Nick Merkley – McKeen's Hockey

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

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

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

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

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

FORWARDS

Rasmus Asplund - Buffalo Sabres

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

Morgan Geekie - Carolina Hurricanes

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

Kevin Stenlund - Columbus Blue Jackets

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

Henrik Borgstrom - Florida Panthers

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

Nathan Bastian - New Jersey Devils

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

Yegor Sharangovich - New Jersey Devils

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

Janne Kuokkanen - New Jersey Devils

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

Nick Merkley - New Jersey Devils

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

Kieffer Bellows - New York Islanders

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

Julien Gauthier - New York Rangers

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

Vitaly Abramov - Ottawa Senators

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

Filip Chlapik - Ottawa Senators

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

Logan Brown - Ottawa Senators

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

Nicolas Aube-Kubel - Philadelphia Flyers

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

Alex Barre Boulet - Tampa Bay Lightning

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

Alex Volkov - Tampa Bay Lightning

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

Mitchell Stephens - Tampa Bay Lightning

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

Mathieu Joseph - Tampa Bay Lightning

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

Boris Katchouk - Tampa Bay Lightning

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

Taylor Raddysh - Tampa Bay Lightning

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

Joey Anderson - Toronto Maple Leafs

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

Isac Lundestrom - Anaheim Ducks

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

Matthew Phillips - Calgary Flames

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

Adam Mascherin - Dallas Stars

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

Tyler Benson - Edmonton Oilers

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

Rem Pitlick - Nashville Predators

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

Jonathan Dahlen - San Jose Sharks

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

Alexander True - San Jose Sharks

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

Maxim Letunov - San Jose Sharks

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

Rudolfs Balcers - San Jose Sharks

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

Kole Lind - Vancouver Canucks

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

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

AHL Western Conference 2019-20 Season Preview

Tom Dorsa — Thu, 17 Oct 2019 19:20:02 +0000

The new hockey season is finally upon us, and with it, comes the return of the American Hockey League, which serves as the primary development league of all 31 National Hockey League franchises.

As the AHL’s 31 teams prepare to clash over the long winter stretch, hoping to lift the Calder Cup in June, their NHL parent clubs are bulking up their farm team’s rosters with some of their best and brightest prospects.

With the NHL season up and running, the rosters for the AHL teams in each organization are coming to fruition. The solid mix of veterans with familiar faces alongside some exciting, exuberant youthful prospects of many teams are giving fans in the AHL’s member cities hope for the present and the future, while giving NHL fans faces to look for as potential replacements for the parent clubs, if and when the need arises.

Let’s take a team-by-team look at the competitors in the AHL’s Western Conference, beginning with last season’s conference champions.

(Team rundown is listed by 2018-19 point totals, and are not a projection of 2019-20 conference standings.)

Chicago Wolves (Vegas Golden Knights)

The Wolves, who paced the Western Conference with a 44-22-6-4 record in the regular season, lost their two leading scorers from last season over the summer. Daniel Carr, whose 71 points in 52 games led the AHL in points per game (1.37) last season, departed for the Nashville Predators system, while T.J. Tynan (led the league with 59 assists) joined the Colorado Avalanche organization.

Head coach Rocky Thompson might have trouble finding the same scoring, but will not have any issue on the blue line, with a defensive corps headlined by some top prospects like Nic Hague (4th in McKeen’s Vegas farm system rankings), Zach Whitecloud (6th), and Jake Bischoff (8th) all manning the defensive zone. Hague and Bischoff are presently up with Vegas, but both should spend significant time on the farm this year.

Chicago should maintain a spot near the summit of the Central Division standings, bolstered by all-world defense and solid goaltending.

Prospects to watch (quotes from the 2019-20 McKeen’s Hockey Yearbook):

Nicolas Hague

“[T]he 2017 second-rounder has can’t-miss shutdown potential in a two-way package. His lanky, 6-6” frame makes him nearly unbeatable at the blueline, as his length and mobility give him a package that can compete with any AHL forward for space in the defensive zone.”

Lucas Elvenes

“[A] smooth skater with soft hands. He has skill, and his inconsistent scoring is a product of him being more of a perimeter player, as he likes to create from the outside and that play isn’t always there and his creativity isn’t enough in those instances.”

Dylan Coghlan

“[A]n impactful offensive-defenseman by virtue of his skating, his atomic bomb of a slapshot, and his vision and playmaking, which allow him to quarterback a power play unit. His ceiling is as a middle-pair puck-rusher, but we will have to see how he does with an increase in tougher minutes on a depleted AHL Chicago this season.”

Bakersfield Condors (Edmonton Oilers)

The Condors made American Hockey League history last season with a stretch of 17 consecutive wins between January 12 and March 1. The win streak is tied for the second-longest in the 83-year history of the AHL, and allowed the Condors to soar (pun intended) to the Pacific Division regular season title.

Though they fell to the San Diego Gulls in the second round of the Calder Cup Playoffs, Bakersfield enjoyed its most successful season since the Oilers moved its primary development affiliate from Oklahoma City to Kern County, California, scoring more goals (242) and allowing fewer (182) than ever before.

With a solid group of top prospects from a deep Edmonton farm system, the Condors can be expected to contend alongside their California rivals for another Pacific Division crown.

Prospects to Watch (quotes from 2019-20 McKeen’s Hockey Yearbook):

Tyler Benson

“A speedy and creative forward, the former second-rounder’s natural playmaking ability — driven by top-notch vision, decision-making, and very crisp and accurate passes — can carry play from both the left wing and from the center position.”

Kailer Yamamoto

“A highly creative, smooth-skating winger, the former first-rounder creates plays out of thin air and is intense on the puck at all times. The quick-handed forward possesses strong hockey sense and the ability to drive play and carry a line from his position with his speed and vision.”

Cameron Hebig

“The undersized center plays a solid 200-foot game, exhibits mature offensive anticipation, has lightning-fast hands, and possesses a pro-level wrist shot, albeit a criminally underused one.”

Milwaukee Admirals (Nashville Predators)

After failing to make the playoffs in 2017-18, the Admirals returned to the postseason scene, losing to the Iowa Wild 3-2 in a five-game set. Riding a 14-game point streak through a hard Spring schedule, the Admirals made an improbable climb from seventh to second in the Central Division to end the season.

Milwaukee, celebrating their 50th season in the North American pro scene, look to rebound with an influx of solid Nashville prospects. Though AHL staples Adam Helewka and Dustin Siemens departed in the offseason, the introduction of prospects Rem Pitlick and Jeremy Davies (a New Jersey prospect traded in the P.K. Subban deal) will boost the offense.

Goaltender Troy Grosenick, one of the AHL’s best, will be back in the Admirals crease with a deeper team in front of him and head coach Karl Taylor.

Prospects to Watch (quotes from 2019-20 McKeen’s Hockey Yearbook):

Eeli Tolvanen

“His shot is mesmerizing, with speed, a wicked and deceptive release, and insane accuracy, while his skating has improved to compliment has lethal shooting. His excellent touch for the puck gives him an underrated playmaking game as well, as his hands can create space for himself and teammates while his elite stick skills enable him to dish passes over with ease.”

Rem Pitlick

“As solid as his shot is, Pitlick is also a clever playmaker, with good vision as he flies down the wing towards the net. While he will take risks to create offense, he is responsible in his own end, and has been a trusted penalty college for the University of Minnesota.”

Frederic Allard

“A former point-per-game blueliner in the QMJHL, his speed, shot, and offensive vision all grade out as average or better. He sees the ice and anticipates plays at a very mature level, and he has legitimate top-four potential if he can work on his defensive game, with his puck-moving and skating playing big roles in his projected big-league value.”

Iowa Wild (Minnesota Wild)

For the first time since the team formerly known as the Houston Aeros moved to Iowa, fans in Des Moines were treated to postseason hockey from an Iowa Wild team that won more games (37) and scored more goals (242) than in any past season.

The offense was paced by usual suspects like team captain Cal O’Reilly, but goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen carried the defensive efforts of the club with poise and consistency. First-year head coach Tim Army’s group knocked off Milwaukee in the first-round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Although the AHL club made few big-name acquisitions in the offseason, their returning players should keep them afloat in their search for a postseason spot in the Spring of 2020.

Prospects to Watch (quotes from 2019-20 McKeen’s Hockey Yearbook):

Nico Sturm

“He has great size and skates very well, with intriguing puck skills to boot. He is close to ready and has a third line ceiling.”

Kaapo Kahkonen

“His calm, composed mentality in the crease bodes well for his highly-athletic, technically-refined butterfly style, and his maturity as a young netminder was on display for all of last season in Des Moines. From a talent standpoint, he projects to be a midtier NHL starter in the near future.”

Louie Belpedio

“A right-handed, puck-moving defenseman is an untouchable prospective asset to any organization, but throw in some offensive upside and a veteran level of composure, and you have a surefire future NHLer. His smarts are top notch, and his speedy skating and vision make his mission of exiting the zone as fast as possible an easy one most times.”

Grand Rapids Griffins (Detroit Red Wings)

The Griffins are a team that benefits mightily from the Red Wings’ aggressive style of prospect development. A year after the debut of Filip Zadina -- the sixth overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft -- Grand Rapids will say hello to Joe Veleno and Moritz Sieder, two more first-round picks.

Add in Michael Rasmussen and Evgeny Svechnikov, you can argue that the Griffins have the most young, raw talent in the game, and head coach Ben Simon is prepared to put it all to use. Only three years removed from a Calder Cup championship (2016-17), the Griffins look primed for another run at the AHL equivalent of the Stanley Cup.

The Griffins fell victim to Chicago, the eventual conference champions, in the first round of last season’s playoffs.

Prospects to Watch (quotes from 2019-20 McKeen’s Hockey Yearbook):

Filip Zadina

“His intense skating speed, technical footwork skill, and elite shooting prowess [are] capable of changing the game on every shift. Furthermore, even if the numbers don’t pop, the fact that he did it all as a teenager is incredibly impressive.”

Moritz Sieder

“Big, mobile right-shot defenseman who oozes confidence and has great hockey sense. He has the quickness to join the rush and he does so in a timely manner. The German blueliner is very gifted offensively, possessing high-level passing skills and a strong shot selection.”

Evgeny Svechnikov

“He is a beast with the puck, able to get inside position on anyone and his control and balance are incredible for his size. He doesn’t shy from playing hard defensively. We will have to see if his injuries continue to hold him back when he returns this season, but if his health holds -- and his consistency improves -- he can be a middle-six scoring wing in the NHL.”

San Jose Barracuda (San Jose Sharks)

In their four years at SAP Center (after formerly playing in Worcester, MA), the Barracuda have never missed the playoffs. A beacon of consistency in the minor leagues in spite of an NHL club that is a perennial contender, there is no reason San Jose shouldn’t be hosting postseason games next Spring.

With the additions of Noah Gregor, Sasha Chmelevski, and Ivan Chekhovich -- along with a formidable returning core of players -- the Sharks boast a reinvigorated prospect pool ready to make things happen at the AHL level.

The Barracuda led the Pacific Division for much of the season before the Condors went on an incredible 17-game winning streak; San Jose finished second, four points behind Bakersfield. San Jose fell three games to one to San Diego in the first round of the playoffs.

Prospects to Watch (quotes from 2019-20 McKeen’s Hockey Yearbook):

Joachim Blichfeld

“[I]s a natural scorer with very good offensive instincts, has a great shot, and plays a pretty good all round game. He should be able to translate his game to a higher level of play. He will start as a bottom six forward, and could move up to a top six role if he settles in and produces even a portion of his WHL production.”

Sasha Chmelevski

“He is the type of forward who can excel in any situation and this versatility will make him an NHL player sooner rather than later. His best asset might be his shot release, which is lightning quick. But he is more than just a goal scorer, as he processes the game very well and is especially dangerous in transition with his ability to make quick decisions with the puck.”

Antti Suomela

“He still has the potential to be a top-six forward; a lethal skater and often deadly setup man, Suomela can contribute in many ways, even without the puck, as his anticipation for where the play is flowing is unreal. He still has the potential to be a top-six forward; a lethal skater and often deadly setup man, Suomela can contribute in many ways, even without the puck, as his anticipation for where the play is flowing is unreal.”

Manitoba Moose (Winnipeg Jets)

In their four years in Winnipeg, the Moose have played in the playoffs just once, missing the postseason last year with a very young and inexperienced team. With some of their younger players expected to make a leap this season, the Moose should be much improved.

Getting Sami Niku back to the AHL club is a major boost. Last season, Niku made the Jets roster but was a healthy scratch for the majority of the NHL campaign, and instead the mobile, smart defender will get some valuable reps instead of wasting away in the press box.

Youthful goalie Mikhail Berdin is anticipated as the club’s number-one goalie, and seems capable of the job after success in a somewhat-limited role last year. Head coach Pascal Vincent, the winner of the 2018 Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award as the AHL’s most outstanding coach, is back behind the bench of the Jets’ affiliate.

Prospects to Watch (quotes from 2019-20 McKeen’s Hockey Yearbook):

Logan Stanley

“The physical beast is one of the tallest prospects (or player of any level) in hockey, and his high-end defensive game leans heavily on his near-incomparable length. With his long and impassable gaps, active stick, and ability to take any opposing forward off the puck, his defensive game is one that seems NHL ready at just 20 years old.”

Michael Spacek

“As one of the finest defensive players in the Winnipeg system, Spacek has a clear NHL future due solely to his hard work and intensity in all three zones, but he can be better than a defensive specialist. The Czech native’s high-end two-way game has translated well from the WHL to pro hockey, as his shot, passing skill, and of course, his maturity and responsibility as a defender has impressed in the Winnipeg system.”

Mikhail Berdin

“Extremely athletic and hard-nosed, Berdin plays a fundamentally refined game that minimizes high-danger chances. He also possesses the last-resort agility to shut down anything that he can’t immediately get to.”

Texas Stars (Dallas Stars)

A year removed from winning the Western Conference and coming just a game away from taking home the franchise’s second Calder Cup, the Stars missed the postseason last year amid injuries and recalls toward the end of the season.

In addition, Texas has bid farewell to their two longest tenured players this offseason. Travis Morin, the 2014 AHL Most Valuable Player, retired from pro hockey while Justin Dowling, the team’s captain last season, made the Dallas roster out of training camp and seems primed to stick in the NHL.

With that transition brings youth and excitement into head coach Derek Laxdal’s lineup, as 11 first-year pros will compete in their rookie season with the Stars, including goaltender Jake Oettinger and forward Riley Tufte, both former first-round picks.

Prospects to Watch (quotes from 2019-20 McKeen’s Hockey Yearbook):

Jason Robertson

“At his best, Robertson is a monster in possession who prolongs offensive zone time because of how well he protects the puck. He also possesses terrific instincts, a great release, and a high skill level with the puck that makes him a very complete offensive player.”

Jake Oettinger

“Not only is Oettinger one of the top prospects in the Dallas system, the 20-year-old is firmly among the elite goaltending prospects in the sport. He is a 6-5” behemoth in the crease, but with the mental composure of a veteran and the agility of an NHL starter, boasting one of the most impressive packages of netminding skill in the game today.”

Joel L’Esperance

“The 6-2” center plays a high-energy game in all three zones, forechecks hard, and has some solid technical skating skill for a big man. He has a splendid wrist shot and a hockey IQ that is as high as his experience from the college ranks would suggest.”

San Diego Gulls (Anaheim Ducks)

After a somewhat surprising run to the Western Conference Finals that ended with a loss to Chicago, head coach Dallas Eakins was given a promotion to the Anaheim Ducks and now serves as the bench boss of the Gull’s NHL parent club.

What that means is, like with Texas, a lot of transition and a lot of unknown. Kevin Dineen was hired as the head coach in the offseason and now oversees a team with a lot of turnover from the year prior. Prospects like Hunter Drew and Andrew Morand will lead the club from the side of youth, while AHL scoring phenom Andrew Poturalski joins the fray after a Calder Cup championship with Charlotte.

The 2019-20 Ducks sure look like the 2018-19 Gulls, and San Diego will have to rediscover an identity to be in contention for a postseason spot as the winter turns to spring again.

Prospects to Watch (quotes from 2019-20 McKeen’s Hockey Yearbook):

Joshua Mahura

“A crisp, accurate, and heads-up passer, the 2016 third-rounder is a beast in transitional play, and is never afraid to start -- or join -- an offensive rush. Solid vision of up-ice development is aided by his tight gaps, which can force turnovers at the blue line and spark a chance the other way.”

Antoine Morand

“Knows where to be on the ice. He is a creator who distributes very well and can run an offense. He is a solid skater with great agility and strong edgework, but his size is a question mark going forward. Morand will have to bulk up to have extended success at the NHL level.”

Andrew Poturalski

“A decisive, speedy playmaker with quick hands and high-end vision, the 25-year-old possesses a ceiling of a depth scoring forward with potential to have a ton of success on the power play.”

Rockford IceHogs (Chicago Blackhawks)

The IceHogs failed to qualify for the postseason in a transformative 2018-19 campaign that saw their NHL parent club make many internal moves that trickled down to Rockford. Most notably, Jeremy Colliton getting a midseason promotion from AHL bench boss to NHL headman, leaving Derek King and crew without much time to implement their voices on the room.

Now, King will get a full season as head coach and an influx of well-regarded prospects at his disposal. Adam Boqvist and Nicolas Beaudin, two 2018 first-round picks, will man the blue line, while returning goaltenders Collin Delia and IIHF World Championships winner Kevin Lankinen can hold down the fort in the crease.

Prospects to Watch (quotes from 2019-20 McKeen’s Hockey Yearbook):

Aleksi Saarela

“Saarela is a hard-working, dynamic player who wins battles and moves so efficiently that his energy stays high throughout the entirety of each game. He is a great shooter and his accuracy is impressive which makes him a tough opponent to stop. He is an all-around fun and creative player to watch and with his hockey sense and skill, he has the potential to be a top six forward and lead a team despite his size.”

Adam Boqvist

“An elite offensive defender, Boqvist has the requisite tools to be a high scorer in the NHL. His skating stride is not only smooth, it is powerful, and it allows him to take risks by jumping up into the rush quite frequently. He also possesses fantastic scoring instincts for a defender, sliding down into the slot or using his agility to open up shooting lanes for himself at the blueline.”

Dylan Sikura

“From the standpoint of raw skating, he was one of the best in the AHL and in this very deep farm system. His playmaking has long been his calling card, and he loves to make space for teammates with his speed only to pass it off. He is a smaller center, but does not shy away from doing the dirty work on both ends of the rink.”

Colorado Eagles (Colorado Avalanche)

After winning two straight Kelly Cups in their final two years of action in the ECHL, the Eagles wasted no time bringing Calder Cup playoff action to Loveland, Colorado in their first season of AHL play. Finishing fourth in the Pacific Division before losing to Bakersfield in round one, it was a terrific start for an AHL expansion team.

Eagles head coach Greg Cronin has arguably a deeper team in the dressing room this season, and the Eagles can be expected to not only reach the postseason again, but perhaps go even deeper. Losing top scorer Andrew Agozzino and starting goaltender Pavel Francouz is a pain, but the addition of veterans T.J. Tynan and Erik Condra, as well as prospect Calle Rosen and the health of Conor Timmins bring balance to the club.

Like the Avalanche above them, they’re a team that preaches chaos and excitement over anything else. They’re incredibly fun.

Prospects to Watch (quotes from 2019-20 McKeen’s Hockey Yearbook):

Martin Kaut

“Although his offensive game was stagnant, his defensive game -- where his value is most apparent -- needed no adjustment from Europe to the North American style. His incredible rink sense make him a pest on the puck, and his willingness to play deep in the defensive zone is an unteachable, immeasurable talent.”

Shane Bowers

“Bowers is the type of player that specializes in performing the little things, doing the grunt work while his linemates hog the glory. He can accelerate the cycle game, bringing the puck in from the perimeter and putting a scoring chance in motion. He plays with energy and can be used in all situations.”

Logan O’Connor

“He is a wonderful skater with the acceleration of a top-line scorer, and possesses the smarts and discipline to consistently make a major impact in all three zones. His versatility is his strongest weapon, as he can play all three forward spots -- up and down the lineup -- with surprising effectiveness.”

Tucson Roadrunners (Arizona Coyotes)

Injuries bit the Roadrunners hard near the end of the 2018-19 season, and the team narrowly missed the playoffs directly because of it. In particular, the losses of defenseman Kyle Capobianco and forwards Michael Bunting and Nick Merkley all hit head coach Jay Varady hard, but the team is full of depth and excitement if their health cooperates.

This team won the Pacific Division title in 2018, with several of those players still suiting up in Tucson brick red and black. In their fourth year in Arizona, they should be expected to contend for the Pacific crown once again, so long as heavily-revered goaltending prospect Adin Hill can play up to his level.

Prospects to Watch (quotes from 2019-20 McKeen’s Hockey Yearbook):

Nick Merkley

“Agile and athletic, he has the edgework and plus acceleration to make up for his small, albeit stocky, stature. His creativity with the puck is fueled by his elite hands, and his shot is an ever-evolving weapon. It is difficult to tell what kind of player Merkley is going to be, but if he can finally stay healthy, the 22-year-old has the skill and potential to be a future top-six winger.”

Adin Hill

“At 6-6”, Hill’s size is the first thing that jumps out about the 2015 third-rounder, but his incredible technical refinement and immeasurable mental composure are major bright spots in the development of the Coyotes’ goaltender of the future. With both AHL Tucson and the NHL club, Hill displayed his excellent total package as a near-term big-leaguer.”

Tyler Steenbergen

“His 200-foot game, defensive responsibility, and effectiveness as a bottom-six, penalty-killing guy who can play all three forward spots reliably gives him something many players of his ilk have not: a surefire NHL ceiling.”

San Antonio Rampage (St. Louis Blues)

While no St. Louis Blues fan will trade their first and only Stanley Cup last season for a better prospect pool, the Blues are certainly lacking in terms of a competitive AHL team. Their 2018-19 season started about as poorly as their parent club’s, and the Rampage never got above a .500 winning percentage at any point of the season.

But a new year always brings promise and hope. Prospect winger Klim Kostin, a 2017 first-round pick, had a solid preseason with St. Louis and brings to his third season in the AHL a quest to be more disciplined and consistent, while goaltender Ville Husso looks for redemption after a disastrous season in 2018-19.

Prospects to Watch (quotes from 2019-20 McKeen’s Hockey Yearbook):

Ville Husso

“Husso had a horrendous season that further damaged his falling prospect stock. After a strong 2017-18 campaign, the Finn went 6-18-0 with a 3.67 GAA and .871 Sv% in 2018-19, eventually losing the clear-cut starting job to a slew of random cast-offs that featured Binnington and Jared Coreau. Husso still has the raw skill to make a name for himself, including his athleticism, size (and more importantly, the way he uses it), and his ability to read plays as they develop and position himself accordingly.”

Klim Kostin

“Though he went through another underwhelming AHL season, the 6-3”, 212lbs 20-year-old impressed scouts with his body control, momentum on his skates, and his physical, power-forward game. A fast shot and nifty puck-protection skills make Kostin a fun player to watch when he gets to enter the zone with momentum, though his lack of speed and assertiveness can hold him back.”

Mitch Reinke

“His speed allows him to frequently exit the defensive zone, while his vision and hockey sense give him the instincts to put the puck in the right place. He can jump into the play and let off his strong, accurate wrist shot, but he is more of a facilitator than anything.”

Stockton Heat (Calgary Flames)

Since moving to Stockton from Glens Fall, New York, the Flames have not won a single playoff series. With their NHL parent club in a “win now” window, it has obviously been difficult for Stockton to establish a consistent winner in the AHL.

And with Calgary bulking up the big-league club for another potential run at the top seed in the Western Conference playoffs, Stockton head coach Cail MacLean has his work cut out for him again. Especially without Jusso Valimaki, who tore his ACL in offseason training and is expected to miss the entire 2019-20 season, several others with the AHL Flames will need to step their games up this year.

Prospects to Watch (quotes from 2019-20 McKeen’s Hockey Yearbook):

Dillon Dube

“Shifty and quick on his feet, the former captain of Team Canada at the World Junior Championship exhibited plus value as a playmaking passer while also playing as a forceful, self-assured shooting option. His undersized frame is not a hindrance to his highend rough-and-tumble, forechecking game, as his play in the cycle is where he really shines as a passer and in-tight puck-handler.”

Matthew Phillips

“Grading out as an above-average skater and shooter, the Calgary native can impact games with his slippery skating, tricky shot release, and plus vision to create lanes for his linemates. At just 5-7” and 155 pounds, his physical game obviously lags, but he can be effective enough at separating himself from opposing defenders against the boards.”

Tyler Parsons

“A master scrambler, Parsons lacks technical refinement but more than makes up for it with competitiveness, play-tracking, and the reflexes to complement his all-out style of goaltending. The 2017 WJC gold medalist needs nothing more than a clean bill of health to continue his ascent up the ranks of NHL goaltending prospects, as the 2016 second-rounder projects to be a mid-tier NHL starter, but with more room to grow.”

Ontario Reign (Los Angeles Kings)

The Reign suffered through a dreadful 2018-19 season, one that became increasingly hard as the campaign continued, with the Kings recalling many Ontario’s best players.

Matt Luff, Carl Grundstrom, and Austin Wagner joined L.A.’s forward group, Sean Walker and Matt Roy saw time on the blue line, and Cal Petersen played in the crease at some points in the year. Using a core of inexperienced defensemen, ineffective forwards, and whoever else the Reign could snag from ECHL Manchester was not a recipe for success.

New additions Jaret Anderson-Dolan (2017 second-rounder) and Rasmus Kupari (2018 first-rounder) hope to turn the tide, to say nothing of the possible return to help of 2017 first rounder Gabriel Vilardi, bringing excitement to San Bernardino county. The Reign could be a sneaky playoff team, or just die out early like last season, but unpredictability can be entertaining, at least.

Prospects to Watch (quotes from 2019-20 McKeen’s Hockey Yearbook):

Rasmus Kupari

“His greatest asset is, without doubt, his skating. Highly agile on his skates, he can make tight turns and cuts and he possesses strong edge control. He stops and starts well and has excellent top-end speed. He can maneuver with the puck in tight spaces and has a lot of puck skill as well.”

Gabriel Vilardi

“He possesses a great size and skill package down the middle and is a terrific playmaker who thinks the game at a high level and really can dominate possession down low. He is just so strong and difficult to separate from the puck. Vilardi played only four games for Ontario last year because of a lingering back injury that appears to be threatening his promising career.”

Jaret Anderson-Dolan

“Anderson-Dolan had a tough season last year battling injuries, but managed to finish the season strong. He finished the season by putting up 20 goals and 43 points in 32 games for the [Spokane] Chiefs, and 15 in 13 games in the playoffs, demonstrating that his multi-tool impact was still there.”

Arizona Coyotes 2019-20 Prospect Review: Top 20

Thu, 12 Sep 2019 20:24:22 +0000

I have to admit to being impressed with the Arizona Coyotes’ current standing in the organizational strength rankings. As of this writing, those rankings aren’t yet complete, but they stack up around the middle of the teams for whom we already have graded out and their overall score seems geared to stay up the middle once all is said and done.

On the one hand, for a team that has struggled to such a great extent to make the postseason in recent years – seven years in a row with an early start to the offseason – which would indicate that the team has been hoarding top picks and should be in the upper third of teams as opposed to the middle. But instead of looking at why Arizona isn’t ranked more highly, I think their current standing is a positive, after we consider what has changed since the last time we did these rankings.

We can look at last season’s top 20 and note that the number 12 and 18 prospects, Ilya Lyubushkin and Conor Garland, respectively, have both graduated from consideration. That isn’t a big deal, and neither is the trade of last year’s #14, Laurent Dauphin, to the Nashville system. That latter move at least brought in the current #15, Emil Pettersson.

What is most impressive is how the team traded their top prospect, Dylan Strome, and their number four, Pierre-Olivier Joseph, as part of packages to bring in top six forward talent to the NHL. Strome was a big part of the Nick Schmaltz trade while Joseph was a key return to get Phil Kessel to the desert.

This serves as a great reminder that the object of stockpiling quality prospects is not so as to appear high on our or other publication’s pre-season lists, but to fortify the NHL roster. In some cases, the fortification is done through player graduations and in others, the use of those prospects as trade capital to convince other teams to part with their NHLers.

Another angle from which we could be impressed by the Arizona system as it stands today is that a lot of the players ranked below took positive steps forward last season. For every Tyler Steenbergen (#12) type who struggled in his first taste of the pro game, we have players still trending in the right direction such as the pair of highly touted netminders Adin Hill (#3) and Ivan Prosvetov (#6), who each jumped from their spots last year, gaining three and nine spots respectively.

For a Cam Dineen, whose season was curtailed by injury, we counter with Nathan Schnarr and Jan Jenik, who took big steps forward in the OHL. With two of the five 2019 draftees to jump right onto the list being college-bound, and number two prospect Barrett Hayton the only top prospect whose name is even penciled into the NHL roster, the organization will have a good chance to see their ranking rise this time next year, even if improved play on the ice results in a lower draft spot.

-Ryan Wagman

Arizona Coyotes goalie Adin Hill (31) (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire)

1 Victor Soderstrom, D (11^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) This year’s first-round draft pick, Soderstrom will go over to North America to try to earn a spot on the Coyotes’ blue line. If he doesn’t succeed, he will get back to play in SHL for another year. Both are good opportunities for the smart defenseman. I wouldn’t be surprised if he plays games in the NHL already this season. He started last season in the junior league and when he got promoted to the SHL, he played the same game against men. His hockey-IQ is at an elite level and that helps him adjust quickly to new situations. His offensive production is good, but not at a superstar level. His contribution mostly comes from strong mobility and smart decisions with the puck. On the power play, he moves and reads the play well and has quite a good wrist shot. The potential for offense is there as well, but he doesn’t need to produce points to be effective. - JH

2 Barrett Hayton, C (5^th overall, 2018. Last Year: 2) It was kind of a disjointed season for Hayton, who played in only 39 regular season games for the Soo Greyhounds (OHL). He got a late start to the year after being returned from Arizona, then missed time for the WJC, followed by a month-long absence due to a lower body injury. But Hayton is a top prospect who does a lot of things well on the ice. He can be used in nearly any situation and plays a very pro ready game. He is a very committed two-way player who excels on the penalty kill. He is extremely effective down low and in tight to the crease where his great hands, quick release, and ability to read the play are on display. He also moves well and has improved his power and quickness since being drafted. His future – perhaps starting as soon as this year - likely lies on the second line in Arizona and could be a future captain for the franchise. - BO

3 Adin Hill, G (76^th overall, 2015. Last Year: 8) At 6-6”, Hill’s size is the first thing that jumps out about the 2015 third-rounder, but his incredible technical refinement and immeasurable mental composure are major bright spots in the development of the Coyotes’ goaltender of the future. With both AHL Tucson and the NHL club, Hill displayed his excellent total package as a near-term big-leaguer. He uses his size well, limiting holes and utilizing each of his tools with athletic ease, as well as getting up and down in the crease effectively. His compete level is as high as any goalie at his level and age. He could be better at handling rebounds and controlling the puck, but neither will hinder his immediate NHL future. - TD

4 Kyle Capobianco, D (63^rd overall, 2015. Last Year: 7) If a late-season injury from 2018-19 does not hold him back, Capobianco is a guy who can crack the NHL roster out of training camp this September. His dynamic two-way play and multi-faceted offensive game give him a very solid chance to achieve a full-time NHL role in 2019-20. Before fracturing his leg on a hit against the boards in a February game against the Blue Jackets, Capobianco had wowed many at the AHL and NHL levels. A shifty and fast skater, he is someone who can and will lead the charge into the offensive zone at any opportunity. His shot from the line is superb and complements his insane vision and anticipation. His active stick and tight gaps when skating backwards make him a versatile two-way guy. The 21-year-old could be more physical when trying to retrieve the puck in his own end, but it’s a small price to pay for a future top-four blueliner. - TD

5 Nick Merkley, RW/C (30^th overall, 2015. Last Year: 3) The early portion of Merkley’s career has been more or less defined by the injuries that have kept him from emerging as an NHL forward, but in spite of those ailments, the 2015 first-rounder has shown immense future value for the Coyotes down with AHL Tucson. He missed a large chunk of the season after rebounding from knee surgery in 2018-19, and was rusty upon his return, but still contributed 10 goals and 24 assists. Agile and athletic, he has the edgework and plus acceleration to make up for his small, albeit stocky, stature. His creativity with the puck is fueled by his elite hands, and his shot is an ever-evolving weapon. It is difficult to tell what kind of player Merkley is going to be, but if he can finally stay healthy, the 22-year-old has the skill and potential to be a future top-six winger. - TD

6 Ivan Prosvetov, G (114^th overall, 2018. Last Year: 15) Prosvetov is a hulking netminder who has a rare combination of athleticism and size. He is 6-5”, but he moves so quickly in his crease, taking away the bottom of the net with strong pushes. He is also quite the character and made a name for himself in the OHL this past season for his antics on the ice. Unfortunately, that also saw him suspended during a pivotal playoff series that Saginaw ultimately lost. Moving forward, like any goaltending prospect, Prosvetov will require patience. His positioning and reads will need improvement at the pro level, where he is likely to begin this year. Some time in the ECHL may even be required, but that is common for goaltending prospects. In time, Prosvetov has the skill set to become an NHL netminder; it may just take time. - BO

7 Kevin Bahl, D (55^th overall, 2018, Last Year: 10) A behemoth defender, Bahl has progressed well since being drafted in the second round by Arizona. At 6-6”, he just swallows up space in the defensive zone with his reach and his solid mobility for a bigger blueliner. Playing for the first place Ottawa 67’s this year, he was one of their most important players, seeing a ton of ice time and matching up against the opposition’s best forwards. Bahl’s offensive game likely won’t transfer over exceptionally well to the pro level, but he has made nice strides with his decision making and play with the puck. Limiting his turnovers and improving his breakout passes will be areas of focus moving forward. In the next couple of years, Bahl could develop into a top four shutdown defender for the Coyotes and be utilized similarly to the way the Boston Bruins use young defender Brandon Carlo. - BO

8 Nathan Schnarr, C (75^th overall, 2017. Last Year: Not ranked) After a breakout season with the OHL Champion Guelph Storm, Schnarr has put himself on the prospect map. He finished the year with over 100 points, way more than he had accumulated in his previous two years of OHL action. Schnarr is a big bodied center who is at his best when he can use his size and reach down low in the offensive zone. He controls the wall very well and is able to drive possession and open up passing lanes. His skating has improved a fair amount over the last three OHL seasons and he is now able to be effective in puck pursuit and in transition. He projects as a middle six forward at the NHL level who will need some time to adjust to the speed of the pro game. His playmaking ability and size are definite assets but it remains to be seen whether he has enough puck skill to be an offensive contributor for the Coyotes. - BO

9 Ty Emberson, D (73^rd overall, 2018. Last Year: 6) Playing on a disappointing Wisconsin team as a freshman, Emberson requires a few viewings to truly appreciate what he brings to the rink. He doesn’t play with a great deal of flash and his offensive contributions will never be of the type to have fans clamoring to see him quarterback a power play, but he does have some burgeoning offensive instincts which started to come out as his first collegiate season progressed. He knows how to read the defense in front of him and make himself into a useful attacking option for his team. His defensive zone reads need work, but he is committed to playing strong in his own end and he is a big open ice hitter, while rarely crossing the line that leads to time in the penalty box. I expect him to take a big step in his offensive game next year and a second pairing blueliner at the highest level is not out of the question. - RW

10 Jan Jenik, C (65^th overall, 2018. Last Year: 13) Jenik is an aggressive, attacking, North/South style forward who really uses his strong skating stride to push the pace and attack the offensive zone. He also possesses very good hands and has the capability to make defenders miss as he cuts through traffic on his way to the net. He is also a tenacious player who excelled in his half season in the OHL by relishing in the opportunity to take the body and playing a general pest role. As Jenik gains strength and is able to have more success driving the net and maintaining possession in the offensive zone, look for him to really breakout in a big way. He could have a big offensive season playing alongside Arthur Kaliyev in Hamilton. - BO

11 Filip Westerlund, D (44^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 5) The second-round draft pick from 2017 hasn’t stepped up his development yet. He has had a tough time earning a big role for top SHL club Frolunda. His offense hasn’t stood out as much for him to get power play time and his defensive play isn’t aggressive enough for him to play on the PK. The potential is still there for him though, but he will need to find a fit with a team that can give him top pairing minutes. He had that last season when he got picked up by Timra, but just four promising games (and two goals) in he suffered a season ending shoulder injury and the team was later relegated. He has since rehabilitated and is still in search for a fit with a new SHL team. Westerlund is a mobile puck-moving defenseman with good hockey sense, a quiet and smart potential top four defenseman with some puck skills, but he is still a long-term project. - JH

12 Tyler Steenbergen, C (128^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 9) An offensive juggernaut with Swift Current of the WHL for four years, Steenbergen was drafted as a no-risk overager in the fifth round of the 2017 NHL Draft. In contrast to many high-scoring junior players with some flaws, the former World Junior hero has developed into somewhat of a safe, conservative player. His 200-foot game, defensive responsibility, and effectiveness as a bottom-six, penalty-killing guy who can play all three forward spots reliably gives him something many players of his ilk have not: a surefire NHL ceiling. His speed as a skater and his blistering shot give him some high-end offensive capabilities, and that will be more on display this upcoming season as he takes a step up with Tucson. How far away he is from cracking the Coyotes roster is an open question, but he is a fairly simple prospect with solid NHL tools. - TD

13 John Farinacci, C (76^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) As hard as it can be to properly assess talent playing in the American high school system, Farinacci was good enough during his brief stints with Muskegon of the USHL, or wearing the American colors during last year’s Hlinka Gretzky Cup that he was firmly on the radar throughout his draft year. He is loaded with plus offensive tools, most notably his blistering shot, but his skating and puck skills also both work in his favor. Headed to Harvard in the Fall, there is a good chance that the Coyotes will have to wait through all four years to get him signed, but the raw ingredients are there for the team to feel justifiably excited to track his development. - RW

14 Hudson Fasching, RW (118^th overall, 2013 [Los Angeles]. Last Year: 16) At 24 years old, Fasching -- on his third pro organization since being drafted in the fourth round of the 2013 draft -- only has so many chances to impress an NHL team. With Arizona inking him to a two-year, two-way deal this offseason, it’s clear that the Coyotes’ brass has confidence in what he can become, even this late in his development. The hulking, powerful winger is a solid skater for a forward of his size and weight and has the ability to prolong offensive possession with his patience and physical moves. His skill (hands, passing, technical skating) are all sufficient, though he lacks consistency and one-on-one moves. He did see a recall to the Coyotes last season and has a chance to crack the roster this year, but he is starting to slip out of prospect status and will need to make his mark soon. - TD

15 Emil Pettersson, C (155^th overall, 2013 [Nashville]. Last Year: 13 [Nashville]) The 2013 sixth-round selection may never be more than Elias’ less-talented brother, but the Coyotes are holding out hope for him. Although he is already 25, the decision to retain his North American rights as he heads back to Sweden could pay off in the long term. Pettersson is a gifted playmaking center with loads of defensive responsibility and effectiveness, as his pure intelligence and hockey sense make him a high-level player at the AHL level. He can handle the puck well at full stride, as well as play the cycle game better than most. His skating is mushy at best, and his shot, though very accurate and whippy, is on the slower side, making him a difficult guy to see fitting on an NHL roster. If he ever returns to the states, it will be as a Coyote, as the qualifying offer extended to him before he signed with Vaxjo of the SHL allowed Arizona to retain his rights. - TD

16 Cam Dineen, D (68^th overall, 2016. Last Year: 11) Still a long-term project, Dineen struggled to get comfortable with the pro side of the sport in his first season in the AHL. The 2016 third-rounder dominated the OHL over four seasons with his mobility and power-play potency, but had his fair share of issues in translating his game to Tucson, where his offensive output slumped (57-3-9-12) and his efforts on the power play (just two man-advantage points) were nearly nonexistent. He can add to his impressive package of offensive skills (his smooth skating and deceptively quick shot being the highlights) by adding strength to his smaller-statured body and becoming more confident in his ability to move the puck up the ice. He is a very solid defensive defenseman for someone who does not fit the conventional mold of one, and so he only needs to mature his transitional game. He could be a bottom-four NHL guy with power-play time in the near future. - TD

17 Matias Maccelli, LW (98^th overall, 2016. Last Year: IE) It has been some time since the Coyotes had a prospect to follow in Finnish hockey. With Maccelli, in a roundabout way, they now have one. Selected out of Dubuque in the USHL, the Finnish import is expected to return home after two stateside seasons to continue his development in the Liiga with Ilves. For as good as his production was with the Fighting Saints, Maccelli lacks the high-end tools that would increase his odds of success at the highest rungs. While capable of brief moments of speed, his normal skating pace is dawdling. He is a gifted passer with fine vision and a nice shot to boot, but his lack of size or a physical nature will put more onus on his feet. If he can gain a step or two, he could be a solid middle six option in a few years, but bust potential exists. - RW

18 Anthony Romano, C (176^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) Despite middling numbers during the regular season, and being a frequent no-show during Sioux Falls’ run to the Clark Cup title last season, Romano’s 2018-19 campaign must be seen as a success, as he was able to play the same two-way disruptive game in the USHL as he had previously in the OJHL. Romano is a fine skater with a hard enough shot that suggests some future utility in a middle six and even some power play minutes from the half wall. He reads the game at an advanced level and provides the type of energy most coaches like to see in their bottom six. Heading to Clarkson to continue his development, the Coyotes will take a patient approach with their recent sixth round pick. Even without the high upside, Romano is a good bet to maximize the talent that he does have. - RW

19 Liam Kirk, C/LW (189th overall, 2018. Last Year: Not ranked) The pride of Great Britain’s fledgling hockey program, Kirk took some time adjusting to North American hockey in the OHL this past season. He was terrific in the second half of the year, looking much more confident and comfortable. Kirk has very good hands in tight and possesses an excellent wrist shot, qualities that make him a potential goal scorer at the NHL level. He also skates well and has begun to gain confidence in his ability to lead the charge into the offensive zone. The rest of his game remains a work in progress, with a lot of that attributing to a lack of strength. As such, he is very much a long-term project. But if the Coyotes are patient, Kirk could eventually develop into a top 6 scoring winger. – BO

20 Valentin Nussbaumer, C (207^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) Nussbaumer had a tough first year in North America, but not entirely due to his own play. His team, the Shawinigan Cataractes, battled through some tough stretches at times in 2018-19, but ultimately were able to make the playoffs and take a pair of games off the Memorial Cup champion Rouyn-Noranda Huskies. He also struggled at times early in the season with spacing, as moving from big ice to smaller ice is always an adjustment. He eventually adapted well and put up four points in six playoff games. Nussbaumer is a major offensive threat with the puck because of his creativity and his quickness. His hands are lightning quick, and his feet keep pace; his footwork and agility may be the best in the QMJHL. He is a project, especially without the puck, but he will have an offensive impact on his teams, whether in the NHL or elsewhere. - MS

Arizona Coyotes Prospect System Overview

Tom Dorsa — Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:33:26 +0000

Some consider the Arizona Coyotes to be a sleeper postseason team, and they have a stacked prospect core to thank for their potential berth into the Stanley Cup Playoffs. As a young team on the cusp of contending again, their rebuild is nearing its end, a rebuild that saw not only a change on the roster sheet, but in the front office, as the team switched presidents, owners, head coaches, and general managers all within the past few seasons.

Out of all of the changes, as is often the case, it has been the GM that has had the biggest cultural impact on the Coyotes, bar none. John Chayka, an NHL general manager in his 20s, is the first to fully incorporate analytics into a team-building approach. The Coyotes do not trade for a prospect, sign a free agent, or acquire a proven NHL player without first consulting their advanced metrics.

It is a method never before seen in the NHL, but one that could come to fruition with the prospects in the pool today. With the help of analytics and a lengthy run as a rebuilding club selling off NHLers for prospects and/or picks at every opportunity, the Coyotes have built their prospect core up to a very high level. It helps when you get lottery picks like Clayton Keller and Dylan Strome, but a good bulk of this top 20 countdown consists of players picked late into drafts or acquired via trade.

For an organization still being roughed into shape, it is integral to grab a solid mix between players with stout past production and those with lesser numbers but with great future projected statistics. For example, Christian Dvorak had crazy numbers in OHL play, and has continued that success into the NHL, earning a long-term contract this offseason; Kyle Capobianco projects to be a top-four offensive defenseman after less impressive junior stats.

It won't be long until Arizona is back to competing for division titles and postseason spots. The future has already arrived in one sense, with Keller, Dvorak, and crew, but they have even more dynamic supplemental additions on the way. The immediate and long-term future looks bright in Glendale.

Dylan Strome

1 Dylan Strome, C (3rd overall, 2015. Last year: 2nd) It's true that Dylan Strome has failed to live up to expectations, but his pure talent is a big reason to remain optimistic. After posting a 1.06 a point-per-game mark with AHL Tucson, Strome was impressive in a late season recall with the Coyotes, scoring six points in his final 10 NHL games. The big center has all the tools to be a game-changer, with his vision being one and his unbelievably fast 70-grade wrist shot being another. He has nasty hands, a lot of skating skill despite inefficient and relatively slow feet, and his unmatched hockey sense allows him to think the game through a different way. His pure foot speed will never be a selling point, but his unique combination of skill, size, and shooting screams impact NHL player. It is likely he'll make the Coyotes roster out of training camp this season.

2 Barrett Hayton, C (5th overall, 2018. Last year: IE) Barrett Hayton is nothing if not incredibly versatile and reliable. The fifth-overall pick from last June's draft, Hayton comes from a stacked Sault Ste. Marie club that featured fellow first-rounders Rasmus Sandin and Morgan Frost, where he racked up an impressive 60 points in 63 games while fighting for top-six minutes. Hayton has great puck skills, particularly in protecting the puck with some elusive specialty moves and with his impressive body strength, as well as facilitating offensive plays and creating scoring chances from scratch. A natural center but one that can play the wing just as effectively, Hayton is an intelligent player with a great wrist shot. Otherwise, he does all the little things well and brings a certain spark of energy with him out onto the ice. Out of his draft class, he's one of the safest players to pick in terms of NHL ceiling, even if he doesn't have a single dynamic asset.

3 Nick Merkley, RW (30th overall, 2015. Last year: 3rd) Drafted as a skilled but undersized player at the end of 2015's first round, Nick Merkley had not yet reached the level seen in the WHL due mostly to a ACL injury in the 2015-16 season. It appeared that Merkley had rekindled the energetic speed and skill that the Coyotes liked when they drafted him in his first pro season, scoring at over a point-per-game rate in the AHL and earning league All-Star honors, but his season again ended prematurely with a knee injury. His lower-body health is a concern given his history, but when he's healthy, his agility, swift hands, and creativity with puck movement show consistent potential for success at the NHL level. His skating, in particular his edgework and acceleration, is also a plus skill. Of course, he's undersized and can't seem to stay healthy, but with offensive results like what he has produced at 100%, he remains an intriguing and valuable prospect.

4 Pierre-Olivier Joseph, D (23rd overall, 2017. Last year: 5th) Just like his older brother, Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Mathieu, Pierre-Olivier Joseph's game revolves around his high-end athleticism and his lanky frame. Both Joseph brothers have speed that comes from their lightweight body styles and quick footwork, skills that Pierre-Olivier used to become an offensive force in all situations for the Charlottetown Islanders. His 46 points with the QMJHL club last season was second on the team, while placing fourth in goals and first in helpers. His hockey IQ was on full display on the Islanders' power-play, where 21 of his points came. In addition to his great skating, Joseph has tremendous hands that allow him to play the puck smoothly in any situation and good defensive zone coverage that makes him as reliable on the ice as anyone at that level. The 19-year-old needs to add some muscle to his 6-2" frame, but otherwise looks to be a complete defenseman with a lot of potential for an NHL shutdown role.

5 Filip Westerlund, D (44th overall, 2017. Last year: 9th) Filip Westerlund is an extremely interesting player to watch. A defenseman with wondrous speed and nifty hands that allow him to routinely exit his zone with relative ease, Westerlund doesn't compile points the way a blueliner with that skillset should. Instead, he's more of a passive defenseman with a poor, hesitant shot and a lack of playmaking skills despite a pretty high hockey IQ. When you have the good gap control and willingness to be physical in spite of an undersized frame, however, you can still provide plus value to a team, and Westerlund gives it his all in that regard. It also doesn't hurt to be a fixture on the blueline with Frolunda, perhaps the best hockey team in Europe. With the Coyotes being so analytically-influenced, Westerlund fits the mold of a future top-four defenseman that puts up high-quality numbers in advanced metrics and does his job, even if he doesn't pass the initial eye test.

Ty Emberson

6 Ty Emberson, D (73rd overall, 2018. Last year: IE) Ty Emberson is the prototypical hit or miss prospect. A very physical, tough defenseman that emulates a style better suited for the NHL as it was 20 years ago, Emberson is willing to check in open ice, along the boards, and just about anywhere in between, and staying disciplined and mostly penalty-free in the process. However, the U.S. National Team Development alum doesn't have a very refined offensive game; other than a speedy shot that can generate a lot of rebounds, Emberson's play with the puck is unimpressive. His patience lacks, his passing skills are subpar, and he's better feeding a teammate for a breakout than skating the puck out himself. He has good enough pure footwork to become an improved offensive defenseman over time, but for now, he's a solid defensive d-man with near elite physicality, good gap control, and smarts within his own zone.

7 Kyle Capobianco, D (63rd overall, 2015. Last year: 12th) In his first full pro season, Kyle Capobianco showed off an impressive skillset that made him the best offensive defenseman in the system with AHL Tucson. His 30 points led all Roadrunners defensemen in 2017-18, while his 28 assists were second on the club behind just top prospect Dylan Strome. His skating is graceful, as he's very quick to get up to speed, with fantastic edgework as well. Capobianco is a playmaker by every definition, as his vision and hockey sense are both strengths in his game, but he doesn't risk position and defensive responsibility to create scoring chances; the opportunities the left-hander generates are always from scratch as he develops his defensive game. He has an underwhelming physical game and a substandard point shot, but the 21-year-old has the tools to be a quality top-four guy with the Coyotes in the near future.

8 Adin Hill, G (76th overall, 2015. Last year: 11th) Goaltenders generally take longer to come to fruition than position-playing prospects, but Adin Hill, the unofficially denoted Coyotes goaltender of the future, is 22 and has already made major splashes at pro levels. With his NHL debut already in the bag, Hill held down the starting job with Tucson, posting a 19-11-0 record with a 2.28 goals against average in his second full pro year after an impressive tenure with Portland of the WHL. Hill is a very calm netminder who limits second chances well and uses his next-level size (6-6", 206 lbs) to close down any holes that would ail a smaller goalie. He is unfazed by a heavy workload or a lot of traffic around him, and has efficient foot movement in the crease that allows him to move from side to side well. He is not the best at reading plays as they develop, and could use some more seasoning with the Roadrunners.

9 Tyler Steenbergen, C (128th overall, 2017. Last year: 20th) Put on an international stage with the game-winning goal in the World Juniors final, Tyler Steenbergen is more than just a Canadian hero, he is a solid prospect with a couple of high-end skills that bring his NHL potential way up. Jumping from 20th to ninth in the prospect rankings, he ranked sixth in goals (47) and points (102) in the WHL this past season and inked his entry-level contract with the Coyotes in March. Drafted as a 19-year-old overager, Steenbergen's production in junior was hard to ignore, and that production comes from good overall skating, a splendid shot with a swift and heavy release, and effective puck distribution – he has also improved his two-way game mightily over the past season. The question for the undersized center is whether he just a good point-producer junior player or a more complete package with skills to succeed in the pros.

Kevin Bahl

10 Kevin Bahl, D (55th overall, 2018. Last year: IE) In today's world of pro hockey, Kevin Bahl is a bit of an anomaly, mostly because of his unique combination of incredible size for an 18-year-old (6-6", 231lbs) and blistering speed for a guy of that stature. With a monstrous frame, he is a terrifying physical presence in his own zone, and has the athleticism and the wheels to skate the puck out and through the neutral zone. However, his offensive game has absolutely no other impact asset as of now, and his OHL performance with Ottawa has been not been striking from an offensive perspective. Nonetheless, he's smart, makes good reads, and has a strong first pass out of his zone. If his ceiling, a big defensive-defenseman who can skate well enough to become a part of the offensive attack, is what Bahl reaches in the future, then Arizona should be pleased.

11 Cam Dineen, D (68th overall, 2016. Last year: 14th) Though health has been a recurring issue for Cam Dineen, the young lefthander has too much offensive upside to forget yet. The 2016 draftee was at near a point-per-game scoring rate with the North Bay Battalion and Sarnia Sting last season, and yet, it was suspected that Dineen wasn't ever fully healthy; imagine what he can do at 100%. Dineen has above-average lateral mobility and agility, making him a refined technical skater with some good top speed to boot, and exhibits strong puck skills such as his fast hands and nifty passing abilities. He has a high hockey IQ and plays an intelligent two-way game with a knack for anticipating and cutting down passes. Dineen, who has signed an ELC and will play with AHL Tucson, just needs to stay healthy and work on his consistency to further develop.

12 Ilya Lyubushkin, D (Free Agent Signing: May 23, 2018. Last year: IE) A rock solid defensive defenseman, Ilya Lyubushkin was on the radar of many NHL teams this season and signed with the Coyotes after five seasons with Yaroslavl Lokomotiv of the KHL. With the Russian club, Lyubushkin tallied 36 points in 257 games over the past five years, exhibiting a hesitance to get involved offensively, but mainly because that is the opposite of what makes the 24-year-old an effective presence. A classic, old-school stay-at-home defenseman, Lyubushkin has a tendency to play physical at all times, which helps limit high-danger inside scoring chances. He is also a relatively smart defenseman who makes good reads and likes to cut off passes and shots. His signing represents a gamble, especially in a system with more NHL-ready defensemen than big-league roster spots, but if he can stay calm and play his game, his defensive upside should be enough to fight for a spot on the Coyotes.

13 Jan Jenik, RW (65th overall, 2018. Last year: IE) Jan Jenik was the youngest player in the 2018 draft, eligible for the summer draft season by just 24 hours given his September 15, 2000 birthday. On that account, it is difficult to project how the 17-year-old will come to be in the future against what he has shown scouts so far. What he does have is a very lanky, narrow body frame (6-1", 161lbs) that has the potential to be an effective power forward asset, a good wrist shot, and very quick hands. He is dangerous in one-on-one situations and can blow by defenders to get right to the net, where the Czech youngster is just as lethal thanks to his elusive specialty moves. However, he has played just six games at any major-league level, and at 17, there's no way of telling if these skills will hold up in higher levels. For an early third-round pick, though, Jenik has a high ceiling.

14 Laurent Dauphin, C (Trade: Jan. 10, 2018 [Chicago]. Last year: 6th [Chicago]) Now 23 years old and in his second stint with the Coyotes organization before solidifying any real NHL roster spot, Laurent Dauphin could still have some underlying value hidden in him. A Coyotes draft pick, traded to Chicago in the Niklas Hjalmarsson deal and then back to Arizona in the Anthony Duclair trade, Dauphin has been mostly an afterthought in his short NHL playing time, with just four points in 34 games to his name. Still, he skates pretty well, has a good wrist shot release, and plays a serviceable two-way game that suggests the ability to squeak out a job on an NHL fourth line and play well enough to stick. He is a high-energy guy who could score more often if given an extended chance at the major-league level.

15 Ivan Prosvetov, G (114th overall, 2018. Last year: IE) Drafted in his second eligible year, Prosvetov stole the show for the USHL's Youngstown Phantoms in 2017-18, outplaying former Blackhawks draft pick Wouter Peeters and leading Youngstown to the league finals. With a 19-9-1 record, 2.90 goals against average, and .913 save percentage, Prosvetov passes the statistical test, but his eye test results are even more impressive; the big, 6-4" goaltender is surprisingly athletic and light for his size, an advanced rebound controller, and very consistent in his work. The Russian could stand to use his lanky body to challenge shooters better, but utilization of size is something goalies generally learn on the fly as time goes by. Moving to the OHL to play with Saginaw next season, he has a lot of tools to inspire confidence in the Coyotes brass.

Hudson Fasching

16 Hudson Fasching, RW (Trade: Jun. 14, 2018 [Buffalo]. Last year: 6th [Buffalo]) At this juncture in the career of Hudson Fasching, it's hard to tell where he is heading as a prospect. If he could rekindle some of the excellence he displayed at the NCAA level in the pro ranks, he would be an NHL bottom-six anchor, but his foray into the AHL and NHL has not been an easy one. He was a gifted scoring winger who played a fabulous mix between power forward and playmaker at Minnesota, showing a knack for creating scoring opportunities from the boards by using his body to prolong his team's puck possession. He also drove right to the goal with the puck pretty often and showed sone neat hands in tight. In a new organization, the 23-year-old will have a chance to battle for an NHL spot instantly, trying to impress the Coyotes with some recovered college skills.

17 Adam Helewka, LW (Trade: Jun. 12, 2018 [San Jose]. Last year: 15th [San Jose]) An obscurity in the WHL until his age-20 season during which he scored 44 goals for Spokane, Adam Helewka was drafted in his third eligible season in 2015. Arizona acquired the now third-year pro in a trade with Pacific Division rivals San Jose and inherit an intriguing, albeit inconsistent prospect with some bottom-six potential. Helewka placed second on the postseason-qualifying San Jose Barracuda with 38 points last season, tallying 29 helpers by driving possession with his superb vision and patience. He has goal-scoring chops and good positioning away from the puck, but is mostly a facilitator that plays a decent two-way game. His skating is a major issue, and at 23, he doesn't have much more room to grow, but a two-way, bottom-six NHL role is plausible for the hard-working Canadian.

18 Conor Garland, RW (123rd overall, 2015. Last year: 10th) Conor Garland is a prime example of why NHL teams drafting tools over stats is important. Twice the leading scorer in the Canadian junior system, Garland's point-scoring has not translated to the pros in the slightest of ways; his 129-point final QMJHL campaign has been followed only by a 27-point AHL season last year. Not to say the 21-year-old is a finished product, though, as the best version of him is still enough to keep him around. When he is on his game, the undersized forward is an absolute pest on the puck, and capable of both facilitating plays with great passing and hockey sense as well as scoring from distance and from in tight. He dropped eight spots in the Arizona prospect rankings from last year, but his determination and playmaking makes him someone to keep an eye on.

19 Cameron Crotty, D (82nd overall, 2017. Last year: Unranked) As a Junior-A player with little press around him, Cameron Crotty was seen as a potential sleeper pick before the 2017 draft kicked off, and his unique skillset could allow him to come to fruition as such. His skating mobility and playmaking acumen make him a dangerous player to try and defend in the neutral zone and beyond, and his size (6-3", 183 lbs) gives him a big advantage over his peers in the defensive zone. The Boston University talent, similar to Filip Westerlund, projects to be a defensive-defenseman that plays with a mobile, agile approach, like Chris Tanev or Colton Parayko; he will not put up eye-popping numbers, but his advanced metrics will be good and he will pass the eye test with ease. He is a long-term project with some holes in his game (the way he uses his reach, his vision, etc), but his upside is high.

20 Merrick Madsen, G (Trade: Jun. 16, 2017 [Philadelphia]. Last year: 18th) Brought in from the Philadelphia system as a challenger to the notion of Adin Hill having the goalie-of-the-future spot in the bag, Merrick Madsen has been a quality presence in the blue paint for Harvard University over the past three years. Now, with an ELC inked, Madsen looks to contend with Hill in Tucson this season. A very tall, very physically lean goaltender, Madsen has the size to compete in his crease, while using his above-average play reading abilities and ample body strength to stay strong in the paint. His technical game could use some work, as could his focus, but the pro game should help remedy those flaws.

AHL: Nick Merkley (Tuscon – Arizona)

Tom Dorsa — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 22:05:24 +0000

Nick Merkley was ranked third in a rich Arizona system in our pre-season ranking behind Dylan Strome and Clayton Keller. Leading the team in goals with 18 in 29 games in his AHL debut he remains an exciting talent. Tom Dorsa provides detail below.

TUCSON, AZ - JANUARY 06: Tucson Roadrunners right wing Nick Merkley (38) shoots the puck during a hockey game between the Ontario Reign and Tuscon Roadrunners on January 06, 2018, at Tucson Convention Center in Tucson, AZ. Ontario Reign defeated Tucson Roadrunners 6-3. (Photo by Jacob Snow/Icon Sportswire)

Nick Merkley	2015 Draft (30th - Arizona Coyotes)
Position RW/C, Shoots R	H/W: 5-11", 190 lbs
Stats to date (GP-G-A-P-PIM)	Arizona Coyotes, NHL (1-0-0-0-2)
	Tucson Roadrunners, AHL (29-18-17-35-18)

Skating: Merkley is a player with less speed and quickness than most, but with far more determination and drive on his skates. He has decent foot quickness, average top speed, but his technical skating abilities are as refined as an NHL veteran. He is highly energetic and great at transitioning from forward to backwards on his edges. Strong balance and one of the best at keeping his momentum up throughout his strides. Moderately fast two-step acceleration, but gets up to speed quickly and does not fall off on the radar gun when he cruises. Grade: 55.

Shot: Merkley is not one of those stop and pop forwards with a tendency to shoot constantly, but has an ample, albeit underused, shot. He is proficient at putting tough-angled shots on goal and generating rebounds with his shooting accuracy, but the majority of goals he scores are gritty, greasy ones right in front of the crease. Pretty quick wrist shot release, solid one-timer, an effective fake shot, and an accurate slapshot round out a sufficient arsenal of shots, but his most important shooting tool is his neat hand-eye coordination for tip-ins and quick shots from cross-ice feeds. Grade: 50.

Skills: Merkley is a highly-skilled forward, and it was for that reason and his IQ that he was drafted as high as he was. He is very elusive with the puck, looking like he just glides past defenders with his great hands and extremely skilled specialty moves to slice and dice past the opposition. Stickhandling and preparation are fine. Talented at accepting passes in stride and making a play with them. Sets a tempo well as part of the Roadrunners’ top-line, and plays a very urgent game. Grade: 60.

Smarts: Merkley’s most valuable asset is his hockey IQ. His vision of the ice and his rink sense are both world class, always knowing where his teammates are, where the high-danger spots on the ice are, and how to change the pace of the game. He has an unrivaled work ethic on and off the ice, and his level of stamina is one of the best on the squad. He plays a tight positional game and does not get left out of position often. Gives 100% offensively, but not as aggressive defensively as you would like to see. Grade: 60.

Physicality: Though undersized, Merkley plays with the toughness and feistiness of a player much bigger. He heads to the net on rushes often, doing dirty work in front and behind the net on cycle plays. He is not afraid to throw a hit, or throw a punch, even, and he does a good job at keeping himself moving after being hit. He does not hold up much at all when he has a chance to lay a player out. Merkley is a superior puck protector and his body position and strength is a big part of that. Grade: 60.

Summary: Nick Merkley is one of many great young players in the Tucson locker room, even playing on a line with Dylan Strome and Lawson Crouse while holding his own and then some. He has tremendous rink sense and unparalleled hockey IQ, coupled with decent skating and a flashy, feisty physical game that rocks the bodies of the opposition. Merkley has middle-six potential with power play specialist written all over him, good for perhaps a 50-point yearly total in his NHL time. He was one of the most prolific facilitators in his time with the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL, and has continued that excellence at the AHL level, leading all but Strome on the Roadrunners in points with 35, and pacing everyone in goals with 18 (11 on the man-advantage). Merkley was named to the AHL’s Pacific Division All-Star team for his efforts.

Overall Future Projection (OFP): 56.25

Arizona – System Overview

Ryan Wagman — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 20:11:28 +0000

As one of the first teams to whole-heartedly embrace analytics as a driving factor in team building, the Coyotes have been a fascinating case study on how to acquire prospects under the new-aged rubrics.

The analytics era in Arizona can be directly traced to the hiring of John Chayka as General Manager in May 2016, approximately one month prior to the 2016 Entry Draft. Between his two draft classes, the Coyotes have added 14 players to the system, five in his first go round and nine this summer. It is clearly too early to come to any sort of conclusion, but there are some patterns that can be discerned in the tea leaves.

Before we look too closely into the Chayka drafts, we should recap how the team had previously made their selections, as a number of players featured on their top 20 are from previous draft classes. In the two draft classes before Chayka (BC), the Coyotes selected 18 players, 11 of whom were taken out of the CHL, three out of the US National Development Program, and the other four all out of Sweden. The forwards all had two-way ability in addition to above average offensive production as juniors, while the defensemen were rarely drafted at all – only three in the last two years of BC drafting.

Looking at that last note, it seems that one of the first commitments of the Analysts Draft (AD) era in Arizona has been to add positional balance to the system, using nine of the first 14 AD picks on blueliners. With one very notable exception, the forwards drafted have been as noteworthy for their unrealized tools as for previous production.

As for the AD defensemen drafted, they can be characterized by above average skating at minimum, relatively mature hockey sense and, like their forward brethren, toolsiness. It is still too early to analyze the Coyotes’ AD strategy for goalie development, as they had not drafted any, but have acquired two from the collegiate ranks, one as a free agent and one in trade for one of the forwards drafted BC. AD drafts have also stuck with Sweden as the only geographical talent overseas from which they have selected, which could be a function of available scouts, but is more likely a matter of small sample sizes. That said, they have been very open to drafting from lower profile amateur leagues in North America, having selected players from the OJHL, MJHL, and CCHL, in addition to the non-USNTDP portion of the USHL, demonstrating a belief in player characteristics being able to trump the more easily projectable numbers accrued in the well-scouted CHL leagues.

As a result of these four draft classes, both BC and AD, as well as the other means of prospect acquisition employed by both regimes, the Coyotes have a system mixed with both past production and projections for future production. The team has high end athleticism as well as heightened hockey sense. For an organization whose NHL roster is still being roughed into shape, there will be a lot of options available internally depending on how specific players develop in juniors, college, Europe or the AHL and how openings arise at the NHL level. At least a few spots should open up this year, which leads us to the two players most likely to gobble them up.

Clayton Keller

1 Clayton Keller – The early front-runner for the 2017 Calder Trophy, Keller is a magical puck player. He has breakaway speed, but can change up his gears in order to fool opposing defenders, or to help create a gap for hitting a teammate in stride. His offensive vision is near elite and he adds high-end agility to his speed to keep his body safe from bigger players. After excelling at the USNTDP, he barely needed one dominant season with BU before turning pro. His two assists in his first three games with the Coyotes are a nice preview of what is to come.

HELSINKI, FINLAND - DECEMBER 26: Canada's Dylan Strome #9 celebrates after scoring Team Canada's second goal of the game during preliminary round action at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images)

2 Dylan Strome – He was never as good as former Erie teammate Connor McDavid, nor the 2015 2nd overall pick Jack Eichel, and his career has not taken off like pick #4 Mitch Marner, but Strome is definitively not a bust. He has improved his skating to the average level. Everything else is plus-plus. He has an elite shot with power, speed and timing. He is a top tier playmaker and very good in the faceoff circle. If Keller is the Calder frontrunner, Strome is close behind.

3 Nick Merkley – While Strome’s failure to immediately launch into the stratosphere is not a disappointment, Merkley’s relative stagnation has been. Drafted late in the 2015 first round as a skilled, agitating big moment player, he seriously hurt his knee in his post draft year and has not really returned to previous levels. That said, he still has plus hands and is a very skilled puck mover. His edge work also still flashes plus. He is ready for pro hockey.

4 Christian Fischer – A strong skater for a wide body, Fischer has impressive jump. Like those ranked above him in this list, he sees the ice very well and can execute tricky and creative passes. Unlike those others, the big winger is more a goal scorer than a playmaker. He goes to the net and can beat most goalies with his sharp wrist shot from the slot area on in. While his AHL rookie numbers were strong, he needs to cut down on forcing plays, which lead to too many turnovers.

Pierre-Olivier Joseph

5 Pierre-Olivier Joseph – Tall and very lanky, Pierre-Olivier is the younger brother of Tampa Bay prospect Mathieu Joseph. He is an exceptional skater with a keen understanding of the game and high-end athleticism. He clearly needs to add weight to his 6-2”, 165 frame, but his smarts, skating and ability to play the puck will allow him to play a critical two-way blueline role wherever he plays on his way up the hockey ladder. His development will not be quick, but his upside is quite high.

6 Kyle Wood – Among rookie defenders in the AHL, Wood finished third in scoring with 43 points, including 14 goals. Including all of the top 20 scoring AHL rookies, none had a worse +/- than Wood’s -23. While he has elite size, a booming point shot and is comfortable and precise with the puck, Wood has one glaring deficiency to his game and that is skating. He has slow feet and poor acceleration. Will always need to be sheltered.

7 Brandon Hickey – After rebounding from a down sophomore year (offensively, at least) Hickey was dealt by Calgary to Arizona in the days leading up to the draft as the main part of the package that sent starting goalie Mike Smith to Alberta. Quicker than fast, Hickey plays with good alertness in his own zone, allowing him to pick off many a loose pass or from sloppy stickwork. He has a decent enough shot to profile on a second power play unit, but his best work is in his own zone.

8 MacKenzie Entwistle – A high-risk, high-reward projection pick, the Coyotes selected Entwistle in the third round this year after a stellar WU18 tournament put a bow on what was otherwise a disappointing draft year with Hamilton in the OHL between injury and lack of production. He is an above average skater who has decent puck protection skills, but struggled to convert that into good scoring opportunities in league play. With some offensive refinement, could be a two-way threat.

9 Filip Westerlund – A strong skater with great puck skills for a blueliner, as well as high hockey IQ. In spite of those gifts, it is easy to underrate Westerlund as he is quite undersized and has a weak shot from the point. He will be a more effective skater for his real NHL team than for fantasy hockey players. In other words, he will be key in getting the puck out of his own zone, but once in the offensive end, he will mostly leave it to his teammates.

10 Conor Garland – After leading the CHL in points in two consecutive seasons with Moncton, Garland struggled to reach the scoresheet in his first pro season with Tucson. With his diminutive stature, he can sneak up on people, and when he is on his game, can be a pest. He is an active puck hunter in his own zone and has plus hand-eye coordination. He tries to make up in bravery what he lacks in size/strength, but he is easily nullified when he spends too much time in the dirty areas of the ice.

11 Adin Hill – Although the raw numbers behind Adin Hill’s first pro season do not stick out, particularly after a rougher go of things in the season’s second half, he was Tucson’s most reliable (if not consistent) goaltender across the grand scheme of the season. He is a calm netminder who limits second chances and is unfazed by heavy traffic or a heavy workload. The Coyotes brought in two other young goalies to compete for the title of “Goalie of the Future” in the desert, but Hill should still be the front-runner.

12 Kyle Capobianco – A decent two-way defenseman who spent his entire OHL career on a Sudbury team that was unable to rebuild competently, Capobianco has been their leading blueline scorer for each of the past three seasons. Although he skates well when underway, he is slow to transition. Further, his shot, while heavy, is too often off-target. He will be tested more seriously in his upcoming rookie pro season.

13 Noel Hoefenmayer – A bit under the radar with a middling Ottawa 67s team this year, Hoefenmayer took a big step forward in his draft year, impressing primarily with his hockey IQ and puck moving skills. His skating, particularly his turns, can let him down when it comes to dealing with speedy rushes down the wing. His shot is also a solid weapon, and he is able to hit the target from the point with any of his wrist, slap or snap shots.

14 Cam Dineen – After taking the brunt of a knee-on-knee hit in December, Dineen missed the second two-thirds of the season with an MCL injury. Despite his down numbers before the injury, his draft year performance should not be forgotten. He has significant offensive upside from the blueline with above-average mobility and puck skills. Also shows promise off the puck, despite his lack of size. His positioning is advanced and he has a knack for cutting down the passing lanes in his own end.

15 Nate Schnarr – Nate Schnarr bears more than passing resemblance to the aforementioned MacKenzie Entwistle, but without the standout performance at the WU18s. Physically gifted, with strong potential in both his shooting ability as well as his stickhandling skills, he was unable to get much going offensively with a putrid Guelph team this year. Tall, lanky, and very young, there could be much more here. Check back in a few years.

16 Patrick Kudla – Drafted as an overager out of Oakville in the OJHL, Kudla moved up the hockey ladder to play with Dubuque of the USHL, and was none the worse for wear in the new league. He took on a central role for the Fighting Saints, leading rushes, using his stick very well in the defensive zone, flashing a heavy slap shot. As an example of his two-way potential, Dubuque often used him on the wing in the second half of the season. He is going to continue his career next year with Arizona State.

17 Ryan MacInnis – The son of Hockey Hall of Famer Al MacInnis, Ryan MacInnis is, to be both fair and blunt, not the player his father was. A versatile forward, he was a decent scorer at the OHL level, although never elite in that regard. In his first professional season, he looked lost more often than not. While his wheels are above average, particularly in terms of straight-ahead speed, the pace of the game seemed to be faster than he could process. He needs to step up in his sophomore campaign.

18 Merrick Madsen – One of the two collegiate goalies brought in this offseason to challenge Adin Hill for future starts in Arizona, Madsen has been very strong for the past three seasons with Harvard, taking the team to the Frozen Four as a junior this year. Physically resembling Matt Murray (very tall very lean), he reads plays well and has good balance. His athleticism is only moderate and he needs improvement in his technical game, but there are the seeds of an NHL netminder here.

19 Jalen Smereck – An unheralded defenseman with Bloomington of the USHL during his first draft year, Smereck moved north of the border to play in the OHL and the gamble paid off. After one solid season in Oshawa, he was offered an ELC by Arizona after a strong rookie camp. His follow-up OHL season, now with Flint, was even more impressive. Never the biggest, and sometimes rough on his feet, he has a strong shot and is tough to play against in his own zone.

20 Tyler Steenbergen – An undersized one-way player in his first draft year, Steenbergen exploded for 50 goals in his second draft eligible year in Swift Current, earning the chance to hear his name called by Arizona in the fifth round. In a draft class characterized by tools over production, Steenbergen was the exception for the Coyotes. His game is based on offense, but he has made strides in his own zone, particularly in terms of positioning.

Having taken a portfolio approach to player acquisition since taking over the helm, GM John Chayka now has player types available for all occasions in the system. The cream of their crop – Keller and Strome – should be in the NHL right away, but the battle of attrition to be among that second wave of graduating prospects should make for a better NHL team in the near future.

Coyotes’ Christian Dvorak a hidden gem in deep system

Scott Wheeler — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 12:00:12 +0000

Sometimes, as a team enters a rebuild and the first and second round picks pile up, you can lose sight of legitimate NHL prospects.

For the Arizona Coyotes, this is a good problem to have.

Lost in a prospect pool that now features high-end forwards such as Dylan Strome, Anthony Duclair, Max Domi, Nick Merkley and Brendan Perlini is another young power forward with transferable tools that may enable him for NHL success: Christian Dvorak.

Dvorak, a product of the OHL's London Knights, isn't even among his NHL affiliates five strongest prospects despite having scored at a staggering 1.65 points per game pace this season.

More a product of one of the strongest prospect systems in the NHL right now, Dvorak's place on the so-called organizational depth chart is still nothing to laugh at.

In fact, after his breakout season in the OHL, and a 13-point 10-game playoff stint before losing in the second round, Dvorak impressed Coyotes' brass enough to get a shot with the Portland Pirates of the AHL during.

Finishing the season with two points in his first -- and only -- two pro games in the regular season, Dvorak also dressed for five playoff games, registering a lone assist in the team's first round playoff exit.

Still, despite just three points in his first seven pro games, the 2014 second rounder was impressive and earned his time in the lineup on a night-to-night basis as a 19-year-old.

Don't be surprised if Dvorak sticks in the AHL and continues to turn heads or play his way into the conversation with some of the organization's other top prospects.

If not, he'll be primed to return to the OHL and join a London Knights team that will likely lose Max Domi, but has added top 2016 prospects Max Jones and Matthew Tkachuk to a core of forward that will also almost certainly include fourth overall 2015 selection Mitch Marner.

Marner, now a Toronto Maple Leafs prospect, spent considerable time on a line with Dvorak this season as one of the better tandems in the OHL.

A year more mature and stronger, the two players will likely be among the league's leading scorers if they are to return to London and play together.

Find a complete scouting report for Dvorak below.

Christian Dvorak (Arizona Coyotes):

Heavy skater but has a elite top speed once he gets going .. quick hands in tight .. takes a ton of shots and his accuracy helps him find the back of the net with them often .. likes to open goalies up and shoot or slide five-hole .. exploded in 2014-2015, turning heads as a lethal scoring threat .. suffered a knee injury playing on London’s third line in his draft year, but quickly found a niche with prospect Mitch Marner in 2014-2015 .. good wrist shot with high kickpoint .. named OHL Player of the Month in back-to-back months (December and January) .. has the ability to be an offensive threat at the next level but needs to continue to put it all together .. played a solid two-way game on a London team that struggled in their own zone defensively .. added some muscle in the offseason and came back to assume a role as London’s power forward, playing in a relatively small top-six .. not a big player, but deceptively strong, can outmuscle opposing defenders off the rush or in one-on-one battles for loose pucks .. knee issues are behind him, oozes the potential for further growth.

2015 NHL Draft Guide – Top 5 Hockey Sense

Grant McCagg — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 13:33:53 +0000

Best Hockey Sense

As is often the case with generational talents like Connor McDavid, hockey sense is a key component to the superstar DNA. "He sees the ice and processes the play at another level," explains one NHL crossover scout. "He is two or three moves ahead of everyone else in his mind."

Marner is another special talent when it comes to seeing everyone on the ice and anticipating what's happening next. Provorov has an innate ability to read the play properly and react accordingly...few defencemen step into the CHL and dominate like he did. What Strome lacks in foot speed he more than makes up in on-ice awareness, while Merkley thinks the game at both ends of the ice as well as any prospect

1. Connor McDavid

2. Mitch Marner

3. Ivan Provorov

4. Dylan Strome

5. Nick Merkley

Follow Grant on Twitter: @grantmccagg

2015 NHL Draft – Top 5 Defensive Forwards

Grant McCagg — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 13:55:50 +0000

Best defensive forward

Colin White played some tournaments this season for the USNTDP where he didn't put up a lot of points, but he never shirked his defensive duties. "He already knows how to back up his wingers and defence in all three zones," said one scout. "He uses his speed and smarts to his advantage."

Forsbacka-Karlsson is an intelligent pivot with a strong work ethic and hustle, while Vorobyev was a defensive force in every U-18 tournament and already plays a pro-style game. Merkley is usually the first forward back and very proficient at gaining puck possession in his own zone. Ek is a typical Swedish-trained center...cognizant of his defensive responsibilities.

1. Colin White

2. Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson

3. Mikhail Vorobyev

4. Nick Merkley

5. Joel Eriksson Ek

Follow Grant on Twitter: @grantmccagg

2015 NHL Draft Guide: Top 5 Playmakers

Grant McCagg — Sat, 20 Jun 2015 12:28:30 +0000

Best playmaker

Whenever a draft eligible prospect averages close to two assist per game you are dealing with a special passer. "He's got it all in terms of playmaking," said one scout who figures Connor McDavid will regularly lead the NHL in assists. "His speed, smarts, vision and puck skills are elite...above elite. Like all the great ones he sees plays before others can process them."

Any other year Marner would be at the top of the list with his one-ice awareness and stickhandling prowess, while the crafty Merkley can make passes on the tape equally well on both his forehand and backhand. Barzal brings many of the same playmaking assets as Marner, and Strome's puck protection skills, hands and patience make him a dangerous playmaking threat.

Nick Merkley – McKeen's Hockey

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

Rasmus Asplund - Buffalo Sabres

Morgan Geekie - Carolina Hurricanes

Kevin Stenlund - Columbus Blue Jackets

Henrik Borgstrom - Florida Panthers

Nathan Bastian - New Jersey Devils

Yegor Sharangovich - New Jersey Devils

Janne Kuokkanen - New Jersey Devils

Nick Merkley - New Jersey Devils

Kieffer Bellows - New York Islanders

Julien Gauthier - New York Rangers

Vitaly Abramov - Ottawa Senators

Filip Chlapik - Ottawa Senators

Logan Brown - Ottawa Senators

Nicolas Aube-Kubel - Philadelphia Flyers

Alex Barre Boulet - Tampa Bay Lightning

Alex Volkov - Tampa Bay Lightning

Mitchell Stephens - Tampa Bay Lightning

Mathieu Joseph - Tampa Bay Lightning

Boris Katchouk - Tampa Bay Lightning

Taylor Raddysh - Tampa Bay Lightning

Joey Anderson - Toronto Maple Leafs

Isac Lundestrom - Anaheim Ducks

Matthew Phillips - Calgary Flames

Adam Mascherin - Dallas Stars

Tyler Benson - Edmonton Oilers

Rem Pitlick - Nashville Predators

Jonathan Dahlen - San Jose Sharks

Alexander True - San Jose Sharks

Maxim Letunov - San Jose Sharks

Rudolfs Balcers - San Jose Sharks

Kole Lind - Vancouver Canucks

AHL Western Conference 2019-20 Season Preview

Chicago Wolves (Vegas Golden Knights)

Bakersfield Condors (Edmonton Oilers)

Milwaukee Admirals (Nashville Predators)

Iowa Wild (Minnesota Wild)

Grand Rapids Griffins (Detroit Red Wings)

San Jose Barracuda (San Jose Sharks)

Manitoba Moose (Winnipeg Jets)

Texas Stars (Dallas Stars)

San Diego Gulls (Anaheim Ducks)

Rockford IceHogs (Chicago Blackhawks)

Colorado Eagles (Colorado Avalanche)

Tucson Roadrunners (Arizona Coyotes)

San Antonio Rampage (St. Louis Blues)

Stockton Heat (Calgary Flames)

Ontario Reign (Los Angeles Kings)

Arizona Coyotes 2019-20 Prospect Review: Top 20

Arizona Coyotes Prospect System Overview

AHL: Nick Merkley (Tuscon – Arizona)

Arizona – System Overview

Coyotes’ Christian Dvorak a hidden gem in deep system

2015 NHL Draft Guide – Top 5 Hockey Sense

Best Hockey Sense

1. Connor McDavid

2. Mitch Marner

3. Ivan Provorov

4. Dylan Strome

5. Nick Merkley

2015 NHL Draft – Top 5 Defensive Forwards

Best defensive forward

1. Colin White

2. Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson

3. Mikhail Vorobyev

4. Nick Merkley

5. Joel Eriksson Ek

2015 NHL Draft Guide: Top 5 Playmakers

Best playmaker

1. Connor McDavid

2. Mitch Marner

3. Nick Merkley

4. Matt Barzal

5. Dylan Strome