Michael Dal Colle – McKeen's Hockey

New York Islanders 2019-20 Prospect Review: Top 20

Sat, 14 Sep 2019 12:27:55 +0000

The 2014 draft, while lacking in clear cut superstars, was very strong. Of the 30 players selected in the first round, only one, Conner Bleackley, has yet to appear in an NHL game. (As an aside, he took three years to become an AHL regular, and a depth one at that. He may never complete the circle.) These players are basically still 23 or 24 years old and already 34 players selected that June have played over 100 games in the NHL, with another 10 set to join them in 2019-20. 13 of the players have already accrued 100 points we well. (Another aside – only three netminders from that draft have appeared in the NHL, and none has played more than 10 games yet.)

The Islanders had two picks in that first round. Their own, at fifth overall, and the 28^th overall pick, which they acquired from Tampa Bay in exchange for a pair of second rounders. Among the more successful players available when the Islanders made their first pick, include William Nylander, Dylan Larkin, Nick Schmaltz, and David Pastrnak, among others. When the Islanders called out the name of Michael Dal Colle, no one flinched, as he was widely recognized as being among the top half-dozen prospects in the draft class.

At pick 28, the Isles had just missed out on Pastrnak, who lasted until pick 25 before Boston pounced, but played including Adrian Kempe, Ivan Barbashev, Marcus Pettersson and more. But again, no one flinched when Garth Snow and friends called out the name of Josh Ho-Sang. Like Dal Colle, Ho-Sang was a talented, high scoring winger from the Toronto area who played in the OHL who was widely seen as good value that late in the round.

Perhaps you can guess where this is going before you read on to the list below. Dal Colle and Ho-Sang are still here, so neither has ever played up to 35 games in a single season, or 60 games combined. The 28 games Dal Colle played in last year bring him to 32 for his career. Ho-Sang appeared in 10 games for the Islanders last year, a drop off from the previous two seasons, when he played in 21 and then 22 games, respectively.

The two young wingers seem to be moving in opposite directions as far as their careers are concerned. Dal Colle seemed to be in serious danger of flaming out, while Ho-Sang was the more mercurial talent. Scouting is an inexact science at the best of times and the red flags that scouts had identified in both players have been what has held each of them back.

For Dal Colle, blessed with ideal power winger size and an abundance of skill, the concern was that he played a somewhat passive game, rarely asserting himself to the max against his opponents. For Ho-Sang, the opposite was true. He was intelligent, but very head strong and very much a non-conformist, leading to him rubbing many evaluators the wrong way. Dal Colle may have figured it out last season, and he was accordingly rewarded with his best AHL season and a prolonged NHL stint. Ho-Sang, on the other hand, is still the same young man for whom some evaluators said was a “no-draft”. There was little to separate his 2018-19 season from the two previous ones.

Dal Colle may have saved his career, as young as he still is. Ho-Sang seems to need a change of scenery to be evaluated with a fresh set of eyes.

-Ryan Wagman

New York Islanders Defenseman Noah Dobson (45) (Photo by John McCreary/Icon Sportswire)

1 Noah Dobson, D (12^th overall, 2018. Last Year: 2) Dobson has everything you love in a defenseman as a prospect – great skater, great hockey sense on both ends, great puckhandler and passer, contributes offensively and defensively, and has the ideal size for the NHL level. He has the potential to make the Islanders as early as this coming season, and he has all the tools to make that happen. His skating, hockey sense and positioning could put him into the NHL right now without skipping a beat, and he has played a lot of hockey in the last two years – two Memorial Cup titles while playing 30-minutes-a-night, two Team Canada summer camps and a holiday season with Team Canada at the world juniors. Dobson only needs to fill out his frame to have a true impact at the NHL level, and he is set to be a top pairing defender for a long time. - MS

2 Oliver Wahlstrom, RW (11^th overall, 2018. Last Year: 1) Two years after selecting Kieffer Bellows in the first round, the Isles tapped a similar well in drafting Wahlstrom, a sniper from the USNTDP who put up great numbers in the Program, but was seemingly conflicted about the college track. Also like Bellows, Wahlstrom had one underwhelming season on campus before he turned pro. To Wahlstrom’s credit, he shows willingness to work in his own zone, but it will always be the quality of his shot, and his ability to get it off cleanly, that will determine his path to the NHL. He has slick mitts that aid in the shot preparation and release, as well as maintaining puck possession. The Isles should be patient with him, letting him round out his game in the AHL, but his upside is still first line. The hope is that he does not develop as a top six or bust player. - RW

3 Simon Holmstrom, RW (23^rd overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) Holmstrom is an elite skilled winger who I expect will get a good look at SHL hockey this season. That said, he is a top six or bust forward and plays for a top ranked team so he may need to start with the junior team. He actually is signed by the Islanders but will play in Sweden for at least another season. Holmstrom has an elite skillset and can control the pace of the game. He is a strong technical skater and with more strength in his legs he can see fast improvement. Against his peers you can see separation speed. He possesses both a good wrist shot as well as an elite playmaking potential. Injuries have slowed his development curve a bit. Last summer he couldn’t train properly, and he missed a big portion of the season due to multiple injuries. Holmstrom will be a long-term project for the NY Islanders but one that could be worth the wait. - JH

4 Ilya Sorokin, G (78^th overall, 2014. Last Year: 6) At age 24, Sorokin has gathered a lot of experience in the last few years and he can easily be considered one of the best goaltending prospects in the world. He posted stellar numbers over the past four seasons with CSKA Moscow and he will now play a final year in Russia before crossing the pond. He plays at such a level that should allow him to play in the NHL right away, even if period of adaptation will be needed in any case. Sorokin is a tall, calm goaltender who makes great use of his reach and is very athletic – both qualities that will help him to shine even in North America. It is expected that the Russian netminder will join the NHL lineup right away and the Islanders may even go with a rare Russian duo in net for the 2020-21 season with Sorokin and Varlamov as Greiss has only one more year left on his contract. - ASR

5 Bode Wilde, D (41^st overall, 2018. Last Year: 3) While there are some areas of his game that are best described as “developing,” Wilde possesses tantalizing potential because of his athleticism. Blessed with size, skill, and power, he blasts his way up ice and is virtually unstoppable when it comes to crossing the blueline on his rushes. He also possesses a terrific shot and scoring instincts for a defender. All of that said, he is a high risk/high reward player who can spend a little too much time in the offensive end and not enough in his own. Furthermore, his positioning in the defensive end will need to improve as he has a tendency to chase the puck or make poor reads. Wilde is an exciting prospect who could easily develop into a top pairing defender if his game settles down and he is able to improve defensively. - BO

6 Michael Dal Colle, LW (5^th overall, 2014. Last Year: 7) Dal Colle is not to be slept on despite his struggles to make an impact at the next level. For a fifth overall pick he has had a tough time adjusting to and reacting to the pace of the play as a professional. He is a highly skilled player, he can skate, shoot and do just about everything at the NHL caliber and he now brings a highly competitive edge to the game. Dal Colle succeeds and does fine at the AHL level and having managed a point a game average with Bridgeport last season he proved his ability to play at the professional level, however he only had 7 points in 28 games during his call up with the Islanders. The Islanders will need Dal Colle to step up his play this coming season to earn his bottom six spot with the chance of moving up the line up. - SC

7 Joshua Ho-Sang, RW (28^th overall, 2014. Last Year: 4) A strong skater and good passer, Ho-Sang is a power forward that can be relied upon to carry the puck deep and make creative plays. His work below the goal line is explosive and his passing is accurate which helps him stand out when he has the puck. Many of his goals scored may not be the prettiest but his tenacity around the net is admirable, he gets into the dirty spots and drives the net hard to create chances for himself. However, Ho-Sang will need to be more dependable as a two-way player if he wants a shot in the NHL with the Islanders again next season. With his experience in the NHL already, he knows what to expect and this coming season he should do much better with his zone coverage and timing as he continues to grow and develop his game. A quick note that he should also be mindful not to be too overzealous when with the puck to help him remain within team structure. - SC

8 Kieffer Bellows, LW (19^th overall, 2016. Last Year: 5) Bellows is a strong, dominant force on the ice with physical prowess and a highly competitive attitude. He plays to win and with an impressive amount of passion to compliment his natural scoring ability and skill set. He did not see the success he is used to in his first professional season with Bridgeport, managing only 19 points throughout 73 games along with 101 penalty minutes. He will need to have better control of his game next season and step up his play a bit to earn a spot at the next level. Bellows has great potential as a strong second liner with the Islanders, but he still has a lot of maturing to do before that can happen. Bellows is an offensive gift to any team, but a player of his skill has to be able to play well at both ends of the ice and his defensive positioning will also need small adjustments before he makes any further jumps. - SC

9 Anatoli Golyshev, LW (95^th overall, 2016. Last Year: 8) One of the KHL’s top wingers, Golyshev had a career year in 2018-19, with 19 goals and 40 points in 54 regular season games. He has further stepped up and his talent has removed some of the rougher edges, with a more concrete game and less wasted efforts. He is not big, but is very tough on his skates and can play bigger than his size, however he often prefers playing on the perimeter. Golyshev boasts a ton of raw talent, but there are two things that may concern the Isles. First is his adaptability – he recently signed a new four-year deal in Russia, with an out clause, but it is yet to be seen what it will be in two years. Second, he is very injury prone. He has never played all the regular-season games for Avtomobilist, and he is currently out for the first two months of 2019-20 with a lower body injury. - ASR

10 Sebastian Aho, D (139^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 11) The Swedish born Aho is a smooth skating and smart playing defenseman. Although not known for his shooting ability, he is accurate and his shots from the point are of quality. He is a strong passer and a creative playmaker which was notable in his second AHL season, as he finished second on Bridgeport with 37 assists. He still needs to work on his physical play and his timing when it comes to pinching and making the decision whether or not to play the puck. He has adapted well to the North American style of play and his progress over two seasons has been very good. Having already played up with the Islanders, Aho has yet to show his true potential and is barely pushing a bottom four ceiling. He will need to work on his composure and avoiding seeming too scrambly, and if he can polish up the positional aspects of his game, he will be on the right path to earning a more permanent NHL spot. - SC

11 Ruslan Iskhakov, RW (43^rd overall, 2018. Last Year: 13) Quicker than he is fast, the pint-sized Iskhakov adapted remarkably well to his first exposure to North American hockey and the smaller ice sheet. The number three scorer on a young Connecticut squad, despite missing some time in the first half after suffering a concussion from a massive open ice hit. He is most notable as a prospect for his playmaking ability and vision. His return to the ice after the hit and without a dropoff in production no less, tells us that he remains somewhat fearless and plays without hesitation. As with many players of his stature and ability, his defensive zone work often leaves something to be desired, leaving the fear that he could be top six or bust. Either way, the Islanders can afford to be patient with Iskhakov. - RW

12 Parker Wotherspoon, D (112^th overall, 2015. Last Year: 12) Wotherspoon’s second professional year with Bridgeport was an improvement to his rookie year as he cracked the 20 point margin and saw his confidence grow as a defenseman. He walks the line well and finds ways to creep down the sides to gain offensive ground with ease. He flies under the radar offensively but makes his presence known physically. He would benefit a little more with less time spent fighting and more time focusing on using his skill to prove himself on the ice rather than in the penalty box. For a skilled defenseman with a knack for passing he has the potential to gain a bottom four spot with the Islanders and be a physical force if he can learn to balance both aspects of his game and turn them into assets. Wotherspoon will also need to work on getting more shots to the net this coming season and proving that he is not just a good passer but a good shot as well. - SC

13 Jakub Skarek, G (72^nd overall, 2018. Last Year: 17) Skarek really impressed in the first half of the past Liiga season, but the level of his performances dropped off as the campaign progressed. He is a butterfly goalie with very good quickness and plenty of athleticism to boot. He shows great fluidity when moving laterally. He moves quickly and effectively post-to-post. He can make the occasional flashy, athletic save thanks to his quick reflexes and glove. Skarek has good vision as he tracks the puck well through traffic and bodies in front of the net, constantly keeping his eyes on the puck. He knows when to challenge shooters and be more aggressive in order to cut down the angle. The biggest downside in Skarek’s game is that he has a tendency to overcommit at times by dropping into the butterfly too early. He has high upside but must add consistency and prove that he can be a difference maker in big games. - MB

14 Mitchell Vande Sompel, D (82^nd overall, 2015. Last Year: 18) Vande Sompel is smooth skating, hard shooting, yet undersized defenseman who manages to get the puck to the net and rarely passes up the chance to shoot. He is a good skater and a hard worker, and his transitions are especially smooth which allow him to be quick and outwork opponents in races for the puck. He already has the mindset and the vision to be an NHL defenseman, but he still needs to be winning more boards battles and stay strong when protecting his own net. He will have to be harder on the puck and work on maintaining priority in the defensive zone, as Vande Sompel cannot get caught too deep forechecking or pinching if he wants to cut it as a bottom four defenseman at the next level. He may see the play well but his patience still has to improve and he will need to mature a small bit before he can make the jump any further. - SC

15 Mason Jobst, C (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Apr. 2, 2019. Last Year: IE) In terms of pure upside and dynamic ability, Jobst could rank higher on this list. His main drawbacks as a prospect are his size (5-8”, 185), and his age (25.5). A four year top collegiate scorer at (The) Ohio State, he plays a much bigger game than his listed measurements, willing and able to take big hits in order to complete a play. His stickhandling ability pops on nearly every shift and he is equal parts playmaker and finisher. His style of play gives him a number of avenues to reach and stick in the NHL, with attributes that would fit on any line, but considering his age, his window is limited. - RW

16 Otto Koivula, LW (120^th overall, 2016. Last Year: 9) Koivula is a massive forward and a very handy player to have in front of the net as his positioning is generally very good in all areas of the ice and his size makes his net positioning is very strong. He is not the greatest skater nor the most agile on the ice but he makes up for it with his hands and his uncanny ability to find open ice. He sees the play very well and has a good eye for making difficult passes in tight spots and from behind the net. Overall, he is a very clean and skilled player. For a big body, Koivula gets breaks and can move once he gets up to speed, however this takes him four to five strides too many to hit a top speed. He will need to find a way to get faster and gain a jump in his step in order to be considered a potential bottom six forward with the Islanders. - SC

17 Reece Newkirk, C (147^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) Newkirk went through quite a transition last season from the one before, as he jumped from 11 points to 59, quickly moving him up the ladder and helping advance into the draft rankings. He is a bit on the smaller side with his size, but plays way beyond that in his type of play. He is a versatile player who is relied upon to play and produce in all situations. He is an energy guy who is confident, drives the net, and plays with an edge both hard and tough. He works extremely hard, competes at both ends of the ice and can contribute in multiple ways. Although he isn't the best skater, he projects as a bottom six forward with a scoring touch. - KO

18 Blade Jenkins, C (134^th overall, 2018. Last Year: 14) Jenkins is a power center who is aggressive and assertive with the puck. He is always in attack mode, looking to drive the net. And with his strength on the puck, he can be very effective below the hash marks, prolonging possession along the wall. The question is, are his hands good enough for him to play an offensive role at the NHL level? That remains to be seen and improving both his vision with the puck and his finishing ability will be areas of focus for him. He should have a good offensive season on a strong Saginaw team, but remains a long term project for the Islanders who could develop into a checking line role player down the road. - BO

19 Kyle Burroughs, D (196^th overall, 2013. Last Year: 19) Burroughs is a good playmaker and a decent all round player. He is not flashy nor one who particularly likes to carry the puck but is instead a stay at home defenseman who does well protecting his end of the ice. He has a mean streak and that streak saw him spending a lot of unnecessary time in the box. The irony is that when Burroughs is not in the penalty box, he serves as a great power play defenseman and can quarterback a play without problem. His ability to take one timers paired with his release make him an ideal blueliner to have on the point. With discipline and a little more urgency, he could be a bottom four defenseman but he will have to impress this season or he could see his chances at getting to the next level come to an end. - SC

20 Jacob Pivonka, C (103^rd overall, 2018. Last Year: Not ranked) Son of Washington Capitals legend Michal Pivonka, Jacob will never reach his father’s scoring exploits, but he is still a prospect to pay attention to. A teammate of Wahlstrom and Wilde’s with the USNTDP, Pivonka played a depth forward role, one he reprised last year as a freshman at Notre Dame. Despite his piddly point totals, he has some playmaking ability and a nice enough shot release. What makes him noteworthy though is the maturity of his game and his reliability in his own zone as well as his faceoff ability. He is patient, reads the ice well and uses his stick nicely to break up opposing plays. Pivonka will need to add some extra offense to make it, but if he does, he could be a prototypical fourth line center and penalty killer in the NHL. - RW

MCKEEN’S 2019-20 YEARBOOK: The Late, Late Show – Players to look for deep in the draft

Scott Wheeler — Fri, 06 Sep 2019 20:17:01 +0000

The biggest available competitive advantage in a fantasy hockey league of any format exists in the draft’s later rounds.

It doesn’t matter if you play in a 10-team, standard-stat, non-keeper league where every player is once again up for grabs each year and your roster size is small enough to fill it with stars, or a 20-team, long-time keeper league where all of the NHL’s established talent is already accounted for and you’re basically picking from a group of players who’ve yet to make the leap.

At the end of the day, when the draft is over, the season is largely decided. You can be a sleuth with in-season trades or waiver-wire picks, but the strength of your team will be dictated not by the number of high-end players taken in the first three or four rounds (everybody gets those!) but by the players you found in the back half of the draft who end up having a season equivalent to those high-end guys, giving you that many more top-of-the-lineup players than your opponents.

Here are some players who could provide early-round value without requiring an early-round pick.

Ottawa Senators Right Wing Drake Batherson (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)

Under-the-radar youngsters

If Jack Hughes, Kaapo Kakko and Cale Makar aren’t already accounted for in your league, they will be before you can blink in this year’s drafts. Look to target these incoming rookies a little later on instead.

Drake Batherson – Ottawa Senators

Due to a combination of market and the fact that he was a 121^st overall pick in 2017, Batherson doesn’t carry the cache of many of the rookies who will be entering the league this season. All of those things work in your favour though. He’s going to be given a prominent role with a Senators team that needs someone to help create offence and I don’t think 20-35-55 production is out of the realm of possibility. Batherson is more of a playmaker than a scorer but he just wrapped up one of the better rookie seasons in the AHL in recent memory and he’s got a chance to be an excellent top-six forward at the next level. I wouldn’t be shocked if he’s in the Calder conversation next spring.

Jordan Kyrou – St. Louis Blues

Kyrou’s three points in 16 games during a brief stint in the NHL last season will probably scare off some prospective fantasy hockey managers in favour of more established names like Filip Zadina or Martin Necas, but his talent level is high-end and he’s already one of the best skaters on the planet, both of which should help him make the full-time transition this season. He might take a little longer, but if you’re prepared to be patient then there’s a real chance he gets hot at the midway point and doesn’t look back on his way to a strong NHL career.

Joel Farabee – Philadelphia Flyers

There are some openings in the Flyers roster this season and I’d bet on Farabee to earn one of those jobs out of camp (or quickly earn a promotion out of Lehigh Valley if he doesn’t). Farabee is just one of those players who makes everyone around him better and can play with a variety of linemates. That should make him a strong fit alongside likeminded, versatile centres like Sean Couturier, Kevin Hayes, and Nolan Patrick, who all play off of their linemates rather than requiring all of the attention.

Adam Fox – New York Rangers

In the same way Kyrou may land behind a few other names on the ‘young forwards with notoriety’ list, the same may play out for Fox, who has earned some well-deserved love but still doesn’t have the name value of an Erik Brannstrom in Ottawa or an Evan Bouchard in Edmonton. There’s some risk involved in taking Fox in a non-keeper format because he may end up behind Jacob Trouba and Anthony DeAngelo for power play time. But if the Rangers can give the NCAA’s reigning power play king an opportunity there, he could provide huge value.

Jake Bean – Carolina Hurricanes

A crowded Canes defence may steer some people away from taking the 21-year-old 13^th overall pick from 2016 but Bean is fresh off a season that landed him on the AHL’s All-Rookie Team, as well as a Calder Cup ring, and he looks poised to challenge Haydn Fleury and Gustav Forsling for a top-six role (a battle I think he will win in the short and long term). Bean’s immediate value may be a little muted relative to some of the other rookie class defencemen but there’s top-four power play upside in his game in the not-too-distant future.

Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Mathieu Joseph (Photo by Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire)

Breakout candidates

Sometimes, the best time to take a player is after a disappointing season, or when they’ve taken so long to develop that people have forgotten about them and moved on to the shiny recent draftees. Here are some candidates who are either poised for big things, marinated at lower levels, or may slip further than they should after a tough run of luck.

Anthony Mantha – Detroit Red Wings

Mantha missed 15 games last season with a hand injury but he paced for a 59-point season across 82 games, was one of the best players at the world championships, and the Red Wings are one of those teams that you look at heading into October and think: “Somebody has to score!” It doesn’t hurt that he’s 6-foot-5 and has arguably the best release on his team. Look for the first of many 30-goal seasons out of Mantha in 2019-2020 – and maybe even a shot at close to 40. Though he’s not going to be around extremely late in a draft, Mantha could fall just far enough to have major value.

Mathieu Joseph – Tampa Bay Lightning

From the outside looking in, Joseph’s 26 points in 70 games last year were nothing to write home about for a 21-year-old rookie on a team with the offence of the Lightning. But unlike Mantha, he was in a situation where he was surrounded by so much talent that his opportunities in offensive situations (or even for ice-time) were severely limited. Below the surface, his production at 5-on-5 was outstanding. As he gets older and the Lightning’s cap situation grows even more challenging, his role will change. And that could happen as early as this year. The departure of J.T. Miller has potentially opened up a spot in Tampa’s top-six and Joseph will be among those who are most likely to get the opportunity to play alongside some of the best forwards on the planet. A big year could follow.

Nick Schmaltz – Arizona Coyotes

Injuries, a trade, and a landing spot with a bad team all contributed to Schmaltz following up a 21-goal, 52-point season, with an ugly plus-minus rating and a seven-goal, 25-point third NHL season. If that means he falls into the later rounds of your draft, don’t hesitate to take him. The Coyotes are going to be improved, Schmaltz is going to be surrounded by better linemates, and 60-plus points isn’t out of the question if all of those things come together.

Devon Toews – New York Islanders

Some players just take longer than others to make the jump. And if you were paying close attention to the Islanders playoff run, you probably noticed that Toews’ days in the AHL are over. Look for him to play all 82 for the Islanders this year and excel. The 25-year-old defenceman is one of the best-kept secrets in hockey. Take him near the end of your draft, you won’t regret it.

Viktor Olofsson – Buffalo Sabres

Speaking of players who take a little longer. Don’t let the fact that Olofsson was taken 181^st overall in 2014 and still hasn’t quote-unquote made it, fool you. After working his way into the SHL’s upper echelon, he was the Rochester Americans’ lone 30-goal scorer as an AHL rookie last season – and showed real signs of being more than a depth guy in his brief stint at the NHL level.

New York Islanders Right Wing Michael Dal Colle (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)

Take the so-called bust

Nothing haunts a player more than the perception that he’s a bust among fans. These players often have huge value because nobody wants to be the manager who goes way off the board.

Last year, that player – the kid almost nobody thought would make it because he didn’t immediately live up to expectations – was Dylan Strome, who posted 51 points in 58 games with the Blackhawks after he’d been written off due to mediocre skating. Get into a habit of taking those players. If they don’t work out, you’ve given up almost nothing in their pursuit. But oftentimes they do work out and it’s added value.

Michael Dal Colle – New York Islanders

Dal Colle, a fifth overall pick in 2014, attracted a lot of attention when he posted just 24 points in 60 AHL games in 2017-2018. That may mean many managers didn’t bother paying attention to his trajectory last season, when he was a point per game player in the AHL. Despite some kinks, he’s still a 6-foot-3 winger with high-end finishing touch around the net. That has a chance of fitting in well on a team that didn’t have a single 30-goal scorer last season.

Alex Nylander – Chicago Blackhawks

There’s no denying it: Nylander’s trajectory has been disappointing for an eighth overall pick who showed so much promise before turning pro. He found out the hard way that despite having a similar skillset to his older brother than his lack of the same high-end speed meant that he couldn’t play the perimeter game he dominated with at lower levels. But at 21 and following a trade to a team that obviously covets him enough to deal a significant young defender, Nylander has a chance to really make waves in Chicago – just like Strome did.

Olli Juolevi – Vancouver Canucks

Should the Canucks have taken Juolevi fifth overall, ahead of Matthew Tkachuk and Clayton Keller? Hell no. Not then. Not now. But Juolevi had begun to show real promise as a rookie defenceman in the AHL with the Utica Comets before his 2018-2019 season was cut short by knee surgery. The long layoff may mean he starts the season back in the AHL but Juolevi still has the talent to be a second-pairing defenceman during the next chapter for the tumultuous Canucks.

Valeri Nichushkin – Colorado Avalanche

You would need a really deep league to probably justify a Nichushkin selection but the former 10^th overall pick knows that after a whirlwind six seasons in Dallas, that his one-year deal in Colorado is his last NHL chance. And last chances occasionally breed results for players as talented as Nichushkin. He might have travelled one of the weirdest active paths in the NHL. After a promising 34-point rookie season with the Stars as a teenager in 2013-2014, Nichuskin’s status in Dallas slowly began to waver and he left for a two-season stint in the KHL before returning last year to post zero goals and 10 points in 57 games of limited ice-time with the Stars. There are going to be some interesting battles for bottom-six ice-time with the Avs this fall and I wouldn’t be shocked if Nichushkin scratched his way onto the third line, or the net-front role on the second powerplay. Proceed with caution on this one though (or maybe even leave him on the waiver wire and pay close attention to the start of his season before taking the plunge).

Scott Wheeler is The Athletic’s national NHL Draft reporter. His work has also appeared in the Toronto Star, the Globe and Mail, the Toronto Sun, and the National Post.

New York Islanders Prospect System Overview

Tom Dorsa — Sat, 15 Sep 2018 18:02:04 +0000

With the best draft class (technically, tied with Detroit) among all NHL clubs this year in terms of talent acquired, it stands to reason that we take a few moments to discuss it and its significance in the grand scheme of the Islanders’ organization both now and in the near future.

With six of the eight picks made by the Islanders in June featuring on the below list, including each of the top three prospects, one aspect of how this draft class will impact the Islanders going forward is fairly clear. A more subtle aspect to the impact is what the draft class says about the direction the Islanders will be taking under new President of Hockey Operations and GM Lou Lamoriello.

Previously, under the direction of Garth Snow, the Islanders actually did an alright job at the draft, getting a good number of their top picks into the NHL, and often in impactful roles. While not every pick worked out (see Reinhart, Griffin, and Dal Colle, Michael), he otherwise had a remarkably successful run on draft day, both in the first round, and in subsequent rounds. For proof of the latter, see the 2008 and 2009 draft classes, which included Jared Spurgeon, Matt Martin, Casey Cizikas, and Anders Lee, none earlier than the fourth round.

Lamoriello is better known for his long, Hall of Fame stretch at the helm of the New Jersey Devils, but it is perhaps more instructive to look at the two drafts he presided over as the General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, even though Mark Hunter and Kyle Dubas, his two senior-most executives with a hand in scouting, are not following him to Long Island.

Though those two draft classes in Toronto (2016-2017) have seen only one player, Auston Matthews, play a game in the NHL, they showed a mixture of skill and sandpaper, mobility and size. Seven players in the Toronto top 20 are members of those two draft classes, including their top prospect and three of their top five.

As small a sample size as two draft classes is, Lamoriello’s Long Island sample of one draft is naturally smaller. So what can we see? Of the four forwards drafted, size was not a concern. Two forwards stand 6-1”, and one measures in at 5-8”. The three blueliners he selected all top out bigger, standing between 6-2”, and 6-4”. The one goalie also has good size, but that is a pretty universal benchmark among young goalies as the days of smaller netminders is rapidly disappearing into the mist of history.

In all honesty, we cannot deduce what the next generation of Islanders draft hopefuls will look like based on the eight players selected this year. The fact that they selected the best skilled players they could in the first two rounds bodes well, but it could also be a matter of letting the chips fall where they did, and picking up the pieces, as he had spent barely a month with the team before draft day. There is a very good chance that the picks made were more a reflection of the scouting reports left over from the previous regime’s scouting staff than any input brought forth by Lamoriello, or any other new hires in particular. We should applaud the injection of talent right now, and remain open minded about how things shake out next June in Vancouver.

Oliver Wahlstrom

1 Oliver Wahlstrom, RW (11th overall, 2018. Last year: IE) Oliver Wahlstrom's superb puck-handling allowed him to become an internet sensation in his boyhood, and is perhaps still the most dynamic skill the first-round pick has to offer at 18 years old. The Islanders spent their highest 2018 pick on the electric U.S. National Team Development scoring forward (26-22-23-45), wowed by his near elite puck-protection skills and lethal shooting touch. Graded as perhaps the best shooter in the draft class, he has the raw shooting skill to be a goal-scoring phenom at the NHL level. His skating ability is deadly when used at full capacity, as his speed and cutting can leave defenders helpless, but he does tend to coast and not exert full effort from time to time. Physically, Wahlstrom needs to improve on his assertiveness with his sturdy, bulky body, as he could really make an impact in that aisle. A Boston College commit, his time in the NCAA should be very brief.

2 Noah Dobson, D (12th overall, 2018. Last year: IE) A major part of the Acadie-Bathurst team that won the QMJHL and the Memorial Cup, Noah Dobson headlines an Islanders prospect core loaded with defensemen. A highly-intelligent, point-producing blueliner (67-17-52-69 last season), he has a diverse set of skills that transcends any defensive scheme and competition level, playing a game that looks like it will easily translate to the pro ranks. The puck-moving 18-year-old makes great reads, always puts the puck in the right place, and has exceptional hockey sense and defensive awareness that rivals even Rasmus Dahlin, the draft's number-one pick. His shot is great (the 17 goals from the blue line speak for themselves), as is his willingness to play a physical brand of hockey. He is not a dynamic skater, but serviceable in his own right; he is mobile and athletic, but does not routinely dazzle onlookers with his speed and cutting. His ceiling may not be as high as his 2018 draft peers, but his floor is as lofty as any.

3 Bode Wilde, D (41st overall, 2018. Last year: IE) If his game comes to fruition and he reaches his All-Star ceiling, Bode Wilde will go down as a certifiable steal in the coming years. Projected as a mid first-rounder in the weeks approaching the 2018 draft, Wilde slipped to the Islanders, to which he brings his graceful skating, heads-up decision making, and versatility. A wondrous straight-line skater, he does everything with such impeccable precision at full speed, retaining the ability to pivot and cut with grace almost effortlessly. His skating pays off defensively, where his gap control and backwards-to-forwards transitions display top-pair potential. A right-shooter, Wilde will be a weapon in all three zones, with a good shot from the point to make him a decent goal-scoring contributor. His defensive-zone efforts need major improvement (physical assertiveness, attentiveness to moving forwards, and more), but when that comes along, he could emerge as a formidable NHLer.

4 Joshua Ho-Sang, RW (28th overall, 2014. Last year: 3rd) It has been four years since Joshua Ho-Sang infamously said he would become the best player from the 2014 draft class. Though he has been treated somewhat unfairly coming up through the ranks with the Islanders, we are still waiting for the former Windsor Spitfire to emerge. He still has the raw skill that made him a first-round pick back in 2014, most notably his skating ability and his exciting, flashy puck-handling capabilities. He is well above average in driving offensive plays, as his passing, creativity, and effectiveness with entering the zone and maintaining possession are unlike nearly any on the Islanders roster. When the 22-year-old was with the NHL club last season, it seemed like he was creating chances every time he stepped on the ice, despite playing with lesser linemates. His defensive deficiencies and off-ice troubles are detrimental to both Ho-Sang and the Isles, but with new management and new coaching entering the fold, he has a fresh start and a chance to impress again.

Kieffer Bellows

5 Kieffer Bellows, LW (19th overall, 2016. Last year: 7th) Much like Wahlstrom, Kieffer Bellows comes from the U.S. National Development Team and specializes in puck play and a fatal shooting touch. The Edina, MN native tallied 41 goals in just 56 games for WHL Portland with that skillset, and used that offensive firepower to be the most dangerous player on the ice for Team USA's World Junior entry last season with nine goals in seven games. Unlike Wahlstrom, the 20-year-old is more of a trailer than a pacesetter and does not possess blazing skating speed, but uses positioning away from the puck and the smarts to get open to score a bounty of goals at any level. He causes disruption in the neutral zone and on the forecheck, and also plays center frequently enough to perhaps project as an NHL middle-six pivot. As he turns pro this season, he will have to prove that he can score goals at higher competition levels, unlike his underwhelming lone NCAA season.

6 Ilya Sorokin, G (78th overall, 2014. Last year: 4th) One of the game's top goalies outside of North America, Ilya Sorokin has put up ridiculous numbers as the starter for CSKA Moscow, one of the KHL's top clubs. Putting up goals against averages of 1.06, 1.61, and 1.59 over the past three seasons, the former third-rounder has clear, raw talent. An extremely composed netminder, the 6-2" 23-year-old has excellent reactions, mobility, and lateral quickness to complement a solid, strong upper-body. He is as focused on the job at hand he is as athletic, and his mental toughness in the crease continues to make big strides. Under contract in the KHL for two more seasons, Sorokin is already 23 and if the Islanders want the Russian star to come aboard, they might have to buy him out of his KHL deal. The problem is they need the goaltender more than the goaltender needs the Islanders.

7 Michael Dal Colle, LW (5th overall, 2014. Last year: 5th) As recently as a couple of years ago, Islanders management dreamed of Michael Dal Colle potting 40 goals on John Tavares' wing. Now, the young winger is a symbol of disappointment, and has been anything but an NHL-quality player. His game revolves exclusively around his near-elite shot, a force for accurate, strong snipes from all around the offensive zone, but his game is so concentrated on scoring that when he cannot produce points, he disappears. He lacks the skating speed to generate scoring chances on his own, and his smarts are not enough to contribute regularly. He still has plus size, great hands, and again, an NHL-caliber wrist shot. On the last year of his ELC, it is a make or break year for the former fifth-overall pick.

8 Anatoli Golyshev, RW (95th overall, 2016. Last year: 12th) Drafted as an overager back in 2016, Anatoli Golyshev is like Sorokin in that he is a very intriguing, mysterious Russian with NHL-quality skill playing over in the KHL. The 23-year-old winger is a great shooter with enough speed and agility to create his own shot with his skating, and has playmaking skills that are headlined by a variety of quick, effective passes and nifty offensive vision. His lack of size (5-9", 172 lbs) is masked completely by his creativity with the puck, which rarely puts his body in harm's way. He bounced back from a down season the year prior in his homeland by leading Yekaterinburg in goals and points in 2017-18. Whether he will come to North America after all is still an open question, but judging by raw talent, he is more than ready to make an impact on Long Island.

9 Otto Koivula, LW (120th overall, 2016. Last year: 20th) With a big body, some reliable skill, and the maturity that earned him -- a fourth-rounder playing overseas -- an ELC at just 20 years old, Otto Koivula leaped from 20th to 9th in the Islanders prospect rankings. An ability to stick in the Liiga at such a young age is impressive on its own, but the winger has put up two solid seasons from a production standpoint to earn that pro consideration with the Isles. What the left-hander does well is use his great size (6-3", 220 lbs) to create space for himself to release his heavy, accurate wrist shot, while he is also very tough to play with against around the corners. On the other hand, he is a borderline horrid skater with no straight-line speed, awful technical skating skill, and a clear lack of athleticism; this impacts his upside heavily, and as he debuts in North America with AHL Bridgeport, is something to keep an eye on.

Devon Toews

10 Devon Toews, D (108th overall, 2014. Last year: 8th) An extremely fast, graceful skater since his Quinnipiac days, Devon Toews was an AHL All-Star two seasons ago and has all the makings of an NHLer. However, a shoulder surgery ended his 2017-18 season before he could make a splash on the Islanders' roster. How he can respond is the question, but the answer starts with his unmatched pure skating speed; he might have the fastest high gear of any Isles prospect. He is a strong puck-mover, has good two-way senses, and is very calm and reserved with the puck. On one side, he could be the ideal replacement for the departing Calvin de Haan, and on the other, he is 24 and his offensive numbers are probably a tad inflated by his maturity in a league ripe with 21-year-olds. If his offensive game translates to the NHL, he has top four potential.

11 Sebastian Aho, D (139th overall, 2017. Last year: 17th) Widely known as the “other Sebastian Aho”, the defenseman made a great impression on the Islanders brass as a 21-year-old overager in the 2017 draft and broke the NHL roster for 22 games last season. He put up good numbers in the NHL and below, where he led all Bridgeport defensemen in goals (nine) and points (29). He is an excellent skater by both technical skills and pure speed, and grades as average or above in puck skills and smarts. His undersized body inhibits his physical game tremendously, but he is fast and intelligent enough to mostly make up for his tiny frame in the defensive zone. In reality, Aho should have been drafted sooner than the fifth round in his fourth year of eligibility. He will likely start the season in Bridgeport but has a chance for promotion in short order.

12 Parker Wotherspoon, D (112th overall, 2015. Last year: 10th) A leading offensive force from the blueline on some poor Tri-City teams, Parker Wotherspoon was a prolific defensive scorer in the WHL. The leader in points (10-56-66) among WHL defensemen in his final junior year (2016-17), the former fourth-rounder made the transition to the AHL last season as a member of the Sound Tigers, with which he had cups of coffee in the previous two seasons. At first, it was a disastrous debut, being a healthy scratch in 15 of the first 30 games, but he found his groove with his good skating, two-way discipline, and skills to a spot on both the power play and penalty kill units before the end of the season. The 21-year-old has no special assets, but is around average or above in every attribute that makes for an NHL-caliber player. However, and through no fault of his own, Wotherspoon is a while away from any real NHL impact; the Islanders' top-six seems set up already and he is behind both Aho and Toews on the depth chart.

13 Ruslan Iskhakov, C (43rd overall, 2018. Last year: IE) Ruslan Iskhakov is the first true center on this prospect rankings. If you still have John Tavares on your team, that would not be an issue, but the Islanders are thin in that position now without their former franchise cornerstone. No pressure, Ruslan. The undersized forward with absurd numbers in the Slovakian and Russian junior leagues comes to North America to play for UConn of the NCAA this season, looking to build towards an eventual career in the NHL. A creative and visionary playmaker, he is dangerous with the puck on his blade and is very difficult to strip of possession. His passes are crisp and to the tape and his play around the boards, despite a slight 5-8" frame, is pretty solid. Unfortunately, he lacks the quick acceleration and smooth skating of the typical undersized forward, and does not have much of a shot. Maybe with UConn, he can improve his foot speed amid a faster competition level.

14 Blade Jenkins, LW (134th overall, 2018. Last year: IE) If you were to draft players annually based exclusively on their energy levels, high-end motors, and inexhaustable tenacity, Blade Jenkins would be a top ten selection. A tireless and speedy skater, he produced offense at a reasonable clip for OHL Saginaw this year but looks to be more valuable as a blazing, tough forechecker with infectious spark. The 18-year-old is a gift on the defensive side when playing back there, as the left-shooting winger has good enough size to pin forwards up against the boards and steal pucks away with his athleticism. His offensive upside has not been fully explored, as he has pretty decent hands and good vision, but tries to create scoring chances solely with speed and needs to be better at slowing the game down and sustaining possession. Jenkins is lightning, and with some key players graduating from Saginaw, the Spirit staff can catch it in a bottle with the Jackson, Michigan native playing top-six offensive minutes.

15 Linus Soderstrom, G (95th overall, 2014. Last year: 6th) Drafted as a potential goaltender of the future back in 2014, the Islanders will see Linus Soderstrom in the pro ranks for the first time this season as he starts out with Bridgeport. The 22-year-old broke out in 2016-17 with HV71, helping them to an SHL championship with a 1.34 GAA, .943 Sv%, and 18 wins in 22 games. Last season was a struggle though, as he missed most of the season after surgery and came back in March with a SV% under .900 and a GAA more than double that of the season prior. He is an aggressive netminder who minimizes second chances with good rebound control and the ability to cut down angles well. He has plus athleticism and is very technically sound, moving from side to side almost robotically. Though he is behind Sorokin in terms of potential in the crease, he has the Russian beat as far as his timeline for NHL-readiness goes, he just needs to get back to 100% health and take it from there.

Ben Mirageas

16 Ben Mirageas, D (77th overall, 2017. Last year: 11th) One of several fleet-footed, defensive-minded defensemen deep in this prospect ranking, Ben Mirageas had a formidable freshman campaign for Providence, where he displayed his solid stay-at-home skillset and an improved capability to chip in offensively. He can skate the puck out of his zone and into the offensive side with ease or spark breakouts with quick, decisive passing, all while remaining disciplined and never stretching too far one way or another. At 6-1", size is no issue for the left-hander, and he uses it well to control the line and force forwards to the outside. What remains to be seen is what version of Mirageas turns pro, and how his well-rounded though non-dynamic game translates to the next level when the time comes.

17 Jakub Skarek, G (72nd overall, 2018. Last year: IE) One of the top goaltender prospects coming into the 2018 draft, Jakub Skarek had an up and down year and still netted a third-round selection, which really says a lot. He flopped at the World Juniors, a worrisome sign in a best-on-best tournament, but had superb stats in the Czech Extraliga -- a men's league -- at 18 years old. The goaltender has great vision and demonstrates insane reflexes between his athleticism and low-to-the-ice, Jonathan Quick-esque style. He is a smart and composed competitor, capable of massive workloads and facing tons of shots. Skarek has loads of starter potential, but could also be a spectacular bust, and the Islanders will give him plenty of time to sort things out.

18 Mitchell Vande Sompel, D (82nd overall, 2015. Last year: 14th) Mitchell Vande Sompel is exactly what the Islanders need most; a fast, puck-moving defenseman with relentless offensive pressure and skill. He was rewarded for his success in his first AHL season with a trip to the All-Star Game, earning a spot with seven goals and 22 assists in his rookie pro season. A brilliant and gifted skater, he is one of the more underappreciated players in the Islanders system; he has great hockey IQ, is comfortable playing the puck under immense pressure, and packs a physical punch in spite of his 5-10" frame. His defensive awareness away from the puck is what needs the most work; often he looks lost out there if he is not directly defending the puck carrier, and can get beat on cuts and passes. He also has plenty of experience playing on the wing from his days on the OHL, which may be something revisited going forward.

19 Kyle Burroughs, D (196th overall, 2013. Last year: 18th) A seventh-round pick, the fact that Kyle Burroughs is still here is somewhat miraculous, and he is only getting better and tougher with age. A brawny, intelligent blueliner who is always willing to sacrifice himself for the betterment of the club, the right-hander has groomed himself into a top-four role with Bridgeport out of nowhere. He is a long shot to ever make the NHL in a permanent capacity due to limited upside, poor skating, and a lack of skill, but his penalty kill toughness and physical tenacity has wowed AHL coaches. His ceiling is NHL bottom-pair/seventh d-man, but his floor is someone who assists in the development of the numerous young, left-handed defensemen coming up for New York. There is no way to lose for the Isles.

20 David Quenneville, D (200th overall, 2016. Last year: 15th) A historically gifted offensive dynamo from the blueline with WHL Medicine Hat, David Quenneville joins Bridgeport as a 20-year-old right-hander looking to prove the doubters wrong. With 80 points in his final WHL season last year (tops among WHL blueliners), he broke the all-time Medicine Hat defenseman scoring record with 214 points over four seasons. The issue here is that at 5-8" and without breakneck speed, he will have trouble cracking an NHL roster, but his plus stickhandling skills, sensational vision, and natural hockey IQ definitely help his case. His lack of physical stature and foot speed will hinder his NHL chances, but going by statistics, the most comparable CHL players over his age group are Mikhail Sergachev, Samuel Girard, and Ivan Provorov. Clearly, there's upside there.

New York Islanders – System Overview

Ryan Wagman — Fri, 15 Sep 2017 20:21:25 +0000

In a series of trades, a Canadian blogger named Kyle MacDonald went from being the proud owner of a single red paperclip to being the owner of a house. In a parallel series of trades, an American NHL General Manager named Garth Snow has gone from entering the draft with next to nothing, to walking away with some of the best young talent the New York Islanders have to offer.

For example, in 2014, Snow was getting angsty towards the end of the first round. A few talented players were still in the board for longer than they likely should have been. Sensing an opportunity, he struck a deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Islanders received the number 28 pick from Tampa, in exchange for the two second rounders that they were holding. The two second rounders were used on lower upside blueliners, a reasonable proxy for what Snow could have done with those picks. Instead, he was in a position to select Joshua Ho-Sang, a highlight reel forward who can rub traditionalists the wrong way, but does so while creating reams of offense.

Pleased with the results of this approach, Snow literally doubled down in 2015. Going into the 2015 draft, not only did the Islanders not have a first round pick in hand, they also were without a second rounder. Both picks had been traded to Buffalo 18 months previously as part of the package that sent Thomas Vanek to Long Island for a regrettable stay.

Not one to simply drift, Snow began to roll. First, he decided that 2013 fourth overall pick Griffin Reinhart was not going to pan out as he had hoped two years ago, and shipped him to Edmonton for the 16th overall pick. Still not done piling up, he sent a second and third round pick to Tampa Bay (it pays to know your audience) in exchange for the 28th overall pick.

Wrapping up a two-year plan of audacity, Snow traded Griffin Reinhart and picks that turned into Dominik Masin, Jonathan Macleod, Mitchell Stephens and Anthony Cirelli for three picks that were used on Joshua Ho-Sang, Mathew Barzal and Anthony Beauvillier. With all due respect to the four young man currently trying to work their respective ways up through the Tampa Bay organization, and Reinhart, who did not pan out in Edmonton and has since been drafted by Vegas in the recent expansion draft, when it comes to draft day trading, Garth Snow has basically been turning paper clips into houses.

The downside to this strategy is that it is not sustainable. In 2016, the Islanders entered draft day without picks in the second or third round due to earlier trades and were not able to acquire any, limiting the organization from growth. The situation was even direr this year, as the team did not have a first rounder, forced to trade it away, along with a solid blueline prospect in Jake Bischoff, to Vegas in order to coerce the expansion team not to select some of their prized young NHL players.

So while Snow has been wily in pulling off two neat tricks to pick up a trio of exciting young forwards, he has also found that entering the draft without his full complement of selections will just as often (if not more often) leave you empty-handed.

New York Islanders prospect Mathew Barzal (13) (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire)

1 Mathew Barzal – Among the handful of players in the discussion for top prospect, Barzal has been allowed to develop in the WHL after threatening to make the NHL in each of the last two seasons. Instead of sulking, he was among the top scorers in the WHL both seasons by rate and finished his junior career winning a playoff MVP, by guiding Seattle to the Memorial Cup. He is an incredible skater with the best hands of any prospect. He can carry the puck through the neutral zone as if he is in a pylon drill. He should be a top six NHL scorer in short order.

2 Joshua Ho-Sang – Although dogged by off-ice criticism wherever he has gone, from questioning coaching decisions, to his choice of uniform number 66 to an unfortunate sleeping-in incident, Ho-Sang is an incredibly exciting talent offensively. A very skilled skater who oozes puck skills, he can be absolutely electric to watch. Will have a chance to make the NHL roster out of camp on potential alone, but needs to show he can be more calculated with his risk taking.

New York Islanders Defenceman Ryan Pulock (6) (Photo by Your Dennis Schneidler/Icon Sportswire)

3 Ryan Pulock – Although not the fastest skater out there, Pulock has one of the hardest point shots outside of the NHL. When he can step into one, defenders quite literally turn around, hoping it does not hit them in an unpadded area. When he carries the puck over the blueline, he likes to fake a windup and then skate around defenders who flinch. Strong, if not bone-crunchingly physical. Has nothing left to prove in the AHL.

4 Ilya Sorokin - One of the top goalies in the KHL for two years running, Sorokin just signed a three year extension with CSKA and bringing his projections to fruition will have to wait. He is an incredibly athletic netminder who grades out as above average in every category worth scouting a goalie on. Strong technical play allows him to cover the entire net. While he is not perfect (he is, after all, a goalie) there are no easy areas for opponents to exploit.

5 Michael Dal Colle – One of the most frustrating prospects in the game. Blessed with great size and the ability to create offense from nothing with his great hands and nose for the net, he is unfortunately cursed with a complete lack of aggression. All too often is outworked for the puck by smaller, less gifted opponents. It is not even that he coasts in his own zone, as he does show commitment there on occasion. It is that his intensity levels will waver to extremes. Not too late to be a star, but needs to bring it more often.

6 Linus Soderstrom – His SHL numbers explode from the page. No goalie in the SHL had a better GAA and only one netminder stopped a greater percentage of shots faced. An aggressive goalie who is extremely technically competent, he also brings plus athleticism and play reading to the ice, minimizing second chances. Would be the clear goalie of the future in most systems. Although signed to an ELC, the Isles have already loaned him back to HV71 for the season.

June 24, 2016: Keiffer Bellows dons his Islanders sweater after he was selected as the 19th pick in the first round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft at First Niagara Center in Buffalo, NY (Photo by John Crouch/Icon Sportswire.)

7 Kieffer Bellows – At his best, Bellows is an active winger, causing disruption in the neutral zone and a threat to score every time he gets space in the slot to unleash a very hard wrist or snap shot. At his worst, he is hot-headed and selfish, taking himself out of the play due to a gripe of some kind, or being called for unnecessary penalties. He is a solid skater with good puck skills. The type of player who would be best served playing more games, he is leaving Boston University for Portland of the WHL.

8 Devon Toews – A dynamic defenseman, Toews had an excellent rookie pro season with Bridgeport. Although his offensive game is his calling card, he is feisty without the puck, keeps solid gaps and is trustworthy on the penalty kill. He has very quick hands and is a strong skater. The type of blueliner that looks natural when joining or leading a rush. On a team with a shallower pool of defenders in front of him, Toews would already be knocking on the door of the NHL.

9 Scott Mayfield – A big, big defenseman, Mayfield is on this list because he was not called up early enough last year to lose his prospect eligibility. The Isles value him highly enough to use one their protection slots on him, fearful that Vegas would grab him otherwise. Not without a modicum of offensive skill, his game is most notable for the heaviness he brings to the play. He makes life tough on opponents, with and without his gloves.

10 Parker Wotherspoon – A strong offensive defenseman, Wotherspoon has improved his offensive output each year across his four WHL seasons. Often overlooked in a usually uncompetitive Tri-City squad, he lacks any one outstanding tool, but grades as average or better across the board. Solid positionally, he is slightly better when his team has the puck than without, but plays enough of a two-way game to inspire an open-mind when it comes to his future projection.

11 Ben Mirageas – It was easy to ignore Mirageas when he played for a moribund Bloomington team, but upon his trade to eventual Clark Cup champion Chicago, his game took off. A very intelligent defender in the stay-at-home tradition, he has great instincts for when to close the gap and take out the body facing him. A very mobile backwards skater, his offensive upside is limited, but he minimizes mistakes with and without the puck and there are worse ways to use a slot on a third pairing.

12 Anatoli Golyshev – A great shooter with enough speed and agility that allows him to avoid putting his tiny body in harms’ way, Golyshev is either generally showcasing his dynamic offensive capabilities, or completely disappears from the proceedings. Had a down year overall for Yekaterinburg in the KHL, but has already proven that he could be a high-end, if very inconsistent goal scorer. Whether or not he will come to North America (and when) is an open question.

13 Robin Salo – The Islanders top draft pick this year, Salo is a bit plodding, a relative rarity for a modern blueliner, Salo earns praise for a heavy and accurate slapshot as well as above average ability to read the play, both contributing to a notably mature overall game. A decent puck mover, he also plays a more physical game than his measurements would indicate. His upside is not as high as you want from your top draft pick, but only a slight uptick in his skating would allow him to achieve bottom pairing potential.

14 Mitchell Vande Sompel – An offensive catalyst from the blueline for a Memorial Cup winner in his draft year, Vande Sompel has been unable to build upon his early successes in the two subsequent seasons. He was actually showing prolific goal scoring ability in the first half of last season before being traded from Oshawa to London, but he enters pro hockey having made quieter strides in his defensive game. Also showing more patience before taking his shot.

15 David Quenneville – Small by undersized defenseman standards, Quenneville, whose older brother John is a top prospect in the New Jersey system, missed over a third of last season with a broken leg suffered in blocking a shot. When he was on the ice, he was among the most dynamic offensive blueliners in the WHL with well over one point-per-game. Not as fleet of foot as other small defenders, Quenneville’s greatest attribute is easily his plus puck skills.

16 Eamon McAdam – Although McAdam had an up-and-down rookie pro season split between the AHL and ECHL, he still flashed some of the potential that convinced Islanders’ scouts to select him in the third round in 2013. He has quick reflexes and a strong glove hand. Fairly steady in the crease, his movements are controlled and he has the ability to read the shooter and the puck mover. The future Islanders crease is crowded, but McAdam should not be counted out.

17 Sebastian Aho – After being passed over at the draft three times, the Islanders finally put a claim in on “The Other Sebastian Aho.” In truth, he likely should have been drafted years ago. He is certainly very small and slight with a non-existent physical game, but all of the tools are there. He is an excellent skater, who grades out well with his shot and puck skills. With nothing left to prove in the SHL, Aho is going to be in the AHL this year.

18 Kyle Burroughs – A brawny and intelligent blueliner, Burroughs lacks much in the way of upside, but has come a long way and has established himself as at least a top four defenseman in the AHL. Not a great puck carrier, he at least is capable of moving it around in the offensive zone. Likewise, his point shot lacks much zip, so he should not be viewed as a potential power play contributor. That said, he is a willing shot blocker and lane clogger and could be groomed as a third pairing penalty killer.

19 Arnaud Durandeau – A shifty, undersized skills player, Durandeau found himself in the spotlight by spending much of his draft year on a line with first overall pick Nico Hischier. A strong playmaker and plus skater, he plays an agitating game, but to ill effect as he lacks the size to be a physical force. Has the hockey IQ to play in a variety of situations and will be tested this year as his top linemate will likely have moved on to the NHL.

20 Otto Koivula – Despite being a pretty poor skater, Koivula managed to put together a strong rookie season in Liiga, on the back of his heavy and accurate wrist shot in tandem with impressive puck control that allows him to generate offense in tight spaces. While he plays a clean game, he has a very heavy frame and is tough to play against along the boards and in the corners. If he can improve his skating by even half a grade, he has middle six NHL potential. Easier said than done.

In spite of their handful of high end prospects at the top of this list, the Islanders overall prospect pool is disappointingly shallow. For a team that has found success at the NHL level (as measured in postseason success) very hard to come by, they tend to trade away picks and other young assets at an alarmingly high rate. Looking at the big picture, they might realize that those two things are strongly correlated.

NHL Prospect Watch: How to Solve a Problem like Stamkos

Ryan Wagman — Mon, 12 Dec 2016 16:33:04 +0000

A little more than three years ago, Tampa Bay superstar Steven Stamkos slid skates-first into the post in Boston, shattering his leg. The Lightning at the time were fortunate to have a couple of highly touted scoring forwards down on the farm in Vladislav Namestnikov and Nikita Kucherov. They decided to call on Kucherov.

The young Russian put up 18 points in 52 games, which did not quite make up for the loss of the point-per game first line sniper. Then again, 20 year olds rarely change the world as NHL rookies. Namestnikov was allowed to remain in the AHL with Syracuse. Despite the loss of Stammer and the inadequacy of his direct replacement, the Lightning still made the playoffs, where they were dispatched in the first round.

Why is this relevant, you may be asking, even with the knowledge that Stamkos is injured again, felled by a torn lateral meniscus in his right knee, an injury that is expected to keep him out of action for around four months. This time around, there are no hot shot prospects waiting in the AHL for their chance to make the grade. Even if Kucherov did not light the league on fire immediately, he has steadily grown in prominence to become one of, if not the most important player on the Lightning roster. Maybe he would not yet be a superstar in his own right today if not for that stroke of misfortune.

Entering this season, the top prospect in the Tampa system was Brayden Point, an undersized offensive dynamo who scored at nearly two points per game last year with Moose Jaw in the WHL. Although Point has graduated from junior hockey, he actually made the team out of training camp. The early returns are promising. With 11 points in his first 27 games, he is achieving at a rate slightly higher than that of Kucherov when the Russian debuted, but even if he sees his ice time increase, there is still a roster spot to deal with.

So far, since Stamkos went down, the Lightning experimented with minor league journeyman Erik Condra and Swiss prospect Joel Vermin, who was ranked by Hockey Prospectus as the #26 prospect in the system this summer. Vermin is OK, but he hasn’t produced heavily since his days playing in the Swiss junior ranks. He qualifies as good use of a seventh round draft pick (2013 draft), but the Lightning might be better served by giving a run to former undrafted free agent Yanni Gourde (Tampa Bay, UDFA, 2014 LW/C, Syracuse (AHL)). Already 24, and unlikely to grow beyond his diminutive 5-9”, 168 pound frame, Gourde is what he is. A feisty little player who likes to be near the puck, whether carrying it or hounding an opposing puck carrier, the former leading scorer from the QMJHL (2011-12 – 124 points for Drummondville) plays at NHL pace. Equally comfortable setting up teammates as he is shooting from the rush, he brings excitement to his shifts when given the latitude to play creatively.

Even though he was ignored at the draft both for junior hockey and the NHL, he has scored at every level and we liked him enough to rank him 15^th among Lightning prospects in the summer, a position that was depressed by his advanced age suggesting less room for continued development than among many of the younger prospects ahead of him in the depth charts and the hearts of the Tamp Bay top brass.

Michael Dal Colle (NY Islanders, 1/5, 2014, LW, Bridgeport (AHL))

Dal Colle was drafted fifth overall in 2014 due to high end offensive ability coupled with a body that scouts can dream on. Tall, broad and lean, if he had jam, he would be an almost unstoppable power forward. He would also already be drawing an NHL paycheck. Instead, Dal Colle is figuring things out in the AHL with Bridgeport. Through 22 games, he has a surprising and disappointing 11 points. Even though the Sound Tigers are a top ten offensive team in the AHL, averaging a hair over three goals per game, Dal Colle, on whom so many hopes are resting, is not helping to boost that number.

I want to be fair. Only four of his teammates are above him in the Bridgeport scoring race and he is tied for the team lead in shots, with 40, a rate of just under two per game. Seven goals on those 40 shots suggests that he is not suffering from adverse puck luck either. In all honesty, if Dal Colle was a fifth rounder, instead of a fifth overall pick, I would look at what he has accomplished and would marvel at it. But he was not a fifth rounder and I am underwhelmed.

This is a player who can be physically dominant, but displays a tangible lack of aggression on the ice. He shows flashes of his ability, but they just as quickly subside. On the other hand, he has shown some positives in his off puck play. He had been accused as a junior of not paying as much attention to his game away from the puck and I now see a player who fore-checks deep, and engages and shows commitment in his own zone. I am not writing Dal Colle off. He still has top line upside. He just needs to show it with more frequency. Use his natural gifts a bit more, well, naturally. Use the puck skills that helped him push the Oshawa Generals to both OHL and Memorial Cup titles in 2015 to set up his shot from more dangerous locations. I once compared Dal Colle to a bigger Phil Kessel. But Phil Kessel, hot dogs be damned, can play with a chip on his shoulder. I need Dal Colle to show that more.

Mitchell Mattson (Calgary, 5/126, 2016, C, Bloomington (USHL))

In his draft year, there were some who looked at Mattson as a potential first rounder. He had great size, at 6-4”, and close to 200 pounds, was a plus skater and showed decent hockey smarts. His scoring numbers in an early season cameo with Bloomington of the USHL were not so hot, but when he returned to school in Minnesota (like eventual 2016 first rounder Riley Tufte did last year and like future 2017 first rounder Casey Mittelstadt chose to do this year), he was an offensive power, with 46 points in 25 games. Mind you, it is not too uncommon for the most dynamic high schoolers in Minnesota to pot three points per game and upwards, such as Tufte managed. Still, a big boy with a 200 foot game speaks.

Unfortunately, whatever excitement remained after his high school exploits dissipated quickly after he returned to Bloomington upon the conclusion of the varsity season. In his USHL bookends to his season, Mattson managed a mere two goals in 21 games. There were no assists to add to that luster. Not only did first round talk die down, he may have been lucky to be drafted at all, as the Flames picked him up in the fifth round.

Mattson is back with Bloomington this year and still struggling to score, although not quite to the same extent, as he has nine points through his first 21 games this year. He does have plus hockey IQ and is a good skater. He is reliable in all three zones, but not very effective in the offensive zone. His puck skills are fairly limited. He is set to attend the University of North Dakota starting next year, and would do well to carry a bottom six role there. To this observer, it might make sense to try him out on the blueline. The switch would play to his strength while minimizing his weaknesses. Just a thought.

Aapeli Rasanen (Edmonton, 6/153, 2016, C, Sioux City (USHL))

A member of the 2016 WU-18 champion Finnish squad, Rasanen spent his draft year playing ostly in the Finnish U20 ranks. He was solid there, but in tying for the Finnish team’s scoring lead at the premium event ensured that Rasanen would not be forgotten on draft day. In fact, when he lasted until early in the sixth round on draft weekend, many were surprised. Like Mattson above, he was a solid skater with plus hockey IQ, but unlike the Bloomington center, Rasanen had proven offensive touch to his game.

After being selected by the Oilers, Rasanen had the choice of trying to crack Tappara’s men’s team, moving to Dynamo Riga of the KHL, who drafted him seventh overall in the KHL entry draft, or moving stateside with Sioux City, who took a flyer on him in the seventh round of the USHL draft. Wanting to get a college education, Rasanen joined the Musketeers. Six months after being selected by the Oilers, it looks like both Edmonton and Sioux City got themselves an intriguing young prospect.

Teamed up again with his linemate from the U18s, future first rounder Eeli Tolvanen, Rasanen is able to regularly demonstrate his plus vision and clever passing game. He measurements are roughly average, but his frame is wide and suggests more muscle to come. He protects the puck well and is strong on faceoffs. Opponents tend to bounce off him when they go in for a check. Rasanen has yet to choose which school to attend next year, but is adamant that the next step will be the NCAA. Until then, you can get another good look at him suiting up in the national colors at next month’s WJC.

Kirill Kaprizov (Minnesota, 5/135, 2015, LW, Salavat Yulaev Ufa (KHL))

Last year with Metallurg Novokuznetsk, Kaprizov was the leading 19-and-under scorer in the KHL with 27 points in 53 games. One year older, one year wiser, one year more dominant. With 30 points in his first 37 games with Ufa, his point total is more than double that of the runner up U-20 scorer in the top league in Russia.

Hockey Prospectus’ Russian correspondent Roman Solovyev (@croulmane) has gone out of his way to commend Kaprizov’s improvements in his shot, his hockey IQ and his physical game. The Russian teenager has seen his shooting percentage jump from a combined 9.6% over the previous two seasons to his current 16% snipe rate. He is somewhat undersized, and that will not change, but his willingness to play in the dirty areas has changed. He is a much tougher opponent. His understanding of positioning and the run of play has also taken steps forward, and Kaprizov is an integral part of his team’s offensive attack, at both even strength and the power play. Kaprizov is a near lock to represent Russia at the upcoming WJC. His KHL contract runs for one more season after this one and the Wild should be eager to entice him to cross the pond.

Tanner Laczynski (Philadelphia, 6/169, 2016, C, Ohio State (Big 10)

A second year eligible playmaker drafted out of the USHL in the sixth round last June, Laczynski has almost single-handedly turned Ohio State from also-rans to contenders as a freshman, with more than one assist per game in his first few months of collegiate action. Perhaps the offensive output should have been expected – at least to an extent – as the Illinois native was fourth in USHL scoring last year, split between Chicago and Lincoln.

What held him back for scouts in the past was a lack of an extra gear on his feet. His skating was smooth enough, but he never could get to plus acceleration. His skating would be OK if he was 6-2”, 215, but at 6-0”, and closer to 180, it is still a strike against his chances of an NHL career. He has great puck sense, but is definitely a passer first, shooter second player. The collegiate route is perfect for him, as he could use the long weeks of practice to work on his foot speed and muscle mass. Laczynski could excel at any level as long as his linemates can disrupt with speed. He can find them and turn their threat into scoring chances. He is a fun player to watch and one the Flyers should be happy is on their side.

2014 NHL Draft: Top 5 playmakers – Reinhart’s elite vision and anticipation

Grant McCagg — Tue, 13 May 2014 11:23:55 +0000

Best playmaker

Sam Reinhart's hockey intelligence is almost matched by his vision, making him a constant threat to find open teammates in scoring positions. "Reinhart is an elite playmaker," said one scout. "He sees the ice so well and anticipates where players on both teams are going to be. He'll be a productive setup man at any level of hockey." Reinhart handles the puck well and makes smart, crisp passes right on the tape.

Leon Draisaitl uses his strong frame to protect the puck and patiently find open teammates, making him a constant threat in the offensive zone. Bennett, Dal Colle have great hands and reach, and can saucer a pass with the best of them. Scherbak brings length, puck skills and vision to the table, making him a natural playmaker.

1. Sam Reinhart

2. Leon Draisaitl

3. Sam Bennett

4. Michael Dal Colle

5. Nikita Scherbak

Up Next: Top 5 Defensive Forwards - May 16

Youngblood: The fab five – Ontario strong

Brendan Ross — Wed, 07 May 2014 12:15:02 +0000

Ontario hockey is as strong as ever with the long line of NHL stars emerging from the Ontario Hockey League. Each of the OHL’s 20 franchises contributed to the NHL landscape in some way or another. The London Knights have sent first round selections Rick Nash, Corey Perry, Patrick Kane, Sam Gagner and Nazem Kadri onto successful NHL careers. The Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds are best known for contributing Wayne Gretzky and Paul Coffey but have also added current stars Joe Thornton and Jeff Carter. Sarnia Sting gun slinger Steven Stamkos has relocated his ability of sniping goals to warm Tampa Bay. Windsor Spitfires’ alum Taylor Hall is electrifying fans in Edmonton with his blazing speed. On Long Island, former Oshawa Generals star John Tavares has emerged as one of the NHL’s newest superstars.

The OHL has routinely churned out all-star prospects and it’s a trend that won’t disappear anytime soon. The 2013 NHL Entry Draft featured a league high eight first round selections from the OHL, highlighted by the Calgary Flames’ 6^th overall selection of Ottawa 67’s pivot Sean Monahan. In total, 37 players were chosen in seven rounds at the 2013 draft, the most from any league. As players flock to the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, it’s expected that even more OHL players will hear their names called in the opening round. With 20 of the 40 invitees, the OHL dominated the 2014 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospect Game in Calgary in January. NHL Central Scouting lists 14 skaters from the OHL among its top 30 North American ranked players. The OHL bloodlines are as strong as ever in the National Hockey League.

As all eyes set on the draft eligible prospects from the Ontario League, let’s break down its top treasures starting with the top five and ending with some honourable mentions.

Ekblad defining exceptional

Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Capping off a strong freshman season by winning the Emms Family Award as the OHL Rookie of the Year, Ekblad displayed considerable improvements in his skating and began to silence criticisms of his oft-debated “offensive limitations”.

Fast forward two seasons.

As his draft season draws to a close, Ekblad filled his trophy case with Ivan Hlinka gold and the 2013-14 Max Kaminsky Trophy as the OHL’s Most Outstanding Defenseman. He’s the unanimous top defenseman in the 2014 draft in a class lacking top-end star defensemen and exemplifies leadership, poise and maturity. Offensively, Ekblad has launched his game to new levels showing improved confidence and puck skills that top-pairing defensemen require. He doesn’t possess the puck rushing ability of an Erik Karlsson or the intimidating physicality of Shea Weber but he’s proven to be above average in almost every facet of the game.

The gem of the OHL class is Barrie Colts’ defenseman Aaron Ekblad, who has exceeded expectations in each of his three seasons dating back to his rookie year as a 15-year-old underage player. The Belle River native was the second player, and first defenseman, to be granted “exceptional status” by Hockey Canada and he has been on an upward trajectory ever since. It was Ekblad’s efficient point shot that has served as his offensive launching pad displaying an ability to get pucks through traffic on net, resulting in a league-leading 23 goals from the blueline. Ekblad also topped the OHL in power play goals (16) showing that his offensive game has some serious upside. Besides growing an caveman-like beard that grown men are envious of, Ekblad possesses the exceptional hockey sense, size and two-way skill set to draw interest right out of the gates at the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. He’s a potential cornerstone defender and a player who should be ready to step right into an NHL lineup.

The accomplished Ekblad doesn’t stand alone at the top of the OHL class, as pivot Sam Bennett has assembled loads of praise from the scouting community and will serve as Ekblad’s biggest challenger from the OHL.

Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Indicative by the sweater number 93 he wears, Sam Bennett grew up as a Maple Leafs’ fan idolizing Dougie Gilmour for the way he played the game with skill, grit and passion. Now as a young man, Sam Bennett is realizing a dream playing for Gilmour’s Kingston Frontenacs team as its star forward, in a similar mold as his idol. Although blessed with a dazzling offensive skillset featuring soft hands and an innate scoring ability, Sam Bennett receives the most praise for his intangibles that include an unmatched compete level, leadership services and in-game adaptability. He mixes it up in all four corners whether he’s attacking or defending and the big-game pivot will unquestionably be on the ice during the final minutes of close games after earning a reputation as a clutch player.

Bennett’s game starts with an exceptional skating stride that keeps opponents on their heels and uses his advanced hockey sense to gain ideal positioning in the attacking areas of the rink. He is a player who has become unpredictable, either unleashing a quick shot or utilizing creative vision and playmaking gifts as a setup man. In just his second season, Bennett was arguably the OHL’s most consistent player and his 25-game point streak that witnessed him tally 17 goals and 46 points was the second longest in the league. With a scrappy-in-your-face competitive style, the skilled Sam Bennett may be the most complete forward available, making him a worthy first overall selection.

Finding sophomore stardom

Common dialogue in hockey circles suggest the top pick from the OHL is a two horse race with Ekblad and Bennett as the heavy favourites but don’t overlook Oshawa Generals’ forward Michael Dal Colle. After an unexpected breakout rookie campaign that watched him collect an impressive 48 points, Dal Colle’s encore performance in his sophomore season was scoring a remarkable 39 goals and 95 points to lead all draft eligible skaters and finish top five in league scoring.

His game receives mixed reviews from analysts but he remains high on Youngblood’s list. Knocked for his effort at times in a similar way that Joe Thornton receives criticism, Dal Colle’s analytical and calculated approach often portrays his effort as lackadaisical but do not mistake that for him lacking a competitive drive because that would be drastically incorrect. Possessing creative vision and patience with the puck, Dal Colle’s playmaking skills are often understated. Particularly strong on the powerplay, Dal Colle dissects opposing defences quickly with creative back door blind passes for easy tap-ins. Equally impressive is the young man’s shooting arsenal as he possesses one of the best shots in the league. He has not perfected how to use his size and physicality efficiently but it’s an element that can easily be worked on. If he can add some snarl and pushback to his game, Dal Colle stands a good chance to tap into his star potential.

An old school prospect

Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Next on the rankings is Peterborough’s intimidating power forward Nick Ritchie, the one OHL skater with the size, strength, skill set and pedigree to develop into a true superstar. Ritchie is far from a sure bet to reach superstar status but he’s got a chance. He is a massive physical presence who moves with ease hunting down pucks using great stick skills and crushing body checks. Willing to drop the mitts to defend a teammate, Ritchie plays on the edge, as evident by his 136 penalty minutes (5^th in the OHL), and it’s this bull-in-a-china-shop approach that is so appealing to NHL scouts. Questioned for his wavering effort, Ritchie hasn’t exactly performed with ideal consistency but he has also been on a struggling franchise his entire OHL career so stagnant periods can be normal.

The tide is turning in Peterborough as the future looks bright and the same can be said for Nick Ritchie. His brother, Brett, was a second round selection of the Dallas Stars and hit his stride later in his junior career. The potential is high for Nick Ritchie and when he’s on his game, few can dominate a game like this Orangeville native. That domination alone may be worth the high investment. He is cut from the same cloth as Milan Lucic and what NHL team wouldn’t want that throwback style of power forward.

A 'dog that lacks bite

Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Rounding out the top five wasn’t an easy process as several OHLers received considering including Sault Ste. Marie’s Jared McCann, Guelph’s Robby Fabbri and Sarnia’s Nikolay Goldobin. In the end, Niagara’s Brendan Perlini’s size, intelligence and skating abilities edged out his draft mates. Stamping his place inside the Top 10 early in the season after coming out of the gates hot, Brendan Perlini impressed with a well-balanced puck possession game. He made a living shielding opponents from pucks along the boards and walking off the wall to unleash a deadly shot. Perlini uses his combination of speed and puck skills to back up defenders, and his net drive and hunger for the loose puck speaks volumes of his love for scoring goals. And boy, can this kid score goals. Perlini scored 16 goals with the man advantage tying Aaron Ekblad for the lead among draft eligible skaters in the Ontario league.

Had Perlini showed scouts that he can play a more consistent physical game, he may have moved up the rankings into the top 5. For teams looking to add a sizeable winger with poise and natural scoring instincts, Brendan Perlini will be a hot target.

The abovementioned five OHL prospects are great players with appealing upsides but the pool of talent doesn’t end there. The 2014 NHL Draft class has been deemed average by most analysts and it’s an accurate assessment given the lack of a sure-fire stud prospect. However, some of the drafts most talented prospects are those that have grown accustomed to being critiqued, for varying reasons. Opting to go outside of the box to select these prospects may prove worthwhile gambles down the road given that their offensive ceilings are similar to those previously mentioned.

Building a captain

Jared McCann is one of the safest OHL skaters in terms of eventually playing in the NHL as this mature two-way forward packs both skill and intelligence into a competitive personality. McCann’s best weapon is his shot but he’s become a desired commodity because of his projectable intangibles. McCann slowed down as the season progressed finishing just shy of point-per-game numbers but scouts are more infatuated with his overall two-way presence and contributions behind the scenes.

Fabbri-ulous finish

Enjoying a long successful playoff run to cap off a fantastic season has been the perfect scenario for undersized skilled forward Robby Fabbri. A Youngblood favourite dating back to his OHL draft season, Robby Fabbri is a tremendously gifted offensive talent that uses his elite hockey intelligence, poise and competitive drive to get the job done. He’s a big game player rising to the occasion and despite critics trying to knock him down because of his size, he continues to push on…rising higher, and higher with each passing game. Sure, Fabbri plays on a star-studded Guelph Storm roster and his 45 goals (leading all draft eligible) may have been inflated slightly but this youngster knows how to exploit the goal scoring areas. Despite playing in a smaller frame, Fabbri thrives around the blue paint using his creative passing abilities to feed quick tricky passes to waiting teammates. Adding strength will be a priority but it’s the only attribute that is keeping Robby Fabbri from being a sure-fire top 10 selection. Fabbri’s doing his best Jeff Skinner impersonation heading down the playoff stretch and don’t count out this hungry forward in his quest to exceed everyone’s expectations.

Gold’n hands

Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Carrying a Russian passport never helps your case but Nikolay Goldobin has done all he could to abolish the traditional fleeing Russian stereotype. Finishing one point shy with 94 points of leading all draft eligible skaters in the OHL, Nikolay Goldobin was a dynamic offensive threat on every night for the Sarnia Sting. He enjoyed a 22-point game streak posting 21 goals and 43 games.

He’s the most creative and gifted puck handler in the OHL and is capable of highlight reel action every time he hits the ice. Defensively, Goldobin will require more coaching and while his work ethic gets questioned because he’s not an in-your-face attacker, he does play hard in traffic by using a strategical approach. Goldobin thrived on the OHL’s last place team but it shouldn’t be forgotten that he was a true standout among his CHL draft peers at the Top Prospect game. Teams will weigh the risk-reward factors of selecting a fairly one-dimensional Russian in Nikolay Goldobin but his offensive talents are considered top 5 worthy and he is looking like he could be a steal if he slides outside of the top 20.

The fire of passion

Staying in Sarnia, Anthony DeAngelo led the OHL in points (71) and his 15 goals (3^rd), 56 assists (1^st among draft eligible skaters) and 30 powerplay assists (3^rd) were among the top. No one doubts DeAngelo’s offensive production as this undersized smooth-skating defenseman controls the game with ease from the back end. Tricky puck handling skills, creative vision and precise passing allows DeAngelo to push the pace with utmost confidence. He’s a passionate competitor who loves to win but his short temper and volatile attitude has been well documented, and resulted in several team and league induced suspensions. Based on talent alone, Anthony DeAngelo would be snatched up inside the top 15 but some teams have crossed him off their lists entirely. Look for the interview process at the NHL Combine to be an important element in determining DeAngelo’s ultimate draft fate as teams look for answers from this skilled defenseman.

Opening round curtain call

The dynamic skating Josh Ho-Sang, mobile two-way defender Roland McKeown, developing power forward Ryan MacInnis, raw skilled pivot Eric Cornel, athletic netminder Alex Nedeljkovic and skilled agitator Brendan Lemieux are just a few players to keep tabs on as potential first round selections.

Two months remain until the 2014 NHL Entry Draft commences on June 27^th at the Wells Fargo Center and it marks an event full of unpredictability but one thing is for certain, the Ontario Hockey League will be well represented on day one of the draft.

Be sure to follow the McKeen’s Hockey (@mckeenshockey) Youngblood series as Brendan Ross (@RossyYoungblood) continues to break down the happenings inside the hockey prospect world.

2014 NHL Draft: Top 5 shots – Dal Colle’s laser

Grant McCagg — Sat, 03 May 2014 11:00:34 +0000

Best Shot:

Draft aficionados got a first-hand look at Oshawa Generals' winger Michael Dal Colle's rocket shot at the CHL Top Prospects game in January. Dal Colle scored the game's prettiest goal with a laser wrist shot in the top corner that left scouts drooling. "His release, power and accuracy are second to none," said one NHL scout, who described Dal Colle as a prototypical power winger "He is going to score goals at any level with that release and those hands."

Photo by Brad Watson

Calgary Hitmen winger Jake Virtanen also showed off his hard shot and accuracy during the Top Prospects game, ringing a howitzer off the post that displayed to scouts the power in his shot. Niagara winger Brendan Perlini unleashes a quick, hard wrist shot that often finds the back of the net, while defencemen Aaron Ekblad and Alexis Vanier can overpower goaltenders with their heavy slapshots from the point.

1. Michael Dal Colle

2. Jake Virtanen

3. Brendan Perlini

4. Aaron Ekblad -

5. Alexis Vanier

Up Next: Best Stickhandler - May 6th

McKeen’s 2014 Top 30 NHL Draft Rankings (March, 2014)

Iain Morrell — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 20:40:18 +0000

Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Sam Bennett of the Kingston Frontenacs has vaulted to the top of the McKeen's March rankings for the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

Bennett's game has grown steadily during a breakout sophomore season highlighted by a 25-game consecutive point streak from November to late January, the longest of the OHL season so far (17-29-46).

The Holland Landing, Ontario native sits sixth in league scoring and is now the one to catch in the race for the coveted first-overall pick.

There's nothing sewn up just yet, however, as Bennett's lead is certainly a modest one with no clear-cut consensus among the top group of three including Barrie Colts' blueliner Aaron Ekblad and Kootenay centre Sam Reinhart.

Reinhart has kept pace with his 'Sam' counterpart by posting the WHL's longest consecutive point streak of the season - a 22-game run (18-30-48).

The Kootenay Ice captain and Vancouver native saw his streak come to an end at the start of this month - in a game against Prince Albert and Leon Draisaitl, who trails closely behind Reinhart in the draft rankings in the No. 4 slot.

The German-born Draisaitl has also been scorching hot since disappointing showings at the World Juniors and Top Prospects Game. After going nine straight games without a goal in January, Draisaitl has 17 goals in his past 18 games (17-22-39) and has nudged past Reinhart into fourth among WHL scorers with 99 points.

The top four haven't pulled away from the pack either. If anything, the gap has been closed by the likes of Danish roadrunner Nikolaj Ehlers of the Halifax Mooseheads.

Like Draisaitl, Ehlers never got the engines ignited at the Top Prospects Game, but has been sensational otherwise in an incredible rookie year.

The native of Aalborg, Denmark is in the midst of an 11-game points streak in which he has scored 17 times including six multi-goal games (17-12-29). Ehlers has climbed up to third overall in QMJHL scoring with 100 points including 47 goals, fifth-most in the league. In fact, after an initial transition period, he has hit the back of the net 39 times in his last 41 games.

Ehlers is shooting to become the highest-drafted Danish-born NHLer in history, the honour currently belonging to Mikkel Boedker of the Phoenix Coyotes who was selected eighth overall in 2008.

The balance of an impressive top 10 are highlighted by a quartet of OHL forwards with Michael Dal Colle of the Oshawa Generals holding down the sixth spot, and followed closely by Jared McCann (Sault Ste Marie), Nick Ritchie (Peterborough), and Brendan Perlini (Niagara).

Haydn Fleury of the Red Deer Rebels fills out the top 10 - sitting in the No. 9 spot - and remains the only other defenceman besides Ekblad to hold down a top-ten place.

Other significant risers in the March rankings include William Nylander, the son of former NHLer Michael Nylander, and Czech-born forward David Pastrnak, playing together for Sodertalje in Sweden's second division Allsvenskan.

NHL scouts have seen a pair of 17-year-old's often standing out as the best players on their team - with Nylander flashing dominant form at times - and rebounding from a dreadful start to the season.

Kasperi Kapanen (KalPa), Jakub Vrana (Linkopings), Robby Fabbri (Guelph), and Roland McKeown (Kingston) also made noteworthy gains in the March rankings.

Despite plenty of movement among the top 30 however, it remained a rather exclusive group with the only new entrant being Swiss-born forward Kevin Fiala, playing for HV 71 in the Swedish J20 League, who makes his debut at No. 28.

RANK	LAST	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	HT/WT	DOB
1	3	Sam Bennett	C	Kingston (OHL)	6-0/180	20-Jun-96
2	2	Aaron Ekblad	D	Barrie (OHL)	6-3/215	7-Feb-96
3	1	Sam Reinhart	C	Kootenay (WHL)	6-1/185	6-Nov-95
4	5	Leon Draisaitl	C	Prince Albert (WHL)	6-2/210	27-Oct-95
5	8	Nikolaj Ehlers	LW	Halifax (QMJHL)	5-11/165	13-Feb-96
6	4	Michael Dal Colle	LW	Oshawa (OHL)	6-2/180	20-Jun-96
7	7	Jared McCann	C	Sault Ste Marie (OHL)	6-0/180	31-May-96
8	6	Nick Ritchie	LW	Peterborough (OHL)	6-2/230	5-Dec-95
9	10	Haydn Fleury	D	Red Deer (WHL)	6-2/200	8-Jul-96
10	9	Brendan Perlini	LW	Niagara (OHL)	6-2/205	27-Apr-96
11	11	Jake Virtanen	RW	Calgary (WHL)	6-1/205	17-Aug-96
12	16	William Nylander	C	Sodertalje (Swe)	5-11/175	1-May-96
13	12	Julius Honka	D	Swift Current (WHL)	5-10/180	3-Dec-95
14	22	David Pastrnak	RW	Sodertalje (Swe)	6-0/170	25-May-96
15	25	Kasperi Kapanen	RW	KalPa (Fin)	6-0/180	23-Jul-96
16	13	Ivan Barbashev	C	Moncton (QMJHL)	6-1/185	14-Dec-95
17	23	Jakub Vrana	RW	Linkopings (Swe)	5-11/185	28-Feb-96
18	14	Adrian Kempe	LW	MoDo (Swe)	6-1/185	13-Sep-96
19	21	Alex Tuch	RW	NTDP (USA)	6-3/215	10-May-96
20	18	Joshua Ho-Sang	C	Windsor (OHL)	5-11/165	22-Jan-96
21	17	Dylan Larkin	C	NTDP (USA)	6-1/190	30-Jul-96
22	15	Nick Schmaltz	C	Green Bay (USHL)	5-11/175	23-Feb-96
23	28	Robert Fabbri	C	Guelph (OHL)	5-10/170	22-Jan-96
24	30	Roland McKeown	D	Kingston (OHL)	6-1/195	20-Jan-96
25	19	Sonny Milano	LW	NTDP (USA)	5-11/185	12-May-96
26	24	Nikolai Goldobin	RW	Sarnia (OHL)	5-11/180	7-Oct-95
27	27	Jack Glover	D	NTDP (USA)	6-3/195	17-May-96
28	NR	Kevin Fiala	LW	HV 71 (Swe)	5-10/185	22-Jul-96
29	29	Jack Dougherty	D	NTDP (USA)	6-1/185	25-May-96
30	20	Anton Karlsson	LW	Frolunda (Swe)	6-1/190	3-Aug-96

CHL Top Prospects Game notebook: Forwards

Grant McCagg — Sat, 15 Feb 2014 12:00:03 +0000

Here are some of the key plays and memorable highlights from the 2014 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.

We first reviewed the game and concentrated on the play of just the 12 defencemen participating - and then went back over the contest a third time - with an eye on only the forwards.

Notes are listed below by period - and by the amount of time left in the period.

Here is a list of the defensemen and forwards by team - as they are noted below by only their last names:

DEFENCE

Team Cherry (Red): Anthony DeAngelo Haydn Fleury, Aaron Irving, Roland McKeown, Jacob Middleton, Alexis Vanier

Team Orr (White): Aaron Ekblad, Aaron Haydon, Julius Honka, Brycen Martin, Alex Peters, Ben Thomas,

FORWARDS

Team Cherry (Red): Daniel Audette, Ivan Barbashev, Conner Bleackley, Michael Dal Colle, Robby Fabbri, Nikolay Goldobin, Chase De Leo, Ryan MacInnis, Matt Mistele, Sam Reinhart, Nick Ritchie, Nikita Scherbak

Team Orr (White): Clark Bishop, Blake Clarke, Eric Cornel, Leon Draisaitl, Nikolaj Ehlers, Josh Ho-Sang, Brendan Lemieux, Jared McCann, Brendan Perlini, Brayden Point, Jake Virtanen, Spencer Watson

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1ST PERIOD

16:20 - Lemieux out for a stroll in the park, picks up nobody.. Reinhart gets it alone in front and almost tucks it in. Lemieux carries puck out to neutral zone, gets caught by Barbashev on backcheck.

15:40 - Bad pass by Perlini back to no one at the point, could have been dangerous the other way. Not sure about his vision sometimes.

15:00 - Subtle little play by Fabbri - gets puck along the boards and encounters Virtanen.. as he turns to the boards to make it look like he's going to turn the other way with the puck, he shovels it back to the d-man as he's parallel with the boards...the puck goes right along the boards and Virtanen misses it.

9:17 - Audette tips shot off post, Honka gets it behind net with Audette following. Honka makes a great little fake with the puck that delays Audette just long enough while his teammate gets free and shovels it ahead to Cornel, who decides to try a move to the middle at his blueline instead of either chipping it or taking it along the boards...bad turnover.

9:00 - Ehlers with the rush, then the toe-drag move to the slot and backhand.. puck comes back the other way and Reinhart drives to the net past Haydon, a good example of how Reinhart's speed can be deceptive.

8:30 - Tremendous pressure by the Reinhart line, the puck squirts loose to Draisaitl, who decides to head to the boards with the puck and wipes out without being touched, Dal Colle comes along and outmuscles both Leon and Thomas to get the puck to Barbashev, who was all over on the shift. Had good chemistry with Reinhart in this game. Draisaitl was clearly outmatched when he went head-to-head versus Reinhart, but to be fair he didn't have linemates that were as good.

4:45 - Dal Colle with the first of his many ill-advised cross-ice errant passes on the night, intercepted by Ehlers who knocks it up and then bats it to himself and goes on his famous rush where he pretended to be going around the d-man when he was in fact passing it to Cornel. If he doesn't flub the return pass and puts it in that goal is on every highlight reel all week. Ehlers a little lax on the defensive side a couple of times in this game, but he's a penalty killer in Halifax. His speed is a factor in any circumstance if he uses it. He was guilty of doing a little too much 'thinking' instead of 'doing' at times in this game, but he should have been on the top line, not the fourth. Ehlers falls down a lot, which is surprising for such a great skater. Mind you on some occasions he falls down on purpose to get at a loose puck...he can get up quickly a la Crosby.

4:30 - The pass by Ehlers to Cornel was special, not sure I've seen one quite like it before.

1:35 - The Virtanen brain cramp to let Scherbak get a break, to his credit he skated back to check him. Nice play by Audette to get puck in corner and center it to De Leo in slot.

MacInnis made three decent plays in the first 14 minutes, winning a couple of board battles and checking the puck away. On another occasion an opponent just waltzed around him in the open ice. Agility and first steps are in need of some refinement. I run a little hot and cold on him, mostly cold. Sometimes he looks lost, other times he anticipates the play well. Looks like he needs plenty of teaching, something you don't always expect in an ex-pro's son.....De Leo has a hard shot - had a couple of good scoring opportunities during the game.

2ND PERIOD

19:20 - Dal Colle gets his pocket picked by Draisaitl, who showed some hustle for once in this game, but Draisaitl, loses it back to DC.

18:14 - Ho Sang finds McCann in the sweet spot in the slot.. threaded the needle on the pass between two defenders.. disguised the pass. Nice play by McCann to get to the best spot. Ho Sang and McCann had several nice plays together.. would have liked to see those two with Ehlers.

16:26 - Audette to Scherbak at own blueline. Scherbak decides to try and deflect it off skate to a linemate who misses it. Instead of stopping dead and checking Watson, does a huge lazy loop where he goes outside of his own zone and comes back in covering no one.

15:10 - Dal Colle coughs up puck when McCann comes back to hit him. Great play by Ho Sang to draw opponents to him in the middle of the slot, and then having the vision to spot Perlini for an open shot in a prime scoring spot.

15:00 - The Thomas rush....he had time to wind up so it wasn't as impressive as it first looked I don't think. Check out his right arm swinging up wildly coming up to the opponent's blueline.. he almost wiped out unimpeded.

14:50 - Superb defensive play by Bishop or McKeown springs Ritchie on a break...breaks up the pass with solid defensive awareness.

11:20 - Draisaitl gets the puck at Red blueline, does a complete circle against three checkers until Ekblad is open on the boards.

10:10 - McCann sees the d-man move up on the puck, he circles in behind to make sure the puck carrier has backup as there was danger lurking.

8:00 - Mistele passes when he should have shot.. then tried to skate back hard, which was amusing to watch - looked like he was running, kinda like Fred Flintstone when he's about to take off, feet moving a foot above the ground and Fred not going anywhere. Then when he got back, he turned around in a defensive stance. Honka came coasting in from the red line with the puck, met Mistele, shifted a little to the left and quaintly coasted past him along the boards...Honka never took one stride the whole time. Needless to say agility is not Mistele's forte.

7:15 - White power play. Ehlers in his office on the right half wall, little backhand saucer pass to Ekblad for a good chance. Does it with Drouin all of the time.

5:36 - Point does several sharp give and go's moving up the ice. the pass by Bishop back to Point inside red blueline was excellent. Scherbak is not hard to beat, do not like his defensive play. Point set up Virtanen in front, Bishop nice lateral move to pounce on rebound.

2:40 - Thomas gets pass in his skates, nice play to kick it to his stick and then waltz around Reinhart. Perlini good eye-hand coordination batting down pass 20 inches off ice.

2:25 - Ho-Sang goal. Dal Colle was the goat but Point made the play, nice move to the slot from the wall and good low shot on net that Ho-Sang batted in.

2:20 - Audette makes skilled backhand tip pass to De Leo for great chance, vision-playmaking are his strong points.

0:15 - Draisaitl showed his puck possession skills. Had a few moments in the game and could have had a goal or two with some luck, but skating and lack of intensity were issues.

3RD PERIOD

17:05 - Leon coasts on backcheck on penalty kill, not one stride from center ice to the slot - he takes one stride and he stops Fabbri feed to Scherbak for a good chance.

16:01 - Good pass by McKeown to spring Goldobin, who feeds Mistele who finally shoots. Rebound to Goldy who scores on wraparound. Ho-Sang coasting on the backcheck again.

14:30 - Audette gets walked around easily by Virtanen. Not much presence defensively.

14:08 - Nice pass from McCann to Ho-Sang.

12:15 - Point gets puck in corner, waits for Rhino to make his move, then a little deke to gain free space, gets it to the d-man for a shot.

Goldobin penalty shot - Clarke with a poor play along the boards trying to check Dal Colle, but very half heartedly - should have skated back instead as Ehlers was out of the play behind the net.

11:00 - Ritchie decides to get physical, causes havoc and turnovers because of it. He's like the forward version of Douglas Murray when he hits.

10:35 - Fabbri with smart tip pass to Barbashev who does an inside-out move on Thomas, and drives to the net only to hit the post. Barbashev hard hit on Thomas.

9:00 - Virtanen rush - he and Scherbak were on even footing, Scherbak didn't even come close to touching him, not sure about Scherbak's straight-ahead speed, quicker east to west than north south.

8:45 - Nice pass by De Leo to Bleackley in slot, Bleackley's hands looked poor on that play. Looks like his upside is third liner with average skating.

Sportsnet nominated Fabbri as the hardest working player - can't say I disagree - was very diligent on the forecheck on the penalty kill in particular, threw a few hits, competed. Tied for OHL lead in GWG with 8, and that's with missing ten games. During those ten games Guelph lost five of them....in their 36 games with Fabbri Guelph has lost three times. Has a better work ethic than Ho-Sang, and is much better defensively. I thought it was a good move to pair H-S with McCann. Ho-Sang is more effective with a smart two-way center backing him up.

4:08 - Point gets puck from Ritchie, makes a smart pass to Bishop when he goes to his backhand and shovels it laterally to make sure it's not intercepted. Bishop got it to Virtanen, and he smokes it off the post. Virtanen can really blast the puck.

McKeen's Hockey 2014 Draft Rankings