Lucas Mercuri – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2026 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #25 Tampa Bay Lightning – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 21:58:36 +0000

Sam O'Reilly of the London Knights. Photo by Luke Durda/OHL Images.

Prospect System Rank – 25th (Last Year - 29th)
GM: Julien BriseBois Hired: September 2018
COACH: Jon Cooper Hired: March 2013

The Tampa Bay Lightning operate with a philosophy shared by only a handful of NHL organizations. That's to identify the pieces needed to win now and find a way to put him on the roster no matter the cost. When a team has made the playoffs in eight consecutive seasons and captured two Stanley Cups along the way, few are inclined to question the approach.

The Lightning remain driven by a familiar core that continues to produce at an elite level. With Nikita Kucherov (32), Victor Hedman (35), Brayden Point (29), Andrei Vasilevskiy (31), Jake Guentzel (31), Anthony Cirelli (28), and Brandon Hagel (27) still anchoring the roster, Tampa Bay is clearly intent on extending its championship window for as long as possible. True to form, general manager Julien BriseBois once again targeted a specific addition at the trade deadline, acquiring veteran forward Corey Perry for a 2028 second-round pick. While Tampa Bay still retains most of its selections in the 2026 draft — missing only a first- and fourth-round pick — the organization is on the verge of entering a fourth consecutive draft without a first-round selection.

Despite the lack of high-end draft capital, the Lightning still features four prospects within McKeen’s Top 200 rankings. Leading the group is Sam O’Reilly (62nd), acquired from the Edmonton Oilers in a 2025 trade. Now in his fourth and final season of junior hockey, the forward is producing at just over a point-per-game pace across his OHL career. He is joined by fellow OHL standouts Marco Mignosa and Ethan Czata, both of whom continue to show encouraging development with their respective clubs.

Perhaps the most intriguing name on the rise is 2025 fourth-round selection Benjamin Rautiainen (97th). The Finnish forward has broken out in Liiga this season, emerging as one of the league’s top offensive producers. Whether these prospects remain in the system long enough to make a lasting impact is always an open question in Tampa Bay. But if history is any indication, the Lightning will continue prioritizing contention and remain a factor in the playoff picture for a few more seasons.

NHL	RNK	PLAYER	POS	AGE	HT/WT	2024-25 TM	GP	G(W)	A(L)	PTS(GAA)	PIM(SPCT)
TB	1	Sam O'Reilly	C	20	6-1/190	Ldn-Kit (OHL)	56	29	42	71	22
TB	2	Benjamin Rautiainen	C	20	6-0/175	Tappara (Fin-Liiga)	59	25	52	77	20
TB	3	Ethan Gauthier	RW	21	5-11/175	Syracuse (AHL)	56	12	15	27	10
TB	4	Dylan Duke	LW	23	5-10/180	Syracuse (AHL)	72	32	27	59	42
TB	4	Dylan Duke	LW	23	5-10/180	Tampa Bay (NHL)	1	0	0	0	0
TB	5	Ethan Czata	C	19	6-2/180	Niagara (OHL)	63	25	28	53	79
TB	5	Ethan Czata	C	19	6-2/180	Syracuse (AHL)	3	0	0	0	17
TB	6	Daniil Pylenkov	D	25	6-1/195	Dynamo Moskva (KHL)	64	9	45	54	22
TB	7	Jayson Shaugabay	RW	21	5-9/155	Minnesota Duluth (NCAA)	40	11	32	43	18
TB	8	Maxim Groshev	RW	24	6-2/195	Syracuse (AHL)	58	3	18	21	22
TB	8	Maxim Groshev	RW	24	6-2/195	Tampa Bay (NHL)	2	0	1	1	0
TB	9	Everett Baldwin	D	19	6-0/180	Saint John (QMJHL)	62	15	29	44	46
TB	10	Joe Connor	LW	21	5-10/175	Northeastern (NCAA)	36	13	14	27	20
TB	11	Jan Golicic	D	19	6-5/190	Gat-BLB (QMJHL)	57	5	39	44	38
TB	12	Noah Steen	LW	21	6-1/195	Orebro (SHL)	52	12	10	22	18
TB	12	Noah Steen	LW	21	6-1/195	Syracuse (AHL)	5	1	0	1	5
TB	13	Marco Mignosa	RW	21	6-0/170	Soo Greyhounds (OHL)	65	35	54	89	33
TB	14	Ethan Samson	D	22	6-1/195	LV-Syr (AHL)	40	5	13	18	24
TB	15	Lucas Mercuri	C	24	6-3/190	Syracuse (AHL)	67	14	12	26	132

1. Sam O'Reilly, C, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)

Sam O’Reilly is going to need a bigger trophy case with two OHL Championships, one Memorial Cup, and a World Juniors bronze medal, plus a chance to earn more with a surging Rangers squad. Coming back from being one of Canada’s more productive forwards at the WJC, Sam was traded to London’s rival Kitchener, and he hasn’t missed a beat, going well over a point per game with his new team. O’Reilly is no stranger to being traded, as this past offseason, he was dealt to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Isaac Howard. There is a lot to love with the potential fit with Jon Cooper for O’Reilly as a utility middle-six forward. He’s a very projectable player with good smarts and the ability to find loose pucks, earning him points wherever he goes. O’Reilly might be a rare player who doesn’t have a weakness in his game, finding success in all three zones, particularly in his own end. I could see the Bolts bringing him up to the NHL to start next season, over bringing a Sabourin or Curtis Douglas back, even if just on a rotational basis with an AHL conditioning stint mixed in.

2. Benjamin Rautiainen, C, Tappara (Liiga)

Benjamin Rautiainen has emerged as one of the most compelling late-bloomer stories in Finland this season. Drafted in the fourth round of the 2025 NHL Draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning after going undrafted twice, Rautiainen has taken a significant step forward in his age-20 Liiga campaign. After posting 33 points in 50 games last year, he led the league scoring, and his 77 points broke the U21 scoring record set by Saku Koivu and the first 70-point season in almost 20 years. He earned Liiga MVP honours for his efforts. The growth in his game is tangible. Long criticized for perimeter habits and average explosiveness, Rautiainen now plays with far more pace and conviction. His edge work and agility have improved, allowing him to manipulate defenders off the rush and operate as a primary transition carrier. A natural playmaker, he controls entries, delays effectively, and attacks the middle with deception. While not overly physical, he protects pucks efficiently and competes more consistently away from them. Given Tampa Bay’s development track record, Rautiainen projects as a legitimate middle six NHL winger with offensive upside if his skating continues trending upward.

3. Ethan Gauthier, RW, Syracuse Crunch (AHL)

Gauthier is enjoying a moderately successful season with the AHL's Syracuse Crunch as a pro hockey freshman. He's the youngest player on that team, and they're fairly deep at forward, but he's still finding ways to earn his minutes and chip in offensively. A former first overall pick in the QMJHL Entry Draft, his highly touted scoring abilities more or less came as advertised, playing a key role for the Canadian team that won gold at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, and then leading Drummondville in playoff scoring as they captured the league title in 2024. And yet, it could simultaneously still be argued that he hasn’t fully lived up to his potential, as he will sometimes go quiet for long stretches. The quality of his shot is undeniable, but he can struggle to find enough time and space to properly utilize it, usually because of a mix of both effort and elusiveness. If Gauthier can smooth out the rough edges in his game that could clear the way for him to become a feared NHL goalscorer.

4. Dylan Duke, LW, Syracuse Crunch (AHL)

It is impossible not to like and respect Duke with the way that he plays hockey. He is a mix between a buzzsaw and a bulldog, and he instantly becomes the hardest working player on the ice regardless of where or when he goes over the boards. He’s utterly fearless and relentless for a smaller forward, pinballing around the ice as he inserts himself into the play however he can. It also needs to be said, however, that there’s a certain kind of brilliance to how he gets inside and under opposing players to win battles, and he has a real sixth sense for getting to rebounds and loose pucks before anyone else does. He’s leading the Syracuse Crunch in goals this season, and it’s no surprise because he’s so in tune with himself and so hyperaware of what his strengths are. Will Duke’s success carry over to the NHL one day? Probably not to the same degree, because guys like him usually have a hard time sustaining it and surviving the grind. But bet against him at your own peril.

5. Ethan Czata, C, Niagara IceDogs (OHL) (Currently with Syracuse Crunch, AHL)

The Niagara Ice Dogs have been pretty mediocre through late January and February, but Czata has been a huge bright spot. His production has skyrocketed, scoring in a variety of ways from crashing the net to using his heavy wrister as well as retrieving pucks from down low to sustain play in the offensive zone. He’s progressed quite well since his debut OHL season and is looking like he’ll make the NHL in some sort of capacity. His consistency of reads with the puck and decrease in turnovers have been very noticeable from his earlier days with the Dogs. The Bolts have a sneaky good find at pick 56 in 2024 with Czata. At the next level, he’s a guy who can score in different ways and have an impact in front of the net even when not scoring. His big hits and smarts will help him fit in well in a gritty Tampa Bay bottom six.

6. Daniil Pylenkov, D, Dymano Moscow (KHL)

It's tough to find any major holes in Pylenkov’s game. The former seventh round draft pick has improved year over year and is thriving in his role as the number one defenceman for Dynamo Moskova. He lacks the flash and high-end skill to be a high-end player in the NHL, but his patience and intelligence allow him to be effective in all areas of the ice, in all situations. He facilitates well along the blue line, running the first power play unit, and can activate in the offensive zone playing as a fourth winger when called upon. His positioning is sound, shutting down plays in the neutral zone and keeping forwards to the outside. In the defensive end, he patrols the middle of the ice and battles hard in the corners and in front of the net. On breakouts, he is always in a supportive position and can snap passes up ice to start the rush. At 25 years old, his development is likely complete and if he does come over to North America, his game is probably good enough to slot into a bottom pair role. This past season, though, he signed a two-year extension, which likely prevents him from coming to North America before he turns 27, if he even planned on doing so.

7. Jayson Shaugabay, RW, University of Minnesota-Duluth (NCAA)

Shaugabay’s development over the last couple of seasons has pushed his name up the list of Tampa Bay Lightning prospects to watch. He has been on an upward trajectory each year since being drafted, culminating in his second NCAA season being his first point-per-game season since he played high school hockey in 2022-23. He has played with the Plante brothers with the University of Minnesota-Duluth, which brings into question whether he can lead his own line and pull his own weight, while maintaining his point-production. He’s certainly trending in the right direction towards becoming an NHL player for a Lightning organization that has consistently found such talents in the later rounds. Shaugabay is a playmaker with a high hockey IQ and excellent stickhandling chops to push the pace. He needs to continue improving his skating ability and bulking up in the NCAA to improve his odds at making the NHL level. If he can continue to do that, he projects as a third line scoring winger. However, he is right on that line when it comes to projecting him, as he could go on to be an AHL all-star who struggles to find a role in the NHL.

8. Maxim Groshev, D, Syracuse Crunch (AHL)

Groshev is easily one of the most fascinating prospects in Tampa Bay’s system, primarily because he shifted from playing forward to playing defence at age 23, which is almost unheard of that far into a player’s career. What’s even more surprising is just how well the switch has gone for him, fitting into the Syracuse Crunch’s blueline almost seamlessly, and even holding his own for a couple of games up with the Lightning. He has a genuine knack for breaking pucks out of his own end, and he isn’t shy about taking calculated risks to do so. Maybe defence is the position that he was always destined to play, because he was often quite frustrating to watch as a forward, struggling to fully understand how best to use his size and athletic gifts to make a positive difference. Groshev is a restricted free agent at the end of this season, and it would be an absolute shame if he and the Lightning didn’t agree to terms about bringing him back, if for no other reason than to see how his story unfolds from here, this close to the NHL.

9. Everett Baldwin, D, Saint John's Sea Dogs (QMJHL) (Currently with Syracuse Crunch, AHL)

After spending last season in the United States, playing mostly in the USHS prep circuit, Baldwin decided to commit to the QMJHL for the 2025–2026 season before ultimately joining Providence College in the NCAA the following year. It was a smart move for Baldwin, who presently plays around 20 minutes each game. The young defender finished with 44 points in 62 games, a solid production, finishing ninth in defensive scoring in the QMJHL. Baldwin is an agile skater, very mobile with and without the puck. He likes to lead the charge offensively, and he supports attacks well. He is not the most creative defender, but he shows great intelligence with the puck and does well to funnel pucks to the middle of the ice, using his mobility to his advantage to evade pressure. The physical side of the game is a work in progress, but the frame suggests that it could be there sooner than later. Since being drafted last year, Baldwin has improved a lot in all aspects of the game. Will it be enough for him to play in the NHL? His play at the NCAA level will give a better indication of that.

10. Joe Connor, LW, Northeastern University (NCAA)

Being a crafty, shoot-first winger who excels in transition, Joe Connor is putting together a solid resume at Northeastern University. His stick handling is used so well when he’s entering the zone, making him and any teammate that trails him, deadly off the rush. Connor also has his deadly shot as a weapon, specializing in set ups off the faceoff. He isn’t terribly fast, but he is fearless as his 5-foot-10 body has been tossed around by the Hockey East and Connor is right back on his feet after every hit. Connor is annoying to defencemen when he gets around them to receive an outlet pass, but can have a habit of flying up too early and becoming a non-factor in the defensive zone. Additionally, he can be a bit of a wild man when passing, needing to gain better vision and accuracy in the offensive zone. Though his game is chaotic, Joe Connor is an intriguing player who will at least play meaningfully in Syracuse, Tampa’s AHL squad, soon. He will receive even more promising development to eventually make the NHL. Just look at how many homegrown guys the Lightning have on their roster now.

11. Jan Golicic, D, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)

The massive Slovenian defender has had another good year in the QMJHL, especially following a trade to the Armada. He brings physical play and improved confidence with the puck.

12. Noah Steen, LW, Örebro HK (SHL) (Currently with Syracuse Crunch, AHL)

Steen is having his best season to date in the SHL. The Norwegian winger is a hard worker who projects as a potential bottom six forward for Tampa.

13. Marco Mignosa, RW, Soo Greyhounds (OHL)

Now in his overage OHL season with the Soo Greyhounds, Mignosa continues to improve his all-around game. Upgrading his speed and explosiveness got him drafted last year.

14. Ethan Samson, D, Syracuse Crunch (AHL)

Recently acquired by Lightning, Samson is a former WHL standout whose development had stalled in the Flyers' system. He needs to play his way into Tampa’s long-term plans.

15. Lucas Murcuri, C, Syracuse Crunch (AHL)

Mercuri's rights were acquired by the Lightning after Carolina had decided that they would not be signing him following his four years at UMass. The big power forward has found an immediate role in the AHL with Syracuse as a Tom Wilson lite, lending promise to a potential fourth line role with Tampa.

2025 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: #26 TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING – Top 15 NHL Affiliated Prospects

Sun, 18 May 2025 14:59:01 +0000

MONTREAL, QC - JULY 07: Tampa Bay Lightning pick Isaac Howard stands between management during the first round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft on July 07, 2022 at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire)

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Tampa Bay 25 Prospects

USHL: 2020-21 Playoff Preview – Expect Entertaining Hockey with Chicago a Clear Favourite

Ryan Wagman — Fri, 30 Apr 2021 15:27:15 +0000

If there is an exception to the across-the-board negative impact of COVID-19 on the world of hockey, it may rest in the USHL. As north of the border, the three leagues of the CHL were in disarray – at best – the USHL, played a fairly “normal” year.

Sure, the league proceeded without the participation of the Madison Capitals (regional COVID restrictions) or the Cedar Rapids Rough Riders (a Derecho huffed and puffed and blew the arena down), but the rest of the league played (an approximately) 54 game schedule with rather few disruptions.

Not only that, but in terms of quality, the league was better than ever, as a number of players who had expected to suit up for Canadian teams – both CHL and Jr. A – were given an opportunity to play for various USHL teams as their regular leagues were delayed indefinitely, or outright cancelled. Those bonus players included some that were drafted already, including Cross Hanas, Bear Hughes, and Danil Gushchin*. Other drafted players came in from the Ivy League schools, who did not play a hockey schedule this year. In addition to the likes of Henry Thrun, Jack Malone, and Austin Wong coming to the USHL after some time in college, others like Sean Farrell and Alex Laferriere, who had intended to start collegiate life this year, were forced to stay back for one more year in the Midwest.

*Gushchin, who had played the previous two seasons with Muskegon, was expected to play in Ontario with Niagara for the 2020-21 season, but with the OHL in permanent statis, he was loaned back to the Lumberjacks, where he put up his best season yet.

And then there were the draft-eligible ringers who unexpectedly joined the league and played so well that they have legitimate first round consideration at the end of it. I am thinking, of course, of Cole Sillinger, who joined Sioux Falls, before it was known when, or if, the WHL would get going, and Ayrton Martino and Jack Bar, who had played in Ontario last year and had been planning on playing in the BCHL this year before Canadian restrictions pushed them to the USHL, with Omaha and Chicago, respectively.

Of course, there were many other unexpected players in the league this year, with those mentioned only scratching the surface of the most famous names.

So, before we preview the postseason, which begins this Friday (Apr. 30), let’s pour one out for the six teams that didn’t make, and give a word to the top 1-3 draft eligible players from those squads.

Team USA

One point behind Dubuque for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference – although far further back via points percentage (.510-.481), the USNTDP team that would have played in the USHL playoffs had they made it would have been the U17 team. The best of that group – Rutger McGroarty, Isaac Howard, Ryan Chesley, Lane Hutson, Charlie Stramel and others – are playing with the U18 team in Texas at the WU18 tournament. No draft eligibles but remember those names for next season.

Youngstown Phantoms

By points percentage, easily the weakest team in the league. The aforementioned Jack Malone, a Vancouver draft pick, was far and away the top performer on the team, which is to be expected from a player with a year at Cornell under his belt. Among first year draft eligibles, Japanese import Yusako Ando was the most notable, although his second year in the league was worse than his first. He can create for others, but he doesn’t skate well enough to make up for his slight 5-7” frame. The only other draft eligible who ever made a positive impression on me from this roster was blueliner Austen May. The Providence commit is on the small side, but he is really fleet of foot and shows decent attention to detail off the puck.

Des Moines Buccaneers

Despite the presence of three drafted players – Alex Laferriere (LA), Noah Ellis (Vgk), and Lucas Mercuri (Car), the Buccaneers struggled this year, particularly in terms of putting the puck in the net. The drafted guys were all solid, but too few of the rest of the roster could match their output. Perhaps things would have been different if Paul Davey hadn’t of left mid-season for a stint back home in Connecticut. Davey and Scout Truman were the two most notable first time draft eligible on the roster, but neither really put their stamp on the season. If there are to be any Buccaneers drafted this year, they will be among the redraft candidates. To that end, file away the names of Matt Choupani and Remington Koepple. Choupani is a forward who lacks much in the way of physical tools but can play the puck well. Koepple is a goalie who had decent numbers in his first year in the league, although he has only average size and athleticism and he chocked in the BioSteel game, hurting his standing for some.

Lincoln Stars

The Stars went heavy on the ringers partway through the season. Cross Hanas was already mentioned, but he was just one of four players brought in from the WHL Portland Winterhawks, joining Clay Hanas (no relation), Jack O’Brien, and James Stefan, as well as Charles-Alexis Legault from West Kelowna in the BCHL and Michael Mastrodomenico from AAA hockey in Quebec. Simply put, the shuffled team never gelled, and the newcomers couldn’t get into the swing of the USHL.

O’Brien was the biggest disappointment. There was some expectation that he could be a high round pick this year, but one goal and six assists in 23 games ended that sentiment. Blueliner Legault didn’t hurt his stock too much, as he still has great size and skates well and shoots from his right side. Stefan, son of former first overall pick Patrik Stefan, had enough moments to maybe convince some team to call his name in the late rounds. A kind word also to big bruising winger Gleb Veremeyev. Veremeyev isn’t an offensive threat, but one of the top PIM players in the league is a threat, nonetheless. The USHL is not a very physical league, and when a player has that size and plays with that snarl, he sometimes gets drafted, such as we saw with Nick Capone last year and Martin Pospisil in 2018.

Waterloo Black Hawks

Generally contenders, the Black Hawks find themselves out of the playoffs for the first time since 2014-15, and only the second time in 14 seasons for which there were playoffs. Fielding one of the smaller and least experienced lineups in the league, this just wasn’t their year. Their one drafted player, Toronto’s Wyatt Schingoethe, regressed heavily from his strong draft year. The team cycled through goalies, with three seeing significant minutes. Remember the name of Emmett Croteau, the best performing of their netminders, as he won’t be draft eligible until 2022.

Among players eligible this year, the most impressive were second time eligible defenseman Cooper Wylie, a USHL rookie, who can play the puck and skate well enough to make his ornery game effective, if not spectacular. He could be drafted. On the other hand, David Gucciardi, acquired in an early season trade from Youngstown, will be drafted. His game is raw, and his mistakes are often critical, but he has tools, and his instincts are good enough to think he can be a good one if he relies on his instincts all the time.

Sioux Falls Stampede

The Western Conference bottom feeders are a mystery. In the last USHL playoffs, the Stampede took home the title. In addition to their usual solid team, this year they brought in the highest profile ringer in Cole Sillinger, who didn’t disappoint, with a team leading 46 points despite only playing in 31 games. He is a sniper with an NHL style game who will be back in the WHL next year. The USHL rarely sees a player of his caliber, whether talking about skill or about reading the game, yet he couldn’t drag the Stampede upwards on his own. I would be surprised if he isn’t the first player from this year’s USH: crop to play in the NHL.

Defender Brent Johnson was one of the better draft eligible defenders in the league as well. A power play specialist with good wheels and an ornery side, his season ended right before the BioSteel All American Game due to a shoulder injury, but could hear his name called in the 50-80 range of the draft if his medicals hold up.

Although not as high profile, I also have time for second time eligible, defenseman Nate Schweitzer, who can do a lot well, but nothing spectacularly, and winger Mike Citara, who can skate and shoot. I don’t expect either to be drafted, but I wouldn’t be surprised if either was.

The Playoffs

The format this year is simple. The top four teams from each conference made it in. All series are best-of-threes. Top seed plays the fourth seed, and second seed plays the third seed. All games are hosted by the higher seed. One series per weekend until one team lifts the Clark Cup. Let’s go!

Western Conference

Jack Peart. Photo Dan Hickling, Hickling Images

#1 Tri-City Storm vs #4 Fargo Force

The Western Conference was incredibly tight at the top with the playoff picture not being settled until the final weekend of the regular season. The points percentage difference between Tri-City and Fargo (32 percentage points) was less than between Fargo and fifth place Des Moines (34 percentage points).

Fargo was the third best defensive team in the league, although Tri-City was the best at keeping the puck out of its net. Neither team is known for filling their opponents’ nets either, but both had generally done enough to walk away with points more often than not. In fact, they are quite evenly matched. The difference in these three games (outside of home ice advantage) is likely to rest in special teams. Fargo was mediocre on both the power play and the penalty kill, while the Storm were strong with the man advantage and almost impregnable on the penalty kill, leading the league with a breathtaking 88.3% kill rate. To Fargo’s credit, they have played far more of their season at 5-on-5 than Tri-City. And they will have to do that again this weekend to keep their season alive.

Beyond the expected close games, another reason to watch this series is the head-to-head matchup between two very interesting and talented draft eligibles. On Fargo, that would be Tristan Broz, a two-way center with a good motor and the vision to be a power play weapon. The Minnesota commit ran away with the scoring lead on his team. His numbers would be even more impressive if he had more talented teammates to play with. On Tri-City, the man of the hour is Matthew Knies. Knies started his season painfully slow, but ended it on fire, with 20 points in his final 11 games. Knies has heavier feet, but a very mature build and at his best, can take over the game. He will join Broz with the Golden Gophers next year.

Knies and Broz are not the only intriguing draft eligible players in this series. In fact, Fargo blueliner Jack Peart has a very good chance to be the highest drafted player in this series. The St. Cloud State commit split his season between Fargo and Grand Rapids High School (Mn). He is a good skater with a very strong first few steps, who plays with preternatural poise. He controls the puck like a much older player and plays a strong 200-foot game. Had Peart spent the entire season in Fargo, the final standings may have looked very different. For Fargo, also keep an eye on Aaron Huglen, a Buffalo draft pick who returned from over a full year on the sidelines after around a third of this season was done and has played a skilled game ever since.

On Tri-City, Knies is joined by a pair of intriguing draft eligible players in Hunter Strand and Carter Mazur, the latter of whom is a second time eligible player. Strand is a USNTDP alum, whose late birthday prevented him from being drafted last year. The Alaska native is a great skater and plays a patient game with the puck. Mazur has more of an East-West style game, helped along by plus edges. He can play the pest role as well and retains utility off the puck. Strand and Mazur both outscored Knies this year, but Knies already had a big reputation through his big pre-draft year and his run to end the year keeps him top of mind.

Prediction: Fargo in three. A mild upset to be sure. The return of Peart helps Fargo just as much as the loss of top blueliner Guillaume Richard hurts Tri-City. Richard is currently representing Team Canada at the WU18s in Texas. Neither team has stellar goaltending, but Fargo’s Brennan Boynton should be able to roughly match Tri-City’s Todd Scott.

#2 Omaha Lancers vs #3 Sioux City Musketeers

Both Omaha and Sioux City put up 63 points in 53 games, but their paths to getting there could scarcely have been more different. Consider that Omaha’s goal differential was a mediocre +13, while Sioux City outscored their opponents on aggregate by 35 goals, with the league’s best – by far – defense.

The two teams are both led by high end goaltending, each starting one of the three drafted netminders in the league. For Sioux City, that man is the Swiss Akira Schmid, a New Jersey prospect, while Montreal draftee Jakob Dobes, from Czechia, mans the pipes for Omaha. Dobes was a true workhorse for the Lancers, playing in 47 of the team’s 53 games, while Schmid played roughly two-third of the time for Sioux City, as his back up was more reliable.

Schmid will need to be at his best in this series, however, as Omaha has one of the biggest offensive weapons in the league at their disposal in Ayrton Martino. Martino joined the club shortly after the calendar flipped into 2021 and took the league by storm, with the fifth best points-per-game ratio in the USHL (1.47). A great skater with a fantastic shot, Martino did not let his slight frame prevent him from dominating, and his playmaking game is just as strong as his finishing ability. If Sioux City can shut Martino down, the Lancers don’t have too many other weapons at their disposal as their secondary scoring is largely in the hands of USHL veterans like Ryan Lautenbach, Nolan Renwick and Zach Dubinsky. The Omaha roster is one of the oldest in the league.

Sioux City, on the other hand, has a few more weapons at its disposal. Detroit draft pick Chase Bradley and New Jersey pick Ethan Edwards were both in the team’s top four in scoring, while Buffalo pick Matteo Costantini showed well after joining the league mid-season. Although the Musketeers don’t have a draft eligible player the likes of Martino, don’t sleep on defenseman Shai Buium. A USHL rookie out of the Shattuck-St. Mary’s program, he combines quick hands with smooth, if not quick, feet. He plays a strong two-way game and if he were a better skater (he isn’t bad, but he isn’t great), we would be hearing more people call for him as a first round type of talent. As is, he has enough raw skill to dream on a big, late-blooming future. I am also keeping an eye on redraft candidates defenseman Daniel Laatsch and center Justin Hryckowian. Laatsch is a USNTDP alum who has great size and some burgeoning skill, but is still raw, while Hryckowian has a fun skill game, but an injury-filled history and a sub-optimal build.

Prediction: Sioux City’s depth overcomes Martino’s solo skill in three games.

Western Conference Final Prediction: Sioux City over Fargo in three games. Sioux City is just too difficult to score against and has enough offensive weapons to get the job done.

Eastern Conference

Matthew Coronato. Photo by Dan Hickling, Hickling Images

#1 Chicago Steel vs #4 Dubuque Fighting Saints

By all accounts, this should be a washout. Chicago is, by great lengths, the top team in the USHL. They enter the postseason on an eight-game undefeated streak, and won 38 of 54 games this year, often by wide margins. Their goaltending has been shoddy at times, but far more often than not, they were able to outscore their troubles and their total of 265 goals scored was 24 more than the runners-up. Dubuque, on the other hand, won only 24 of 51 games, securing the final playoff spot in the east thanks to a win in their final game coupled with a loss from the U17 USNTDP squad.

If Dubuque is to have a hope in this series, look to their defensive players. Goalie Lukas Parik, a Los Angeles draft pick, struggled since joining the team, in late-January from the Czech second division, but shut out Green Bay in his final game, reminding us of what he is capable. On the blueline, fellow LA pick Braden Doyle teams up with Anaheim draft pick Henry Thrun to give the Fighting Saints a pair of weapons. Up front, Dubuque has a balanced attack, but the man to watch is Robert Cronin. While too old to be drafted this year Cronin is a late bloomer with speed and skill who will be a good follow next year once he joins the University of New Hampshire. The boy to watch, on the other hand, is Matthew Savoie. The 17-year-old is a 2022 draft eligible, who should have been playing in the WHL, but the uncertainty in that league led him to Dubuque, where he immediately played a central, and at time dominating, role. He’s going to be really fun to watch next year.

Looking at draft eligibles for this summer, keep your eyes on Connor Kurth and Andrei Buyalsky. Buylasky is actually the same age (born three days later) as Cronin, but as he is considered a foreign player (this is his first season in North America), the Kazakhstani forward is draft eligible while the American Cronin is not. Buyalsky is an impressive skater with impressive finishing ability. Kurth, on the other hand, has no particular big attributes to his game, but he finds a way to put up good numbers. He has a very stocky build but moves well enough regardless.

Moving on to Chicago, almost every skater on the roster is worthy of mention. Start with Montreal draft pick Sean Farrell, a USNTDP alum who would have been with Harvard this season had the Crimson actually played. Instead, he put up a breathtaking 101-point season for the Steel. His playmaking ability is simply unfair to most opponents on most nights. Then there is Matthew Coronato, a likely first round pick, who scored 48 goals in 51 games. Sure, it helps to have Farrell playing on your team, but the two actually rarely played together at even strength. Coronato is an offensive dynamo, who is content to cycle on his own for multiple full loops of the offensive end before he sees a seam to exploit.

Then there is Jack Bar, a late add to the roster from the BCHL. After a brief period acclimating to the league, he began to dominate. The defenseman likes to get deep into the offensive zone but is also a physical and committed defender. He has some first round upside. Of course, I also have to mention Mackie Samoskevich, who at one time was seen as a better draft prospect than Coronato. Samoskevich struggled somewhat after a midseason injury but is another gifted playmaker and a fantastic skater to boot.

I don’t want to get into the weeds too much, but I also expect Josh Doan (son of Shane), Ryan Ufko, and Jackson Blake to be drafted this summer, and Jack Harvey being drafted wouldn’t surprise me either. Anaheim draft pick Ian Moore has been impressive in his first season in the USHL, and 2023(!!) eligible forward Adam Fantilli is a burgeoning superstar. As good as everyone else already mentioned on this roster is, Fantilli’s upside is the highest. I am talking top three in the draft upside.

Prediction: Chicago in two, barring a complete breakdown in net. Chicago in three if the goalies stumble.

#2 Muskegon Lumberjacks vs #3 Green Bay Gamblers

A testament to how tight the West is, the Muskegon-Green Bay series is the second most lopsided duel after Chicago-Dubuque, with .040 percentage points separating the Lumberjacks and the Gamblers. Muskegon plays an up-tempo, high-event game with red lights going off at both ends. Green Bay is best when they keep goals to a minimum, and actually ended the season with the fewest goals allowed in the conference.

Green Bay’s chances are led by a pair of Boston Bruins’ draft picks in defender Mason Lohrei and center Jake Schmaltz. The latter is a two-way forward, who after three seasons in the USHL, has figured out how to be a factor offensively. He does a lot of little things well but lacks any dynamic elements. Lohrei was a surprise second rounder last season but has grown his game even more this year. He is big, skates very well, has a big point shot and plays a tough game at all ends. The Gamblers will go as far as he can take them. Vancouver draft pick Jackson Kunz and Vegas pick Jackson Hallum are also on the roster, and while both have shown the ability to provide secondary offense, neither can make things happen on their own. 2022 eligible Ryan Greene is an interesting player, but if there is a wild card in Green Bay, it is Camden Thiesing. The Tennessee native combines skill with grit, finishing third in the league in PIMs. He will work to make things happen on his own, and when he stays out of the penalty box, he is dangerous.

Led by San Jose draft pick Danil Gushchin, Muskegon is incredibly entertaining. Gushchin is a dynamo, who is not the most consistent player, but when he is involved and engaged, is one of the top handful of forwards in the league. He is joined by a deep roster of talented players, a few of whom should be drafted this summer, many of those in their second year of eligibility. The best of that secondary bunch is center Cameron Berg. Berg finished last year hot after a slow start and didn’t miss a beat coming into this year. He has a high-end wrist shot and knows how to create space for himself to rip one off. Winger Quinn Hutson is another second-year eligible forward who made waves this year. The type of player to get to the right spot at the right time, he knows how to finish what his linemates create. On the blueline, there are a trio to watch. The offensive blueline is Jacob Guevin, a power play specialist, whose production overshadows his average tools. Alex Gagne and Hank Kempf are bigger, more physical blueliners who make life difficult for attacking forwards. I could see all three drafted this summer.

Prediction: Muskegon in three games.

Eastern Conference Final prediction: Chicago in three games over Muskegon. This would be an immensely entertaining series.

Clark Cup Final Prediction: Chicago over Sioux City in three games. It’s really hard to bet against the Steel this year.

2020 NHL DRAFT: Scouting U.S. High School Prospects, Part Two

Tom Dorsa — Fri, 08 May 2020 14:45:46 +0000

With the world of sports frozen and the scheduling of the annual National Hockey League Draft in question amid the global COVID-19 pandemic, we at McKeen’s Hockey have used this extra time of uncertainty to take a look at some otherwise unknown prospects and profile them for our subscribers.

Today, we will be following up on our March article on the top 2020 draft eligible players from United States and select Canadian schools with a look at 17 other high school athletes who have received some scouting attention.

While the odds of seeing a prep school player be selected in the first round of the draft remain low, the later rounds should be absolutely littered with them. So many of the players we have looked at have such high upside or singular high-end skills that we expect that many will be given a chance by NHL teams.

Grading out for their future potential, we will examine each of the 17 high schoolers featured in this piece in five categories: skating, shot, skills, smarts, and physicality. Obviously, scouting goes far beyond those simple subsets, but these traits are often what NHL scouts look at first when evaluating potential draft selections.

Keep a tab open at McKeen’s Hockey for the latest scouting reports and features from our dedicated team of contributors, and keep an eye out for our 2020 NHL Draft Guide (in development).

Ryan McGuire	2020 NHL Draft Eligible
Position RW/C, Shoots R	H/W: 6-2", 185 lbs
Stats to date: (GP-G-A-P-PIM)	Belmont Hill High School, USHS-MA: (30-22-16-38-n/a)
	Madison Capitals, USHL (4-0-0-0-0)
	Committed to Colgate University (NCAA).

Grades (projected for future player development): Skating: 45, Shot: 60, Skills: 45, Smarts: 55, Physicality: 50. OFP: 50.75

Summary: The son of NBC Sports analyst and former NHL head coach Pierre McGuire, Ryan looks suited to forge his own path in the world of hockey. Blessed with a tremendous shot and the determination plus board-battling skills to make scoring chances out of nothing, the Colgate University commit has the tools to be a long-term depth NHL forward. His slap shot features surprising accuracy for its immense speed, while his unorthodox wrist shot angle and deceptive release can stun any goaltender at his rank. But he is more than just a shooter, as his physical presence against the boards and smarts on the forecheck make him a worthy puck distributor as well. While his bow-legged skating style is somewhat slow for 17- and 18-year-olds, his edgework and acceleration are enough to keep him afloat, though his hands are similarly slow.

Aidan Thompson	2020 NHL Draft Eligible
Position C, Shoots L	H/W: 5-11", 176 lbs
Stats to date (GP-G-A-P-PIM)	Berkshire High School, USHS-MA: (29-20-32-52-n/a)
	Neponset Valley River Rats U18, BEAST U18 (6-1-1-2-8)
	Neponset Valley River Rats U18, Midget (25-12-12-24-n/a)
	Committed to University of Denver (NCAA)

Grades (projected for future player development): Skating: 55, Shot: 50, Skills: 50, Smarts: 55, Physicality: 45. OFP – 51.75

Summary: Thompson has some of the highest upside in the entire 2020 NHL Draft high school class. The Denver commit can skate well -- featuring plus acceleration and lateral mobility, put up points, and play an attentive 200-foot game with the potential to carry it all into the pros. While his lack of size will likely plague his development into a two-six force at higher levels, his speedy shot and underrated skill should translate well to Division I of NCAA, and his ability to play a high-end defensive game at both wing and center will allow him to succeed even if his offense lags behind. Thompson has certainly climbed up the draft rankings over the past few months after a solid season with Berkshire (Mass.).

Lucas Mercuri	2020 NHL Draft Eligible
Position C, Shoots R	H/W: 6-3", 201 lbs
Stats to date (GP-G-A-P-PIM)	Salisbury School, USHS-CT: (28-19-19-38-n/a)
	Rochester Selects U18, BEAST U18 (8-3-10-13-8)
	Des Moines Buccaneers, USHL (3-0-1-1-2)
	Committed to University of Vermont (NCAA)

Grades (projected for future player development): Skating: 45, Shot: 45, Skills: 55, Smarts: 55, Physicality: 60. OFP – 51.5

Summary: Mercuri is a prototypical power forward. With a game that is predicated on size and touch around the net, the Vermont commit is someone who could translate well to the college and pro ranks. At 6-3” with a pretty muscular body, Mercuri -- whose Salisbury team won the New England Elite 8 prep school title -- was already one of high school hockey’s most physical players, but plays it up even more with a consistent ability to finish checks and run the cycle with his proficiency at protecting the puck. While he is not a very fast skater, the foot quickness and effort in skating is there, as he moves his feet constantly and features good balance for his size. The heavy-bodied centerman projects as a potential bottom-six grinder.

David Sacco	2020 NHL Draft Eligible
Position RW, Shoots R	H/W: 6-1", 194 lbs
Stats to date (GP-G-A-P-PIM)	Lawrence Academy, USHS-MA: (24-17-23-40-n/a)
	Cape Cod Whalers U18, EHF 18U Elite: (9-5-2-7-18)
	Cape Cod Whalers U18, Midget: (26-10-8-18-n/a)
	Committed to University of New Hampshire (NCAA)

Grades (projected for future player development): Skating: 55, Shot: 50, Skills: 55, Smarts: 40, Physicality: 50. OFP: 51

Summary: The son of a former Toronto Maple Leaf of the same name, Sacco’s puck skills and high-end skating balance and momentum jump out to the observer instantly. The New Hampshire commit is a confident skater with decent speed and superb acceleration from a dead start, which aids him in his frequent desire to take on defenders one-on-one. His puck-handling and passing are slick and impressive, and while he is more of a passer than a shooter from my observations, his shot is nothing to sneeze at. However, Sacco seems distant from any play when he doesn’t have the puck, both defensively and offensively. His inability to find open ice to become available for passes from linemates is frustrating to watch, as is his near-inexistent defensive work. A year in the BCHL will help mightily before he matriculates to the NCAA ranks.

Riley Duran	2020 NHL Draft Eligible
Position C/RW, Shoots R	H/W: 6-2", 179 lbs
Stats to date (GP-G-A-P-PIM)	Lawrence Academy High School, USHS-MA: (27-22-22-44-N/A)
	Cape Cod Whalers U18, EHF 18U Elite: (9-4-4-8-6)
	Cape Cod Whalers U18, Midget: (27-5-7-12-n/a)

Grades (projected for future player development): Skating: 55, Shot: 45, Skills: 45, Smarts: 55, Physicality: 55. OFP: 50.5

Note: This player profile first appeared in Brock Otten’s compilation of the preeminent “sleeper” picks from every region/development league around the world, which was published on April 25. Click here to read more.

Prep school players will generally have a harder time getting on a pro scout’s radar, but Duran has made his presence known over the last few months. The Lawrence Academy forward plays a complete 200-foot game and has the skating ability and physical attributes to carry that kind of playing style into the college ranks, where he will suit up for Providence. His hands are not elite, but his lanky frame gives him solid puck-protection skill with which he can bulldoze to the net for scoring chances. The American prep school ranks are not generally where elite junior players will come from, and so, his game should be taken with a grain of salt. Added to that, he does play a fairly careless, wide open game, and that could be an issue for some coaches.

Grant Slukynsky	2020 NHL Draft Eligible
Position C, Shoots L	H/W: 6-0", 194 lbs
Stats to date (GP-G-A-P-PIM)	Warroad High School, USHS-MN: (25-30-45-75-6)
	Fargo Force, USHL (7-0-0-0-0)
	Committed to Northern Michigan University (NCAA)

Grades (projected for future player development): Skating: 50, Shot: 55, Skills: 60, Smarts: 55, Physicality: 45. OFP: 54.25

Summary: Slukynsky’s smarts and inventiveness never cease to amaze me. The highly-skilled center plays with such intensity and creativity that he can beat defenders and goaltenders in a multitude of ways, but none more effectively than with his incredibly quick and deceptive hands. He has the ability to make magic happen every time the puck reaches his stick, slinging pucks perfectly from tape to tape and finding ways to dangle through tight areas to reach the net. His shot is a feared weapon as well, accurate and smoothly released. While his skating is not elite, he is very agile and capable of adjusting his foot stride quickly. An expert penalty killer and faceoff artist, it is apparent that he has no real flaws and could soon dominate the collegiate game. The Northern Michigan commit has steadily risen up draft boards since his outstanding showing at the Minnesota state tournament.

Evan Bushy	2020 NHL Draft Eligible
Position D, Shoots L	H/W: 6-0", 183 lbs
Stats to date (GP-G-A-P-PIM)	Thief River Falls High School, USHS-MN: (25-14-24-38-14)
	Sioux Falls Stampede/Sioux City Musketeers (USHL): 14-1-1-2-6
	Committed to St. Cloud State University (NCAA)

Grades (projected for future player development): Skating: 45, Shot: 50, Skills: 45, Smarts: 60, Physicality: 55. OFP: 51.75

Summary: Bushy is an efficient, intelligent two-way defenseman with potential to develop into a respectable depth piece with some penalty kill responsibility. The rearguard moves pretty well in spite of a low top speed in his hunchbacked skating stance, with edgework and agility that can shut down shot/pass lanes of opposing forwards. Highly sound from a positional standpoint, he rarely appears out of place and uses his long reach well to dislodge the puck from his longer, more passive gaps. Without much puck skill, Bushy generally opts to chip the puck up the glass rather than carry the puck out, but has displayed the skill to set up plays through the neutral zone with his passing. Though he has shown he can put up points at the prep school level, I think the most likely future for this St. Cloud State commit is a shutdown depth role.

Timofey Spitserov	2020 NHL Draft Eligible
Position RW, Shoots L	H/W: 6-0", 181 lbs
Stats to date (GP-G-A-P-PIM)	Culver Military Academy Prep, USHS-IN: (40-49-27-76-6)
	Committed to UMASS-Amherst (NCAA)

Grades (projected for future player development): Skating: 55, Shot: 55, Skills: 45, Smarts: 55, Physicality: 45. OFP: 51.5

Summary: The hard-working, versatile forward from St. Petersburg, Russia competes with an infectious tenacity on every shift, notably his work on the penalty kill. Speedy and quick on his feet to accelerate, Spitserov can track any opposing player well in the defensive zone and has the instincts to break up plays and force turnovers before any trouble. He could very well excel in the NCAA and beyond just on account of his two-way play, but that is without even mentioning how offensively gifted he is. His shot is heavy and one taken frequently, aided by his fast delivery and capability of finding high-danger areas of the ice to unleash it from. Spitserov is prone to some shift-to-shift inconsistencies and was assisted heavily by a weak competition level in Indiana prep school.

Jack Smith	2020 NHL Draft Eligible
Position C, Shoots L	H/W: 5-11", 185 lbs
Stats to date (GP-G-A-P-PIM)	St. Cloud Cathedral, USHS-MN: (11-16-14-30-12)
	Team Great Plains, UMHSEL: (16-7-11-18-10)
	Committed to University of Minnesota-Duluth (NCAA)

Grades (projected for future player development): Skating: 50, Shot: 50, Skills: 50, Smarts: 55, Physicality: 50. OFP: 51.25

Summary: Smith is a well-rounded forward so heavily regarded, the U.S. National Development Team offered him a spot on the roster last year, but there is cause for concern around Cathedral captain. He missed more than half of his senior prep school season due to an upper-body injury, which limited viewings and his consistent ability to play at 100%. When he is healthy, he can be a dynamic talent, using his smarts, toughness on the puck, and playmaking to generate offensive chances for his club. Most notably, his defensive zone battling and responsibility can win over coaches at any level.

Joe Miller	2020 NHL Draft Eligible
Position RW, Shoots R	H/W: 5-9", 146 lbs
Stats to date (GP-G-A-P-PIM)	Blake School, USHS-MN: (25-25-34-59-4)
	Team Southwest, UMHSEHL: (17-7-6-13-0)
	Committed to University of Minnesota (NCAA)

Grades (projected for future player development): Skating: 60, Shot: 55, Skills: 55, Smarts: 45, Physicality: 40. OFP: 53.25

Summary: Born September 15, 2002, Miller is the youngest player eligible for the 2020 NHL Draft, and also one of the smallest from a physical standpoint. You won’t ever see him enter an Eric Lindros beast mode (barring an inhuman growth spurt), but the future Golden Gopher is an offensive machine regardless. His skating is just what you would expect out of someone so light, with acceleration, top speed, agility, and stride power all grading out as above average. As a power-play quarterback from the half-wall in a Patrick Kane mold, he can unleash his powerful wrist shot or use his high-end vision to find open teammates in space. He is not much of a defensive player, and of course, can’t really hold his own physically, but could be a diamond in the rough for a team willing to let the fearless forward develop his way through their system after the draft.

Paul Dore	2020 NHL Draft Eligible
Position LW, Shoots L	H/W: 6-1", 194 lbs
Stats to date (GP-G-A-P-PIM)	Kimball Union Academy, USHS-NH: (33-18-19-37-4)
	GBL Bruins U18, EHF 18U Elite: (2-0-1-1-0)

Grades (projected for future player development): Skating: 45, Shot: 50, Skills: 45, Smarts: 55, Physicality: 60. OFP: 49.25

Summary: High-energy winger with strong two-way attributes and the chippiness to incorporate it all into one package. Very physical and scrappy player with a speedy motor on the forecheck and in transition, where his inventive passing and ability to find dead ice to open up for passes comes into play. Dore is not much of a skater as his top speed lags behind his prep school counterparts, but he does have decent footwork and can sustain his max level of speed throughout his shifts. His offensive potential is fairly limited with his below-average skating and lack of puck skills, but he is a very physical player and can play penalty kill at higher levels. He is not currently committed to play hockey at the university level but will be competing in the BCHL next season.

Matthew Gleason	2020 NHL Draft Eligible
Position C, Shoots L	H/W: 5-8", 170 lbs
Stats to date (GP-G-A-P-PIM)	Cretin-Derham Hall High School (USHS-MN): 25-35-38-73-12
	Team Southeast, UMHSEHL: (16-16-14-30-0)
	Chicago Steel, USHL: (1-0-0-0-0)
	Committed to Colorado College (NCAA)

Grades (projected for future player development): Skating: 55, Shot: 55, Skills: 50, Smarts: 60, Physicality: 45. OFP: 54

Summary: The Minnesota Star-Tribune high school player of the year (joining previous winners like Nick Bjugstad, Brock Boeser, and Casey Mittelstadt), Gleason earned great respect in the state for his leadership, toughness, and effort, but he is much more than a locker room presence, he is a Swiss army knife on the ice. A solid penalty killer and effective power play puck distributor, Gleason can do a little of everything, but really shines when he shoots; he is rapid, accurate, and capable of releasing the puck with little windup. Though he does not have the quickest feet or ability to weave around in tight, his top skating speed is high and he loves to run set pieces where he receives a pass through the middle at max velocity.

Zachary Michaelis	2020 NHL Draft Eligible
Position C, Shoots L	H/W: 6-0", 203 lbs
Stats to date (GP-G-A-P-PIM)	Elk River High School, USHS-MN: (25-26-22-48-6)
	Minnesota Wilderness, NAHL: (16-2-6-8-2)
	Committed to University of Nebraska-Omaha (NCAA)

Grades (projected for future player development): Skating: 50, Shot: 55, Skills: 55, Smarts: 40, Physicality: 55. OFP: 50.25

Summary: Michaelis looks like another power forward with room to grow as his young career progresses, but his skills now are high end. He is a complete offensive weapon with skating swiftness and balance, a high-octane shot, hands to deke out goalies and one-on-one moves, and of course, a muscular, tall body that can shield the puck off for glides into the offensive zone. He is fearless with the puck and never backs down from a challenge offensively, but that same gutsiness on offense can plague him defensively and he will need to clean that up to stick over time. The Omaha commit has some high upside.

Christian Miller	2020 NHL Draft Eligible
Position D, Shoots L	H/W: 6-3", 216 lbs
Stats to date (GP-G-A-P-PIM)	Greenway High School, USHS-MN: (25-9-20-29-24)
	Team Great Plains, UMHSEHL: (15-3-5-8-8)
	Bismark Bobcats, NAHL: (3-1-0-1-0)
	Committed to St. Cloud State University (NCAA)

Grades (projected for future player development): Skating: 50, Shot: 45, Skills: 45, Smarts: 50, Physicality: 60. OFP: 50

Summary: Miller is a rugged, stay-at-home defenseman whose size, strength, and positioning give him high draft upside. A solid skater, his transition from forwards to backward skating, as well as his lateral movement, are pluses in his game. Defensively, he keeps long gaps to invite opposing forwards in, where he can then employ his long reach and size disparity to dislodge his enemies. He can play on his off side and does so with success. Not much of a puck-handler, he prefers to pass rather than carry the puck at all times, and is prone to some turnovers. Can shoot with space, but has a long windup that can hurt when trying to rush a shot. He is big and fairly mobile.

Bayard Hall	2020 NHL Draft Eligible
Position D, Shoots R	H/W: 6--1", 176 lbs
Stats to date (GP-G-A-P-PIM)	Salisbury School (USHS-CT): 28-0-8-8-n/a
	Yale Jr. Bulldogs U18, BEAST U18: (6-1-1-2-0)
	Committed to Yale University (NCAA)

Grades (projected for future player development): Skating: 55, Shot: 45, Skills: 50, Smarts: 55, Physicality: 50. OFP: 52

Summary: Tall, athletic defenseman whose game matured over his senior season at Salisbury. Details of his defensive game, such as initial blue line defense (poke and sweep checking, skate transitioning for improved gap control) impressed me. Clogs up lanes with long reach and lanky body, blocks shots, and can send outlet passes. Past that, unfortunately, his offensive game seems very limited, which is underwhelming given his smarts and mobility. It is difficult to project what kind of game he will play in the future, but right now, he is a defensive defenseman with the build and skillset of a transitional one.

Philip Tresca	2020 NHL Draft Eligible
Position C, Shoots R	H/W: 5-11", 181 lbs
Stats to date (GP-G-A-P-PIM)	The Rivers School, USHS-MA: (28-10-18-28-10)
	Boston Jr. Eagles 18U, EHF 18U Elite: (3-2-1-3-0)
	Committed to Yale University (NCAA)

Grades (projected for future player development): Skating: 55, Shot: 45, Skills: 50, Smarts: 55, Physicality: 45. OFP: 50.75

Summary: Tresca’s entire game, in all three zones, runs through his anticipation and vision of the ice. A highly intelligent player for his age group and competition level, the Yale commit looks like he sees the ice differently than his teammates and opponents. He is a talented and slippery skater who does not need to push for much power to reach speed, and carries momentum well. His ability to generate offense off the rush is thanks to his quick-thinking and confident play with the puck, and similarly, his strength on defense. He switched between left wing and center for most of the season but played center, and held his own, in the footage I took in. His offensive numbers are underwhelming, but his hockey IQ is high.

Gustave Bylin	2020 NHL Draft Eligible
Position G, Catches L	H/W: 6-4", 185 lbs
Stats to date (GP-GAA-SV%)	Selects Hockey Academy 18U, Midget: (38-2.81-.903)
	Selects Hockey Academy 18U, BEAST U18: (5-4.39-.829)

Grades (projected for future player development): Athleticism/Quickness/Speed: 55, Compete/Temperament: 50, Vision/Play-reading: 40, Technique/Style: 45, Rebound Control: 50, Puck Handling: 45. OFP: 47.25

Summary: Bylin is an impressively quick netminder for one with a lanky, top-heavy body. With strong legs and a flexible lower-half, his athleticism can lock down the bottom half of the goal with ease with beautiful post-to-post lateral movement. A strong mind, he is not rattled easily and maintains a pretty calm presence in goal, which helps him absorb and contain rebounds well. There are some glaring technical flaws within Bylin’s game, most importantly his issues with keeping his glove and blocker elevated before shots and how slowly he anticipates incoming pressure.

A note on the 20-80 scale used above. We look at five attributes (skating, shooting, puck skills, hockey IQ and physicality) for skaters and six for goalies (athleticism/quickness, compete/temperament, vision/play reading, technique/style, rebound control and puck handling). Each individual attribute is graded along the 20-80 scales, which includes half-grades. The idea is that a projection of 50 in a given attribute meant that our observer believed that the player could get to roughly NHL average at that attribute at maturity.