Matthew Phillips – McKeen's Hockey

FANTASY: The Week Ahead – November 27 to December 3rd – Teams with favourable schedules and who to target

Ryan Dadoun — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 17:41:13 +0000

With a 4-1 loss to Detroit on Sunday, Minnesota has now lost its last seven straight contests to drop to 5-10-4. That puts them 30th in the NHL in terms of points, ahead of just Chicago and San Jose.

At the heart of Minnesota’s issues is its goaltending. Marc-Andre Fleury has a 3-4-2 record, 3.46 GAA and .875 save percentage through nine outings while Filip Gustavsson is 2-6-2 with a 3.94 GAA and an .881 save percentage in 11 starts. Going into Sunday’s action, the Wild ranked eighth in expected goals against with 57.31, which suggests the defense has been solid, but the goalies have wasted the effort.

To be fair to Fleury and Gustavsson though, the Wild have also struggled to score and currently sit in a three-way tie for 20th offensively with 2.95 goals per game. Mats Zuccarello, Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek are a solid enough trio, supplying 21, 18 and 17 points respectively through 19 games, but after them, the Wild’s next best players are Ryan Hartman and Marco Rossi, who each have 11 points. In other words, they could use more secondary scoring.

These are issues that have been tough for Minnesota to address. Buying out Zach Parise and Ryan Suter in July of 2021 might have helped the Wild out in the short term, but they’re paying for it now. The team has $14.7 million in dead space this year and they’ll have the same penalty next season as well. After that, the bulk of the cap burden will go away, but in the meantime, GM Bill Guerin is assembling this team with a hand behind his back. It’s unfortunate because it’s squandering the prime years of Kaprizov, who is also only under contract through 2026, but that’s the reality.

Maybe it’s too early to write Minnesota off, though. Fleury has defied expectations before, so maybe the 38-year-old has one more comeback in him. Maybe Gustavsson will bounce back too, given how much better he was than this in 2022-23. It’s a long shot given how deep the Wild’s hole is at this point, but it’s also their best hope.

MONTREAL, QC - NOVEMBER 11: Look on Boston Bruins center Charlie Coyle (13) during the Boston Bruins versus the Montreal Canadiens game on November 11, 2023, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire)

Boston Bruins

Boston is experiencing its first downswing of the season, though it’s only been a mild one. The Bruins have lost two straight contests and three of their last four games, bringing their record to 14-3-3.

Boston will attempt to end the slump during a busy week, featuring games in Columbus on Monday, against the Sharks on Thursday, in Toronto on Saturday and versus the Blue Jackets on Sunday. Two contests against the lowly Blue Jackets, not to mention the league-worst Sharks, make the upcoming stretch a great opportunity for the Bruins to enter a new winning streak.

Keep an eye on Charlie Coyle, particularly during this stretch. He’s riding a five-game scoring streak in which he’s collected four goals and seven points. With nine markers and 19 points in 20 outings this campaign, Coyle’s well on his way to shattering his career highs of 21 goals and 56 points. Take some caution with him though: His 23.1 shooting percentage is a big red flag. Given the nature of the upcoming competition, I don’t expect him to slow down yet, but if you have Coyle on your fantasy squad, you might want to think about attempting to sell high in a week or two.

If your team happens to include either Bruins goaltender -- Linus Ullmark or Jeremy Swayman -- don't worry yet. Sure, Swayman has allowed nine goals on 75 shots (.880 save percentage) over his last two starts while Ullmark was on the wrong end of a 7-4 loss to the Rangers on Saturday, but those struggles are an anomaly is what has been a generally strong campaign for both of them. The Bruins were also facing some of the league’s top offenses recently, which won’t be the case in three of their four contests this week.

Florida Panthers

The Panthers are another team that needs to rebound after a bit of a skid. They have a two-game losing streak heading into a road trip against Ottawa on Monday, Toronto on Tuesday and Montreal on Thursday. They’ll then return to Florida to host the Islanders on Saturday. Of those adversaries, Toronto is the only one in the upper half of the league in terms of points.

With that busy schedule against mostly middling teams ahead of Florida, you might be well served to grab defenseman Niko Mikkola in fantasy leagues for the short term if you have the opportunity. He’s not typically a significant offensive threat -- his career high in points is 13 -- but the Panthers have used him in a top-four role this season, which has led to his production ticking up to three goals and eight points in 20 contests. He’s been particularly effective recently with two goals and three points over his last three outings.

This week should also see the end of Matthew Tkachuk’s scoreless drought, which currently stands at five games. In particular, I’m looking for him to find the back of the net soon. He has just three tallies through 20 contests, leaving him with a 3.5 shooting percentage, which is far below his career average of 12.7. Tkachuk is not going to continue to be that unlucky with the puck, especially with him currently ranking in the 99th percentile in terms of high-danger shots on goal.

Nashville Predators

Nashville has clawed its way back to .500 by winning its last five contests, and the Predators have three home games ahead of them as they look to extend that run. They’ll host the Penguins on Tuesday, the Wild on Thursday and the Rangers on Saturday before concluding the week with a road contest versus Buffalo on Sunday.

Filip Forsberg has been the chief architect of the Predators’ current winning streak, providing four goals and seven points over that five-game span. Through 20 outings this year, he’s up to 11 goals and 25 points. Forsberg was held back by injury troubles last year, but now that he’s healthy again, it’s entirely plausible for him to challenge his career highs of 42 goals and 84 points, which were set in 2021-22.

If you’re looking for a lower profile forward who might be had in standard fantasy leagues as a short-term pickup, then Yakov Trenin should fit the bill. After being held off the scoresheet over his first 14 contests this season, Trenin has contributed four goals and five points over his last five contests. He typically serves in a middle-six role but has logged over 17 minutes in each of Nashville’s last three contests, including a season-high 19:18 on Sunday.

New York Rangers

The Rangers have won three consecutive contests, bringing them up to 15-3-1, so they’re in a dominant position going into what will be a busy week. They’ll host the Sabres and Red Wings on Monday and Wednesday, respectively, before traveling to Nashville for a contest Saturday and returning home to play the Sharks. Of those teams, the 11-6-3 Red Wings are the fiercest competition, but the Rangers already earned a 5-3 victory over Detroit earlier this month.

Jimmy Vesey might be a decent short-term pickup this week. He’s primarily a fourth line forward, but recently he’s seen an uptick in ice time to an average of 13:34 over his last three outings and even has gotten a little use on the second power-play unit. Vesey also supplied a goal and an assist Saturday, bringing him up to four tallies and seven points in 17 outings this campaign. It’s all still not enough to make him fantasy-relevant in most leagues under normal circumstances, but New York’s busy schedule combined with his increased usage makes things interesting for now.

On the blue line, Erik Gustafsson is on fire with a goal and 10 points over his last nine appearances. It’s no coincidence that Gustafsson’s offensive climb coincides perfectly with Adam Fox’s (lower body) absence. Gustafsson is on the first power-play unit during Fox’s absence and three of Gustafsson’s last four helpers have been recorded with the man advantage.

Fox is eligible to be activated off LTIR on Nov. 29, so there’s a non-zero chance he’ll return this week. If that happens, Gustafsson’s production is likely to cool somewhat.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Speaking of returning stars, goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy made his season debut Friday, saving 22 of 24 shots in an 8-2 victory over Carolina. Now that their elite netminder has recovered from his back injury, Tampa Bay will look to go on a run this week with games in Colorado on Monday, Arizona on Tuesday and Dallas on Saturday. The Lightning also have a home contest Thursday versus the Penguins.

Vasilevskiy is extremely unlikely to play in both halves of the back-to-back, especially so soon after returning, so Jonas Johansson is likely to make at least one start this week. Beyond that though, Johansson should be used sparingly for the remainder of the campaign. He didn’t do enough to earn a bigger role in the long run with his 8-4-5 record, 3.41 GAA and .894 save percentage in 17 outings during Vasilevskiy’s absence.

Up front, this should be another big week for Nikita Kucherov, who is on fire with four goals and 11 points over his last four contests. It’s crazy to think that Kucherov comes with a sub-$10 million cap hit through 2026-27 ($9.5 million to be exact), especially with the cap expected to jump dramatically over the next couple of seasons.

He’s not the biggest bargain on the Lightning though: That’d be Brandon Hagel. He’s in the final campaign of a three-year, $4.5 million deal. Hagel set career highs in 2022-23 with 30 goals and 64 points in 81 contests and might do even better this season after providing 10 goals and 22 points through 21 outings. Even the eight-year, $52 million deal he signed in August might prove to be a steal when you consider that he’s just 25.

He also highlights the downside of the Blackhawks’ aggressive fire sale in the pre-Connor Bedard era. While it’s too early to truly judge the trade that sent Hagel to Tampa Bay in March 2022, and it’s possible Hagel’s breakout would have interfered with Chicago’s ability to tank for Bedard, it’s hard not to argue that Hagel wouldn’t be an ideal player for a rebuilding squad like the Blackhawks to have, if only they had held onto him.

Vegas Golden Knights

After getting off to an 11-0-1 start, Vegas has won just three of its last nine games. The Golden Knights will start the week against two struggling teams though, with contests in Calgary on Monday and Edmonton on Tuesday. Vegas will then wrap up the road trip with a contest in Vancouver on Thursday before hosting Washington on Saturday.

Vegas is missing key blueliner Shea Theodore (lower body) after he was put on the injured reserve list Sunday and defenseman Alec Martinez (lower body) has missed the Golden Knights’ last two contests and is regarded as day-to-day.

That’s created an opportunity for Ben Hutton, who logged a season-high 20:34 of ice time Saturday, including 2:49 with the man advantage. By contrast, he’s averaged 15:02 this season and 0:35 on the power play. Hutton has just two assists in 15 games this season, so don’t get too excited, but if he maintains the role he had Saturday for as long as Theodore and Martinez are out, then Hutton might still make some short-term offensive contributions.

Vegas has just scored two goals over its last three games, so naturally, the Golden Knights don’t have much in the way of hot forwards, but Jonathan Marchessault is the closest to an exception with three goals and five points over his last five outings. The 32-year-old is up to nine goals and 14 points through 21 contests overall and should surpass the 50-point milestone for the third straight campaign.

Washington Capitals

The Capitals suffered a 5-0 loss to Edmonton on Friday but won its previous five games. They’ll be on the road this week with contests in San Jose on Monday, LA on Wednesday, Anaheim on Thursday and Vegas on Saturday.

T.J. Oshie (upper body) suffered an injury Friday, so the Capitals might be without him this week in addition to forwards Nicklas Backstrom (hip) and Max Pacioretty (Achilles). With so many key scorers out, the Capitals’ top six is looking fairly thin.

Matthew Phillips has been a healthy scratch for the Capitals’ last three games, but he might draw back into the lineup Monday and even see time on one of the top two lines. The 25-year-old had 36 goals and 76 points in 66 AHL contests this year, so he’s always been worth keeping an eye on to see how the Capitals utilize him. So far in 2023-24, he has a goal and four points in 14 outings but has averaged just 10:40 of ice time.

Connor McMichael also has the potential to see his role increase somewhat. Through 17 outings this year, he has four goals and eight points while averaging 14:38 of ice time. It’s worth noting he’s been hot lately with two goals and five points over his last seven outings, making this an ideal time for the Capitals to utilize him more anyway.

One additional forward to monitor is Hendrix Lapierre. The 21-year-old has struggled to get a regular role this campaign, but the injuries might change that. Taken with the 22nd overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, he gave a taste of what he might be capable of last Saturday when he scored a goal and registered two assists in a 4-3 win over Columbus. Outside of that, though, Lapierre’s been quiet with Washington.

Winnipeg Jets

Despite a 3-2 loss to Nashville on Sunday, Winnipeg is one of the hottest teams in the league after claiming eight of its last 10 games. The Jets only have three games this week, but they’re all home contests, against Dallas on Tuesday, Edmonton on Thursday and Chicago on Saturday. Those final two games look particularly winnable given the state of the Oilers (7-12-1) and Blackhawks (6-13-0).

Connor Hellebuyck has been a huge part of the Jets’ recent success, posting a 6-1-0 record, 2.15 GAA and .926 save percentage over his last seven starts. That’s night and day compared to his first eight starts of the campaign -- a 4-3-1 record, 3.09 GAA and .891 save percentage. Hellebuyck has been an elite goaltender for years, so it’s not surprising to see the 30-year-old rebound from his shaky start. With this week’s contests spread out, there’s a good chance the Jets will deploy him in all their games.

Josh Morrissey is also on a strong run, providing three goals and five points over his last four outings. That brings him up to four goals and 19 points in 20 contests this year. Vladislav Namestnikov has been an underrated factor too, supplying a goal and six assists over the span of a six-game scoring streak from Nov. 11-24. That run ended Sunday, but it’s a little early to declare the hot streak completely dead. That said, he traditionally hasn’t been a significant offensive force -- he's exceeded the 40-point mark just once in his career -- so if you picked him up during his recent success, then you should be prepared to drop him if he has a couple more quiet contests in a row.

FANTASY HOCKEY: The Week Ahead – October 23rd to 29th

Ryan Dadoun — Mon, 23 Oct 2023 17:18:40 +0000

NEWARK, NJ - OCTOBER 12: Detroit Red Wings right wing Alex DeBrincat (93) celebrates his goal during a game between the Detroit Red Wings and New Jersey Devils on October 12, 2023 at Prudential Center in the Newark, New Jersey.(Photo by Andrew Mordzynski/Icon Sportswire)

After adding forwards Alex DeBrincat and J.T. Compher, backup goaltender James Reimer and defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere over the summer, Detroit was positioned to take a step forward from its 35-37-10 finish in 2022-23. Few would have anticipated the Red Wings’ early dominance though.

With a 6-2 victory over Calgary on Sunday, Detroit is now 5-1-0 and its summer acquisitions have played a huge part in that. DeBrincat has eight (!) goals and 12 points in six contests, Compher has a goal and four points, Gostisbehere has two markers and six points and Reimer has a 1.00 GAA and a .963 save percentage to win his first two starts with Detroit. Of course, they haven’t been the only factors, most notably Dylan Larkin has 11 points in six contests, but it’s rare to see a team not only get so hot out of the gate, but to achieve that primarily through the strength of new additions.

Naturally, this isn’t going to last. DeBrincat isn’t going to maintain his current pace and finish with 109 goals (though besting his career high of 41 is certainly possible). Still, Detroit figures to be a serious contender for a playoff spot this year, and when you remember that the Atlantic Division also features Boston, Ottawa, Toronto, Tampa Bay, Florida and Buffalo, it becomes clear that this is going to be a very tough fight.

Edmonton has a tough fight on its hands too. The Oilers are off to a disappointing 1-3-1 record, due in part to them scoring a underwhelming 2.60 goals per game, and now Connor McDavid is expected to miss the next week or two with an upper-body injury. Others have to step up in his absence with one forward in particular to keep an eye on being Warren Foegele. He’s typically not a major offensive force and has averaged just 11:44 of ice time this season, but with McDavid out, Foegele might be elevated to a top-six spot. Mattias Janmark, who has averaged 12:05 through five contests, might also see his playing time noticeably increase during McDavid’s absence.

Boston Bruins

DAY	DATE	AWAY	HOME
Tue	10/24/2023	BOS	CHI
Thu	10/26/2023	ANA	BOS
Sat	10/28/2023	DET	BOS

Watching Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci retire over the summer hasn’t stopped the Bruins from going 5-0-0 to open the season, though that’s thanks to goaltenders Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark allowing just seven goals thus far rather than any forward stepping up to fill the void left by Boston’s former centers.

Regardless, Boston has a chance to keep that winning streak when they play in Chicago on Tuesday. The Bruins will face another rebuilding squad Thursday when they host Anaheim, though Saturday will feature a tougher home contest versus Detroit. The Red Wings with their red hot offense might prove to be the first major test for the Bruins’ goaltending.

As it is, the Bruins have already beaten each of Chicago and Anaheim once this season, so they’ll look for more of the same in those contests. Boston has been using its starters evenly so far, so if it continues its present rotation, Ullmark will likely play against Chicago and Swayman will get Anaheim. Both should be good options in daily leagues.

Boston’s offense has been a lot less impressive and what production there has been is primarily thanks to David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand, who have combined for nine goals and 15 points. Rookie Matthew Poitras did have his first big night Sunday though, providing two goals. He’s playing on the second line and getting some power-play ice time, so if you’re looking for a lower profile player to go after in Boston, he’s not a bad option.

Carolina Hurricanes

DAY	DATE	AWAY	HOME
Tue	10/24/2023	CAR	TBL
Thu	10/26/2023	SEA	CAR
Fri	10/27/2023	SJS	CAR

Last year, facing the Lightning followed by the Kraken would have been a rough combo, but so far in 2023-24, those are two winnable games, especially for a team like Carolina. When the Hurricanes play in Tampa Bay on Tuesday, they’ll be up against a lackluster 2-2-2 team due in no small part to goaltender Jonas Johansson posting a 3.58 GAA and a .902 save percentage through five contests. Andrei Vasilevskiy (back) is still unavailable, though, so the Lightning are likely to once again put him in net.

Seattle, which will play in Carolina on Thursday, has fared even worse, getting off to a 1-4-1 start. The Kraken were one of the league’s top teams offensively last season, but they’ve averaged just 1.83 goals per game this year. The Hurricanes will round out the week with a home game against the rebuilding Sharks on Friday.

Seth Jarvis and Jesperi Kotkaniemi have been fantastic over Carolina’s first six contests, each providing seven points. They’re two young forwards who entered the campaign with plenty of untapped offensive upside, so this might just be the start of their respective breakout seasons.

Stefan Noesen is far less likely to put up big numbers this season, but after scoring a goal and six points over the last three contests, he’s worthy of a short-term pickup to take advantage of his hot streak mixed with the Hurricanes’ favorable schedule.

Columbus Blue Jackets

DAY	DATE	AWAY	HOME
Tue	10/24/2023	ANA	CBJ
Thu	10/26/2023	CBJ	MTL
Sat	10/28/2023	NYI	CBJ

The Blue Jackets aren’t expected to do particularly well this season, but they are hot at the moment, winning three of their last four games. To make matters better, they have two very winnable contests ahead of them, first hosting Anaheim on Tuesday then facing Montreal on Thursday. Columbus will conclude the week with a home game versus the Islanders, which are projected to be a good, but not great, squad.

One of the keys to Columbus’ recent success has been Justin Danforth, who has three goals and four points in his last four contests. The 30-year-old is a bottom-six forward, so don’t expect him to finish the campaign with significant offensive numbers, but with him hot and the Blue Jackets’ first two opponents this week featuring questionable defenses, Danforth is worthy of consideration as a short-term grab.

With Patrik Laine (upper body) potentially out for one or more games this week, which might result in Columbus leaning more on Kirill Marchenko. In the Blue Jackets’ first contest without Laine on Saturday, Marchenko logged 19:04 of ice time, including 3:27 on the power play -- up from an average of 16:02 over his first four outings this season. Marchenko had 21 goals and 25 points in 59 contests as a rookie last season and three assists in five appearances in 2023-24, but he has the potential to do better and is in a position to succeed.

Detroit Red Wings

DAY	DATE	AWAY	HOME
Tue	10/24/2023	SEA	DET
Thu	10/26/2023	WPG	DET
Sat	10/28/2023	DET	BOS

As noted above, the Red Wings are off to a fantastic start and they’ll look to keep that going with games at home versus Seattle and Winnipeg on Tuesday and Thursday, respectively, before facing a big test in Saturday’s road contest versus Boston.

Detroit’s incredible offensive output to begin the campaign has allowed some strong performances to fly under the radar. In particular, Joe Veleno has three goals over his last two contests, which might be one of the biggest stories if he was playing on a different team. Veleno is a former first-round pick (30th overall in 2018), so he does have upside, but his position on the Red Wings’ third line and lack of a power-play role makes it hard to recommend him as anything more than a short-term pickup.

Speaking of which, I think grabbing Daniel Sprong would be an interesting choice ahead of the Seattle game. Sprong spent the previous two campaigns with the Kraken and like Detroit’s other summer additions, he’s off to a strong start this season with two goals and four points in six contests. I think there’s a solid chance he’ll be a factor against his former team.

Montreal Canadiens

DAY	DATE	AWAY	HOME
Mon	10/23/2023	MTL	BUF
Tue	10/24/2023	NJD	MTL
Thu	10/26/2023	CBJ	MTL
Sat	10/28/2023	WPG	MTL

The Canadiens have a full schedule this week with a road game in Buffalo on Monday before heading home to host New Jersey on Tuesday, Columbus on Thursday and Winnipeg on Saturday. That’s solid competition throughout, but I’m still going to highlight the Canadiens by virtue of them getting a four-game set, including three at home, this week.

Sean Monahan has gotten off to a strong start with two goals and four points in four contests. The 2022-23 campaign might have been known as his comeback season had he stayed healthy, but that could happen this season instead. Although his tenure with Calgary ended poorly, he might finish 2023-24 with 50-60 points.

One Canadiens player who unfortunately will not have a good season is Kirby Dach. His campaign ended when he suffered torn right ACL and MCL on Oct. 14. His absence might lead to Michael Pezzetta playing regularly this season after spending the first two contests as a healthy scratch. Pezzetta won’t provide much offensively, but he should be a good source of PIM and hits.

If you’re looking for points, Tanner Pearson is a better bet. The middle-six winger isn’t worth more than a short-term pickup, but he is going into the week on a three-game scoring streak, contributing two goals and an assist over that span.

New Jersey Devils

DAY	DATE	AWAY	HOME
Tue	10/24/2023	NJD	MTL
Wed	10/25/2023	WSH	NJD
Fri	10/27/2023	BUF	NJD
Sun	10/29/2023	MIN	NJD
Fri	11/10/2023	WSH	NJD

In addition to their road game against Montreal on Tuesday, the Devils will have a home stretch versus Washington, Buffalo and Minnesota on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, respectively. The Capitals and Sabres have plenty of major offensive weapons, but Buffalo has averaged just 2.40 goals per game while Washington has somehow managed 1.25.

That’s good news for Vitek Vanecek and Akira Schmid. The Devils goaltending duo has struggled out of the gate, posting a combined 3.45 GAA and .892 save percentage while splitting the workload evenly, but they’re capable of better and perhaps those matchups will serve as an opportunity for them to turn things around.

On offense, things have been going far better for the Devils with Jack Hughes being especially effective, scoring four goals and 10 points in just four contests. Injuries are becoming an issue though with Erik Haula (upper body), Nico Hischier (upper body) and Tomas Nosek (lower body) all day-to-day. We’ve already seen Michael McLeod jump from averaging 10:17 over New Jersey’s first two games to 15:00 in the last two, and he might get top-six minutes until one or more of those forwards return.

Vegas Golden Knights

DAY	DATE	AWAY	HOME
Tue	10/24/2023	PHI	VGK
Fri	10/27/2023	CHI	VGK
Sat	10/28/2023	VGK	LAK

Winning the Stanley Cup didn’t satiate the Golden Knights or leave them tired. They’ve opened the season with a 6-0-0 record and have a solid chance of continuing that streak at home Tuesday versus Philadelphia. Vegas is also set to host Chicago on Friday and play in Los Angeles on Saturday.

The Golden Knights’ early success has been due to their deep offense. Nicolas Roy, Jack Eichel and Jonathan Marchessault have each provided three goals while Chandler Stephenson and William Karlsson have each found the back of the net twice. Defenseman Shea Theodore is also off to a great start, contributing a goal and six points.

Even their replacements have come through. With defenseman Alex Pietrangelo (upper body) unavailable, rookie Kaedan Korczak has entered the lineup and provided a goal and three points over three contests. The 22-year-old isn’t expected to be a significant offensive producer this season, but with him being hot, he’s a short-term selection option, provided Pietrangelo isn’t ready to return Tuesday.

Paul Cotter is also red hot, scoring a goal and four points over the last four contests. He’s another player who is presently producing above his ability, but Cotter got ample power-play time Saturday, which led to him contributing two points with the man advantage, so he’s an interesting option right now.

Washington Capitals

DAY	DATE	AWAY	HOME
Tue	10/24/2023	TOR	WSH
Wed	10/25/2023	WSH	NJD
Fri	10/27/2023	MIN	WSH
Sun	10/29/2023	SJS	WSH

The Capitals don’t have an easy schedule, but they are at least set to play four games. They’ll host Toronto on Tuesday, play on the road versus the Devils on Wednesday, then return to Washington to host the Wild and Sharks on Friday and Sunday, respectively.

The big question is if Washington can get its offense going after scoring just five goals over its first four contests. Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Tom Wilson still don’t have a goal yet.

At the very least, you have to figure Ovechkin is going to breakthrough sooner rather than later, but what’s concerning is that not only has he failed to score, but he also hasn’t shot the puck much. Ovechkin is known for firing a crazy amount of shots -- an average of 4.71 per game over his career and over 4.00 in each of his last six years. The one time he dipped below that was 2016-17 when he averaged 3.82 shots per game and was limited to 33 goals in 82 contests -- the worst output he’s ever had in terms of goals per game. So the fact that he’s averaged just 2.25 shots in 2023-24 is a potential red flag. That said, it’s early, and those who doubted Ovechkin in the past have consistently been proven wrong.

Washington’s lone pleasant surprise thus far has been Matthew Phillips. The 25-year-old rookie has a goal and three points in four contests this year. He was dominant in the AHL over the previous two campaigns, contributing a combined 67 goals and 144 points in 131 appearances, so perhaps Phillips will find a way to continue to be a factor this season.

MCKEEN’S 2023-24 NHL YEARBOOK – WASHINGTON CAPITALS – Top 20 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #19

Brock Otten, Derek Neumeier, Chapin Landvogt and Josh Bell — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 14:49:23 +0000

Top 20 Washington Capitals Prospects

1. Ryan Leonard

There is no area in Leonard’s game that requires significant growth in order for him to be an NHLer. His ability to play with pace, his physicality, goal scoring ability, and two-way efficiency made him one of the most complete forwards available for the 2023 draft. Unquestionably, one of his best qualities is his shot. Armed with an array of high-end shots, Leonard can beat goalies in a variety of ways. His offensive zone anticipation and understanding of spacing helps him to consistently find soft spots in coverage and his quick release helps him to take advantage of those opportunities more often than not. The million-dollar question is ultimately what is his upside if he’s really good at absolutely everything, but not elite in any one thing? Can he be a first line winger the way guys like Gabriel Landeskog or Matthew Tkachuk? Or does he fit more into the middle of the lineup as a Brandon Saad or Nick Foligno type? Headed to Boston College (along with USNTDP linemates Smith and Perreault), Leonard will focus on improving his vision and playmaking ability. He should be an immediate impact player at the collegiate level similar to how Cutter Gauthier was last season. He should also be in the NHL sooner than many players drafted in the 2023 first round.

2. Hendrix Lapierre

It was a tough road for Lapierre, suffering multiple concussions and struggling at times to find his game after that. He had a very strong rookie season in the QMJHL, winning Offensive Rookie of the Year. But after that, injuries set in and he missed almost all of his draft year. Still, the Capitals took a chance, drafting him 22nd overall. He spent two more years in the Q, playing well but never taking off. He joined the AHL’s Hershey Bears last season where he was one of their more productive forwards, bringing a two-way presence to the ice. Lapierre is a highly talented playmaker, thanks to his borderline elite vision. He can shoot as well, although often looks for the pass first. He skates well, drives a line, and is reliable in his own end. There’s second-line potential here if everything falls into place.

3. Ivan Miroshnichenko

Miroshnichenko was once considered a top-three calibre selection for the 2022 Draft but after a slow start to his draft year and then a Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis, he slid to 20th where the Capitals were waiting. He ended up missing a large portion of 2021-22 but was back on the ice last season, a great sign after his diagnosis. He spent a large portion of his season in the KHL with Avangard Omsk but also saw time in both the VHL and MHL. He also has a strong international resume with Team Russia, including captaining Russia to a gold medal at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. He has a pro frame and moves very well on the ice, thanks to powerful skating strides. Miroshnichenko is a dynamic offensive asset, able to fire a hard wrister or show off an impressive pass. He has very soft, controlled hands. He still has top six potential but may take some time to actualize. He signed a three-year entry level contract with the Capitals to continue his journey in North America this season.

4. Andrew Cristall

Cristall is an absolute magician with the puck, with a seemingly bottomless bag full of tricks. He can stickhandle in a phone booth, and his ability to draw opponents out of better defensive positioning and in towards him is exceptional. He can reliably find existing passing lanes or make that one extra dangle or delay that one extra second to help open up better ones. He's no slouch as a shooter, either. Countless opponents have made the mistake of trying to cut off his passes only to leave their goalies in helpless positions after Cristall fooled them. For as entertaining as he has been in the WHL, there are questions about how he will look in the NHL. For a guy of his small stature he isn't a high-end skater, which is a concerning one-two punch. While he can use elusive footwork to sometimes help get him out of trouble in tight spaces, his acceleration and top speed are both sorely lacking. He has a hard time keeping up defensively. It's worth mentioning that he is whip-smart and incredibly driven, so he'll be aware of what parts of his game he needs to fix and will keep putting in the work to continue improving.

5. Vincent Iorio

Iorio has been overlooked by many due to his stat line never really jumping off the page. And yet he’s a mobile, puck-moving defender with a real chance to have a legit NHL career. He moves very well, utilizing his edges to navigate the neutral zone or to dance along the blue line. He moves the puck so well, making crisp, clean passes from anywhere on the ice. Drafted 55th overall in 2021, the right-handed defender already had three WHL seasons under his belt. He spent just one more with the Brandon Wheat Kings before joining the AHL Hershey Bears last season. He also earned a call-up for a few games with the Capitals and should see more this season. The defender is well on his way to becoming a skilled bottom-four defender.

6. Ryan Chesley

Chesley heard his name called 37th overall in 2022 after an impressive season with the USNTDP. He made the move to the NCAA last season with the University of Minnesota and found some challenges with his offensive output, especially playing in a more depth role. He’ll likely see additional ice time next season, so it remains to be seen if his offensive game can take a step forward. Chesley can bring offensive production, but he leans more toward the defensive side of the game. He keeps a very active stick and defends the rush very well. His defensive awareness is high. He also skates well and is no stranger to moving the puck around, but his offensive output is likely to be limited at the next level. He has the potential to develop into a reliable, two-way, depth defender.

7. Alexander Suzdalev

Suzdalev has an interesting backstory of having played for both Team Sweden and Team Russia on the international stage, as he maintains dual citizenship. Drafted 70th overall in 2022, the Capitals selected him from HV71’s junior program, where he produced over a point per game. He headed overseas last season to the WHL’s Regina Pats and had the opportunity to play with Connor Bedard. That resulted in him leading all rookies in goals (38), assists (48), and points (86). He’s a skilled, playmaking winger who shows the ability to control the pace of play. His handling of the puck stands out, as though he has the puck on a string quite often. He’s not always consistent in his effort, as is sometimes seen with young offensive talents. He has the skill to be a middle-six forward, but if he can’t find that missing consistency, could cap himself as a depth option.

8. Alexander Alexeyev

It’s been a long road for Alexeyev, but the journey is starting to pay off. Selected 31st overall in 2018, the Russian defender was finishing up his second WHL season, taking a notable step forward in his development. He played one more season there with the Red Deer Rebels, again showing promising potential. He made the jump to the AHL in 2019-20, adjusting well to the faster, harder game. He went home to Russia to start the 2020-21 season, on loan with KHL Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Alexeyev returned to the AHL to finish the year and has been there ever since, seeing significant NHL time last season. He’s been plagued by injuries throughout his development but still seems to be on the right track. A big, physical defender who can chip in offensively, he should stick in the NHL as a bottom-pairing blueliner.

9. Clay Stevenson

One of the oldest prospects in the Capitals system, Stevenson has had to be patient in his road to the pros. An undrafted netminder, Stevenson came up through the BCHL where he spent three seasons, including a dominant final year, earning recognition as the top goaltender in the league. He moved on to NCAA Dartmouth College but lost his freshman year due to the pandemic. After one collegiate season, posting a .922 save percentage, the Capitals came calling, signing him to an entry-level deal. He mainly played in the ECHL last season but also received a handful of AHL games where he looked very strong. Goaltenders tend to bloom late, and the Capitals have landed an intriguing one. He’ll need time in the minors to determine his ceiling, but at this point, he looks like a solid AHLer who could earn the occasional call-up.

10. Ludwig Persson

Drafted 85th overall in 2022, Persson has spent the last three seasons (including the current campaign) seeming always on the verge of making the jump to the SHL. Instead, he spent two strong seasons in the J20 Nationell and last season on loan in the HockeyAllsvenskan. It might very well have been his last season in Sweden, as he signed his entry-level deal in November 2022. The winger is an intelligent, offensive talent who can drive a line. The issue is that he doesn’t always take advantage of that, sitting on the sidelines and letting his teammates take over. He has a hard, quick release and a soft touch on his passes. The potential is there but he comes with a low floor as much as a high ceiling. The best-case scenario would be a middle-six role, but he may settle in as an AHL/depth option.

11. Joaquim Lemay

Lemay has been all over the place in recent years, traveling from minor hockey in Quebec, to prep school, the BCHL, USHL, and finally the University of Nebraska-Omaha last season. A competitive two-way defender, he had a solid freshman year and looks the part of a potential NHL defender.

12. Bogdan Trineyev

The big power winger will finally make the jump to North America full time this season. Consistency has been an issue in Russia, but the skill is real and the physicality is intriguing. Hockey sense is the question mark.

13. Ethen Frank

A member of the AHL’s All Rookie team last year, Frank potted 30 for the Bears playing on an AHL deal. Now signed by the Caps to an NHL contract, Frank has his sights set on making the Washington roster. Not only can he rifle the puck, but he’s lightning quick, too.

14. Ryan Hofer

A big, physical two-way center, Hofer had a solid OA year split between Everett and Kamloops in the WHL. Skating is always going to be a question mark, but he has enough tools to be an eventual bottom six contributor.

15. Cam Allen

Allen is coming off a highly disappointing draft year that saw him fall from being a potential lottery selection to waiting until the fifth round to hear his name called. The tools are all there, but the decision making needs to improve. How much better will he be this year for Guelph without the weight of the draft on his shoulders?

16. Matthew Phillips

Out of Calgary, it will be interesting to see how Phillips fares in a new organization. There’s absolutely no doubt that he can score in the AHL. He’s been one of the better offensive players there in recent years. He needs to be in a scoring line role to succeed.

17. Brent Johnson

Highly touted coming out of the USHL, Johnson struggled mightily through two years at North Dakota. After transferring to Ohio State, can he get his future back on track? He can quarterback a powerplay and could put up big numbers with the Buckeyes this year.

18. David Gucciardi

Strong skating blueliner who took on a larger role with Michigan State last year as a sophomore. The numbers don’t jump off the page, but Gucciardi has intriguing tools that could help him become a solid pro down the line.

19. Jake Karabela

Another Guelph Storm member who had a poor year, Karabela is a strong skating two-way forward whose offensive game really stagnated last season. This season is an opportunity to prove to Washington that he deserves a contract and can be a future pro.

20. Hardy Haman Aktell

An SHL champion with Vaxjo last season, Aktell emerged as one of the top defenders in the SHL. This turned into a contract with Washington this offseason. He may have to start the year in the AHL, but he could move up quickly if he performs well.

MCKEEN’S 2023 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #16 Calgary Flames

Derek Neumeier — Sat, 20 May 2023 12:34:47 +0000

A season with no shortage of drama, kicked off by having their two biggest stars decide they wanted to play elsewhere. Brad Treliving initially earned high praise for turning a tough situation around, adding Jonathan Huberdeau, MacKenzie Weegar by trading Tkachuck, and also signing Nazem Kadri in free agency. Huberdeau had a particularly disastrous season, with Weegar not far behind. The team never meshed and went from a potential Stanley Cup threat to out of the playoffs. Both Treliving and coach Darryl Sutter were out as a result. With no replacements named yet, it is difficult to divine the direction they will take. With respect to prospects, Sutter has long faced criticism for not giving opportunity to young players, as seen by no graduated players from the last five drafts. It leaves the Flames system with a number of prospects who could make the jump next year as a result.

They have a gem in goalie Dustin Wolf, #17 on our list and the third ranked goalie. He was named top netminder in the WHL this past season. Matthew Coronato plays a style of game suited to the NHL, committed defensively with a good understanding of the game, and brings a scoring touch to the wing. Jakob Pelletier for all intents and purposes has made the Flames roster next season, making his presence felt in his time in the line-up. He did not look out of place in his time in the top six. The Flames have three firsts (one from Florida) and all their second-round picks for the next three drafts. New management will have options in setting a direction whichever way they choose to go.

VANCOUVER, BC - SEPTEMBER 25: Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf (32) in net during their preseason NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on September 25, 2022 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire)

Dustin Wolf

Is there a better value pick in the past five NHL drafts than Calgary nabbing Wolf all the way down at 214th overall in 2019? After mercilessly shutting down the WHL for four straight seasons he transitioned masterfully to the AHL without missing a beat, immediately establishing himself as one of the best goalies in the league — THE best goalie, actually, winning the Baz Bastien Memorial Award as top netminder for 2021-2022, and he's a shoo-in to repeat when the winner is announced in May. It's very rare to see goalies of Wolf's size thrive in the NHL, but his technique, focus, composure, play tracking and overall understanding of the position are all just so advanced that you cannot underestimated him. Had he been given the chance this season, would he have outperformed the two goalies ahead of him in Calgary's system?

2. Matthew Coronato

Coronato decided to turn pro after just two seasons at Harvard, and just in time, because the Flames desperately need more offensive injections coming in through their prospect pipeline. He's also a capable and committed off-puck player, which should give him a little more leeway for a roster spot in the NHL. He sees the ice and understands the game at an impressive level, and also plays at a consistently high pace, so he gets a lot of puck touches and drives a lot of possession even though he isn't overly fast. He's very adept at the all-important ability as a scoring winger of optimizing the positioning of the puck before firing, and the power and accuracy of his shots are already at a professional level. While some scorers have trouble understanding the difference between what works at lower levels and what works in the NHL, that shouldn't be a problem at all for Coronato.

3. Jakob Pelletier

Pelletier is technically still a prospect by the guidelines being used here, but it's safe to say that he's not going back to the AHL soon, if ever again. It took him very little time at all to provide a necessary injection of quickness and offensive generation into Calgary's lineup, and he hasn't looked out of place at all in their Top 6 when given the occasional opportunity. His game is built around a razor-sharp hockey sense and top-notch pacing, which allow him to stay active in the play, strategically apply pressure, and then pounce on the small opportunities that do open up. His motor just never seems to run out of gas, and as he gains more experience he's going to keep getting better and better at forcing opposing players into making costly mistakes. He's the type of guy who plays much bigger than his size and makes an outsized impact.

4. Connor Zary

Zary is the kind of player who doesn't put up eye-popping point totals and rarely shows up in highlight reels, but the longer he plays for a team the better it gets, and that's not a coincidence. He's a two-way pivot who out-thinks and out-works the majority of his opponents, allowing him to be successful in spite of average size and below average skating ability. When he does put up points it's usually through how well he understands systems and tactics, breaking down defensive structures by getting into the right positions and making the right decisions with the puck. He's less concerned with flashy dekes and passes, and more concerned with precision and consistency, which he accomplishes well. His off-puck play is built around superb positioning and anticipation. He should have a long career as a middle six center.

5. Jeremie Poirier

Poirier had more than enough 1^st round skill in his draft year but slid down to the 3rd round because his lackluster decision-making and effort level often drove scouts crazy. But credit where credit is due, as he really grew to recognize those weaknesses and committed himself to getting them to a workable level. The overall package right now looks very promising, as he became a key piece on a top AHL team in his first year as a pro. He can quarterback a powerplay with the best of then and can be effective in transition with how elusive he is with his hands and feet. Poirier is trending in the right direction as an offensive defenseman and could become a truly dynamic NHLer one day in that niche if he is allowed to play to his strengths and is used in a system that can minimize his weaknesses.

6. William Stromgren

The Flames used a pretty high draft pick on Stromgren because he occasionally flashes huge upside as a rangy, offensively dominant winger. He'll tease you with the odd play or shift where he looks like a truly exceptional talent. The problem is that he oscillates wildly between hot and cold, sometimes for long stretches. Even more perplexing, his best play at a professional level, to date, came during his draft year, and the two seasons since have been a mixed bag. That's a concerning sign since he has a lot of improvement left to make. However, he has already earned his entry-level contract because Calgary knows that there is still a chance that he one day becomes a legitimate top six scoring threat at the NHL level. With other scoring wingers in the system Stromgren will get as much time as he needs to marinate.

7. Cole Schwindt

Schwindt was an overlooked piece of the blockbuster Matthew Tkachuk-Jonathan Huberdeau trade, but if he keeps developing like he has over the past few years then that will surely change. He somewhat surprisingly became a number one center in Mississauga as an 18-year-old and really shined in that role, which is a good sign for how high his ceiling could still go. Luckily the COVID shutdowns didn't seem to stunt his growth too badly, as he hasn't looked out of place or overwhelmed since getting into the AHL. He is very athletic and toolsy and has shown the ability to continue learning how to utilize those tools. Schwindt should find his way into the NHL role at some point as a player who can move up or down a lineup, play wing or center, and chip in on both sides of special teams.

8. Yan Kuznetsov

Kuznetsov has played in four different leagues in the past five seasons, with some international tournaments mixed in as well. Amazingly, all those changes of scenery don't seem to have hindered his year over year progression, as where he is right now is pretty much in line with his projection dating back to his draft year. He also got a Memorial Cup title out of it last year with Saint John, which undoubtedly made his transfer to the QMJHL worth it. However, could he make even bigger gains if given a couple years of consistency with the Wranglers? There are no debates about what his game is or what he brings — he's a shutdown defender through and through — but he is a true specialist of that domain and could eventually become one of the better players in the NHL in that role.

9. Matthew Phillips

The fan discussions around Phillips this year, from Twitter to pubs and water coolers all across Calgary, has been fierce. Just why hasn't one of the best players in the AHL been given a proper look with his big club, especially when the Flames have struggled to score goals and win games? The answer isn't fully clear, even when the team has discussed it. Granted, players his size are seldomly successful in the NHL, but he also hasn't been given a real chance yet to prove himself. He competes hard, he's offensively crafty, and he's dangerous with the puck. The real X factor is whether or not his skating is good enough, as that is usually what makes or breaks a smaller player's chances. He's a pending unrestricted free agent, so it will be interesting to see if he decides to find another organization that might give him a more thorough NHL opportunity.

10. Emilio Pettersen

For a 6th-round pick, the Flames have to be pretty content with how far Pettersen has come in the six seasons since. The nifty Norwegian just gets better and better every year and has successfully transitioned his scoring ways from the USHL through the NCAA and now into the AHL. The jump to the NHL is the hardest one of all, but with his track record he seems capable of making it happen. Give him too much time and space in the offensive zone and he can make you pay in different ways. His short stature and short reach can deceive opposing defenders, as he is sturdier on his skates and harder to knock off the puck than he looks. If he does carve out an NHL career it will likely be more so as a supplementary scorer than a true top six guy.

NHL: CULLEN – 20 FANTASY POINTS – Cozens Making a Leap, Jarvis, Cirelli, Hall and many more

Scott Cullen — Fri, 09 Dec 2022 16:19:32 +0000

Each week I dive into the numbers and offer some insights that should help when it comes time to make fantasy hockey decisions.

This week, Dylan Cozens is making a leap and it is getting overshadowed by one of his teammates. Seth Jarvis, Anthony Cirelli, Taylor Hall, and many more are offering potential value for fantasy hockey managers.

Dylan Cozens. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire)

#1 The spotlight in Buffalo is shining on center Tage Thompson, and deservedly so after his five-goal game in Columbus, but I’m not here to recommend Tage Thompson. He should be rostered in every league already. But, sticking in Buffalo, center Dylan Cozens is getting overshadowed by Thompson’s monster season. Cozens is a 21-year-old who was the seventh pick in the 2019 Draft. He made nice progress through his first two NHL seasons but has broken through this year. Cozens has a five-game point streak and has produced three points in each of the past three games. Now he is up to 27 points (10 G, 17 A) in 26 games which is more than okay from a second line center.

#2 When he finished last season on the top line for the Carolina Hurricanes, Seth Jarvis looked like he was well on his way to being a first line scoring winger. He struggled, scoring just seven points (3 G, 4 A) in 20 games, and that landed him on the fantasy waiver wire, but he is starting to round back into form. Jarvis has six points (2 G, 4 A) during a six-game point streak and is back on the top line with Sebastian Aho and Martin Necas.

#3 Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli missed the first couple of months while he recovered from shoulder surgery. He has returned to the lineup now and has three assists and 12 shots on goal in his first three games. Though he is known for his high-quality defensive play, Cirelli is skating on the right side of a line with Brandon Hagel and Brayden Point, a good opportunity to put up points. Cirelli has surpassed 40 points twice in his career and even though he has missed 23 games this season, he could still have a shot to hit that threshold.

#4 Known as more a playmaker than a finisher, Boston Bruins left winger Taylor Hall has nevertheless become a goal scorer recently, in part because he is taking more shots. Hall has five goals and 21 shots on goal in the past five games and is now up to 20 points (11 G, 9 A) in 25 games for a Bruins team that is winning almost every night.

#5 Although his shot rate has dropped from 3.44 per game last season to 2.33 shots per game this season, Los Angeles Kings winger Viktor Arvidsson is heating up. In his past 12 games, Arvidsson has a dozen points (4 G, 8 A) and continues to thrive on a line with Trevor Moore and Phillip Danault. That trio has combined for 55.7% of expected goals during five-on-five play.

#6 Erik Haula has somehow managed to score just one goal on 57 shots for the New Jersey Devils this season, but he does have five assists in the past six games. When he has played with Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt, that line has controlled an astonishing 72.7% of expected goals during five-on-five play. That is the highest rate for any line that has played more than 100 five-on-five minutes together. The leaders in even-strength expected goals for per 60 minutes (minimum 200 even-strength minutes) are Matthew Tkachuk (4.61), Brady Tkachuk (4.56), Patrice Bergeron (4.38), Claude Giroux (4.36), and then a couple of Devils – Tomas Tatar (4.35) and Erik Haula (4.18).

#7 While the top Devils skaters – Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, Nico Hischier, Dougie Hamilton – are obviously rostered in fantasy leagues there is still potential value from the supporting cast, too. Second year right winger Dawson Mercer, for example, has seven points (2 G, 5 A) in the past eight games and takes a regular turn on New Jersey’s first power play unit.

#8 There are precious few positive things going on in Philadelphia this season, but Kevin Hayes has been productive, even as the Flyers are losing on a regular basis. In the past 14 games, the Flyers have won just two games, even as Hayes has put up 16 points (7 G, 9 A) and 48 shots on goal. His production gets a boost when Travis Konecny is healthy as 13 of Hayes’ 28 points this season have come on goals involving Konecny. Hayes has never scored more than 55 points in a season but is on track to surpass that total this season.

#9 While we are searching for value on losing teams, Chicago Blackhawks center Max Domi has 12 points (5 G, 7 A) and 35 shots on goal in the past 13 games. Chicago has only won two of those games, but that has not prevented Domi from making the most of the opportunity he is getting. Part of that opportunity is playing a career-high 18:35 per game and he has won 57% of his faceoffs. It would be the first season of Domi’s career in which he won more than half of his draws.

#10 Since returning from a lower-body injury, Washington Capitals right winger T.J. Oshie has continued to battle. In eight games, the 35-year-old has six points (3 G, 3 A), 23 shots on goal, and 25 hits, for good measure. On a Capitals team that is trying to stay competitive, Oshie remains a valuable piece, and that includes his role on the top power play unit.

#11 Through the first 18 games of the season, Nashville Predators forward Mikael Granlund had managed just one goal on 27 shots. He has since scored five points (3 G, 2 A) in the past five games, and may be better off now that he is back on the wing, skating on a line with rookie Juuso Parssinen and veteran Matt Duchene.

#12 Winnipeg Jets center Adam Lowry typically does not score enough to generate much fantasy interest, but when he is scoring, his physical play does hold some banger league appeal. Lowry has seven points (2 G, 5 A) in the past seven games and, like he has for each of his previous eight NHL seasons, he is averaging more than two hits per game.

#13 It is rarely easy for a backup goaltender to take starts away from the established No. 1 on the team. It is even harder is the No. 1 was the runner-up in Vezina Trophy voting last season. Nevertheless, that is what is happening in Calgary right now. As Jacob Markstrom struggles to find his form, Daniel Vladar has started six of the past eight games, posting a 4-1-1 record and .929 save percentage. That kind of performance allows the Flames to be patient with Markstrom but, for fantasy purposes, Vladar’s value still figures to be short-term. If he continues to play well, then he can complicate that decision to some degree, but Markstrom is likely to return to the starter’s role in the not-too-distant future.

#14 Vladar is one of several rookie goaltenders offering value this season. Logan Thompson in Vegas is the leader, holding a starting role for a first-place team and posting a .918 save percentage in 19 starts. Edmonton’s Stuart Skinner has stepped up, with a .915 save percentage in 15 games, while Jack Campbell has struggled. Carolina’s Pyotr Kochetkov has a .914 save percentage in 10 games and, with Frederik Andersen and Antti Raanta not having the best track record for staying healty, Kochetkov could have a significant role.

#15 The Colorado Avalanche are dealing with a terrible run of injuries, especially at forward, where they are missing Nathan MacKinnon, Gabriel Landeskog, Valeri Nichushkin, Artturi Lehkonen, and Evan Rodrigues. That does not leave Mikko Rantanen with much support. As is stands right now, Alex Newhook and Charles Hudon are flanking Rantanen on Colorado’s top line. Newhook has nine points (6 G, 3 A) in 24 games but has averaged more than 20 minutes of ice time over the past three games. Hudon, the former Montreal Canadiens winger, spent the 2020-2021 season in Switzerland and has 73 points (38 G, 35 A) in 86 AHL games since. In two games since he was recalled, Hudon does not have any points but has put 10 shots on goal.

#16 The Calgary Flames have recalled 5-foot-7 winger Matthew Phillips from the American Hockey League, where he was leading the league with 30 points (15 G, 15 A) in 20 games. The challenge for Phillips will be getting real opportunity with skilled linemates. If the Flames offer that, he just might score enough to secure his place in the NHL. The only other skater in the AHL this year averaging more than 1.50 points per game while playing more than 10 games is Columbus prospect Trey Fix-Wolansky, who has 22 points (10 G, 12 A) in 14 games for Cleveland.

#17 Vegas center Jack Eichel is out with a lower-body injury and that has resulted in Paul Cotter getting a chance to skate on the top line with Chandler Stephenson at center and Mark Stone on right wing. Cotter has six points (4 G, 2 A) in 18 games but is averaging more than 15 minutes of ice time per game in the past three while Eichel has been sidelined.

#18 The career of St. Louis Blues winger Josh Leivo has been marked by stints in the AHL and healthy scratches but when he is given a real opportunity, he has the skill to contribute offensively. Leivo has nine points (2 G, 7 A) in the past 14 games, averaging more than 14 minutes of ice time per game. He is skating with Ryan O’Reilly and Brayden Schenn, not a bad spot to pick up some points.

#19 Although he has played just a dozen games due to injury, Columbus Blue Jackets right winger Patrik Laine is still seeking his first secondary assist of the season. He is one of nine players that has at least nine points and all nine points have been primary points, either a goal or first assist. The others: Alexander Wennberg, Filip Chytil, Josh Leivo, Josh Anderson, Jason Dickinson, Christian Fischer, Blake Lizotte, and Evan Rodrigues. Philadelphia Flyers right winger Travis Konecny has 12 first assists and just one secondary assist.

While it is standard for playmakers to have more primary assists – 80.8% of Connor McDavid’s points are primary points, for example – there is some value to be found if a player has not been grabbing any secondary assists, because there is a lot of luck in that distribution. A few notables with more than 92% of their points as primary points: Nick Paul, Gabe Vilardi, Jonathan Toews, Victor Olofsson, Yegor Sharangovich, and Jake Guentzel.

#20 At the other end of the spectrum, the forwards that have the lowest percentage of primary points (minimum nine points) are: Artturi Lehkonen, Kyle Okposo, Stefan Noesen, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Joel Farabee, and Patrick Kane. All six are at 50% of lower, with Lehkonen only managing 38.9% of his points as primary points. That does not mean to automatically get rid of these players, but it could be a warning sign that they have been fortunate to accumulate more secondary assists.

*Advanced stats via Natural Stat Trick and Evolving Hockey.

AHL: BELL – Is Matthew Phillips NHL Ready?

Josh Bell — Mon, 05 Dec 2022 20:57:50 +0000

VANCOUVER, BC - SEPTEMBER 25: Calgary Flames center Matthew Phillips (41) skates up ice during their preseason NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on September 25, 2022 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire)

It’s been a long road for Matthew Phillips, but it’s been leading to one goal: the NHL.

Drafted 166th overall back in 2016 by the Calgary Flames, the forward was coming off a standout rookie season with the WHL’s Victoria Royals, leading all first-year players in goals (37) and points (76) en route to the Jim Piggott Trophy as WHL Rookie of the Year. He then followed that up with two dominant seasons, putting up 90 and 112 points, the latter as captain of the team.

Entering the 2018-19 season, Phillips made the jump to the AHL with expectations sky-high. Since then, he’s done what he’s supposed to do - put up points. His point-per-games have been, in order, 0.58, 0.87, 0.68, 0.97. He played in the AHL All-Star Game in 2019-20 and was a focal point on the team’s playoff run in 2021-22. This season, he’s recorded 1.50 points per game, leading to fans calling for his promotion to the NHL.

This season looks like Phillips’ year to make the jump. He had a strong pre-season, he’s currently leading the AHL in goals (15) and points (30) and was just named AHL Player of the Month for November. His size is an obvious worry, at just 5-foot-8 and 165 pounds, but he’s proved that doesn’t need to be a hindrance to his game at the AHL level. But what about at the NHL level?

The Calgary, Alberta native has earned a chance to at least audition at the next level. He just needs to be given that chance.

Skating

As a smaller player, skating needs to be a strong suit for Phillips. While he may not have big, long strides that generate a great deal of power, he’s found a way to utilize his feet as an asset. His agile footwork regularly leads to him creating separation and then using crossovers to build speed at a very quick rate. There is a downfall in this, in that what might take Phillips 10 strides might take a strong-skating NHL defender five or six strides. This is a great deal more exertion of energy for him versus other players. This doesn’t often prove itself to be an issue at the AHL level, but it’s something that could hamper Phillips’ ability at the next level.

Phillips’ footwork has a great deal to like though. His low, athletic stance allows for sharp turns without losing speed, he regularly changes speed to both create deception in the offensive zone and create separation from defenders. One area that could use improvement for him to truly succeed at the next level - especially for his size - is incorporating more crossovers into his game. He does this occasionally, but I’d like to see it as a regular occurrence.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Matthew-Phillips-1-Skating-1.mp4

Phillips is number 11 in white in this video and all others unless specified. This clip is an excellent example of Phillips’ foot skill. To start, while assisting his defenders, he pivots to match the opponent’s speed and then again to attack the puck. He does well here to get his stick in the way and force the attacker to dump the puck in. Despite the Canucks’ coming up with it, at the 11-second mark, you can see Phillips’ take a quick look over his right shoulder. He already knows where everyone is on the ice. When the turnover comes his way, he jumps into crossovers to build speed while picking up the puck and is off to the races. He does tend to hop into his crossovers rather than fluidly fall into the next step, which I’d like to see improve.

In his straight-line skating, his shoulder rotation, his extensions, and his form, all look great. However, against an NHL defender, I’m not sure Phillips makes this transition so cleanly. Once the defender reaches Phillips at the 17-second mark, watch how Phillips extends the puck out and positions himself between the puck and the defender. He then leans into the defender, takes a quick look at the goalie, and fires home a quick snap. How he reads and handles this entire situation is a really great look into Phillips’ game. He knows exactly how much time and space he has and utilizes it well.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Matthew-Phillips-2-Skating-2_Trim.mp4

This clip goes into Phillips’ agility a little more and his ability to move around so fluidly. His quick transitions into the 10-2 skating position to rotate around and then flip back are seamless and he uses this often to separate from attackers. He also uses his quick hands to assist with this, showing off his ability to stack skills. Of course, the pass through traffic to Connor Zary for the goal is also a testament to Philliips’ vision, awareness, and accurate passing.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Matthew-Phillips-3-Skating-3-Trim.mp4

After watching endless tape on Phillips, this was one of few where he utilized crossovers to this extent. Adding this into his arsenal a little more would go a long way to add another level of deception to his game. You can see how hard this is to read, as he keeps shifting from curving in to curving out. He doesn’t get around the defender, but he gains the zone.

We’ll get to Phillips’ smarts and compete later, but this clip also shows this off. Once he hits the boards and is challenged by two players, the winger maintains possession, notices his support, and kicks the puck to his teammate to keep the attack going.

Grade: 55

Shot

Putting up goals has never been an issue for Phillips, putting up 136 goals in 215 WHL games, and now 82 in 219 AHL games (and counting). He has a quick release and great accuracy. When he shoots, you can see his weight pushing down into his stick to add force and velocity. His patience with the puck also stands out, waiting for the opportune time and position on the ice.

Shot Chart from InStat Hockey

The shot chart of Phillips’ season shows that he doesn’t have any issues getting down low to the net. He’s often a net-front presence that tips pucks or bangs in rebounds, as well as using his speed to get past defenders to get in all alone. As the chart shows, most of his goals come from down low here. There is a rather large cluster of shots on the right sideboard and a few stragglers from the point (when he’s on the power play) that I’d like to see creep in a little more, but overall, the winger does well looking for high-danger shooting positions.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Matthew-Phillips-4-Shot-2_Trim.mp4

Taking a look at Phillips’ form in his shot, he’s doing a lot of things right. He keeps his chest and shoulders over his toes, he releases his right knee to add weight down into his stick, and he steps forward with his left foot. This is a great transfer of weight that leads to a hard, quick shot.

This is a hard angle to see here, but will be shown in the next clip, the one area for improvement here for Phillips is his top hand. I’d like to see him hold it a little further away from himself to turn his lower hand into more of a fulcrum in his shot. Making that adjustment will add even more power to his shot.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Matthew-Phillips-5-Shot-1.mp4

This clip shows Phillips taking advantage of the space given to him, coming in from the boards to gain a better position before firing it. He also fires it while still moving toward the middle of the ice, making it difficult for the goalie to read.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Matthew-Phillips-6-Shot-3.mp4

This is a very typical look at where Phillips shoots on net. More often than not, his shots are low, along the ice. And it works for him. But this also shows off his patience. With defenders diving in front of the goalie and one coming out to attack him, he waits them out, while stickhandling to make himself unpredictable, to the point that the netminder thinks he’s going to pass, cheating and pulling back his right leg to slide. Phillips’ sees the opportunity and pots the goal.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Matthew-Phillips-7-Shot-4_Trim.mp4

While this is a great clip of Phillips in action, this is a rare clip at the same time. Very rarely does he shoot off of his right leg, something that would tremendously improve his shooting ability. His usual go-to is a regular wrist shot, as shown in the past three videos, or an occasional backhander. The snapshot is in his toolbox but it’s often left there and not used, especially off his right leg.

Phillips’ pass reception at the beginning of this video does need to be mentioned here, as he uses backwards crossovers and the 10-2 footwork to grab the pass from around the stretched-out defender and quickly gets a free look at the netminder.

Grade: 55

Skills

What this section boils down to is: can you find and/or create space for yourself and your teammates? The short answer for Phillips: Yes. But as we’ve seen, I don’t do short answers very well.

Phillips’ puckhandling can be a thing of beauty, keeping the puck glued to his stick at times while he navigates traffic. This can also be a curse though, especially as he takes his game to the next level and sees the - as Darryl Sutter puts it - “big difference” between the AHL and NHL. His ability to make plays, find teammates through traffic, and create space for teammates through passes does stand out as well. This will be shown in the next two sections.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Matthew-Phillips-8-Skills-1.mp4

This clip shows off so much of the skill that Phillips has available to him. From the soft catch of the pass that immediately leads to him attacking the middle of the ice, this is peak Phillips. With the first defender attacking, he makes a quick pull to his left to move around, followed by another quick pull right after to give himself a one-on-one look at the netminder. After the backhand, he’s quick on his own rebound as well.

While the puck starts heading the other way, Phillips is caught back but it pays off as he gets yet another chance thanks to a pass from Jakob Pelletier. Phillips grabs the pass and immediately utilizes his crossovers to build speed. With the defender right on him, he pulls the puck away while using his other arm to hold the defender off and turns it into an excellent scoring chance.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Matthew-Phillips-9-Skills-2.mp4

Call this skills or smarts, but Phillips’ read of this initial pass from the netminder leads to his interception, a scoring chance (you may notice that he creates a very high number of these), and ongoing pressure in the offensive zone.

What really stands out to me in this video is at the nine-second mark when he chases the puck bouncing off the boards behind the net. With defender Brogan Rafferty right on him, Phillips quickly lifts his stick while simultaneously boxing him out, gaining position over the 6-foot defender. He sees his teammate through the crease and tries to slide the puck across to him - all within two seconds.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Matthew-Phillips-10-Skills-3_Trim.mp4

While Phillips’ skill is impressive, it can get him into trouble. In this clip from the NHL pre-season, the winger - number 41 here - does well to be a support option here with his teammate held up on the boards. Getting the puck, he’s immediately surrounded by three defenders closing in. In this moment, Phillips’ relies on his skill too much, causing blinders to go up. He tries to stickhandle his way out to maintain possession but is stripped and the puck turns the other way.

This is an example of what works for him in the AHL that won’t in the NHL. Phillips does have options here to move the puck quickly, either off the boards to the defender, there’s a moment where a seam opens to the other defender, or just dumping it down. With the pressure on, he doesn’t see those options.

Grade: 55

Smarts

Despite the last clip, Phillips intelligence is arguably his strongest asset. Starting with his awareness, his ability to know where to be, and more importantly, his timing in breaking free and getting to those spots are what makes him truly dangerous in the offensive zone and in transition. This positional awareness is what stands out most in his smarts. It shows up in his playmaking as well, leading teammates into space and knowing what type of pass will get them there.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Matthew-Phillips-11-Smarts-1_Trim.mp4

As soon as his defender has the puck here, you can see Phillips roll away from his faceoff challenger into open space, ready to attack. He collects the puck without pausing his stride and quickly looks up to see his teammate streaking down the middle. A slip pass through the defender leads his teammate to a high-danger area.

Phillips then finds open space in front of the net, ready if a pass comes out his way. When he’s challenged, you can see him recognize the defender, so he knows he’s about to break free. As soon as the defender pivots to try and remain between the puck and Phillips, the winger slips behind and around the defender and bats in a goal. While it is bad defending, Phillips exploiting that is what stands out.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Matthew-Phillips-12-Smarts-2.mp4

Phillips often finds himself on the point to start the power play, and in this play, you can see why. Getting the puck right off the faceoff, you can see him scanning the ice and noting the four defenders in position. Phillips slowly carries the puck down the boards and by the 11-second mark, he’s pulled two defenders on him and left two of his teammates open, one of which he passes to.

Getting the puck back, Phillips already sees the gap in defending and his streaking teammate down the opposite wall. He slides it through and now with a pass, has drawn off the defenders to the opposite side. With valuable, dangerous ice open, Phillips slides in and one-times a power-play goal.

On the power play, the goal is to pull defenders out of position. Phillips does that with his possession and patience as well as his passing. This is a great look into his awareness and intelligence in the offensive zone.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Matthew-Phillips-13-Smarts-3.mp4

We can’t talk about smarts without mention of shortcomings though. No player is perfect, but this is a very bad look from Phillips for both his route choice and the pass. While plays like this aren’t a regular occurrence from him, it’s a mistake that cannot happen. Luckily, goaltender Dustin Wolf bails his teammate out, but this could have easily led to a goal against. Rare or not, plays like this will keep Phillips from getting his overdue call-up.

Grade: 60

Physicality/Compete

As a smaller player, Phillips knows that he can’t take his foot off the gas, and he doesn’t. He’s relentless on the forecheck, using his body positioning and stick to steal pucks and fight for possession. It does seem that in more board battles, Phillips is able to maneuver the puck away from defenders and get it to safety for the most part. His small-area game is strong. While he’s strong on his feet, there isn’t much of a physical edge to his game. In a stick battle, he’s likely to win, but when it’s a battle of strength, Phillips struggles. I don’t believe that this will/should keep him out of the NHL, but old-school hockey minds will think differently.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Matthew-Phillips-14-Compete-1.mp4

First and foremost, hats off to the between-the-legs attempt. For most of this shift, Phillips is up against Abbotsford Canucks’ captain Chase Wouters, who has four inches and 30 pounds on Phillips. But he does battle well here, starting with a net-front fight for position where he stays in front of Wouters. With the puck rolling to the corner, he’s the first on it and flips it over to his teammate before driving back to the net for more. Jeremie Poirier’s shot actually goes off of Phillips here for a goal.

After taking the hit after the between-the-legs shot, Phillips shows off his fearlessness, continuously driving the net and fighting for position. While he may lack some strength, he certainly doesn’t lack tenacity.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Matthew-Phillips-15-Compete-3.mp4

Phillips will always try to stickhandle his way out of tough situations and if you attack the puck, you’re likely to lose. As San Jose Barracuda forward C.J. Suess shows here, the key to stripping Phillips of the puck is taking the body. Phillips tries to spin away here, but Suess isn’t having it, pinning Phillips to the boards and losing the puck. He isn’t likely to win many physical battles moving forward, but the winger will need to learn when to move the puck before getting caught in situations like this.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Matthew-Phillips-16-Compete-2.mp4

This final clip is an excellent summation of Phillip’s game. On the forecheck, Phillips knows one way: attack. You can see that off the start here, attacking the puck carrier in the corner, forcing a quick pass from the defender. The next stand-out moment here is Phillips’ relentless drive to the net as he tries to jump on the rebound without worrying about the physical confrontation.

As soon as he’s back on his feet, he’s back on the puck and immediately strips the defender behind the net, bringing it out front and driving it through the goalie and into the back of the net. He’s relentless on this play, constantly getting involved and trying to create scoring chances. This seems like a player that the Flames could use.

Grade: 50

OFP: 55

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 scale, 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.

MCKEEN’S 2022-23 NHL YEARBOOK – CALGARY FLAMES – Top 20 Prospects

Sun, 18 Sep 2022 15:15:24 +0000

ABBOTSFORD, BC - SEPTEMBER 27: Calgary Flames Left Wing Jakob Pelletier (49) plays the puck against the Vancouver Canucks during their NHL preseason game at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre on September 27, 2021 in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Devin Manky/Icon Sportswire)

1 -Jakob Pelletier LW

What an impressive pro debut Pelletier put forward last season. The former first round pick was nearly a point per game player for Stockton and was named to the AHL’s All Rookie team. One has to believe that this has him well positioned to be the replacement in Calgary’s top six for Gaudreau. If that is indeed the case, he would have to be considered one of the preseason favorites for the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s best rookie. If there is one thing that Pelletier has done since being drafted it has been to improve his quickness and speed. He now consistently makes plays at a high pace. Not necessarily a dynamic or creative offensive player, Pelletier relies on his ability to read the play, his quickness, and his tenaciousness to be an impactful player in the offensive end. Pelletier, while not large, is also a capable two-way player because he always seems to be around the puck and has worked hard to become stronger to overcome his lack of stature. Ironically, it seems like Pelletier will be competing with the older, yet equally smaller Matthew Phillips to replace the also diminutive Johnny Gaudreau. It’s a small world after all. While early projections had Pelletier pegged for more of a middle six role, his strong pro performance thus far and positive development trajectory has caused many to re-evaluate his upside. A future as a permanent top six fixture is not outside the realm of possibility. - BO

2 - Dustin Wolf G

While the selection of larger netminders and the avoidance of smaller netminders remains the predominant philosophy in today’s scouting landscape, the success of players like Dustin Wolf, Devon Levi and Juuse Saros (at the NHL level) has caused many to pause and reflect. There is just no way to possibly ignore what Wolf has been able to do the last three seasons: 2020 WHL goaltender of the year, 2021 WHL goaltender of the year, and 2022 AHL goaltender of the year (in his first year of pro hockey). His success with Stockton last year, in particular, is the most impressive given the usual adjustment period for CHL netminders upon turning pro. Undersized or not (at 6’0), Wolf has emerged as one of the top goaltending prospects in the world. Like any successful smaller netminder, Wolf is extremely athletic and possesses an aggressive mentality to help him fight through crowds to gain and hold his position. He is also technically efficient and holds his ground well, ensuring that he does not give away the upper portion of the net too early. Other than a lack of size (giving him less room for error), Wolf really does not have a true weakness in the crease. He has the potential to be one of the best goaltenders in the NHL. When that happens…well that remains to be seen. Jacob Markstrom has another four years remaining on his contract. If Wolf continues to perform well, he should begin to apply internal pressure as early as the next season. - BO

3 - Matthew Coronato RW

As a member of the Chicago Steel, a USHL powerhouse, in his draft season, Matthew Coronato seemed to score at will. With a team filled to the brim with top prospects, it looked like there was no challenge the USHL could present that Coronato and the Steel could not meet. The five-foot-ten Coronato’s high energy level combined with his immense skill with the puck on his stick to form an offensive chance-creator that few USHL defensemen were equipped to properly handle. As a freshman at Harvard, many wondered if Coronato’s offensive game would translate to the NCAA level, where defenders would be bigger, faster, and smarter than those in the USHL. Coronato answered those questions as a freshman at Harvard, scoring at above a point-per-game rate. Coronato’s motor and skill level, the two main tools that carried him to success in Chicago, were readily apparent at Harvard. His speed and relentless offensive style were often too much for college defenders to handle, and many were left looking to simply pick up the pieces after a Coronato-generated scoring chance. Coronato’s adept at creating space for both himself and his teammates through his skating and his puck skills. Coronato’s offensive game is based on problem-solving rather than simply beating his opponents on his talent alone. That, along with Coronato’s work ethic and energy level, provides safety to his pro projection. Coronato has a chance to become a meaningful top-six scorer in the NHL, and even if his development stagnates a bit, he still looks like a relatively safe bet to play NHL games as a secondary offensive option. - EH

4 - Adam Ruzicka C

The Calgary Flames have had to be patient with Ruzicka but that patience is certainly paying off. Not only did Ruzicka improve in every year of his OHL career, but he has done the same over his three professional seasons thus far, culminating with his best to date last season. This was rewarded with a 28-game stint in Calgary that saw him score five goals. One thing that Ruzicka has worked very hard on over his pro career is on improving his conditioning, which would subsequently improve his pace of play and explosiveness. The 6’4 center is not someone that you would call a traditional power forward, but he can and does use his power to push his way to the net, succeeding through the middle of the ice. He has also worked hard to improve his play away from the puck and his physical engagement, something that will need to improve further if he wants to get into Darryl Sutter’s good books. No longer exempt from waivers, Ruzicka would need to clear waivers to be sent to the AHL this coming season. Given his progression, it seems unlikely that Calgary would do that. As such, he probably has the inside track at the fourth line center role for the Flames and he does have eventual upside as a middle six option for Calgary. - BO

5 - Jeremie Poirier D

Jérémie Poirier is an offensive-minded with tremendous tools and upside. Poirier’s got everything you could dream of offensively: He’s an amazing puck handler, a great skater and has a booming shot from the point. However, he’s not so great defensively and that’s why he slipped all the way to Calgary in the third round of the 2020 NHL draft. It’s also why he didn’t get named to the Canadian WJC team. However, there is some optimism that after he helped win the Memorial Cup this season with the Sea Dogs, Poirier has turned a corner. Jérémie will be on his way to the AHL to play with the Calgary Wranglers this coming season and how his first AHL season will go remains unpredictable. Can he defend at the pro level against men? Does he have the consistent compete level and engagement level to be a reliable pro? If he produces at an elite clip offensively, he still has a chance to be an NHL player in some capacity, even if his defensive game remains a weakness. However, if he wants to become a top four defender who does not need to be sheltered, there is much work to be done. - EB

6 - Matthew Phillips RW

At some point in a young player’s career, they hit a crossroads. Matthew Phillips is most definitely at that crossroads. The undersized scoring star had to be somewhat insulted when Calgary waived him after training camp and no NHL teams claimed him. He responded by having his best pro season, leading the Flames’ AHL affiliate in scoring. This earned him another one-year deal from Calgary, likely his last contract in the Flames’ organization if he is not able to take that next step as an NHL player this year. There are spots up for grabs in Calgary’s forward lineup this season and competition will be fierce in training camp. Phillips has to realize that not only is he auditioning for Calgary, but also the other NHL franchises, as should they waive him again, he would be hoping for a claim and a fresh start this time around. He is not the type of player who is going to make a living in the bottom six. He’s not a physical player or a strong defensive presence. He is in the lineup to create offense and he needs to prove that he can do that at the NHL level, playing against and escaping from larger defenders. He needs to find a way to get himself inside the hash marks. While undersized, Phillips is a strong skater, especially in terms of agility and elusiveness. However, playing through contact with the puck has been an issue at Calgary training camps previously. On a prospect list like ours, Phillips is still going to rank fairly high because of his high offensive upside. However, time is unquestionably running out. - BO

7 - Connor Zary C

A former first round selection by Calgary in 2020, Zary’s development since then has not been terrific. There was some concern that his lack of dynamic skating ability would inhibit him from reaching his potential at the pro level and those concerns proved to be legitimate after a disappointing first AHL season last year. The former Kamloops Blazer standout is definitely an intelligent player. That is why he still has the potential to develop into a high-end middle six center. It would be absolutely foolish to write him off after last season. His two-way understanding and sense are terrific. He has a strong shot. He shows good vision down low and can work the wall well. It is just that his pace needs to increase, and his four-way quickness needs to continue to improve. With a few openings in Calgary (leading to AHL graduations like Pelletier and Phillips), Zary should play higher up on the depth chart in the AHL this coming season. Hopefully this leads to more consistent production and improved confidence. After this year, based on the adjustments he makes, we should get a much better idea of how far away Zary is from making an impact at the NHL level and what his potential might be. - BO

8 - Cole Schwindt RW

Newly acquired from the Panthers in the Matthew Tkachuk deal, Schwindt is coming off of a strong professional debut in the AHL (discounting the 10 games he played the year prior with the OHL shut down). The rangy pivot is already a defensive standout and is someone who can be groomed to be a shutdown center at the NHL level. He has worked hard across his OHL career and thus far as a pro to improve his speed and quickness. This will be critical for him if he wants to be a true standout in a checking line role at the NHL level. His three-zone awareness is definitely a strength; his positioning and anticipation in the defensive zone, in particular, is extremely strong. Schwindt can have a positive effect on the transition game too, with how he protects the puck as a carrier, and this makes him a strong playmaker from the middle of the ice. Ultimately, Schwindt’s offensive upside as an NHL player is not likely significant. In fact, his performance as an AHL rookie was actually a pleasant surprise, as it was expected that he was a bit more of a longer-term project. Instead, he already has three NHL games under his belt. Is Schwindt a darkhorse to earn a bottom six role with the Flames this year? Definitely. However, he will need to beat out more experienced, homegrown Calgary prospects. In all likelihood, he spends another year in the AHL and then is ready to assume a permanent role as a penalty killer and defensive specialist in the NHL. - BO

9 - Rory Kerins C

There were quite a few major breakout stars in the OHL this past season, considering that the league was on hiatus the year prior. One of those was Soo Greyhounds forward Rory Kerins, who went from being under a point per game in his NHL draft year to the OHL’s second leading scorer this past year. More of a complementary player the last time we saw him, Kerins became a dominant offensive player, both at even strength and on the powerplay. His IQ and awareness have always been strengths, but his skill and confidence with the puck were much improved. He also has a good shot and a competitive streak, something that will serve him well at the next level given that he is below six feet. The range of outcomes for Kerins as a pro are vast; he is an extremely versatile player whose offensive explosion was not necessarily expected. How much this newfound offensive confidence carries over to the pro level will depend on how he can continue to upgrade his quickness. Few smaller forwards are able to play key offensive roles in the NHL without being above average skaters. Kerins’ pro journey begins this coming season in the AHL. There could be some growing pains and patience may be required. However, Kerins should eventually find a niche and develop into an option for the Flames. - BO

10 - Topi Ronni C

The 6’2”, 183-pound Rönni is a top-flight athlete with very little body fat. His size is ideal, and his frame is ready for the addition of muscle, a necessity in the development of Calgary’s 2022 2^nd round pick. The astute center kicked off his draft season with a 6-point performance at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. He followed that up with 31 points in 32 total U20 games, adding some time in both Mestis (2 games) and Liiga (19 games) for good measure. In the latter stop, he showed that he should be ready for full time Liiga action this season. Rönni also represented Finland at the U18 Worlds, contributing 4 points to a bronze medal outcome. Very aware of his defensive duties and constantly hovering around the slot and corners of his own end of the rink ready to pick up his assignment, Rönni shines as a supportive player who excels in first-pass transition. He is highly adept at getting open for passes and then shooting or moving the puck quickly. He has a solid wrist shot and makes regular use of it. On the attack, he likes to position himself in the opposing slot. Rönni can be a fluid skater but needs to add lower body strength. His solid skill set will be more valuable when he is able to push his legs more often and bring consistent energy in his shifts. Calgary surely sees him as a future middle six center at the NHL level. – CL

11 - Yan Kuznetsov

Kuznetsov started the year in the AHL but was loaned to the QMJHL to close out the year. His offensive upside may be limited, but he projects as a dependable third pairing, shutdown defender.

12 - Mathias Emilio Pettersen

The former University of Denver standout has struggled to be a consistent offensive player at the AHL level so far, but it is too early to give up on the Norwegian’s high offensive ceiling.

13 - Martin Pospisil

Pospisil is about as tenacious as they come, never taking a shift off. However, he may be more talented offensively than we give him credit for. Look for him to be a fourth line winger for Calgary as early as this coming season.

14 - William Stromgren

A high selection in 2021, Stromgren’s draft +1 year wasn't a success. The speedy winger was not even a truly impact player at the J20 level. Calgary will be hoping to see progression this season.

15 - Jack Beck

One of the OHL’s most intelligent players, Beck’s season was derailed by a serious injury to his kidney. He has improved his skating and remains a solid two-way presence. Look for him to have a big 2022/23 season with the 67’s.

16 - Ilya Nikolayev

A strong skating playmaking center, Nikolayev played last year in the USHL as an overager. His performance was encouraging, and he will now try to take that next step in the AHL.

17 - Daniel Vladar

Perhaps a stretch to include Vladar as a prospect after spending all of last year as Calgary’s back-up but he still fits our qualification standards. The big, Czech netminder will return to the role this season.

18 - Cameron Whynot

An athletic defender with Halifax, Whynot’s offensive game has been a disappointment, but he does possess some intriguing qualities that could make him a defensive type at the NHL level.

19 - Daniil Chechelev

Playing on an AHL deal, Chechelev struggled to be a consistent starter at the ECHL level last year, his first in North America. Given Dustin Wolf’s place in the AHL, Chechelev may return to the ECHL again this year.

20 - Cole Huckins

The power forward gets a fresh start in the QMJHL this season with Sherbrooke, after struggling with Acadie-Bathurst last year. He still needs to upgrade his skating.

2021-22 TOP 15 PROSPECTS: CALGARY FLAMES – RANK: #15 – TIER III

McKeen's Hockey — Fri, 10 Sep 2021 15:22:57 +0000

Calgary Flames

#15 Calgary - Without too many guys expected to graduate, the Calgary system should be ranked higher next season. Strong recent draft classes portend well for the future.

Connor Zary

Connor Zary - C

After getting chosen 24^th overall by the Flames, Zary got an immediate taste of pro hockey, dressing in nine AHL games for the Stockton Heat due to special pandemic circumstances. He didn’t look out of place, registering seven points before being returned to the WHL’s Blazers where he finished his junior career on a strong note for a stacked Kamloops team.

Perhaps it shouldn’t be a surprise that Zary fared so well in his pro debut, as he plays a pro-style game with a nose for the net. He can operate in tight spaces and doesn’t shy away from physical play. An intelligent player with incredible passion for the game, Zary’s attention to detail makes him a versatile option for coaches. He can be deployed on the penalty kill or on the powerplay and can play in the middle or on the wing. Although his skating is average at best, Zary possesses a good first step and always keeps his feet moving. He is well-rounded in the other parts of his game and works tirelessly to improve. His offense will likely translate well to the next level as he is comfortable scoring pro-style goals and distributes well. He is likely destined for the AHL in 2021-22 but could earn a cup of coffee in the NHL at some point in the season if he continues to impress. - AS

Matthew Coronato - RW

The 2021 USHL forward of the year, Coronato is an elite and consistent offensive threat. He went seven games during the regular season this year without getting on the scoresheet for the Chicago Steel (he received a game misconduct in the first period of one of those games), only once in consecutive games. He had eight games of three or more points, including two five-pointers. It was no different in the post-season, with two games without points, and two with three or more points.

The Long Island native’s success comes from a combination of high-end skating, with a high-end shot and high-end puck skills. His skating blends above average top speed, plus edges and a near-elite motor that doesn’t stop. After all, he led the USHL in goals by 16. He literally scored 50% more goals than the league runner-up. As much as Coronato needs to refine his game, especially his playmaking ability. The growth he showed this past season was encouraging and demonstrates that he is willing to adapt to what is needed as he continues his development. He will be attending Harvard this coming season, hoping to lead the program to a strong season after their season long pandemic related hiatus. He has first line upside and middle six downside and was a great selection by the Flames this year. - McKeen’s Draft Guide 2021

Jakob Pelletier - LW

After a big move in the off-season, following his change of address, expectations were very high for the young Pelletier. As usual, he answered very well. He has led his team in points, both in season and in the playoffs. He also did well for Canada at the last World Juniors where he won the silver medal and played a key role. He has been an inspiration to his team with his hard work and involvement. He's still the same talented player who shows up night after night.

He still has to add a little more muscle to his frame to be able to play his brand of hockey consistently. This is really the only question mark. It has been reported that he's training really hard right now for next training camp in Calgary, using the bitter loss in the QMJHL playoff final as a motivation. There is no question that Pelletier has a chance to play NHL games for the Flames this season, however it is more likely that he plays out the season in the AHL so that he can continue to improve his strength, while simultaneously adjusting to the strength of pro defenders. He projects as a top six, high energy forward for the Flames in the future. - BB

William Stromgren - LW

Despite being the leading scorer among U18 players during his half season of action in the Allsvenskan (Sweden’s second men’s league), leading the entire J20 North Conference in goal scoring and exceeding one point per game in the third division of HockeyEttan, Stromgren still somehow makes the viewer think he can do more than he does. A tall and still lanky winger, he is deceptively fast, able to blow past defenders without looking like he is pushing himself too hard. And in situations where speed isn’t as helpful, such as in tight quarters, he has the puckhandling moves to find a way to shake free anyway. He also has another potentially high-end weapon in his shot, which features both deception (his wrist shot) and power (wrist shot and slap shot).

All of his obvious skills aside, he fell to the mid second round for a reason. He has a tendency to rush decisions and turnover pucks in situations where a touch more poise or hesitation would have allowed him to further the attack. Additionally, despite his size and reach, he only infrequently gets involved in puck battles, or takes the body. This isn’t to say that Stromgren plays a soft game, but his physical presence is lacking too often. The pieces are all there to be a productive, top six producer for the Flames in the future, they just may need to be patient with him, as he matures physically and grows into his game. - McKeen’s Draft Guide 2021

Dustin Wolf - G

Wolf had a forgettable AHL debut but followed with two bounce-back performances as a 19-year-old playing pro, before getting shipped back to Everett where he posted ungodly numbers to finish his junior career as the WHL record holder for best all-time save percentage (.935), surpassing former teammate Carter Hart. He also finished second in GAA (1.84) and third in shutouts (24). He has a year of junior eligibility remaining but has nothing left to prove at that level and will almost certainly play pro in 2021-22.

Wolf is an undersized, technically strong goalie with excellent athleticism and reflexes. His positioning helps mitigate his lack of size to fill the net and his lateral movement is quick but composed, not over-committing and taking himself out of plays. He reads the play well and has a good understanding of rebound control. Wolf is adept at handling the puck and has a calm demeanor in the net that allows him to bounce back from bad goals or games. He needs to fight through traffic to track pucks better and can be vulnerable up high due to his small stature combined with propensity to go down into the butterfly early, relying a bit too much on reflexes at times. Overall, his stock has risen dramatically for a 7^th-round pick in 2019 and the future looks promising for Wolf, who now needs pro seasoning to take the next step in development. - AS

Adam Ruzicka - C

Patience can be a virtue when it comes to developing NHL players and Adam Ruzicka is the perfect example of that. Originally drafted in the fourth round by Calgary in 2017, Ruzicka improved in every season he played in the OHL, eventually graduating the league as an impact player. However, the reset button had to be hit after his first pro season two years ago, as Ruzicka struggled with the pace of play and the strength required of the AHL with Stockton. On que, this past season saw marked improvement as Ruzicka led Stockton in scoring, even earning a quick look by the Flames.

The key to Ruzicka’s development has always been his ability to use his large frame and size more consistently. At 6’4, 200lbs, he can truly dominate time of possession down low and can find his way to soft spots in coverage, so long as the work rate remains high. In the OHL, it took him time to figure that out. The same can be said about his time in the AHL after a breakout sophomore season. It should be expected that Ruzicka will probably take a few seasons to truly adjust to the NHL too. He projects as a high end third line center and may even get his shot this year to crack the Calgary lineup full time. - BO

Jeremie Poirier - D

Statistically, it was a superb season for Jérémie Poirier. However, one cannot say that there was significant improvement on the points he needed to work on. While he is taking less risks and has learned to pick his spots better, he still lacks that explosiveness as a skater and consistent effort in the defensive end. That being said, with the puck, he has become less selfish and more altruistic this season (in the way he plays). He finished fourth among defenders for the number of points in the Courteau league, with nine goals and 28 assists in 33 games. The term Boom or Bust applies perfectly to him.

At this point it is unlikely that he will become a complete defender who can eat up huge minutes among professionals. However, his undeniable offensive assets mean that he could make a line-up to add punch in transitional attacks or on the power play. Poirier will return to Saint John of the QMJHL next season for his final junior year. The hope is that he can improve his defensive consistency, while also continuing to be one of the league’s best offensive defenders. - BB

Yan Kuznetsov - D

Kuznetsov has tremendous size, a commendable and advanced off-the-puck game (primed for a shut-down role in the pros), good-enough mobility for his size, and minimal ability to create an offensive impact. He left Russia at age 16 to play in America, spending one year with Sioux Falls of the USHL, before joining the most European team in collegiate hockey, Connecticut. He impressed as a true freshman, playing regularly against Hockey East foes before his 18^th birthday, and even if he wasn’t putting up big numbers, his poise and understanding of the flow of the game won him many admirers.

Long on the radar for Russia’s age-based national teams, he was selected last year to represent his homeland at the WJC, and he maintained his regular game at that level, too. That consists of creating turnovers through smart stick placement, angling off rushers to kill threats, practically perfect positioning to take away opportunities for opposition advancement in the zone, and stopping potential shooting lanes. It was almost to be expected that he was not able to contribute on the score sheet at all at the tournament, but that is rarely his game anyway. Even with the game getting faster and more skilled, there is still room for a few shutdown blueliners on every roster, who can hold the zone while the skill defenders catch their collective breaths. Kuznetsov turned pro after Connecticut was finished last year, and he is likely to get at least two years in the AHL before getting a prolonged NHL look. - RW

Connor Mackey - D

The very definition of a late-bloomer, Mackey was playing high school hockey in his native Illinois in his first draft season. It is no surprise that he wasn’t drafted, even though his father played 126 games in the NHL. After a season on the Team Illinois U18 blueline, he was drafted into the USHL, where he showed progress over two years in the Green Bay Gamblers system. From there, he went to the spiritual home of late bloomers in the NCAA, suiting up with Minnesota State. After helping the Mavericks to three straight WCHA titles, taking on a more and more central role to the transition in each season, the Flames signed him as an undrafted free agent days after his junior season ended.

Well-built and a plus skater, Mackey hit the ground running as a pro, playing roughly the same role with Stockton in the AHL as he had in college. He ended the year with a well-deserved stint on the Calgary blueline – scoring his first NHL goal - and then suiting up for Team USA at the World Championships. Because of his age when signing out of college, his Entry Level deal was only a one-year number, meaning his leash to establish himself as a veritable NHLer is short. Assuming he comes to terms soon on a second contract with Calgary, his path to a third pairing role is pretty clear. The risk here is the thin line between a solid #5 NHL blueliner and the AHL, or Europe. - RW

Mathias Emilio Pettersen - RW

On the one hand, Pettersen’s first pro season was middling, with just under one point every other game for AHL Stockton. He additionally failed to produce with his native Norway at the year-end World Championships (one goal in six games), although the latter issue was not all on him, as only seven players put up more than two points. But last year was the type of year for which anyone can get a mulligan if they need it. Pettersen flashed dynamic abilities before the Flames drafted him out of Muskegon in the USHL and he didn’t stumble at all in his two years of high-level college hockey at the University of Denver.

A smooth and exciting skater with eyebrow-raising puck skills, Pettersen’s challenge at every level has been his ability to bring his ‘A’ game every day. There are games where he will bring you out of your seat, and games where you will not have noticed that he played at all. Pettersen has great vision and passing skills, but any chance at an NHL career will necessitate him showing that ability with greater regularity, as well as proving that he can contribute to a winning team even if his offensive work isn’t there. He might be ‘boom-or-bust’ but he makes this list because you have to take the chance to see if the ‘boom’ scenario can play out. - RW

Daniel Vladar - G

Recently acquired from the Boston Bruins, Vladar has the inside track at the back-up job behind Markstrom this season. The giant Czech netminder has been excellent in the AHL the last two seasons and has earned an extended look.

Emil Heineman - LW

One of the pieces acquired in the Sam Bennett deal, Heineman is an explosive North/South winger with goal scoring potential. He will play his second full season in the SHL this year with Leksands and will look to build upon his solid rookie year.

Cameron Whynot - D

Whynot is a strong skating two-way defender who was recently a third-round pick by Calgary in 2021. The Halifax blueliner will return to the Q this season and Calgary is hoping that he tightens up his decision making to be a more consistent contributor.

Matthew Phillips - RW

Yes, he is undersized, coming in around 5’7 and 155lbs. However, he has produced offensively at every level he has played at, including the AHL the last few years. No longer exempt from waivers, the time is now for Phillips to secure a full-time roster spot with Calgary.

Rory Kerins - C

Kerins played very sparingly this past season with the OHL on hiatus. The competitive two-way forward has a real nose for the net but must continue to improve his skating ability to be a successful pro player.

SEATTLE KRAKEN EXPANSION DRAFT: Prospects to Target – Part Two – Forwards

Brock Otten — Thu, 25 Feb 2021 20:49:20 +0000

It has been four years since the Vegas Golden Knights joined the National Hockey League through expansion. Through the expansion draft process, the Golden Knights balanced their initial lineup by selecting both veterans and youth, with a focus on team speed and competitiveness. Masterfully constructed, Vegas ended up winning the Pacific division and reaching the Stanley Cup finals in their inaugural season (2017-18).

Later this year, the Seattle Kraken will officially become the 32nd NHL franchise when they select their team through their expansion draft. July 17 is the date set for NHL teams to submit their protected lists (with Vegas being exempt) and July 21 is the date set for the expansion draft itself. Of course, these dates could change depending on how the NHL season finishes up in the midst of a global pandemic. However, as of right now, that is when we will find out who will be wearing that Kraken jersey to start the 2021-22 season.

Naturally, Seattle general manager Ron Francis, assistant general manager Jason Botterill, and director of player personnel Norm Maciver will be aiming to replicate the success that Vegas had (and has continued to have). They have to reach the salary floor with their selections, so they will be choosing some veterans (or trading for/signing some) to lead this group. However, much like Vegas, they will be looking to swing for the fences with some selections, by opting for a few young, unestablished players. This article aims to highlight some of the prospects who could be (and are likely to be) left unprotected by their NHL teams come July. The focus is on players who have yet to truly establish themselves as NHL players. The list will be organized by position and published in two parts. This is the second feature on the forwards. Part one can be found by linking here.

FORWARDS

Rasmus Asplund - Buffalo Sabres

A strong two-way center, Asplund has had a hard time breaking through with the Sabres to become a full time NHL player. Even this year, he has seen time on the Sabres roster, on the taxi squad, and in the AHL with Rochester. He could certainly be a potential bottom six center target for the Kraken.

Morgan Geekie - Carolina Hurricanes

A big forward, Geekie has broken through as a full time NHL player to start the 2021 season after a successful cup of coffee last year. Playing on the fourth line and the powerplay, Geekie has yet to hit the score sheet this year. However, given Carolina’s forward depth, it seems unlikely that they will be able to protect him.

Kevin Stenlund - Columbus Blue Jackets

If there is one forward on this list that I see possibly being protected, it is Stenlund. He has proven himself to be a quality NHL forward after a half a season last year and a hot start this year. The question is, if Stenlund is protected, it means someone like Max Domi, Boone Jenner, or the injured Gustav Nyquist will not be. Columbus could also try to work out a deal with Seattle to make sure that they leave Stenlund be.

Henrik Borgstrom - Florida Panthers

At this point, Borgstrom is probably a candidate for a change of scenery. The former University of Denver star got off to a good start in his pro career, but he has been unable to take that next step, with last year being a clear step backwards. As such, the Panthers loaned him to HIFK for the year. A talented playmaker, Borgstrom could be a great candidate for Seattle to select in hopes of unlocking his offensive potential.

Nathan Bastian - New Jersey Devils

A heavy winger, Bastian has improved every year as a pro thus far, finally making the Devils this season. He has played extremely well in a third line role and as a penalty killer. However, the Devils have a heck of a decision ahead of them for the expansion draft. Do they sacrifice Pavel Zacha in order to protect someone like Bastian or the others on this list?

Yegor Sharangovich - New Jersey Devils

Sharangovich got off to a hot start to the NHL season playing alongside Jack Hughes. While the offensive production hasn’t been consistent, he has certainly impressed in his first NHL season after starting the year in the KHL. An explosive goal scorer, the Devils may be reluctant to let him go given the energy and pace he plays with.

Janne Kuokkanen - New Jersey Devils

Like Bastian, Kuokkanen has emerged as a legitimate NHL player in his fourth pro season, excelling in the bottom six. The former London Knights standout and the key acquisition in the Sami Vatanen deal to Carolina, Kuokkanen is certainly someone who could draw the interest of Seattle.

Nick Merkley - New Jersey Devils

Merkley, an intelligent and hard working playmaker, seems to be behind Bastian, Sharangovich, Kuokkanen, and Mikey McLeod (who I assumed the Devils would be protecting) in the pecking order. However, that does not mean that he lacks talent or NHL potential. Look for the Devils to try to rotate the above players in and out of the lineup in order to truly evaluate who they could be willing to lose.

Kieffer Bellows - New York Islanders

Keiffer, the son of former NHL’er Brian Bellows, is a former high NHL draft pick whose high end goal scoring ability has yet to truly translate to terrific results at the pro level. Playing on the fourth line this year for the Isles, Bellows has yet to score this season. Given the forward depth that the Islanders have, it seems unlikely that Bellows will be able to be protected. If New York truly believes in his potential, they may try to look at a way to convince Seattle not to select him.

Julien Gauthier - New York Rangers

In the rare one for one prospect trade, the Rangers shipped Joey Keane to Carolina for Gauthier last season. The big, quick, physical winger has been a fixture on the Rangers’ fourth line to start this season, however it seems unlikely that he gets protected given the others New York must protect. One of Brendan Lemieux, Brett Howden, or Gauthier will likely get the nod with the other two being unprotected. How they finish the year will dictate who that is.

Vitaly Abramov - Ottawa Senators

A dynamic offensive player, Abramov had a breakout season in Belleville last year that really gave management hope that his skill set could translate to the NHL level. However, it seems unlikely that Ottawa will be able to protect him and how he plays in the AHL this season will dictate whether Seattle has interest in him.

Filip Chlapik - Ottawa Senators

Chlapik split last season between Ottawa and Belleville, performing only adequately in a depth role. This season, he has bounced between the main roster, the taxi squad, and the AHL. A good sized playmaking center, Chlapik may not get his chance in Ottawa, but he could be a target of Seattle.

Logan Brown - Ottawa Senators

It is certainly possible that the Senators protect Brown. The former 11th overall pick has performed admirably in the AHL, but his play at the NHL level has been uninspiring thus far. A hulking center at 6’6, Brown needs to play more between the dots and use his size; a criticism dating back to his draft year.

Nicolas Aube-Kubel - Philadelphia Flyers

A competitive and feisty forward, Aube-Kubel is a versatile player for the Flyers with the ability to play in any situation and any forward position. He has been in the Flyers system forever and is finally getting a chance to be a full time NHL player this season. However, it is unlikely that the Flyers will be able to protect him. He could be the perfect bottom six player for Seattle.

Alex Barre Boulet - Tampa Bay Lightning

The first two seasons of Barre-Boulet’s pro career probably couldn’t have gone better considering he was an undrafted free agent acquisition by Tampa. He was the AHL rookie of the year two years ago and an AHL all star last year. But due to Tampa’s depth he remains buried in the minors again this year (where he has continued his torrid pace). The dilemma for Tampa Bay will be, do they protect a player who...as of now, has not shown an ability to translate his offensive skill set to the NHL?

Alex Volkov - Tampa Bay Lightning

Ahead of Barre-Boulet on the Tampa depth chart currently and the recipient of a roster spot thanks to the Kucherov injury, Volkov is a skilled winger that the Lightning have high hopes for. However, like many young players in their system, it is unlikely that they will be able to protect him.

Mitchell Stephens - Tampa Bay Lightning

A former high selection by the Lightning, Stephens was set to play full time this year as the Lightning’s fourth line center. However, he suffered a lower body injury early on and is sidelined for a few months. No longer waiver eligible, he likely will continue to have a spot when he returns but will it be enough for him to earn one of those valuable protection spots?

Mathieu Joseph - Tampa Bay Lightning

A high energy winger, Joseph was a standout as a rookie for the Lightning in 2018/19, however the acquisitions of players like Goodrow and Coleman pushed him to the minors for a large chunk of last season. Fast forward to this year and he has his place back in the Tampa lineup and is playing fantastic hockey. Does Tampa protect a younger player like Joseph (or others on this list) and risk a higher salaried player like Yanni Gourde, Alex Killorn, or Blake Coleman being selected?

Boris Katchouk - Tampa Bay Lightning

A star in the OHL, Katchouk’s game has not translated to the AHL level as well as Tampa would have hoped thus far. Now in his third pro season, Katchouk will have to show that he can take that next step in his development as an offensive player before the Lightning consider him for a checking line role. He is definitely a potential candidate to be lost in the expansion draft and is also waivers eligible next year.

Taylor Raddysh - Tampa Bay Lightning

Another former OHL star, Raddysh has had similar difficulties translating his game to the AHL level. He has not been terrible, but the average offensive production hasn’t yet warranted a callup for the former Erie Otter. Ultimately, his lack of dynamic skating ability may hold him back from becoming a quality NHL player. However, if he plays well in his third AHL season this year, he could certainly attract attention from Seattle.

Joey Anderson - Toronto Maple Leafs

Acquired from the New Jersey Devils last year in exchange for Andreas Johnsson, Anderson has bounced back and forth between the NHL and the AHL the last three seasons. The former U.S. captain at the World Juniors, Anderson is a high energy, two-way forward who could definitely be an attractive, cheap target for Seattle as it is unlikely that Toronto protects him.

Isac Lundestrom - Anaheim Ducks

Already in his third pro season in North America despite being only 21 years old, the former first round selection has finally cracked the Anaheim Ducks roster full time this season. The two-way forward excels in defensive situations and on the penalty kill and could be a quality checking line option for the Kraken, with a chance to still improve offensively. William Karlsson part deux anyone?

Matthew Phillips - Calgary Flames

His lack of size (5’7) is certainly a deterrent (even if the game has changed to accommodate smaller players), but Phillips is most definitely a talented offensive player. He was an AHL all star last season in his second AHL campaign. This year, he returns to the AHL with Stockton and should be among the league’s scoring leaders.

Adam Mascherin - Dallas Stars

A terrific goal scorer and former OHL standout, Mascherin is entering his third AHL season, undoubtedly a huge one for his development. Thus far, the results have been great as he is among the league’s scoring leaders. At some point this year, it is likely that Dallas gives him a look if he continues to play well, as not only do they have to decide on who to protect for the expansion draft, but Mascherin is waiver eligible next year too.

Tyler Benson - Edmonton Oilers

The former first overall selection in the WHL bantam draft by the Vancouver Giants, Benson has come a long way since then. With two strong AHL seasons under his belt, Benson enters his third year with the hope that he can play well enough to earn a longer look at the NHL level in the event of an Oilers’ injury. It does seem unlikely that the Oilers will protect him from Seattle though.

Rem Pitlick - Nashville Predators

A competitive, goal scoring center and the son of former NHL’er Lance Pitlick, Rem is expansion draft eligible even though he is only in his second professional season. This is due to the Predators burning a year of his ELC in 2019 when he signed out of Minnesota. He has started out the AHL season well and could earn a look from the Predators at some point this year to see if they will want to protect him.

Jonathan Dahlen - San Jose Sharks

Dahlen is a very interesting case. Acquired from Vancouver, Dahlen spent one year in the AHL before returning to Sweden where he has torched the Allsvenskan the last two seasons. The opinions vary about his standing as an NHL prospect, given he plays in the Swedish second league and not the SHL. Where he stands in the Sharks organization remains a mystery, but they will have to protect him from Seattle.

Alexander True - San Jose Sharks

A free agent signing by the Sharks out of the WHL, True has played well in the AHL over the last three years. The Danish forward has seen some limited action in the NHL with mixed results, however his start to this AHL season has been terrific. It seems unlikely that San Jose protects him, but would Seattle consider him as a high upside pick?

Maxim Letunov - San Jose Sharks

Widely considered as one of San Jose’s top forward prospects, Letunov is a huge center (6’4) and a former second round selection. He played very well in the AHL last season and has been on the San Jose taxi squad so far this season. At some point this year, San Jose is going to have to give him more than the three games they gave him last year, especially given their struggles as a team.

Rudolfs Balcers - San Jose Sharks

One of the players traded to Ottawa in the Erik Karlsson trade, Balcers was reacquired by the Sharks earlier this season off waivers. He has proven to be a capable offensive player in the AHL during his career but has not yet taken that step forward to become an NHL player. San Jose is going to give him a serious look this year, along with some other young forwards. It seems likely that Seattle could have more interest in the other Sharks on this list, but who knows how Balcers finishes the season.

Kole Lind - Vancouver Canucks

A former high selection of the Canucks, Lind has steadily improved in each of his AHL seasons thus far. The big, physical winger currently is among the AHL’s leading goal scorers this year and will likely earn a look from Vancouver at some point this season if he continues to play well. Do the Canucks protect him over disappointing talents like Jake Virtanen or Adam Gaudette?

*Special thanks to the capfriendly expansion draft tool which helped to identify those players who are eligible to be selected.

McKeen’s 2020-21 Hockey Yearbook: Calgary Flames Top 20 Prospects

Thu, 19 Nov 2020 20:33:41 +0000

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

Juuso Valimaki, D (16^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 1)

Penciled into the Calgary Flames blueline for the 2019-20 season, Valimaki was ready to set the NHL on fire, but a disastrous August ACL injury ended his season before it even begun. Though it was a worst-case scenario, the injury should not affect his long-term ceiling. His utility begins with his high-tempo skating and energetic efforts to control the pace of play on the ice, using his vision on offense and high-end footwork to speed things up. He is also as good of a shutdown defenseman as any in his age group. His 2018-19 season with the Stockton Heat saw him take on substantial physical minutes on the top defensive pair with ease, locking up some of the league’s best forwards with his 6-2”, 211lbs frame and composure in pressure-filled situations. He is someone that you would want on both power play and penalty kill, eating difficult even strength minutes, and on the ice with either a late lead or a late deficit. His recovery from ACL surgery was well on track before the pause to the hockey season, and it won’t be long until he makes his name known. – TD

Connor Zary, C (24^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Zary finished fifth in WHL scoring in his first year of draft eligibility. He has a frame that is fairly close to what he will need to play in the NHL. He was still available at pick 24 in the draft due to his skating. While he has a strong lower half, giving him good balance, his stride is choppy, which limits his high end. He is not slow by any means, but he is more effective as a trailer than as someone who will push the pace or lead the rush. That aside, Zary had one of the best skills/smarts combinations in the 2020 draft class. He anticipates the offensive build up like a pro and is able to capitalize like few other teenagers can. He can dangle, has great hand-eye coordination and plays at a quicker pace than his speed would suggest, simply because of his anticipation. More than just an offensive weapon, he plays a versatile game, involved at both ends. Zary has fantastic puck skills, controls the puck very well and can dangle at speed. His hand-eye coordination also helps him create and finish scoring chances. Everything about Zary’s game suggests a good second liner. – RW

Jakob Pelletier, LW (26^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 2)

Pelletier’s biggest assets are his will to win and his determination. His effort is contagious, and teammates naturally look up to him as a leader and was the team captain in his draft year. He has a very solid offensive skillset that starts with his above average skating and stickhandling. He can play the game at a high pace and prefers to stay at a fast speed, moving the puck crisply, skating full tilt on the forecheck and unloading a shot quickly. A bloodhound in pursuit of rebounds in front of the net, his desire to live in traffic is one of his most endearing qualities. While a smaller player, he finishes his checks and pursues the puck heavily. He is the kind of player who will block shots with his face to win. His hockey sense allows him to play in all situations and thrive. Pelletier makes coming to the rink fun; he uses his teammates, he is coachable and likeable, and he is an excellent player to boot. He can play anywhere in the lineup, and while he could benefit from further refinement physically, he projects as a top-line energy forward who can do it all offensively. - MS

Dustin Wolf, G (214^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 3)

Wolf has been the top goalie in the WHL the past two seasons, with dazzling numbers as a starter, including back-to-back sub 2.00 GAAs and save percentages above .935. The size bias has always existed in hockey, but even as smaller skaters are establishing themselves over the past decade, NHL teams are still reluctant to give smaller goalies a chance. He is technically sound, highly competitive with great reflexes and positioning. What is most impressive is his poise and mental fortitude. Over the course of the entire season (46 starts) he only gave up 5 goals in a game once. He is as consistent a goalie as one can find in this league and has now maintained it for over 100 games. His puck handling isn’t elite, but he can get out and stop the puck effectively, and on the powerplay he can head man to take advantage of a line change. He understands the game very well. Wolf’s numbers are better than Carter Hart’s playing for the same defense-first Everett team. He is far from a late round flyer and has a real shot to become a starting goalie in the pro ranks. – VG

Jeremie Poirier, D (72^nd overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Poirier scored 20 goals (15 at even strength) this year, tops among QMJHL blueliners, while his 53 points were second. He has good size for the type of role that he plays. He is a great passer. He hits players in stride on the breakout and reads the play well to know when to dish off and when to carry the puck. He moves well laterally and forward, generating power that allows him to navigate traffic cutting through the neutral zone. On the other hand, there are questions about whether he can defend well enough. His backwards stride and transitions from backward to forward stride are not strong. Additionally, his decision making and effort in his own end can leave a lot to be desired. He is prone to lapses in judgement in the defensive zone, particularly in net-front coverage. Poirier’s defensive game can improve with proper coaching and improved conditioning, while his innate offensive skill and vision have significant value in today’s NHL. – BO

Dmitri Zavgorodny, C/LW (198^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 4)

Zavgorodniy flourished last year while lining up with Alexis Lafreniere, but he earned his own attention and is a legitimate prospect, although a bit undersized. He is a strong skater with a low center of gravity that will allow him to stay on his feet in the pro ranks. He can dangle in traffic with ease and open up space for himself and teammates smartly. He also distributes well and is a dangerous threat in tight to score. Zavgorodniy is a finesse player, and it will be interesting to see how he uses his linemates at the next level. He is able to use his teammates’ talents to their advantage, and that will be tested going forward. Zavgorodniy will struggle against bigger players in terms of finding his own ice, but his ability to weave and use his edges will help in that regard. The Russian winger might ultimately see more success in the wide-open KHL with his speed to burn down the wing, but he has enough fighting spirit to allow him a spot as a secondary scorer at the NHL level with a solid developmental curve. - MS

Mathias Emilio Pettersen, C (167^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 5)

The Norwegian dynamo has consistently improved his overall game year-over-year since joining the collegiate ranks. After 30 points in 40 games as a freshman for the Pioneers, he fell just one-point shy of point-per-game as a sophomore, leading his team in scoring. Pettersen is a fantastic skater, with a plus first few steps, coupled with good edge work and the shiftiness needed for a player of his small stature to withstand the physical attention he already receives. At his best, he is very hard to contain in the offensive zone, with or without the puck, as his intentions are hard to read. His playmaking game also suggests that the skill will play at the highest level, with vision and creativity. He may not be a big goal scorer, but he has a knack for connecting with one-timers from his off-wing. Pettersen still needs to prove that he can succeed playing between the dots more often, as much of his NCAA success has come from the perimeter. The skills are all there, but he has not yet faced enough of a test to be sure how well it will all stay together as a pro. - RW

Connor Mackey, D (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 20, 2020. Previous ranking: 6)

In his first year of draft eligibility, Mackey was playing for his local high school, in Illinois. Scouts do pay attention to high schools in Minnesota, and to the prestigious prep schools in New England, but Illinois is an afterthought. In his second year of eligibility, he played for a state-wide select team and got enough attention to be drafted into the USHL. A 13^th round pick at that. So, what happened? At every level he took one year to acclimatize and then took over. He has a strong stride and is a smooth overall skater. He reads the game very well and does not need to be sheltered in his own end. His skill set is moderate, but he has made it work thus far with timing and instincts. He plays a strong game as well. One of the most coveted players in the NCA free agent class this year, Mackey chose Calgary, and he won’t need much time to reach his ceiling. – RW

Jake Boltmann, D (80^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

While most high school prospects impress with gaudy point totals, Boltmann gained attention for playing a pro-style puck moving game. In fact, his style was far more fitting in the USHL, surrounded by a better overall class of player than he was with a wider spread of talent for Edina High School. He plays a physical game in his own end and makes good decisions with the puck, although he played more assertively early in the season, before his time in school let some bad habits creep into his game. It is also a little telling that Boltmann was Edina’s captain, and has already been named an Alternate for this season with Lincoln. He may need five years (one full season in the USHL and then four years of college at Minnesota) before he is ready for the pro game, his collection of raw tools, not to mention his right handed shot, makes him a very intriguing long term bet. - RW

Matthew Phillips, C (166^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 7)

Much like current Flames staple Andrew Mangiapane, Matthew Phillips was an undersized, under-scouted prospect coming out of the CHL who was selected by Calgary with a sixth-round pick. Also, much like Mangiapane is now, Phillips is a sure bet to be a solid depth offensive contributor with the Flames in the near future. Phillips improved upon his rookie AHL season with a 2019-20 showing that, while cut in half due to a mid-season kneecap injury, saw him score 15 goals and 18 assists in just 38 games. At 5-7” and 155lbs, there is a lot he has to do to make up for the lack of physicality in his game, and he does just that with his slippery skating, agility, and awareness of developing offensive plays. His quick feet and suddenness to top speed allow him to get separation from defenders at center ice, where he can then excel with his tricky shot release and plus vision in the offensive zone. Phillips’ inability to play at a high physical level, coupled with his poor, albeit improved defensive smarts, makes him somewhat of a one-dimensional player, but at 22 and after two superb AHL seasons, he is basically guaranteed an NHL roster spot eventually. – TD

Rory Kerins, C (174^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Kerins provides a ton of value to his coaches with his strong two-way play. He is consistently engaged on the backcheck and is excellent along the wall where he shows an ability to separate his man from the puck and force turnovers. He also excels in the offensive end as an opportunistic goal scorer, with a quick release that allows him to work well near the crease. The concern is that he does not currently skate as well as you would like from a player in that role given his average size (5-11”) and lack of reach. As the pace increases, he can have a tendency to disappear. However, if he can improve his explosiveness, it would be easy to project him as a bottom six NHL’er, especially as he shows a promising ability to read game situations well, while his offensive ceiling is moderate at best, limiting his potential upside. - BO

Yan Kuznetsov, D (50^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

One of the few true freshmen in all of college hockey, Kuznetsov has a very big frame and plays a very mature game. He plays without flash but reads the ice very well and minimizes mistakes. He is also very strong along the boards. Will need to add an offensive element to be more than a third pairing guy. Even if the offense never really arrives, Kuznetsov can be very reliable and projects as a defender that opposing forwards want no part of. It will be interesting to watch how his role evolves at Connecticut as his extreme youth is less and less of a factor. So, while we have yet to see him unleash a big point shot, the additional ice time and trust from his coaches could very well give him the free reign to take more risks in the offensive zone. Like Jake Boltmann, discussed above, he could need a fair bit of development time until we truly know what he can be. - RW

Ryan Francis, RW (143^rd overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Francis was one of the most improved players in the QMJHL this season. A late 2001, he excels as a playmaker with his ability to slow the game down and be creative in transition. While his feet are good, there is concern that he is not explosive enough for his stature (5-9”, 168lbs) and style of play. Those who like him, see a player with elements of a dynamic playmaking capabilities. Those who are less assured, see a player who only brings his ‘A’-game in limited spurts. We do agree that his puck skills project to high end but share the concern that the rest of his game is not well-rounded enough to be able to bring his positive attributes to the fore more often. If he can show that he has the ability to finish scoring chances himself with greater regularity, his place in Calgary’s organizational rankings could rise. - BO

Luke Philp, C (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 19, 2019. Previous ranking: 8)

Undrafted out of the WHL, Luke Philp blossomed into a pro-caliber player over three years with the University of Alberta, and in March 2019, was signed as a free agent by the Flames, his childhood team. In his rookie AHL season, nobody on his Stockton Heat club scored more goals (Philp’s 19 tied veteran Byron Froese with the team lead). It was a breakout season for the 24-year-old hybrid forward, whose smarts and shot became focal points of Stockton’s offensive attack in the abridged 2019-20 season. His shot is heavy, used fairly frequently, and features a deceptive, deep release in his from shooting pocket. Though he is not an exceptional skater by any means, he can keep up with his linemates well enough, and when he plays wing, does not try to skate with the puck much regardless. He will likely have another year of marinating in the AHL going forward, as he continues to adjust to the pace of the league and learns how to apply his skill to the systems of the pro ranks, but he looks like a serviceable bottom-six NHL forward with possible power play deployment in the future. - TD

Rushan Rafikov, D (187^th overall, 2013. Previous ranking: 9)

Drafted in the seventh round after a great performance for Russia with the WU18s in 2013, Rafikov has since been a fringe feature on Russian national teams and has accrued 226 games of experience in the KHL, all with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. His KHL contract has only one year left to run, and even if he finally comes over to play in North America – as some suspect is in the cards – he will not feature on these lists anymore, as the 25 year old is on the verge of aging out of eligibility. Rafikov has a good-sized frame but doesn’t play a big man’s game. Instead he simply gets the puck moving in the right direction, which is more a function of smart passing than great wheels, as he is no more than an average skater. A feature on both special teams’ units for his KHL side, Rafikov has a good slap shot and has a knack for finding a shooting lane to get the puck on the net. Outside of his contract, there is little that would prevent him from finding a home as a decent #5 on an NHL blueline. - RW

Johannes Kinnvall, D (Undrafted Free Agent, signed April 29, 2020. Previous ranking: 10)

A power play-specialist. The soon-to-be 23-year-old defenseman has scored 23 goals in the last two seasons in the SHL. 14 of those goals have come on the power play and half of his points are power play points (31 of 62). This season he scored an impressive 40 points in 51 games. Kinnvall has impressive puck skills and a really good wrist shot. He has the potential to be a good power play quarterback in the NHL as well. On the downside, in all other situations he is not an NHL caliber prospect. His skating is below average, and he is a weak defensive player in his own end. With both modest size and lacking physical play and speed he is not that hard to play against in his own end. Even though he scored the most points on his team (forwards included) he was only fifth in ice time on the HV71 blueline. At even strength the coach trusted other players more. He has shown a fast development though and the skills he has are rare to find. He will be loaned back to SHL over the first year of his contract. - JH

Colton Poolman, D (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 20, 2020. Previous ranking: 11)

The younger brother of Winnipeg blueliner Tucker Poolman, Colton is a little bit smaller, but plays a similar game to his sibling. His skill set is moderate, but he makes his mark with a high level of hockey intelligence and a promising physical game. The North Dakota captain in his senior year, Poolman produced at a solid level offensively, but more from being in the right place at the right time than from his feet or his hands. He likes to pinch deep in the offensive end and activates in the offensive zone, and it works more often than not as he senses well when it is safe to do so. He can be useful in all game-play situations and has the stamina to play heavy minutes, although I don’t see the tools here to get much time on a professional power play. Another strong feature of his game is his stick work. He gaps well in his own end and maximizes his reach with the stealth of a pickpocket. His development window may be short considering his 1995 birth year, but he could earn a callup in no time. - RW

Ilya Nikolayev, C (88^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 12)

A two-way center. Nikolayev had a good showing at the Hlinka in his draft year but his showing at the U18 WJC, as well as his numbers in Russian league play were not as impressive. This season, seen from the outside, it looks the same production wise. Looking more closely at his game, he does not have any elite tools but has his skating, especially his balance, and his two-way skating are above average. With his low center of gravity in his skating he can win battles and cover the puck well. His top speed is not that high which makes him sometimes lose puck battles as he cannot get a speed advantage. His defensive game is good, and he works hard in all three zones. He gets involved in the games even if he isn’t on the score sheet. He can control the puck in tight traffic and both close to his feet as well as further from them. He does not have any strong dekes but his playmaking has some potential. He is still a junior and he probably still won’t be a regular KHL player next season, so if he ever reaches the NHL, he is still years from getting there. - JH

Glenn Gawdin, D (Free Agent, signed Nov, 16, 2017. Originally: 116^th overall, 2015 [St. Louis]. Previous ranking: 13)

Unsigned by his original draft team, the St. Louis Blues, who selected him in the 2015 fourth round, Gawdin was handed a free agent contract by Calgary and has performed exceptionally since joining the Flames system. Scoring is not the surprising part about his game, as Gawdin tallied 125 points in his final WHL season, but his overall game, both mentally and physically, have shown signs of promise for what he could eventually become. While his low skating speed can plague his efforts to generate offense from time to time, his high hockey IQ and ability to open space for his teammates is something that has impressed figures all around the AHL. Though playmaking and passing, thanks to his great vision and anticipation, are his go-to, his shot can be deadly anywhere from the faceoff dots and in; his readiness to shoot and the refined angling of his body to fire the puck are fantastic. I do not believe Gawdin will be much of an offensive force in the NHL, but he is a highly intelligent center who can play a complementary role on a skill line or play a fourth-line grinder role. - TD

Carl-Johan Lerby, C/RW (Undrafted Free Agent, signed May 7, 2019. Previous ranking: 14

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A puck-moving two-way defenseman. Lerby, who will turn 23 this summer, was never drafted and developed late. He had a breakthrough season in 2018-19 in the SHL and was signed as a free agent by Calgary in the summer of 2019. He spent the last season playing in the SHL but will move over to play in North America for next season. In his breakthrough season he scored more points and got more ice-time than he did in this year. Still he produced okay and even strength production was better. In 2018-19 he scored 12 of 21 points on the power play while only 3 of his 16 points came on the power play this year. Lerby moves the puck well and plays his way up the ice. He also likes to join the attack and has a dangerous wrist shot. Although having some skill, he can also play quite a low risk game with a strong first pass and good zone exits, all of which could help him to reach a third pairing role in the NHL. Lerby will be probably start next season in the AHL. - JH