Noah Juulsen – McKeen's Hockey

McKeen’s 2020-21 Hockey Yearbook: Montreal Canadiens Top 20 Prospects

Thu, 03 Dec 2020 11:47:51 +0000

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

Cole Caufield, RW (15^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 1)

Despite standing only 5-7”, 163, Caufield is built stocky and is very strong for his size, pound-for-pound and inch-for-inch. Some would say that he has an additional black mark – besides his frame - to his prospect status now, despite leading the Big 10 in scoring as a freshman. He had a disappointingly flat performance for Team USA at last year’s WJC, with only two points as the US bowed out early. Caufield was pretty nondescript at the tournament, and his stats were not the result of poor luck. On the other hand, that tournament represented a two-week slice of a fantastic season that showed he was still the world class sniper that Montreal drafted. He times his release to perfection and can place the puck exactly where he wants. More than a one-trick pony, Caufield is a fine skater, with sharp cutting ability and he can play the puck at his top speed as well. He plays almost fearless, although he doesn’t go out of his way to take unnecessary risks. He will be spending next year back in Madison but will likely be ready to go straight to Montreal at the completion of his sophomore season. - RW

Alexander Romanov, D (38^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 2)

Romanov is strong as an ox and plays a physical brand of hockey. He hits with authority and punishes opponents with every chance. He puts pressure on quickly and uses his stick well to break up plays. He battles hard in the corners and along the boards. He is alert, focused and very responsible in the defensive zone. He makes a very good first pass out of the zone and sends precise bank passes off the boards. He does not make many plays with the puck that would jump off the page, but he is highly reliable and highly consistent. He has a hard, accurate slap shot from the point and he keeps it low to create rebounds. Romanov is a powerful skater with good balance and footwork. He moves well in all directions and trusts his skating when defending opposing rushes. He will occasionally join the rush to create additional options for his team. He looks NHL ready physically and has a lot of upside as he is terrific in his own end and smart in possession. I think he has a chance to develop into a strong middle-pairing NHL defenseman who contributes in a variety of ways. – MB

Kaiden Guhle, D (16^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

At 6-3”, blessed with strong mobility, and a desire to assert himself physically, Guhle is projected to provide elite level play in the defensive end. In open ice he looks to close his gap and finish plays with a big open ice hit as opponents approach the blue line. He is assertive along the wall, initiating contact and pins effectively to separate players from the puck. He is also a strong mover, which allows him to be more aggressive as he is able to recover. Offensively, he uses his first step quickness to evade forecheckers, start the breakout and push the pace of play moving forward. He uses his size and reach to protect the puck through the neutral zone. Guhle is also effective running the point, with a powerful point shot. He is a good passer and overall facilitator, but not a great one. He has good hands, but he occasionally looks uncomfortable handling the puck under duress. While he is not likely to be a number one powerplay quarterback, his ability and offensive IQ, combined with his defensive prowess, make him a potential minute eater and should be able to help balance out a future top four. – BO

Jesse Ylonen, RW (35^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 3)

Ylonen is a highly talented winger whose skating and puck skills are near elite. He has quick hands, and his first touch is excellent: he can corral difficult passes smoothly and get the puck under control quickly. His wrist shot features an accurate and quick release. Scoring goals seems to come naturally to him, yet he is also a good set-up guy with playmaking skill. He moves and skates with his head up to scan the ice and shows awareness with the puck. His offensive numbers declined in the past Liiga season, however he made progress defensively. Ylonen's backchecking has greatly improved, as he uses his strong acceleration to catch opponents. He has shown signs of becoming a more complete player and he has adapted well to the pro game in the last two seasons. He has learned to use his offensive skill set and skating to his advantage, he uses his teammates for passing options and he does not make nearly as many careless decisions as he used to. Therefore, I am confident that he will adapt to the North American game as well and develop into a strong, productive NHL winger. - MB

Mattias Norlinder, D (64^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 4)

Norlinder is both fast and elusive on his skates. He travels with ease and is very smooth. He also has strong puck skills and control of the puck. He passes the puck well and has some nice dekes where he goes to his backhand close to his feet and then travels around opponents. He is also a good goal scorer. While he doesn’t possess a dangerous bomb from blueline, he has a quick wrist shot and likes to join the attack and skate across the slot before shooting. Norlinder has been a late developer and is still growing physically. He signed a two-year deal with Frolunda but I he might be able to step over and compete for a spot in North America after the first year. As he can combine his skating with good puck handling, he does not need to play top pair minutes to be effective. His weaknesses are in the defensive zone and he won’t be a shutdown defenseman or a strong penalty killer but could still be an effective second or third pair defenseman as he is a strong possession player and his zone exits are as strong as his entries. – JH

Jan Mysak, C (48^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

While Mysak’s international performances last year left some to be desired, he was a standout in the Extraliga and in the OHL. He was an impact player from day one in Hamilton, playing a near 40-goal pace. He excels playing North-South; is extremely aggressive in taking the puck wide, looking to drive the net. His stride is choppy, but he generates enough separation to make him dangerous. He plays much bigger than his size, protecting the puck through traffic as he looks to drive the middle. When driving wide, consistently gets by defenders, putting them on his back as he cuts back in near the crease, possessing the hands and finishing ability to score on a large majority of these self-generated scoring chances. Mysak is versatile, able to play both center and wing, kill penalties and hold his own defensively, while taking on any power play role. He is a very well rounded player but is better at creating his own scoring chances than creating for his teammates and may profile better as a winger at the NHL level. Engaging more consistently and focusing on supporting linemates would help his development as a playmaker. – BO

Cayden Primeau, G (199^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 5)

At 6-3”, Primeau stands at a good height for modern goaltenders and his in-net composure is better than even some veteran netminders. He may be a little too calm in the crease, but he keeps making saves. Starting for the Laval Rocket the majority of last season, he has been able to better adapt to faster shots and puck movement coming from both AHL and NHL shooters. He will need continued work on rebound control and activation on certain plays off of long shots and net-front scrambles in order to compete better at the highest level. However, until then his focus remains unbreakable and his positioning is strong, he sees the puck and fights well to track the play. He still needs to improve his agility and in playing the puck, both of which he can brush up next season. For a young goaltender it is so important that he get stronger in his lower half which would allow him to push harder to get across the net quicker. With Carey Price still paving the way for the Canadiens, expect Primeau to get some time up as a backup goaltender first before he can challenge for a greater role. - SC

Jake Evans, C (207^th overall, 2014. Previous ranking: 6)

The Montreal Canadiens have acquired a lot of good forward prospects within the past few seasons and Jake Evans is one of them. He is a smooth skating and skilled forward capable of playing in all situations. The seventh rounder has overcome huge odds and as a player with little to lose, his development within the Montreal organization has been smooth sailing. After leading the Laval Rocket for points this past season, Evans earned a brief call up to the Canadiens and should see more time up in the NHL if he gets off to the same strong start he did last season. He sees the ice well and always keeps his feet moving. He is quick enough and dominant enough on the ice to be depended on to play powerplay and penalty kill. He needs to still work on playing a tough game if he wants to be able to win battles at the next level but the pace at which he plays and skates both with and without the puck will be enough for him to find his way onto Montreal’s roster sometime in the near future as part of a rotating top nine. - SC

Jordan Harris, D (71^st overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 7)

Jordan Harris is one of two Northeastern defensemen in Montreal’s pipeline. He shined during his three years of prep hockey at Kimball Union Academy, impressing as one of the better defensemen in the league and was named to the USHS All-USA Hockey First Team in 2017-18. As a third-round draft pick, Harris is a promising prospect as an offensive defenseman. After joining Northeastern as a true freshman, he has since finished his second year with the Huskies and was named to USA’s World Junior team. A staple on the first power play unit, Harris has a very calm demeanor. He sees the ice well, enabling him to get the puck quickly out of dangerous areas. His quick hands allow for quick takeaways. One of Harris’ most impressive attributes is his skating - his strides are smooth and fluid. He’s still young, leaving even more room for improvement. – JS

Sean Farrell, LW (124^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

A depth player in the great USNTDP class of 2019, Farrell took advantage of the chance to play a central role in the league, and blossomed with 17 multi-point games on perhaps the most dominant line in junior hockey, proving that his skill set is of top six strength. The high point of his game is his wrist shot, which is very heavy and accurate and features a tricky release. He reads the game well, allowing him to find gaps in the goalie’s positioning. Farrell carries the puck with speed and skill. He can protect the biscuit in traffic and uses his edges and quick passes to escape pressure, often creating scoring chances. Farrell is quick and agile, playing at a good pace without being a truly dynamic skater. The main drawback he will always carry as a prospect is his size, although he is at least on the stocky side and has a low center of gravity, which aids in puck possession, but he will have to prove that he can hold his own against more physically mature players. – RW

Joni Ikonen, C/RW (58^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 8)

Ikonen's last two seasons have been hampered badly by injuries. In 2018-19, he played only 13 games with KalPa in the Liiga and he then missed the entire 2019-20 regular season due to an injury which occurred in a preseason game. That said, Ikonen has many attributes that could eventually help him succeed in North America. He is a good goal-scorer with a precise wrist shot, his offensive vision is high-end, and he is slick with the puck. Moreover, he is tenacious with a high compete level. He hunts down pucks and does many things that do not show on the scoresheet. He clearly wants to be a difference maker every time he steps on the ice, one way or another. He will move to Ilves for the upcoming season. Ilves is a rising team with many skilled, young players and thus should provide a great environment and opportunity for Ikonen to take his game to the next level. – MB

Cam Hillis, C (66^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 9)

Hillis had an excellent bounce back season for the Guelph Storm after an injury plagued campaign a year ago. It was expected that the Storm would rebuild after winning the OHL Championship in 2019, however thanks to the progression of players like Hillis, they were able to maintain a strong standing. Especially impressive was the fact that Hillis finished second in the OHL in primary even strength assists with 28 (ahead of Marco Rossi, Quinton Byfield, Akil Thomas, and many others). He excels as a playmaker because of how well he protects the puck down low, and because he never gives up on a play. Hillis’ skating took a step forward last year too, allowing him to be more active as a facilitator in transition. Currently unsigned, Hillis seems likely to be signed, but is not a slam dunk. If he can continue to improve his skating and bulk up to withstand injury, he projects as a middle six playmaking center who can provide versatility to a coaching staff. - BO

Gianni Fairbrother, D (77^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 10)

Fairbrother is a solid all-around defender. He is a strong, powerful player that controls the boards, as well as his net front, with aggression and skill. He plays the body well but also can use more subtle plays with his feet, or poke checking to create turnovers. He is a great blue line shooter as he can handle either side of the point and is not just a one-timer guy back there. His wrist shot has great accuracy and he is a guy that consistently gets his shot past the first defender. He isn’t an amazing puck handler, but he has pretty good vision and can make passes during the transition and in the offensive zone. There is an edge to his game, but it doesn’t really define his style. He is a capable, sound defensive player with good vision and a shot. If he can find another gear, he will have a real shot at contributing to an NHL team one day. - VG

Jayden Struble, D (46^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 11)

The second Northeastern defensive prospect in Montreal’s system, Struble is a young and promising candidate. The former second-round draft pick is a big, physical defenseman who can still skate well with smooth strides, both forwards and backwards. While playing prep hockey at St. Sebastian’s, he was named to the 18-19 USHA All-USA Hockey Second Team. He entered Northeastern as a true freshman last season and was impressive but unfortunately missed the last nine games due to an injury. Even so, he proved his ability as an offensive defenseman. He has a quick shot that often finds the net from the point. Struble sees the ice well and puts power behind his passes, which helps on the rush. He also possesses quick hands with good puck handling skills. Struble is still very young and he has time to mature his game. - JS

Lukas Vejdemo, C (87^th overall, 2015. Previous ranking: 12)

When thinking about forward prospects for the Canadiens, Vejdemo is not usually the one that comes to mind first. He is a rather underrated player in the Montreal system as he plays a somewhat quiet game. Not overly physical or terribly aggressive, Vejdemo makes an impact in the way he reads the play and carries the puck. He is a good passer and very good at reading neutral zone plays and forechecking to anticipate interceptions, which makes him a valuable asset to have on the penalty kill. The downside to his play is the fact that he plays a physically small game, meaning that he looks like a smaller player than he is and often loses puck battles. He will most certainly have to get stronger in order to make a safe appearance in the NHL. His hands and skating are definitely assets in his play and make him the good player that he is but he needs to be more physical and aggressive in order to earn a call up as a bottom six forward. – SC

Luke Tuch, LW (47^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

A heavy player who plays a heavy game, Tuch’s style is very similar to that of his older brother Alex, who also came up through the USNTDP program. Luke doesn’t quite have his brother’s hands, but they are soft enough for him to be a viable weapon around the crease. To his credit, the younger Tuch manages to play a heavy game without spending much time in the penalty box as he is physical without being dirty. He knows how to maximize the leverage his strength provides, and is very tough to strip the puck from, or to beat in a puck battle along the boards. The Boston University commit can play with skill players, making space with his forechecking, and carrying his share of the load defensively, but is most likely a bottom six contributor at higher levels, as his feet are on the heavier side and he lacks dynamic offensive skills. – RW

Josh Brook, D (56^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 13)

Where Josh Brook was a strong and dominant defenseman in the WHL who led rushes and often skated the puck, his AHL career has been quite different. He now plays a more cautious passing game, he no longer has the time he had in major junior to set up plays and skate, which has been a minor setback in his career as he has changed his playing style a lot. In order to get his footing back and find more success next season, Brook will have to find a way to elevate his competition level and find the confidence to start rushing the puck again. As a player who was drafted due to his points and his eye for offensive plays, he will need to find a way to get to the net, be more present in rushes and in the offensive end in establishing plays if he wants a chance at a prolonged call up. Brook has the potential to scratch out a bottom four role with the Canadiens but it will not be until he can find a higher and more aggressive offensive gear to play the game that got him drafted in the first place. - SC

Noah Juulsen, D (26^th overall, 2015. Previous ranking: 14)

It is no secret that many think that Noah Juulsen is classic first round bust, however going by points and stats to evaluate him is simply not enough. Juulsen is not a point-producing defenseman, as he plays a great defensive game, but his mindset and playing style is that of a cautious, occasionally offensive blueliner capable of rushing the puck but who prefers to pass it instead. Juulsen has had some bad games with the Montreal Canadiens and has made some bad errors, however his skill is that of an NHL quality defender. He is a smooth and powerful skater, a good passer and a physical force. The only important aspect of his game that remains unpolished is his decision making. Unfortunately, for Juulsen making repeated bad decisions and bad plays has placed him at the bottom of the list for call ups and he will have to be next to perfect with the AHL’s Laval in order to get another chance at cracking the bottom four with Montreal. - SC

Rafael Harvey-Pinard, LW (201^st overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 15)

Harvey-Pinard has seen his stock rise significantly thanks to his hard work and ability to put points on the board. He will be rewarded as an AHL regular next season, as the farm club in Laval inked him to a one-year deal. While he is undersized for the pro game, he is a smart player, and has shown a willingness to find the dirty areas to score. A strong playoff run in a Memorial Cup championship last season in Rouyn-Noranda and a second one in the making for his hometown Chicoutimi squad would have iced the cake for his amateur career. He was the captain of both teams, which shows his great leadership skills. While Harvey-Pinard might be a long-shot, he is willing to do anything to make it. Alex Belzile just made his NHL debut at 28 in a similar fashion, and Harvey-Pinard has the same desire and work ethic. – MS

Alexandre Alain, C/LW (UFA: Apr. 24, 2017. Previous ranking: 17)

Like Harvey-Pinard, Alain was a oft-overlooked offensive force in the QMJHL, who didn’t really hit his stride until his final, over-aged season in the league, which culminated in shooting out the lights in the postseason, finally earning an NHL contract. He has played more of a supporting role in his two seasons in the AHL since, but he has at least demonstrated some traits that would allow him to fit in the NHL, albeit in a depth role at best. He skates quite well and has shown the ability to read the game at a pro pace, giving him some projection to fit on the penalty kill. He has also flashed solid puck skills, although nothing truly dynamic. On the downside, Alain did not show much progress from his rookie season at Laval to last season and the Canadiens will want to see more in the final season of his ELC before bestowing an extension on him. Without additional assertiveness, his next step could be overseas. - RW

MCKEEN’S 2020 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – MONTREAL CANADIANS – ORGANIZATIONAL RANK: 8

Fri, 25 Sep 2020 14:35:05 +0000

Montreal Canadiens

With our compiled grades for all systems now complete, Montreal finds itself comfortably within the top ten prospect systems. It is quite an accomplishment, given that the Habs were ranked 12^th in our 2019 Ranking prior to last season, and then some of their best prospects graduated, according to our standards.

Nick Suzuki (#2) played every game and was fifth in team scoring when the COVID-19 pandemic halted the season. Neither Ryan Poehling (#3) nor Cale Fleury (#15) were as impactful as rookies, but each also played enough in the NHL to lose prospect eligibility. Development stagnation dulled the glow of some other prospects who had once shined more brightly, such as 2015 first rounder Noah Juulsen (#8), who played only 13 games for AHL Laval, after injuries also limited him to 24 combined games in 2018-19. Former second rounder Jacob Olofsson (#17) was likewise limited to 24 games for Skelleftea in the SHL and failed to make the Swedish WJC roster as a 19-year-old after playing at the prestige tournament the prior year.

Even with those organizational depth hits, the system remains strong. I haven’t even mentioned that Montreal hasn’t even dipped their toes into the prospect free agency pool yet this season.

A lot of the regard in which I hold the Montreal system goes into the positive trajectories many of their prospects have found themselves this season. For every prospect who backslid (more could have been expected during the AHL rookie campaigns Cayden Primeau and Otto Leskinen), at least other Montreal hopefuls exceeded expectations and improved their projected future roles (see the three Europeans near the top of the list below in Romanov, Ylonen, and Norlinder, who all increased their respective projected OFPs between the start and the sudden end of the current season.

A few other players basically held serve, but on the whole the Montreal system saw a lot more success stories in the past season than not. Whereas with a team like the Minnesota Wild, who had the opposite experience, we could pinpoint the weak spot in their development chain to the way players developed once they hit the AHL affiliate, with Montreal the answer is more scattered.

Their AHL affiliate, in nearby Laval, Quebec, was not always seen as a strength, with more than a few AHL veterans badmouthing the coaching staff after walking away from the team. Either way, the recent work by the AHL coaching staff has been fine, with prospects assigned to the level doing more or less what has been expected from them.

The players who have taken notable positive steps this year have been everywhere. When a select group of young prospects from the corners of the hockey playing globe, from Russia, Sweden, Finland, the NCAA, the QMJHL and other stations, all improve in a short period and their only obvious connection is the team that drafted them, the most reasonable answer is that the Canadiens have been scouting and drafting very well, recognizing players with room for growth and a path to achieving it. I, for one, will be paying closer than usual attention to the players the Habs select in the 2020 draft. - RW

BROSSARD, QC - JUNE 26: Look on Montreal Canadiens right wing Cole Caufield (36) during the Montreal Canadiens Development Camp on June 26, 2019, at Bell Sports Complex in Brossard, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire)

Cole Caufield, RW (15^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 1)

Going into last year’s draft, Cole Caufield had one significant black mark next to his name, his size. That was overblown then and it is still overblown now. The Canadiens were fortunate to steal him with the 15^th pick in last year’s draft. He is no bigger now after a year with the Wisconsin Badgers than he was coming out of the USNTDP, but it should never have been a real concern. There was no similarly skilled player in last year’s draft – or really going a number of drafts back – who also had a traditionally solid NHL frame. Despite standing only 5-7”, 163, Caufield is built stocky and is very strong for his size, pound-for-pound and inch-for-inch.

Some would say that he has an additional black mark to his prospect status now, despite leading the Big 10 in scoring as a freshman. At mid-season Caufield was selected to represent Team USA at the Word Juniors and he had a disappointingly flat performance, with only a single goal and one helper as the US bowed out early. It’s a fair criticism. Caufield was pretty nondescript at the tournament. On the other hand, that tournament represented a two-week slice of a fantastic season that showed he was still the world class sniper that Montreal drafted.

He times his release to perfection and can place the puck exactly where he wants. More than a one-trick pony, though, Caufield is a fine skater, with sharp cutting ability and he can play the top at his top speed as well. He plays almost fearless, although he doesn’t go out of his way to take unnecessary risks. He will be spending next year back in Madison but will likely be ready to go straight to Montreal at the completion of his sophomore season. - RW

Alexander Romanov, D (38^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 6)

Romanov is strong as an ox and plays a physical brand of hockey. He hits with authority to defend and punishes opponents with every chance. He does not give forwards much room to operate as he puts pressure on quickly. He uses his stick well to poke pucks away and break up plays. He battles hard in the corners and along the boards and shows the willingness to win pucks.

He is alert, focused and very responsible in the defensive zone. He makes a very good first pass out of the zone and sends precise bank passes off the boards. He does not make many plays with the puck that would jump off the page, but he is highly reliable and highly consistent, both of which are important attributes for a defenseman.

He has a hard, accurate slap shot from the point and he keeps it low to create rebounds. Romanov is a powerful skater with good balance and footwork. He moves well in all directions and trusts his skating when defending opposing rushes. He will occasionally join the rush to create additional options for his team.

The 20-year-old blueliner has the makings of an excellent second round pick for the Canadiens. He looks NHL ready as far as his physicality is concerned. He has a lot of upside as he is terrific in his own end and smart in possession. I think he has a chance to develop into a strong middle-pairing NHL defenseman who contributes in a variety of ways. - MB

Jesse Ylonen, RW (35^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 4)

Ylonen is a highly talented winger whose skating and puck skills are near elite. He has quick hands and his first touch is excellent: he can corral difficult passes smoothly and get the puck under control quickly. His wrist shot features an accurate and quick release. Scoring goals seems to come naturally to him, yet he is also a good set-up guy with playmaking skill.

He moves and skates with his head up to scan the ice and shows awareness with the puck. His offensive numbers declined in the past Liiga season, however he did make progress defensively. Ylonen's backchecking has greatly improved, as he uses his strong acceleration to catch opponents. When discussing his point totals, it must be remembered that Pelicans was not a very strong team in 2019-20. They eventually missed the playoffs by a fair margin after selling many of their top players late in the season.

Ylonen has shown signs of becoming a more complete player and I think he has adapted well to the pro game in the last two seasons. He has come a long way from where he was in the U18 league at one point. He has learned to use his offensive skill set and skating to his advantage, he uses his teammates for passing options and he does not make nearly as many careless decisions as he used to. Therefore, I am confident that Ylonen will adapt to North American game as well and ultimately develop into a strong, productive NHL winger. - MB

Mattias Norlinder, D (64^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 10)

One of the best skaters in Swedish hockey. Norlinder is both fast and elusive on his skates. He travels with ease and is very smooth. He can use his skating to his advantage in all situations. He also has strong puck skills and control of the puck. He passes the puck well and has some nice deking moves where he goes to his backhand close to his feet and uses his mobility to travel around opponents.

Norlinder is also quite a good goal scorer. While he does not possess a dangerous bomb from blueline, he likes to join the attack where has a quick release wrist shot. Even in goal scoring the skating helps him as he likes to skate across the slot before shooting.

He played in Allsvenskan this season and had 18 points in 34 games. He had some injury issues and also had a short slump after the WJC, a tournament where he only played in a disappointingly limited role. Norlinder has been a late developer and is still growing physically. He signed a two-year deal with Frolunda but I think he could be able to step over and compete for a spot after the first year.

As he can combine his skating with good puck handling, he does not need to play top pair minutes to be effective. His weaknesses are in the defensive zone and he won’t be a shutdown defenseman or a strong penalty killer but could still be an effective second or third pair defenseman as he is a such a strong possession player and his zone exits are as strong as his entries. – JH

Cayden Primeau, G (199^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 5)

As it stands right now, Cayden Primeau is the future for goaltending in the Montreal Canadiens organization and that is a good thing. At 6-3”, Primeau stands at a good height where modern goaltenders are concerned, and his in-net composure is something that even some veteran netminders have not yet mastered. Some may say he is a little too calm in the crease but as long as he keeps making saves there are few complaints.

Starting for the Laval Rocket the majority of this season and even earning two starts with Montreal, Primeau has been able to better adapt to faster shots and puck movement coming from the AHL and NHL shooters. He will need to continue working on his rebound control and activation on certain plays off of long shots and net-front scrambles in order to compete better in the NHL. However, until then his focus remains unbreakable and his positioning is strong, he sees the puck and fights well for vision.

He has pretty large shoes to fill in Montreal when it comes to agility and playing the puck, both of which he can also brush up heading into next season. For a young goaltender it is so important that he get stronger when it comes to his legs and being able to push harder to get across the net quicker. With Carey Price still paving the way for the Canadiens, expect Primeau to get some time up as a backup goaltender first before stepping into the starter role eventually. - SC

Jake Evans, C (207^th overall, 2014. 2019 Rank: 11)

After leading the Laval Rocket for points this past season, Evans earned a brief call up to the Canadiens and should see more time up in the NHL if he gets off to the same strong start he did last season. He sees the ice well and always keeps his feet moving. He is quick enough and dominant enough on the ice to be depended on to play powerplay and penalty kill.

He needs to still work on playing a tough game if he wants to be able to win battles at the next level but the pace at which he plays and skates both with and without the puck will be enough for him to find his way onto Montreal’s roster sometime in the near future as part of a rotating top nine. - SC

Jordan Harris, D (71^st overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 16)

A staple on the first power play unit, Harris has a very calm demeanor. He sees the ice well, enabling him to get the puck quickly out of dangerous areas. His quick hands allow for quick takeaways. One of Harris’ most impressive attributes is his skating - his strides are smooth and fluid. He’s still young, leaving even more room for improvement. - JS

Joni Ikonen, C/RW (58^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 12)

He is a good goal-scorer with a precise wrist shot, his offensive vision is high-end, and he is slick with the puck. Moreover, he is tenacious with a high compete level. He hunts down pucks and does many things that do not show on the scoresheet. He clearly wants to be a difference maker every time he steps on the ice, one way or another.

He will move to Ilves for the upcoming season. Ilves is a rising team with many skilled, young players and thus should provide a great environment and opportunity for Ikonen to take his game to the next level. - MB

Cam Hillis, C (66^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 13)

Especially impressive was the fact that Hillis finished second in the OHL in primary even strength assists with 28 (ahead of Marco Rossi, Quinton Byfield, Akil Thomas, and many others). He excels as a playmaker because of how well he protects the puck down low, and because he never gives up on a play.

Hillis’ skating took a step forward this year too, allowing him to be more active as a facilitator in transition. Currently unsigned, Hillis seems likely to be signed, but is not a slam dunk. If he can continue to improve his skating and bulk up to withstand injury, he projects as a middle six playmaking center who can provide versatility to a coaching staff. - BO

Gianni Fairbrother, D (77^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 13)

He is a great blue line shooter as he can handle either side of the point and is not just a one-timer guy back there. His wrist shot has great accuracy and he is a guy that consistently gets his shot past the first defender. He isn’t an amazing puck handler, but he has pretty good vision and can make passes during the transition and in the offensive zone.

There is an edge to his game, but it doesn’t really define his style. He is a capable, sound defensive player with good vision and a shot. If he can find another gear, he will have a real shot at contributing to an NHL team one day. - VG

Jayden Struble, D (46^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 14)

While playing prep hockey at St. Sebastian’s, he was named to the 18-19 USHA All-USA Hockey Second Team. He entered Northeastern as a true freshman last season and was impressive but unfortunately missed the last nine games due to an injury. Even so, he proved his ability as an offensive defenseman. He has a quick shot that often finds the net from the point. Struble sees the ice well and puts power behind his passes, which helps on the rush. He also possesses quick hands with good puck handling skills. Struble is still very young and he has time to mature his game. - JS

Lukas Vejdemo, C (87^th overall, 2015. 2019 Rank: UR)

He is a good passer and very good at reading neutral zone plays and forechecking to anticipate interceptions, which makes him a valuable asset to have on the penalty kill. The downside to his play is the fact that he plays a physically small game, meaning that he looks like a smaller player than he is and often loses puck battles. He will most certainly have to get stronger in order to make a safe appearance in the NHL.

His hands and skating are definitely assets in his play and make him the good player that he is but he needs to be more physical and aggressive in order to earn a call up as a bottom six forward. - SC

Josh Brook, D (56^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 7)

In order to get his footing back and find more success next season, Brook will have to find a way to elevate his competition level and find the confidence to start rushing the puck again. As a player who was drafted due to his points and his eye for offensive plays, he will need to find a way to get to the net, be more present in rushes and in the offensive end in establishing plays if he wants a chance at a prolonged call up.

Brook has the potential to scratch out a bottom four role with the Canadiens but it will not be until he can find a higher and more aggressive offensive gear to play the game that got him drafted in the first place. - SC

Noah Juulsen, D (26^th overall, 2015. 2019 Rank: 8)

He is a smooth and powerful skater, a good passer and a physical force. The only important aspect of his game that remains unpolished is his decision making. Unfortunately, for Juulsen making repeated bad decisions and bad plays has placed him at the bottom of the list for call ups and he will have to be next to perfect with the AHL’s Laval in order to get another chance at cracking the bottom four with Montreal. - SC

Rafael Harvey-Pinard, LW (201^st overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

Harvey-Pinard has seen his stock rise significantly thanks to his hard work and ability to put points on the board. He will be rewarded as an AHL regular next season, as the farm club in Laval inked him to a one-year deal.

While he is undersized for the pro game, he is a smart player, and has shown a willingness to find the dirty areas to score. A strong playoff run in a Memorial Cup championship last season in Rouyn-Noranda and a second one in the making for his hometown Chicoutimi squad would have iced the cake for his amateur career. He was the captain of both teams, which shows his great leadership skills.

While Harvey-Pinard might be a long-shot, he is willing to do anything to make it. Alex Belzile just made his NHL debut at 28 in a similar fashion, and Harvey-Pinard has the same desire and work ethic. - MS

AHL 2019-20 Preview: Eastern Division

Shaiyena Cote — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 19:24:06 +0000

LAVAL, QC - MARCH 06: Toronto Marlies right wing Jeremy Bracco (27) tries to maintain control of the puck while under pressure from Laval Rocket center Hayden Verbeek (17) during the Toronto Marlies versus the Laval Rocket game on March 06, 2019, at Place Bell in Laval, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire)

The 2019-20 AHL season marks the start of the professional careers for many of the top prospects representing each of the 31 NHL teams.

Although some of the AHL teams are located in smaller cities or far from their parent clubs (for example Utica and Vancouver) the start of the AHL season marks the start of a game of chess and musical chairs for NHL and AHL clubs and their internal player dealings as they work with their prospects and shift lines around to allow for injuries and call ups throughout the season.

Below is a brief segment on every team in the East as well as a glimpse at their three top prospects. Team run down is presented alphabetically by division and not as a prediction for the upcoming 2019-2020 AHL season.

Note: All quotes have been taken from the 2019-20 McKeen’s Hockey Yearbook.

Atlantic Division

The AHL’s Atlantic Division plays host to teams all over the eastern US coastline from Rhode Island to North Carolina. The Atlantic encompasses eight teams, some states play host to multiple teams such as Pennsylvania and Connecticut. Last season the Charlotte Checkers were able to bring the Calder Cup back to the Atlantic and this season the same will presumably be expected.

Bridgeport Sound Tigers (New York Islanders)

Even though Bridgeport was able to clinch a playoff spot last season, they were no match for the defending Calder Cup champion Charlotte Checkers. Bridgeport finished second in the Atlantic division and second also in penalty minutes. Despite having a mass of talent on Bridgeport, they did not play as a group and therefore could not achieve the desired playoff goal.

The Islanders organization are not as progressive with getting their prospects in the NHL lineup as say the Montreal Canadiens or New York Rangers. Losing Michael Dal Colle and Oliver Wahlstrom to the Islanders this season may have lessened Bridgeport’s offence somewhat but with Sebastian Aho back down and coming off a career year last season their defence is stronger than ever and may be just what Bridgeport needs to “bridge” their offensive gap.

Players to Watch

Sebastian Aho

“The Swedish born Aho is a smooth skating and smart playing defenseman. Although not known for his shooting ability, he is accurate and his shots from the point are of quality. He is a strong passer and a creative playmaker which was notable in his second AHL season.”

Otto Koivula

“Koivula is a massive forward and a very handy player to have in front of the net as his positioning is generally very good in all areas of the ice. He sees the play very well and has a good eye for making difficult passes in tight spots and from behind the net. Overall, he is a very clean and skilled player.”

Kieffer Bellows

“Bellows is a strong, dominant force on the ice with physical prowess and a highly competitive attitude. He plays to win and with an impressive amount of passion to compliment his natural scoring ability and skill set. He will need to have better control of his game next season and step up his play a bit to earn a spot at the next level.”

Charlotte Checkers (Carolina Hurricanes)

Charlotte is the Southern-most team in the Atlantic division and boasts some of the hottest weather for an Atlantic division team. The defending 2019 Calder Cup Champion Checkers who posted a record of 51-17-7-1 last season and had an impressive playoff run to say the least, but have not had the best start to the 2019-20 season. Upon losing their two top forwards with Aleksi Saarela being traded (to Chicago, since moved to Florida) and Martin Necas graduating to the Hurricanes, Charlotte has had to rebuild their offensive core one draft pick at a time and with many of their high end prospects still playing major junior or overseas, the Checkers will have to devise a plan to do so.

Just over ten games into the season Charlotte is sitting second from the bottom and with not a lot of goals scored. Many of their shots last year came from guys like Saarela and Necas but now without them, they’ll be turning to the players who flew under the radar last season such as Morgan Geekie and Eetu Luostarinen to create offensive opportunities in hopes of repeating Charlotte’s Calder Cup success.

Players to Watch

Morgan Geekie

“He has plus size, moves well for a big man and has quietly effective offensive instincts which help him to outproduce his tools. He has the strength to protect the puck, and the quickness of hands to capitalize on a broken play and make something happen.”

Eetu Luostarinen

“His skating was fairly good in his draft year but he has since added explosiveness, quickness, and improved his endurance. Moreover, he has added power to his game, not only strength-wise but his shot is also more powerful than it used to be. Luostarinen is dependable without the puck and can play in a more defensive role if needed.”

Jake Bean

“He has a very high panic threshold, allowing him to remain calm with the puck in the face of opposing pressure. He can walk the blueline nicely, but his best work comes in his ability to exit his own zone with total control. Whether he skates the puck out or finds a passing option, he can be relied on to kickstart the transition to offense.”

Hartford Wolf Pack (New York Rangers)Now to move on to from one of the bottom placed teams with the Charlotte Checkers to the top team in the Atlantic; the Hartford Wolfpack feeder team to the original six New York Rangers have gotten off to an electric start this season. So far Hartford has spun things around 180 degrees on the poor outcome the Wolf Pack had last season with only 29 wins and no real chance at qualifying for the playoffs. Their disappointing 2018-19 was a bi-product of their ever-changing rosters as the Rangers frequently called players up and as a result Hartford’s lines were constantly changing and their play was inconsistent and messy. They also boasted the highest goals against number and the lowest goals for on the season.

With the positive start, the Wolf Pack sit atop the Atlantic Division rolling into the start of November and over the hump of new teams and settling into new line combinations. With key acquisitions and veteran experience added during the offseason, Hartford will be a hard opponent to knock off the top. Although heading into his last season of prospect status, Vinni Lettieri can offer just the right amount of knowledge and offensive talent to make up for the recent temporary loss of top Rangers prospect Vitali Kravtsov, who departed the Wolf Pack for a year long loan deal back to his KHL club Traktor Chelyabinsk.

Players to Watch

Vinni Lettieri

“Often overlooked due to his stature, Lettieri’s speed and tenacity make up for any doubts his size may have caused. If given the chance, he could carry a role on the top penalty kill unit with his speed and overall forechecking knowledge.”

Igor Shestyorkin

“The 23-year old goalie has accumulated enough experience in the KHL and on the international stage and is more ready than your average rookie netminder. Shestyorkin is an agile goaltender, a bit on the small side for today’s trends, but won’t going to suffer from it.”

Joey Keane

“An elite skater, Keane is built for the modern NHL age. With his mobility, he is incredibly difficult to pin deep in his own zone, because he takes such good routes to dump ins and is able to transition to offense in a flash. As he moves to the pro level, he will need to keep the game simple, using his mobility to aid in his learning curve.”

Hershey Bears (Washington Capitals)

Despite Hershey Pennsylvania being the home of the Hershey Chocolate World, the Bears could certainly argue that the end of their 2018-19 season could have been a little sweeter. Not only did the Bears manage to end the season third from the bottom in goal production but they were also swept by Charlotte in the second round of playoffs.

With Hershey being the feeder team for the offensive powerhouse Washington Capitals it would seem the club has big shoes to fill. This season is looking somewhat different and the team is off to a better start offensively, already doubling the number of goals they had at the tail end of last season. Their back end is loaded with new talent, many of whom are responsible for quarterbacking their offensive play. With Jonas Siegenthaler now a permanent Capitals fixture the Bears look to have their rookie defensemen, namely; 2018 first rounder Alex Alexeyev and speedy 2^nd rounder Martin Fehervary, taking over in the back. Look for the Bears to be playoff hopefuls once again.

Prospects to Watch

Axel Jonsson-Fjallby

“When he is at his best, Jonsson-Fjallby is a highly energetic and quick player to play with and tough to keep up when paired against. His speed makes him a force to be reckoned with and his hockey IQ has improved drastically in the last year. He has become a smart and reliable two way player, whereas once his defensive game was insubstantial.”

Martin Fehervary

“An aggressive import from Slovakia, Fehervary played full time in the SHL last season, in his last year qualifying for junior hockey. He played in his customary aggressive style, with quick skating, physicality, and good reach. He still has NHL potential, with the look of a third pairing blueliner. His skating, reach and aggressiveness will becoming a strong defensive defender.”

Alex Alexeyev

“Alexeyev is a very good player who has all the tools to be a top four defender in the NHL. He has good size, skates very well, and has more snarl in his game then most give him credit for. Couple all that with a defender who is an excellent passer both in his own zone as well as when quarterbacking a powerplay, and he shows real promise. He has been one of the top defenders in the WHL since his arrival from Russia.”

Lehigh Valley Phantoms (Philadelphia Flyers)

Last season the Phantoms missed playoffs by two points, finishing fifth in the Atlantic Division. For an AHL team that seems to fly under the radar and whose parent team of Philadelphia seems to be known more for their mascot antics than their play, so far their success in the opening part of the season has not gone unnoticed. With rookie Morgan Frost leading the way and riding a seven game point streak as of this writing and carrying the team with nine points through the opening ten games, Lehigh’s young blood has been off to a strong start.

However, one point streak is not enough to create a winning team and with the departures of defenceman Phillippe Meyers and goaltender Carter Hart to the Flyers, their offence will surely have to be a strong point. This year Lehigh Valley welcomes many new faces to their roster which could be a turning point in the Flyers system due to their struggles with team cohesiveness in the past. The Phantoms look to have a promising amount of offensive rookie talent, many of whom bring energy to a slow to start returning AHL group.

Players to Watch

Morgan Frost

“Frost is ready for the next challenge in his young career. The talented playmaking center has improved his skating and strength on the puck over his OHL career and those should allow for an easy transition to pro hockey. He generates well off the rush, using a variety of dif- ferent attacks which speaks volumes to his creativity with the puck.”

Isaac Ratcliffe

“Ratcliffe is a hulking power winger with massive goal scoring potential at the next level. He has an extremely powerful shot that sees him use his size well to shield defenders before releasing the puck quickly. His skating continues to improve, especially his ability to cut and maintain possession through to the net.”

German Rubtsov

“He is a fast skating, quick shooting, high tempo player who plays with a lot of intensity and drive. He is a promising forward with much offensive potential and enough speed that he can get back on the backcheck as well. Rubtsov has the hands, the shot and the speed to be a standout forward with Philadelphia in the future if he can stay healthy.”

Providence Bruins (Boston Bruins)

One of the most controversial and most talked about clubs in the NHL is the Boston Bruins who seem to be Stanley Cup contenders every year, but can the same be said for the Bruins’ American Hockey league team? Last season the Providence Bruins managed to clinch the last playoff spot in the Atlantic division but were eliminated in the first round by the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. With the third lowest goals against average in the league and many other stats ranking somewhere in the middle of the pack, for Providence they were the quintessential “average” team. They played a safe, controlled and structured breakout, regroup and forecheck game but there seemed to be a missing spark in their 2018-19 season.

The team has had a firecracker of a start and from the very first game it was evident that Providence would be a much faster and more skilled team than they were last year. With speedy rookies like Jack Studnicka and Oskar Steen added to the lineup, Providence’s offensive zone time has been rising. Should Providence stay healthy, they will be playoff contenders for sure.

Players to Watch

Urho Vaakanainen

“Vaakanainen is a smooth skating, dynamic defenseman who had
a good transition from SaiPa in the Liiga to the Providence Bruins. He is not known for any particular offensive abilities but his neutral zone play and puck movement are still amongst the top on this list. He makes precise passes and knows when to skate the puck and when to dump it.”

Trent Frederic

“He is a fine skater with enough puck skill and offensive instinct to earn middle six minutes at maturity. His grinder, to the net style also bodes well for that role. Boston will be looking for more consistent production before giving an NHL look.”

Jack Studnicka

“It could probably be argued that Studnicka is one of the more well-rounded forward prospects in hockey. There is no role that he cannot play on the ice for his team. Given how pro ready his game is, he could be much closer to making an impact in Boston than some think.”

Springfield Thunderbirds (Florida Panthers)

Although the Florida Panthers continue to struggle with their attendance, their feeder team in Springfield, MA seems to do fine and will continue to do so this season with a start as hot as the one they’re having now. The Thunderbirds have soared to second place in the Atlantic division after just over ten games played and currently lead in goals for.

With the recent additions of rookies Owen Tippett and Aleksi Heponiemi to the regular roster it is no wonder they are on the fast track to success. Tippett is a scoring machine and can shoot from anywhere on the ice while Heponiemi had unbeatable major junior years in the WHL as a playmaker and only continues to shine in the AHL. With young players like these only continuing to gain momentum, look for Springfield to maintain their top four Atlantic division status throughout the season.

Players to Watch

Owen Tippett

“While his ability to put the puck in the net will be his ticket to an NHL career, he has improved his play away from the puck and his patience with it to become a player who can make an impact even when he is not scoring. With good size and skating ability, Tippett is at his best when he is attacking North/South, hunting for opportunities to unleash his terrific wrist shot.”

Aleksi Heponiemi

“A nifty stickhandler with excellent vision and offensive awareness, he is a natural playmaker who can finish, too. His shot has improved quite a bit, he has the ability to pick his spots and be a dual threat in the final third. While not fast, Heponiemi is highly agile on his skates and can make shifty moves to evade defenders.”

Jonathan Ang

“A brilliant skater, Ang’s hands are almost as quick as his legs. The question he has always been asked about is his offensive ceiling. For as much as his speed allows hi to be one step ahead of the play and very difficult to contain, his numbers have never really stood out. He flashes the tools that got him drafted, but not consistently and he struggles to finish what he starts.”

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (Pittsburgh Penguins)

It is no secret that the Pittsburgh Penguins are in trouble when it comes to their prospect system, however after just one draft that can be turned around and with a trade a team can be bolstered dramatically. Not to say that the Penguins prospect system needs a revamp but if they continue to draft the way they have, their feeder team in Wilkes-Barre will remain average, at best. For the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins momentum is hard to find, not only is the arena an older venue but there is just is not enough talent on the back end to drive offensive plays. To boot, the average age of Wilkes-Barre is 25 which means very few prospects are seeing ice time at the AHL level and the team lacks in youthful energy.

For the Pittsburgh Penguins the next few years will be a tipping point for their prospects and current players. That said, there is hope with defenceman Pierre-Olivier Joseph paving the way for a hardworking, play making defencemen, W-B/S may be able to generate enough offence to up their scoring chances. As the season progresses, look for forward Kasper Bjorkqvist to earn top mention and top minutes with the Baby Penguins on the front end.

Players to Watch

Pierre-Olivier Joseph

“Joseph’s best two assets are his work eth- ic and his hockey sense. He rarely makes a bad decision and, most importantly, knows his limitations. He is slight for the pro game at 168 pounds, but he is as adept at defending positionally as he is physically, and has figured out how to read many schemes with the puck to best attack from the back end.”

Jordy Bellerive

“Bellerive is a player who can play the game in any style. He is happy to drive the net and work hard to create his offense but he has a shot that can beat goalies cleanly from distance. He works his tail off in both zones and often generates additional chances from chasing down the play. He makes good passes both in transition and below the dots.”

Kasper Bjorkqvist

“He uses his solid size to play near the opposing crease and has a plan for the puck when he gets it, resulting in quick touches and quickly released shots. At his best, he has a nice shot an can play or pass the puck well, but he can go for prolonged stretches at less than his best, effectively becoming a non-factor in the play.”

North Division

The North Division is home to three out of the four Canadian teams in the AHL and some of the coldest climates, ranging from Binghamton, NY up to Laval, QC. Two seasons ago the Calder Cup was hoisted by the Toronto Marlies in dramatic fashion against the Texas Stars, and we should look to the North to be hungry for the Cup once again.

Belleville Senators (Ottawa Senators)

As one of the newest teams in the AHL with one of the smaller arenas, the Belleville Senators had a reasonable season last year but failed to qualify for the last playoff spot in the North Division. Belleville is still capable of packing an offensive punch and holding their own. Making up for the absence of Rudolfs Balcers who has earned a spot on Ottawa, will be rookie Josh Norris and Drake Batherson, the latter of whom earned the AHL All-Star MVP last season.

Although Belleville looks to be offensively equipped it will be interesting to see how they fare defensively this season after losing Erik Brannstrom and Christian Wolanin to Ottawa. Both were responsible for much of Belleville’s offensive play last season, particularly after Brannstrom joined the club in the Mark Stone trade from Vegas.

Prospects to Watch

Drake Batherson

“He is an elusive player that slips under the radar and is quiet on the ice until the puck is found in the net as a result of his strong playmaking ability. He is a highly adaptable and entertaining player to watch in both even strength and special team situations, his adjustment to the AHL level has been tremendous.”

Josh Norris

“A high IQ center with a standout two-way game, the former USNTDP standout is a strong play driver, with a fantastic shot and strong playmaking abilities. He was the hockey wherewith- al to play a bottom six role right away, but he projects as a clear top six center at his best.

Alex Formenton

“The foundation of Formenton’s game is his elite skating ability. He has an effortless, yet powerful stride that allows him to be such an effective high-energy winger. Additionally, Formen- ton is a physical player who is aggressive on the forecheck, making him a terrific penalty killer. As an offensive player, his best asset is a quick release.”

Binghamton Devils (New Jersey Devils)

Although the Binghamton Devils finished last in the North Division last season, their big sister club New Jersey made some key trades as well as draft acquisitions during the off season in hopes of deepening their system. Despite their place in the standings, that did not stop the Devils from having a successful development year for many of their prospects who received the chance to play up with New Jersey.

With a plethora of prospects to choose from Binghamton will be expected to move further up the ranks in the 2019-20 season standings. With additions like 2019 first overall pick Jack Hughes and Swedish prospect Jesper Boqvist to New Jersey’s forward lineup, look to Michael McLeod, Joey Anderson, Nathan Bastian, Mikhail Maltsev and Marian Studenic to pad up Binghamton’s offence. There is an abundance of top level prospects in New Jersey’s system and after the 2019 draft, look to the Devils to potentially have one of the best systems on paper.

Prospects to Watch

Michael McLeod

“Although not the smoothest of skaters to watch, he is strong and good both with and without the puck. McLeod’s defensive game has grown a lot this season making him a better two way player. He is a talented and smart playmaker and with a good start in the AHL and given more confidence he will definitely be in the right shape again to be shipped back up to the Devils.”

Marian Studenic

“Studenic had a solid start to his professional career this year with Binghamton and his natural skill and skating ability helped him to stand out amongst fellow rookie forwards. He is a deadly player when he gets to the net and is quick to capitalize on turnovers.”

Mikhail Maltsev

“He is a two-way forward with excellent size and good physical abilities, smooth hands and a solid positional game. Maltsev is a great choice for the third or fourth line considering his mass, defensive skills, and great reading of the ice in any situation at both ends of the rink.”

Cleveland Monsters (Columbus Bluejackets)

With an average height of 6-2” the name “Monsters” fits the tallest team in the AHL perfectly. Ironically enough Cleveland’s parent club, the Columbus Bluejackets, is home to one of the shortest and most skilled forwards in the NHL in 5-8” Cam Atkinson. Last season, Cleveland got off to a good start but faded quickly after the January All-Star break, barely making the playoffs. This coming year Cleveland once again seems to be hugging the fourth place spot in the North Division but perhaps they are still acclimatizing and pacing themselves, especially after seeing Sonny Milano and Kole Sherwood move up to the parent club.

With offence hanging in the brink for Cleveland, look to their firecracker of a forward Trey Fix-Wolansky to fire things up offensively and to Kevin Stenlund to add a physical punch to the Monsters’ offence. With 2018 first round pick Liam Foudy not quite ready to make the jump to the AHL yet, the Monsters will also have to rely on good goaltending from Finnish product Veini Vehvilainen to keep them in the game. Expect a decent back half of the season playoff run from the Monsters once they get settled.

Players to Watch

Veini Vehvilainen

“He is a very quick goalie. His lateral quickness and post-to-post movement are both high end and he can recover loose pucks quickly. He is also highly athletic and flexible. He rarely allows a soft goal and if he does, he is able to bounce back quickly.”

Trey Fix-Wolansky

“Fix-Wolansky is a player that has really grown over the past couple of seasons. That has improved substantially in this regard as has his foot speed. His playmaking and shooting skills have always been there but now he has the pace and the drive to impact every play. He has a real shot at being a success story as his offensive tools are very good.”

Kevin Stenlund

“Stenlund plays a gritty and hard on the puck type of game, he wins battles and uses his size to his advantage. Stenlund may have used his size as an advantage but his size is also what made him stand out despite being one of the slower players on the ice. He is strong on the puck but it sometimes appears to be an effort for Stenlund to maneuver easily in tight spots.”

Laval Rocket (Montreal Canadiens)

There is only one team in the league who conducts most of their business in a language other than English and that would be the Montreal Canadiens who have been a staple original six team as well as a symbol of French Canadian culture for decades. Now fast forward to the Laval Rocket who play in one of the nicest arenas in the AHL, La Place Bell, which housed one of the poorest performing teams in the North Division last season. Laval had a less than desirable year finishing second last in the standings having managed to score only 195 times through the whole season while every other team in their division surpassing the 200 goal mark.

Montreal has had some major prospect developments and a few small turnarounds from where they were sitting last season with Nick Suzuki, Victor Mete and Ryan Poehling all pulling their weight in the big leagues. That being said, it’s an exciting time for the Canadiens who have prospect momentum heading into the next year year with NCAA product Jake Evans in his sophomore season with Laval and Noah Juulsen, an unexpected cut from Montreal, returning to the lineup. Laval will be a dark horse this season and only time will tell where they will finish in the standings.

Players to Watch

Jake Evans

“Evans is an elite level passer who can make crisp on-the-tape passes in the most difficult of situations. He is a really solid player and has good jump to his stride and energy to his game. Evans has the full package, and he just needs to muster up more grit and stay consistent with his play and he will be set to dawn a Canadiens jersey soon.”

Noah Juulsen

“For a smooth skating defenseman who can shoot from just about anywhere on the ice, Juulsen has not had the same amount of success in the pro ranks as he had during his major junior days with Everett in the WHL. He is not the most mobile defender and his actions seem even more stiff and mechanical when he begins to think too much.”

Otto Leskinen

“A mobile defenseman, he skates well both backwards and laterally. He is light on his skates and there is little wasted motion in his stride. Leskinen has the abilities to be an impactful player offensively. He can make a crisp first pass or carry the puck up into the zone. He has a hard slap shot and a wrister with a very quick release.”

Rochester Americans (Buffalo Sabres)

For the past few seasons the Buffalo Sabres have been the team that starts out strong and finishes in last place but the opposite can be said about their feeder team, the Rochester Americans. Last season, Rochester duked it out with the Syracuse Crunch all season long for top spot in the North Division with only a three point margin separating the two teams. Rochester was led by veteran defenceman Zach Redmond and rookie forward Victor Olofsson, the latter of whom has since moved up to clinch a well-deserved spot with the Sabres.

Although Olofsson is no longer on the farm, his Swedish line mate Rasmus Asplund continues to gain momentum and acclimatize to North American play. Asplund is off to a much better start this season and his linemate C.J. Smith also looks to add to Rochester’s offensive depth. Netminder Ukka-Pekka Luukkonen remains a dark horse, soon set to return from rehab for surgery he had during the offseason. With Luukkonen, who is arguably one of the top goaltending prospects - and a future starting netminder in the NHL- joining Rochester it will be safe to say that should Rochester make playoffs their back end composure will be more than okay.

Players to Watch

Rasmus Asplund

“He is a smaller forward but a great forechecker working well to fill a spot as a grinder. Always keeping his feet moving, many of his 41 points this year came from rebounds and net scrambles. At times he is a little bit sloppy with his positioning which may be the reason why he has yet to earn a call up to the Sabres.”

Ukka-Pekka Luukkonen

“He is the complete package as a goaltender with his size and athleticism. Luukkonen moves so well in his crease, but with his size is able to square up to shooters still and take away all angles. He also reads and reacts to the play around him as he is rarely caught out of position. His composure in the crease this year was one of his more impressive features.”

C.J. Smith

“Smith is a great example of this as he is an entertaining player to watch and brings energy and drive to each game. His natural skill and scoring ability made him a stand out forward for the Americans last year, and are what will hopefully push him to work hard to gain a top six spot.

Syracuse Crunch (Tampa Bay Lightning)

Recapping the post season for the Tampa Bay Lightning franchise in the 2018-2019 season is simply depressing, as not only did Tampa fail to impress in their playoffs despite running away with the regular season, but Syracuse followed the exact same pattern. The Crunch led the North Division all season long but were swept in the first round of playoffs by the fourth place Cleveland Monsters. Truly disappointing but nonetheless a wakeup call to a franchise that may have gotten a little overconfident.

After the humbling events of last season, Syracuse has started off in a very modest middle of the pack spot with the departure of Alexander Volkov and Erik Cernak from the Crunch to the Lightning. It has been up to many of the guys heading into their sophomore seasons like Boris Katchouk, Taylor Raddysh and Cal Foote to make up for the absences on the blueline as well as on the offensive attack. Syracuse will have to work much harder with their young squad if they want to achieve the same results as they achieved in 2018-19.

Players to Watch

Cal Foote

“Foote’s ranking as Tampa Bay’s number one prospect is well deserved as he is the perfect mix of a skilled offensive blueliner with a highly physical and dependable defensive defenseman. He has exceptional awareness and his hockey IQ is what makes him a great player. He has size and plays a calm, aware positional game that makes him stand out as being the most mature and dynamic prospect on this list.”

Taylor Raddysh

“Raddysh is a natural goal scorer with a knack for getting to the net in even the most difficult of situations. He is a good skater and a strong shooter capable of getting shots off in tight situations. He is especially good with one timers and adapting to bad passes. Raddysh will have to work on being more creative and being stronger on the puck in open ice situations, his level of want for the puck will have to improve.”

Mitchell Stephens

“He is a very competitive player who likes to win and who brings such passion to the game. He wins draws, gets to the net, blocks shots and plays a strong physical game. The only thing missing is an extra gear, as he needs that extra speed to be able to make a solid impact at the next level.”

Toronto Marlies (Toronto Maple Leafs)

The Toronto Maple Leafs are one of the most iconic teams in the league, boasting some of the most loyal fans around. That being said, they are also one of the younger player systems in the NHL with a core group of high end young players, and theirs is not a system like Boston or Washington which are reliant on veteran talent. That also means that for the Toronto Marlies, the Leafs’ AHL affiliate, it may be harder to make the opening night lineup than ever with very few retiring and new talent being drafted every year- the only thing mixing things up being the cap hit. However, despite monetary constrictions and trades all around, the Marlies have managed to not only win a Calder Cup in 2018 but also qualify for playoffs again the following year.

This season seems a little different and so far with so many changes, the core group consisting of Jeremy Bracco, Rasmus Sandin, Timothy Liljegren, Pierre Engvall and Adam Brooks have all adjusted well and have continued to put up a North Division leading 7-0-3 record through their first ten games of the season. Look to see the Marlies either on top of the divisional race or just below in second by the time the 2019-20 season draws to a close.

Players to Watch

Jeremy Bracco

“Bracco is a creative playmaker to say the least and every play holds different possibilities thanks to his level of hockey sense. He is a powerful and agile skater that can easily maneuver around opponents with his edgework, often opting to use his inside edges for turns rather than traditional crossovers.”

Rasmus Sandin

“Sandin is a versatile defenseman capable of leading rushes and quar- terbacking them as well. He is a skilled player with a good shot and great hockey sense. He sees the plays before they happen and stays one step ahead and remains focused while doing so.”

Yegor Korshkov

“He has a lot of good traits in his game that could translate well to the NHL, like the way he can cover the puck in the corners and create scoring chances from there. He has strong balance which will get stronger with more overall strength.”

Utica Comets (Vancouver Canucks)

Having played host to the 2019 World Juniors in Vancouver as well as the 2019 NHL Draft, Vancouver has been quite the hockey destination within the past months. However, for many fans who do not reside on the west coast, it may be easier to catch a Utica Comets game instead. Utica has had quite the roster turn around from last season offering a better start to the season as well.

With the addition of former Team Canada goaltender and top prospect Michael DiPietro, Utica now can rest assured that the net is covered as DiPietro moves like no other goaltender and possesses ultimate composure and focus while in the net. Another key addition is 2016 fifth overall pick Olli Juolevi who has come back from injury and is padding up the defensive end for the Comets. Utica is battling with Toronto back and forth for first spot in the North, which should be the race all season long should Utica not move any players. Note that former Canucks regular Nikolay Goldobin is still down with Utica and only adds to their offensive talent.

Players to Watch

Michael DiPietro

“He relies on his reads and his athleticism to make saves and he can be a real game changer because of it. At the pro level, there are often growing pains for these types of goaltenders because the game moves faster, the top part of the net becomes an easier target, and confidence can wane. But DiPietro remains a very solid pro prospect and should eventually develop into an asset.”

Olli Juolevi

He is a smart defenseman capable of reading the play and being one step ahead. He is a spot on passer and he can shoot from anywhere on the ice with speed and precision. His goal should be to keep his feet moving equally in all zones of the ice and to get back to playing a physical game.

Lukas Jasek

“An underdog type of player, Jasek has the ability to sneak past opponents and get into open ice without notice, giving him a leg up on his counterparts. He is a lightweight and a rather small looking player but his deceptiveness is scary when it comes to how aggressive he is on the puck. He plays with energy and passion and never gives up on a play.”

Montreal Canadiens 2019-20 Prospect Review: Top 20

Sat, 14 Sep 2019 12:04:55 +0000

In Marc Bergevin’s first year as the General Manager of the Canadiens, he was taking over an organization in disarray and in desperate need of a refresh. They were less than two months away from a draft that was expected to pivotal in the club’s future, what with having the third overall pick.

Given only six weeks or so to prepare, institutional knowledge would be pivotal and that first Bergevin draft class skewed conservative. That top pick was used on a mercurial talent by the name of Alexander Galchenyuk, who has since had a tumultuous career, but is still young and talented as he moves to his third NHL team this year in Pittsburgh. Of the other six picks made by the Habs, only fifth rounder Charles Hudon has played in the NHL. He has had his moments, but has yet to really establish himself in any significant way.

It was in his third draft that a Bergevin trait first emerged. That is, the Habs, perhaps more than any other team, are willing to draft players from far off the beaten path. By “the beaten path”, I refer to the CHL leagues, the USHL/USNTDP, the NCAA and leagues in Sweden, Finland, and Russia. Some would argue for the inclusion of Switzerland and the Czech Republic among beaten path sources of amateur talent, but Montreal hasn’t drafted a single player from those hockey federations since Bergevin took the helm, so I will stay on the fence about that.

Of course, Bergevin and the Canadiens do draft from the beaten path sources plenty. In fact, their first picks since 2014 have come from (sequentially): WHL, WHL, OHL, NCAA, Finland, and USNTDP. But he has also been sure to appease his notoriously hard working scouts who search far and wide for talent.

In 2014, out of six picks, Montreal selected a player from the AJHL in the fifth round, and the OJHL in the seventh round. The former looks like a ECHLer at best, but the latter, Jake Evans, just missed the top ten below. In 2015, with only five picks, Montreal stayed pretty traditional, with four players from the CHL leagues, and one from Sweden. The top two picks are both listed below and the latter three picks are no longer Montreal property.

Bergevin dipped back into the scouting wilds in 2016 , drafting Casey Staum from Hill-Murray high school in Minnesota. Staum spent the past three years in the USHL, failing to live up to his high school hype and the Habs’ rights to him expired. After an orthodox 2017 draft haul, Bergevin went off the deep in 2018. With 11 picks, Montreal used two middle rounders on high schoolers, including Jordan Harris (listed below) from New Hampshire, and Jack Gorniak from Wisconsin. They also drafted Brett Stapley from the BCHL with their last pick.

That was only a prelude to their most recent draft class, featuring four deep cuts. The high schoolers are already a bit old hat, but both prepsters are listed below anyway. It was the other two picks that really proved Montreal’s commitment to leave no stone unturned. In the fifth round, they selected goalie Frederik Dichow from the Danish second tier league. Players are rarely drafted out of Denmark, but it happens. The kicker came with Montreal’s last pick. Hulking defenseman Kieran Ruscheinski was drafted out of the Alberta Midget Hockey League, a AAA league that had never had a player drafted directly from its ranks before. I have no idea how Ruscheinski will develop (next stop, the BCHL), but I applaud the Canadiens for their efforts.

-Ryan Wagman

Montreal Canadiens center Ryan Poehling (25) (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire)

1 Cole Caufield, RW (15^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) The comparison to Alex DeBrincat is obvious, but also pretty apt. Like the aforementioned, Caufield is mite-sized and has put the puck in the net at every stage of his development, including an awe-inspiring 72 times in 64 games for the USNTDP last year. He may be small, but he is built solid, with his leg strength serving as a springboard for the rest of his game. He can score from anywhere in the offensive zone and on a wide variety of shot types. He skates well, too, getting to a nice top speed and enabling him to sneak up on defenses. He has exceptionally soft hands for receiving passes and making them work and he reads opponents like my father reads the obits: figuring out at a glance if he has somewhere to go. Not every short goalscorer will be the next DeBrincat. Caufield might be better. - RW

2 Nick Suzuki, C (13^th overall, 2017 [Vegas]. Last Year: 2 [Vegas]) Suzuki went out on top in his final year of junior eligibility, helping the Guelph Storm capture an OHL championship. He is a crafty playmaker who can really keep the puck on a string in the offensive end. He is not the biggest, but he can put defenders on his back as he cuts to the net and with his processing speed, he rarely forces plays or commits turnovers. His shot is another underrated component to his game, which helps to keep defenders honest and makes him a multi-faceted offensive weapon. He is likely to see some action with Montreal at some point this coming year but may still need a year of development in the AHL first. The big question is whether Suzuki sticks down the middle as a pro or shifts to the wing. That will likely depend on how much further he can improve his skating and whether his intensity level without the puck increases. He is a potential building block for Montreal in the very near future. - BO

3 Ryan Poehling, C (25^th overall, 2019. Last Year: 2) There are two sides to Poehling’s game. The first side is seen most frequently; he is a high IQ, two-way center. This Poehling makes all of the little plays that lead to possession dominance. He gets the puck out of danger without fuss. He wins faceoffs. He kills penalties. He wins puck battles. Once in a while, he flashes slick stickhandling to help generate a scoring chance, but more of his points come from plays that won’t make the evening sports recap. The other Poehling comes out when the spotlight shines brightest. Witness his eight-point performance at the WJC last year, which included a performance for the ages against Sweden. Or look at his NHL debut in the final game of the year against Toronto. He only scored a hat trick before pitting the shootout winner. Which Poehling will Montreal get. Probably the former, but that still makes for a great middle six center. - RW

4 Jesse Ylönen, RW (35^th overall, 2018. Last Year: 5) Ylönen is an agile and fast skater with terrific acceleration. He has great quickness in his first three strides and generates speed through quick crossovers. A finesse player, he has quick hands, impressive stick skills, and a wide range of dekes in his repertoire. He can be deceptive, creative, and unpredictable with the puck. Ylönen is a precision shooter with an accurate, quick wrist shot and a goal-scorers blade. He has added lower-body strength and improved his board play since his draft year. He still must become more committed and tenacious defensively, as well as improve his defensive zone coverage, but the ceiling is high here and he could end up being a high-scoring winger in the NHL. - MB

5 Cayden Primeau, G (199^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 9) Prior to reaching Northeastern, Primeau was a big, talented, but terribly inconsistent netminder in the USHL. In two years with the Huskies, his save percentage was above .930 and he won the Mike Richter Award of the top collegiate goalie as a sophomore last year. A smart netminder who anticipates at a high level, he is comfortable playing above the paint and has a mature sense of positioning in the crease, helping him to limit rebounds and second chances. His legs are very strong, giving him great post-to-post coverage, while also being able to close the five-hole in a snap. A workhorse at the lower level, Keith Primeau’s son is going to be groomed for an NHL role behind Carey Price. He has the tools to be an NHL starter, but that upside is as much about opportunity and timing as skill. - RW

6 Alexander Romanov, D (38^th overall, 2018. Last Year: 17) Born to a hockey family, Romanov is a rock-solid defenseman with exciting two-way abilities who was awarded Best Defenseman honors at the last WJC despite being an underaged participant. He spent the whole season with Gagarin Cup champions CSKA Moscow, and even scored his first KHL goal. He is an adept defensive player, but he needs to be less passive offensively and be less scared of erring with the puck. He doesn’t have the strongest shot, but he has good instincts and can pass the puck well. At this point, he is a blue-chip prospect for the Habs, but he needs to bulk up and be more involved in the offensive part of his game. Romanov has top-pairing potential, but as with many other Russian prospects, he will need a bit more seasoning before crossing the Atlantic to join his NHL organization. - ASR

7 Josh Brook, D (56^thoverall, 2017. Last Year: 11) Brook had one of the more productive seasons for a blueliner in recent memory. He more than doubled his point production with an impressive 16 goals and 59 assists in just 59 games while playing top pairing minutes against many of the top lines in the WHL. He has a very nice offensive tool kit with a good hard slap shot, excellent passing skill and vision, and a collection of feigns and dekes that enable him to open up defenses from his position. He can take the puck down low and drive the net, and skates well enough that he is dangerous when joining the rush. He is an intelligent player who manages the puck well, particularly under pressure at the offensive blue line, where he makes smart reads on pinching and play along the wall. There has been enough development in his offensive game to think he can be an effective power play quarterback while also playing effective top four minutes in the NHL. - VG

8 Noah Juulsen, D (26^th overall, 2015. Last Year: 7) For a smooth skating defenseman who can shoot from just about anywhere on the ice, Juulsen has not had the same amount of success in the pro ranks as he had during his major junior days with Everett in the WHL. He has struggled to adjust to making the right plays at the professional level and often tries to do too much when he is without the puck, which makes him easy prey as he sometimes bites too quickly. He is not the most mobile defender and his actions seem even more stiff and mechanical when he begins to think too much. He will have to work on trusting himself with and without the puck and working on his timing a bit more. Juulsen has the skill to be a bottom four defenseman in the NHL but right now his game will just need to mature a bit more before returning back to the Canadiens. - SC

9 Otto Leskinen, D (Undrafted Free Agent, signed May 7, 2019. Last Year: IE) Leskinen put together an excellent season with KalPa in the Liiga and even got to represent the Finnish national team over the course of the season. A mobile defenseman, he skates well both backwards and laterally. He is light on his skates and there is little wasted motion in his stride. Leskinen has the abilities to be an impactful player offensively. He can make a crisp first pass or carry the puck up into the zone. He has a hard slap shot and a wrister with a very quick release. He is a purposeful shooter and can pick his spots well from the point. His main remaining issues are his overall defensive game and a lack of physical presence and toughness. However, he is a skilled, modern defenseman whose style of play suits today's NHL well. - MB

10 Mattias Norlinder, D (64^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) Norlinder’s chances of becoming a regular NHL defenseman are good, in fact very good for a third-round pick. He isn’t elite with the puck but makes nice plays. He reads the game well and has shown himself able to adapt to higher levels rather easily. His biggest tool is exceptionally strong skating. He skates fast and with ease. He can carry the puck quickly out of danger and create offensive attacks for his team. He came up late in Allsvenskan and impressed highly. He chose to stay in Allsvenskan for the full season this year, which could be a smart move. He will receive big minutes on one the best teams in the league and has a good shot to make Sweden’s WJC team. Norlinder’s potential stretches to that of a third or second pair NHL defenseman. - JH

11 Jake Evans, C (207^th overall, 2014. Last Year: 4) Evans is an elite level passer who can make crisp on-the-tape passes in the most difficult of situations. He is a really solid player and has a good jump to his stride and energy to his game. In his professional debut after completing a full four years at Notre Dame, he managed a good season, tallying 45 points in 67 games. The way he sees the ice is unique and a player of his caliber will certainly go far and could be considered a contender for a top nine spot in Montreal’s organization in the future. Evans has the full package, and he just needs to muster up more grit and stay consistent with his play and he will be set to dawn a Canadiens jersey soon. Getting more shots off would also help him to better prove his usefulness in offensive situations instead of always resorting to passing. - SC

12 Joni Ikonen, C/RW (58^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 10) Ikonen is a skilled and tenacious forward who can play both center and the wing. He can be a dual threat in the final third but is more of a shooter than a playmaker. He will take puck to the net and can score flashy goals. He has fantastic puck handling skills, offensive instincts, and can take advantage of any extra space and room that is given to him. He plays an intense and energetic game, hunts pucks and competes in every shift. On the downside, he is on the smaller side and has occasional troubles against bigger and stronger opponents, especially along the boards. Considering everything, Ikonen is an intriguing prospect with the skills and the will to be a difference maker in North America. - MB

13 Gianni Fairbrother, D (77^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) Last season was a comeback season for Fairbrother, as he battled his way back from a separated shoulder to have an impressive season with Everett. He is a solid two-way defender who logs a lot of minutes and plays in all situations. He skates really well, has a good shot, and moves the puck nicely. Aside from that, he has decent size, plays with an edge, and has a strong physical presence. He has been brought up in a strong, structured defensive system, and that is a real prominent element in his game. He plays a safe and steady game and seems to do all of the little things right. He projects to be a mid-range defender with the potential to move up. - KO

14 Jayden Struble, D (46^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) The first prepster drafted in 2019, Struble saw his stock rise drastically after a dominating performance at the Draft Combine. He brings a magnificent mix of two-way smarts and a booming shot from the blueline to the Montreal system. Taken out of St. Sebastian’s High School in Massachusetts, the left-hander displayed an exceptional all-around package in his senior year, noted by his insane vision and explosive playmaking skills. He is also as smart defensively as he is on offense, exhibiting tight gaps in zone entries and incredible timing and anticipation in one-on-one defense. He is a solid skater, and he could stand to use his muscular and stocky build more against the boards. As he transitions to NCAA hockey with Northeastern, he will begin to prune out his skilled but still very raw game. - TD

15 Cale Fleury, D (87^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 8) Fleury is solid defenseman whose offence takes much of the spotlight from his defensive play. He can shoot and pass with ease and has made a good transition to the positional play needed at the professional level, always seeming to be in good shooting position. Speed is lacking in his game as is his ability to adapt to changing pace, and often times he can be one of the last ones back due to his lack of awareness which can lead to odd man rushes. When pressured, he can make rushed passes to relieve himself of the puck- many of which he misses on. He will need to work on making better passes instead of throwing the puck away even if that means taking a hit to do so. Fleury has the offensive skill and shot to be a bottom four defenseman with Montreal, but he will have to cover his ice better and work on maintaining focus throughout the whole game. - SC

16 Jordan Harris, D (71^st overall, 2018. Last Year: Not ranked) Currently considered a top candidate to play for Team USA at the 2020 WJC, Harris is a fast skating, understated puck moving defenseman who spent the last season helping to keep the crease clear for Cayden Primeau. His defensive game is very advanced despite last year being his first playing high level hockey, having come to campus directly from a New Hampshire prep school. He shows flashes of offensive ability, but it has been rare enough to lead to questions about his upside. Those who like him think he will take over a bigger offensive role this year, after Jeremy Davies turned pro (Nashville). Those who are more bearish see a third pairing defender at best who might be hard pressed to establish himself in the NHL at his peak. This season will be telling. - RW

17 Jacob Olofsson, C (56^th overall, 2018. Last Year: 6) Olofsson took a step in his overall speed last season, but that was about all he improved. He played top six minutes in SHL but wasn’t able to impose himself on the game. He is a good puck transporter all the way up to the offensive blue line but he doesn’t seem to have the tools to create good things after the entry. He often loses control of the puck and doesn’t use his size to protect it. He is physically soft in a way that it hinders his overall game. At the WJC last year he was used as a winger and it became even more obvious that he had a hard time winning puck duels. Olofsson’s foundation as a player is good, but he will need to take big steps in many aspects to remain an interesting NHL prospect. He will play on a better SHL team this season and hopefully that will help him take the next step. - JH

18 Allan McShane, C (97^th overall, 2018. Last Year: 12) McShane is actually a very similar player to Suzuki. He excels as a playmaker down low because of how well he sees the ice and because his hands can create space for himself. He anticipates play in the offensive zone without the puck very well, again, pointing to his top-notch hockey sense. On the downside, the physical tools are rather limited at the moment. His skating will need to continue to improve and he still needs to be more aggressive playing through the middle of the ice and attacking traffic. He does not likely have the toolbox to be a bottom six player, so he will need to be a top six player in the NHL in order to carve out a career. - BO

19 Cam Hillis, C (66^th overall, 2018. Last Year: 13) Hillis is coming off of a tough season that saw him battle through injuries and miss Guelph’s lengthy playoff run. Even so, the Guelph Storm have already named him Captain for the 2019-20 season, which speaks volumes about his character. Like McShane, Hillis lacks top physical tools, such as high-end skating ability, size, and athleticism. Then again, he plays the game with his heart on his sleeve and excels as a playmaker because of his tenacity on and off the puck. As he gets stronger, his offensive production should jump greatly. With improvements to his skating, Hillis could develop into a quality third line center for Montreal, although not in the near future. - BO

20 Rhett Pitlick, LW (131^st overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) An undersized scoring winger, Pitlick is another example of the Canadiens opting to draft skilled long-shot players over their safer, lower-ceiling counterparts in recent seasons. He comes from a family rich in NHL talent and is primed to continue the tradition. An absolutely dominant skater, he is capable of blowing past defenders by merely gliding on his edges, while his acceleration does not lag at all, as his short legs generate a lot of quick power and stride speed. Though he can be outmuscled, he will never be outworked, as his determination is matched only by his scintillating puck skill and elusiveness. His only game-breaking flaw is his riskiness with the puck, but an imminent jump to the NCAA level with the University of Minnesota will help immensely and assist him in approaching his middle-six playmaking forward potential. - TD

Carey The Load – Montreal Canadiens 2018-19 Season Preview

Robert Howard — Sat, 15 Sep 2018 18:13:10 +0000

REVIEW/STATE OF PLAY - It is hard to overstate how devastating the 2017-18 season was after winning their division in 2016-17, the third time in five years. Out of the playoffs in 2015-16 after losing franchise netminder Carey Price for much of the season his return to form was a harbinger of a window to win it all. GM Marc Bergevin has not been shy about making a big off-season trade, but was relatively quiet apart from moving out contentious former third overall draft pick Alex Galchenyuk for Max Domi this season. At the heart of moving out Galchenyuk was the disappointment in his inability to anchor a top two center position, an Achilles’ heel that has haunted Bergevin in all his wheeling and dealing.

TOUGH OFF-SEASON NEWS - The Canadiens entered the offseason with a huge amount of cap space that was meant to be used to solidify the center position. John Tavares was a target and the feeling was a core including Weber, Price and a true number one center would give them a shot in the next few seasons. Tavares declined to consider offers from the team, nor could they use that cap space to land another center such as Ryan O’Reilly in trade or Paul Stastny in free agency.

A further blow was dealt when it was announced that Weber will miss much of the 2018-19 season after undergoing offseason knee surgery for a meniscal tear. He is expected to be out until December at the earliest. After a successful first year in Montreal he missed much of last season with multiple injuries including surgery on his foot to repair a tendon.

Further controversy included Captain Max Pacioretty, who endured a difficult season and enters camp with no offer from the Canadians and a free agent at seasons end. H likely to be traded presumably for the elusive help down the center. A big dip in in his shooting percentage did not help his goal scoring and a knee injury ended his season in March. As a rental his return will be mitigated but there will be interest in a goal scoring left wing at 29-years old.

GM Bergevin say he is ‘not ready to say we’re rebuilding’. Their futility landed them with the third overall pick and they went for a center in Jesper Kotkaniemi from Finland over highly touted wingers and defenseman. They expect Drouin (23), Domi (23), Brendan Gallagher (26), Andrew Shaw (27) Philip Danault (25) and newly acquired Joel Armia (25) to make up their current core heading into their prime, removing Pacioretty from the equation.

They are counting on a number of youngsters to make a leap this year in Jacob De La Rose (23), Nikita Scherbak (22), Artturi Lehkonen (23) and Charles Hudon (24). Scherbak and Hudon were both rookies last season with Scherbak appearing in only 26 games. He did score 30 points in 26 games in the AHL so will be given a chance to earn a full-time spot in training camp. Lehkonen was a disappointment last season after scoring 18 the prior season. It is possible he lines up on the second line with Kotkaniemi but thrusting an 18-year-old into the harshest spotlight in the NHL is a risky gamble. An unforgiving fan base, or management desperation, could force their hand after learning nothing from the Galchenyuk experience, or even pushing Drouin into that role last season.

A CHALLENGE IN THE MIDDLE - The Canadiens brought back Tomas Plekanec for one season to shore up the middle. It now looks like it will be Drouin, Danault, Plekanec in the top three spots. Hardly a dominant line-up and replacing Galchenyuk on the wing with Domi won’t necessarily increase scoring. Bergevin has been clear he prefers to play Drouin on the wing and he was not helped with shuffling back and forth, winning only 42.5% of his faceoffs. The return for Pacioretty, which may not happen until later this season will have an impact. As the forwards stand now, they will continue to be in the bottom third of the league in offense.

The defense suffers a huge loss with Weber out and Carey Price had the most challenging year of his career in 2017-18 and is so critical to any success he will have to rebound. Jeff Petry was one of the few bright spots in a dismal season stepping up in Weber’s absence hitting career highs in points (42) and ice time (23:30). He scored 23 power play points versus seven the prior season. His production is likely tied to his role with Weber out of the line-up. The next two defenders who had the most ice time were veterans Karl Alzner and Jordie Benn. They made a significant commitment to Alzner despite mediocre skating and puck movement, going against the NHL trend towards mobile puck moving blueliners. Victor Mete was another nice surprise in a bleak year, making the team out of training camp as a 19-year-old. Encouraging season for a productive career. Sophomore defence campaigns can be challenging should not be expected to carry the load.

OUTLOOK - The stats were pretty damning finishing 29^th in goals scored, 26^th in goals against, 30^th on the penalty kill, 29^th in faceoff percentage. They also finished 31^st in shooting percentage (7.7%) and 25^th in save percentage (0.980) and might suggest bad puck luck. They will need to see an improvement in both to have any chance at the playoffs this year. The window for a team to win with Price and Weber is in the next two or three seasons, perhaps four before they have $18.357 in annual cap space tied up in two 35-year-olds.

Montreal Canadiens Prospect System Overview

Ryan Wagman — Sat, 15 Sep 2018 18:12:12 +0000

If you have been reading my work for any length of time, whether here at McKeen's, or previously with Hockey Prospectus, you will know that one of my common refrains when it comes to the draft, right after “don’t draft goalies in the first round”, is to not draft for positional need.

Between trades, free agency, and the non-linear development paths taken by the vast majority of prospects, it is impossible to say what your NHL team will need once the players drafted today are ready for the NHL.

As only three to six players in any given draft class are ready to move directly to the NHL, it is beyond folly to presume what your weaknesses will be once they are ready. Include in the facts that most prospects never make it at all and that even the good ones generally need two or three more years of development after being drafted to have a handle on how they are trending, and the concept of drafting for need looks more and more ridiculous.

So here come the Montreal Canadiens, sour at having missed the postseason for the second time in three years, a feat of ignominy the franchise has not seen since the 2001-2003 stretch. Beyond the injuries to Carey Price (yes, he was taken with a high first round pick, and on balance, he has worked out), which prevented them from stopping goals, the team and the local media had long been harping on their lack of centers, both high end and depth, and their lack of size.

Thanks to their favorable results in the NHL Draft Lottery, the team was slated to draft third overall this past June. Everyone who had ever laced up skates knew that Rasmus Dahlin would go first overall, while everyone who had held a hockey stick in anger had pegged big Russian winger Andrei Svechnikov to go second. Pundits and other know-it-alls figured that Czech winger Filip Zadina would be the third pick, with a reasonable chance that the newest Tkachuk, Brady, could slip into the bronze spot.

Then again, rumors leading into the draft had connected Montreal with big Finnish center Jesperi Kotkaniemi, who had impressed playing as a 17 year old in Liiga and then dominated at the WU18s, a talented player without doubt, albeit one with flaws. Canadiens’ brass was known to be enamored with the player who provided a solution to both of the club’s clearest weaknesses.

On the other hand, they also seemed to acknowledge that Kotkaniemi was not the best player likely to be available at third overall, as other whispers had them trying to trade down, hoping to gauge how low they could go with their favorite draft eligible player still on the board. I guess they never got a satisfactory answer, as we all know by know that the Habs kept the pick and drafted Kotkaniemi, who was signed to an ELC less than two weeks later.

Jesperi Kotkaniemi meets a need on the current Montreal roster. He is also talented enough, and physically mature enough, to have a strong case to spend the entire 2018-19 season in the NHL, likely in a third line role at least to start. By the time he hits his peak, however, the Canadiens will have different needs, and they may see other centers emerge that would make Kotkaniemi, if not superfluous, at least lead to questions about what if they had taken Zadina, or Tkachuk, or whoever is behind door #3.

Jesperi Kotkaniemi

1 Jesperi Kotkaniemi, C (3^rd overall, 2018. Last Year: IE) Between his excellent hands, fantastic ability to protect the puck and advanced hockey sense, the Canadiens see their presumptive fist line center for the foreseeable future. If they are right, he will quiet all doubts about their selection of the big Finn with the third overall pick. The other side of the coin is the unmitigated concern about his lack of foot speed. While his first few steps are powerful, his top speed is around average. As the game gets faster and faster, that deficiency could bite into his overall effectiveness. OK speed can be mitigated if all of a player’s other attributes are high end, and, to his credit, Kotkaniemi is close in that regard. He performed exceptionally against men in Liiga and was dominant for Finland at the WU18s. He is an accomplished penalty killer and has a plus physical frame and game. If the sating issue gets in his way, there is still no reason why he could not end up a very good second line center.

2 Ryan Poehling, C (25^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 1^st) As a freshman, Poehling’s lack of offensive impact for St. Cloud State could be brushed away by his youth, as he was one of the youngest players in NCAA at the time. That was no longer the case as a sophomore, but he didn’t need any excuses anyway, as he was one of the offensive drivers for one of the best programs in the country. He is a very strong skater, with hands that can keep up with his feet for quickness. His two-way game was already advanced when he was drafted and has continued to impress as he can play a shutdown game in his own zone. His offensive game is not dynamic, but strong enough to be a factor and earn some power play time going forward. He projects as a middle six center on a very good team.

3 Nikita Scherbak, RW (26^th overall, 2014. Last Year: 4^th) In his third AHL season, Nikita Scherbak, Montreal’s forgotten first rounder from 2014, took a few significant steps forward in his game, proving for once and for all, that he has nothing left to gain in the minor leagues. The question remains how much he can produce in the NHL and how soon he can do it. He has good size and skates well. He has a strong shot and his puck skills show high level top end in the AHL, although he has not been as assertive in the NHL. He also plays a smart, composed game, which suggests that he will step up if given consistent ice time at the top level. Scherbak won’t be gifted a roster spot, but he has the tools to stick if he shows enough in camp.

4 Jake Evans, C (207^th overall, 2014. Last Year: 8^th) In Notre Dame’s long history on ice, the have appeared in the Frozen Four four times. The last two of those have come in Evans’ junior and senior seasons. He ends his collegiate career ranked third in scoring since the turn of the century. He will never be a dynamic skater, but has improved his pace significantly during his collegiate career. Good edgework helps his skating play up. The strength of his game is as a playmaker. The puck has a way of finding his stick and he has a way of setting up linemates with prime scoring chances with pinpoint accuracy. He has great anticipation, indicative of his ability to read what opponents are trying to do in all three zones. Almost without fail, he then makes it more difficult for them to execute. Evans might have to spend some time in Laval first, especially depending on his recovery from an offseason hernia surgery, but he has top six upside.

Jesse Ylonen

5 Jesse Ylonen, RW (35^th overall, 2018. Last Year: IE) With a late 1999 birthdate, Ylonen’s chance to shine internationally was in the 2017 WU18 tournament. And he shone, with nine points in seven games on the way to a Silver Medal for Finland. Born in Arizona when father Juha was playing with the Coyotes, the young Jesse spent is first season playing against men last year, and was one of the only teenagers to accomplish anything at all in Mestis, Finland’s second league. A dynamic, smooth skater with magnificent puck skills, work well together to make him a constant threat when his team is on the offensive attack. One of his bigger development sin the last 12 months has been his willingness to play in a team structure and utilize his linemates more in the attack. He still has a ways to go physically, and will be moving on up to play in Liiga, with Pelicans, as his next stop.

6 Jacob Olofsson, C (56^th overall, 2018. Last Year: IE) All the steak, half the sizzle. Olofsson is a mature young center drafted as part of Montreal’s concerted effort to beef up the system down the middle. A solid skater who plays with an impressive motor, he lacks dynamic puck skills, but is able to protect it from the sticks of defenders as he drives the net. Like Ylonen in Finland, Olofsson produced at a fine level in Sweden’s second division, the Allsvenskan before showing well at the WU18s. He features a tricky release on his wrist shot that allows him to generate scoring chances from the rush. As with most 17 year-olds playing senior hockey, one of his most impressive traits is his hockey sense. He reads the game very well and sticks to the team structure, with generally proper positioning in the defensive zone. With his team being promoted to the SHL, he is ready for a new challenge against better competition.

7 Noah Juulsen, D (26^th overall, 2015. Last Year: 2^nd) If only due to the 23 games he played at the NHL level last year, Juulsen is the most likely player from this list to graduate from consideration in the 2018-19 season. In his first professional season, he did not show any dynamic traits of the type that made him a first rounder and reliable source of offense from the blueline in his time n the WHL, but he was a steady presence on otherwise poor rosters in both Laval and Montreal. Juulsen is a strong skater, who has improved markedly in his game away from the puck since his draft year to the point that he could comfortably be used in defensive situations in the NHL. He still needs to fill out his frame, but he leans on his checks effectively. At this point, expectations for an offensive weapon from the blueline are diminished, but he should still be serviceable as a fourth or fifth defender.

8 Cale Fleury, D (87^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 14^th) As many had anticipated in his draft year, Fleury’s skills were being muted by playing for a bottom-feeding Kootenay club. The Ice traded their captain to Regine around mis-season and, with skilled forwards to get the puck to, his assist rate soared. He can survey the ice very well from the point, and is able to execute on passes of surprising difficulty. Fleury also has a mature frame and plays with an impressive amount of bite. He has above average mobility and it is fair to say that his horrid +/- numbers with Kootenay were more on the team than him, as that number went heavily the other way after the trade. Of the four blueliners selected by Montreal in the middle rounds in 2017, Fleury has the greatest likelihood of growing into more than a third pairing contributor.

9 Cayden Primeau, G (199^th overall, 2017. Last Year: not ranked) A goaltending project when drafted towards the end of the 2017 draft, Primeau had struggled to keep the starting job with Lincoln of the USHL, but raised eyebrows with a stellar performance at the World Junior A’s. He won a lot of believers when he stole the starting job with Hockey East side Northeastern from incumbent Ryan Ruck and proceeded to post the fourth best save percentage in the nation among starters. He stands out for his athleticism and composure and flashes high end potential in his ability to stick with the shooter. He likes to play the puck. One element he needs to show improvement in is tracking when the play is behind his net, to avoid needlessly opening up holes.

Joni Ikonen

10 Joni Ikonen, C/RW (58^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 7^th) A Finnish player drafted out of the Swedish leagues, Ikonen returned to his native land last year and finished sixth in Liiga among all U19 players. He also played a strong role for Finland at the WJC. Unfortunately, it seems highly unlikely that he will return to the WJC this year, as a knee injury suffered in a team-related practice session after the conclusion of the season is expected to keep him out of commission until December. Ikonen’s game is predicated on slipperiness with the puck on his stick, and a commitment to stay with the play across all three zones. He is strong for his size and respected for his speed, which tracks to an above average level, presuming the trait returns with health.

11 Josh Brook, D (56^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 6^th) It can be difficult to judge players on powerhouse teams, and their own contributions can be subsumed by those of their teammates. That said, it certainly does look like Brook took a step forward in his development last season, playing a smart, two-way game with a physical yet disciplined edge. He also continued to make the case that he is a very good puck distributor. After all, who is to say that Moose Jaw would have scored that much if Brook was not so adept at getting the puck to his teammates. Between his offensive production and the facets of his game that stand out well, the reason he is not ranked higher is that his mobility is middling on a good day. There is still the sense that his foot speed can be exploited at higher levels unless he adds some quickness.

12 Allan McShane, C (97^th overall, 2018. Last Year: IE) One of several smaller centers selected by Montreal in the 2018 draft after taking their big center at the top, McShane lacks much I the way of physical tools, but more than makes up for it with high end playmaking and a gift for processing the game. He is a sluggish skater, lacking in his first few steps and not able to get to a promising top speed. That said, his is fairy agile and has a knack for sidestepping past defenders who don’t see it coming. While not a big shooter, he does like his wrap-around attempts, and generates a good number of rebounds that way. Thanks to his understanding of game play situations, he can be used in a variety of roles. He does need to gain another half step, but his vision and style lend themselves to maintain value further up the developmental ladder.

13 Cam Hillis, C (66^th overall, 2018. Last Year: IE) Somewhat of a late bloomer, the undersized Hillis waited until he was 17 to debut in the OHL and came in swinging, with nearly one point per game in his rookie year at the level. Between his production and his superb skating, making him a threat in one-on-one situations, he earned the attention of Team Canada, eventually suiting up for his homeland at the WU18. He is also committed to the team structure in his own zone and is an impressive playmaker. He can try to overextend himself with the puck, leading to too many turnovers. If he learns to play more within himself, including the recognition of the limitations of his stature, he could be a decent middle six forward, with the ability to contribute on special teams.

14 William Bitten, C (70^th overall, 2016. Last Year: 11^th) Although Bitten never produced the offensive numbers in the OHL that his skillset suggested he could, he has continued to improve year-over-year and he moves to the professional game as a promising two-way threat. The son of two badminton Olympians, flashes very high end abilities with the puck and skates at an above average level. Just as often as he impresses with the puck, his game away from the puck is consistently worthy of acclaim. There is an open question whether a player with his clear size deficit can establish himself in an energy role as a pro, but with a little more assertiveness on offense, Bitten can open up a selection of paths to the NHL.

Cole Fonstad

15 Cole Fonstad, C/LW (128^th overall, 2018. Last Year: IE) Skilled without being dynamic, Fonstad earned a spot on Canada’s WU18 roster thanks to a very good season with a middling Prince Albert team which he helped return to the playoffs. A fine skater with elusive puck skills and a promising two way game, his main drawback is his complete lack of size and strength. He forechecks strong and generally plays with admirable hustle, there is reasonable doubt that his style of play will be possible at higher levels. With much of the Prince Albert roster having turned over, Fonstad will be relied upon to fill a more leadership role with the Raiders this year. It will be interesting to note how, if at all, that impacts his game.

16 Scott Walford, D (68^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 15^th) Although injuries may have played a role – he missed both rounds of Victoria’s postseason run – it is fair to call Scott Walford’s first post-draft season a disappointment. He is a smooth skater who shows a keen understanding for the nuances of the game and is reliable away from the puck. He can make the basic passes and plays with the puck, but he is not a primary puck carrier or a genuine weapon from the blueline. He has decent size and while not a physical force, is not a pushover either. In sum, Walford is a quiet, competent blueliner who could probably play at the next level, but has yet to really show why he should play over other similarly skilled players.

17 Alexander Romanov, D (38^th overall, 2018. Last Year: IE) In a draft full of surprise picks, perhaps no pick was as out of left field as Montreal selecting Romanov early in the second round. An undersized defenseman from the Russian junior leagues, those who like him see a teenager who is fleet of foot, who keeps a tight gap when facing a zone entry against, and packs a nice slap shot from the point. They even see a player who punches above his weight class in terms of the physical game. The difference between those who like and those who don’t is not that substantial, but to prove a point about why his selection was surprising, all of those tools mentioned above, instead of being somewhat impressive, are somewhat meh. Like Kotkaniemi, his WU18 tournament helped his draft stock, but unlike Kotkaniemi, his pre-tournament performance was not really notable at all.

18 Charlie Lindgren, G (UDFA: Mar. 30, 2016. Last Year: 17^th) With superstar Carey Price on the roster, for now and evermore, the Canadiens have de-emphasized the drafting of netminders over the past few years. In fact, since the Price pick, they have only taken five goalies in 13 draft classes. To keep padded people between the pipes at the lower levels, the organization has taken to signing free talent at the position. Lindgren has been the best such free agent find. Signed out of St. Cloud State in 2016, he has worked his way into NHL appearances in each season since, including 14 games while Price was out last season. He is highly competitive and athletic with a strong puck handling game for a netminder. On the down side, he is a bit too prone to the juicy rebound to be more than a solid backup. If Antti Niemi’s bubble bursts again, he is primed to be the permanent backup in the NHL.

19 Matthew Peca, C (UFA: Jul. 1, 2018. Last Year: not ranked [Tampa Bay]) A clever playmaker who was too small even for Tampa, Peca, a former seventh round pick, was signed as a free agent with Montreal this offseason after appearing in 20 games total for the Lightning over the past two seasons. He is a skilled offense creator, playing with pace and getting his linemates into nice scoring chances. While those traits have not yet come to fruition in the NHL, the Habs have given him a two year contract and seem committed to giving Peca his chance in the sun. He has the speed and skillset that could make him a useful bottom six forward given limited and protected minutes, but the investment in him was not so great as to prevent the team from cutting bait if he can’t manage to produce points.

20 Lukas Vejdemo, C (87^th overall, 2015. Last Year: 18^th) A tremendous skater, Vejdemo rebounded from a down year in 2016-17 to post his best season yet in the SHL, convincing both the Canadiens and himself that it was time to come play in North America. Outside of his skating, the rest of his tools grade out around average, but the left handed center gets around fast enough to perhaps help those attributes play up. He has good size too, which would probably be of use to him in the AHL, especially considering the lack thereof of some of his probable future teammates. By this point, it is unlikely that he can grow into anything above a decent fourth liner, but considering the weakness of Laval last year, he should have plenty of chances to try to prove us wrong.

Montréal – System Overview

Ryan Wagman — Fri, 15 Sep 2017 16:37:57 +0000

Although lacking in knock-out superstar prospects, especially since trading their 2016 first rounder Mikhail Sergachev to Tampa Bay in exchange for young winger Jonathan Drouin, himself not long removed from prospectdom, the Habs have a very deep system chockful of viable players.

Watching the Montreal system evolve, it was clear that they were ready for a changing of the guard. Not only did they trade their top defensive prospect in the offseason, but they also moved out a number of other young blueliners, many of whom still retained prospect eligibility. Nathan Beaulieu, a first rounder from 2011, was traded in the days leading up to the draft to Buffalo for a third round pick. One month prior, the team inked Jakub Jerabek, a Czech rearguard who put up great numbers in the KHL last year.

The day before the draft, the team acquired David Schlemko from the expansion Vegas, for a 2019 fifth rounder. They walked away from longtime quarterback Andrei Markov and brought in Mark Streit to take the role of veteran presence. The cherry on top, considering only the NHL roster, was the free agent signing of Karl Alzner as a shutdown option, and rounded out their July 1 with bringing in backline depth in Matt Taormina and Joe Morrow.

All of the above has little to do with prospects, but it leads, although not likely directly connected to, Montreal’s strategy over the last two draft classes. In 2016, four of the Canadiens’ six draft picks were blueliners. After grabbing Sergachev with the ninth overall pick, they selected undersized and mobile Victor Mete in the fourth round, Minnesota high schooler Casey Staum in the fifth and big Victor Arvidsson in the seventh. While Sergachev was dealt for Drouin and the latter two have not yet established themselves as draft day steals, Mete had a strong post-draft year in between injuries.

Montreal repeated that strategy again in the most recent draft, using four of seven picks on blueliners, starting with second rounder Josh Brook. Between the third and fifth rounds, they also selected Scott Walford, Cale Fleury, and Jarret Tyszka. All four of their new defensemen were selected from the WHL, which may have been a coincidence, but surely made one of their scouts feel special. Beyond that coincidence, all four were considered to be great value where they were selected.

If we take all of the blueliners added to the organization in the last two years, add on Noah Juulsen (first round) and Simon Bourque (sixth round) from 2015 and Brett Lernout (third round) from 2014, what we get is a team that is preparing to turn over their defensive corps. Seven of their top 20 prospects are blueliners and while not all will succeed, by buying in bulk, the Canadiens expect to have at least a few percolate up to the top.

As long as the team is willing to trust minutes at the NHL level to young players, this is a strategy that can pay big long-term dividends. If even two can become part of the core rotation in the next two years, Montreal will be able to balance the hefty defense dollars paid to Shea Weber, Jeff Petry and Karl Alzner with minimum contracts, giving them more resources to allocate to the forwards.

Ryan Poehling, 2016 Ivan Hlinka Tournament. Photo by IIHF/Csaba Domotor

1 Ryan Poehling – One of the youngest players to play NCAA hockey last year, Poehling’s number with St. Cloud State need to be taken with a grain of salt. He rarely played assertively with the puck and as a result, his point totals were mediocre. He showed flashes of puck skills and high hockey IQ, but once he pulled on the red, white and blue at the WU18 tournament, he exploded and was often the best American on the ice. Expect big things from Poehling in his sophomore season.

2 Noah Juulsen – After struggling in his first post-draft season to replicate the offensive production of his draft year, Juulsen rebounded in a big way last year with 34 points in 49 games for the defensively stifling Everett Silvertips. He also made Team Canada for the first time, showcasing his plus puck moving skills as well as a very impressive physical game at the marquee event. He will be given as much time as he needs to develop on the farm, but he projects as a good number three in his prime.

Michael McCarron

3 Mike McCarron – First the obvious, positive and negative. To McCarron’s credit, he is massive, 6-5”, and stocky. On the downside, his feet are slow. He moves better than he used to, though, and has the hockey IQ and smooth hands to negate some of his inherent handicap. While his AHL production has been somewhat stagnant, he has always demonstrated plus vision with the puck and the instincts of a playmaker. With a touch more aggression, he can still be an impact middle six center.

Nikita Scherbak

4 Nikita Scherbak – Scherbak, Montreal’s 2014 first round pick, took pleasing strides forward in his offensive game in his second season in the AHL. He is active in all three zones and displays solid puck skills on a regular basis. Although slight, he drives the net with power. His offensive potential suggests a future on a second line, but he needs to show more creativity to evade closer checks and figure out how to more regularly maintain possession of the puck after entering the zone.

5 Charles Hudon – On a list topped with four former first round picks, Hudon is the first later round selection who has already exceeded projections. In three seasons in the AHL, he has overcome questions about his size and strength to post 162 points in 207 games. He is not even that fast, but earns plaudits for his hands. His pucks skills are well above average. He is patient on the puck and sees things developing that many others cannot. He has earned his first extended NHL audition.

6 Josh Brook – The first of four defencemen drafted by Montreal this year, Brook does everything well, but nothing exceptionally. He is generally a defense first blueliner who owns a solid skill set in addition to very strong positional play. He controls his gaps, clears the defensive zone well and can be placed in a shutdown role. If his offensive game does not develop, he can still project as a decent #4/5 defender. Any more development would put the #3 in his sights.

7 Joni Ikonen – A Finnish forward developing in Sweden, the slight Ikonen has an electric offensive game, grading out as plus as a skater, shooter and puck handler. He skates well with the puck, showing great creativity and the ability to get himself into and out of trouble at will. After a strong showing at the WU18 tournament with Finland, Ikonen will be returning to his native land to play this season with KalPa in Liiga, passing up the chance to play for Hamilton in the OHL. The Habs are very high on him.

8 Jake Evans – A seventh round sleeper from the 2014 draft, Evans has spent the past three seasons with Notre Dame, where his offensive production has gone up every year, surpassing one point per game for the first time last year. He has very high hockey IQ and is a natural playmaker. He is always near the puck, pushing it in the right direction on offense, or fighting to get it back in the defensive and neutral zones. An all-situations player.

Victor Mete at the 2016 NHL Draft in Buffalo, NY on Saturday June 25, 2016. Photo by Aaron Bell/CHL Images

9 Victor Mete – Undersized but aggressive, Mete is among the smarter defensemen in the OHL. Already showing offensive talents when drafted, his production increased this year, despite injuries limiting him to 50 games, before he slowed down in the postseason. He is mobile, with above average puck skills and a point shot that demands respect.

10 Michael McNiven – Not as tall as many modern day goaltenders, McNiven was passed over on draft day despite strong numbers in a backup role with Owen Sound. Montreal signed him after impressing in rookie camp, signing him to an ELC as a free agent. Two years on, and McNiven will begin his pro career after a season in which he was named the OHL Goaltender of the Year. Plays deep in his crease and is a plus athlete.

11 Will Bitten – Moving from one poor OHL team in Flint for another in Hamilton, Bitten saw his numbers plateau in his first post-draft season. He has a high compete level and plays a responsible, 200-foot game, but can disappear at times. With Hamilton expected to be better with its young players now more experienced, expect Bitten’s above average puck skills to shine more often this year.

12 Brett Lernout – Although the depth added by the Canadiens this offseason makes it more likely that Lernout will spend most of a third full season in the AHL, he is a quietly very effective blueliner. He skates well, can play a physical game and is a steady hand for beginning the transition from defense to offense. His upside is not overly high, but he should be one of the first names considered this year when Montreal is short a defenseman.

13 Simon Bourque – Another example of a late round pick who has exceeded his expected value, Bourque put a cap on a strong junior career with a near point-per-game performance split between Rimouski and Saint John, with whom Bourque won the QMJHL title and played in the Memorial Cup for the second time. He is a solid puck mover who can lead the rush or sit back and slow the game down.

14 Cale Fleury – One of the top scorers with one of the worst teams in the CHL, Fleury, whose older brother Haydn was a top draft pick of Carolina, has a quick, hard and accurate shot and plays an aggressive game. It can be hard to scout a player whose team is often overmatched, but Fleury shows competence in his own zone as well as offensively, with an active stick, and a knack for breaking plays up.

15 Scott Walford – A smooth skater who displays solid instincts off the puck, Walford had an up and down year for an up and down Victoria Royals squad. He has good size, but plays a clean game. More a puck mover than shooter, he does not have the upside of Fleury, Brook or Tyszka, but there is enough raw material to work with here to suggest a third pairing upside is possible.

16 Daniel Carr – Had Carr played in two more games this year in Montreal, he would not have been eligible for this list. Despite the six goals he scored in his first NHL action in 2015-16, his overall game will be limited by his skating deficiencies and the fact that, already 25 years old, the former NCAA champ is already as good as he will ever be. That should be enough to play regularly for Montreal this year on the bottom six.

17 Charlie Lindgren – Another undrafted free agent making his way through the Montreal system, Lindgren had a strong first pro season in the AHL, enhanced by two strong starts against Florida and Detroit late in the year. Lindgren is a very aggressive netminder and really loves playing the puck, sometimes to his own detriment. Will have to fight to hold off McNiven for the role of Carey Price’s future backup.

18 Lukas Vejdemo – Drafted with high expectations as a third rounder after tearing up the Swedish junior ranks, Vejdemo has struggled with only 25 points across his first two campaigns in the SHL. Despite his struggles, speed doesn’t lie and he still shows flashes of enticing puck skills. He needs to take a step forward this year to remain on the radar.

19 Martin Reway – Montreal drafted the tiny, high scoring winger after a strong season as a solid offensive import in the QMJHL. He went back to Europe and put up big numbers in two seasons split between the Czech and Swiss leagues, but missed all of last year due to a heart ailment that required surgery. Reports are that he is ready to get back on the ice this year. That, in itself, is a victory.

20 Jeremiah Addison – Although his offensive abilities are rather limited, Addison is a high energy grinder with just enough in the way of skills to avoid being ignored. He ended his junior career on the highest of high notes, potting a surprising number of goals on the way to captaining the Windsor Spitfires to a Memorial Cup championship.

Having moved their AHL affiliate from St John’s to Laval, Quebec, a leisurely drive from the Bell Centre, expect to see Montreal use their AHL talent liberally. Thankfully, due to strong drafting from the first round through the seventh round, there are enough promising players that should be available on the farm to make that strategic advantage truly fruitful.

NHL Prospect Watch: World Junior Preview – Canada

Ryan Wagman — Sat, 24 Dec 2016 22:31:15 +0000

Next Monday is Boxing Day in Canada. Monday also marks the opening faceoff of the 2016-17 WJC – also in Canada, incidentally enough, with the tournament being shared by Montreal and Toronto. With Team Canada all squared away (notwithstanding the potential for last minute injuries), now marks as good a time as any to provide you with a taste of what the Canadians can do on home ice.

With tremendous help from Craig Smith (QMJHL), Scott Crawford (OHL) and Kevin Olexson (WHL), what follows is a non-comprehensive look at many of the players who will be wearing the red and white over the next few weeks.

Goaltenders

Carter Hart (Philadelphia, 2/48, 2016), G, Everett (WHL)

Connor Ingram (Tampa Bay, 3/88, 2016), G, Kamloops (WHL)

Carter Hart at the 2016 NHL Draft in Buffalo, NY on Saturday June 25, 2016. Photo by Aaron Bell/CHL Images

Carter Hart is likely the most exciting of Philadelphia’s 326 goaltenders currently in their pipeline. Now in his fourth year with Everett, his GAA was dropped every year (3.49 -> 2.29 -> 2.14 -> 1.85) while his save percentage has also steadily risen over that time (.893 -> .915 -> .918 -> .928). Largely expected to be Canada’s primary netminder, he is a butterfly netminder with impressive agility and positioning. He is patient, squares up very nicely to the shooters and does a commendable job cutting down angles. He tends to play low and is hard to beat from bottom part of the net. If shooter’s go high, Hart also has a quick glove to snuff out opportunities.

The expected backup is Tampa Bay (we’ll be reading that a lot here) prospect Connor Ingram. Not drafted in his first year of eligibility, even though he was already a starter, Ingram raised his save percentage from .904 to .922 and drew many scouts to Kamloops. Although Ingram’s numbers are not the equal of Hart’s his Kamloops team does not play as structured a defensive game as Everett does in front of Hart, leaving Ingram exposed for more shots. He is a very athletic netminder with excellent movements and great tenacity. As with Hart, Ingram is known for high end puck tracking, and plus agility allowing him to cover the lower part of the net. Whichever netminder Canada turns to on a given night, they should have a great chance of winning.

Defensemen

Jake Bean (Carolina, 1/13, 2016), D, Calgary (WHL)

Thomas Chabot (Ottawa, 1/18, 2015), D, Saint John (QMJHL)

Kale Clague (Los Angeles, 2/51, 2016), D, Brandon (WHL)

Dante Fabbro (Nashville, 1/17, 2016), D, Boston University (HE)

Noah Juulsen (Montreal, 1/26, 2015), D, Everett (WHL)

Jeremy Lauzon (Boston, 2/52, 2015), D, Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL)

Philippe Myers (Philadelphia, UDFA/2015), D, Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL)

The only returning WJC defender on Team Canada is Ottawa Senators’ first rounder Thomas Chabot, one of the better skaters you can find outside of an NHL arena. Nearly a point-per-game player last year with the Sea Dogs, Chabot has upped his game after a brief stay with Ottawa at the start of the year. He may only have gotten into one game with the Senators, but he returned to the Q a man possessed. Not only is he producing points at a ridiculous pace (20 points through 14 games), but he has also taken strides with his defensive game, and showing off a sneaky hip check that he utilizes to help break up zone entries. Physicality was his least effective trait last year. Chabot will wear an ‘A’ on his sweater for team Canada and is expected to be their top blueliner in this tournament.

Noah Juulsen, a teammate of netminder Hart with Everett, is also expected to take on a critical role in the red and white blueline. Another solid two-way defender, his offensive game seems to be rebounding nicely from what was a down year last year. He is a smooth skater, who moves the puck with confidence and poise. His point shot is hard and accurate, but his defensive play has been more impressive and he could take on a shut down role in the WJC.

The youngest blueliner on a stacked Boston University roster, and one of six with NHL draft pedigree, Dante Fabbro has been having a solid, if unspectacular freshman season with the Terriers. He plays a sound game and has outstanding potential as a puck mover. I expect Fabbro to be given a more sheltered role in the WJC as Canada is going with a relatively young blueline. He could take a regular third pairing role and perhaps help out on the penalty kill.

Jake Bean may be a bit of a wild card on the Canadian blueline, as he has missed much of the first half of the WHL season to injury. Although a leader with the Calgary Hitmen, I expect him to take more of a secondary role here, and be put in positions where his puck moving skills and great point shot and offensive instincts can stick out.

Kale Clague should also take part in the 5-6-7 rotation, as yet another 18 year old. Although his Brandon Wheat Kings are having a down year, Clague has stepped up his role on the team, trying to fill in the enormous shoes left over by Ivan Provorov. He plays a strong transition game and has plus passing skills. His strong play reading may allow him to take shifts against opponents top lines as well.

Philippe Myers is the only player on Team Canada who has never been drafted, but he does not need to be. After being passed over in his first year of eligibility, as 8 points in 60 games did not make up for his 6-5” frame and plus skating, especially considering his size. Nonetheless, he earned an invitation to Flyers’ rookie camp and impressed enough to earn an entry level contract. His point total jumped from eight to 45 in only three more games, which he followed up with a lead role in Rouyn-Noranda’s run to the Memorial Cup. So far this year, he is close to one point per game. Myers is a puck moving protection with phenomenal reach. His transition game is fantastic as he skated like a player six inches shorter. He may be the best prospect in the game acquired as an undrafted free agent. Expect Myers to take on a top four role.

Forwards

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)

Mathew Barzal (NY Islanders, 1/16, 2015), C, Seattle (WHL)

Anthony Cirelli (Tampa Bay, 3/72, 2015), C, Oshawa (OHL)

Dillon Dube (Calgary, 2/56, 2016), C, Kelowna (WHL)

Pierre-Luc Dubois (Columbus, 1/3, 2016), C/LW, Cape Breton (QMJHL)

Julien Gauthier (Carolina, 1/21, 2016), RW, Val d’Or (QMJHL)

Mathieu Joseph (Tampa Bay, 4/120, 2015), RW, Saint John (QMJHL)

Tyson Jost (Colorado, 1/10, 2016), C, North Dakota (NCHC)

Michael McLeod (New Jersey, 1/12, 2016), C, Mississauga (OHL)

Taylor Raddysh (Tampa Bay, 2/58, 2016), RW, Erie (OHL)

Nicolas Roy (Carolina, 4/96, 2015), C, Chicoutimi (QMJHL)

Blake Speers (New Jersey, 3/67, 2016), RW, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)

Mitchell Stephens (Tampa Bay, 2/33, 2015), C, Saginaw (OHL)

Dylan Strome (Arizona, 1/3, 2015), C, Erie (OHL)

In Strome and Dubois, Team Canada has the two highest drafted players in the tournament, both of whom were selected third overall in their respective draft years. While Dubois was not expected to stick in the NHL this year – although he probably should have received more of a chance, many, myself included were shocked at how Strome was used by Arizona. He played in seven games for the Coyotes, but spent just as much time in the press box and was only sent back to Erie of the OHL in late November. Strome picked up right where he left off last year, with 16 points in his first seven OHL games, fitting for a player who led the CHL in points in his draft year. Dubois, on the other hand, has disappointed since being returned to junior hockey, scoring roughly 50% less this year than last season. He has recently been rumored to be on the trading block, with Blainville-Boisbriand looking to secure his services. Strome may never be more than average as a skater, but his hockey IQ, shot and puck skills are all at or near elite levels for a junior aged player. He scored four goals in last year’s WJC tournament and Canada is counting on more of the same this time. Dubois, in spite of his relatively low point totals this year with Cape Breton, is still showing the excellent vision that convinced the Blue Jackets to use the third overall pick on him last June. Unfortunately, his skills have not stuck out as much this year. Focusing only on his primary points (goals and first assists), his production has reverted of his age 16 season. He has the skills and overall game to be a big time contributor for Canada, and a good tournament may revitalize his season.

If Strome is not the offensive catalyst for this team, Seattle’s Mathew Barzal will be. One of the returnees from last year’s WJC entry, he has something to prove after being cut from the Islanders, used even less than Strome was in Arizona. A great skater who plays a high tempo game, Barzal has exceptional vision and puck skills and is perhaps the purest playmaker on the squad. While he has only scored two goals in 13 games since being returned to the WHL, his 17 assists speak volumes about how he can contribute. I expect a much bigger output from Barzal this year than the three points he added to last year’s team.

One of five Tampa Bay Lightning prospects to make the final roster, Mathieu Joseph was an intriguing flyer in his draft year. Since then, he has emerged as one of the deadliest and most consistent snipers in the QMJHL, where he is a teammate of Chabot’s in Saint John. He scored 33 goals last year in 58 games and already lit the lamps 25 times in 29 games this year for the Sea Dogs. Joseph s a big, strong winger with plus acceleration who loves to drive the net. He has improved his ability to create offense for himself such as by finding new ways to create space in the high danger areas of the ice. He has a fast release and does not give goalies much time to adjust to his shots.

Sticking with goal scoring teenagers in the Lightning pipeline, Taylor Raddysh, an Erie teammate of Strome’s as well, is the current OHL points leader. Known going into the draft as a sluggish skater, he is now faster, particularly in his first two strides. He plays an aggressive, shoot first game and generates a ton of rebounds. Raddysh provides Canada with much needed versatility as well, with his plus hockey IQ letting him play all over the ice.

Tampa has two other forwards on the team who are expected to provide more jam and hustle than flash in Mitchell Stephens and Anthony Cirelli. Stephens, the captain of the Saginaw Spirit, is a do-it-all player for his junior club and was a member of last year’s ill-fated Canada WJC squad. Although his size is roughly average, his physical game has improved and he can be a terror on the forecheck. His slap shot is also looking harder to handle than in the past. Although seemingly better suited to a bottom six role, Stephens could also make his presence felt as an agitator creating space in a higher line. Cirelli, who went undrafted as a bantam, walked on to the Oshawa Generals team and finished his rookie season by scoring both of his team’s goals in the Memorial Cup Final, including the overtime winner. One of the hardest working forwards in the OHL, he is both faster and stronger this year, especially as it pertains to his upper body. More of an East-West player than most of his ilk, he adds a heart-and-soul dimension to the team, with the type of leadership expected of a player in his second season captaining his junior squad.

Another player on the team who has missed a large chunk of the first half to injury is Dillon Dube, a Calgary draft pick with Kelowna of the WHL. A versatile and dynamic player, he can play at any forward spot and in any manpower situation. He engages physically, but can also beat you with speed, solid puck skills and a good shot. If he is able to add offense from the bottom six, things will be looking rosy for Canada.

Tyson Jost was a teammate of Dante Fabbro’s last season with Penticton of the BCHL and will be reacquainted with his childhood friend over the next few weeks. The University of North Dakota freshman has made quick work of the NCAA, scoring over one point per game as a freshman with the defending NCAA champs. His experience in the NCAA, playing with and against much older players should help him in this tournament. His combination of skating, puck skills and hockey sense fit the description of a front line player at any level. He should be penciled into the top six here.

Drafted two picks after Jost last June, Michael McLeod has perhaps been this season’s most disappointing prospect in the OHL. Drafted as a speed demon with a nose for the net, he returned to the OHL from a long run at cam with New Jersey with perhaps too much confidence and not enough attention to detail. He has made more egregious and more frequent mistakes, at both ends of the ice. Focusing only on his skills set, he could find a good role with this team, and is an accomplished penalty killer. But he will need to be better for Team Canada than he has been this year with the Steelheads to earn a steady shift.

CHL Canada- Russia series: WHL prospects shine, providing some solid WJC auditions

Andy Levangie — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 17:59:41 +0000

Photo; Marissa Baeker

Team WHL started game one like they were shot from a cannon. Their speed was evident and their puck pursuit was tenacious. They were virtually uncontested in transition and through the neutral ice, making for easy entries and lots of offensive zone time for the WHL. It looked for two periods as though Russia didn’t have an answer, showing very little push back.

The way they were playing no one could tell that Russia had been on Canadian soil almost a week already, to combat there expected jet lag. After two periods and a goalie change, Russia had staked Team WHL a six goal lead, as the Dub looked to have game one under control. However, the Russian’s outscored Canada three to one in the third period and began laying the groundwork for a far more competitive game two.

As head coach Dave Lowry said:

“They played the third period how we expect them to start (the next) game… Let’s not take anything away from the way they started the third… At the end of the day you can’t not like the effort and the result”

The head coach was right, a win is a win, and pretty dominant one at that, but game two was a different story and the coach’s speculation for Kamloops was correct. Lowry shuffles his lines and rewarded two of his standout forwards from game 1 sliding Collin Shirley and Deven Sideroff on either side of Matthew Barzal on the “top line” for team WHL. Feeding off their home crowd they were one of the best lines in game two.

Skating to a relatively even first period Russia went toe to toe, keeping Team WHL to the outside, and making life much easier for Maxim Tretiak in goal. Proving to be far more stable in game two, Russia looked more confident from the crease out. Canada opened the scoring on a scramble around the crease that was banged home by some good hand-eye co-ordination from Jansen Harkins (#47 WPG 2015).

Two back-to-back defensive breakdowns right in front of the WHL net led to quick goals by Russia. Sideroff had a great individual effort to even up the score 2-2 by the end of the second. Team WHL would not be denied, outshooting Russia 12-5 and taking the lead with 3:13 left, on a great individual effort by an otherwise quiet Jayce Hawryluk (#32 FLA 2014). Choosing a great time step up and seal the game. Coach Lowry called it the day before, and echoed the sentiment after game two.

“We saw what we expected to see (from Russia), we stuck with it and got better as the game went on”

Goalies:

Some were surprised to see two draft eligible goalies out of the three chosen for the WHL leg of this series. Experienced or not, the selection was deserve given their WHL performance this season. Goaltending is wide open for the upcoming World Junior Tournament and the WHL contingent should strongly be considered.

Zach Sawchenko (2016):

Locked in from the get go with very few Russian chances occurring in the first half, handling most everything that was thrown his way with ease… Looks big in the net, challenges shooters well... A big reason for Moose Jaw’s resurgence.

Carter Hart (2016):

Coming in in relief is never easy when your team is rolling, and would likely want another chance at the 9 shots he faced, surrendering three goals… His season to date boasts a 1.93 GAA and .933 SV%, which are tops among non-over-age goalies in the WHL.

Adin Hill (ARI 2014 #76):

Lowry clearly showed confidence in Hill, and despite his teams struggles this year he boasts a more than respectable .926 SV% with three shutouts... His big frame fills the net, relying on position to block pucks… Covers the bottom of net well and doesn’t give up big holes…

Lowry liked what he saw:

“he was in a zone tonight and we didn’t want to get him out of rhythm… We left the door open(for a switch) but we had talked about through the evaluation process there was chance one guy was going to get a game, that was the case tonight.”

Defense:

Joe Hicketts (Signed DET):

Returning from last years team, his ice time and situational play (EV,PP,PK) at the WHL leg of the Super Series, proves he will be depended on this holiday season by his Victoria Royals head coach... Small in stature but plays an impressive physical game matching up against bigger opponents with a strong lower body… Sound positioning with good agility and four-way movement. A complete player with and without the puck… His Coach knows his game well, entrusting him to mentor the younger D on Team WHL in both games.

Brandon Guhle (#51 BUF 2015):

Makes a strong case for himself with slick skating. Displays less flash, but plays a really solid all around/two-way game. A dependable player any coach would love to have. Makes a good first pass and defends really well on the wall and down low… provides a shutdown presence, but questions arise about his ability to contribute in all areas of play.

Photo: Marissa Baeker

Haydn Fleury (#7 CAR 2014):

Could be considered the best defender over the two games, skates well and imposes his physical will on others… Keeps opposing offences to the perimeter and possesses a long and effective reach breaking up plays… Fires a quick and powerful point shot, working the line with good instincts and improving agility….

Noah Juulsen (#26 MTL 2015):

Brings a lot of the same qualities as Guhle, with some offensive upside… A quick and much improved decision maker who quells trouble with a few efficient skating strides… Thinks well in unison with his feet, stays fluid and creates play-making options… He sees the ice with above average IQ, plays quickly in transition starting the rush and leading sustained zone time… Could certainly be an asset on the hybrid international ice in Finland with some extra room to push the pace.

______________

There were a lot of options from a defensively strong WHL, an intriguing inclusion were some highly touted NHL draft prospects, Jake Bean & Kale Clague. These defensemen both split time with Hicketts and were thrust into important roles against a big Russian team with some varying results. With so many valuable options it would seem Hockey Canada was challenging these young men; look for them at the U18 in April.

Jake Bean (2016):

Showed offensive upside, an ability to break out on the rush and a knack for jumping into the play. Bean’s skating was a big asset, however at times he looked over-matched defending and had some issues with positioning and physical play down low... He should get his shot one-day, but in World Junior tournament full of 19-year-olds he looks to be a year or two away, until he rounds out defensively.

Kale Clague (2016):

Shows some really strong offensive instincts and releases pucks off his stick as fast and he receives them. Opened the scoring in game one by taking a cross ice pass, waiting a split second for his screen to line up, and snapping it. Defensively, Clague appeared well rounded and turned the puck over less than Bean. Strong two-way game and ability to rely on a system and less on individual play is an asset. He plays on a strong Brandon team, so showing success within a highly skilled lineup is not a surprise.

Forwards:

Brayden Point (#79 TBL 2014)

If there was any doubt about the lone returning forward from the WHL, he made an impression, elevating himself from the 13^th forward spot he occupied last year… Undersized as forwards go, his acceleration has improved… in this series he exhibited a separation gear and high speed instincts that gave him time and space to exhibit his crafty stick handling. Looked assertive on offence, driving down the wall and making timely cuts to the middle, opening space and turning defenders. Leaned on for leadership by wearing the C for the WHL. He has been tearing up the league this season, and should be a lock in a skilled top six on the World Junior team.

Matthew Barzal (#16 NYI 2015)

Flashed his usual crafty skills - lining up at the top centre spot for both games. The distributor is a strong candidate for an offensive role in December. His ability to find open wingers and tiny passing lanes can be invaluable as an offensive catalyst. High skill and offensive IQ could be especially valuable with more room to work with on the wider Finnish ice .. brings a good history of rising to the occasion when playing for Hockey Canada.

Collin Shirley (undrafted):

Lowry referenced injury replacements and their chance to make an impression to Team Canada brass. Shirley certainly gave scouts something to think about with a strong showing over two games, with one goal and four assists. He complemented the creativity of Barzal & Point really well. Although he’s a long shot to make the team, the ability to play with highly skilled players isn’t always easy (see Crosby and Kunitz in Sochi).

Deven Sideroff (#83 ANA 2015):

Shirley’s running mate in both games was none other than his Kamloops teammate. He hasn’t been blessed with the greatest teams throughout his WHL career, but he looks intelligent on the ice, a trait that bodes well on a team of highly skilled player. He fit in well in this structure and attacked the net with strong drive .. possesses a good shot and plays determined, especially in front of the net.

With a strong OHL crop, and some serious size and skill turning heads in the QMJHL I don’t expect a massive showing of WHL forwards on the upcoming World Junior team. While the WHL is historically known for its quality defenders, you could see names at all positions making this team. Not to mention the players who were selected for this team and had to withdraw due to injury (Rourke Chartier, Travis Sanheim, Dillon Dube, John Quenneville & Jake DeBrusk). If they are all healthy, it makes the Scouts and Coaches from Hockey Canada’s job that much more difficult. Looking forward to the coming weeks of hockey and finding out which players become household names when the puck drops in December in Finland.

An interview with Trevor Timmins: Digging deep for hidden gems

Grant McCagg — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 15:10:27 +0000

Despite facing the harsh reality of having just two top 130 selections in an NHL draft where the first four rounds were pretty deep, Montreal Canadiens Head Scout Trevor Timmins left Sunrise, Fla. quite content with his five draft selections.

The Canadiens were considering a move down to pick up a second-round pick if the players they liked were all chosen, but when Noah Juulsen's name dropped past where they expected, the club did not hesitate to choose the 6-1, 175-pound Everett Silvertips' defenceman 26th overall last Friday night.

"He's a complete defenceman, he does everything well," said Timmins, who saw Juulsen play several times down the stretch and in the WHL playoffs. "I can't find an area he's lagging in; he wins puck battles, is a good skater, moves the puck well, has a good shot..he just does what a defenceman is supposed to, in all facets of the game. Solid in everything."

Timmins thinks Juulsen has the all-around skills to be a top four defenceman for the Canadiens in a few years. "He scored quite a few points on a defensive team, so hopefully he can continue to show his offensive side. We drafted him with the upside of a fourth defenceman. I think his downside is a fifth, but time will tell."

Montreal's third-round selection of Lukas Vejdemo caused a bit of a stir at the draft proceedings, predominantly because he was a relative unknown to most in attendance, particularly in the media section.

The 19-year-old 6-2 Swedish center was passed over in the 2014 draft because of injuries (broken ribs) sustained in a dirt bike accident, and later on in the season had mononucleosis. The 38th rated European skater on Central Scouting's 2015 list was not ranked by McKeen's for either draft.

"He was our secret pick," Timmins told McKeen's on Saturday night, meaning he was flying under most teams' radars since he was passed over in last year's draft and never played for Sweden in any international tournaments.

Vejdemo was on the roster to play for Sweden at a U-19 5 Nations tournament in Gothenburg, Swe. in February, which Timmins attended, but he didn't play because he injured his knee in the first practice, so Timmins flew back over Easter weekend to see the Sweden junior challenge, and feast his eyes on the future Hab for the first time.

His first impression of Vejdemo was "Jeez..this guy's a hockey player. I saw it first shift."

Timmins does see some similarities to Columbus center and fellow Swede Alexander Wennberg, the 14th-overall pick in the 2013 NHL Draft.

"I would say he's a Wennberg type...I'm not saying he's him.. but he's smart, good vision, strong skater, puck possession, and he has strong character. He's a good kid. We were very excited to get him."

Vejdemo, pronounced 'VAY-de-mo' is signed for 2 years with Djurgarden, and the plan is for him to play there, but if he still needs some seasoning he may end up in the Allsvenskan.

Timmins has high hopes for the young prospect. "He makes others better. I think he'll be a second-line center..third line at worst. These days lots of teams have three lines that can contribute. This guy is going to produce."

Medicine Hat Tigers' center Matt Bradley, chosen 131st overall by Montreal in the fourth round, is a player Timmins expects will be thrust into more of an offensive role over his last two seasons of junior.

"He played a third-line center role on that team but they were pretty loaded up front," said Timmins. "He's bigger (5-11, 185) than what people think, he works (out) with (Brendan) Gallagher's dad. He's a hockey player....good hockey sense...I like him."

Simon Bourque played a key role as an assistant captain on a QMJHL champion Rimouski squad, which caught the attention of Montreal's scouting staff.

"He's a guy I targeted to take at some point in the draft," noted Timmins. "He got lots of ice time on that team and he did well. His hockey sense is his main attribute, but he's an athlete too. He was good at the combine, and makes good plays. He plays his position well.... I think he has good upside."

Being an Ottawa-area based scout, Timmins gets to see the Ottawa 67's play quite often, and one player he came away impressed with was Montreal's 7th round pick Jeremiah Addison, a 5-11 winger who scored 47 points this season.

"I like his shot," noted Timmins, who even went to his house in Ottawa to visit him, and came away liking the kid that had a bad rap last year in Saginaw. "I think he figured a few things out after he got traded and under (Ottawa head coach) Jeff Brown's guidance. I think he really came on in Ottawa this year."

"He competes, drives to the net, and he has a helluva shot. I never thought we'd get him in the 7th."

Certainly not the first... and definitely not the last time we'll hear those words spoken by a scout, but if McKeen's rankings were any sort of an indication (Addison was ranked 101, went 207th), he's not just regurgitating an old head scout's line, and Addison goes on to challenge for NHL duty someday.

Noah Juulsen – McKeen's Hockey

McKeen’s 2020-21 Hockey Yearbook: Montreal Canadiens Top 20 Prospects

Cole Caufield, RW (15th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 1)

Alexander Romanov, D (38th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 2)

Kaiden Guhle, D (16th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Jesse Ylonen, RW (35th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 3)

Mattias Norlinder, D (64th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 4)

Jan Mysak, C (48th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Cayden Primeau, G (199th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 5)

Jake Evans, C (207th overall, 2014. Previous ranking: 6)

Jordan Harris, D (71st overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 7)

Sean Farrell, LW (124th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Joni Ikonen, C/RW (58th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 8)

Cam Hillis, C (66th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 9)

Gianni Fairbrother, D (77th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 10)

Jayden Struble, D (46th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 11)

Lukas Vejdemo, C (87th overall, 2015. Previous ranking: 12)

Luke Tuch, LW (47th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Josh Brook, D (56th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 13)

Noah Juulsen, D (26th overall, 2015. Previous ranking: 14)

Rafael Harvey-Pinard, LW (201st overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 15)

Alexandre Alain, C/LW (UFA: Apr. 24, 2017. Previous ranking: 17)

MCKEEN’S 2020 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – MONTREAL CANADIANS – ORGANIZATIONAL RANK: 8

Montreal Canadiens

Cole Caufield, RW (15th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 1)

Alexander Romanov, D (38th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 6)

Jesse Ylonen, RW (35th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 4)

Mattias Norlinder, D (64th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 10)

Cayden Primeau, G (199th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 5)

Jake Evans, C (207th overall, 2014. 2019 Rank: 11)

Jordan Harris, D (71st overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 16)

Joni Ikonen, C/RW (58th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 12)

Cam Hillis, C (66th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 13)

Gianni Fairbrother, D (77th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 13)

Jayden Struble, D (46th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 14)

Lukas Vejdemo, C (87th overall, 2015. 2019 Rank: UR)

Josh Brook, D (56th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 7)

Noah Juulsen, D (26th overall, 2015. 2019 Rank: 8)

Rafael Harvey-Pinard, LW (201st overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

Harvey-Pinard has seen his stock rise significantly thanks to his hard work and ability to put points on the board. He will be rewarded as an AHL regular next season, as the farm club in Laval inked him to a one-year deal.

AHL 2019-20 Preview: Eastern Division

Montreal Canadiens 2019-20 Prospect Review: Top 20

Carey The Load – Montreal Canadiens 2018-19 Season Preview

Montreal Canadiens Prospect System Overview

Montréal – System Overview

NHL Prospect Watch: World Junior Preview – Canada

Defensemen

Forwards

CHL Canada- Russia series: WHL prospects shine, providing some solid WJC auditions

Goalies:

Defense:

Forwards:

An interview with Trevor Timmins: Digging deep for hidden gems

Cole Caufield, RW (15^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 1)

Alexander Romanov, D (38^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 2)

Kaiden Guhle, D (16^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Jesse Ylonen, RW (35^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 3)

Mattias Norlinder, D (64^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 4)

Jan Mysak, C (48^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Cayden Primeau, G (199^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 5)

Jake Evans, C (207^th overall, 2014. Previous ranking: 6)

Jordan Harris, D (71^st overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 7)

Sean Farrell, LW (124^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Joni Ikonen, C/RW (58^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 8)

Cam Hillis, C (66^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 9)

Gianni Fairbrother, D (77^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 10)

Jayden Struble, D (46^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 11)

Lukas Vejdemo, C (87^th overall, 2015. Previous ranking: 12)

Luke Tuch, LW (47^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Josh Brook, D (56^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 13)

Noah Juulsen, D (26^th overall, 2015. Previous ranking: 14)

Rafael Harvey-Pinard, LW (201^st overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 15)

Cole Caufield, RW (15^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 1)

Alexander Romanov, D (38^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 6)

Jesse Ylonen, RW (35^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 4)

Mattias Norlinder, D (64^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 10)

Cayden Primeau, G (199^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 5)

Jake Evans, C (207^th overall, 2014. 2019 Rank: 11)

Jordan Harris, D (71^st overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 16)

Joni Ikonen, C/RW (58^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 12)

Cam Hillis, C (66^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 13)

Gianni Fairbrother, D (77^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 13)

Jayden Struble, D (46^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 14)

Lukas Vejdemo, C (87^th overall, 2015. 2019 Rank: UR)

Josh Brook, D (56^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 7)

Noah Juulsen, D (26^th overall, 2015. 2019 Rank: 8)

Rafael Harvey-Pinard, LW (201^st overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)