimes finds himself already down in the butterfly position before a shot has even hit him. He will need to rely on his experience and be more patient as to not jump on too many plays or over-compensate in any way. As the Cleveland Monsters starter last season, Vehvilainen has all the tools and had ice time he needs to grow into a starting goaltender for Columbus in the future as well. - SC

Calvin Thurkauf, C/LW (185^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 9)

The first thing to be said about Thurkauf is the fact that, yes, he still has prospect eligibility even though he does not currently have a contract with the Blue Jackets and has decided to go back home to his birth country Switzerland to play in the NLA with EV Zug. That being said, it is unsure with the way hockey and the world is now if he will find his way back to Columbus or Cleveland for that matter. Thurkauf is a big forward whose ability to get to the net and find passing or shooting lanes is what makes him stand out. He needs to round out his game a bit more and find leverage in being more creative in his own end but overall, he offers enough to a team for there to be no complaints. That being said, Thurkauf could definitely find himself called up as a member of the Columbus bottom six and hold his own should the team re-assert its contractual rights to the hulking forward and bring him back in a post-pandemic world. - SC

Tyler Angle, C (212^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 10)

It was certainly a bit of a rollercoaster of a season for Angle. For certain stretches of the season, he played at an elite level, but had trouble sustaining that week to week. However, for a seventh-round selection, the season had to be considered a success given some nice forward steps taken. Angle provides a high energy level and is always looking to lead the attack over the blueline, pushing the pace and driving the middle. He excels with the puck on his stick and looked much quicker this season, both in terms of quickness and processing ability. With greater confidence, he was able to be the focal point for Windsor’s attack on a lot of nights. His creativity and puck skill is high and he keeps his feet moving without the puck, always hunting down scoring chances. For Angle, and the entire Windsor roster for that matter, it is simply about sustaining production and effectiveness over longer stretches. Going into his overage season, Angle’s production should increase again as he continues to get stronger, quicker, and more confident. His projection remains as a middle six playmaker. - BO

Ryan MacInnis, C/RW (Trade: Jul. 18, 2018. Originally: 43^rd overall, 2014 [Arizona]. Previous ranking: 11)

Next season will be the year for MacInnis, who is coming up on aging out of prospect eligibility and running short on time, to make an impact enough to earn an NHL roster spot. This past season, he finally made an impact and was pushed hard enough by management to produce for the Cleveland Monsters and prove to the Columbus staff that he deserved a chance. He finished second in team points for Cleveland and earned time on both special teams’ units, predominantly their powerplay, where his playmaking ability was on full display. Although not the fastest or most skillful player to watch, MacInnis is a big body and a hard forward to stop when he has the puck. He is a good two-way player and contributes well in all areas of the ice. That being said he would do well to put the finishing touches on his potential to earn a bottom six spot with the Blue Jackets. - SC

Tim Berni, D (159^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 12)

Yet another late round pick trending in the right direction for Columbus. Berni had already both appeared in one WJC and had some experience playing against men when he was drafted, spending most of his U18 year in Switzerland’s second highest men’s league. Since then, he has spent two seasons up in the NLA, and appeared in two more WJCs for Switzerland, playing bigger roles – and more successfully – at each level, year-over-year. A heads up puck mover with strong skating ability, Berni lacks the dynamic skill set to be much more than a decent #5 at the NHL level, and his point shot all but precludes usage on the power play, but he plays a mature enough game that he could be trusted to eat his share of minutes and not need to be shielded against tougher competition. He should also be tested on the PK, where he played regularly for the Swiss WJC team and where he could provide more value to his team. - RW

Marcus Karlberg, RW/LW (80^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 13)

When Karlberg played with U20 national team last July and August he was flying on the ice and looked great. He did not earn a spot on the SHL roster though and had a weird season playing another year in junior although being overqualified. Leksand was the dominant team in SuperElit even without him. The SHL team, on the other hand, was a bottom team with pressured coaches who preferred playing veterans. Karlberg was loaned out to Allsvenskan, but to by far worst team in Allsvenskan and had a tough time there as well. He was also cut for the Swedish WJC roster. Karlberg has nice hands and speed. He plays a bit too much on the outside but is a good playmaker and he has a good shot. I don’t see top six forward potential but with good work ethic I can see being a good third line winger and penalty killer with his speed. He has an SHL contract in place for next season. - JH

Eric Hjorth, D (104^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 14)

Hjorth came pretty much as advertised in his first OHL season with Sarnia. The big, 6-3” defender has some projectable skills (big point shot, improving mobility, creativity and skill), however he remains a work in progress as he learns to harness and utilize his skill set effectively. In particular, his decision making will need to improve at both ends of the ice. While Sarnia struggled as a team defensively, Hjorth looked uncertain at times and coverage issues and turnovers were too prominent. However, it is important to remember that he was coming off a lost season due to injuries and was thrown into the fire on a weaker team. It will be very interesting to see how much his game can progress next season as he is now fully healthy and should have a greater confidence level due to his familiarity with the league and his teammates. Given the raw nature of his game, he is a long ways away from making an impact in the NHL, but as mentioned, he possesses the potential to be a second or third pairing defender somewhere down the line if his game continues to improve and evolve. - BO

Jake Christiansen, D (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 4, 2020. Previous ranking: 15)

Christansen requires some caution when looking at his eye-popping numbers this past season. As a 20-year-old with a relatively small sample size of just 38 games, his production rates need to be viewed with some skepticism. That isn’t to say he is not a solid contributor but rather his offensive outburst needs to be tempered. The positives are his impressive shot rate at just over five shots per game, his continuous improvement in all metrics: goals/game, assist/game, points/game, and minutes/game across each season, showing a steady growth pattern throughout his junior career. He does not have a dynamic aspect to his game. He plays a good brand of physical hockey; he is a decent play maker and has a pretty good shot. He is a project that will need to round out his overall game with a few seasons in the minors before the NHL becomes a possibility. – VG

Kole Sherwood, RW (Undrafted Free Agent: Jul. 7, 2015. Previous ranking: 17)

The first Columbus area native to be signed by the Blue Jackets, Sherwood has developed enough to find himself regularly under consideration whenever the NHL team needs an injury replacement. Even though his second professional season saw his already low offensive contributions take a tumble, he still managed to appear in three games. He has a solid figure, and all of his tools project to at least average potential, but nothing really seems like it can eclipse that low ceiling. He is aggressive and plays with his heart on his sleeve, which can be endearing, even if he is unlikely to ever receive a long-term NHL contract. Having been loaned out to KHL side Kunlun Red Star for the duration of the pandemic pause, Sherwood should be in line to once again receive NHL action this year. To start to see more regular time in the NHL, he will need to begin showing more than just grit in the AHL. - RW

Samuel Johannesson, D (176^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Ignored in his first season of draft eligibility, Johannesson moved up from the Swedish junior ranks to the SHL partway through last season and more than held his own, even if he could not replicate his big partial season offensive numbers from the SuperElit. The right-handed blueliner is on the smaller side, but is a fine skater, and plays a very mature game. His reads are beyond his years and he is a skilled puck mover. His hockey IQ allows him to remain calm when the going gets rough and be trusted in numerous situations. Unfortunately, Johannesson has not been given as frequent an opportunity to prove himself in the SHL so far this year, as his ice time over three minutes per game through his first 11 matches. He does not have a top four ceiling, but his combination of attributes, especially the skating, puck moving and brains, make a depth defenseman outcome reasonable, which is as much as anyone could hope for out of the sixth round. - RW

Samuel Knazko, D (78^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

A long-time stalwart for Slovakia’s age-based national teams, Knazko is now in his third season of development in Finland’s top junior league, ignoring the siren song of the CHL, where he has been a first round pick in the Import Draft for two years running – his CHL rights are currently held by the Seattle Thunderbirds. As solid as he has been in the Finnish juniors, his overall game presents questions as to what type of player he could become, making his selection in the third round by the Blue Jackets, perhaps even more head scratching than their first round pick of Yegor Chinakhov. Outside of his ability to read the game, none of his tools really sticks out. Even though he was given a big role for Slovakia at the most recent WJC (in addition to other big tournaments) the step up in competition hampered his effectiveness. One would like to see him either move to the CHL, or push his way into the Liiga, as his continued development seems to require a better level of opponent. - RW

Ole Bjorgvik Holm, D (145^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

A big Norwegian with two years of North American hockey under his belt, Bjorgvik Holm made the jump from 16U Tier I hockey in Colorado to the OHL, with only two games in the USHL to ease the transition. Prior to that, he was still playing in Norway, and taking on similar importance to their national programs as Knazko did for Slovakia’s. It was easy to see how raw he was last year, prone to rushing pucks wildly out of the defensive zone with only marginal applied pressure. He skates quite well for his size, and knows how to use his size, while showing just enough flashes of adequacy with the puck to be hopeful of more with added higher-level experience. To that effect, he has returned to Norway for the duration of the pandemic, and through the first roughly ten games of the men’s league season, was among the top scoring blueliners in the nation. Take that with however much salt you need, but it isn’t bad. - RW

MCKEENS 2020 NHL PROSPECT REPORT: Top 20 Potential Prospect Breakouts in 2020-21

Peter Harling — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 15:12:58 +0000

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 09: New York Rangers Goalie Igor Shesterkin (31) in action during the National Hockey League game between the New Jersey Devils and the New York Rangers on January 9, 2020 at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY. (Photo by Joshua Sarner/Icon Sportswire)

Each year there are a rash of breakout candidates for the up-coming season. Some end up being Calder candidates, some are top players, some are regular NHL players and some struggle to secure a full-time roster position.

There are several factors that lead to players slotting and position on the roster. Depth of the roster, salary cap commitments and quality of competition are the most obvious.

Mainly it all comes down to the players skill level, compete and commitment. When they are ready to make a consistent impact at the NHL level is when they arrive.

Where these players come from can vary significantly. Many are drafted and developed with early draft picks and come with a pedigree. Some are later round picks that reward the team for taking a shot on them. Some are never drafted but prove their worth overseas or in the NCAA and are signed to NHL contracts.

The 2020-21 NHL season will be unlike any other as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many players will start the season in other leagues as the NHL is expected to begin later in 2020 or early 2021. It remains unclear what leagues will even see a return to play and the ripple effects of the pandemic remain to be seen. This makes it particularly difficult to predict the prospects that could make their NHL debut as full time impact players.

Some have already played some NHL games; some may be in the playoffs and some may be waiting several more months before they see ice time again in any league.

Keeping all these factors in mind, here is my prediction for 20 prospects who will be making their bid for a full time NHL job. Some should be slam-dunks, while others may be a bit more of a long shot and need a few things to break their way.

Kirill Kaprizov, LW - Minnesota Wild

Perhaps the safest prospect to pick is the much-anticipated arrival of the KHL superstar. Kaprizov has been tearing up the KHL and international hockey for Russia for years. His intentions to sign were made at the conclusion of the 2019-20 KHL season but were delayed due to the pandemic. He has signed with the Wild and is expected to begin play in a top-six role whenever the puck drops on the 2020-21 season. Looking for comparable impacts we may have seen in the past from players coming from Russia the most common answer is more of an Artemi Panarin than a Vadim Shipachoyv. That is high praise to be sure, but it is not misplaced. Look for the Russian sniper to secure a first line position and post in the neighborhood of 60 points.

Igor Shestyorkin, G - New York Rangers

Shestyorkin had an impressive North American debut with a 17-4-5 record in the AHL and a 1.90 GAA. That was a dominant performance for a rookie even though he is already 24 years old. Because he was developed in the KHL where he dominated with the powerhouse SKA St. Petersburg team, he hit the ground running across the pond. Shestyorkin made an impression in his 12 regular season NHL games as well with a 10-2-0 record and a 2.52 GAA. Henrik Lundqvist is a Hall of Fame player but it is time to pass the torch over to the next franchise goalie.

Alexis Lafreniere, LW - 2020 Draft

The presumed first overall pick in the 20202 draft was recently awarded to the New York Rangers. Lafreniere will almost certainly be picked first by the Rangers and he should be able to win a roster position outright from training camp in a top-six role. The only real question here is where will he play before the NHL season begins? The CHL is positioning to begin play on October 1st and he could also play in Europe for a few months in a pro league until the NHL begins. Once that happens, he should be in a top six role and expect somewhere in the neighborhood of a 60-point rookie season.

Trevor Zegras, C - Anaheim Ducks

Zegras signed with the Ducks after one season in the NCAA with the Boston Terriers. His best performance was with Team USA at the World Junior where he made some incredible passes to show he can make NHL plays at an elite level. The real obstacle for Zegras will be the Ducks depth down the middle. Ryan Getzlaf, Adam Henrique, Sam Steel, and Isac Lundestrom are all jockeying for position at center. Someone will need to give way and play the wing because Zegras is not likely leaving college to play in the AHL.

Ilya Sorokin, G - New York Islanders

Looking to follow in his countryman footsteps from last season, Sorokin hopes to impress as much as Shestyorkin did with the Rangers. With only Semyon Varlamov and Sorokin under contract for the 2020-21 season currently it looks like the Islanders are willing to go with the Russian duo, but that could change with free agency. My money is on they go with the pair, and by seasons end, Sorokin is getting equal or the lions share of starts for the Islanders.

Mikko Lehtonen, D - Toronto Maple Leafs

The Leafs landed the biggest free agent European fish on the market when they signed Lehtonen. The Finnish defenseman lead the KHL in defense scoring and with the Leafs likely saying good-bye to Tyson Barrie, and Cody Ceci as free agents in the off-season that opens the door for a top four pairing in Toronto and the 26-year-old should step up and lock that down.

Gabe Vilardi, C - LA Kings

Vilardi has missed a lot of time due to a serious back injury. But he made a glorious return before the season was cut short. The 2017 11th overall pick started in the AHL where he racked up 25 points in 32 games in Ontario. He was recalled to the NHL and impressed there as well with seven points in the last ten games. If he can stay healthy, Vilardi could be a force on a rebuilding Kings team looking for youth.

Alex Turcotte, C - LA Kings

Like Vilardi above, the Kings are going to be looking to their youth to take full time roles on their NHL roster. Turcotte signed his ELC after his freshman year in Wisconsin and will join the Kings for the 2020-21 season. Where he fits in remains to be seen as the Kings have Anze Kopitar, Blake Lizotte, and Vilardi as center options already. There is a chance Turcotte sees some AHL development time, but I assume he has foregone his college career for the NHL rather than the AHL.

Scott Perunovich, D – St. Louis Blues

After a dominant junior season at University of Minnesota-Duluth where he was named NCHC Best Offensive Defenseman, Player of the Year, Scoring Champion, and was awarded the Hobey Baker Award as the Top Collegiate Player, Perunovich is finally going pro. Regardless if Alex Pietrangelo returns as a UFA in the off-season or not, Perunovich will be a lock for a roster spot and the offensive defenseman will compete for time on the PP as well.

Drake Batherson, C/RW - Ottawa Senators

While the big winger already has 43 career NHL games played, he is yet to graduate full time to the big league. That should change when the puck drops. Batherson has dominated the AHL and has not looked out of place in the NHL with the big club either. Ottawa has several prospects that will need quality minutes in the AHL and there is plenty of need in the NHL on one of the worst teams in the league.

Erik Brannstrom, D - Ottawa Senators

Like Batherson above, Brannstrom has little left to gain from the AHL and did not look out of place in the NHL when he was recalled. He is a future anchor on their blue line and that should begin to start the season.

Evan Bouchard, D - Edmonton Oilers

Players from the 2018 draft that have yet to make the NHL are poised to do so sooner than later. With Mike Green not likely to return expect Bouchard to fill that void. He also gives the Oilers a legit power play quarterback that should help pad Bouchard's offensive stats.

Connor McMichael, C - Washington Capitals

Bit of a long shot here as McMichael has another year of junior eligibility remaining. But after dominating with a 102-point season in only 52 games the Caps may find a home for him in the NHL.

Owen Tippett, LW/RW - Florida Panthers

Not only did Tippett have an impressive rookie season in the AHL with 40 pints in 46 games, there is plenty of opportunity on the roster with Mike Hoffman, Evgeni Dadonov, Erik Haula, and Brian Boyle all set to hit UFA status.

Liam Foudy, C - Columbus Blue Jackets

The speedy Foudy has aged out of Junior hockey and looks to be a fixture in the post season. The roster spot is his to lose.

Rasmus Sandin, D - Toronto Maple Leafs

Only slightly less likely to be a full time Maple Leaf than Lehtonen above. Sandin has two full seasons of AHL development to his credit and is ready to fill a vacant roster spot.

Juuso Valimaki, D - Calgary Flames

Easy to overlook a player that missed the entire season to injury, but with TJ Brodie, Travis Hamonic, Derek Forbort, and Erik Gustafsson all about to hit the UFA market, there will be a roster spot for the 2017 first round pick.

Jake Bean, D - Carolina Hurricanes

AHL sophomore Bean won the Eddie Shore Award as Best Defenseman and led the AHL in points by a defenseman as well. He is ready

Morgan Frost, C - Philadelphia Flyers

Frost had back-to-back 100+ point seasons in the OHL before turning pro last year. As a rookie he managed seven points in 20 NHL games and could play the full season in Philadelphia next year.

John Leonard, LW - San Jose Sharks

Leonard will be one of those from nowhere players to make an impact next year. The Sharks 2018 sixth round pick signed after his junior season with UMass and is way under most folks radar, despite leading the NCAA in goals (27) and being a finalist for the Hobey Baker

MCKEENS 2020 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT – TOP 250 PROSPECTS

McKeens Hockey; Article by Ryan Wagman — Tue, 22 Sep 2020 11:50:55 +0000

I write these words less than 24 hours after the Dallas Stars took game one of the Stanley Cup Finals against the heavily favored Tampa Bay Lightning. Unlike most seasons wherein the end of the Stanley Cup marks the beginning of off-season player movement, this year teams have taken an early start to the transactional Ferris wheel as many expect the upcoming offseason (from the awarding of the Cup, through to the draft in the first week of October to the start of the 2020-21 season perhaps as soon as early December, pending COVID trends in North America) to be especially turbulent.

We have seen a few trades of NHL pieces, one deal which impacted this guidebook, as Toronto sent Kasperi Kapanen to Pittsburgh and Swedish winger Filip Hallander was among those coming back to Toronto. Hallander was our selection for the second-best prospect in the Penguins system and now holds that title for the Maple Leafs. That trade knocked the Penguins down a few slots on our organizational rankings and allowed Toronto to go the other way accordingly.

Of course, with the draft roughly 17 days away, and with it a complete re-shuffling of the organizational rankings, this is just a snapshot in time of how every team’s system shakes up. We will re-run this list, incorporating the drafted players, in our pre-season fantasy guide, where we will expand the lists up to 20.

What you are about to dive into is a comprehensive list of all prospect eligible players on all 31 teams. To hold prospect eligibility, a player needs to 25 or younger, as of September 15, 2020. All skaters need to have played less than 60 career games, with no more than 35 of those games coming in a single season (or 25 for this past shortened season). For goalies, the age criteria remain the same, but the games played benchmark drops to 30 career games and 20 in a given season (or 15 last year). Any cutoff that does not hew exactly to the Calder Trophy award criteria is, by nature, arbitrary, but we aim to be inclusive for all players who have not yet cemented NHL jobs and/or have not had a prolonged chance to prove himself capable – or incapable.

We rank 15 per team, as depth is as important as the high end. Our goal is to identify players who could – if they have an advocate for them within the team’s braintrust – play a role in the NHL. These players were identified through our thorough vetting of each prospect across the globe, assigning scores, or grades, to five areas for skaters (skating, shot, puck skills, smarts, physicality) and six for netminders (athleticism/speed/quickness, compete/temperament, vision/play reading, positioning/technique, rebound control, and puck handling). Depending on the position, the grades are run through an algorithm to come up with an overall future projection (OFP).

The OFP, if the scout is being honest, measures the future role we anticipate the prospect being able to hold. A 50 score is the lower threshold to be a regular 4^th line forward, or bottom pairing defender. Grades over 56 are potential top line/pairing skaters. The grades in between, obviously project to the middle of the lineup.

As we are reminded every year, development is not linear. Some players take unexpected sudden leaps forward (see Marino, John), and others stagnate (see Ho-Sang, Josh), and many do exactly what we expect of them when they are given the chance. As much as I trust the analysts in our team, I can also tell you that this exercise is always humbling. There will be at least one player who we rate highly who bombs. There will be at least one player who did not feature on his team’s top 15 who becomes an NHL regular next year. We accept those errors in judgment and promise you, our faithful subscriber, that we will learn from them and refine our work for next year, as we learn just as NHL teams learn.

Until then, please enjoy this snapshot view of the future of the beautiful, frozen game. Putting this together has provided at least some sense of normalcy during this crazy summer.

NHL	RNK	PLAYER	POS	AGE	HT/WT	TM	Acquired
Ana	1	Trevor Zegras	C	19	6-0/170	Boston University (HE)	`19(9th)
Min	2	Kirill Kaprizov	LW	23	5-10/200	CSKA (KHL)	`15(135th)
Col	3	Bowen Byram	D	19	6-0/195	Vancouver (WHL)	`19(4th)
Buf	4	Dylan Cozens	C	19	6-3/185	Lethbridge (WHL)	`19(7th)
Fla	5	Spencer Knight	G	19	6-3/195	Boston College (HE)	`19(13th)
VGK	6	Peyton Krebs	C	19	5-11/180	Winnipeg (WHL)	`19(17th)
Ari	7	Victor Soderstrom	D	19	5-11/180	Brynas (Swe)	`19(11th)
Mtl	8	Cole Caufield	RW	19	5-7/165	Wisconsin (B1G)	`19(15th)
Van	9	Vasili Podkolzin	RW	19	6-1/190	SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)	`19(10th)
Edm	10	Philip Broberg	D	19	6-3/200	Skelleftea AIK (Swe)	`19(8th)
Tor	11	Nick Robertson	LW	19	5-9/160	Peterborough (OHL)	`19(53rd)
Col	12	Alex Newhook	C	19	5-10/195	Boston College (HE)	`19(16th)
Det	13	Moritz Seider	D	19	6-3/185	Grand Rapids (AHL)	`19(6th)
Fla	14	Grigori Denisenko	LW	20	5-11/185	Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)	`18(15th)
Min	15	Matthew Boldy	LW	19	6-1/190	Boston College (HE)	`19(12th)
NJ	16	Ty Smith	D	20	5-10/180	Spokane (WHL)	`18(17th)
LA	17	Alex Turcotte	C	19	5-11/185	Wisconsin (B1G)	`19(5th)
Nsh	18	Philip Tomasino	C	19	5-11/180	Nia-Osh (OHL)	`19(24th)
Pit	19	Samuel Poulin	LW	19	6-1/205	Sherbrooke (QMJHL)	`19(21st)
Wsh	20	Connor McMichael	C	19	5-11/175	London (OHL)	`19(25th)
LA	21	Gabriel Vilardi	RW	21	6-3/200	Ontario (AHL)	`17(11th)
NYR	22	Igor Shesterkin	G	24	6-1/190	Hartford (AHL)	`14(118th)
Dal	23	Thomas Harley	D	19	6-3/190	Mississauga (OHL)	`19(18th)
Ari	24	Barrett Hayton	C	20	6-1/190	Arizona (NHL)	`18(5th)
NYR	25	Nils Lundkvist	D	20	5-11/180	Lulea (Swe)	`18(28th)
LA	26	Arthur Kaliyev	RW	19	6-2/190	Hamilton (OHL)	`19(33rd)
Cgy	27	Juuso Valimaki	D	21	6-2/205	DNP - Injured	`17(16th)
Det	28	Jared McIsaac	D	20	6-1/195	Hal-Mon (QMJHL)	`18(36th)
NYR	29	Vitali Kravtsov	RW	20	6-3/185	Hartford (AHL)	`18(9th)
Edm	30	Evan Bouchard	D	20	6-2/195	Bakersfield (AHL)	`18(10th)
NYR	31	K'Andre Miller	D	20	6-3/205	Wisconsin (B1G)	`18(22nd)
Edm	32	Raphael Lavoie	RW	19	6-4/195	Hal-Chi (QMJHL)	`19(38th)
NYI	33	Ilya Sorokin	G	25	6-2/180	CSKA (KHL)	`14(78th)
Det	34	Albert Johansson	D	19	5-11/165	Farjestads (Swe)	`19(60th)
Ari	35	Matias Maccelli	LW	19	5-11/170	Ilves Tampere (Fin)	`19(98th)
Van	36	Nils Hoglander	RW	19	5-9/185	Rogle (Swe)	`19(40th)
Ari	37	Jan Jenik	RW	20	6-1/180	Hamilton (OHL)	`18(65th)
Phi	38	Cam York	D	19	5-11/175	Michigan (B1G)	`19(14th)
Phi	39	Morgan Frost	C	21	5-11/180	Lehigh Valley (AHL)	`17(27th)
Ana	40	Lukas Dostal	G	20	6-1/170	Ilves Tampere (Fin)	`18(85th)
LA	41	Tobias Bjornfot	D	19	6-0/200	Ontario (AHL)	`19(22nd)
SJ	42	Ryan Merkley	D	20	5-11/170	London (OHL)	`18(21st)
NYI	43	Kieffer Bellows	LW	22	6-0/200	Bridgeport (AHL)	`16(19th)
NYI	44	Oliver Wahlstrom	RW	20	6-1/205	Bridgeport (AHL)	`18(11th)
LA	45	Rasmus Kupari	C	20	6-1/185	Ontario (AHL)	`18(20th)
CBJ	46	Liam Foudy	C	20	6-0/175	London (OHL)	`18(18th)
LA	47	Tyler Madden	C	20	5-10/155	Northeastern (HE)	T(Van-2/20)
Mtl	48	Alexander Romanov	D	20	5-11/185	CSKA (KHL)	`18(38th)
NYI	49	Bode Wilde	D	20	6-2/195	Bridgeport (AHL)	`18(41st)
Ott	50	Jacob Bernard-Docker	D	20	6-0/180	North Dakota (NCHC)	`18(26th)
Cgy	51	Jakob Pelletier	LW	19	5-9/165	Moncton (QMJHL)	`19(26th)
LA	52	Akil Thomas	C	20	5-11/170	Nia-Pbo (OHL)	`18(51st)
Wpg	53	Dylan Samberg	D	21	6-3/190	Minn-Duluth (NCHC)	`17(43rd)
Chi	54	Ian Mitchell	D	21	5-11/175	Denver (NCHC)	`17(57th)
Ott	55	Josh Norris	C	21	6-1/195	Belleville (AHL)	T(SJ-9/18)
NYR	56	Matthew Robertson	D	19	6-3/200	Edmonton (WHL)	`19(49th)
VGK	57	Pavel Dorofeyev	LW	19	6-1/170	Magnitogorsk (KHL)	`19(79th)
Dal	58	Jake Oettinger	G	21	6-4/210	Texas (AHL)	`17(26th)
Ott	59	Drake Batherson	RW	22	6-1/190	Belleville (AHL)	`17(121st)
LA	60	Samuel Fagemo	RW	20	6-0/195	Frolunda (Swe)	`19(50th)
Col	61	Justus Annunen	G	20	6-4/215	Karpat Oulu (Fin)	`18(64th)
Bos	62	John Beecher	C	19	6-3/210	Michigan (B1G)	`19(30th)
Phi	63	Egor Zamula	D	20	6-4/175	Calgary (WHL)	FA(9/18)
NYR	64	Zac Jones	D	19	5-10/175	Massachusetts (HE)	`19(68th)
CBJ	65	Kirill Marchenko	LW	20	6-3/190	SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)	`18(49th)
VGK	66	Jack Dugan	RW	22	6-2/185	Providence (HE)	`17(142nd)
StL	67	Scott Perunovich	D	22	5-10/175	Minn-Duluth (NCHC)	`18(45th)
Bos	68	Jack Studnicka	C	21	6-1/170	Providence (AHL)	`17(53rd)
Dal	69	Ty Dellandrea	C	20	6-0/185	Flint (OHL)	`18(13th)
Min	70	Calen Addison	D	20	5-10/180	Lethbridge (WHL)	T(Pit-2/20)
NYR	71	Julien Gauthier	RW	22	6-4/225	Charlotte (AHL)	T(Car-2/20)
Van	72	Olli Juolevi	D	22	6-3/200	Utica (AHL)	`16(5th)
NJ	73	Nolan Foote	LW	19	6-3/190	Kelowna (WHL)	T(TB-2/20)
NJ	74	Janne Kuokkanen	LW	22	6-1/190	Cha-Bng (AHL)	T(Car-2/20)
Ott	75	Alex Formenton	LW	21	6-2/165	Belleville (AHL)	`17(47th)
Det	76	Robert Mastrosimone	LW	19	5-10/160	Boston University (HE)	`19(54th)
NYR	77	Morgan Barron	C	21	6-2/200	Cornell (ECAC)	`17(174th)
Mtl	78	Jesse Ylonen	RW	20	6-1/185	Pelicans (Fin)	`18(35th)
Car	79	Dominik Bokk	RW	20	6-1/180	Rogle (Swe)	T(StL-9/19)
Nsh	80	Egor Afanasyev	RW	19	6-3/205	Windsor (OHL)	`19(45th)
Ana	81	Benoit-Olivier Groulx	C	20	6-1/195	Hal-Mon (QMJHL)	`18(54th)
Min	82	Alexander Khovanov	C	20	5-11/195	Moncton (QMJHL)	`18(86th)
Det	83	Joe Veleno	C	20	6-1/195	Grand Rapids (AHL)	`18(30th)
NJ	84	Kevin Bahl	D	20	6-6/230	Ottawa (OHL)	T(Ari-12/19)
Car	85	Ryan Suzuki	C	19	6-0/180	Bar-Sag (OHL)	`19(28th)
Van	86	Jett Woo	D	20	6-0/205	Calgary (WHL)	`18(37th)
Mtl	87	Mattias Norlinder	D	20	5-11/180	MODO (Swe 2)	`19(64th)
Min	88	Adam Beckman	LW	19	6-1/170	Spokane (WHL)	`19(75th)
Bos	89	Jeremy Swayman	G	21	6-1/190	Maine (HE)	`17(111th)
Wpg	90	Kristian Vesalainen	LW	21	6-3/205	Manitoba (AHL)	`17(24th)
Tor	91	Filip Hallander	LW	20	6-1/185	Lulea (Swe)	T(Pit-8/20)
Fla	92	Owen Tippett	RW	21	6-1/200	Springfield (AHL)	`17(10th)
Car	93	Jake Bean	D	22	6-1/175	Charlotte (AHL)	`16(13th)
Ott	94	Shane Pinto	C	19	6-2/190	North Dakota (NCHC)	`19(32nd)
Col	95	Martin Kaut	RW	20	6-1/175	Colorado (AHL)	`18(16th)
Van	96	Jack Rathbone	D	21	5-10/175	Harvard (ECAC)	`17(95th)
Tor	97	Nick Abruzzese	C	21	5-9/160	Harvard (ECAC)	`19(124th)
Bos	98	Urho Vaakanainen	D	21	6-0/185	Providence (AHL)	`17(18th)
Wsh	99	Alexander Alexeyev	D	20	6-3/200	Hershey (AHL)	`18(31st)
NYI	100	Simon Holmstrom	RW	19	6-1/185	Bridgeport (AHL)	`19(23rd)
LA	101	Jaret Anderson-Dolan	C	21	5-11/190	Ontario (AHL)	`17(41st)
Car	102	Joey Keane	D	21	6-0/185	Hfd-Cha (AHL)	T(NYR-2/20)
Wsh	103	Martin Fehervary	D	20	6-1/190	Hershey (AHL)	`18(46th)
StL	104	Tyler Tucker	D	20	6-1/205	Bar-Fnt (OHL)	`18(200th)
SJ	105	Yegor Spiridonov	C	19	6-2/195	Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk (MHL)	`19(108th)
NJ	106	Joey Anderson	RW	22	6-0/195	Binghamton (AHL)	`16(73rd)
Col	107	Conor Timmins	D	21	6-1/185	Colorado (AHL)	`17(32nd)
StL	108	Klim Kostin	C	21	6-3/195	San Antonio (AHL)	`17(31st)
Mtl	109	Cayden Primeau	G	21	6-3/180	Laval (AHL)	`17(199th)
SJ	110	Jonathan Dahlen	LW	22	5-11/185	Timra IK (Swe 2)	T(Van-2/19)
NJ	111	Reilly Walsh	D	21	5-11/180	Harvard (ECAC)	`17(81st)
Buf	112	Oskari Laaksonen	D	21	6-2/165	Ilves Tampere (Fin)	`17(89th)
NJ	113	Arseni Gritsyuk	RW	19	5-10/170	Omskie Yastreby (MHL)	`19(129th)
Wsh	114	Aliaksei Protas	C	19	6-5/205	Prince Albert (WHL)	`19(91st)
Cgy	115	Dustin Wolf	G	19	6-0/165	Everett (WHL)	`19(214th)
StL	116	Joel Hofer	G	20	6-3/160	Portland (WHL)	`18(107th)
VGK	117	Ivan Morozov	C	20	6-1/180	SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)	`18(61st)
Mtl	118	Jake Evans	C	24	6-0/185	Laval (AHL)	`14(207th)
Nsh	119	Eeli Tolvanen	RW	21	5-10/175	Milwaukee (AHL)	`17(30th)
Wpg	120	Ville Heinola	D	19	5-11/180	Lukko Rauma (Fin)	`19(20th)
VGK	121	Lucas Elvenes	RW	21	6-0/175	Chicago (AHL)	`17(127th)
TB	122	Cole Koepke	LW	22	6-1/195	Minn-Duluth (NCHC)	`18(183rd)
Ana	123	Isac Lundestrom	C	20	6-0/185	San Diego (AHL)	`18(23rd)
NYR	124	Tarmo Reunanen	D	22	6-0/180	Lukko Rauma (Fin)	`16(98th)
Mtl	125	Jordan Harris	D	20	5-11/180	Northeastern (HE)	`18(71st)
Ana	126	Brayden Tracey	LW	19	6-0/175	MJ-Vic (WHL)	`19(29th)
Phi	127	Tanner Laczynski	C	23	6-1/200	Ohio State (B1G)	`16(169th)
Chi	128	Alec Regula	D	20	6-3/200	London (OHL)	T(Det-10/19)
Buf	129	Mattias Samuelsson	D	20	6-3/215	Western Michigan (NCHC)	`18(32nd)
Car	130	Jamieson Rees	C	19	5-10/175	Sarnia (OHL)	`19(44th)
Edm	131	Olivier Rodrigue	G	20	6-1/165	Moncton (QMJHL)	`18(62nd)
Fla	132	Serron Noel	RW	20	6-5/205	Osh-Kit (OHL)	`18(34th)
Det	133	Antti Tuomisto	D	19	6-4/190	Assat Pori (Fin Jr)	`19(35th)
Dal	134	Jason Robertson	LW	21	6-2/195	Texas (AHL)	`17(39th)
Mtl	135	Joni Ikonen	C	21	5-10/170	DNP - Injured	`17(58th)
Nsh	136	Rem Pitlick	C	23	5-11/200	Milwaukee (AHL)	`16(76th)
Ott	137	Logan Brown	C	22	6-6/220	Belleville (AHL)	`16(11th)
TB	138	Samuel Walker	C	21	5-11/160	Minnesota (B1G)	`17(200th)
Phi	139	Wade Allison	RW	22	6-2/205	Western Michigan (NCHC)	`16(52nd)
Wpg	140	Declan Chisholm	D	20	6-1/190	Peterborough (OHL)	`18(150th)
NJ	141	Tyce Thompson	RW	21	6-1/180	Providence (HE)	`19(96th)
VGK	142	Connor Corcoran	D	20	6-1/185	Windsor (OHL)	`18(154th)
Ana	143	Jackson Lacombe	D	19	6-1/170	Minnesota (B1G)	`19(39th)
NYR	144	Lauri Pajuniemi	RW	21	6-0/185	TPS Turku (Fin)	`18(132nd)
Car	145	Tuukka Tieksola	RW	19	5-10/160	Karpat Oulu (Fin Jr)	`19(121st)
CBJ	146	Andrew Peeke	D	22	6-3/210	Cleveland (AHL)	`16(34th)
Ana	147	Axel Andersson	D	20	6-0/180	Moncton (QMJHL)	T(Bos-2/20)
Car	148	Patrik Puistola	LW	19	6-0/175	Tap-Juk-Koo (Fin)	`19(73rd)
NJ	149	Michael McLeod	C	22	6-2/195	Binghamton (AHL)	`16(12th)
Car	150	Pyotr Kochetkov	G	21	6-1/175	SKA-VIT (KHL)	`19(36th)
NJ	151	Michael Vukojevic	D	19	6-3/210	Kitchener (OHL)	`19(82nd)
NYI	152	Ruslan Iskhakov	C	20	5-8/155	UConn (HE)	`18(43rd)
Wpg	153	Sami Niku	D	23	6-0/175	Manitoba (AHL)	`15(198th)
TB	154	Hugo Alnefelt	G	19	6-3/195	HV 71 (Swe)	`19(71st)
NJ	155	Nikita Okhotyuk	D	19	6-1/195	Ottawa (OHL)	`19(61st)
NYR	156	Hunter Skinner	D	19	6-2/175	London (OHL)	`19(112th)
LA	157	Mikey Anderson	D	21	6-0/195	Ontario (AHL)	`17(103rd)
Col	158	Shane Bowers	C	21	6-2/190	Colorado (AHL)	T(Ott-11/17)
NYI	159	Joshua Ho-Sang	RW	24	6-0/175	Bri-SA (AHL)	`14(28th)
LA	160	Cal Petersen	G	25	6-3/190	Ontario (AHL)	FA(7/17)
Col	161	Sampo Ranta	LW	20	6-2/205	Minnesota (B1G)	`18(78th)
Wpg	162	Mikhail Berdin	G	22	6-2/165	Manitoba (AHL)	`16(157th)
Bos	163	Jeremy Lauzon	D	23	6-3/205	Providence (AHL)	`15(52nd)
Nsh	164	David Farrance	D	21	5-11/190	Boston University (HE)	`17(92nd)
Van	165	Will Lockwood	RW	22	5-11/175	Michigan (B1G)	`16(64th)
NYI	166	Sebastian Aho	D	24	5-10/175	Bridgeport (AHL)	`17(139th)
Wpg	167	Logan Stanley	D	22	6-7/225	Manitoba (AHL)	`16(18th)
Buf	168	Ryan Johnson	D	19	6-0/175	Minnesota (B1G)	`19(31st)
Van	169	Michael DiPietro	G	21	6-0/195	Utica (AHL)	`17(64th)
VGK	170	Kaedan Korczak	D	19	6-3/190	Kelowna (WHL)	`19(41st)
Car	171	Jack Drury	C	20	5-11/180	Harvard (ECAC)	`18(42nd)
StL	172	Nikita Alexandrov	C	19	6-0/180	Charlottetown (QMJHL)	`19(62nd)
Col	173	Nikolai Kovalenko	RW	20	5-10/175	Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)	`18(171st)
Nsh	174	Juuso Parssinen	C	19	6-2/205	TPS Turku (Fin)	`19(210th)
Chi	175	Pius Suter	C	24	5-11/170	ZSC Lions (NLA)	FA(7/20)
Fla	176	Aleksi Saarela	RW	23	5-11/200	Rfd-Spr (AHL)	T(Chi-10/19)
Bos	177	Trent Frederic	C	22	6-4/215	Providence (AHL)	`16(29th)
CBJ	178	Dmitri Voronkov	LW	20	6-4/190	Ak Bars Kazan (KHL)	`19(114th)
Ott	179	Lassi Thomson	D	19	6-0/190	Ilves Tampere (Fin)	`19(19th)
Car	180	Morgan Geekie	C	22	6-2/180	Charlotte (AHL)	`17(67th)
CBJ	181	Trey Fix-Wolansky	RW	21	5-8/185	Cleveland (AHL)	`18(204th)
Ott	182	Vitaly Abramov	RW	22	5-9/175	Belleville (AHL)	T(CBJ-2/19)
TB	183	Alexander Volkov	LW	23	6-1/190	Syracuse (AHL)	`17(48th)
Tor	184	Mikko Kokkonen	D	19	5-11/200	Jukurit (Fin)	`19(84th)
Ott	185	Kevin Mandolese	G	20	6-4/180	Cape Breton (QMJHL)	`18(157th)
CBJ	186	Daniil Tarasov	G	21	6-5/185	Assat Pori (Fin)	`17(86th)
LA	187	Carl Grundstrom	LW	22	6-0/195	Ontario (AHL)	T(Tor-1/19)
LA	188	Kale Clague	D	22	6-0/180	Ontario (AHL)	`16(51st)
Ott	189	Artyom Zub	D	24	6-2/200	SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)	FA(5/20)
Edm	190	Tyler Benson	LW	22	6-0/200	Bakersfield (AHL)	`16(32nd)
Det	191	Jonatan Berggren	RW	20	5-10/185	Skelleftea AIK (Swe)	`18(33rd)
Tor	192	Yegor Korshkov	RW	24	6-4/215	Toronto (AHL)	`16(31st)
Dal	193	Riley Damiani	C	20	5-9/165	Kitchener (OHL)	`18(137th)
VGK	194	Zach Whitecloud	D	23	6-2/210	Chicago (AHL)	FA(3/18)
Buf	195	Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen	G	21	6-4/195	Cincinnati (ECHL)	`17(54th)
Car	196	David Cotton	LW	23	6-3/205	Boston College (HE)	`15(169th)
Chi	197	Wyatt Kalynuk	D	23	6-1/180	Wisconsin (B1G)	FA(7/20)
Min	198	Hunter Jones	G	19	6-4/195	Peterborough (OHL)	`19(59th)
LA	199	Jordan Spence	D	19	5-10/165	Moncton (QMJHL)	`19(95th)
Cgy	200	Dmitri Zavgorodny	LW	20	5-9/175	Rimouski (QMJHL)	`18(198th)
Col	201	Alex Beaucage	RW	19	6-1/195	Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL)	`19(78th)
TB	202	Dmitri Semykin	D	20	6-3/200	SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)	`18(90th)
CBJ	203	Matiss Kivlenieks	G	24	6-2/190	Cleveland (AHL)	FA(5/17)
StL	204	Ville Husso	G	25	6-3/205	San Antonio (AHL)	`14(94th)
Phi	205	Bobby Brink	RW	19	5-10/165	Denver (NCHC)	`19(34th)
NYI	206	Otto Koivula	C	22	6-4/220	Bridgeport (AHL)	`16(120th)
Car	207	Eetu Makiniemi	G	21	6-2/180	KOOVEE (Fin 2)	`17(104th)
NYI	208	Anatoli Golyshev	RW	25	5-8/180	Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg (KHL)	`16(95th)
Chi	209	Evan Barratt	C	21	6-0/190	Penn State (B1G)	`17(90th)
Buf	210	Erik Portillo	G	20	6-6/210	Dubuque (USHL)	`19(67th)
Fla	211	Cole Schwindt	RW	19	6-2/185	Mississauga (OHL)	`19(81st)
Chi	212	Michal Teply	LW	19	6-3/185	Winnipeg (WHL)	`19(105th)
Ott	213	Mads Sogaard	G	19	6-7/195	Medicine Hat (WHL)	`19(37th)
Buf	214	Jonas Johansson	G	24	6-4/205	Rochester (AHL)	`14(61st)
TB	215	Cal Foote	D	21	6-4/215	Syracuse (AHL)	`17(14th)
StL	216	Niko Mikkola	D	24	6-5/200	San Antonio (AHL)	`15(127th)
NYI	217	Robin Salo	D	21	6-1/190	SaiPa (Fin)	`17(46th)
Bos	218	Jakub Zboril	D	23	6-1/200	Providence (AHL)	`15(13th)
Buf	219	Will Borgen	D	23	6-2/200	Rochester (AHL)	`15(92nd)
Pit	220	Pierre-Olivier Joseph	D	21	6-2/170	Wilkes-Barre (AHL)	`17(23rd)
SJ	221	Sasha Chmelevski	C	21	5-11/190	San Jose (AHL)	`17(185th)
Ari	222	Kyle Capobianco	D	23	6-1/180	Tucson (AHL)	`15(63rd)
Det	223	Keith Petruzzelli	G	21	6-5/180	Quinnipiac (ECAC)	`17(88th)
Wsh	224	Garrett Pilon	RW	22	5-11/190	Hershey (AHL)	`16(87th)
NJ	225	Nikola Pasic	RW	19	5-10/185	Karlskoga (Swe 2)	`19(189th)
TB	226	Alex Barre-Boulet	C	23	5-10/165	Syracuse (AHL)	FA(3/18)
Edm	227	Ryan McLeod	C	20	6-2/205	Bakersfield (AHL)	`18(40th)
NYI	228	Samuel Bolduc	D	19	6-3/210	BLB-She (QMJHL)	`19(57th)
Ott	229	Joey Daccord	G	24	6-2/195	Belleville (AHL)	`15(199th)
StL	230	Hugh McGing	C	22	5-9/180	Western Michigan (NCHC)	`18(138th)
Edm	231	Cooper Marody	C	23	6-0/180	Bakersfield (AHL)	T(Phi-3/18)
Tor	232	Jeremy Bracco	RW	23	5-9/180	Toronto (AHL)	`15(61st)
Phi	233	German Rubtsov	C	22	6-2/190	Lehigh Valley (AHL)	`16(22nd)
Wsh	234	Brian Pinho	C	25	6-1/195	Hershey (AHL)	`13(174th)
Col	235	Logan O'Connor	RW	24	6-0/170	Colorado (AHL)	FA(7/18)
Buf	236	Casey Fitzgerald	D	23	5-11/190	Rochester (AHL)	`16(86th)
NJ	237	Daniil Misyul	D	19	6-3/180	Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)	`19(70th)
Ari	238	John Farinacci	C	19	5-11/185	Harvard (ECAC)	`19(76th)
Edm	239	Aapeli Rasanen	C	22	6-0/195	Boston College (HE)	`16(153rd)
Pit	240	Anthony Angello	RW	24	6-5/205	Wilkes-Barre (AHL)	`14(145th)
Mtl	241	Cam Hillis	C	20	5-10/170	Guelph (OHL)	`18(66th)
Cgy	242	Mathias Emilio Pettersen	RW	20	5-9/170	Denver (NCHC)	`18(167th)
SJ	243	Alexander True	C	23	6-5/205	San Jose (AHL)	FA(7/18)
NYI	244	Reece Newkirk	C	19	5-11/175	Portland (WHL)	`19(147th)
Dal	245	Dawson Barteaux	D	20	6-0/180	RD-Wpg (WHL)	`18(168th)
Bos	246	Jack Ahcan	D	23	5-8/185	St. Cloud State (NCHC)	FA(3/20)
Det	247	Seth Barton	D	21	6-2/175	Mass-Lowell (HE)	`18(81st)
Fla	248	Max Gildon	D	21	6-3/190	New Hampshire (HE)	`17(66th)
Ari	249	Aku Raty	RW	19	6-0/175	Karpat Oulu (Fin)	`19(151st)
Wpg	250	David Gustafsson	C	20	6-1/195	Winnipeg (NHL)	`18(60th)

MCKEEN’S 2020 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS – ORGANIZATIONAL RANK: 27

Wed, 09 Sep 2020 15:57:24 +0000

Columbus Blue Jackets

Starting with the bad news, the Blue Jackets own only five picks in the 2020 draft, as their second round pick belongs to Ottawa as a remnant from the Ryan Dzingel trade last year while their third rounder will go to LA, via Ottawa and Toronto, stemming from the Ian Cole trade. There was a chance that Columbus would pick up an extra second rounder as a result of a conditional deal, but Markus Hannikainen did not play in ten games for the Arizona Coyotes this year (he didn’t play a single NHL game, in fact), so they are left with only a handful.

At least they still have their first rounder, though. The Blue Jackets have only had one first rounder in the past three draft classes (you can find his name first on the list below), and not only did they not pick on day one last year, but their entire draft class consisted of only three players, none picked in the top 100. So, we can state with some confidence that, should GM Jarmo Kekalainen not trade the pick, Columbus will likely find themselves with a new top prospect after the draft.

For optimists, we can note that Kekalainen has done a pretty good at the draft table since moderately stumbling with his first two draft classes in 2013 and 2014. And even that first class saw the team draft Alexander Wennberg and Oliver Bjorkstrand. The team has drafted well not just with their early picks (Pierre-Luc Dubois, Zach Werenski), but has also hit with some late rounders (Elvis Merzlikins, Vladislav Gavrikov, Markus Nutivaara). We also think enough of their three picks from last year, that each one has found a home in the current top 15.

For pessimists, noting that two fourth rounders and a seventh rounder from 12 months prior are all rated in the top 15 prospects of this team is also a consequence of having an empty shelf. One of those three, Russian winger Dmitri Voronkov looks like a genuine keeper, thanks to spending his entire age 19 season in the KHL and featuring an explosive performance at the WJC, but the other two are still very much considered depth prospects and would be likely not to make the cut on most other lists in this guide.

This lack of depth stems directly from the organization’s decision to go for broke last year. They traded away seven future draft picks (two of which will still be due after the 2020 draft is in the books), and a couple of solid prospects to give their team – middling as it was – a better chance in the 2019 postseason, acquiring Matt Duchene, Dzingel, Ian Cole, Adam McQuaid, and others, to strengthen their presumptive playoff push. The 2019 playoffs were critical for the organization as stars Sergei Bobrovsky and Artemi Panarin were both pending UFAs and neither was looking likely to return.

Now, teams do not typically raise banners for winning a playoff round, but it is also fair to note that Kekalainen’s ploy worked. The Blue Jackets won the franchise’s first ever playoff round, with perhaps the most stunning upset in the history of the NHL, sweeping the top seeded Tampa Bay Lightning. And with Bobrovsky and Panarin now gone, the team is still competitive, even if they lack the high-end skill players that most competitive teams seem to have in abundance.

Columbus will need to keep hitting on their late rounders and free talent pickups to remain competitive until they start keeping their full slate of draft picks again – or better yet, acquiring extra picks.

Liam Foudy of the London Knights. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Liam Foudy, C (18^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 1)

The captain of the London Knights had a terrific final year in the OHL that also saw him capture gold with Canada at the WJC’s, and play his first couple NHL games. With the progression he has shown and with a pro ready game, it is not unfathomable to believe that Foudy can step right into an NHL role next season without playing in the AHL.

Of course, the focal point of his game is his skating ability. A former track star, Foudy is electric on the ice, showing an explosiveness that would put him into the upper echelon of NHL players, let alone OHL players. What he did this year was learn to use that speed to be effective without the puck; a key to his development. He works hard to recover dump-ins, force turnovers on the forecheck, and apply pressure on the backcheck. One could now classify Foudy as a very complete two-way player.

Offensively, there may still be some limitations. His shot remains average. While his ability to maintain possession through cuts at top speed has improved, his vision and decision making can leave some to be desired. Turnovers can be a part of his game when he tries to force his way into the offensive zone or to the net.

While these issues may ultimately limit his NHL potential to that of middle six forward, he still projects as a very valuable player who can provide versatility to the Columbus coaching staff; something that was evident in his brief two game emergency call up this season. He should be able to play as a top penalty killer, and work to open up ice for his linemates. Bottom line; his pace of play will be a major asset in today’s NHL. - BO

Kirill Marchenko, LW (49^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 4)

One of the top young forwards in Russia, Marchenko is coming off a strong season that has helped to solidify his status as a top NHL prospect. He was one of the best rookies in the KHL, had a tremendous first round in the KHL playoffs, and was one of Russia’s best players at this year’s World Junior Championships. At 6-2”, he has the size and skill package which all NHL teams are looking for from potential top six wingers.

As an offensive player, Marchenko is the complete package. He skates well, especially when it comes to using his edgework to create shooting opportunities. He has the skill and creativity to play through traffic and be consistently dangerous. His shot is high end. He sees the ice well as a playmaker. He is simply a very well-rounded offensive player. When the puck is not on his stick, that is where Marchenko’s game will need to grow before he can become an impact NHL player.

Improving his engagement level in all three zones and improving his awareness defensively will be key to his development and it will be interesting to see if he can round out his game in the KHL over the next few seasons. He recently signed an extension in the KHL with SKA that will keep him in the KHL until after the 2021-22 season. Columbus fans will need to be patient; however the wait could be worth it as it is highly likely that Marchenko is ready to step into a top six role for 2022-23. - BO

COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 12: Andrew Peek #2 of the Columbus Blue Jackets (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images)

Andrew Peeke, D (34^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 8)

During the 2020 playoffs it was evident that the Blue Jackets were reliant on two main defensemen in Seth Jones and Zach Werenski, seeing as how Jones played around thirty minutes or more per game. The Jackets could use some fresher young talent and that is where former Notre Dame captain, defenseman Andrew Peeke comes into play. Peeke is a big bodied blueliner capable of playing both a strong offensive game and a good defensive game. Although not completely offensively minded, he knows when to pinch low or when to jump in on a play which is what makes him fit in perfectly with the way Columbus’ defensive system is structured.

He can shoot and has a good eye for making lead passes and back door plays allowing him to both start a rush and finish one as well. Peeke can play it a little too safe at times, preferring to stay in one spot on the blueline instead of keeping mobile, which could help his vision and give him more passing options. Keeping his feet moving and straying away from one horizontal line will be his go-to improvement project and once he acts on it, he should be able to gain more confidence and up his assists column a little. Peeke is an asset on the blueline, with size, a shot, and a good head on his shoulders. He would make a good permanent addition to the Blue Jackets bottom four at some point in the near future. - SC

Dmitri Voronkov, LW (114^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

Voronkov earned a regular spot in the KHL in 2019-20 after spending the majority of his previous season in the VHL, the second-highest Russian league. His ice-time increased as the KHL season progressed and he averaged almost 13 minutes per game by the playoffs. The big-bodied center plays a solid two-way game. He moves surprisingly well given his frame, especially in a straight line. He is a powerful skater and tough to stop when he accelerates with the puck. He has a long reach and uses his body well to protect the puck, not only along the boards and in the corners, but also when taking pucks towards the net. It is difficult to take the puck away from him when he is skating at full speed.

He provides excellent net front presence and scores many of his goals from point blank range. He also finishes his checks with regularity. He is purposeful and gets to the areas that matter. He plays an active game away from the puck and takes away time and space from opponents. Offensively he keeps his game rather simple and does not try to complicate things. He is not particularly creative or flashy, but he has skill to make plays and contribute. Voronkov’s style of play seems perfectly suited for North American rinks – it will be interesting to monitor his development as he begins his second KHL season with Ak Bars Kazan. The Columbus Blue Jackets should be very excited about the progress of their fourth-round pick. - MB

COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 13: Trey Fix-Wolansky #64 of the Columbus Blue Jackets (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images)

Trey Fix-Wolansky, RW (204^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 9)

Based on size alone, Fix-Wolansky can be compared to a younger Alex DeBrincat due to their small, compact size and agile skating ability, although the Blue Jackets prospect is actually a little smaller than the Blackhawks’ scoring winger. Fix-Wolansky may be small, but he packs quite the punch when it comes to carrying the puck and finding open space. He has made the proper adjustments to his offensive game in order to know what works for him when with the puck or without. He skates well, has good hands and has the hockey sense to make him a threat and keep him safe when on the forecheck.

He is also capable of scoring equally as much as setting up scoring chances for his teammates, which is part of what makes him so fun to watch. Fix-Wolansky’s +/- suffered this past season with the AHL Cleveland Monsters during his rookie season as he adjusted to the speed at which offensive plays are made. He will need to keep his feet moving and stay sharper in his own end when it comes to next season in order to improve his overall game and production.

He is a testament to the fact that successful players do not all embody one mold, and that skill and hockey sense play a much bigger role than size in the modern game. With the right determination and improvements in his defensive game, Fix-Wolansky could see some ice time as part of the Blue Jackets bottom six as early as next season which is quite the feat for a seventh round pick, no matter how tall. - SC

Daniil Tarasov, G (86^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 18)

Tarasov is an athletic goalie who relies a lot on his quick reflexes. He has quick legs and moves well across the crease but needs to develop the technical side of his game. When the play is more at the other end of the ice and there are fewer shots, he occasionally allows some soft goals. Tarasov has a lot of ability and potential, but he will need a strong goalie coach who puts in the work to help him improve upon his weaknesses. - MB

Matiss Edmunds Kivlenieks, G (Undrafted Free Agent, signed May 25, 2017. 2019 Rank: UR)

As a backup goaltender in the AHL, Kivlenieks did well in a part-time role, interestingly, his early-season crease-mate was one of the only other Latvian players and goalies in the NHL system. Kivlenieks is not the biggest goaltender size-wise but he knows how to cover his net and has a good head on his shoulders when it comes to positioning and being able to anticipate plays. He remains calm and collected in high stress situations and is capable of keeping a relatively level head after a bad goal or bad play.

He will have to work a little on playing the puck and getting across the crease faster in terms of his pushing and strength. However, he still has a bright future ahead of him and tough competition as a rising goaltender in Columbus’ system, so much so that his play has elicited rumors that the organization could deal away one of their NHL netminders to give Kivlenieks a bigger chance. With his determination and focus he can certainly become a starting goalie at some point, opportunity-permitting. - SC

Veini Vehvilainen, G (173^rd overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 7)

A weak point is Vehilainen’s reliance on his lateral movement, meaning that he sometimes finds himself already down in the butterfly position before a shot has even hit him. He will need to rely on his experience and be more patient as to not jump on too many plays or over-compensate in any way. As the Cleveland Monsters starter last season, Vehvilainen has all the tools and had ice time he needs to grow into a starting goaltender for Columbus in the future as well. - SC

Calvin Thurkauf, C/LW (185^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: UR)

Thurkauf is a big forward whose ability to get to the net and find passing or shooting lanes is what makes him stand out. He needs to round out his game a bit more and find leverage in being more creative in his own end but overall, he offers enough to a team for there to be no complaints. That being said, Thurkauf could definitely find himself called up as a member of the Columbus bottom six and hold his own should the team re-assert its contractual rights to the hulking forward and bring him back in a post-pandemic world. - SC

Tyler Angle, C (212^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 16)

With greater confidence, he was able to be the focal point for Windsor’s attack on a lot of nights. His creativity and puck skill are high and he keeps his feet moving without the puck, always hunting down scoring chances. For Angle, and the entire Windsor roster for that matter, it is simply about sustaining production and effectiveness over longer stretches. Going into his overage season, Angle’s production should increase again as he continues to get stronger, quicker, and more confident. His projection remains as a middle six playmaker. - BO

Ryan MacInnis, C/RW (Trade: Jul. 18, 2018. Originally: 43^rd overall, 2014 [Arizona]. 2019 Rank: UR)

Next season will be the year for MacInnis, who is coming up on aging out of prospect eligibility and running short on time to make an impact enough to earn an NHL roster spot. This past season, he finally made an impact and was pushed hard enough by management to produce for the Cleveland Monsters and prove to the Columbus staff that he deserved a chance. He finished second in team points for Cleveland and earned time on both special teams’ units, predominantly their powerplay, where his playmaking ability was on full display.

Although not the fastest or most skillful player to watch, MacInnis is a big body and a hard forward to stop when he has the puck. He is a good two-way player and contributes well in all areas of the ice. That being said he would do well to put the finishing touches on his potential to earn a bottom six spot with the Blue Jackets. - SC

Tim Berni, D (159^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 13)

A heads up puck mover with strong skating ability, Berni lacks the dynamic skill set to be much more than a decent #5 at the NHL level, and his point shot all but precludes usage on the power play, but he plays a mature enough game that he could be trusted to eat his share of minutes and not need to be shielded against tougher competition. He should also be tested on the PK, where he played regularly for the Swiss WJC team and where he could provide more value to his team. - RW

Marcus Karlberg, RW/LW (80^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 15)

The SHL team, on the other hand, was a bottom team with pressured coaches who preferred playing veterans. Karlberg was loaned out to Allsvenskan, but to by far worst team in Allsvenskan and had a tough time there as well. He was also cut for the Swedish WJC roster.

Karlberg has nice hands and speed. He plays a bit too much on the outside but is a good playmaker and he has a good shot. I don’t see top six forward potential but with good work ethic I can see being a good third line winger and penalty killer with his speed. He has an SHL contract in place for next season. - JH

Eric Hjorth, D (104^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 20)

It will be very interesting to see how much his game can progress next season as he is now fully healthy and should have a greater confidence level due to his familiarity with the league and his teammates. Given the raw nature of his game, he is a long ways away from making an impact in the NHL, but as mentioned, he possesses the potential to be a second or third pairing defender somewhere down the line if his game continues to improve and evolve. - BO

Jake Christiansen, D (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 4, 2020. 2019 Rank: IE)

he positives are his impressive shot rate at just over 5 shots per game, his continuous improvement in all metrics: goals/game, assist/game, points/game, and minutes/game across each season, showing a steady growth pattern throughout his junior career. He does not have a dynamic aspect to his game. He plays a good brand of physical hockey; he is a decent play maker and has a pretty good shot. He is a project that will need to round out his overall game with a few seasons in the minors before the NHL becomes a possibility. - VG

2020 World Junior Championship Recap: Quarter-Finals

Derek O'Brien — Fri, 03 Jan 2020 12:21:59 +0000

OSTRAVA, CZECH REPUBLIC - JANUARY 2: Canada's Joe Veleno #9, Alexis Lafreniere #11, Calen Addison #3 and Jacob Bernard-Docker #5 look on during the Canadian national anthem following a 6-1 quarterfinal round win against Slovakia at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship at Ostravar Arena on January 2, 2020 in Ostrava, Czech Republic. (Photo by Andrea Cardin/HHOF-IIHF Images)

It was the busiest day of the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship – the only day with all 10 teams in action. Eight played in the quarter-finals while two squared off in the relegation series. Russia, Canada, Finland and Sweden all advanced to the final four with quarter-final wins.

Russia was the favourite against Switzerland, but the Swiss are still a team that nobody wanted in the quarters and they gave a tough battle. Diminutive goaltender Luca Hollenstein, who famously shut out Sweden in last year’s quarters, was solid and stopped 33 of 36 shots, but that wasn’t enough as Russia prevailed 3-1. At the other end, Yaroslav Askarov didn’t have a difficult day and stopped 14 of 15. After a tough start to the tournament, the projected top-10 pick has reclaimed his position as Russia’s starting goalie but he’s yet to stand on his head and steal a game for his team. He might have to in the next game.

After getting blanked over the team’s first three games, the Russian power play is now on fire with three goals on Tuesday against Germany and two more today.

Slovakia played Canada strong for one period and trailed by just a goal, but the Canadians broke the game open in the second with four goals and were dominant. Barrett Hayton led the way with two goals and an assist, while Alexis Lafreniere, Dylan Cozens, Calen Addison and Jamie Drysdale had two points each.

After two games off, Lafreniere showed no ill signs of the injury he suffered against Russia which initially looked scary. His hard forechecking led to Addison’s game-opening goal.

“No, I was just playing my game,” Lafreniere answered when asked if he felt different than normal. “A couple of days ago I felt better and when I went back on the ice it felt good.”

After Nolan Foote was assessed a five minute major and game misconduct for checking to the head, head coach Dale Hunter was forced to juggle his forward lines and put his two London Knights, Connor McMichael and Liam Foudy together.

“Dale knows my game well so he knows what players I play well with,” said McMichael, who scored his third goal of the tournament early in the second period. “He’s good at switching up lines and finding new chemistry and he did a great job with that.”

About not getting as much ice time as he’s used to in London, McMichael said: “Sometimes it’s tough sitting on the bench and you’ve just gotta keep yourself in the game but you’ve always gotta be ready in case somebody goes down or there’s a penalty. When you’re out there, you wanna show that you deserve more ice time.”

In possibly the most anticipated game – a rematch of last year’s final in Vancouver – Finland got a goal from U.S.-born Joonas Oden early in the third period and that’s all they needed. Colorado Avalanche prospect Justus Annunen made 30 saves for the shutout.

In the last quarter-final, Sweden’s dynamic duo of Samuel Fagemo and Nils Höglander kept up the pace. Höglander scored twice – both assisted by Fagemo and defenceman Rasmus Sandin – and Hugo Alnefelt made 23 saves in a 5-0 shutout win over the Czech Republic.

“Two super good players I play with and we have some chemistry, so it feels good,” Hoglander said of himself with Fagemo and Winnipeg Jets centre David Gustafsson.

Hoglander, a Vancouver Canucks prospect, has scored some incredible goals this tournament and some of his goal celebrations get just as much attention. His first goal this game was on a rebound on the power play, after which he made a “shush” gesture with his finger to silence the home crowd.

“Yeah, that was a little bit bad from me but we had the fans against us,” he admitted afterward. “It was fun to play in front of so many people.”

In Saturday’s semi-finals, Sweden will take on Russia, followed by Canada against Finland.

In Thursday’s other game – the first of a best-of-three relegation series – after a sleepy, scoreless first period between Germany and Kazakhstan, the Germans woke up and dominated the last 40 minutes, winning 4-0. They now need one more win in the best-of-three to stay up in the top division. The loser will be replaced by Austria at next year’s tournament in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta.

Liam Foudy – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2023-24 NHL YEARBOOK – COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS – Team Preview – Player Profiles

Forwards

Johnny Gaudreau – LW

Patrik Laine – RW

Boone Jenner - C

Kent Johnson – LW

Kirill Marchenko – RW

Jack Roslovic – C

Emil Bemstrom – LW

Cole Sillinger - C

Alexandre Texier – RW

Defense

Zach Werenski – D

Ivan Provorov – D

Damon Severson – D

Andrew Peeke - D

Goaltending

Elvis Merzlikins - G

MCKEEN’S 2022-23 NHL YEARBOOK – COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS – Top 20 Prospects

2021-22 NHL ROOKIES AND SECOND YEAR BREAKOUT CANDIDATES

2021-22 TOP 15 PROSPECTS: COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS – RANK: #17 – TIER III

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

McKeen’s 2020-21 Hockey Yearbook: Columbus Blue Jackets Top 20 Prospects

Liam Foudy, C (18th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 1)

Kirill Marchenko, LW (49th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 2)

Andrew Peeke, D (34th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 3)

Dmitri Voronkov, LW (114th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 4)

Trey Fix-Wolansky, RW (204th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 5)

Daniil Tarasov, G (86th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 6)

Matiss Edmunds Kivlenieks, G (Undrafted Free Agent, signed May 25, 2017. Previous ranking: 7)

Yegor Chinakhov, RW (21st overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Veini Vehvilainen, G (173rd overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 8)

Calvin Thurkauf, C/LW (185th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 9)

Tyler Angle, C (212th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 10)

Ryan MacInnis, C/RW (Trade: Jul. 18, 2018. Originally: 43rd overall, 2014 [Arizona]. Previous ranking: 11)

Tim Berni, D (159th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 12)

Marcus Karlberg, RW/LW (80th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 13)

Eric Hjorth, D (104th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 14)

Jake Christiansen, D (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 4, 2020. Previous ranking: 15)

Kole Sherwood, RW (Undrafted Free Agent: Jul. 7, 2015. Previous ranking: 17)

Samuel Johannesson, D (176th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Samuel Knazko, D (78th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Ole Bjorgvik Holm, D (145th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

MCKEENS 2020 NHL PROSPECT REPORT: Top 20 Potential Prospect Breakouts in 2020-21

Kirill Kaprizov, LW - Minnesota Wild

Igor Shestyorkin, G - New York Rangers

Alexis Lafreniere, LW - 2020 Draft

Trevor Zegras, C - Anaheim Ducks

Ilya Sorokin, G - New York Islanders

Mikko Lehtonen, D - Toronto Maple Leafs

Gabe Vilardi, C - LA Kings

Alex Turcotte, C - LA Kings

Scott Perunovich, D – St. Louis Blues

Drake Batherson, C/RW - Ottawa Senators

Erik Brannstrom, D - Ottawa Senators

Evan Bouchard, D - Edmonton Oilers

Connor McMichael, C - Washington Capitals

Owen Tippett, LW/RW - Florida Panthers

Liam Foudy, C - Columbus Blue Jackets

Rasmus Sandin, D - Toronto Maple Leafs

Juuso Valimaki, D - Calgary Flames

Jake Bean, D - Carolina Hurricanes

Morgan Frost, C - Philadelphia Flyers

John Leonard, LW - San Jose Sharks

MCKEENS 2020 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT – TOP 250 PROSPECTS

MCKEEN’S 2020 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS – ORGANIZATIONAL RANK: 27

Columbus Blue Jackets

Liam Foudy, C (18th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 1)

Kirill Marchenko, LW (49th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 4)

Andrew Peeke, D (34th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 8)

Dmitri Voronkov, LW (114th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

Trey Fix-Wolansky, RW (204th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 9)

Daniil Tarasov, G (86th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 18)

Matiss Edmunds Kivlenieks, G (Undrafted Free Agent, signed May 25, 2017. 2019 Rank: UR)

Veini Vehvilainen, G (173rd overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 7)

Calvin Thurkauf, C/LW (185th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: UR)

Tyler Angle, C (212th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 16)

Ryan MacInnis, C/RW (Trade: Jul. 18, 2018. Originally: 43rd overall, 2014 [Arizona]. 2019 Rank: UR)

Tim Berni, D (159th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 13)

Liam Foudy, C (18^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 1)

Kirill Marchenko, LW (49^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 2)

Andrew Peeke, D (34^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 3)

Dmitri Voronkov, LW (114^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 4)

Trey Fix-Wolansky, RW (204^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 5)

Daniil Tarasov, G (86^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 6)

Yegor Chinakhov, RW (21^st overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Veini Vehvilainen, G (173^rd overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 8)

Calvin Thurkauf, C/LW (185^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 9)

Tyler Angle, C (212^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 10)

Ryan MacInnis, C/RW (Trade: Jul. 18, 2018. Originally: 43^rd overall, 2014 [Arizona]. Previous ranking: 11)

Tim Berni, D (159^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 12)

Marcus Karlberg, RW/LW (80^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 13)

Eric Hjorth, D (104^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 14)

Samuel Johannesson, D (176^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Samuel Knazko, D (78^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Ole Bjorgvik Holm, D (145^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Liam Foudy, C (18^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 1)

Kirill Marchenko, LW (49^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 4)

Andrew Peeke, D (34^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 8)

Dmitri Voronkov, LW (114^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

Trey Fix-Wolansky, RW (204^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 9)

Daniil Tarasov, G (86^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 18)

Veini Vehvilainen, G (173^rd overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 7)

Calvin Thurkauf, C/LW (185^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: UR)

Tyler Angle, C (212^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 16)

Ryan MacInnis, C/RW (Trade: Jul. 18, 2018. Originally: 43^rd overall, 2014 [Arizona]. 2019 Rank: UR)

Tim Berni, D (159^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 13)

Marcus Karlberg, RW/LW (80^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 15)

Eric Hjorth, D (104^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 20)