Linus Lindstrom – McKeen's Hockey

Sweden: 2019-20 Season Preview

Jimmy Hamrin — Wed, 16 Oct 2019 14:13:49 +0000

The 2019-20 season in Sweden started around one month ago, and in this piece, we will give you a look on what to expect and what to look out for as the season progresses. Who are the contenders at the SHL, Allsvenskan, and SuperElit levels? Who are the top prospects playing in Sweden? Are there any 2020 draft candidates getting significant time on ice in the SHL already?

ORNSKOLDSVKIK, SWEDEN - APRIL 28: Sweden's Lucas Raymond #26 celebrates with Karl Henriksson #20 and Alexander Holtz #27 after scoring a third period goal on Team Russia during the gold medal game of the 2019 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship at Fjallraven Center on April 28, 2019 in Ornskoldsvkik, Sweden. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/HHOF-IIHF Images)

SHL

Championship contenders

Frolunda - The reigning champions are a strong team this season as well. 32-year-old former NCAA-star, Ryan Lasch will be the offensive superstar on the team and in the league this season as well. The 5-7” former Hobey Baker nominee has made a strong European career and is a lethal weapon on the power play. There, he has good chemistry with veteran center and former NHLer Joel Lundqvist (twin brother to Henrik). Another big weapon on Frolunda’s team is winger Samuel Fagemo, who the LA Kings drafted this past summer. He scored 14 goals last season and is looking like a player who will go over 20 goals this season. The team is stacked with former or current NHL prospects like Johan Sundstrom, Max Friberg, Brandon Gormley, Rhett Rakshani, Julius Bergman, Jacob Moverare, and others, making them a strong SHL team. The most exciting to player to look out for though, is 17-year-old Lucas Raymond who plays regularly on a middle six-role for the club. His progression during this season will be very interesting to follow.

Djurgarden - Djurgarden established themselves as a contender last season and with the addition of former NHL center Patrik Berglund, they are definitely a contender this season. Berglund is coming back from a time out from hockey after he left Buffalo last year and terminated his NHL contract. Djurgarden also have other veteran players who have played in the NHL including Niklas Svedberg, Jason Garrison, Jacob Josefson, Tom Wandell and Niclas Bergfors. Prospect wise, Djurgarden is also very interesting. It looks like they might lose 18-year-old defenseman Tobias Bjornfot though, as he has started the year playing in the NHL with the LA Kings. We will know more after 9 NHL games if he comes back or not. Detroit drafted teenager, Albin Grewe is playing full time with the team as well as 2020 draft eligible star, Alexander Holtz. Other prospects to watch are Olle Alsing (OTT), Simon Johansson (MIN), Robin Norell (EDM) and Erik Walli Watherholm (ARI).

Farjestad - Farjestad has a strong team, without any big stars. Victor Ejdsell who was with the Chicago Blackhawks organization last year and is back for this season is one of the team’s key pieces. Michael Lindqvist, who had a short period with the NY Rangers organization last season, keeps on producing well at the SHL level. In goal they have veteran Markus Svensson who has been one of the best goalies in this league for many years now. Backing him up, Winnipeg Jets prospect Arvid Holm is getting his first chance at the SHL level. The biggest prospect on the roster is Detroit Red Wings 2019 pick, Albert Johansson. He isn’t a regular yet but has impressed in the games he has played and may earn a full-time spot soon.

Lulea - There is a “good news/bad news”-situation going on in Lulea so far. The good news is that NY Rangers defenseman prospect Nils Lundkvist has started the season exceptionally well. He is, in fact, the team’s leading scorer as of this writing. The bad news is that Pittsburgh prospect Filip Hallander, who also started well, has been sidelined with a long-term injury due to a broken foot. The team is quite strong and they are among the favorites to win if they can put it all together. Among the stars they have former NHLer Erik Gustafsson, former Hobey Baker winner in Jack Connolly and former AHLers Robin Kovacs and Petter Emanuelsson. Jesper Sellgren (CAR) is another interesting prospect to watch. 2020 draft eligible forward Noel Gunler is playing fourth line minutes, with hopefully the chance of earning more ice time along the way.

Skelleftea - Another prospect strong team. In their SHL roster Philip Broberg (EDM), Jonatan Berggren (DET), Albin Eriksson (DAL), Linus Lindstrom (CGY) and Filip Berglund (EDM) are all playing regularly with the team. The team as a whole still relies heavily on their veteran scorers in Joakim Lindstrom and Oscar Moller (both with NHL experience) to carry the offense. For the prospects, Berggren and Broberg have both started impressively and will be very interesting to follow throughout the season. They both have the potential to be difference makers already this season.

Allsvenskan

Championship contenders

Modo - A big club and historically a big talent producer (Peter Forsberg, Markus Naslund, The Sedins, Victor Hedman, etc.) is playing in Allsvenskan for the fourth consecutive season since being demoted. The team has two interesting players to follow. One is NHL veteran Tobias Enstrom, who is home for the second season for the purpose of helping to get the club back to the SHL. The other one is Montreal prospect Mattias Norlinder, who plays a big role for this team and is looking more and more like a future NHL-defenseman.

Timra - Another big talent producer (Henrik Zetterberg, Mats Naslund, Fredrik Modin, Elias Pettersson, etc.) is back in Allsvenskan after getting demoted last season. They have received a big boost in their bid to return to the top flight, as San Jose prospect Jonathan Dahlen is back with his former team. He wasn’t happy with his situation in North America and felt that the Sharks roster was tough to break into, so he is back home to continue working on his development. Early on, he has been dominating the league with over two points per game.

SuperElit

Championship contenders

Frolunda J20 - Frolunda is probably the most successful organization over the last decade when it comes to developing under 20 talents. They have a strong hockey academy with great facilities. This season their biggest stars are forwards Karl Henriksson (NYR) and Elmer Soderblom (DET). Their best draft eligible players to watch are center Theodor Niederbach and defenseman Theo Nordlund. They also have a strong 2021-group coming on with Fabian Lysell, Simon Edvinsson and Liam Dower Nilsson who all could have first round-potential.

HV71 J20 - Top ranked 2020-players in Zion Nybeck and Emil Andrae are the main players to watch on this talented team in addition to the already drafted Hugo Alnefelt (TBL) who will be splitting games between this team and the SHL team. They have lost last year’s best player in Simon Holmstrom to Bridgeport in AHL.

Leksand J20 - Leksand is destroying the northern division of SuperElit so far. They have won every game and are +54 over 12 games. They have a good team and play a great brand of hockey. Most fun to watch is 2021-prospect Isak Rosén who has the skills and hockey sense to be a top pick in next year’s draft. For 2020, forward Emil Heineman will be interesting to follow as he has started the season with 15 goals over the first 12 games. Columbus prospect Marcus Karlberg is also back with the team after a period on loan to Allsvenskan.

Linkoping J20 - A talented team with Vancouver-prospect Arvid Costmar as a big star and with strong 2019-snubbs in Albert Lyckasen and Marcus Pedersen, who both will have a shot of being drafted 2020 instead. There are also a lot of interesting 2020-eligible players like Elliot Ekmark, Daniel Ljungman and Mateusz Szurowski.

Top NHL drafted prospects to watch

Philip Broberg (Edmonton) - A flashy defenseman who has already wowed the SHL crowd more than once. He plays a regular role on the Skelleftea defense and looks to be only one season from an NHL debut. His physical attributes with tremendous skating and good puck skills makes him very watchable.

Victor Soderstrom (Arizona) - Back with Brynas after spending training camp with Arizona. The smart defenseman will hopefully one of the best defenseman on his team and provide stability and better puck-moving as the team is struggling right now.

Nils Lundqvist (NY Rangers) - The skilled puckmover has been really impressive at the start of this season. He was very good at the summer showcase for Sweden’s U20 team and has been a force for Lulea in SHL action so far.

Mattias Norlinder (Montreal) - Another Swedish super skating defenseman. Norlinder has arguably been Modo’s best player over the beginning of the season and shows a lot of offense to his tremendous skating ability. This looks to be a very strong pick by the Canadiens.

Samuel Fagemo (Los Angeles) - Goal scorer Fagemo hasn’t disappointed after coming back from the LA Kings training camp. He is doing what he does best, and that is scoring goals and creating chances on his own. He is fun to watch that way. I still have questions on him becoming a top six forward in the NHL but at the SHL level he is really good as a 19-year-old.

Jonathan Dahlén (San Jose) - Dahlén has dominated in Allsvenskan at the start of the season. His offensive looks to be more dynamic as he has been as much (or maybe even more) of a playmaker than a goal scorer so far. He creates chances and shows his strong skills in a league he is too good to play in.

Dominik Bokk (Carolina) - Bokk was traded to Carolina earlier this fall and he is playing a regular role with Rogle which currently sits as the top team in the league. They are a surprise team at the top but they look solid so far. Bokk is getting power play time but has struggled with his production early on. He has the skills but I am starting to question his overall hockey sense. He is very interesting to watch.

Albert Johansson (Detroit) - He has put up two points in his four games with Farjestad and I hope he can earn a full-time spot. Johansson is very smart, and we ranked him very high in or draft preview last season due to that intelligence. I can see a rocket-like development trajectory this or next season for him.

Jonatan Berggren (Detroit) - After an injury-filled last season, Berggren seems to be up for good this season with five points in his first 10 games. Berggren is a smart 19 year-old and puck skilled winger with a lot of speed to his game.

Nils Hoglander (Vancouver) - The speedy and creative winger Hoglander plays on the same line as Dominik Bokk for the surprising Rogle. He has three points and a suspension for an ugly elbow so far this season. He is always fun to watch with his strong board play and creative solutions. Still a question mark if he is dynamic enough to become a top six winger in the NHL, though.

HM: Olle Lycksell (PHI), Samuel Ersson (PHI), Filip Hallander (PIT), Hugo Alnefelt (TBL).

Top 2020 NHL draft prospects to watch

Lucas Raymond, Frolunda - A scoring machine who has been quite quiet in the SHL at the start of the season. He plays a middle six role on a stacked team and has three points. He hasn’t dominated in games like we are used to in junior and international hockey. I expect him to explode soon.

Alexander Holtz, Djurgarden - Holtz has been adapting to the SHL level quickly and has played an offensive role for his team. He has been creating chances and has four points (3 goals) through 8 games. He went down and played one game in SuperElit this weekend and scored a hattrick in a 4-3 win.

Noel Gunler, Lulea - A tough player to scout right now. He hasn’t been picked for international games and plays 6-7 minutes a game in the SHL with almost no playing time with the junior team (1 game – 3 points). You can see flashes of smart plays in the SHL though as he is strong in attacking the net and finding spaces for creating scoring chances.

Emil Andrae, HV71 J20 - A skilled and smart defenseman with first round potential. Was Sweden’s best defenseman at the Hlinka Gretzky in august. He plays regularly with the junior team but may get a chance in the SHL as well. In junior he has started off with 14 points in 12 games.

Zion Nybeck, HV71 J20 - A gifted scorer with a smallish frame. Nybeck plays full-time with the junior team so far but I can see him getting chances at senior level as well. He is technically very skilled and entertaining to watch.

Theodor Niederbach, Frolunda J20
Daniel Ljungman, Linkoping J20
Elliott Ekmark, Linkoping J20
Helge Grans, Malmo J20
Emil Heineman, Leksands J20
Leo Loof, Farjestad J20
Mateusz Szurowski, Linkoping J20
Isak Garfve, Mora
Theo Nordlund, Frolunda J20
William Wallinder, Modo J20

Calgary Flames Prospect System Overview

Tom Dorsa — Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:26:35 +0000

With the trade that sent Dougie Hamilton and Michael Ferland to Carolina, the retirement of fan-favorite Jarome Iginla, and the departure of Adam Fox -- the second-ranked prospect on the McKeen's list last season -- the offseason was equal parts difficult and eventful for fans of the Calgary Flames. Luckily enough, the aforementioned Hamilton trade executed at the NHL Draft proved to supporters that management is ready to win, which is a welcome sight in the prime talent window of league superstars Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan.

Signing top-six winger James Neal was another step in the right direction. But, as other franchises have proved, trying with all your might to win in a selected time frame can drain the depth of your farm system just like that. With late-round draft picks moved away and the inevitable trades of prospects for deadline rentals, farm system depth can dwindle in the blink of an eye.

Regardless, the Flames have -- especially from the blueline back -- a stout core of NHL-ready prospects prepared to make a difference in Calgary. If the goal in Cowtown is to compete for a Stanley Cup right now, it's clear the incoming farmhands will be able to provide support for their stars. The Flames are kind of unorthodox in their drafting methods, choosing high ceiling defenders and goaltenders over serviceable forwards.

Most teams, especially in the size-dominated Pacific Division, will build their team from the forwards down, hoping to use heavy forwards to dominate offensively and not have to worry much about preventing goals. Calgary may have caught lightning in a bottle in their defensive prospect core (Juuso Valimaki, Rasmus Andersson, Oliver Kylington) and also have two potential number-one goaltenders (Jon Gillies, Tyler Parsons) cooking in the minors. Not many other franchises can say the same, especially inside of Calgary's division.

What is really impressive about the Calgary farm system is its Western Hockey League presence. With Valimaki, Dillon Dube, Matthew Phillips, Glenn Gawdin, and others, it shows that the Flames know the importance of good scouting even in, essentially, their own backyard. Nabbing guys comfortable with the environment and the regional culture will help mightily in reaching the postseason again.

Juuso Valimaki

1 Juuso Valimaki, D (16th overall, 2017. Last year: 1st) Calgary's 2017 first-rounder was taken primarily because of his size and defensive-zone play. After his last two seasons in the WHL, the point-per-game two-way defender has evidently rounded his game out to new degrees. Possessing otherworldly pure skill and NHL-ready rink senses, it was only a matter of time before the top Flames prospect reached his potential. He's a strong skater who doesn't shy away from physicality at every opportunity, and has already proven that he's ready to take the next step.

2 Dillon Dube, C (56th overall, 2016. Last year: 7th) Seen before his electric 2017-18 season as mostly a third-line, rough-and-tumble guy, Dillon Dube lit the Kelowna Rockets roster up with offensive capabilities that he had not previously shown. The captain of Team Canada at the World Junior Championship, Dube plays with an infectious energy and hustle but also has impressive offensive refinement, including great puck senses, tremendous acceleration, and an ever-improving variety of shot tools. His rink vision and use of his linemates still needs improvement, but the undersized forward is improving in that regard.

3 Andrew Mangiapane, LW (166th overall, 2015. Last year: 11th) Andrew Mangiapane was a no-risk, potentially high-reward player out of the OHL in 2015, and now the Flames are getting a massive return on their investment. An offensive catalyst at Barrie, Mangiapane has carried that same production into the AHL, but he's doing it differently. His skating lags, and therefore his finesse game is where his value sprouts; Mangiapane is an intense and versatile player with plus vision and a rapid shot. He could be a solid, above-average bottom-six winger in the NHL, and do it now.

4 Rasmus Andersson, D (53rd overall, 2015. Last year: 9th) From the same draft and from the same junior team as Mangiapane, Rasmus Andersson is part of that Grade A defensive prospect core we mentioned in the intro. Andersson is a puck-moving dynamo, and the AHL All-Star uses his uber-fast hands and exceptional vision to play that way, coupling his puck play with a splendid shot. Andersson is relatively short, but packs a punch in his checking and can take a beating to make a play. He could be a much better skater given his agility and quick feet, but his stockiness holds him back.

Jon Gillies

5 Jon Gillies, G (75th overall, 2012. Last year: 6th) They say it takes goaltenders a little longer to develop. Jon Gillies, a 24-year-old drafted back in 2012, is a good example of that, and why it can be worth it in the end. At 6-6", Gillies is able to use his length and big frame to leave shooters little to aim at. He always stays square to shooters and has a very reflexive, athletic style for someone his size. His short NHL stint last season left a lot to be desired, but he's been dynamite at the AHL level for a franchise that really needs a goalie to take the reigns.

6 Matthew Phillips, C (166th overall, 2016. Last year: 17th) Standing at 5-7", Matthew Phillips will always be a player who has to prove he belongs, regardless of where or how he's performing. Luckily for the prolific scoring center, this is the club that made Johnny Gaudreau a superstar. Philllips is a wonderful skater, has a blazing shot with more weight behind it than someone his size would normally be able to generate, and possesses remarkable vision for playmaking. After a 112-point season in the WHL, Phillips is proving -- as someone heavily overlooked in his draft year -- that he's a pro-caliber player and will make the jump this season.

7 Spencer Foo, RW (UDFA: Jul. 1. 2017. Last year: 4th) An undrafted college winger, Spencer Foo chose to turn pro with the Flames organization and instantly made an impact at the AHL level with Stockton. Foo's great speed and creativity with the puck makes him difficult to defend when he enters the offensive zone, and his plus strength and puck-shielding abilities for his size make him hard to take off the puck. He's got a natural knack for compiling points, but needs to work on his defensive game. Otherwise, he's mature enough to compete in the NHL right now.

8 Tyler Parsons, G (54th overall, 2016. Last year: 5th) One of the top goaltending prospects in hockey, Tyler Parsons is insanely athletic, a naturally intense competitor, and has smarts that go beyond his years. The 2017 WJC Gold Medalist is not a fundamentally refined netminder, but that's the beauty of his game; he's a master scrambler with Dominik Hasek-like freeranging reflexes. His size is below average and his gameplay style doesn't help him appear bigger, but his speed, reflexes, and play-reading capabilities are enough to compensate for the exciting young gun.

9 Glenn Gawdin, C (UFA: Nov. 16, 2017. Last year: IE) After Gawdin's draft team, the Blues, left the dynamic WHL pivot unsigned, the Flames found a diamond in the rough when they invited the Swift Current Bronco to development camp and later inked him to an Entry Level contract. What they get is a silky smooth offensive center with skating agility, a fantastic shot, and a gift for making plays happen from scratch. The only concern is if his point totals are natural or inflated due to talent on his line (Tyler Steenbergen and Aleksi Heponiemi), but we'll find out with a top-six AHL role coming in 2018-19.

Oliver Kylington

10 Oliver Kylington, D (60th overall, 2015. Last year: 8th) A smooth-skating offensive defenseman, Oliver Kylington fell on draft boards in 2015 and landed with the Flames. In a system rich with defensemen, he has been just fine, finishing his third year with AHL Stockton and now looking primed to compete for a job in Calgary this season. He skates supremely well, shows flashes of puck-moving brilliance and is generally reliable in that facet of the game. He also has a wicked shot that seemingly always ends up on goal. He needs to put the "defense" in "defenseman," though, but has gotten increasingly better off the puck over his AHL career.

11 Yasin Ehliz, RW (UDFA: Jun. 11, 2018. Last year: IE) A star on Germany's silver medal team from the Pyeongchang Olympics, Ehliz signed with the Flames this offseason for his first taste of North American hockey. The 25-year-old is a relatively unknown prospect on this side of the Atlantic, but combines solid rink senses, a good shot, and a tricky separation gear with a pretty strong upper-body for his size (5-10", 165 lbs). His size is against him, and adjusting to the smaller ice size in the U.S. and Canada could be a challenge without an imposing physical stance, but the Flames -- and Stockton, his likely destination -- are excited to see him play. His versatility will also help him to find a role in the North American game.

12 Milos Roman, C (122nd overall, 2018. Last year: IE) One of three fourth-round picks from June's NHL Draft, Milos Romas has perhaps the biggest upside. He is a strong skater with great technical refinement and a very responsible player defensively, but his greatest asset is his immense playmaking skillset; his vision is insane and his passes are always on the money. He is not overly fast or physical, making him lack in the most dynamic facets of the game, but he projects to be a bottom-six forward with playmaking upside. His NHL potential is likely contingent on upping his game in one of those two areas.

13 Adam Ruzicka, C (109th overall, 2017. Last year: 14th) Adam Ruzicka's most glaring issue last season, which caused his draft stock to plummet to the fourth round, was a lack of consistency. He's always had game, but in 2017-18, it appears he found the balance that had previously eluded him. His size makes him difficult to defend one-on-one and around the corners, but his blazing power skating is even more impressive given his 6-4" frame. He can snipe with his quick wrist shot release and use his disparity in size to shield the puck off in possession efforts. There's a lot to like about his game, and it seems like he's putting it all together.

14 Dmitri Zavgorodny, LW (198th overall, 2018. Last year: IE) Dmitri Zavgorodny is 5-9" and extremely inconsistent, and neither fact helped his draft case last June. When he's on his game, though, his scoring ability and speed are on full display and can make an impact for any club. Zavgorodny can play all three forward spots effectively, has solid skating speed, is very crafty and resourceful with the puck, and has a nice wrist shot. He is a player with a lot of room to grow in a Flames system that has made something out of nothing quite often. In any case, it is more likely for a player to develop into consistency than it is to suddenly sprout high end skills.

Linus Lindstrom

15 Linus Lindstrom, C (96th overall, 2016. Last year: 20th) Revered for his smarts and instincts, Lindstrom is a very responsible two-way center who plays a bunch of shorthanded minutes in Sweden, sacrifices his body for gameplay advantages, and hustles for loose pucks while never giving up on a play. Lindstrom has only produced 10 points in 91 games in the SHL despite promising puck skills however, and his technical skills lag severely. Perhaps he could play a lockdown fourth-line center role similar to fellow Swede Marcus Kruger in the pro ranks. There are still rough tools lurking within the former fourth rounder, but it is time for him to make them count in play.

16 Morgan Klimchuk, LW (28th overall, 2013. Last year: 16th) The book on Morgan Klimchuk is still not out. Maybe he isn't first-round material after all, but his game has taken major strides down in Stockton and he'll make a difference with the Flames soon enough. At his core, he is a lethal shooter with good vision for his teammates in the offensive zone, he plays with a lot of effort, and has power-play triggerman capabilities. The 2013 draftee's game is about as rounded out to its ceiling as it is likely to get, and if Calgary management is confident enough in his development, the winger could be a full-time Flame this season even if his ceiling is not what they had once thought.

17 Kerby Rychel, LW/RW (Trade: Aug. 20, 2018 [Montreal]. Last year: 13^th [Toronto]) A former first round pick with Columbus in 2013, Rychel was considered a potentially impactful power forward who could bring some of the toughness from his father Warren’s game along with good hands and offensive instincts. A scaled up Max Domi, if you will. In the five seasons since he went 19^th overall, his star has dimmed considerably, and Rychel is now a prospect journeyman, having passed through the Columbus, Toronto and Montreal organizations on his way to Calgary for another disappointing former first rounder. Rychel still has a power game, and has been relatively productive at the AHL level, but attitude questions, and sludgy startup speed, he has only appeared in four NHL games in the past two seasons. Calgary might be his last big chance.

18 Josh Healey, D (UDFA: Mar. 25, 2017. Last year: 19th) Where Kylington is a risky defenseman with a very high potential ceiling, Josh Healey is an extremely safe option. He has close to no offensive skill in the context of the professional game, but does a lot of little things in his own zone, stays very calm with and without the puck, and became a staple on the Stockton Heat penalty skill this season. He maintains great gaps, works hard to keep his man to the outside, and has good enough wheels to avoid getting burnt by speedier forwards. He is a low-ceiling defenseman in a system with better options, but he is reliable and mature, traits which could help him leap past more talented rivals for NHL jobs.

19 Zach Fischer, RW (140th overall, 2017. Last year: Unranked) Drafted as an overager in 2017, Fischer was a no-risk, decent potential pick out of the WHL solely based on his size and toughness. He has room to grow around that 6-2", 207 lbs frame and has shown flashes of physical brilliance in protecting the puck with his body, using finesse moves to get past defenders, and nailing opposing skaters with open ice hits. He takes far too many silly penalties for any pro coach to trust him as he is, but his heavy wrist shot and physical skillset in a system with no solid RW depth has those around the Flames left with raised eyebrows.

20 D'Artagnan Joly, RW (171st overall, 2017. Last year: Unranked) Coming off a career-best season the QMJHL with a pretty mediocre Baie-Comeau squad, D'Artagnan Joly is like Fischer in that, despite being a long-term project, you have to keep an eye on him as a natural RW in a system with few dynamic ones. Joly boasts an interesting mix between a finesse and a hustle/speed game, given his lanky body, and can assert himself physically in a number of ways. He has a hard wrist shot but more of a pass-first mentality, and his passes are crisp but his vision is slow. As he continues to grow, the Flames will keep themselves posted.

Calgary – System Overview

Ryan Wagman — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 20:51:11 +0000

Goaltending is, for many analysts, the last black box of player scouting and evaluation. Goalies that look great at 18 all too often fizzle out before they are 23. Goalies to whom no one gave a second thought at 18 sometimes end up as the best of all. For every Carey Price (5th overall, 2005), there is a Henrik Lundqvist (205th overall, 2000). For every Roberto Luongo (4th overall, 1997), there is a Pekka Rinne (258th overall in his third year of eligibility, 2004). The Pittsburgh Penguins were also well schooled in this phenomenon, as Marc-Andre Fleury (1st overall, 2003), was supplanted in the postseason, in two consecutive seasons, by Matt Murray (83rd overall, 2012).

To combat this general uncertainty, teams have a few different approaches. Some teams largely neglect goalies on draft day and subsequently stock their organization with free agents and/or late round flyers. The Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks and the Edmonton Oilers are examples of this approach. The Dallas Stars were, too, until flipping that on its head with one of their first round picks this year.

Some teams make a point of adding a goalie or two every year, essentially hoping to throw a lot of “stuff” on the wall until something sticks. The Toronto Maple Leafs having taken that approach of late, as have the Winnipeg Jets and the Colorado Avalanche. If none work out, the team can always fill the NHL slots with veteran pickups and continue to throw darts.

Other teams take a similar approach, buying in bulk, but with more of an emphasis on using premium picks on goalies. Again, they will generally not work out, but at least the team will know that they gave it their best shot. The New York Islanders have four netminders in their system that they selected in the top four rounds. The Flyers are extremists, with three third rounders and two second rounders vying for future time in the crease. And there are the Flames, with a third rounder and two second rounders in the system as well as two others signed as high profile undrafted free agents.

The Flames are approaching the time where these prospects will be put to the test. While they acquired two NHL veterans in the offseason, presumed starter Mike Smith has two years left on his contract, while Eddie Lack is in the final season of his. Thankfully, of the five young goalies in the system, two rank very highly and two others were also under consideration for the top 20. This is not to say that when an opportunity arises one of Jon Gillies or Tyler Parsons will be tapped for it, or that they would succeed if they were, but it does reflect some foresight on the part of the Flames’ brass, taking higher calculated gambles on young netminders when there was an expected need at the NHL level in the near future.

Juuso Valimaki of the Tri-City Americans.

1 Juuso Valimaki – Calgary’s most recent first round pick is two-way defender who combines a high skill level with effectiveness in his own end. Already possessing and NHL-sized frame, Valimaki is a strong skater and is not shy about playing in a physical style in all zones. With two full seasons of WHL play already in his rearview mirror, Valimaki has more than proven that he can succeed at a high level in North America and there may be more room to round out his game before rising to the NHL.

2 Adam Fox – A dynamic blueliner with the USNTDP when the Flames nabbed him with a third round pick in the 2016 draft and that has quickly been elevated into one of the steals of that draft class. He is a first-rate offensive blueliner who can both lead or support the rush. His stickhandling is near elite among his fellow defensemen. He was the runaway leader among all NCAA defensemen in points with 40 – as a freshman. If he was anywhere but Harvard, he would likely already have signed an ELC.

3 Mark Jankowksi – It is not often that a first round draft pick spends a full four years playing college hockey before turning pro, but Jankowski was one such creature. After four years with Providence, a run which included an NCAA title in his junior year, Jankowski was more than ready for the AHL, with 56 points good for second among rookies in the league. He has plus acceleration, very nice hand-eye coordination and dangerous hands. Looks NHL ready.

4 Spencer Foo – An undrafted winger from Edmonton, Foo blew up in his junior season at Union College and elected to turn pro instead of completing his NCAA eligibility, which also meant passing up on the chance to team up with younger brother Parker. He has high end top speed, combined with plus acceleration. Tricky with the puck, he goes right at defenders, forcing them to react. Possesses surprising strength from an average-sized body.

Tyler Parsons of the London Knights. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

5 Tyler Parsons – One of the most athletic netminders not yet in the NHL, Parsons is unbelievably competitive. He does not play with a traditional technical style, but is a master scrambler, which, when combined with his below average (by modern standards) size, will bring Dominik Hasek to mind, at least stylistically. He is incredibly difficult to beat down low and gets post to post with great quickness. As a late birthday, he is eligible to move on to the AHL this year.

6 Jon Gillies – A college teammate’s of Jankowski at Providence, Gillies was reunited with the big center last year in Stockton. Coming off a miserable rookie pro season, limited to seven games due to injury, is well stays square to the shooter, with controlled lateral movements. Has long legs that he uses well and is skilled at hugging the posts, leaving shooters little to aim at.

7 Dillon Dube – A hustler with some offensive chops, Dube plays an aggressive style of game that is well suited to a third line, energy type role as a professional. While he gets to top speed quickly, his best attribute is his hockey sense, particularly away from the puck. Not very big, he is feisty and is not at all averse to playing in the dirty areas. Still tends to try to do too much on his own, either not looking to his linemates, or misreading their intentions.

8 Oliver Kylington – The most divisive prospect in the Flames system, the Swedish-born blueliner has elite speed but suffers from a chronic inability to read opposing forwards and thus gets caught out of position with frequency. To his credit, he has spent the past two seasons playing as a teenager in the AHL, a very, very rare occurrence. He also showed much improvement in his ability to creative drives with his speed and puck movement. He is still a wildcard, although getting closer to the NHL.

HELSINKI, FINLAND - JANUARY 2: Sweden's Rasmus Asplund #18 stickhandles the puck away from Slovakia's Filip Lestan #27 during quarterfinal round action at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images)

9 Rasmus Andersson – Short but stocky, Andersson had a solid rookie pro season with Stockton after acclimating to the North American game for two years with Barrie. Although not a speedster, his skating has improved noticeably since his draft year. While he has a nice wrist shot that he will step up from the point to fire on net, his puck play is more impressive. Adequate in his own end with decent positioning and instincts. Not a physical player, per se, but his checks pack punch.

10 Hunter Shinkaruk – A former first round pick of the Vancouver Canucks, Shinkaruk has established himself as a solid secondary scorer after three AHL seasons. He has speed to spare, with strong puck skills and enough of a shot to be a threat. Although undersized, he has some chip to his game, as he shows no fear of going into the corners for loose pucks against bigger opponents. He has little left to prove in the AHL and is ready for a more extended NHL look.

11 Andrew Mangiapane – Yet another point producer coming off a strong rookie season in the AHL, Mangiapane was drafted by the Flames in his second year of eligibility after putting up 104 points for a competitive Barrie squad. He was even better the following year, with two more points in nine fewer games. He plays bigger than his size, but being very small, that says only so much. He has plus offensive vision and his success will be predicated on his production.

12 Daniel Pribyl – One of two players, along with netminder David Rittich, signed by the Flames out of the Czech hockey last offseason, Pribyl’s first season in North America was marred by injury, but he showed sparks of the talent the Calgary hoped it was getting when he was healthy. He sees the ice very well, provides strong puck pressure in the neutral and offensive zones and puts his heavy frame to good use. He will not be a top six player, but can play in a lower role.

13 Emile Poirier – One of three players selected by Calgary in the 2013 first round, Poirier has had the roughest career to date of the trio. In three pro seasons, his point production has steadily dropped from 42 points, to 29 and down to 17 (albeit in only 43 games) last year. A few weeks ago, he admitted to struggling with addiction issues. If his personal problems are being taken care of, his speed and offensive talent may finally shine through. The context is worth giving him another chance to live up to his potential.

Adam Ruzicka of the Sarnia Sting. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

14 Adam Ruzicka – In a good day, Ruzicka can be a dominant player, using his size, skating and puck skills to run roughshod over his opponents. He has a quick shot release and can snipe with his wrister. The reason why he lasted on the draft board until the fourth round and sits at #14 on this list is that those good days do not come around often enough. He was a no-show in the WJC and in the OHL playoffs, although hinted at his talent once more in the WU18. He can make us all look stupid.

15 Brett Kulak – After splitting last season between Calgary and Stockton, Kulak barely qualifies for this list. He has decent size, good mobility and plays a physical brand of hockey. These are all fine things. On the down side, he makes questionable decisions both on and off the puck and is not a threat when he winds up to fire a shot from the point. He is what he is: a decent option for a team to have as its seventh defenseman.

16 Morgan Klimchuk – Along with Poirier and Sean Monahan, Klimchuk completes the Flames’ three first round picks from the 2013 draft. After a horrid first AHL season, Klimchuck rebounded nicely last year, with 43 points in 66 games. He has a nice blend of offensive skills, including solid drive, decent vision and passing skills and a promising shot release. There does not yet seem to be room for him in Calgary, but it is too early to call him a bust.

17 Matthew Phillips – It is fitting that the organization that turned Johnny Gaudreau into a star would take a chance on a WHL powerhouse who is only 5-7”, 160. That’s right, Phillips has to look up to Gaudreau. An offensive powerhouse with Victoria of the WHL, he skates well and has plus puck skills. Although he scored 87 goals in the last two seasons, he is a better playmaker than shooter. He will have to prove he belongs at every new level.

18 Rushan Rafikov – Finally getting his career going in the KHL, Rafikov’s team, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl recently signed him to a two year extension. Projects at around average in all facets of the game, with only his shot peaking clearly above that line. With Calgary rather stocked on the blueline, both in the NHL and below, he is probably going to develop further with a bigger role in Russia for now. Consider this ranking a “forget-me-not”.

19 Josh Healey – The other NCAA free agent signing made by Calgary this offseason, the Edmonton native played for four years at Ohio State, increasing his point production each year (5->9->21->25). Very comfortable carrying the puck up the ice, he is a solid skater with a high panic threshold. He could stand to play with more urgency, but performs well in his own zone, working to keep his man to the outside. He does not have a high ceiling, but is fairly safe as prospects go.

20 Linus Lindstrom – Considered a smart two-way center in his draft year, Lindstrom struggled mightily to produce even a fraction of the offense in the SHL as he did in SuperElit, finishing the year with only six points in 50 games for Skelleftea. He still flashes promising puck skills and ability to read the play in all three zones, but his skating is average at best and his shot and physical game are both below that mark.

Although the system’s depth of talented goaltenders earns top billing here, with seven defensemen in the top 20, including both of the top two, Calgary should be strong at the back for years to come. And that is without even addressing the fact that the Flames have a top five at the NHL level (Giordano, Hamilton, Brodie, Hamonic, and Stone) that rivals any other team in the league. As they are all locked up for at least three more years, the team can afford to be patient with their next generation.

NHL Draft Review and Grades: Calgary Flames

Grant McCagg — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 19:14:14 +0000

Matthew Tkachuk of the London Knights was selected by the Calgary Flames in the first round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft in Buffalo, NY on Friday June 24, 2016. Photo by Aaron Bell/CHL Images

The Flames stayed put and ended up with the player many figured they hoped would fall in Matt Tkachuk, a high-scoring winger with bulk, smarts and grit who will fit right into a top-line winger position as a nice contrast to the smaller Johnny Gaudreau. Tkachuk has the offensive skills to be a highly productive winger, especially on the power play. Tyler Parsons was a sage selection at the end of the second round for a team in need of some goaltending depth, especially after his terrific playoff run for a London team that was unbeatable the last two months of the season.

RND	PICK	RNK	PLAYER	POS	CTY	HT/WT	TEAM
1	6	4	Matthew Tkachuk	LW	USA	6-1/200	London (OHL)
2	54	66	Tyler Parsons	G	USA	6-1/185	London (OHL)
2	56	56	Dillon Dube	C	CAN	5-10/180	Kelowna (WHL)
3	66	27	Adam Fox	D	USA	5-10/185	NTDP (USA)
4	96	115	Linus Lindstrom	C	SWE	5-11/165	Skelleftea (Swe)
5	126	119	Mitchell Mattson	C	USA	6-4/190	Grand Rapids (USHS-MN)
6	156	77	Eetu Tuulola	RW	FIN	6-2/225	HPK (Fin)
6	166	NR	Matthew Phillips	C	CAN	5-7/160	Victoria (WHL)
7	186	NR	Stepan Falkovsky	D	BLR	6-6/220	Ottawa (OHL)

Adam Fox

Tyler Parsons of the London Knights. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Dillon Dube dropped on draft day after a disappointing sophomore season, but is capable of bouncing back and challenging for an NHL position in a couple of years given his skills and shot. The real gem was grabbing Adam Fox at 66^th overall, the last player ranked in McKeen’s first round to get selected…much later than anticipated given his tremendous offensive upside and spectacular showing at the U-18’s. He has the vision, puck skills and sense to run Calgary’s power play some day. Linus Lindstrom was available later than was expected a couple of months ago after a mediocre showing at the U-18’s. Mitchell Mattson was high on some public draft lists, but dropped on draft day due to concerns with his sense and competitiveness. Eetu Tuulola was another hulking winger coveted going into this draft year who dropped on draft day…predominantly because of concerns about his weight, and resultant lack of quickness. Phillips was drafted because of his tremendous numbers and skill set but he’s a longshot to vie for an NHL position given his diminutive stature.

Grade – A: The Tkachuk and Fox selections and overall depth in grabbing four top 60 and seven top 120 players on McKeen’s list earned them an A.

2016 NHL Draft Guide: Ottawa Senators draft strategy

Ryan Wagman — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 19:57:51 +0000

Despite long time GM Bryan Murray stepping aside (technically, stepping upstairs) to allow his assistant, Pierre Dorion to take over, expect the Ottawa drafting mindset to remain stable this year. Dorion had been the director of player personnel since 2009 and the Director of Amateur Scouting, Bob Lowes, is in his second year in that role, but worked as an amateur scout for Ottawa for eight seasons prior.

Photo by Tom Sorensen, courtesy of the USNTDP

The Senators tend to focus on skilled, two-way players, with no real bias towards forwards or defencemen with their early picks. With two first rounders last season, they went with one of each in Thomas Chabot and Colin White. Chabot was the fourth first rounder used on a blueliner since the Karlsson draft in 2008. In that time frame, they have selected in the top 10 twice. They used a ninth overall pick on mammoth blueliner Jared Cowan in 2009 and the seventh overall selection went to Swedish playmaker Mika Zibanejad in 2011.

Speaking of Swedes, the Senators mine Sweden heavily, having drafted 13 players from that Scandinavian nation in the past eight drafts, including at least one each year. They have also never shied away from taking Junior A players, happy to give the prospects extra development time in college instead of being forced into a decision within two years or less. They also rarely complete a draft without selecting a goalie as long as they have their full complement of selections available. The team has only six picks this year, lacking a seventh rounder, and with four netminders below the NHL level already, they would be wise to sit this year’s goalie crop out.

BUFFALO, NY - Sep 24, 2015 : 2015 CCM/USA Hockey, All American Prospects Game, Charlie McAvoy #4 of Team Plante .
(Photo by Brian Watts / HHOF)

Possible picks: As much as Pierre-Luc Dubois would be a fit for Ottawa, he is likely off the board by the 12^th pick. A high end player who may be still be available is Michael McLeod, who combines elite speed, two-way capabilities and a high grit factor. If Logan Brown is available, he would be a great consolation prize. The Senators are also a team that would appreciate the game of BU blueliner Charlie McAvoy, another good skater with strong puck skills and a mammoth physical game. The Swedish fix could come as soon as the second round, with a high IQ winger like Carl Grundstrom, or later on, with a prospect like Linus Lindstrom. C