Nikita Grebyonkin – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2025-26 NHL YEARBOOK – PHILADELPHIA FLYERS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #12

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 19:23:37 +0000

Porter Martone of the Brampton Steelheads. Photo by Luke Durda/OHL Images.

Prospect System Ranking – 12th (May 2025 - 14th)
GM: Daniel Brière Hired: May 2023
COACH: Rick Tocchet Hired: May 2025

The Philadelphia Flyers have entered a new chapter, anchored by Matvei Michkov’s arrival, Rick Tocchet’s hiring, and a wave of impressive draft additions.

Armed with six picks in the first two rounds of the 2025 draft, GM Daniel Brière enjoyed a significant influx of elite talent. Headlining the haul was sixth overall selection Porter Martone, McKeen’s 10th-ranked prospect, followed just six picks later by Jack Nesbitt. Carter Amico, Jack Murtagh, and Shane Vansaghi rounded out a class that sees all five land inside the organization’s top 11 prospects.

They join an emerging young core that already features Tyson Foerster, Bobby Brink, Cam York, Jamie Drysdale, and newcomer Jakob Pelletier—each under the age of 26 and already contributing at the NHL level.

Now sitting second on Philadelphia’s prospect list is Jett Luchanko, a dynamic, two-way center set to compete for an NHL roster spot as early as next fall. On the blue line, Oliver Bonk is closing in on a pro debut, while forward Denver Barkey—his teammate with the OHL’s London Knights—is also set to make the jump after chasing a Memorial Cup together.

With Tocchet behind the bench and Michkov poised to become the face of the rebuild, the Flyers’ plan is clear: surround their elite talent with a deep supporting cast developed from within. They may still be a few years away from legitimate contention, but the foundation is now firmly in place.

Philadelphia Flyers Top-15 Prospects

1 - Porter Martone

After three strong seasons in the OHL, the Flyers made Martone the sixth overall pick in 2025. Last year, as captain of the Brampton Steelheads, Martone finished seventh in league scoring and had a very successful individual season despite Brampton’s disappointment as a team. Martone is a unique player. He’s highly skilled and intelligent, operating as an equal parts playmaker and goal scorer. He’s also 6-foot-3 and loves to get under the skin of opponents by towing the line as a pest similar to the likes of Corey Perry. This coming season, Martone decided to leave the OHL to play at Michigan State, a new challenge for the budding power winger. With the Spartans Martone will focus on improving his pace, making his off puck play more consistent, and continuing to learn to use his physical approach to be a dominant offensive player. There is no doubt that Martone possesses top line upside as an NHL player.

2 - Jett Luchanko

One has to wonder if the Flyers were unhappy to see Luchanko stick with last place Guelph this year, rather than move to a contender for a long playoff run. On the other hand, this did allow him to finish the year at the AHL level with Lehigh Valley, an approach that worked wonders for a similar prospect and player, Mike Richards, back in the day. Luchanko is your classic hard-working pivot, similar to Richards…although he’s a significantly better skater. He competes and is effective in all three zones. He can play any role; his versatility is impressive. He excels as a playmaker, both when he’s attacking with speed through the middle or when he slows the pace and operates along the periphery. He already cracked Philadelphia’s opening night roster last year and he could do so permanently next season if he has a good offseason. His game is mature enough to handle a middle six role already, without sacrificing upside.

3 - Oliver Bonk

After graduation from the OHL, it will be interesting to see how his unique skill set translates to the pro level, given the kind of role he took on under Dale Hunter in London. His offensive production is driven by shot-slot generation from playing the bumper on the power play and from off puck movement. Will he continue to be able to play that role at the next level? I think of Alec Regula as a former Knight who had similar usage and he’s had a tough time transitioning. However, Bonk is more than that. He defends well. He blocks shots. He’s a special teams anchor on both sides for London. Given that his on-puck play may not translate quite as well, the key for him will be the continued improvement of his defensive game and physical intensity. Realistically, he projects as a jack of all trades number four defender who can play a variety of different roles for the Flyers.

4 - Alex Bump

After an extremely promising freshman campaign two years ago, Bump followed that up with an even more impressive sophomore season year for Western Michigan, emerging as one of the top forwards in collegiate hockey. As such, his prospect status is on the rise. Bump is a do it all kind of forward. He’s extremely effective at driving play in transition thanks to improved skating, strong protection skill, and a creative approach. He has a wicked shot thanks to a deceptive and quick release. He works hard to earn touches and competes in all three zones making him a versatile player. This is a player who may not need much more seasoning before he’s NHL ready; his game is very mature. Now signed by the Flyers he will begin his pro career this coming season. He should move through the system quite quickly and could even be a sneaky roster candidate for the Flyers out of camp.

5 - Jack Nesbitt

The Flyers pulled off a minor shock at the 2025 draft by selecting Nesbitt as high as they did, 12th overall. But it’s easy to see why the Flyers were so enamored by Nesbitt. The massive pivot was one of the most improved players in the OHL this past year, dramatically altering his game to help him unlock his upside as a physically dominant two-way center. What Philadelphia is banking on is that Nesbitt is just scratching the surface of what he is capable of. As his frame fills out, what kind of effect will that have on his game? Can Nesbitt develop into an Adam Lowry kind of player for the Flyers in the future, who can anchor their third line and take on key defensive assignments? Does he have more offensive upside than that? It will be interesting to see Nesbitt develop with the Spitfires over the next few seasons.

6 - Yegor Zavragin

Yegor Zavragin’s development has been going the proper way that you’d want from a Russian pick. Just two years after being drafted, he’s already ascended to being a starter in the KHL, a rare feat. He’s extremely quick on his feet, both making rapid adjustments with strong edges, and exploding laterally. He’s great transitioning up and down and has good athletic ability allowing him to stretch out to make big stops. He has solid positioning, can be over aggressive, but he generally uses smart routes through the crease, amplifying his quick movement. He struggles with moving excessively and has a habit to not set his feet or over slide into a save taking him out of position. He tracks pucks just fine, but he doesn’t read shots well and poorly reacts with his hands. When screened, he struggles fighting for vision and can let pucks blow by him. His early KHL success is promising, but he’s still very raw. If his development continued at this pace he would be a starter in the NHL but fits a tandem role or good backup much better.

7 - Jack Murtagh

Having turned 18 on August 22nd, Jack Murtagh will be one of the youngest freshmen in college this upcoming season. Besides his obvious age advantage, the Flyers saw plenty of strengths on the ice from his past year with the NTDP to make him an early second-rounder in the 2025 NHL Draft. You could go on and on about his offensive habits. He is always moving in the offensive zone, creating chance after chance for himself and his teammates. Being a strong skater certainly helps with that offense, but Murtagh is a consistent worker bee in the neutral and defensive zone. His tendency to be annoying to play against is visible in a lot of his viewings, but it could be more consistent. Murtagh will have heavy competition for premium ice time on a stacked BU forward core, however, his work ethic and grit will lead many to say, this kid is only 18?

8 - Nikita Grebyonkin

Nikita Grebyonkin was impressive as a first-year pro in North America last season, particularly because he played well at both the AHL and NHL levels while experiencing a midseason trade. While playing with the Toronto Marlies and the Lehigh Valley Phantoms last season in the AHL, Grebyonkin showcased a unique combination of speed and skill that makes fans salivate about his NHL potential. Grebyonkin has good speed that allows him to get in quickly on the attack, and he’s got nice hands in tight that can paralyze goalies. He even looked quite good in a bottom six role in limited action with the Toronto Maple Leafs last season, so there’s definitely a real player here with top nine NHL potential. Grebyonkin obviously still has some room to work on his game, as he could probably shoot the puck more to make better use of his quick release, but he made great strides last season and should be ready for full-time NHL action soon.

9 - Spencer Gill

Spencer Gill was the first QMJHL player drafted in 2024, taken 59th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers. The lanky 6-foot-4 right-hand defenceman showed a great two-way game in his draft year, scoring 46 points in 65 games as well as five points in five playoff games. The following season, he maintained similar production with 35 points in 51 games before an ankle injury ended his campaign in February. This summer, Gill announced that he weighs officially 216 pounds, which is a 31-pound difference from last year. He will play the 2025-2026 season with the Armada and will likely join Lehigh Valley in 2026-2027. Gill plays with pure confidence. In the defensive zone, he uses his imposing frame to physically force turnovers and likes sharp, long passes when exiting the defensive zone to support offensively. Off the puck, he moves impressively well for his size, creating opportunities and joining rushes. Additionally, Gill has notably a very good shot from the point, which he uses often. Gill has a fairly high ceiling, if everything goes well, he could be a reliable second pair defenceman one day.

10 - Carter Amico

After being sidelined for the season with a kneecap injury, Carter Amico is set to come back with a vengeance. He showed a high level of physicality in his short sample size of games that included appearances against various college programs. Amico is going to bring the boom to the Hockey East next season. In addition to his shut-down style, he is a solid puck carrier who is as good at retrievals as he is at throwing opponents on the ground. Boston University will be a big jump for a prospect who has been out for so long, that’s undeniable. However, it’s a guarantee that Amico will be the Terriers' most physical player this season, and that’s what the Flyers drafted him for.

11 - Shane Vansaghi

Opponents know Shane Vansaghi is coming because they feel it. He’s a big power forward who leverages his size to forecheck and dish out hits. He’s shown flashes of playmaking, which makes him an endearing prospect, but he still has plenty of room to grow in that department. If he can improve his skating and playmaking at Michigan State next season, there is reason to believe a middle six role is achievable.

12 - Denver Barkey

Barkey has spent the past two seasons tearing up the OHL with the London Knights. He’s earned 184 points in 114 games primarily off his precision passing. He sets up his teammates well and can also score goals off one-two passes. As an undersized forward, it will be easier to project him when he plays for Lehigh next year, a middling AHL team, versus arguably the most dominant CHL team.

13 - Carson Bjarnason

Albeit some shaky few playoff games, Bjarnason has steadily improved his regular-season stats in each of his four years with the Brandon Wheat Kings. Compared to most goalie prospects in the NHL, Bjarnason has one of the clearer paths to the national. He’ll need a few seasons, like most goalies in the AHL, with Lehigh to be truly NHL-ready.

14 - Samu Tuomaala

Tuomaala has proven that he can leverage his shooting skill into being a reliable top six scoring threat at the AHL level. He proved to be a consistent source of offence for the Phantoms last season. Assuming he can stay healthy, Tuomaala can prove he could be a depth-scoring option for the Flyers next season and earn a call-up opportunity. He’ll first have to show he can get more out of his shot and that his -19 was a one-off.

15 - Ethan Samson

Ideally, for a prospect, you want them to take a step forward without one back; for Samson, that is not the case. Last season, Samson doubled his point production to 24 points, but also was the worst of the defensive group for the Phantoms with a -12. His lackluster offence doesn’t make up for his lackluster defence, so Samson will need to take big steps in the right direction with Lehigh next year if the NHL is anywhere in his future.

AHL: MOROZ – AHL Rookies to Watch – North Division

Michael Moroz — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 13:00:01 +0000

_{NEWARK, NJ - JULY 14: New Jersey Devils defenseman Seamus Casey (72) skates during New Jersey Devils Development Camp on July 14, 2023, at RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andrew Mordzynski/Icon Sportswire)}

The AHL season is well underway and we have seen some exciting games across the slate. We have also gotten a small preview of what we can expect to see from some of this year’s top rookies. This week we are continuing our AHL division previews, focusing on rookies to watch across all four divisions.

This week: the North Division.

Nikita Grebyonkin - Toronto Marlies

Maple Leaf fans have been just as excited about Grebyonkin as they have been about some of their top prospects from recent years - and for good reason. Grebyonkin may still be unknown to some NHL fans, but the 2022 fifth-round pick has made headlines by making steady contributions as a player on Metallurg Magnitogorsk’s Gagarin Cup-winning team last season in the KHL. Grebyonkin has seemingly parlayed last year’s solid season - 19 goals and 22 assists in the KHL - into a strong start with the Toronto Marlies, and with his unique combination of size and skill, it is only a matter of time before he starts suiting up with the big club. Who doesn’t love a player with size that can make plays?

Honorable mentions from the Toronto Marlies: Artur Akhtyamov and Jacob Quillan

Filip Mesar - Laval Rocket

It is evidently apparent in the hockey world that two assessments can be true. On the one hand, Filip Mesar’s junior hockey career with the Kitchener Rangers in the OHL probably didn’t go as expected. Mesar didn’t score as much as he was expected to, but performed well in last year’s OHL playoffs. At the international level, Mesar performed quite well with Slovakia’s under-20 team, but results matter nonetheless. This season, Mesar has gotten off to a hot start with the Laval Rocket - and he’s showing signs of why the Canadiens took him in the first round back in 2022. Nobody has doubted Mesar’s ability to make plays; he just needs to consistently make those plays and looks to be doing so to start the season.

Dylan Duke - Syracuse Crunch

I think many scouts would make the case that Dylan Duke was selected too low coming out of the United States National Development Program at the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. Since then, Duke has done nothing but prove his critics wrong, and after three successful seasons at the University of Michigan - Duke is making his mark in the AHL with the Syracuse Crunch. One of the best parts of Duke’s game is his willingness to go to the hard areas, even though he’s not the biggest player on the ice. Combine Duke’s no-fear attitude with his underrated ability to shoot the puck and make plays, and you see the makings of a future bottom-six forward in the NHL. Time will tell if he ultimately gets there, but he’s making the case that he deserves a shot.

Stephen Halliday - Belleville Senators

Halliday has been one of the better success stories since he was passed on twice at the NHL draft in 2020 and 2021. After a 95-point season with the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the USHL in 2022, the Ottawa Senators drafted Halliday in the 4th round, and the pick has looked better and better every day since. Halliday played two seasons at Ohio State University and led the team in scoring both years, earning a contract with the Senators at the end of his sophomore season in 2024. From there he joined the Belleville Senators and immediately made offensive contributions for the team in the playoffs with his cerebral playmaking abilities. Halliday was one of Ottawa’s better players at their rookie camp, and he looks like he will continue his strong start with the Belleville Senators this season.

Denton Mateychuk - Cleveland Monsters

There are some kids you just know will play in the NHL, and you can identify them from a young age. Ask anyone in Manitoba and they’ll say the same about Denton Mateychuk. Mateychuk can skate, make plays, and can also be downright nasty - he’s always a willing combatant for net-front battles and loose pucks in the corners. These unique combinations of skills make teams salivate over adding a player of Mateychuk’s caliber to their prospect systems, and it’s only a matter of time before Mateychuk sees significant minutes with the Columbus Blue Jackets. I hope all AHL fans enjoy watching Mateychuk in person this season - because he won’t be there for long.

Vsevolod Komarov - Rochester Americans

Vsevolod Komarov knows how to win, and these are elements the Buffalo Sabres faithful have been hoping to incorporate into their big club for several seasons. Komarov won the QMJHL Championship and Memorial Cup with the Quebec Remparts in 2023, the QMJHL Championship again with the Drummondville Voltigeurs and the Emile Bouchard Trophy as the QMJHL’s top defenceman in 2024. Komarov also won these accolades by playing top pairing minutes and being plus-38 and plus-47, respectively. Komarov competes, plays hard, and knows what he is. I have a feeling he’ll be playing in the NHL as a serviceable top-six defenceman for a long time.

Seamus Casey - Utica Comets

Casey started the season with the New Jersey Devils and had an immediate effect on Devils fans with his offensive prowess and playmaking abilities. The knock on Casey has always been his defending, but Casey showed he can play on both ends of the ice at the NHL level. The Devils have a plethora of young defencemen looking to make their mark with the big club, so perhaps Casey is the victim of a numbers game, but he will be back in the NHL in no time. Comets fans - enjoy watching him play, and go watch him in person. He’s one of a kind.

MCKEEN’S 2024-25 NHL YEARBOOK – TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #29

Introduction - Dave Hall, Profiles - Brock Otten — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 18:00:33 +0000

MONTREAL, QC - SEPTEMBER 30: Fraser Minten (39) of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates during the first period of the NHL pre-season game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens on September 30, 2023, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, QC(Photo by Vincent Ethier/Icon Sportswire)

Prospect System Ranking – 29th (Previous Rank - 25th)
GM: Brad Treliving Hired: May 2023
COACH: Craig Berube Hired: May 2024

The beat goes on for the Maple Leafs, who once again fell short in the NHL playoffs. Despite having several high-calibre talents anchoring the top half of their lineup, few teams have struggled as much as Toronto to find postseason success. As expected, the combination of consistently making the playoffs but failing to advance has taken its toll on the club’s prospect pool, as they now find themselves dropping toward the league's basement in our McKeen’s prospect rankings.

With five players consuming nearly 63% of their overall cap space, the need for affordable, talented options is greater than ever. On the positive side, the Leafs managed to graduate two players in 2023-24: Matthew Knies and Nick Robertson—the latter of whom may seek a more prominent role elsewhere? Knies, however, stands out as the team’s most promising graduate in years, following a 35-point rookie season. He has a strong chance of securing a top six role, potentially filling the secondary scoring void the team has long sought.

While the depth of the prospect pool is limited, there are still some reasons for optimism for the future. Easton Cowan (35th ranked), their 2023 first-round pick and the team’s lone prospect within McKeen’s top 50, is coming off a stellar season, racking up numerous accolades, including being named to the OHL First All-Star Team, winning the OHL’s Most Outstanding Player, and earning OHL Playoff MVP honours with the most points by any skater (34). He even enjoyed a 42-game point streak midway through the season. While the Leafs will have to wait a few seasons to realize Cowan’s impact at the NHL level, he’s a promising addition to an otherwise underwhelming prospect pool.

Rounding out their remaining three top 200 prospects are 2022 second-rounder Fraser Minten (106th), who’s slated to turn pro this fall, and two defencemen—Topi Niemelä (144th) and recent pick Ben Danford (161st).

In addition to their homegrown talent, the Leafs have also added a few NCAA recruits, most notably Jacob Quillan, who brings a versatile two-way game that adds some much-needed dynamism to the farm system. His development will be intriguing to keep tabs on, as he could serve as a low-key and cost-effective bottom-six option in the not-so-distant future.

With only one pick (second round) in the top four rounds of the 2025 Entry Draft, Toronto’s amateur scouting team will need to work overtime next year to find worthy talent to bolster this free-falling depth chart.

Toronto Maple Leafs Top-15 Prospects

1. Easton Cowan

42 games. That’s the number of games in a row that Easton Cowan registered a point during the stretch run last year, one of the reasons why he was named the Red Tilson Award winner as the OHL’s most outstanding player. He helped the Knights capture an OHL title and emerged as one of the best players in the CHL, one year removed from being a “reach” in the eyes of most Leafs’ fans. He has gone from being an overdraft in the eyes of the media and the fan base, to someone Leafs’ fans are extremely excited about in a matter of a calendar year. With improvements made to his puck skill, playmaking touch, and strength on the puck, Cowan has managed to alter the perception of his NHL projection. He’s still got a solid floor because of his high-end skating ability, two-way effectiveness, and great motor, however with the improvements made to his on-puck play, he’s become a potential top six forward down the line. It would be fair to say that few prospects in the NHL have improved their fortune more than Cowan did last season.

2. Fraser Minten

The former 38th overall pick started last season in Toronto after a terrific training camp, but he was returned to the WHL after only a few games. This was best for his development as it was deemed important that Minten return to the WHL to continue to improve his on puck play and offensive production. The captain of this past year’s Canadian WJC team, Minten likely doesn’t have significant offensive upside at the NHL level. He plays a pretty simple game; get to the net and get pucks in deep. He’s not a dynamic skater. He’s not a dynamic handler. However, he has a clear understanding of how he needs to play in order to be successful. While Minten is not likely to be a top six forward in the future, he projects as a high end third line player who can play the kind of heavy game that has been lacking in the playoffs for the Maple Leafs in recent seasons. For that reason, Toronto fans should be excited about the possibility of Minten taking up a permanent spot in the lineup in the near future.

3. Topi Niemela

After a stagnant development year in Liiga two seasons ago, Toronto couldn’t wait to get Niemela over to North America last season so that they could get him the kind of ice time and responsibility that they wanted for him. The top defensive prospect in the Leafs’ system, Niemela has rewarded this confidence in his abilities with a very strong rookie year with the Marlies. Not only did his offensive game translate seamlessly thanks to his high-end mobility and vision, but he was better defensively than anticipated. He defended small areas well with more intensity than previously shown and he adjusted to the small ice well from a decision-making standpoint. After bringing in three veteran defenders this offseason, Niemela is almost assured to be ticketed for the Marlies again and that’s just fine. Toronto can now afford to be cautious with his development in hopes that he can become a top four defender down the road.

4. Ben Danford

Just like Easton Cowan last year, the Leafs shocked a lot of people when they selected Oshawa defender Ben Danford in the first round this past draft. Danford had a strong second half with the Generals, helping them reach the OHL finals. During that time, he improved his confidence with the puck and overall decision making considerably. A terrific skater, it helped to reshape the perception of Danford’s upside as a possible two-way defender at the pro level. Even if the offence never comes around, Danford is strong enough defensively to be a highly effective NHL defender. He’s competitive. His mobility gives him a nice advantage as a transition defender. He is already an expert shot blocker, a testament to his strong defensive IQ. Danford will return to the OHL this season, to an Oshawa team that has a chance to repeat as Eastern Conference champions. Putting together a full season of strong play will be the focus.

5. Nikita Grebyonkin

Fresh off winning a KHL Championship with Metallurg Magnitogorsk, the Leafs were able to sign the talented winger, bringing him over to North America for this season. This is huge for the Leafs, to get him into the fold after a breakout KHL season at 21. Armed with high end offensive tools, an argument could be made that Grebyonkin possesses the highest upside of any forward in the system. He’s a dynamic transitional attacker because of his speed and handling ability; he routinely takes on defenders one on one and wins. Over the last two seasons in the KHL, he’s managed to fill out his 6-foot-2 frame, and it’s helped him be more consistent off the puck and when fighting through contact against pro sized defenders. This bodes well for his adjustment to the AHL level this year, assuming that he doesn’t break training camp with the Leafs.

6. Dennis Hildeby

The massive Swedish netminders’ first pro season in North America had to be considered a big (no pun intended) success. Hildeby was excellent as the starter for the Marlies, posting a save percentage above .910 and showing terrific consistency for a younger netminder without a ton of pro experience. We quickly forget how meteoric Hildeby’s rise has been. A classic late bloomer, he’s only got a season as an SHL back-up and now a season as an AHL starter under his belt at 23. However, the marked improvement in his athleticism and quickness have helped unlock his potential in recent years and now he looks like a potential NHL netminder. One would assume that Toronto would like to see Hildeby play another full year in the AHL this season, before giving him a full-time look. Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz should split time on the main club, leaving Hildeby as the top call up option.

7. Artur Akhtyamov

Grebyonkin wasn’t the only Russian prospect in the system to experience a breakout year at 22 (turning 23). Akhtyamov, a 6-foot-1 netminder, had quite the season as well. He won the VHL’s top goaltender award, a VHL championship, and played well in the KHL as Ak Bars Kazan’s backup. This prompted Toronto to sign him, bringing him over for the upcoming season. The problem will be finding playing time for all of these players. Matt Murray was brought back as depth and one would think that he and Hildeby will get the bulk of the action with the Marlies. That could leave Akhtyamov in the ECHL. The netminder could take some time adjusting to the pro level in North America anyway. He’s highly athletic and a solid play tracker, but netminders his size can sometimes struggle with the adjustment. Between him and Hildeby, the Leafs have built up some nice pro depth behind Joseph Woll, as they inevitably battle for the future of Toronto’s crease.

8. Ryan Tverberg

Injuries have not been kind to the former UConn Husky as he has started his pro career in Toronto’s system. When he’s been on the ice, Tverberg has played well. His speed, tenacity, and strong two-way approach have transferred well. He’s still very much on track to become a quality bottom six, penalty killing anchor for the Leafs in the future. However, lower body and upper body injuries limited him to 46 games with the Marlies in his first pro season. The focus this season will be on staying healthy, while continuing to be a valued contributor to the Marlies. Toronto’s AHL club should look totally different next year with so much movement on the depth front. That could clear a path for Tverberg to take on a critical AHL role, which would be outstanding for his development.

9. Roni Hirvonen

Speaking of injuries, Hirvonen is lucky to still be playing after a scary eye injury at the beginning of last season. Narrowly avoiding disaster, Hirvonen returned half-way through the year to a depth role on the Marlies. The team’s former second round pick showed flashes of being a quality two-way forward in limited action. Hirvonen is best described as one of those jack-of-all-trades types. He’s not elite in any category, but his well-rounded skill set, and high IQ make him a potential middle six type in the future. Much like Tverberg, Hirvonen stands to earn more ice time with the Marlies this season and that will be positive for his development. There’s a need to add strength to his undersized frame to help him be stronger on pucks and be an even more effective two-way option.

10. Noah Chadwick

Without a doubt, Chadwick was one of the WHL’s breakout players this past season with Lethbridge. He went from being a 6th round long shot to one of the WHL’s top defenders in a matter of a single season. One of the reasons for that has been an uptick in usage. He took over as the top powerplay quarterback and did a very good job running that unit, even if Lethbridge’s powerplay was one of the weaker statistically in the WHL last season. Another reason has been the improvement made to Chadwick’s skating. He’s improved his carrying ability and his confidence with the puck, which in turn made him a standout at both ends in his draft year plus one. The next steps? Chadwick’s skating still needs to improve overall. He can still struggle with his agility and overall footwork, even if he’s a standout rush defender. I’m sure the Leafs would like to see him use his size more consistently too, to be a physical standout in the defensive end. All things considered; his rapid progression has made him a very intriguing prospect in the system moving forward.

11. Alex Steeves

It’s now or never for Steeves in the Maple Leafs’ organization. The 24 (turning 25) year old has continued to improve in the AHL and was one of the Marlies’ best players last year. He’s ready to show that he can be a full time NHL player. He has continued to improve his skating and pace of play, and his versatility as an effective player, on and off the puck, makes him an ideal candidate for a bottom six role in today’s NHL.

12. Nick Abruzzese

13. Nick Moldenhauer

Moldenhauer had a solid freshman year for the Michigan Wolverines last season, playing a critical middle six role. The skilled and competitive forward just needs to keep improving his strength to overcome his lack of size, given the way that he likes to play through traffic. As a sophomore, he’ll get an opportunity to play more and could be in for a breakthrough season.

14. Joe Miller

If you’re only stat watching, Miller’s sophomore year probably looked like a lateral year for his progression. However, Harvard was not a high scoring team last season and Miller actually led them in scoring in his second go-round in the NCAA. Yes, Miller is small, but he’s a highly intelligent player. Will the lack of a true standout athletic or skill-based quality hurt his chances of being a solid pro? It will likely be at least another season before we know.

15. Ty Voit

Expectations were sky high for Voit last season, coming off a breakout performance with OHL Sarnia. Unfortunately, a shoulder injury wiped out pretty much his entire pro debut. That means this season will essentially serve as his introduction to pro hockey. Voit’s not big, but he’s quick and a dynamic playmaker. If he bounces back, he’ll move up this list considerably next time.

MCKEEN’S 2024 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #25 Toronto Maple Leafs – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Player Profiles - Brock Otten, Team Overview - Robert Howard — Fri, 31 May 2024 15:55:55 +0000

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 07: Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Easton Cowan (53) and Detroit Red Wings Right Wing Lucas Raymond (23) in action during the game between Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings on October 7, 2023 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, MI (Photo by Allan Dranberg/Icon Sportswire)

Another first round playoff loss has Leafs Nation calling for heads and an offseason of change. The inability of the so-called ‘core four’ to move the playoff needle while in their prime, while commanding 53.8% of the Leafs cap space ($46,653,000), is under a glaring spotlight. If you add Morgan Reilly on defense at $7.5 million, you are at 62.4% of your cap, and clearly not much room to add around the edges. Depth has been an issue for years, particularly on defense and in goal. With all five players having full no-movement clauses, GM Treliving’s hands are largely tied. So, the first head to roll was coach Sheldon Keefe, replaced by veteran coach Craig Berube. This will be Treliving’s second summer as GM and he has not been afraid to pull the trigger on a blockbuster in his past career. Both John Tavares and Mitch Marner are free agents after next season, and it will take all his ingenuity to get something done before then.

Under both Kyle Dubas and Brad Treliving, the Leafs have been active in adding firepower for youth and picks for a number of years. Last year’s first round pick Easton Cowan (28th) was one of only two first round picks in the last five seasons. He enjoyed a remarkable year, including a 42-game point scoring streak, and is looking like a steal if he continues the same trajectory. They graduated Nicholas Robertson (53rd, 109) and Matthew Knies (57th, 2021) out of the last five drafts, so the scouting staff and development team have had some successes despite a dearth of picks. The team has already moved multiple picks but retain their first for the coming year. Brendan Shanahan has a brand-new boss in Keith Pelley, CEO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, who may not grant the same patience the Shanaplan has received in the past. Expect change.

RNK	PLAYER	POS	AGE	HT/WT	TM	Acquired	GP	G(W)	A(L)	PTS(GAA)	PIM(SPCT)
1	Easton Cowan	RW	18	5-10/170	London (OHL)	`23(28th)	54	34	62	96	64
2	Fraser Minten	C	19	6-1/185	Kam-Sas (WHL)	`22(38th)	43	22	26	48	25
					Toronto (NHL)	`22(38th)	4	0	0	0	2
3	Topi Niemela	D	22	5-11/165	Toronto (AHL)	`20(64th)	68	8	31	39	43
4	Dennis Hildeby	G	22	6-5/210	Toronto (AHL)	`22(122nd)	41	21	11	2.41	0.913
5	Nikita Grebyonkin	RW	20	6-2/185	Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL)	`22(135th)	67	19	22	41	17
6	Alex Steeves	C	24	5-11/185	Toronto (AHL)	FA(3/21)	65	27	30	57	26
7	Nick Abruzzese	C	24	5-10/175	Toronto (AHL)	`19(124th)	71	16	36	52	24
8	Ryan Tverberg	C	22	6-0/190	Toronto (AHL)	`20(213th)	46	9	23	32	18
9	Roni Hirvonen	C	22	5-9/175	Toronto (AHL)	`20(59th)	37	7	6	13	8
10	Noah Chadwick	D	18	6-3/185	Lethbridge (WHL)	`23(185th)	66	12	44	56	24
11	Nicholas Moldenhauer	C	19	5-10/170	Michigan (B1G)	`22(95th)	41	8	13	21	2
12	Artur Akhtyamov	G	22	6-2/170	Neftyanik Almetievsk (VHL)	`20(106th)	19	10	5	2.00	0.927
					Ak Bars Kazan (KHL)	`20(106th)	17	6	7	2.51	0.921
13	Veeti Miettinen	RW	22	5-9/160	St. Cloud State (NCHC)	`20(168th)	37	20	15	35	0
14	Joe Miller	C	21	5-8/150	Harvard (ECAC)	`20(180th)	32	13	14	27	8
15	Ty Voit	C	20	5-9/160	Newfoundland (ECHL)	`21(153rd)	5	2	6	8	0

1. Easton Cowan, RW, London Knights (OHL)

42 games. That’s the number of games in a row that Easton Cowan has registered a point in the OHL, ending in the second round of the playoffs. Ending just short of the CHL record held by Alex Radulov (50 games). He has gone from being an overdraft in the eyes of the media and the fan base, to someone Leafs’ fans are extremely excited about in a matter of a calendar year. With improvements made to his puck skill, playmaking touch, and strength on the puck, he has managed to alter the perception of his NHL projection. He’s still got a solid floor because of his high-end skating ability, two-way effectiveness, and great motor, however with the improvements made to his on puck play, he’s become a potential top six forward down the line. It would be fair to say that few prospects in the NHL have improved their fortune more than Cowan has this season.

2. Fraser Minten, C, Saskatoon Blades (WHL)

The former 38th overall pick started the year in Toronto after a terrific training camp, but he was returned to the WHL after only a few games. This was best for his development as he needed to continue to improve his on puck play and offensive production. The captain of this year’s Canadian WJC team, he likely doesn’t have significant offensive upside at the NHL level. He plays a pretty simple game; get to the net and get pucks in deep. He’s not a dynamic skater. He’s not a dynamic handler. However, he has a clear understanding of how he needs to play in order to be successful. He does project as a high-end third line player who can play the kind of heavy game that has been lacking in the playoffs for the Maple Leafs in recent seasons. For that reason, Toronto fans should be excited about the possibility of him taking up a permanent spot in the lineup in the near future.

3. Topi Niemela, D, Toronto Marlies (AHL)

After a stagnant development year in Liiga last year, Toronto couldn’t wait to get Niemela over to North America this year so that they could get him the kind of ice time and responsibility that they wanted for him. Undoubtedly the top defensive prospect in the Leafs’ system, he has rewarded this confidence in his abilities with a very strong rookie year with the Marlies. Not only has his offensive game translated seamlessly thanks to his high-end mobility and vision, but he’s been better defensively than anticipated. He’s defended small areas well with more intensity than previously shown and he’s adjusted to the small ice well from a decision-making standpoint. Nestled tight to the salary cap, one would have to believe that Niemela could be given an opportunity to replace pending UFA T. J. Brodie next season on the Leafs’ roster. He is a potential top four defender.

4. Dennis Hildeby, G, Toronto Marlies (AHL)

The massive Swedish netminders’ first pro season in North America has to be considered a big (no pun intended) success. He was excellent as the starter for the Marlies, posting a save percentage above .910 and showing terrific consistency for a younger netminder without a ton of pro experience. We quickly forget how meteoric Hildeby’s rise has been. A classic late bloomer, he’s only got a season as an SHL back-up and now a season as an AHL starter under his belt, at 22, turning 23. However, the marked improvement of his athleticism and quickness helped unlock his potential and now has the appearance of a possible NHL netminder. Even with Samsonov and Martin Jones coming off the books, one would assume that Toronto would like to see him play another full year in the AHL next season. Joseph Woll would have the inside track at a spot and the team likely signs/trades for a veteran to work with him. Either way, Leafs brass must be ecstatic with Hildeby’s development.

5. Nikita Grebyonkin, RW, Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL)

The Leafs have signed Nikita Grebyonkin to a three-year, entry level deal and he will be making the jump to North America next season. This is huge for the Leafs getting him into the fold after a breakout KHL season at 21-years-old. Armed with high end offensive tools, an argument could be made that Grebyonkin possesses the highest upside of any forward in the system. He’s a dynamic transitional attacker because of his speed and handling ability; he routinely takes on defenders one on one and wins. Over the last two seasons in the KHL, he’s managed to fill out his 6’ 2” frame and it’s helped him be more consistent off the puck and when fighting through contact against pro sized defenders. This bodes well for his adjustment to the AHL level next year.

6. Alex Steeves, C, Toronto Marlies (AHL)

It’s now or never for Steeves in the Maple Leafs’ organization. The 25-year-old has continued to improve in the AHL and has been one of the Marlies’ best players. He’s ready to show that he can be a full time NHL player. A pending RFA, it seems inevitable that he will be given a qualifying offer in hopes that he can battle for a depth role next year. He has continued to improve his skating and pace of play, and his versatility as an effective player, on and off the puck, makes him an ideal candidate for a bottom six role in today’s NHL. The issue is that Toronto has built up terrific depth there, especially with the acquisition of Connor Dewar and the emergence of Bobby McCann. No longer waiver exempt, it seems like that Steeves will be given a shot in another organization should he fail to crack Toronto’s roster next year.

7. Nick Abruzzese, C, Toronto Marlies (AHL)

It was another good season for the former Harvard captain, his second full pro year. He led the Marlies in assists and continued to improve his strength on the puck, critical for a somewhat undersized forward with his vision and playmaking ability. Abruzzese is a high IQ player, one of, if not the smartest player in the Leafs’ system. He understands how to control the pace of the game and he works hard to earn touches; it’s cliche but he plays bigger than he looks. Due to Toronto’s depth at forward, he didn’t get a look this year despite a few cups of coffee in previous seasons. That should not be taken as a slight. He’s still very much in Toronto’s plans moving forward. However, much like Alex Steeves, Abruzzese is not exempt from waivers next year. That means that he’ll be in the mix for a bottom six roster spot like several others. Is he a trade candidate?

8. Ryan Tverberg, C, Toronto Marlies (AHL)

Injuries have not been kind to the former UConn Husky as he has started his pro career in Toronto’s system. When he’s been on the ice, Tverberg has played well. His speed, tenacity, and strong two-way approach have transferred well. He’s still very much on track to become a quality bottom six, penalty killing anchor for the Leafs in the future. However, lower body and upper body injuries have limited him to a half year with the Marlies. The focus next year will simply be on staying healthy, while continuing to be a valued contributor to the Marlies. Toronto’s AHL club should look totally different next year with so many players in flux with the organization. That could clear a path for Tverberg to take on a critical AHL role, which would be outstanding for his development.

9. Roni Hirvonen, C, Toronto Marlies (AHL)

Speaking of injuries, Hirvonen is lucky to still be playing after a scary eye injury at the beginning of the year. Narrowly avoiding disaster, Hirvonen returned halfway through the year to a depth role on the Marlies. The team’s former second round pick showed flashes of being a quality two-way forward in limited action. He is best described as one of those jack-of-all-trades types. He’s not elite in any category, but his well-rounded skill set, and high IQ make him a potential middle six type in the future. Much like Tverberg, Hirvonen stands to earn more ice time with the Marlies next year and that will be a positive thing for his development. There’s a need to add strength to his undersized frame to help him be stronger on pucks and be an even more effective two-way option.

10. Noah Chadwick, D, Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL)

Without a doubt, Chadwick was one of the WHL’s breakout players this season with Lethbridge. He went from being a sixth round long shot (in 2023) to one of the WHL’s top defenders in a matter of a single season. One of the reasons for that has been an uptick in usage. He has taken over as the top powerplay quarterback and has done a very good job running that unit, even if Lethbridge’s powerplay was one of the weaker statistically this season. Another reason has been the improvements made to his skating. He’s improved his carrying ability and his confidence with the puck, which has in turn made him a standout at both ends in his draft year plus one. The next steps? Skating still needs to improve overall. He can still struggle with his agility and overall footwork, even if he’s a standout rush defender. I’m sure the Leafs would like to see him use his size more consistently too, to be a physical standout in the defensive end.

PROSPECT CRITERIA: Players under 26 years of age as of 9/15/2024 who have appeared in less than 60 games (30 for goalies) and less than 25 in one season (25 for goalies).

NHL: BELL – Scout’s Notebook – Midseason Stock Watch on 10 Prospects

Josh Bell — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 12:28:09 +0000

HV71s Oscar Fisker Molgaard
Photo: Carl Sandin / BILDBYRÅN /

We’re past the midpoint of the 2023-24 hockey season, with eyes already starting to look towards playoffs or in the case of some NHL teams - the NHL Draft.

Reaching this point in the campaign provides an excellent sample size to analyze which players are meeting expectations or which aren’t taking the steps forward that were hoped. There’s enough hockey left to be played that players' trajectories can still shift, but in all likelihood, the path they’re on at this point is how their season will be remembered.

I looked at prospects across the globe and highlighted 10 that have either raised their stock so far this season or have seen their stock fall. By no means is this a comprehensive list, but simply 10 that have stood out to me enough versus pre-season expectations - positively or negatively.

Stock Down: Xavier Bourgault, Bakersfield Condors, AHL (Edmonton Oilers)

Xavier Bourgault entered the AHL last season as a rookie and truly impressed, fitting in extremely well with the Bakersfield Condors. The Edmonton Oilers top prospect put up respectable numbers in his first year and all signs pointed to 2024-25 being another step in the right direction. That hasn’t been the case. Bourgault is on pace to fall below his stat totals in goals and assists this season, despite looking to play 10 extra games.

Drafted 22nd overall in 2021, there was hope from the Oilers that he would become an offensive threat in the NHL. Looking at where his points are coming from right now though, he may fall into a special-teams role in the long term. His ability to produce (especially to score) at even strength has taken a step backward if anything. There’s still potential here but right now, Bourgault is looking like a bottom-six, complementary player.

Stock Up: Oscar Fisker Molgaard, HV71, SHL (Seattle Kraken)

In his sophomore season in the SHL, Oscar Fisker Molgaard seems to be getting more comfortable with every game played. And it’s starting to show. The 52nd selection of the Seattle Kraken in the 2023 NHL Draft, Fisker Molgaard returned to HV71 this season and has seen his time on ice slowly increase throughout. After helping Team Denmark to a World Juniors (D1A) Bronze Medal, he’s back in the SHL and on fire, with points in 10 of his last 14 games.

To make this even more impressive, he’s doing it playing as a centre. Most 18-year-olds in the SHL would be slid to the wing to play with a more veteran pivot. Not Fisker Molgaard, whose intelligence and improving playmaking have been making him look like a potential middle-six centreman in the NHL. What’s more impressive is that he’s likely to continue to get better. He currently weighs in at 168 pounds. How will he play with another 10-15 pounds? Could this be a potential 2C? This is very much a player to continue to keep an eye on as he develops.

Stock Up: Nikita Grebyonkin, Metallurg Magnitogors, KHL (Toronto Maple Leafs)

He may not have heard his name until 135th overall in the 2022 NHL Draft, but Nikita Grebyonkin is not looking like a fifth-round pick right now. After being selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Russian forward returned to play in the KHL, leading all rookies in points (26) and earning the honour of the league’s Best Rookie Award. Now in his sophomore season, he’s looking even stronger, getting regular minutes on the power play and playing a more complete game.

The competitiveness that the young forward brings stands out in both ends of the ice. His shot looks better, in both his power and his accuracy, which has led to him being on pace to double his goal total from a year ago. This is all while playing LESS on average this season with Metallurg Magnitogorsk than he did a year ago with Amur Khabarovsk. Grebyonkin will be an interesting name to keep an eye on in the coming months, as his KHL deal is over at the end of this season. Will the Maple Leafs be able to bring him to North America?

Stock Down: Noel Gunler, Karpat, Liiga (Carolina Hurricanes)

It wasn’t that long ago that public discussions about Noel Gunler were around whether or not he should be ranked in the top 10 of the 2020 NHL Draft. He ended up hearing his name called 41st by the Carolina Hurricanes, sliding out of the first round likely due to some off-ice issues that were discussed. Either way, the thought was maybe they got a steal. Since being drafted though, Gunler hasn’t developed into that player that many hoped. He did even head overseas to play in the AHL for the 2022-23 season but ultimately headed back to Europe this season.

Now playing in the Liiga with Karpat (he was in the SHL before his year with the Chicago Wolves), Gunler hasn’t been able to settle in, collecting just eight points in 24 games, including five goals. Not great for a player who is known for his goal-scoring. Now adding to this, Gunler hasn’t played since January 10th, due to a transfer dispute between the Malmo Redhawks and Karpat. So it seems unlikely that he’ll be able to bounce back at this point. Gunler’s future is in question at this point, and whether he’s still on a path to being an NHLer is up for debate.

Stock Up: Niko Huuhtanen, Jukurit, Liiga (Tampa Bay Lightning)

When you get into the later rounds of the NHL Draft, you’re really just crossing your fingers that you’re selecting a future NHLer. You bet on a trait or traits that your scouting department has put high value on (skill, physicality, size, etc.), and hope for the best. In the 2021 NHL Draft, with the final selection, the Tampa Bay Lighting were likely doing just that when they called Niko Huuhtanen’s name 224th overall. The next season, he led the WHL in goals for a rookie (37). In 2022-23? He led the Liiga in goals AND points from a rookie, earning Rookie of the Year honours. And now - he’s looking even better.

The Finn has truly taken steps forward in each season, and that has continued this year in the Liiga with Jukurit. He’s on pace to nearly double his output from his rookie year, largely thanks to his tremendous improvement in his playmaking. He’s very much a goal scorer, but his vision and ability to distribute the puck have stood out this season. With his contract up at the end of the season, perhaps a move to the AHL is next for Huuhtanen.

Stock Down: Danila Klimovich, Abbotsford Canucks, AHL (Vancouver Canucks)

The Vancouver Canucks made a fairly bold choice drafting Danila Klimovich 41st overall in the 2021 NHL Draft. After all, it’s not often that a player gets drafted playing in Belarus. But the young prospect had done enough to show the Canucks’ brass that he was their guy. He immediately came overseas for the 2021-22 season and then took a noticeable step forward in 2022-23. All signs were positive.

This season though, has been a different story. He’s been in and out of the lineup, often scratched but there have also been some injuries along the way. His point totals are way down, across the board with just four points in 17 games, a long stretch from the 29 last season or even the 18 the year prior. There are aspects of his game to love, like his pace and creativity, but the rest of his game is falling behind. If he’s going to become an NHL regular, he’ll need to show some positive steps soon.

Stock Up: Robert Orr, Acadie-Bathurst Titan, QMJHL (Carolina Hurricanes)

When the Carolina Hurricanes drafted the next Bobby Orr 136th overall in 2021, they were drafting a never-give-up prospect that plays a hard-nosed game. He was a younger player in the class, with a September 1st birthdate. Well, it looks like his development may be catching up. He’s among the QMJHL leaders in points this season with 63 in just 47 games, already setting a career-high in the league.

Orr was traded to the Acadie-Bathurst Titan last season and seems to have settled in this year. He’s been playing with a tremendous amount of confidence and is already looking like a player destined for the NHL. I was high on him in his draft year, and it’s excellent to see him coming into his own. It’s important to note that he’s now an older player in the league, so this level of play is expected of him, but it’s fantastic to see him taking those steps. Look for him to jump to the AHL next season.

Carson Rehkopfi of the Kitchener Rangers. Photo by Natalie Shaver/OHL Images

Stock Up: Carson Rehkopf, Kitchener Rangers, OHL (Seattle Kraken)

I’ve already covered Carson Rehkopf’s tremendous season in a previous article, but he’s very much worth the mention here as well. The Kitchener Ranger star forward has exploded offensively this season, currently sitting second in the league in goals (37) and eighth in points per game (1.57). His play this season even earned him a spot on Team Canada for the World Juniors, where he stayed hot with four points in five games.

Rehkopf’s ability to score goals might just be enough to carry him all the way to the NHL. That’s always been a staple of his game and while it’s gotten better this year, so has the rest of his game, elevating him to another level in the OHL. He’s showing the potential to be a top-six winger for the Kraken down the line, an excellent projection for the 50th overall pick in 2023.

Stock Down: David Reinbacher, Kloten, NL (Montreal Canadiens)

When the Montreal Canadiens shocked and drafted Austrian defender David Reinbacher fifth overall in the 2023 NHL Draft, they put some lofty expectations on the defender. He was coming off an outstanding year, earning NL honours as Youngster (Rookie) of the Year, standing out at the World Juniors, and even earning a spot in the World Championships for Team Austria. To cap it off by being drafted fifth overall in a tough market, expectations skyrocketed for the young player.

Unfortunately, things haven’t gone as hoped for Reinbacher. Back in Switzerland with EHC Kloten, he’s struggled to match his rookie-year output. Part of this may be due to an injury he had to start the year, and he hasn’t exactly seemed 100% healthy. Looking at his game, it’s obvious that there are still strides needed in his development to become a potential top-four defender in the NHL. He has a lot of tools to like, such as his mobility and confidence defensively, but that two-way ability seems to have stalled. Still, I expect him to move to the AHL next season, where at least one full year would be helpful to his game.

Stock Up: Massimo Rizzo, University of Denver, NCAA (Philadelphia Flyers)

The last highlighted prospect, Massimo Rizzo has been dominating the NCAA this season with the University of Denver. He currently leads the entire nation in points with 44 in just 28 games. Drafted way back in 2019 and way down at 216th overall by the Carolina Hurricanes, this is outstanding progression for the young forward. For his efforts, he’s been nominated for the 2024 Hobey Baker Award as the NCAA’s top player.

As well, Rizzo earned a sport with Team Canada this season, playing in the Spengler Cup in Switzerland, where he looked extremely comfortable playing against men. The Philadelphia Flyers acquired Rizzo in the offseason along with a 2025 fifth-round pick for the rights to David Kase, a deal that’s already looking excellent for the Flyers. Rizzo’s rights expire in August 2025, so you can bet that the Flyers will be looking to lock him up prior to that.

NHL PROSPECTS: 22-23 European Prospect Musings #2 – Prospects coming into focus in the stretch run

Chapin Landvogt — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 16:28:41 +0000

While the NHL All-Star Game has just wrapped up and NHL teams are gearing up for whatever trade deadline transactions they may intend to conduct at the end of the month, most European leagues are in the stretch run for playoff spots, with a few leagues just a half dozen games away from “the best time of the year”. Looking across Europe and even into Russia, there are plenty of interesting prospect notes, but not a whole of stories that have NHL teams licking their chops about a young man who is guiding the fortunes of his respective league, much less his team.

We’d like to take a look at some of the more notable stories that have been developing to this point in the season.

230103 Rögles William Wallinder, 3 januari 2023 i Växjö.
Foto: Jonas Ljungdahl / BILDBYRÅN

Sweden

Coming into the season as a favorite, Rogle has certainly not had the season it was expecting and is currently mired in 11th, yet only four points away from 8th place. The team has nonetheless seen several young draftees grow into bigger, if not chief roles. It was expected that Detroit’s Marco Kasper would grow on last season, and he has, putting up eight goals and 20 points to date. A number of his assists have come on the power play, and he’s had a top nine role pretty much all season. As a third-year pro, Adam Edstrom (NYR) is in the midst of a career season, even if his 12 points to date are only minimally more than what he’s produced the past two years. His role has grown and he’s looking a lot more at home in his 6’8”, 225-pound body.

Another Rangers pick, Oliver Tarnstrom, has taken on a much smaller role, but also suited up for 32 games now while Ottawa’s 2022 3rd rounder Oskar Pettersson has found himself in a Rogle jersey for 21 games, which might have been more had he not spent several weeks playing for the WJC squad. Each has two points in the SHL this year. Buffalo’s SHL recent 7th rounder Linus Sjodin has suited up for 41 games (six points) himself, although this is his second full season in the SHL.

But the real story on the prospect front have been the defensemen William Wallinder (DET) and Adam Engstrom (MON). A recent second rounder, Wallinder was already a contributing regular last season, but his role has grown into that of the team’s go-to player on the blueline. He not only leads all defensemen with 23 points in 41 games but is third on the entire team in scoring. At the same time, Engstrom has wiggled his way into what is basically a top 4 role, contributing 10 points in 32 games along the way. That actually has him 5th overall in the SHL in junior rookie scoring. The world got to see how far he’s come when he put up three points and a +6 at the WJC for Team Sweden. His star is rising considerably on the prospect front.

As should come as no surprise, the top scorers in the league continue to be veterans, with recent Maple Leaf Antti Suomela having led the way most of the season. His 24 goals and 48 points in just 38 games were good for tops and have him producing at a clip that few players have played at in the SHL over the past decade. He is however now trailing UFA and linemate Patrik Karlkvist, who has collected 50 points in 41 contests. Recent San Jose Shark Jonathan Dahlen, who headed back to his heart and hometown team Timra to play his first ever season of SHL play, is sitting 9th in league scoring with 17 goals and 32 points. The 25-year-old had 12 goals for the Sharks just last season.

But all eyes are still on Örebro HK forward Leo Carlsson, who’s coming off a 6-point WJC performance. He’s not blowing anything out of the water with his five goals and 18 points in 34 games, but as usually happens in a top pro league, vets tend to be relied upon more down the stretch run. His name still tops the list of draft eligibles, but we think NHL teams have got to have Axel Sandin-Pelikka ranked among their top 20 prospects for next summer’s event. And we’d advise any and everyone who is stat watching to disregard his mere five points in 22 games and the quiet assist at the WJC. His coaches already trust him. He’s getting PP time and he’s getting time at the end of the game when something is on the line. His understanding of the game, ice usage, and situations is simply something you don’t see much in a player this age.

A teammate of his in Skelleftea and on the U20 club is Zeb Forsfjall. The young man with a slight build has 10 games of SHL play and is looking like a lock for the U18 Worlds this spring. He is the younger brother of 20-year-old Mans Forsfjall who is undrafted but looking like quite the overage option in this summer’s draft, often found on the first line and having put up two goals, 13 points, and a +14 thus far this season. Would be fascinating if the brothers are both selected next summer.

There’s a whole bunch more going on across the nation in the SHL, Allsvenskan, and U20 circuit with a number of draft-eligible players getting shifts in pro hockey, but we continue to be very impressed with the J20 Nationell Noah Dower Nilsson, whose 48 points in 28 games means he’s clipping at a 1.78 PPG pace, which is a league-high. It’s only been good enough to get him into one game of SHL action, but the mother club Frolunda is chock full of options and, well, Detroit prospect Liam Dower Nilsson (22 games) looks to be blocking his path to the bigs at the moment.

Boston Bruins fans will be happy to hear that Latvian pick Dans Locmelis isn’t far behind Nilsson in U20 production with 47 points in 35 games, good for 6^th in the league. Lulea would have loved to test him at the SHL level by now, but that won’t be happening as Locmelis is scheduled to begin playing for the University of Massachusetts next fall. Expect this well-schooled and very experienced young man to have an instant impact on college hockey next season.

As the draft approaches, we’ll be spending time at the site with the likes of defenseman Theo Lindstein (22 games for Brynas), Frolunda two-way forward Otto Stenberg, and Danish surprise Oscar Molgaard (31 games and six points for HV71), but we’ll wrap up our look at Sweden with overage defenseman Oskar Asplund. In the midst of his second full season of HockeyAllsvenskan play, the heady two-way 5’11” defenseman already has five goals and 27 points in 39 games. It has earned him two games of SHL play with Skelleftea and overall, he reminds us a bit of former overager Adam Wilsby, who was selected in the 4th round by Nashville in the 2020 draft. Wilsby is currently suiting up for Milwaukee of the AHL. Asplund is even in the same organization.

Joakim Kemell of Finland celebrates after scoring 2-2 during the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship final between Canada and Finland on August 20, 2022 in Edmonton.
Photo: Joel Marklund / BILDBYRÅN /

Finland

The Finnish Liiga is well on its way to the finish line and one of the more astounding trends is that there are few players currently scoring at a PPG pace. Even the league leader Michael Joly has just 49 points in 48 games. Perhaps not surprising in light of that, but astounding nonetheless, is that Joona Ikonen (an undrafted 24-year-old) leads the league in goal-scoring behind Joly’s 21 goals with just 20 markers. Yes, in some cases, individual team scoring is simply spread across more shoulders, but the lack of individual scoring prowess is more akin to what we usually see in the SHL.

What this means is that a few current and former prospects are putting up numbers that are eyebrow-raising to say the least. Former Winnipeg Jets draft pick Sami Niku couldn’t edge out a solid NHL job despite at times outstanding AHL numbers. He was suiting up for the Montreal Canadiens just last season. At age 25, he decided he needed more job security and perhaps one very impressive season in Europe to get his name back into the minds of NHL GMs. Well, his nine goals and 37 points in 46 games for JYP is likely doing the trick while simultaneously making him the league’s top scorer among defensemen. An appearance at the men’s World Championship is all but a lock and then the question will be if Niku gets an offer that has a spot in an NHL line-up somewhat set in stone.

This past week, the Islanders moved arguably their top prospect in Aatu Raty to the Vancouver Canucks as part of the Bo Horvat trade, but his brother Aku Raty (ARI) is having himself a fine season for Ilves with 29 points and a +16 in 41 games. It’s a career best for the 21-year-old and is coming at a time where Arizona is going to want to decide on whether to sign him to an ELC. Really arriving on the scene has been Tampa Bay’s 2021 7th rounder, the 6’2”, 210-pound Niko Huuhtanen. Certainly, his 77 points in 64 games for the Everett Silvertips meant that he was already on the map for most prospect watchers, but he’s reinforced the belief that there’s a pro here with a sense for offensive generation, as his 15 goals and 27 points in 36 games go to show this season. That puts him within the top 40 in league-wide scoring, ahead of i.e., solid Maple Leafs prospect Roni Hirvonen, who himself is doing just fine with 24 points in 46 games for HIFK.

One name you’re not seeing is that of U18 and WJC star Joakim Kemell (NAS), whose 11 points and -14 rating in 32 games have him flying far below expectations. Quite the opposite is the case for Patrik Puistola (CAR), who leads all U23 players with 13 goals and 34 points in 48 games. That not only has him 12th in league scoring but means he’s the clear-cut go-to player for his Jukurit team, something that has to have the Hurricanes brass mighty excited about.

When it comes to Finland’s top junior league, there are not many NHL-drafted players currently plugging away at it, but Buffalo’s Viljami Marjala is second in league scoring with 48 points and a +29 in 31 games. He’s also put up two points in four games for Liiga club TPS and it’s felt he’ll conclude the season with the big club one way or another. You may remember that Marjala spent the past two seasons with the Quebec Remparts of the QMJHL. It was felt Nashville went a very safe route in picking all-round defenseman Kasper Kulonummi in the 3rd round last summer. His 39 points in 33 games has him second to teammate Leevi Sorvali (42 in 39 contests) league-wide in defenseman scoring. He’s seen 5 games of Liiga action for Tappara this season, which - in case you hadn’t heard - is Finland’s most hockey-crazy town.

True prospect fans will surely be wondering what 2024 top prospect Aron Kiviharju has been up to in recent weeks. Many had hoped to see him on this winter’s WJC squad, but the season has seen a more conservative approach. Having just turned 17, Kiviharju has gotten into 14 games of Liiga action (two assists and a +1 rating) while only being able to suit up for 20 U20 league games this year, in which he’s impacted play fairly considerably with a 1-16-17 and +11 statline. All fine, but not screaming superstar just now. Still, the U18 Worlds is where he’s expected to show the international scouting community just how far he’s come.

Germany

The DEL has been of special interest this year, but not so much due to any particular up-n-coming young players making noise.

No, it’s been all about a certain prospect making a major comebokk on the prospect scene. Oh yes, that play on words just couldn’t be skipped out on as former St. Louis Blues 1st rounder and current Carolina Hurricanes asset Dominik Bokk has spent all season letting the hockey world know he is not to be forgotten after, well, pretty much having gone forgotten in the Hurricanes organization. As we mentioned in the fall, he’s been playing for league newbie Frankfurt Lions after having won the championship with Berlin last season, with whom his cameo had little to do with Berlin’s fate when all was said and done. Now he’s spent most of the season leading the entire DEL in scoring, currently coming in at 24 goals and 49 points in 43 games. He’s doing it for a team that entered the year with but an outside shot at the playoffs and it has to be clear to anyone watching that he’s technically and physically a number too good for this league, one filled with former NHL and AHLers. His scoring has often been timely, and he’s constantly been able to create and make his teammates better.

If he hasn’t renewed Carolina’s interest, there must be a few teams out there wondering if this is your classic case of a late bloomer. Once the DEL year is over, he’s basically a lock for the men’s WC tournament, which will surely make him one of the more interesting viewings from an NHL standpoint. Or could he be part of a trade deadline package before that?

Unfortunately, Bokk was caught in an awkward check this weekend and will miss the remainder of the regular season with a shoulder injury.

What’s also been noteworthy this year is the goaltending position. Primarily young, German-born goaltenders have found themselves getting plenty of ice time and holding their own in the process. Yes, 26-year-old Maxi Franzreb is making the most of the season, getting more starts than any U27 goaltender and shining brightly with a 2.28 GAA and .925 save percentage. Mirko Pantkowski (24) has become a full-fledged starter himself, going 21-15 thus far for Cologne. But the kids really opening eyes are Arno Tiefensee (20), Florian Bugl (20), Tobias Ancicka (21), and - in a cameo appearance - Daniel Allavena (23), who went 4-1 over an emergency 5-game stretch for Munich. For the other three, Ancicka has 30 starts for Berlin as the go-to number 1 in goal, Bugl has gone 15-7 for Straubing since having initially filled in for the injured starter, and Tiefensee is way up there in the league with a 2.17 GAA, .919 SV%, and 10-5 record for Mannheim.

This century simply hasn’t witnessed this many German goalies successfully carrying this much responsibility in goal in Germany’s top league. And as everyone knows, NHL history is full of goaltenders signed out of Europe as free agents in their mid- to late 20s. Some of whom have ended up having successful careers, so these are names you’re going to want to have in the back of your mind moving forward. Also, if you’re wondering who the next minor league UFA signings á la Julian Napravnik and Kai Wissmann may be, two Ingolstadt Panthers have arrived on the scene this year in a big way, both quite unexpectedly. Defenseman Leon Huttl is just 22 and of average size, but his 19 points in 45 games have been accompanied by a +21 rating and he’s been effective in all three zones for a team that has experienced major injury hits to every position. Up front, Polish-born Wojciech Stakowiak has been the team’s fully unexpected all-everything contributor. Now 23, he was coming off of five- and six-point seasons, but now has 15 goals, 31 points, and a +16 in 46 games, finding himself on the ice in all key situations.

We already chronicled how a number of U21 players had started getting a shot to kick off the season and we must say, it hasn’t stopped. The number of players 21 and under who have gotten a shot in the DEL this season has been astounding, with 16-year-old defenseman Max Merkl (Nuremberg), 17-year-old defenseman Paul Mayer (Mannheim), and 18-year-olds Edmund Junemann (Düsseldorf) and Lukas Ullmann (Ingolstadt) having basically come out of nowhere to get into a handful of games. With injuries on the blueline, Ingolstadt even reacquired 18-year-old defenseman Niklas Hubner out of Finnish juniors, and he’s suited up for each of the last seven games. We commented some years ago about how particularly the SHL was able to regularly churn out players aged 16-21 who were taking fairly regular shifts. The DEL knew it had to follow suit in order for the quality of players to increase and provide the nation with more quality depth. Just that seems to be happening as we write.

Russia

The Matvei Michkov watch has been gaining momentum since he was loaned out to HK Sochi. After just three scoreless games with St. Petersburg and then an eye-popping 10 goals and 14 points in 12 games with SKA’s VHL outfit, Michkov found himself in the show on a scoring line with a Sochi team that had an offensive role to offer. The result has been five goals and nine points in 17games, with three of those points coming in the two most recent games. All things Russia continue to be taboo, but in a time where Connor Bedard is running away with the first overall pick status, the hockey world has got to be back to asking whether Michkov isn’t still the second-best option at this summer’s draft?

Like with the Finnish Liiga, players clipping at a PPG pace are hard to come by in the KHL this year. Former NHLer Dmitri Jaskin is back to his scoring ways though, leading the league with 33 goals (3^rd with 50 points) in 59 games, closely followed by German national Brooks Macek, who has 31 in 52 games. At the same time, impending 26-year-old free agent Marat Khairullin is having a career year for SKA with 25 goals and 50 points, blowing his previous high of 32 points out of the water. Will he be sought after like Andrey Kuzmenko was last offseason?

Pleasantly though, several NHL prospects are making some real noise with career years. It simply must be pointed out that Carolina’s 21-year-old defensive prospect Alexander Nikishin, who measures in at an imposing 6’4” and 216 pounds, leads ALL defensemen in scoring with 10 goals and 49 points in 57 games. It’s basically a season for the ages in a league still dominated by older veterans. The question is when and if he’s coming over and just how his game will translate. But he’s clearly the NHL asset with the most traction in Europe this season. Almost just as impressive is the work being put in by Colorado’s Nikolai Kovalenko , who checks in at 6th overall in league scoring with 19 goals and 48 points in 50 games. A chip off the old block, it’ll be interesting to see if Colorado feels Kovalenko’s work is in line with an ELC this offseason.

Two other highly touted prospects keeping things extremely fascinating are New Jersey’s Arseni Gritsyuk (21) and Minnesota’s Marat Khusnutdinov (20). Whereas Gritsyuk pretty much arrived on the scene last season with 22-16-38 in 52 contests, he’s now heading towards the playoffs with Omsk sporting 13-21-34 numbers as more of a set-up man for Reid Boucher (25 goals) and Vladimir Tkachev (20 goals). It’s Khusnitdinov who is truly arriving this season as his 11-26-37 and +12 statline for SKA marks a true step in development, far outweighing anything done the past three seasons, where he already showed some glimpses of what was to come. Hard to imagine that GM Bill Guerin won’t be looking to get him over to North America for next season.

Out of the nation’s second tier league, VHL, there are three players who have caught our eyes as being noteworthy. Up front, Detroit’s 2022 2nd rounder Dmitri Buchelnikov, who can be quite the wizard with the puck on his blade, has 14 goals, 27 points, and a +9 in just 32 games. He’s also chipped in 12 points in four MHL contests as well as two points in 10 KHL games for St. Petersburg. In short, he’s having a wildly successful DY+1 season. On the defensive side, we let you know that we’d be closely watching LA Kings’ draft pick Kirill Kirsanov and he hasn’t disappointed in a developmental capacity. After starting off on fire, his overall game has leveled out to a sound 13 points and +13 rating in 28 games, but he’s been a PPG player in five MHL games and has gotten his feet wet in nine KHL contests (one assist, -5 rating). The 6’1”, 198-pound defender is right on track in his development. The league is also playing host to a 23-draft prospect who has been gaining traction. Alexander Rykov is a mid-sized forward who has 11 points in 20 games for Chelyabinsk and has even gotten into six KHL games (no stats) for Traktor. He’s exactly the type of player we’d have loved to see at the U18 Worlds this spring.

Another young man we’d like to make mention of is 19-year-old forward Nikita Grebyonkin. After a very impressive draft year in the junior circuit MHL, collecting 77 points and a +42 in 67 total games, Grebyonkin has spent the majority of this season loaned out to Amur Khabarovsk with whom he’s put up nine goals, 23 points, and a +3 in 40 games. Already a fan favorite for the club’s faithful, Grebyonkin is generally a player who just hasn’t played in a spotlight location. What we’re seeing is an astute 5^th pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs whose slick style and 6’2”, 180-pound frame is looking very promising moving forward. That said, his skating is that of a later round draft pick.

The notes are currently minimal on both the NHL and prospect fronts in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Switzerland, but there are a few player situations developing there that we’ll look to highlight in the next edition. The upcoming playoffs will surely give us much to muse about as the spring rolls around.