Ostap Safin – McKeen's Hockey

NHL: 2024 European Free Agent Frenzy – 31 Players You May See in the NHL or AHL Next Season

Chapin Landvogt — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 14:58:50 +0000

_{Marcus Sylvegard (Växjö Lakers HC)}

If you’re looking for a player to come into your line-up and do what, say, an Andrey Kuzmenko did in his initial NHL season, then this year’s crop of European free agents will leave you thirsty. As every year, several players have stepped to the forefront to gain some NHL attention as free agent entities, but there’s no surefire scorer out there just ready to be instantly plugged into an NHL line-up with a production guarantee. Are there candidates? You bet. But there’s reason to believe they’ll need some North American seasoning or at least will first have to battle with other candidates for a lower-line NHL role to start off with.

Nonetheless, we’re seeing some players here who have been very successful in Europe after years of pro play. A few were already putting up points last year, but the scouting community needed to see them verify it in a follow-up season, which several ultimately have. Then you’ve got those mid-20s guys who have just now shown up on the scene in a scoring capacity and thus, one has to wonder if they’ve truly arrived as an NHL topic or if the stars were just aligned properly in this particular season.

What’s clear is that a few players out of Europe will be signed once again by a handful of NHL teams and these are some of the key names you’ll want to keep a lookout for.

Get ‘em while they’re hot

Maxim Tsyplakov (RUS) - C/RW - 25 - 6’3”, 190 lbs. - KHL

Not only the most prominent UFA out of the KHL (and we’re only including Russian players here if they are not on contract in Russia next season) but in all of Europe in the current batch, Tsyplakov has somewhat exploded on the scene this season to the tune of 31 goals and 47 points in 65 games. He was actually on pace to have a much better output than that but has only potted 2 goals since a 4-goal explosion 11 games ago. As a pro, Tsyplakov already played 22 games of KHL hockey as an 18-year-old. He then had 4 straight seasons between 9 and 17 points before chipping in 25 last season, when he became a regular top 9 fixture for his Spartak Moscow club. For NHL teams, Tsyplakov’s size and nose for the net are both attractive, and there’s a well-crafted wrist shot here that slyly finds holes in goalies. But there is a skating deficit to mention, as he moves around the ice like a player whose leg strength isn’t quite up to par. It’s not the kind of deficit that has lumbering out there and to be honest, there are some regular NHLers out there who don’t skate all that differently. An NHL team signing him may not know just how much offense it's getting, but he’s an adept face-off man who has spent plenty of time playing bottom-two-line hockey in his career, so there’s something to gain out of him if the offense doesn’t translate.

Marcus Sylvegard (SWE) - RW - 24 - 6’0”, 190 lbs. - SHL

The Sylvegard family is one that is very well known in Sweden’s 3rd largest city of Malmö. That is where Marcus and his older brother Emil, long the SHL’s bad boy answer to Tom Wilson, have made a name for themselves with a few pit stops in Växjö, a name you don’t even want to try to pronounce. That’s where they both are now and Marcus was one of the league’s top free-agent signings last summer after a breakthrough 7th SHL season with 45 points in 57 total games. Solidly built and simply fantastic at getting into shooting positions, Sylvegard has been worth every penny, uh, “öre” this season as he’s set a career-high with 23 goals (41 points) in 47 games while amassing an impressive +25 rating. Very strong at protecting the puck, quick on rebounds, and possessing a deceptive one-timer from the Ovechkin spot on the power play, two straight seasons of upper-echelon SHL production should be convincing enough to obtain an NHL contract. A team bringing in Sylvegard could find itself with a Daniel Sprong-type producer by the end of his first season in North America.

Jerry Turkulainen (FIN) - RW - 25 - 5’7”, 160 lbs. - Liiga

We’d normally hesitate to put a player like Turkulainen on this list. He’s now 25 and is in the midst of his 8th straight season of Liiga hockey, having never accumulated less than 26 points in a season. And that was back when he was a teen and just entering his 20s. So, NHL teams know who he is. He also just signed a contract with Swiss NL club Ajoie for next season, so there’s that. But for the first time in his career, he’s leading Liiga in scoring (61 points in 56 games) and that’s coming on the heels of his first 50-point season just last year. In addition, be it his motor, his agility, his stickhandling, his shot, or his on-ice vision - all of his primary skills are not only above average (often downright smooth), but look as though they’d translate quite well to the North American rink, where his incredibly slick hands and quick passes as well as his first three steps (hops, even) could take considerable advantage of areas where there’s little space. No doubt, his size is why he may be one of the best players you’ve never heard of, but he sure does seem to be exactly where Mats Zuccarello was at before an NHL team decided to chance it on him as a free agent.

Oscar Eklind (SWE) - LW - 25 - 6’4”, 220 lbs. - SHL

There’s been a lot of slow cooking for Eklind, whose size has always been tantalizing but whose skating and rather slow reactions long had skeptics thinking he’d be little more than a HockeyAllsvenskan pro. But Brynäs felt he was ready several seasons ago and brought him in for a lower-line role while investing in his development on other fronts. After seasons of 17 and 16 points, he’s now taken a new step with a very even-keeled Lulea club this season, thus far authoring 15 goals, 25 points, and 62 penalty minutes in 44 games, the latter stat placing him among the league’s top 10. What’s more is that Eklind has shown himself to, at times, be a bit explosive in his first few steps and he’s firmly implanted as the bumper man on the team’s first power play unit. The coaching staff also has him on the ice in the waning moments of games when the team is in the lead, so there’s a level of trust in him as a team leader and a guy who gets the job done. You can’t teach size, and now he’s taken steps in all the departments you can teach, so a team looking to bring in a big body with some job may just have a contract for him.

Christian Heljanko (FIN) - G - 26 - 6’0”, 187 lbs. - Liiga

When you come from a country that is renowned for developing goalies, it can be easy to get lost in the fray, especially when you’re not north of 6’3”. But at some point, a combination of the eye test and your achievements can simply no longer be overlooked. In his 6th year as a starter for the famed Tappara program, Heljanko has already won two league titles and been named the league’s top goaltender twice. His numbers are actually slightly down this year, even if he’s still moving along nicely in the wins column (24) and leads the way with 7 shutouts. A great deal of athleticism is accompanied by Heljanko’s strong ability to track the puck. We’ve rarely gotten to see him play internationally, even if he technically has a U18 Worlds silver to his name, but the feeling is that he may have a decent shot at making the men’s team this spring for the World Championship. At the moment, there’s hardly a more established European league netminder who hasn’t already been given a shot in North America.

Marcus Hardegard (SWE) - D - 26 - 6’1”, 203 lbs. - SHL

In a free agency year really devoid of clearcut blueline additions, Hardegard is about the best of the bunch. No doubt, he already raised some eyebrows last season with Örebro for whom he collected 12 goals and 27 points as a #4 defenseman. Now he’s having an immensely solid season for Lulea, a team that has him on the ice in all situations. Very sturdy and always willing to initiate and play through physical play, Hardegard stands out a bit due to his wide stance and bowlegged playing style, which furthers the impression that you just can’t knock this guy down. He’s seen international action for Team Sweden this winter and is looking like a WC candidate, which would be quite an accomplishment in light of how many NHLers will likely be available for that tournament. Hardegard brings all the basic requirements and is also a fixture on Lulea’s power play unit, even if his 6 goals and 24 points aren’t blowing anyone away. But he’s a warrior and tough to beat in his zone.

Daniel Vozenilek (CZE) - LW/C - 28 - 6’3”, 216 lbs. - Czechia

Having just turned 28, Vozenilek is not a player you’ll see on many European free-agent lists. We have him here because his 6 goals, 16 points, and +12 rating in 22 playoff games last season, which subsequently filtered into a spot on the men’s WC squad, were his real coming out party and all he’s done this season is keep the scoring going. His 21 goals, 48 points, and +21 rating in 51 games thus far have him way up top in all of those stat categories leaguewide while his 65 penalty minutes allude to his ability to play a brazen game as well. Moreover, he can score in many ways and carries himself in a very confident manner on the ice, seemingly understanding what his best options are in just about every situation. With heavy-set Czechs such as Jiri Smejkal and Radim Zahorna having been added to NHL organizations in recent years, it wouldn’t surprise us in the least if a team rolls the dice to see what Vozenilek could mean for their organization next season.

Justin Schutz (GER) - LW - 23 - 5’11”, 185 lbs. - DEL

If you’re a draft aficionado, then chances are you’ll recognize Schutz’s name, but perhaps not know where from or why. A former member of Germany’s U18 and U20 outfits that featured the likes of Moritz Seider, Tim Stützle, JJ Peterka, and Dominik Bokk, Schutz was selected in the 6th round of the 2018 draft by the Florida Panthers, who have since detached themselves from his rights. A DEL regular the past four seasons, he’s gone from a talented 3rd line youngster to being the DEL’s top goal scorer within the matter of one season, currently leading the entire league with 27 goals in 51 games after tallying 15 markers in 73 games last season. His totals of 43 points and a +21 are not only career bests but also have him firmly implanted among the league’s top 10. But aside from a tenacious motor, a strong sense of where the goal is, some slick moves, and soft mitts, Schutz plays with a refreshing joie de vivre, celebrating goals and his teammates in a manner reminiscent of winning Olympic gold. A student of the game who often plays with a chip on his shoulder, his ascendancy has but only begun and all signs are that he’ll be wearing his nation’s jersey at this spring’s World Championship. If you’ve been a fan of low-key European signings in the past such as Dominik Kahun or Pius Suter, then keep an eye on if and when Schutz dots his name on an NHL contract.

Jakub Rychlovsky (CZE) - LW - 22 - 5’10”, 181 lbs. - Czechia

The truth of the matter is that you can’t look at the Tipsport Extraliga scoring list in the Czech Republic without Rychlovsky’s name popping out at you right away. His 26 goals top all U23 players by far and have him currently at first overall in the league. Add in another 20 assists and a +8 for an outfit that has had its problems keeping goals out of the net and you can see that NHL eyes will indeed be watching. This said, Rychlovsky is more or less a successful culmination of many factors because the eye test won’t necessarily scream “NHL talent”. He’s simply a sound hockey player who is just now budding into a topic in his 6th pro season, but only his second in the nation’s top league. Alas, the 22 points in 62 games from last season have been blown out of the water this season, so the upward trajectory is considerable. And as opposed to some of the older players on this list, he can be given a 2-year ELC right off the bat. Expect a team cramming to add younger depth to the system to reel him over at this point.

Return visits?

Vladimir Alistrov (BLR) - LW - 23 - 6’3”, 190 lbs. - KHL

Already last season, there was reason to believe that this former undrafted WHLer would have to be gaining NHL interest after enjoying a top 9 roll up front that saw him put up 15 goals and 33 points in 73 KHL total games for Dinamo Minsk. As a player clearly built and designed for North American play, Alistrov took his goods to powerhouse St. Petersburg and then took the next step. Although having lost the second half of the season to injury, he had put up 13 goals and 31 points in just 39 games while collecting a +16 along the way. That had him on pace for over 50 points, which is something seldom done in the KHL, much less by a player this young. Might be a bit off the radar in light of the season-ending injury.

Oscar Flynn (CZE) - RW - 24 - 5’9”, 163 lbs. - Czechia

A little guy we touched upon last season when he arrived on the scene with 25 goals and 44 points in 61 total games. That’s turned into 19 goals and 44 points this season in just 45 games to date as his overall game and chemistry with a strong, young attack on the White Tigers (Bili Tyrgri) continue to grow. Size remains a key concern and has prevented some of the better scorers around Europe from getting a look overseas, but a +14 indicates that he’s effective at 5-against-5 as well.

Leon Hüttl (GER) - D - 23 - 6’0”, 180 lbs. - DEL

A righty shot we mentioned for the first time last spring, Hüttl has spent this season reinforcing everything he achieved last year for a top DEL club. A player possessing the kind of strong shutdown abilities that earned him a spot with the national team at last spring’s WC, his offensive production has dropped a bit this year, even if his 7 goals in 46 games have already eclipsed last season’s 6 in 57 total games. His real importance to his team and coaching staff is nonetheless documented by his ice time. He hasn’t seen less than 21 minutes of ice in the past ten games, often getting over 24 minutes of playing time. He is a workhorse in the traditional sense.

Janne Kuokkanen (FIN) - C/LW - 25 - 6’1”, 194 lbs. - SHL

It wasn’t too long ago that we saw Kuokkanen put up 25 points in 50 NHL games for the New Jersey Devils. He couldn’t quite equal that total the next season (17 in 57 games) and then headed over to Europe at a time when the organization was bringing in tons of young talent. After a solid, yet unspectacular season in the Swiss NL, he is now one of the few SHL players clipping at over a PPG pace, and doing it for a team in the bottom half of the standings. With 41 points in 40 games, and averaging over 18 minutes of ice time a game, he looks like one of the prime European players who’d be ready to step right into a 3rd-line NHL job if a team is willing to go that route this summer. He’s got the whole package for a job of that nature.

Filip Larsson (SWE) - G - 25 - 6’2”, 194 lbs. - SHL

A mid-20s goaltender who has taken an unusual path to SHL play, namely consisting of one year of USHL, then NCAA, and then pro play split between the AHL and ECHL. Then some slow marinating in the HockeyAllsvenskan earned him a backup gig in the SHL this season. Seeing more time than most would have expected, his impressive 16-9 record is accompanied by an even more impressive 1.97 GAA and .917 SV%. Doesn’t do much spectacularly, but everything solidly. Strong lateral movements for a netminder with a desired size.

Adam Najman (CZE) - C/LW - 23 - 6’0”, 190 lbs. - Czechia

A bulldog of a player who always likes to be involved in the nitty gritty, Najman brings a number of tools to the table and has spent several years displaying some impressive playmaking abilities, especially after battling for the puck and pouncing on broken plays, some of which he creates. There’s a lot of energy to his game. His 11 goals and 42 points in 59 games last season have turned into 12 goals and 45 points in 49 games this season. Unfortunately, his low goal totals are not from a lack of trying, but from a lack of finish. But he sure is in the middle of chance creation quite a bit. Currently 4th overall in NL scoring.

Ruben Rafkin (FIN) - 22 - D - 6’0”, 190 lbs. - Liiga

Looking like a probable draftee in 2020 after a year in the USHL and then his one season in the OHL, Rafkin decided to continue his career in his homeland and has since seen four straight seasons of Liiga action. This one has clearly been his most solid to date with 4 goals and 24 points in 54 games. It’s been a less-than-impressive year for a fairly young TPS club and no one will be smiling about the -15 Rafkin has collected, but he’s averaged almost 20 minutes of ice time a night. He’s seen 22+ minutes a night on 28 occasions and even logged almost 29 minutes in a late October OT tilt. As a young, righty shot minute muncher who was in plenty of scouts’ notebooks a few years back, this could be the performance a team was looking for in order to bring him into the depth mix. He’s currently viewed as a candidate for the men’s WC this spring.

Theo Rochette (SUI/CAN) - 22 - C/LW - 5’11”, 172 lbs. - Swiss NL

One of the most successful and highest-scoring CHL junior players to go undrafted over the past four years, Rochette went from winning a Memorial Cup while contributing 127 points over 83 total games to taking not only a regular shift in the NL but also serving as the league’s top-scoring U23 player with 11 goals and 29 points in 46 games, putting him well ahead of several current notable NHL draftees. Some players simply will themselves into an NHL job and Rochette looks like he has everything necessary to be the next Swiss player to take the Pius Suter path to the NHL.

Ostap Safin (CZE/RUS) - 25 - RW/LW - 6’5”, 203 lbs. - KHL

Once a 2017 4th rounder of the Edmonton Oilers, the hockey world understood Safin as having a strong shot and above-average skating and speed for a man his size. There were growing pains in his younger years and he simply never really popped in the QMJHL, ECHL, or AHL. After a less-than-impressive season for Sparta Prague last year, he surprisingly jumped over the KHL, made solely possible by him denouncing the Czech half of his citizenship in order to not count as a foreigner in Russia. That this has led to an absolute breakthrough 36-point, +16 season right when his KHL one-year show-me contract has concluded means that he’s there for the taking, should a team be convinced that his KHL season is indicative of him having found the long sought-after toolbox.

Michael Spacek (CZE) - 26 - C/RW - 5’11”, 187 lbs. - Swiss NL

It may be the last time we bother mentioning one of the best Czech players not currently in a regular NHL role, but the former Winnipeg Jets draft pick with a boatload of WHL and AHL experience just keeps plugging away as a go-to scorer in a top European league. This season has even been a bit better than last with 17 goals, 49 points, and a +10 in 47 games to date. In addition, if there was a Lady Byng trophy dished out in the NL, he’d be about the top candidate. Rarely one to be found in the sin bin, this righty shot mainstay on the Czech national team isn’t getting younger but continues to be one of the most notable European forwards to have never taken an NHL shift.

Off the beaten path

Dominik Egli (SUI) - D - 25 - 5’9”, 179 lbs. - NL

Involved with the national team program since he was 16, Egli is an on-again, off-again member of the men’s “Nati” and has already played in parts of eight straight NL seasons. Having put up 28 points or more in each of the past four seasons, he’s sitting pretty with 7-27-34 and a career-best +17 as the NL playoffs are about to start. Brings the necessary mobility for a player his size. Never been tested outside of Swiss borders.

Nicolas Mattinen (CAN) - D - 25 - 6’6”, 225 lbs. - DEL

Four years of OHL hockey were followed by three seasons of U Sports hockey before getting a short (and impressive) look in the AHL. He then took his show to Europe and after a really nice first year with Villach of the lower-class ICEHL in predominantly Austria, Mattinen found his way to the DEL and has been tearing things up ever since. With 16-30-46 (and a +11) in 51 games, he’s not only the league’s top-scoring defenseman, he’s 7th overall in scoring. His size is something few in Germany have been able to deal with. If an NHL squad isn’t ready to give him a look, he’ll surely be bagging himself an NL, KHL, or SHL contract for next season.

Igor Merezhko (UKR) - D - 25 - 6’4”, 220 lbs. - Slovakia

If it were the late 90s, chances are that Merezhko would long since have a role in an NHL organization. He’s big, uses his reach to stuff out opponents, blocks a ton of shots and well, isn’t the best skater out there. But he likes to shoot and he does it a lot. After four years with the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the WHL, he ventured out to Uzbekistan (yes, you read that correctly) for his first season of pro hockey in the VHL. It was a league he didn’t look to be able to get out of until he skipped over to Denmark on a whim last winter and put up some impressive numbers. That led to a gig in Slovakia where he has since exploded. 10 goals, 48 points, and a +28 in 49 games are what he’s got to show for his efforts. Oh, and he’s a cog for the Ukrainian national team. It’s hard not to want to see what he could do in a season of AHL hockey and with the kind of all-around pro preparation afforded in North America.

Dominik Pavlat (CZE) - G - 24 - 6’2”, 174 lbs. - Czechia

Way up there in the stats department with a 2.16 GAA and .929 SV%, Pavlat has arrived as a verifiable starter and is sporting a career-best 16-12 record. After many years of spending time here and there in the Czech Republic’s lower leagues, he’s found spot duty in the top league in recent years and has now been acquired by Pardubice down the stretch run, which should include a healthy playoff run. And it looks promising as he’s now 3-1 with a 1.52 GAA and .042 SV% with his new employer. Quick lateral movements and strong puck tracking separate him from his peers in the Tippsport Extraliga.

Stanislav Skorvanek (SVK) - G - 28 - 6’2”, 192 lbs. - Slovakia

Our eyebrows were raised when the late 20s journeyman goaltender became a starter for the first time last season and had an impressive playoff run with a 10-8 record with a 1.83 GAA and .944 SV% in 18 games, then made his WC debut for Slovakia last spring and went 3-1 with a 1.26 GAA and .954 SV% in 4 outings. Was it lightning in a bottle? Well, he’s proceeded to become the league’s absolute workhorse with a 24-14 record in 38 games including a 2.33 GAA and .931 SV% in 38 outings. In a day and age where teams are talking about keeping 3 goalies around, chancing it on a ready-made Skorvanek looks like a viable option for a couple of teams out there with a tight budget.

Hidden gems?

Daniel Gazda (CZE) - D - 26 - 6’1”, 207 lbs. - Czechia

He’s got decent size and can get around the ice all right. He doesn’t really stick out much in just about any situation, but that’s often a good thing for a defenseman. There’s not a whole lot to write home about nor to complain about. But he’s a righty shot, and he simply loves to shoot. He’s doing it all the time, with every opportunity. And although he can definitely bomb it, there are plenty of little pauses and fakes in there before getting off deceptive snapshots. At the moment, he’s got 17 goals, 30 points, and a +11 rating in 52 games. That’s a lot of goals for any pro-league D-man. He’s never ventured outside of the Czech Republic, so this might be time to give him a minor-league look.

Daniil Gutik (RUS) - LW - 22 - 6’3”, 190 lbs. - KHL

A player with some surreal skills, Gutik can be a bit of a behemoth out on the ice, but it’s his incredibly slick stickwork that jumps at you most. He’s hard to defend against and has tempted scouts with some of the sleek moves he’s pulled off along the way as well as the passes that follow, even if everyone would like to see him shoot more. This has been his best KHL season to date and his KHL contract concludes this spring. That’ll likely make him a player of interest for any team that feels the raw skill and now proven pro production (12 goals and 36 points this season) is worth trying to hammer a good dose of “compete” into him, ‘cause that has been questioned plenty in recent years.

Matias Mäntykivi (FIN) - C - 22 - 5’11”, 162 lbs. - Liiga

A Boston Bruins 6th rounder in 2019, Mäntykivi wasn’t offered a contract last summer and will now be a free agent for any team to sign. That he apparently didn’t care for being brushed off by his drafting team may very well be evident in the 19 goals and 49 points he’s put up in 58 games in his 5th full season of Liiga hockey, which clearly marks a career-high and is accompanied by a sweet +24 rating. The size is anything but ideal, but he’s got great vision and some nifty hands. He’ll need to add muscle and continue working on his overall skating, but he sure does look ready for a stint in the AHL.

Wiktor Nilsson (SWE) - C - 22 - 6’0”, 165 lbs. - HockeyAllsvenskan

In a chronically low-scoring league, it’s seldom to see a 22-year-old player go from being an interesting 15-goal guy at 21 to a 37-point first-line guy a season later for a top club with a whole lot of ambition. He’s been in the Djurgarden program for 6 straight years and wants to gain promotion with them. But one way or another, there’s too much offensive acumen to not be in the SHL or AHL next season. Already plays with a chip on his shoulder, so some added weight would make the righty even more interesting.

Josh Samanski (GER/CAN) - C/LW - 21 - 6’6”, 190 lbs. - DEL

Just slightly no longer draft-eligible, Samanski is the son of a former Canadian pro who has made a career as a coach in Germany. A former OHLer and 2-time WJC contestant, Samanski has been playing pro hockey for several years now, with over 40 DEL per season for three straight years. Whereas he technically arrived in the league last year, this is the season where he’s become a cog in his wildly successful team's game plan. With hulking size, Samanski is able to play a rough ‘n tumble game while threading passes on a needle and adeptly charging the net. Trusted in all phases of the game, including late shorthanded situations with a 1-goal lead, Samanski currently has 9 goals and 26 points with the playoffs just around the corner. His all-round game has him firmly in the eyes of the national team.

Nikita Sedov (RUS) - D - 22 - 6’1”, 187 lbs. - KHL

If the name perhaps sounds familiar, you’re not off base. After spending time in juniors in Colorado, he went on to play a lower-line role for the Regina Pats between 2018 and 2020. There’s been little to write about since he returned to Russia, but right as his most recent contract is expiring, he’s gone out and become a full-time KHL player. Now, his 4-14-18 and +14 in 57 games won’t necessarily jump out at you, but they have him just 3 points behind the top-scoring defenseman on a team whose impressive producers are just about all of the younger variety. In addition, that +/- rating is tied for tops on the team. It’s a bit of a shame that Sedov has only scored 4 goals because his celebrations are well-choreographed, but it should be noted that he gets pucks to the net with regularity, isn’t hesitant to initiate physical play, and averages over 15 minutes of ice time per night. If a team gives him an AHL shot, it should do so with the readiness to invest 2-3 years in him, but there’s potential here for NHL minutes someday.

Colin Ugbekile (GER) - D - 24 - 6’1”, 198 lbs. - DEL

The shooting star of the league among German non-draft eligibles, Ugbekile has gained plenty of experience in Cologne in recent years but transferred to Iserlohn last summer in hopes of obtaining a bigger role with some powerplay opportunities involved. Well, he’s not only gotten that, but fully taken the bull by the horns. This has culminated in a Unit 1 power play spot leading to 12 goals and 33 points in 51 games while averaging roughly 22 minutes of ice time a night. Big, sturdy, and capable of initiating and handling rough stuff, the well-spoken defender with 3 years of USHL experience has finally arrived as a pro and has seen his game expand in leaps and bounds this season. Particularly his hands and mind have caught to what were already strong skating skills. Granted, he’s playing for a club that only recently was able to escape the basement of the standings in what has been a thrilling run to avoid relegation, but the added responsibility has been a boon to him discovering his inner Bobby Orr. Hard to imagine that he won’t be auditioning for a bigger paycheck at the men’s WC this spring.

SIDE NOTE

It bears mentioning every year that above and beyond the players listed above, both the Swiss NL and KHL are chock full of former NHLers, NHL draft picks, AHLers, Canadian juniors, and college hockey players, not to mention former European free agent signings of NHL teams that have since returned to Europe. These leagues also employ a large number of established pros who you’ll see dressing for their respective national teams. These leagues feature many players who were in the NHL in recent years or on the bubble to the NHL, usually as highly effective AHLers. Naturally, any number of these players could of course still be in the sightlines of NHL teams or maintain the connections that would see them return to a franchise in the coming months.

Edmonton Oilers 2019-20 Prospect Review: Top 20

Sat, 14 Sep 2019 11:22:34 +0000

With no shortage of first overall picks on the Edmonton roster, supplemented by a number of other one-time top ten selections, the hockey world was, in turns, amused and dismayed by the fact that the Oilers have been unable to rise above league also-rans. Even with the rarely disputed best player in the game, Connor McDavid on the team, and producing like a perennial Hart Trophy candidate, the Oilers have only reached the postseason once since 2006-07.

Embarrassing recent history aside, there is reason to believe that Edmonton is turning the page. The era of legacy management hires (Kevin Lowe, Craig MacTavish, etc) is over. Peter Chiarelli’s ill-fated run has also come to an end. Taking over is former long-time Detroit big boss Kenny Holland. Joining him are several other high ranking former Red Wings’ executives.

Change at the top, for a franchise so rooted in mediocrity as Edmonton (ironic, considering the city is still referred to in some circles as the City of Champions, harkening back to the days of Gretzky and company) is both necessary and welcomed. But does Holland have the horses necessary to back McDavid, Draisaitl, Nugent-Hopkins and the few other high end players back to the postseason?

Maybe. At the time of this writing (near the end of July, 2019) the Oilers look to be icing a very young roster, one of the youngest in the league. In fact, of the five players with contracts over the age of 30, two are the team’s presumptive netminders, Mikko Koskinen and Mike Smith. With so much youth on the roster, there comes uncertainty. Players have smaller track records from which to extrapolate accurate projections. Players are still pushing the envelopes on their potential. Yes, that even extends to McDavid and Draisaitl.

It is often said that a team should have youth up front and experience at the back, but the Oilers have more gray at forward than on defense. The only blueliner over the age of 26 is Kris Russell. There are five forwards older than that cutoff. A look at the players listed below suggests that the blueline will continue to get younger before it gains the experience behind the aforementioned cliché. Both of the top two prospects in the system, as well as three in the top five and four of the top ten are defensemen.

Considering how the root of much of the struggles in Edmonton over the last few years has been porous team defense, there is no question that turnover should be considered. But we should keep in mind that not only will not all of the team’s top defensive prospects pan out, they will need to supplement that youth with some experience on their rise up the standings.

-Ryan Wagman

Edmonton Oilers Defenceman Evan Bouchard (75) (Photo by Joshua Sarner/Icon Sportswire)

1 Philip Broberg, D (8^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) In our opinion a solid choice inthe top ten of the draft, even if his statistical record left some fans wanting. Broberg’s skating alone and how he uses it is a lethal weapon to have on any team. His other assets include above average but not elite hockey IQ. Combined with his reach and speed he will be a strong top four or maybe even a top pairing defenseman. When he played in Allsvenskan, he showed strong flashes but didn’t get the trust to play a role where he could play out his full game, which is not uncommon for a 17-year-old defenseman in the Swedish pro ranks. He truly shined on the international stage and is a player that can take charge of a game and shift the momentum on one shift. He has some defensive flaws that he needs to correct and should continue work on his power play game. Next season, he will play with Skelleftea in the SHL and will have good opportunity to step up his development to be ready for the NHL within one or two seasons. - JH

2 Evan Bouchard, D (10^thoverall, 2018. Last Year: 1) The reigning Max Kaminsky trophy winner as the OHL’s top defender, Bouchard is one of the top puck moving blueline prospects on the planet. His vision is his best asset, as it is rare to see him turn the puck over. This, in combination with a booming point shot, make him an elite powerplay quarterback. His skating, once thought to be a weakness, has improved over his OHL career to the point that it should not be an issue at the NHL level. Where there is more concern is his defensive play and intensity level in traffic. In order to live up to his lofty potential as a top 3 defender for the Oilers, he will need to work harder in his own end and be more difficult to play against. With Edmonton’s blueline issues, the expectation is that Bouchard is thrust into a full time NHL role this year, whether he is truly ready or not. -BO

3 Raphael Lavoie, RW/C (38^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) Lavoie’s drop in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft was one of the most surprising events of that occasion, but it allowed the Oilers to snag a top prospect in the second round. Lavoie is a tantalizing combination of size and skill, with a great shot, great north-south skating and a 6-4” frame. Despite that size, he is more of a finesse player than a power forward, and he has never shown the penchant to want to bang bodies. His 32 points in the playoffs this past season with the Halifax Mooseheads were huge for a team that ended up needing the help. Lavoie carried the Mooseheads at times in the playoffs, but was invisible for some games in the regular season. His consistency is an issue, like many prospects, but he is trending towards a strong second-line scoring option for the Oilers. - MS

4 Tyler Benson, LW (32^nd overall, 2016. Last Year: 4) Appearing to finally be fully healthy, Benson enjoyed a magisterial rookie pro season with AHL Bakersfield in 2018-19. A speedy and creative forward, the former second-rounder’s natural playmaking ability — driven by top-notch vision, decision-making, and very crisp and accurate passes — can carry play from both the left wing and from the center position. After putting some debilitating hip injuries past him, he has seemingly gained an extra half step in his acceleration, making him a dangerous skating option. His shot is severely underused, and not much a weapon to begin with. He has potential to eventually become a top-six facilitating winger at the NHL level, something the Oilers need. - TD

5 Dmitri Samorukov, D (84^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 9) Without question, Samorukov has seen his stock rise more than any other OHL prospect this past season. His meteoric rise up the system is thanks to his strong play at the World Junior Championships, and for Guelph in the second half, leading them to an OHL Championship. In the second half of the OHL season, he was, quite arguably, the best defender in the league. Samorukov is a solid two-way defender who can impact the game at both ends of the ice. Offensively, he pushes the pace with his strong skating ability and puck skill, while defensively his physicality and intensity level make him a difficult player to match up against. He profiles as a top four defender with his new found confidence. It remains to be seen how quick Samorukov can climb through the Oilers’ system, but he is held in high regard by management and should be in the NHL sooner rather than later if he performs well at the AHL level. - BO

6 Kailer Yamamoto, LW/C (22^nd overall, 2017. Last Year: 2) A highly creative, smooth-skating winger, the former first-rounder creates plays out of thin air and is intense on the puck at all times. The quick-handed forward possesses strong hockey sense and the ability to drive play and carry a line from his position with his speed and vision. Though undersized, he packs a punch with plus upper-body strength and the tenacity to play low in the zone. He does not contribute much defensively, which makes him relatively useless if he is not putting up high-end offensive numbers. The organization hopes Yamamoto will soon line up with Connor McDavid on the Oilers’ top line, and while his development has been delayed by inconsistencies and injuries, his ceiling remains that of a first line staple. - TD

7 Ryan McLeod, D (40^th overall, 2018. Last Year: 3) Splitting the year between Mississauga and Saginaw, McLeod was able to get another playoff run under his belt, making the Conference Finals for the second time in his OHL career. He is a playmaking center with size and strong skating ability that allows him to dictate the pace of play in the offensive end. He excels on the man advantage with the way he controls the puck below the hash marks. McLeod’s two-way game made nice strides over his OHL career, but he is likely the type that will need to be a top 6 forward or fail to take that next step. His game lacks urgency at times and his intensity level and drive to play through traffic lacks consistency. There is likely to be a learning curve for McLeod at the pro level, even if his skating ability looks impressive at first glance. With patience, he could develop into a playmaking second line center, although one wonders where he will fit in with Edmonton’s depth down the middle. - BO

8 Cooper Marody, RW (158^th overall, 2015 [Philadelphia]. Last Year: 5) Like Benson, Marody made his presence known in his first full professional season, posting high-grade numbers with AHL Bakersfield (58-19-45-64) in 2018-19. The stocky, high-energy centerman has long possessed talent to achieve high point totals, but again, like Benson, had not had the health that complied with his NHL potential. He is a very smart player who reads the ice quickly and intelligently, likes to slow down the pace, and never hesitates to shoot from the slot. His stocky, muscular build makes him dangerous down low in the offensive zone, especially as a cycle player who generates shots for his linemates. The University of Michigan product is not very creative and does not have high-end speed or technical skating skill, but has depth scoring potential based off his shooting skill and vision. - TD

9 Olivier Rodrigue, G (62^nd overall, 2018. Last Year: 6) The best goalie prospect in the QMJHL right now, Rodrigue is on Hockey Canada’s radar for international duty as one of the best goaltenders of his age group. Rodrigue deserves the honors; his quickness side-to-side and ability to seal the bottom of the net are top notch, and he is a main reason why the Drummondville Voltigeurs were contenders the last two seasons. What hurts Rodrigue is literal: injuries slowed his growth this season and he barely played in the playoffs. However, his 35-9-1 record this season is nothing to knock. Rodrigue was traded at the QMJHL draft, and will ply his trade with the Moncton Wildcats this season, who are also preparing for a title-contending season. As one of the best goalies in Canadian junior hockey, Rodrigue has NHL starter potential. - MS

10 Ethan Bear, D (124^th overall, 2015. Last Year: 7) An undersized, offensively-oriented d-man with speed to burn, Bear is looking like a solid hit by Oilers scouting on a fifth-round pick back in 2015. With short, powerful strides that generate a lot of speed, and with a low center of gravity that allows him to stay balanced when cutting or getting shoved from his sides. An electric shot from the blue line was a staple of the Condors’ power play units, as well as his vision and playmaking from the top of the zone. Furthermore, he looked as solid in his own zone as any Bakersfield rearguard. Bear played the best hockey of his pro career last season (52-6-25-31), improving upon an already impressive package of offensive skills that will allow him to have a long career as a depth defenseman with power play time. - TD

11 Kirill Maksimov, RW (146^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 13) Oilers’ management and fans alike have been searching for a triggerman for Connor McDavid. The John LeClair to his Eric Lindros. That’s where Maksimov comes in and why he has become an intriguing prospect for the organization. Armed with one of the best shot releases in the OHL, Maksimov is a true goal scorer. He also plays a high intensity game that sees him assert himself physically. That said, he is far from a polished product. Maksimov struggles with his decision making with the puck and can be turnover prone. He also had difficulty staying out of the box in the second half, something that infuriated Niagara Ice Dogs fans. A PCL injury suffered in the playoffs may hinder his ability to perform to his best at training camp. However, Edmonton may have to wait for him to adjust to the speed of the pro game and to work on keeping things simple. At his best, he could be first or second line goal scorer. - BO

12 Joel Persson, D (Undrafted free agent, signed May 18, 2018. Last Year: 12) Joel Persson is a good story. He played at lower levels until he was 23 years old without getting picked up by a club in either of Sweden's top two leagues. He finally had an opportunity in 2017 to play with SHL top club Vaxjo and took it with both hands. He quarterbacked a power play with rising star Elias Pettersson and excelled. He stayed in Vaxjo for an extra year and repeated his success without the Calder winner. Persson is an offensive defenseman with excellent stick work, poise and hockey sense. He is at his best on the power play and needs an offensive role to succeed. His NHL trajectory is probably going through the AHL. As a 25-year-old he will need to show good numbers in the AHL from the get go. As a right-handed puck-moving defenseman there could probably be an opening on the Oilers within the next season or so. - JH

13 Matej Blumel, RW (100^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) Whenever a player is passed over at his first draft, for good reason, there is a black mark next to his name. When he cranks up the offense as an older player, skepticism is warranted. So why should we believe in Matej Blumel, who made his North American debut with a meagre 18 points in full season with Waterloo of the USHL and then exploded in his second year of draft eligibility with a 60 point season? First off, there were signs that his age 17 year exploits were simply a matter of a player getting used to a new brand of hockey in a new league in a new country as he was one of the Czech Republic’s better players at the WU18 that year. As for his scoring last year, he backs it up with serious foot speed, tantalizing puck skills, and evident hockey IQ. Heading to the NCAA’s European embassy in Connecticut next season, Blumel could fit as a bottom six forward if his offense regresses. - RW

14 Philip Kemp, D (208^th overall, 2017. Last Year: Not ranked) Kemp is a sturdy 6-3”, 200-pound defenseman. A forgotten NTDP player, he is a slick skater and a precise passer. The blueliner will play another year at Yale and continue to marinate. Now that Ken Holland is the GM for the Oilers, they won’t dare rush him. He can improve on the eight points he had last season, as he has more puck moving skill to develop. The hope is Kemp can me more than a simple puck transporter. He has to show that to earn a contract from Edmonton. He can be physical and has the frame and strength to do so, winning puck battles as a result, helping him earn a role at the NHL level. He has worn a letter in the past and probably will again for Yale this season. - RC

15 Ilya Konovalov, G (85^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) The young Russian had a tremendous season at home, winning the KHL Rookie of the Year award and making his debut for the Russian senior national team. Konovalov flew a bit under the radar, as he didn’t enjoy much exposure in spite of always posting good numbers in the Russian junior leagues. This season, however, was a turning point in his career, as he became the undisputed starting goalie for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, backstopping the team to the second round of the Gagarin Cup playoffs. Konovalov isn’t gifted with a huge frame, but he is very good at tracking the puck and challenging the forwards, relying on his athleticism and great reflexes to stop the puck after a scoring chance. He can improve his rebound control, but agility, lateral movement, and competitiveness are all at a very high level. After such a strong season in the KHL, he may be ready to cross the pond, but is under contract in Yaroslavl for two more years. -ASR

16 Shane Starrett, G (Undrafted free agent, signed Apr. 10, 2017. Last Year: Not ranked) In a system as deep in goaltending prospects as ever, Starrett can still stand out, thanks to imposing size, mature mental composure, and a unique, deep-in-the-crease style for goalies of his size. After spending most of the 2017-18 season in the ECHL, the 25-year-old effectively stole the AHL starting job and had great success in the process (27-12-2, .912). A technically refined netminder, he shuts down holes along the posts well, tracks developing plays with laser focus, and can even go out and handle the puck to limit forechecking effectiveness. Though his size can bail him out at times, his tool selection can be sloppy and he would benefit from using his glove more. He has NHL size and discipline, and could be a big-league backup in the near future. - TD

17 Caleb Jones, D (117^th overall, 2015. Last Year: 14) A weighty, strong defenseman with some untapped speed in his game, Jones really found what works for him with AHL Bakersfield last year. The versatile blueliner with quick hands played high minutes and took on tough opponents, displaying a physical edge as well as a great stretch pass to get out of the zone. Most importantly, his mental discipline and overall patience improved from last season, though his speed still lags behind. Jones’ 2018-19 campaign was significantly better than his disastrous efforts a year prior, and he displayed his potential as a depth puck-moving defenseman, even earning an NHL cameo in that role near the end of the season. - TD

18 Cameron Hebig, LW (Undrafted free agent, signed Dec. 28, 2017. Last Year: 18) Signed as a free agent at the end of the 2017 calendar year, Hebig has been steadily rising among the Oilers’ prospect ranks. As a depth center with Bakersfield last year, the former WHL star put up solid stats (64-11-18-29) with five power play goals on the Condors’ second man-advantage group. The undersized center plays a solid 200-foot game, exhibits mature offensive anticipation, has lightning-fast hands, and possesses a pro-level wrist shot, albeit a criminally underused one. Hebig is not the best or fastest skater, but could be an intense and scrappy depth playmaker at the NHL level with an improvement in his acceleration and stop/start speed. - RW

19 Ostap Safin, RW (115^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 17) Injuries ground Safin to a halt this season; he hurt his hip with the Czech Republic U20 team in the summer and never fully recovered. He missed all of training camp, was traded to Halifax, suffered a setback and missed much of the season. In the playoffs, Safin was a shadow of his former self, recording two points in 23 games, and was scoreless in four Memorial Cup games. His injuries this season set his development back a year, and it makes him an unknown going forward. At his best, the 6-5” winger blazes down the right side and wires a strong shot. He is smart and can create with a pass or a shot, and uses his frame to create space. If he is fully recovered, Safin could be a middle-six winger who can provide much needed secondary scoring and responsible defensive play, and will be ready sooner rather than later. - MS

20 William Lagesson, D (91^st overall, 2014. Last Year: Not ranked) The biggest compliment you can give a depth defenseman is that they are hard to notice, and Lagesson deserves that honor. A very methodical blueliner with a beautiful simplicity to his game, he is a reliable one-on-one defender with solid gaps, an active stick, and the size to effect an opposing forward’s stride. The 2014 fourth-round selection moves the puck well and put up very respectable offensive numbers last season in the process (67-8-19-27). The best thing about him is how he does not have any noticeable flaws. Even his skating, which is a weak point, is masked by a gameplay style that does not require elite speed. He could contend for the bottom-pairing depth spot his ceiling suggests as soon as this upcoming season. - TD

QMJHL Playoff Preview: Huskies leaders of the pack in the President’s Cup playoff

Michael Sanderson — Wed, 20 Mar 2019 13:23:49 +0000

The Rouyn-Noranda Huskies are looking to complete what they could not in 2016: win a Memorial Cup.

They may just have the team to do it, but first they need to lay waste to the rest of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

That’s what they did in the regular season. Boasting three players from that 2016 Memorial Cup squad in league-leading scorer Peter Abbandonato, minute-eating defender Jacob Neveu and record-setting netminder Samuel Harvey, the Huskies set the record for most wins in a single season with 59 wins in 2018-19. Raphael Harvey-Pinard played five games for that 2016 Huskie crew in the regular season and was the team’s second leading scorer this year.

The Huskies are a very strong defensive unit that moves the puck fast and plays with intensity. They lost just one game in the 2019 portion of the schedule.

Noah Dobson, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies.

Rouyn-Noranda made it count in the mid-season trading period as well, trading all of their picks in the first-through-fourth rounds in the next three seasons to acquire three players – Joel Teasdale from the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, Louis-Filip Côté from the Québec Remparts, and Noah Dobson from the defending Memorial Cup champion Acadie-Bathurst Titan. Teasdale boasts 42 points in 29 games, and Dobson added 36 in 28.

The Titan will not be defending their crown, as they missed the playoffs this season, allowing for a new champion that could be wearing red and black. The Huskies have another piece from last year’s champs: head coach Mario Pouliot joined the team, taking over as head coach and GM.

Joe Veleno, Drummondville Voltiguers

Another team in red and black, the Drummondville Voltigeurs, are the yin to the Huskies yang in terms of contending combatants. While the Huskies dominate with defensive play and timely scoring, the Voltigeurs try to outscore the opposition, and were very successful at it, especially in the second half. The Volts led the league in goals with 338 on the strength of Detroit pick Joe Veleno’s 104 points and Maxime Comtois’s 48 points in just 25 games.

They have the forward depth to put most teams to shame. Nicolas Guay has been an excellent winger with 40 goals. Gregor MacLeod was picked up at the beginning of the season from Québec and put up 84 points. Félix Lauzon’s two-way play was magnified by his 80 points, and Dawson Mercer, not draft-eligible until 2020, had 64 points with his blazing speed and great defensive instincts. This playoff season could be Mercer’s breakout party with the responsibility Steve Hartley and the Volts coaching staff put on his shoulders.

The Huskies, not to be outdone, outscored every team but Drummondville in the regular campaign.

Drummondville and Rouyn-Noranda both benefit from a different playoff format this year, as well. Due to travel issues, the league decided to toss out the previous 1-vs-16, 2-vs-15 format for a conference set-up, putting the league’s 12 Quebec-based teams in three divisions of four, and the Maritimes all in a single division of six. The two western-most divisions were shuffled into the Western Conference, while the East Division and the Maritime teams were linked into the Eastern Conference.

This plan creates an imbalance in the conferences, so the possibility of a crossover exists; if the ninth-best Eastern Conference team has more points than the eighth-best Western Conference team, the Eastern team joins the west for the playoffs, and the eighth-best Western team misses the playoffs. The tenth-based team in the east, if they too have more points than the remaining team in the west, could also cross over.

This possibility nearly happened, with the Saint John Sea Dogs tied in points and holding the tiebreaker over the Shawinigan Cataractes on the league’s final day of the regular season. The Sea Dogs lost in regulation, while the Cataractes lost in overtime, putting them one point ahead of the Dogs and into the final playoff spot. Shawinigan, who made the playoffs despite a 0-14-1-0 record in their final 15 games, will take on the Huskies, a team that has only lost eight times all season.

The first round will be 1-vs-8, 2-vs-7 and the second round will pit the four winners, highest remaining seed playing lowest remaining seed. The third round will be a free-for-all, with the team’s left over ranked by record and seeded one-through-four regardless of conference, and lastly the winners of the third round will meet in the league final.

The possibility of the best two teams meeting in the final is still there, and the two best teams in terms of points, Rouyn-Noranda and Drummondville, will have an easier ride than most one- and two-seeds.

The talent disparity between the Eastern and Western Conferences this year was a sight to behold, perfectly demonstrated by the Sherbrooke Phoenix. The Phoenix, with 77 points, finished third in the west and will have home ice against the Armada. Given the same results, if Sherbrooke was in the east, they would have finished in eighth place, and would be playing the Conference-leading and Memorial Cup hosting Halifax Mooseheads. Quite a jump in competition, and on the road, no less.

The Mooseheads overtook the Baie-Comeau Drakkar to win the East crown on the final day, and they will have home-ice assured for the first two rounds. While they received some criticism for potentially not doing enough during the mid-season trading period, making the fewest trades of any team, the Mooseheads are coming in with a very strong outfit that had a better 2019 than 2018. Head coach Eric Veilleux and the personnel struggled at times in terms of game-plan; Veilleux is a more defensive coach and the players he is directing are more offensive-minded, but he does his best coaching in the playoffs, and has a league final in 2013 and a Memorial Cup championship in 2012 to his credit.

Jared McIssaac

Samuel Asselin, acquired from the Titan in the season’s first week, had an excellent campaign and was the most consistent Moosehead over the 68 games, firing a league-topping 48 goals and 86 points for Halifax. Anaheim prospects Benoît-Olivier Groulx and Antoine Morand both shone in the regular season as well, with 80 and 70 points, respectively. Arnaud Durandeau kept pace as well, as the Islanders hopeful had 73 points of his own. Detroit prospect Jared McIsaac was second in defenceman points with 62 in 53 games. Having Edmonton prospect Ostap Safin back in the lineup in March after missing several months with recurring hip issues is a major boost to the scoring touch of the team.

Fans will keep a close eye on Raphael Lavoie, projected as potentially the league’s biggest draft prospect for this June’s NHL draft. Lavoie had a very hot February with 24 points in the month, and while he was kept off the scoresheet in his last three games, needs a big playoff and Memorial Cup to keep himself above the competition, namely Moncton’s Jakob Pelletier and Sherbrooke’s Samuel Poulin.

Ivan Chekhovich

The Drakkar are the Mooseheads’ biggest challengers in the east, and they held the title until the league’s final games. Much like the Huskies, the Volts and the Mooseheads, the Drakkar boast major scoring in their lineup. San Jose prospect Ivan Chekhovich was six points off the league leader in Abbandonato with 105 points, and Nathan Légaré, a 2019 draft hopeful, was tied for eighth in league scoring with 87 points and tied for second in the league with 45 goals. Their top four scorers all scored at least 35 goals, and they beefed up the back end with additions of Keenan MacIsaac from the Titan and Pascal Corbeil of the Armada.

The team did not sit pat with their goaltending either, as GM Steve Ahern acquired three capable goaltenders in Alex D’Orio from Saint John, Dereck Baribeau from Québec and Lucas Fitzpatrick from Shawinigan. Due to Baribeau’s injury in early January sidelining him for the rest of the regular season, D’Orio has been the team’s starting goaltender, and the Penguins’ signee has shown that with a contending team, he is a very good starting goaltender who can handle a lot of shots. The Drakkar do not give up a lot of shots, though, being fourth in the league in shots against at just 26-and-a-half.

Alexis Lafreniere

The Eastern Conference is the side to watch in the first two rounds, as they had seven teams breach the 85-point barrier to the west’s two. The Rimouski Oceanic, upset in last year’s first round by the Moncton Wildcats, bring in Alexis Lafrenière for his second playoff run, and they added big muscle in Calgary prospect D’Artignan Joly to a lineup that already boasted high-flying Tampa signee Jimmy Huntington and defensive leading scorer and Charles-Edouard D’Astous. Lafrenière’s 105 points already secures him as a top prospect for 2020, but he will want to get further than the opening round this time around. The Oceanic will go as far as 2019 prospect Colten Ellis can take them from the red line.

While Charlottetown traded away Arizona first rounder Pierre-Olivier Joseph to Drummondville, they were able to get New Jersey prospect Xavier Bernard in the deal. Matt Welsh is capable of stealing a series in net and would be talked about more in NHL circles if he was taller than 5-11”. A team could still take a flyer on him and be well-off; he never quits on a play and excels in making saves however necessary. Anaheim prospect Hunter Drew has made more great strides in his game, and 2019 potential picks Nikita Alexandrov and Brett Budgell are joined by sharpshooter Daniel Hardie and former Titan forward Jordan Maher for experience. Jim Hulton is a very good coach and an excellent motivator, and he has a group he can mold for a playoff run, despite selling off his best asset.

The Islanders’ first round opponents will be the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, who acquired Derek Gentille and Minnesota prospect Shawn Boudrias at the deadline. Ottawa pick Kevin Mandolese will have to earn his keep in the net against the Isles, and former Titan forward Mitch Balmas, two-time 40-goal scorer, will hope to improve upon his five goals in last year’s playoff run. The Eagles may be a year away, but this would be a very pivotal moment in the growth of this year’s core going forward, and they are more than capable of pulling off an upset.

Chicoutimi was a player in the Noah Dobson sweepstakes; as part of a handshake agreement, Dobson was sent to Rouyn-Noranda, but with mostly Chicoutimi draft picks. Those picks were sent to the Huskies by Chicoutimi for facilitation and the ability to acquire William Dufour. The trade was a part of the Titan’s deal for Olivier Galipeau last season; the Sags wanted the ability to re-acquire Dobson next year if faced with the possibility, but also take in Dufour as a potential core piece for the future. If Dobson went through Chicoutimi directly, the Saguenéens would not be able to re-acquire him for three years.

Chicoutimi under Yanick Jean have been rebuilding for a couple of years, but they have three of the first seven picks from last year’s first round on the team in Dufour, Hendrix Lapierre and Théo Rochette. All three have received international attention and will be important building blocks for the team in future years, and this team will gain valuable experience in the post-season, with the potential of netminder Alexis Shank stealing a game or two against Rimouski.

Jakob Pelletier is a player whose game gets better as the chips are down, and he is potentially the Wildcats’ most important player in their playoff push. Jeremy McKenna’s 97 points does not hurt either, but the Wildcats changed coaches in January and struggled to find their game at times this season. They made moves to get better at Christmas but saw a team that sold off players in Charlottetown and a team that more or less stood pat in Chicoutimi, adding just William Dufour and shuffling in Liam Murphy for Jesse Sutton, surpass them in the standings. The team is playing better under the watchful eye of John Torchetti, but the playoffs are a different animal.

Samuel Poulin is also a player who benefits when the checking gets close. He is big, fast and smart, and he can play physical as well as contribute offensively. The Phoenix scored more goals this year than any other year in their history, but do not have a scorer who jumps off the page; Poulin’s 29 goals tied for the team lead, matched by Alex-Olivier Voyer. Poulin will be relied upon heavily in the post-season, but the Phoenix have eight players with 42 points or more in the regular campaign.

The Eastern Conference is a wide-open group with good teams set to pack after the first round, while the West feature the two top teams in the league in the Huskies and the Voltigeurs. One would expect those latter two teams to make it to the final four, but any of the top seven teams in the east could make a run for the President’s Cup.

Who will meet the Mooseheads in Halifax at the 2019 Memorial Cup in May? The Huskies have recent history on their side, and the league’s wins record to boot. 16 more wins to their 59 they have already amassed seems most likely.

Predictions

First Round

Rouyn-Noranda over Shawinigan in 4

Drummondville over Gatineau in 4

Blainville-Boisbriand over Sherbrooke in 7 (with goaltending leading to the mild upset)

Victoriaville over Val d’Or in 6

Halifax over Quebec in 5

Baie-Comeau over Moncton in 5

Rimouski over Chicoutimi in 7

Charlottetown over Cape Breton in 6

Second Round

Rouyn-Noranda over Blainville-Boisbriand in 4

Drummondville over Victoriaville in 6

Halifax over Charlottetown in 7

Baie-Comeau over Rimouski in 6

Third Round

Rouyn-Noranda over Baie-Comeau in 6

Drummondville over Halifax in 7

League Championship

Rouyn-Noranda over Drummondville in 6

QMJHL Trade Deadline: Want to improve your QMJHL team this season? Pay up!

Michael Sanderson — Mon, 17 Dec 2018 17:43:55 +0000

The QMJHL’s silly season is upon us.

The league’s trading period opens up Sunday, and several trades are already in the books, some of which were consummated before the opening bell was officially opened. The period closes up on January 6. One thing to be expected this season: contenders will have to pay to make their teams better heading into the second half.

All eyes are on the Halifax Mooseheads this season as the Memorial Cup hosts in May. Because of this, the team has some extra pressure to build a contender. On paper, they are one of the strongest teams in the entirety of the Canadian Hockey League, but they have struggled a little bit with consistency. The team is noticing some potential issues that may need solving for the tourney, adding to their depth.

Now, if newspaper quotes are to be believed, Mooseheads general manager Cam Russell is not all that interested in blowing up the future for the present, as he observes that his team could be even better next season as presently constructed. However, this year is a guaranteed Memorial Cup berth, whereas future years are earned solely by hard work from August-to-May. The sure thing dictates that this declaration is just posturing, as a Memorial Cup host can expect a heightened market for any assets.

Further, this Mooseheads squad could use some tinkering. Edmonton Oiler forward Ostap Safin, acquired from Saint John at the start of the season, has been in and out of the lineup due to ongoing hip issues. Overager Jordan Maher has simply not been the best fit with the team with just four goals so far, despite his best efforts. Anaheim Ducks prospect Antoine Morand’s game has been as expected, but the numbers are not quite where they should be, with 28 points in 29 games. Potential first rounder Raphaël Lavoie has hit a bit of a snag this season, not looking like himself from last season; he is scoring less and seeing his focus wane at times this season. The offence, a strong suit in prior years, is sixth-best in the league right now, with a few blowouts augmenting the numbers.

New Jersey Devils defender Jocktan Chainey has seen his ice time drop and Chicago Blackhawks blueliner Jake Ryczek has seen his rise, but behind Jared McIsaac and Justin Barron, who have been solid, there is no big third defender option. Despite that, the team has solid defending numbers, tied for second-best in goals against.

To his credit, goaltender Alexis Gravel has been maybe the team’s most valuable player so far this season, but his backup option is Cole MacLaren, a decent choice but not a goalie you want starting against the OHL and WHL champions.

To that end, Halifax will be in on a defenceman this trading period, and potentially a second goaltender as well. If the price is right, they may also look to add to the forward group to try and jumpstart the offence.

Noah Dobson

Thankfully for the Mooseheads, the two biggest names available in the trading period are both defencemen. New York Islanders prospect Noah Dobson is the biggest fish in the pond, and right behind him is Arizona Coyotes draft pick Pierre-Olivier Joseph.

The price for Dobson will set the market, as he is the prize all teams are competing for. Dobson is a game-changer on defence, capable of controlling a game from the back-end, and has championship experience on the biggest stage. Joseph is a very solid consolation prize, as teams who find the price for Dobson too high may rather try to acquire one of the league’s hardest workers and smartest players. The Islanders also have very useful players to add into a Joseph trade to help a win-now team, such as Keith Getson or Anaheim Ducks prospect Hunter Drew, but it’s believed that Jim Hulton is not looking for far-off picks, preferring players that can help as early as next season in exchange for his assets. Having said that, the Islanders are in a contending position, and could choose either to stand pat or add to their team.

What is interesting in the Dobson speculation is that it is rumoured that any deal involving him will have to go through the Chicoutimi Saguenéens, as part of conditions of a prior deal for Bathurst last season. The Sags would rather the assets that Dobson would provide rather than use him this season, as Chicoutimi is a middling team with no real title aspirations this season. The suspense will run into the new year, as Dobson cannot officially be traded until his term with Team Canada at the World Junior Championships are over.

There are some top-level defender and forwards beyond those two, but in goal, most contenders seem to be set with one or two good goaltenders. There are many options for a team to buy for a playoff run – Minnesota Wild prospect Dereck Baribeau from Quebec, Pittsburgh Penguin signee Alex D’Orio in Saint John and fellow Penguin camp attendee Tristan Côté-Cazenave, to name three – but most of the top teams are set in net.

The changed playoff format this season could also have an effect on the trading period, due to the imbalance of talent between the Eastern and the Western Conferences. Starting this year, to prevent so many easy matchups in the first round and to cut down on potential travel, the league decided to drop the 1-vs-16 format and form two conferences of two divisions each. The Maritime teams and the Eastern-most Quebec teams form the 10-team East, and the rest create the eight-team West. There is the potential for wildcards to allow the top 16 teams to make the playoffs, but the weakness of this playoff format is best demonstrated by the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles. At the time of writing, the Eagles would hold home ice in the old playoff format, sitting in eighth spot in the league. Because of the new conference format, though, Cape Breton would be sixth in the East, drawing a tough, contending Baie-Comeau team, on the road no less, in the opening round, rather than 11th-place Quebec. That format change could influence some teams in terms of whether to buy, sell or stand pat this season.

Two definite contenders outside of Halifax that dominate the list of other potential buyers are the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies and the Drummondville Voltigeurs.

Rouyn-Noranda are a very strong team built from within and coached and managed by last year’s Memorial Cup winner, Mario Pouliot. They are hard-working, very deep in net and on defence, and just one player on the entire roster has played for another Q team. Their wildcard is the potential return of injured Pittsburgh Penguin prospect Zachary Lauzon. His return would put the Huskies in limbo with their overagers, and they would have to make a decision on their 20-year-olds.

Joe Veleno

The Voltigeurs are maybe the league’s deepest team, led by Anaheim Ducks prospect Maxime Comtois and Detroit Red Wings first rounder Joe Veleno up front, Chicago Blackhawks first rounder Nicolas Beaudin and New Jersey Devils prospect Xavier Bernard on defence, along with Edmonton Oilers prospect Olivier Rodrigue in goal. Comtois’s return to the Q is maybe the biggest acquisition any team could have made this season. They are a rumoured team for Dobson, and adding Dobson to Beaudin and Bernard defensively would make Drummondville a very tough team to face in the playoffs with that three-headed monster on the back end.

One team that is certainly making some changes is the Baie-Comeau Drakkar. General Manager Steve Ahern has promised that several trades will be announced Sunday. They are heavily linked to the above-mentioned D’Orio.

Further with the Drakkar, Calgary Flames pick D’Artignan Joly has left the team on his own accord, awaiting a trade. Joly and the team have had a bumpy 2018, with player wanting to be more creative and team wishing he was more engaged and aggressive. Joly can absolutely score at this level, but he is an artist more than he is a worker.

Editor’s note – prior to publication, it was announced that Joly had been dealt to Victoriaville

The Rimouski Oceanic were a contender for the league title on paper this season, but they look up at the Drakkar at this point in the year and are facing a decision – do they go for it or hold back and go for it next year. According to bench boss Serge Beausoleil, they will be tentative, but not sell off players who won’t return, including captain Charles-Edouard D’Astous, who drew some interest from the Ottawa Senators in the summer. The Oceanic are the proud team of phenom Alexis Lafrenière, who will return to the league next season, and Rimouski could set themselves up to be an even better team next season.

The Moncton Wildcats may opt to do the same, as they have a high-flying offence, but many players also set to return for next season, namely potential first rounder Jakob Pelletier and Minnesota Wild pick Alex Khovanov, despite some issues on the defensive end. Unlike the Oceanic, though, players not returning next season or otherwise not in the plans for next season could be available for trade.

Among the anticipated sellers, the Acadie-Bathurst Titan have also had a move announced ahead of Sunday’s opening day for the mid-season trading period. They will acquire forward Anderson MacDonald from the Wildcats for a pair of picks. MacDonald has not had the bounce-back season either he or the Wildcats were hoping after he was surprisingly undrafted in last June’s NHL Entry Draft. MacDonald has battled injuries all year, and has played in only four games, largely on the fourth line, before being shuffled out of Moncton to the north of New Brunswick.

The Titan have also all but moved Dobson, fellow blueliner Keenan MacIsaac and forward Ethan Crossman, and will continue to take calls on defender Michal Ivan. The foursome all played key roles for the Memorial Cup winning Titan squad last year, as they look to set themselves up for a rebuild.

Editor’s note – Prior to publication, both Crossman and MacIsaac were dealt to Baie-Comeau

One can add the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada to the list of potential sellers, as they may look into cashing in on the remaining assets from three straight strong playoff runs. Montreal Canadiens prospect Joël Teasdale is a name that would garner lots of interest, and they have many useful veterans they do not need this season – Rémy Anglehart, Alex Katerinakis, Luke Henman, Thomas Ethier and Charles-Antoine Giguère come to mind. The Armada could recoup a lot of assets for their collection of forwards.

Editor’s note – Giguère was traded to Moncton prior to publication

The Gatineau Olympiques could also cash in on a few of their players for the future, namely Minnesota Wild prospect Shawn Boudrias and overager Gabriel Bilodeau, who could put up points on a contender looking to upgrade their powerplay. So could Val-d’Or’s David Noel, a St. Louis Blues pick, who is 19, but is currently on the shelf with an eye injury.

The composition of the QMJHL’s top teams will look different between now and January, and despite the high prices, expect a lot of player movement this time around.

QMJHL 2018-19 Preview: Voltigeurs, Oceanic early favourites to join Mooseheads at Memorial Cup

Michael Sanderson — Thu, 04 Oct 2018 11:59:22 +0000

There is one certainty in the 2018-19 QMJHL season: the Halifax Mooseheads have already punched their ticket to the 2019 Memorial Cup.

They printed the tickets, in fact.

Halifax is the host for the CHL’s holy grail tournament in May, and the question is, what team joins them at the big dance?

Two teams have revealed themselves to be the cream of the crop, at least on paper at the onset of the season: the Drummondville Voltigeurs and the Rimouski Oceanic.

Benoit Olivier-Groulx

But Halifax may be the best of them all, with a deep lineup throughout, led by forwards Antoine Morand, Benoît-Olivier Groulx, Jordan Maher and draft-eligibles Raphaël Lavoie and Xavier Parent. They only lack a minute-eater on defence, depending on the progression of blueliners Jared McIsaac, a Detroit pick, and Justin Barron, and a consistent starting netminder, though Chicago pick Alexis Gravel has the potential to steal games. The acquisitions of Ostap Safin and Samuel Asselin only further bolster a strong offensive attack for head coach Eric Veilleux’s group.

Drummondville’s true potential will depend on the potential return of forward Maxime Comtois. The bruising two-way forward has turned a great showing at Anaheim’s camp, and some luck with an injury to Corey Perry, into a chance at some real live NHL games that count this season, and if he were to stick in the pros, it would be a big blow to the Volts’ title hopes. The team is deep beyond him, boasting Joe Veleno and Pavel Koltygin up front, NHL-draftees Xavier Bernard and first-rounder Nicolas Beaudin on the back end, and the league’s best goaltender in Olivier Rodrigue defending the cage. Top to bottom, Drummondville is Halifax’s biggest challenger on paper.

Rimouski has the league’s biggest name in Alexis Lafrenière, who still can’t be picked until the 2020 NHL Draft. Lafrenière has already made a name for himself on the international stage, and will be looking to improve on his 80 points from last season. The Oceanic finished third in the league last year, and holding onto that spot is the least of their expectations. Rimouski was upset in the first round last March, and will look to improve on that and go on a deep run. Adding Jimmy Huntington, Cédric Paré and Olivier Garneau to the fold up front provides strong depth to an already formidable group.

Beyond the big three, there are several clubs that could surprise, including offensive juggernauts in Baie-Comeau and Moncton, and wildcard teams like Charlottetown, Cape Breton and Quebec.

Ivan Chekhovich

The Drakkar started very hot out the gate with strong offensive play, including San Jose’s Ivan Chekhovich and Tampa Bay’s Gabriel Fortier among the top scorers. Undrafted forward Yaroslav Alexeyev, acquired from Sherbrooke in the summer, has already made an impact. Xavier Bouchard leads a middling defense corps, and Kyle Jessiman joins Justin Blanchette in a bit of a loaded crease.

The Wildcats have the horses up front to do damage as well. Last season’s shot leader Jeremy McKenna returns along with Mika Cyr, while undrafted forward Anderson MacDonald, tries to show teams he deserved to be picked last June. They shipped netminder Mark Grametbauer to Bathurst, opting instead to go forward with former Drakkar and Armada goalie Francis Leclerc. Their defence needs work, but stalwarts Jonathan Aspirot and Gabriel Sylvestre head the group.

Pierre-Olivier Joseph of the Charlottetown Islanders. Photo courtesy of the QMJHL.

Charlottetown was slept on a lot at the start of last season, but they surprised and made it to the third round, where they were finally knocked out in seven games by the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada. They hope to build momentum from final four finishes the last two seasons, but if they get off to a cold start, they have two of the best players available for trade at Christmas: Arizona first rounder Pierre-Olivier Joseph and netminder Matt Welsh.

Cape Breton is hungry for a winner, and they acquired 40-goal man Mitchell Balmas and defender Antoine Crête-Belzile to jump to contending status. Ottawa goalkeeper Kevin Mandolese looks to grow this season as the clear number one goalie as Jessiman was traded to Baie-Comeau.

Quebec returns with the biggest wild card in the whole league: new/old head coach and general manager Patrick Roy. Patrick is either loved or hated by every QMJHL hockey fan, but there is no denying he brings excitement and intensity to the product. He adds a few wins to any team he coaches, and will do so here. While Roy’s development record isn’t the strongest in the Quebec league, he is responsible for players like Jonathan Marchessault and Logan Shaw. Potential Minnesota signee Dereck Baribeau and Chicago pick Philipp Kurashev, too.

The league has adjusted their divisions and playoff format this season. Instead of three divisions, there are four. The Maritime Division has six teams, while the 12 remaining squads are split up into three four-team groupings.

Playoffs will be conference based with a 1-plays-8 format, but the 16 best teams will make the playoffs – the conferences will be shuffled so the top 16 will be in the post-season no matter what. This method avoids the top seeds breezing through the first round of the playoffs, and it prevents some of the more extreme travel in the early rounds. However, this format can prevent some monumental upsets, much like 14-seed Moncton defeating third-seed Rimouski last year.

Acadie-Bathurst’s storybook season last year resulted in a Memorial Cup championship, but it’s now time to pay the piper for the party. The Titan acquired netminder Mark Grametbauer to provide some stability in goal but have traded away much of the core from last season’s winning squad.

Noah Dobson on Acadie-Bathurst. Photo courtesy of the QMJHL.

One player to watch is still in a Titan uniform – Islanders first rounder Noah Dobson. The performance of the team in the first two months of the season will depend if the watch is on his talent or his future destination at Christmas time. Teams will be lining up for his services when the mid-season trading period opens up, and there aren’t many teams in the league that would refuse the best defenseman in the QMJHL on their roster for a playoff push.

Tough seasons will be ahead for Chicoutimi and Saint John, but those teams have names to look out for in future drafts – namely Josh Lawrence, William Villeneuve and Jeremie Poirier of the Sea Dogs and Hendrix Lapierre and Théo Rochette of the Saguenéens. They are all up for grabs in 2020 or later.

While there is much time between now and June on the Rogers Arena stage in Vancouver, the first name called from the QMJHL is expected to be Halifax’s Raphaël Lavoie. The Chambly, QC, right winger has great size, speed and hands to succeed at a top-line level in the professional game. He potted 30 goals last season, including a remarkable 10 game winners, and added 33 assists in the full slate of 68 games, and added five points in nine playoff contests.

He does an excellent job of using his 6-4” frame to his advantage as leverage in puck protection, and the long reach to keep the puck away from defenders. With added bulk and physical maturity, he already has the fundamentals to be a strong power forward, puck protector and possession player. He also is adept at firing a strong wrist shot off the rush on the left wing, where he can fire on his off-hand side. At his size, it’s no surprise he is a force in front of the net, either.

While he does have some center potential at the next level, he is an early favourite to receive passes on the right, or left, flank from Antoine Morand, who can most definitely dish with the best in the league. Expect those goal numbers to rise, and the attention with it, by the time the weather heats up in 2019.

Other early favourites to be first rounders include forwards Maxim Cajkovic of the Saint John Sea Dogs, Samuel Poulin of the Sherbrooke Phoenix, Jakob Pelletier of the Moncton Wildcats, Valentin Nussbaumer of the Shawinigan Cataractes, and defender Artemi Knyazev of the Chicoutimi Saguenéens.

All but Nussbaumer featured for their respective national teams at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Edmonton in August, though Pelletier fractured his wrist at the tourney and missed the first week of the QMJHL season.

Cajkovic is a power forward waiting to blossom. He has tremendous confidence in the offensive zone to let go his big shot, one of the best available in the draft, and the speed and soft hands to give him the space needed to get it off. His speed separates him from the pack, as well. He is a leader on the ice for a young Sea Dogs team and can inspire his team with a big hit or a big goal.

Poulin is the son of former NHLer Patrick Poulin. He has had a hot start to the season with the trigger finger, and he is just as strong making plays as scoring. He already has a pro size at 6-1” and 204 pounds, and is strong along the boards. He plays much like his father; strong along the boards, in the offensive zone, and defensively where his speed and anticipation make him deadly on the backcheck or on the penalty kill.

Pelletier has a motor that doesn’t quit and a nose for the net, even with his currently small frame. He has been an emotional leader for the Moncton Wildcats since his first shift in the league, and he always works hard to the final whistle. His hockey sense is off-the-charts, as well. He is a strong playmaker and a great passer, and finds his way into traffic to shoot his shot.

Nussbaumer holds two advantages over his league-mates in his quest to get drafted – he can play all three forward positions, and he has already played against men in his native Switzerland. He had a 26-game cup of coffee with his hometown team, Biel-Bienne, last season, with five goals and six points. He is a late September birthday, which also gives him an edge in performance, though he would have been a very good 2018 pick if he was eleven days older.

Knyazev is an offensively talented defenseman who can move the puck crisply. He is also strong in his own end. He isn’t the biggest defender but can handle the speed of oncoming forwards very well and steer them where they need to go. His transition game is an instant offensive tool, and he doesn’t give up on plays.

The Halifax Mooseheads also owns the rights to Victoria Grizzlies forward and potential first rounder Alex Newhook, but even the enticement of the Memorial Cup was not enough to convince the St. John’s, Newfoundland, native to make the jump to the QMJHL. He is committed to Boston College for next season.

Edmonton Oilers Prospect System Overview

Tom Dorsa — Sat, 15 Sep 2018 18:36:44 +0000

The Edmonton Oilers are in hockey purgatory. They have far too much young talent to be able to properly upheave everything and rebuild, but so little depth thanks to a number of perplexing decisions from general manager Peter Chiarelli. The Oilers have made their bed, and now they must lay in it, but how do you patch up a team with only one playoff series victory since 2006?

One tried and true method is by finding depth through the NHL Draft and from free agent prospect signings. With so many high first-rounders -- another in 2018 in dynamic defenseman Evan Bouchard -- the Oilers have top-end talent, but their depth lacks. Thankfully for the future of the franchise, Edmonton has begun to go with the trend in drafting smaller, more athletic forwards with later-round picks in the hopes of catching lightning in a bottle.

On a team built around three expensive but worthy centers -- Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins -- the Oilers find themselves in desperate need of young, inexpensive draft picks with enough skill and speed to log top-six minutes. Obviously it stings to lose Hart Trophy winner Taylor Hall, but in Kailer Yamamoto, Tyler Benson, and maybe even Ty Rattie, they're getting there with a new approach to building their roster.

Instead of drafting for specific roles and immediate team needs, they've started to draft for talent and let the club construct itself. This will pay major dividends when McDavid and Draisaitl -- already superstars -- get older and more experienced. But it's not just among the forwards that things are looking up, as the goaltenders in the system are pretty promising as well.

Cam Talbot has played more than 350 more minutes than the second-ranked goaltender in the league over the past two years, topping out at over 8,000 combined. It's clear he needs some relief in the form of a serviceable back-up, and the Oilers have three goaltenders in our top 20 prospects. Help is coming.

Defensively, Bouchard joins a group that already features steady top-four presences Oscar Klefbom and Adam Larsson as well as the developing and promising Darnell Nurse, whose ceiling might be as high as those other two. The Oilers are starting to fill out and become the consistent playoff contenders a team with the best player in the world should be.

Evan Bouchard

1 Evan Bouchard, D (10th overall, 2018. Last year: IE) Straight from the NHL Draft, Evan Bouchard is the clear top prospect in the Edmonton system. With offensive tools that include superb vision, accurate and rapid passing skills, excellent athleticism and agility, and an unparalleled combination of lethal shots, the right-hander is a dynamic shot-generating defenseman. His 87 points in 2017-18 led all OHL defensemen despite playing on a London Knights team that got bounced in the first round of the playoffs. His responsibility and discipline defensively is above average, with NHL-ready rink sense, maturity, and durability. He's not overly physical, but should be good and ready to take on NHL size when his debut comes.

2 Kailer Yamamoto, RW (22nd overall, 2017. Last year: 2nd) Unlike the prototypical big, stocky, finesse-first forwards the Oilers have recently taken in high draft rounds, Kailer Yamamoto is undersized, speedy, and offensively gifted. A near elite skater and puck-handler, Yamamoto's offensive potential and smarts are combined with a tricky shot and various elusive moves to get past defenders. Yamamoto could be a future right wing to Connor McDavid at center -- a necessary addition given the lack of speed down the wing in Edmonton -- having shown potential for success with the Oilers after three assists in nine games as an 18 years old last year. 2018-19 will be his last year of WHL eligibility.

3 Ryan McLeod, C (40th overall, 2018. Last year: IE) Much like his brother, former first-round pick Michael, Ryan McLeod's game revolves around his intelligence and his wheels. He's seen as a two-way center with some untapped offensive potential, and with a player as mature and defensively stout as the younger McLeod is, that offensive upside is all that needs work; the issue is, he doesn't have a single dynamic scoring skill. The 18-year-old projects to fill out as more of a playmaker than a shooter on offense, as his speed and vision give him something to build on. McLeod was projected in our draft guide as a first-rounder, and could be a second-round steal for the Oilers if he pans out and provides something at the NHL level. The assist leader for Mississauga will be heading back to the Steelheads next year.

4 Tyler Benson, LW (32nd overall, 2016. Last year: 3rd) Tyler Benson's draft stock was decimated due to injuries in and prior to his draft season, but with the raw skill and stupendous playmaking abilities he possesses, it appears the Oilers got a steal in the early second round. Benson is a strong skater and has a solid, heavy shot, but his puck-possession and distribution sets him apart. His vision, creativity, and spot-on passing will make for an abundance of assists at the NHL level, and as long as his health permits it, he has a top-six future. He has some flaws to work on, mostly as far as defensive effort and backchecking goes. He will be turning pro in 2018-19, likely with Bakersfield, where he tallied three assists in five games in a late-season cameo last year.

5 Cooper Marody, C (Trade: Mar. 21, 2018 -- Philadelphia. Last year: Unranked -- Philadelphia) Cooper Marody missed large chunks of his freshman (mononucleosis) and sophomore (academic ineligibility) years at Michigan, but exploded onto the scene this past season with 51 points in 40 games with the Wolverines. The Big Ten scoring champion is a very smart, high-energy player with a gift for slowing the game down, reading the ice, and making the smart plays, which often involve his wicked wrist shot. He isn't very creative and doesn't have good raw speed, but is worth the risk, as the Oilers sent a third-round pick to Philly for the centerman who projects to be a bottom-six guy with some upside. Marody looks ready to turn pro, and given his spot-starts with the Condors, should be prepped to enter the pro system this season.

Olivier Rodrigue

6 Olivier Rodrigue, G (62nd overall, 2018. Last year: IE) One of three goaltenders of note in a position of pretty good depth for the Oilers, Rodrigue has the highest ceiling of the lot. Just the second netminder taken in this June's draft, the QMJHL product has a very light and athletic frame that allows him to glide across the crease and impede any opposing scoring chance. His reflexes and rebound control are insanely refined for an 18-year-old. His positional play will have to improve to make up for his lack of size (6-1", 155lbs), but his NHL potential is there. Just 18 years old, the goaltender will be honing his craft in the QMJHL in 2018-19, where he backstopped Drummondville with a 31-16-1 record last season.

7 Ethan Bear, D (124th overall, 2015. Last year: 11th) Ethan Bear is simply fun to watch. He is short and stocky, but he uses his puzzling physique to his advantage, as his strength on his skates and balance when cutting/pivoting is exceptional. He's got the wheels and vision to make things happen at five-on-five, and the electric shot all potential power play quarterbacks need. Last season, it seemed like the former fifth-rounder made something happen every time the puck was on his stick. The 21-year-old earned top pair minutes with Bakersfield last season, a sign of improvement in what had previously ailed him (defensive zone play), and could be a bottom-four presence on the Oilers roster this year.

8 Stuart Skinner, G (78th overall, 2017. Last year: 4th) Following a mid-season trade at the WHL ranks from Lethbridge to Swift Current, Skinner turned it on, and showed the high ceiling that scouts rave over. The big and sturdy netminder went 16-6-1 in 25 games with the Broncos, displaying decent agility for a goalie his size (6-3", 205lbs), his great net coverage, and improved focus. His lack of consistent focus has ailed him in the past and still does occasionally, but his mental game has taken the next step over the past season. The 19-year-old Skinner signed his entry-level contract with the Oilers and will have a chance to impress in the pro ranks this season.

9 Dmitri Samorukov, D (84th overall, 2017. Last year: 20th) An impenetrable physical force in his own zone, Samorukov has started to show off offensively as well. With OHL career highs in goals, assists, points, and shots, it's clear the young Russian is becoming more confident in his game. Still, his style revolves around what happens behind his blueline, as his great gaps, solid body strength, and active stick make for trouble for opposing forwards. His shot is unimpressive, but as a defensive defenseman, he has fundamentals to build upon. Jumping 11 spots from last season's rankings to now, the 19-year-old has gone from fringe prospect to an on-the-radar youngster in the eyes of the Oilers front office.

10 John Marino, D (154th overall, 2015. Last year: 14th) John Marino has been committed to improvement, and it seems like every year he irons out another flaw that had been holding him back. He has promising puck movement skills and the heads-up demeanor to push the play up ice at any given opportunity, but isn't afraid to use his good gap control and puck-shielding to suppress shots in his own zone. A long-term project at Harvard, the 21-year-old is a lanky 6-2" with room to grow and increase his subpar physical intensity and lack of creativity. Marino was a go-to shut-down defensive option in the USPHL and USHL, and is becoming such with the Crimson.

Kirill Maksimov

11 Kirill Maksimov, RW (146th overall, 2017. Last year: 8th) On its face, Kirill Maksimov's offensive explosion in the OHL last season -- going from a career-high 22 points to 80 -- looks like a one-off fluke. However, Maksimov's raw skill and knack for creating high-danger chances has long been there. He suffers from puzzling inconsistencies, but otherwise, his whole game is there; he's mobile, has great hands, possesses NHL-level size, and plays with responsibility. Edmonton has less skill down the wings than perhaps every other team in the league, and Maksimov could be part of a prospect influx that helps change that. He just has to give it 100% more often.

12 Aapeli Rasanen, C (153rd overall, 2016. Last year: 19th) Aapeli Rasanen is a sneakily good center prospect playing with Boston College. At the club level, he's been a middling player without NHL-caliber skills, but internationally, Rasanen has shined as a point-per-game player in the World Juniors. He lacks any dynamic individual skill a forward should possess, but has a solid two-way skillset, good vision and rink senses, and crisp passing ability. A decent skater, his ceiling is as a fourth-line checking-role forward, as the Finnish forward has played predominantly a depth role with some special teams time at the NCAA ranks. He's another long-term project, but his unteachable qualities are something to keep track of down the line.

13 Caleb Jones, D (117th overall, 2015. Last year: 5th) Caleb Jones' first full season was a rude awakening, as he went from being a near point-per-game player in the WHL to finishing with just 17 points in 58 games in the AHL, adding to that, a -25 mark. Jones was responsible for a lot of defensive breakdowns and opposing goals, and did little to compensate for it offensively. Still, there's a lot of potential for the younger brother of Seth Jones, as a mobile defenseman with a great stretch pass, near elite shot, and good physicality can still be an impact player if his vision and discipline improves. He should be higher up on the depth chart with Bakersfield this season, and his opportunities on the power play will increase.

14 Hayden Hawkey, G (Trade: Jun. 23, 2018. Last Year: unranked [Montreal]) Not only does Hayden Hawkey have one of the best names in the sport, but he has given reason to suspect that he could grow into an NHL netminder. The former Montreal sixth round pick has shown improvement year over year with Providence College and was one of the most difficult goaltenders in NCAA to score upon as a junior with a GAA just a touch above 2. Hawkey combines high end athleticism with good ability to track the play and a competitive streak. Suitably impressed, the Oilers gave Montreal a fifth round pick in the 2019 draft to acquire Hawkey’s player rights, although, with the netminder returning to school for a senior season, Edmonton will have only 12 months to bring him fully into the fold.

15 Joel Persson, D (Free Agent Signing: May 18, 2018. Last year: IE) Joel Persson's situation is an interesting one. The Oilers signed the 24-year-old right-hander to a one-year deal but opted to leave him in Sweden, where last season, he manned the top-pair for Vaxjo, the SHL champs. He's got a booming shot from the point coupled with good vision and is a very quick, smart decision maker. His gap control and defense at the blue line could use some work, and should improve over this season as his mobility and skate quickness are solid enough to become a formidable two-way force. Overall, Edmonton has a fine little project on their hands in Sweden with the offensively-majestic Persson.

Ty Rattie

16 Ty Rattie, RW (Free Agent Signing: July 1, 2017. Last year: Unranked) Ty Rattie has been around the block, but the 25-year-old still has the skillset necessary to be a go-to depth scoring option. The 2011 draft pick is a very cerebral player with quality two-way skills and smarts, but his game truly shines on offense, where his splendid shot and athleticism take over. Once a prolific, 120-point scorer in the WHL, he clearly has top-six skill, but his all-or-nothing positioning can get him in trouble all too often. He's been an electric AHL player with Bakersfield and did well in his short NHL stint last season, but still has a lot to prove for his third NHL organization at just 25.

17 Ostap Safin, RW (115th overall, 2017. Last year: 7th) Size isn't everything, but Edmonton has been adamant about drafting high-ceiling big men and hoping something sticks. Ostap Safin is that, but even at 6-5" and 190lbs, he has some high-quality offensive skills. His finesse play is lethal, as are his long reach and superhuman puck-protection abilities. His defensive game and his tendency to cheat up the ice will need some work, likely coming at the AHL level, but his 58 points in 61 games in the QMJHL -- his first year in North America -- screams of power-forward promise. The Oilers have been seeking a physically powerful, finesse depth scorer for countless seasons; Safin has the ceiling to fit that ideal.

18 Cameron Hebig, C (Free Agent Signing: Dec. 28, 2017. Last year: IE) After missing the entire 2016-17 season in the WHL with a mystery illness, Hebig posted 90 points in 62 games between Saskatoon and Regina last season. The right-shooting pivot is a point-scoring machine at his best and with no concern about his health, with patient but fast hands and a terrifying wrist shot. He is as creative with the puck as he is dangerous, finding better opportunities every time he flies down the ice even if it means sacrificing his own shot. If his health holds up, he could lead the charge for the Condors offense this season, where -- at 21 years old -- he'll be entering the pro ranks for the Oilers franchise.

19 Filip Berglund, D (91st overall, 2016. Last year: Unranked) Filip Berglund is much like a familiar name in Edmonton, Adam Larsson; Berglund's game centers around his size, his mental poise in his own zone, and his shooting ability. His game is much more strictly defensive, however, but his defensive capabilities are exceptional, combining good gap control with the ability to force forwards to the outside of the zone and limit dangerous passes and shots. He put up decent numbers for a third-pair defenseman on a fairly talented SHL team, Skelleftea, chipping in 13 points in 44 games. Berglund does not have a high ceiling as a prospect, but his floor (AHL top-four, NHL bottom-two or extra defenseman) is high enough for Edmonton to remain optimistic in his development.

20 Tyler Vesel, C (153rd overall, 2014. Last year: Unranked) The 24-year-old is coming off of a highly-successful college career captaining Nebraska-Omaha and did well enough in a cameo stint with Bakersfield to earn a one-year contract with Edmonton. It's been a long time coming for Vesel, originally drafted as sixth round over-ager, but the undersized forward's maturity, craftiness, and relentless effort oozes potential for a role as an effective checking-line forward in the pro ranks. At 24, he's older than the average prospect, and his experience should make a difference for the leadership core of the Condors roster. There's not much more Vesel can do to round his game out, but his competitiveness and adaptability should make him a welcomed presence in the AHL and perhaps the NHL.

2018 WJC in Review: The Czech Republic

Ryan Wagman — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 22:04:35 +0000

It was whispered in some quarters (hint: here ß https://www.mckeenshockey.com/nhl-blog/wjc-2018-team-preview-czech-republic/) that the Czechs might be on the upswing. In hindsight, it should not have been hard to spot. Even though the nation had not been able to escape the quarterfinals of the year-end WU18 tournament since 2013-14 (and all of those players have since aged out of junior level hockey) the nation did medal in four of the past five Ivan Hlinka tourneys, including a 2016 gold.

That gold medal squad was well represented on this iteration of the Czech U20, including stars Martin Necas, Filip Chytil and supporting players Jakub Skarek, Jakub Galvas, Filip Kral, Radim Salda, Martin Kaut, Ostap Safin, and Filip Zadina.

With the more “proven” players listed above being offensively talented forwards, it should have come as no real surprise that the team had a very potent offense. Their 18 goals in the preliminary round was second only to Sweden in Group B, and fourth among all competing nations.

On the other hand, what proved to be their downfall was also relatively easy to spot. They surrendered 15 goals in those same four games, ranking seventh out of ten teams, ahead of only one squad that finished out of the relegation round. Their netminding was so unsteady that head coach Filip Pesan called for his backup in four of their seven overall games.

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - JANUARY 5: The Czech Republic's Jakub Skarek #1 looks on during bronze medal game action against the U.S. at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images)

On the other hand, that type of quick trigger finger may have hurt as much as it helped, with both main goalies, the aforementioned Skarek – perhaps the top netminding prospect for the 2018 NHL draft – and Josef Korenar - signed as an undrafted free agent to an ELC by the San Jose Sharks after a solitary strong season with Lincoln of the USHL – anticipating a spot on the bench every time the opposition gained the zone with numbers. Skarek had moments were he looked like the real deal, especially early in the tournament. He moves around the crease very well, and is able to cover the net from post to post. But he fought the puck all too often. Korenar showed some scramble ability and comfort moving to get to second chances, but traffic was a bugbear and there were simply too many second chances for anyone’s comfort. Skarek will get another chance to redeem himself on the world’s greatest U20 stage next year in Vancouver.

The blueline also did its part in lighting fires. Despite having a broad range of NHL-affiliated young defensemen to play with, they could rarely keep their opponents from threatening the Czech netminder. Even relegated Belarus scored five of their 10 total goals in a thrilling game against the Czech side. Outside of clear number one blueliner Libor Hajek, a Tampa Bay second rounder, each member of their rearguard stumbled more than one. Hajek was awesome. A workhorse, he played a minimum of 20:22 in every game, including a staggering 30:46 in the quarterfinal upset win over Finland. He was a key cog at both ends, using positioning and a good stick to help sweep away danger in the defensive end and swiftly carrying the puck up the ice to help in the quick strike attack that was so effective at times for the Czechs.

Buffalo prospect Vojtech Budik, generally Hajek’s partner on the first pairing, did some nice things when he had the puck, but all too often avoided confrontation when defending, giving his opponent too much room in which to maneuver. Chicago prospect Jakub Galvas was reliable, but prone to own zone giveaways that saw him relegated to third pairing duties more often than not. Dallas prospect Ondrej Vala rarely did enough to escape the third pairing and was more often than not invisible, despite finishing second among Czech blueliners with 10 shots on goal. If there was a second defender after Hajek who escaped the tournament with passing grades it was draft eligible Filip Kral, now in his first North American season playing in the WHL with Spokane. Although he needs to add bulk, he impressed with his positional play and high panic threshold. His decent shot and above average puck moving ability should see him hear his name called on draft day this year.

If I wanted to nitpick the Czech attack, I would point out that I expected more from Rangers first rounder Filip Chytil. He was fine, scoring twice, and every now and then having a dominant shift highlighting his quick feet and hands. He even showed some toughness, playing with a broken nose. But I am selfish and wanted more. So for more I could turn to Martin Necas, who tied for the overall tournament lead in scoring with USA’s Casey Mittlestadt with 11 points, or Filip Zadina, one of the top prospects for the upcoming draft, who consistently demonstrated every type of offensive skill one could want in a forward prospect. His skating, shot, and puck skills all grade out as high end. He could stand to improve on his recognition and decision making in his own zone, but nothing about his game suggests that he is merely a one-way player. Zadina has superstar potential (Necas already is a superstar for this age-level) and is not far from reaching those heights. Among all players in the tournament, only American Kieffer Bellows took more than Zadina’s 37 shots on net.

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 28: The Czech Republic's Martin Kaut #16 skates with the puck while Sweden's Jacob Moverare #27 chases him down during preliminary round action at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images)

The next three most effective Czech forwards in the tournament were all as yet undrafted, although one has not yet been eligible for those honors. The youngest of the second trio was Martin Kaut, who will challenge Skarek for the title of highest drafted player in 2018 playing in the Czech Republic. Although lean, he plays a heavy game, making his presence felt in a physical way game in and game out. He plays a strong possession game, and shows solid passing skills. He finished the tournament with seven points in seven games. Radovan Pavlik and Kristian Reichel have both already been passed over in the draft twice each, but their respective performances in Buffalo might push their luck to change in their third go-round. It was the undersized Pavlik’s first appearance in the WJC and he made the wait worth it, with six points in the seven games. He is a nice skater with good edges, has good offensive vision and works hard for rebounds. He will have to improve his Czech league production to maintain his WJC momentum through draft day, but the last few weeks are certainly a mark in his favor. Kristian Reichel, whose father Robert had a long NHL career in the 90s, has been acclimatizing to the NHL game with a poor Red Deer squad and seemed to get better as the WJC progressed. A dogged player, he featured heavily on both Czech special teams’ units. He is an above average skater, which plays up due to his great hustle, can dangle with the puck and can score with both a slap shot and a wrist shot. His frame looks wide enough to carry more weight as he matures. I expect him to be drafted if his WHL play keeps up.

Of the players mentioned above, only Reichel, Pavlik, Hajek, Budik, Vala, and Korenar will have aged out by next year. If at least two of Zadina, Necas, and Chytil are not in the NHL and are thus available to represent their country once more, the Czech squad could be even stronger in 2019. Then again, with as talented as those three are, I would not bet on it. Still, even without them, there was enough production from the 18 year old cohort this year to expect the Czech Republic to show well again next year.

Edmonton – System Overview

Ryan Wagman — Fri, 15 Sep 2017 16:11:54 +0000

The Edmonton Oilers have had a lot of recent experience drafting very high in recent years, famously picking first three years in a row from 2010-2012. To their credit, they have done a solid job with their top picks, with the notable exceptions of Nail Yakupov and, to a lesser extent, Magnus Paajarvi.

Connor McDavid is, if not the best, at least among the top two players in the game. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Taylor Hall have also turned into strong forwards. Leon Draisaitl looks like a stud playing on McDavid’s wing. Darnell Nurse is still developing, but has all of the tools to become a first pairing defender. Oskar Klefbom already is a legitimate first pairing defender.

With so many high end, young picks on the NHL roster, the question has been why the team could not become a consistent playoff contender sooner. The answer lies in nearly every other pick or prospect acquisition made by the club in around ten years. In the ten drafts leading up to this one, the only players of note drafted by the Oilers after the first round have been Anton Lander (215 games, 35 points), Martin Marincin (175 games, 25 points), and Tobias Reider (234 games, 92 points). No one else among those players appeared in more than 101 NHL games. Even limited to those three, Reider never played for the Oilers, who traded his player rights to Arizona while he was still in the OHL. Notably, the player the received in return never played in the NHL.

The next question can then only be why did the team get so little from their drafts after the obvious, high first round talent was scoured through? The most commonly cited complaint about the Oilers drafting in recent years – particularly in the years before Peter Chiarelli took over as GM – was that they drafted for roles instead of drafting for talent. In other words, they did not draft players who they thought were good, they drafted prospects who were role players for their junior team, with the expectation that it would be easy to mold them into role players at the higher levels.

Unfortunately, that rarely works. Even mediocre fourth liners in the NHL were top six talents in amateur hockey. Frankly, the Oilers should have known better. To cherry-pick one example, in 2007, with their third of three first round picks, Edmonton selected Riley Nash, a high scoring forward with Salmon Arm of the BCHL. Nash then spent three seasons at Cornell, scoring around one point per game throughout. Since then, he has matured into a competent but limited fourth line forward, contributing 0.3 points per game over 4.5 seasons in the NHL.

Compare that with, say Mitchell Moroz, who they selected in the second round in 2012. Moroz had pro size, but was a depth forward in the WHL, with nearly four penalty minutes for each point. Through three AHL seasons, his season high in points is 10 and with his ELC expired, the best contract he could get for next year was an ECHL contract. For the successes of last season not to end up as an aberration, the practice of drafting down needs to be a thing of the past.

Edmonton Oilers rookie and 4th overall draft pick Jesse Puljujarvi #98 (Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire)

1 Jesse Puljujarvi – Although he was not yet ready for the NHL, Pujujarvi showed flashes with the Oilers, and more with Bakersfield in his age 18 season, to suggest that, like Leon Draisaitl before him, he will yet emerge as a strong contributor to a playoff team. Physically ready, with a pro-style game and a very good wrist shot, he will get used to the pace of the game. Long lauded for his high hockey IQ, it is a matter of time before it all clicks. His leash this year will be longer.

Kailer Yamamoto. Photo by Larry Brunt.

2 Kailer Yamamoto – A rare undersized player drafted by the Oilers, Yamamoto is a big game player with near elite offensive skills. A great skater and puck handler, he put up 13 points in seven games as an underager in the 2016 WU18 before finishing sixth in WHL in his draft year. The Oilers may see him as a future McDavid linemate, taking the role the similarly height-challenged Alex DeBrincat mastered alongside McDavid with Erie.

3 Tyler Benson – After injuries decimated his draft season, Benson started the season with the Vancouver Giants on fire before injury struck again, again ending his season early. When healthy, he is a great skater, with plus-plus playmaking skills and a strong, physical approach to the game. His shot is also enough of a weapon to fit on a top six line at the highest level. If his health problems are finally behind him, he could explode.

Stuart Skinner

4 Stuart Skinner – The highest upside netminder in the system, Skinner was a full time starter in the WHL for three full seasons before he was eligible for the draft. A big player with decent agility for his size, he plays a mostly butterfly style that allows him to block the bottom of the net very well. His occasional lapses in concentration allowed him to drop to the third round, but he generally tracks the puck well and minimizes second chances.

5 Caleb Jones – The first, and best, of four defensemen drafted by Edmonton in 2015, Jones will never be as tall nor as talented as older brother Seth, but he is a fine prospect in his own right. Although his point totals in the WHL have been impressive and have improved year over year, he is actually more notable for his defensive zone game. He is a solid skater who plays an aggressive game, usable in all situations. Best defenseman in the system.

6 Laurent Brossoit – After Jonas Gustavsson flame out last year, Brossoit, who had struggled in emergency duty for the Oilers in 2015-16, came up and finally looked ready to face NHL shooters. A fundamentally sound shot blocker, he is not the most athletic netminder, but understands angles very well and minimizes ugly rebounds. His ceiling may only be that of a backup, but it is a good backup, and he is ready now. The job is his.

7 Ostap Safin – After drafting small in the first round, Edmonton self-corrected in subsequent rounds, taking large human after large human. At 6-4”, 200, Safin certainly qualifies. More than just a big body, he has some intriguing offensive upside, featuring great net drive, great each reach and puck protection skills. He is a very good skater for his size. His offensive output in the Czech junior ranks and internationally for the Czech U18 squads was strong, but he should be able to produce even more.

8 Kirill Maksimov – A Russian born winger who has been in Canada since he was at least 14, Maksimov took big steps in his draft year after being traded from Saginaw to Niagara. Although his game suffered from bouts of inconsistency, at his best, he was often the best player on the ice. He has pro size, a responsible two-way game and very good puck skills. He is mobile, as well. If he can bring his A-game more often, the fifth round pick will turn out to be a steal.

9 Jujhar Khaira – A heavy presence on the boards, Khaira took his time developing his offensive game in the AHL, but now seems to be ready to produce enough to fit in on an energy line in the NHL. His skating is impressive coming from his broad body, particularly his edge work. He is comfortable playing with the puck, with very strong possession skills, or off of it, as he can be devilish in pursuit. Pretty close to a finished product.

10 Ziyat Paigin – A mountain of a man with the point shot to match, Paigin came to North America at the end of his season in the KHL. He came into prominence in his third year of draft eligibility through impressive performances across North America with the Russian contingent in the Subway Series which was followed up with strong work at the WJC. Last season was a disappointment after a great first post draft year with HK Sochi, the Oilers will be patient with his acclimation to the North American game.

11 Ethan Bear – Short, yet stocky and sturdy, Bear was one point shy of averaging a point per game combined across his last two WHL seasons with Seattle, although he easily surpasses that benchmark if we include postseason play. He is a plus skater with very promising puck moving skills and an underrated yet quiet game in his own zone. He will have to prove himself all over again as he makes the leap to the AHL.

12 Markus Niemelainen – A towering blueliner who specializes in controlling play in his own zone, Niemelainen’s puck play suffered in his first post draft year with his point totals dropping by a full two-thirds. A decent skater for his size, he has in the past demonstrated decent puck moving skills, showing the ability to get the puck smartly into more dangerous positions. Due to his offensive limitations, his floor is a lot higher than his ceiling.

13 Dylan Wells – Drafted as a poor performing project in 2016, Wells raised his save percentage by a remarkable 45 points in his first post draft year, putting himself firmly on the radar for Edmonton’s future goaltending needs. He has fantastic compete level, is a fine athlete and is also an above average puck handler for a goalie. The Oilers are suddenly flush with netminders, and if Wells can build off last year, he will force some uncomfortable decisions down the road.

14 John Marino – Originally drafted out of the USPHL, Marino has since stepped up and conquered the USHL – winning a title with Tri-City – and NCAA hockey, where he was a key blueline contributor to a Frozen Four entrant with Harvard. Lanky, with room to grow, he brings above average mobility, solid puck moving skills and a promising game in his own zone to the ice. He will stay with Harvard for a few seasons yet, but has already come a long way and seems to have more to come.

15 Ryan Mantha – Originally a fourth round pick of the New York Rangers in 2014, the Blueshirts never offered Mantha a contract. Freed from his draft organization, Mantha had a monster overage year with Niagara, with nearly one point per game, mostly on the strength of his heavy point shot, which he would never hesitate to unleash, often registering 10 or more shots per game. He also has plus size, which makes him effective in scrums, but also contributes to below average foot speed.

16 Joe Gambardella – The more intriguing of the two NCAA free agents inked by the Oilers this year. Gambardella has been a top offensive producer for each of his last three seasons with U.Mass-Lowell. Short and stocky, he is tough in the corners, has good puck possession skills and a plus shot. He also plays a mature game, very alert and ready to spring into action. He has bottom six NHL upside.

17 Nick Ellis – A seldom used backup in his first two years at Providence, Ellis took over the starter’s mantle in 2015-16 and was so good, the Oilers offered him a free agent contract to pass up a fourth year of NCAA eligibility. Undersized by modern standards, he demonstrates a high level of poise in the crease and sticks very well with the shooter. He has great lateral movement, thanks to a very strong push, and projects as a potential future NHL backup.

18 Joey LaLeggia – Two years removed from his exploits with Denver, where he was a Hobey Baker finalist, LaLeggia seems to be almost through the transition from offense-only defenseman to secondary-offense producer winger. He plays at a very fast pace when on the offensive, using his speed to push defenders back on their heels. He is the exact inverse in his own zone, though, easy to get off-balance and out of position. He is more likely to make the NHL on the wing.

19 Aapeli Rasanen – A late round 2016 draft pick who produced more in international play than he did for Tappara’s junior club, that pattern repeated itself this year. Rasanen had middling numbers with USHL finalist Sioux City, despite often lining up with first rounder Eeli Tolvanen, but was one of Finland’s best threats at the WJC. He has solid vision in the offensive zone and is a strong passer. His best asset is his two-way game. Will play for Boston College next year.

20 Dmitri Samorukov – Although his defensive game got the most work in league play with OHL bottom-feeders Guelph, once he got to the WU18 tournament at year’s end, Samorukov showed off an impressive offensive element with five points in seven games for the blueliner. In his own zone, he offers tight coverage and a good stick. Moving up the ice, he is a strong passer with an average point shot. It will be interesting to see if any of that carries over into next season.

Although the Oilers still place an inordinate weight on a prospect’s size before drafting him – 16 of the top 20 are at least 6-0” tall, and eight are at least 6-3”, they have at least taken to ensuring that they are drafting skilled players, instead of drafting to fill out a role. If Yamamoto excels the way that many – ourselves included – expect, Edmonton might start scouting and drafting from a wider range of heights.

2017 NHL Draft Grades: Pacific Division – Edmonton Oilers

Ryan Wagman — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 14:54:43 +0000

Shortly after 1:00pm CST, on Saturday, June 24, 2017, the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins selected William Reilly, a defenseman from RPI as the 217^th player selected, bringing the 2017 Entry Draft to an end. With a few days of hindsight between me and the bowels of the United Center, the urge to spew out hot takes flushed away, it is time to analyze the strategies and selections employed by the league’s 31 teams.

The analysis will focus on the first five rounds, as it is clear to most long-time observers that the final two rounds are often taken up with long-shots, favours to regional scouts, among other reasons. I will, of course, call out some astute late picks, but will not judge a team for the names called in the final hour. The apocryphal story of Pekka Rinne, drafted as an eighth round after-thought in 2004 based mostly on his play in game warm-ups. Few other scouts would have seen him at all, and he has had a very good career, which is not yet over. For the most part, though, those picks have little statistical likelihood of having NHL careers and teams should not be judged there.

Each draft class will be graded using the 20-80 scale that we use in our player specific scouting reports throughout the site. In this context, a 50 is essentially an average grade in light of the picks the team had on draft day. A 20 would mean the draft is an unmitigated disaster while an 80 would be the best draft class of all time. As those things can only be truly seen in retrospect, most classes will trend towards 50 at this point, so pay attention to those we see as outliers.

Finally, all grades are incomplete. Actual winners and losers in this draft class will not be known until 2023 at the earliest, after those who will have “made it” will have played out their entry-level contracts. What I am looking at here is whether, knowing what we know now, the drafting team got good value.

RD	#	CS	MCK	PLAYER	P	AGE	HT/WT	TEAM
1	22	17-N	24	Kailer YAMAMOTO	RW	18	5-8/160	Spokane (WHL)
3	78	5-NG	55	Stuart SKINNER	G	18	6-3/210	Lethbridge (WHL)
3	84	69-N	108	Dmitri SAMORUKOV	D	18	6-2/180	Guelph (OHL)
4	115	14-E	66	Ostap SAFIN	LW	18	6-4/200	Sparta Praha (Cze Jr)
5	146	66-N	71	Kirill MAKSIMOV	RW	18	6-2/195	Sag-Nia (OHL)
6	177	157-N		Skyler BRIND'AMOUR	C	18	6-2/170	Selects Academy U18 (USMAAA)
7	208	175-N		Phil KEMP	D	18	6-3/200	USA (NTDP-18)

RD	#	PLAYER	P	TEAM	GP (W)	G (L)	A (T)	PTS (GA)	PIM (Sv%)
1	22	Kailer YAMAMOTO	RW	Spokane (WHL)	65	42	57	99	46
3	78	Stuart SKINNER	G	Lethbridge (WHL)	34	18	5	3.26	0.905
3	84	Dmitri SAMORUKOV	D	Guelph (OHL)	67	4	16	20	41
4	115	Ostap SAFIN	LW	Sparta Praha (Cze Jr)	24	6	12	18	66
4	115			Sparta Praha (Cze)	8	1	1	2	2
4	115			Stadion Litomerice (Cze 2)	3	0	0	0	0
4	115			Sparta Praha (Cze Jr 18)	1	0	0	0	0
5	146	Kirill MAKSIMOV	RW	Sag-Nia (OHL)	66	21	17	38	41
6	177	Skyler BRIND'AMOUR	C	Selects Academy U18 (USMAAA)	48	19	31	50
6	177			USA (NTDP-17)	6	1	0	1	0
6	177			USA (NTDP-18)	2	0	0	0	0
7	208	Phil KEMP	D	USA (NTDP-18)	64	5	8	13	22

Edmonton Oilers – Draft Grade: 55

With their first pick coming 22^nd overall, the Oilers had not made their first move to the podium this late since selecting Jordan Eberle, sent to the New York Islanders in the days leading up to the draft, in 2008. With that pick, they drafted a player who may have more pure offensive skill than the man they selected fourth overall last year, Jesse Puljujarvi.

The reason that Spokane Chiefs forward Kailer Yamamoto was available two thirds of the way through the first round in a draft that was not largely viewed as deep, is that he stands only 5-8” tall and is slight to boot.

Kailer Yamamoto. Photo by Larry Brunt.

Yet this pick could pay outsized dividends for the Oilers. You see, their franchise player and recent Hart Trophy winner, Connor McDavid spent the final year of his illustrious junior career center a dynamic winger of a similar stature in Alex DeBrincat. It would take very little imagination to see Yamamoto ascending to a similar side-kick role once he reaches the NHL.

Of their six picks on Day Two, five were playing in North America and three of the first four were CHL products. Even though they lacked a second round selection, they drafted for upside in each of their first four Day Two selections. Any of netminder Stuart Skinner, blueliner Dmitri Samorukov, or wingers Ostap Safin or Kirill Maksimov could have been taken 30 or more picks before the spot where Edmonton took them off the board.

Best value: Ostap Safin, RW, HC Sparta Praha (4/115): Although inconsistent in his effort level from game to game, both his shot and physicality grade out as easy plusses. Drafted by Saint John in the CHL Import Draft, moving over to the QMJHL next year would do wonders in his acclimation to the North American game.

Biggest head-scratcher: Skyler Brind’Amour, C, USNTDP (6/177): Once again, I am breaking my rule over appointing a sixth round pick as a head-scratcher. I simply liked all of the Oilers’ picks in the first five rounds. Brind’Amour played only 22 games this year between the US Development program and the USPHL and only managed five goals and 11 points in that time. He is expected to play with Chilliwack of the BCHL next season.

McKeen’s 2017 NHL Draft Rankings (Subscribers) – Top 125 – May 31st, 2017

Iain Morrell — Wed, 31 May 2017 14:16:51 +0000

MCKEEN'S 2017 NHL DRAFT GUIDE - Learn more here!

Nico Hischier will make National Hockey League history as the first name called in Chicago at the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

The New Jersey Devils hold the first overall selection having won the draft lottery, and will be looking at three prospects in particular who have risen to the top of the 2017 draft class.

Switzerland's Nico Hischier #18 leans in for the face-off during preliminary round action against the Czech Republic at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/HHOF-IIHF Images)

Hischier is a very attractive choice having 'checked all the boxes' during an outstanding North American debut with the Halifax Mooseheads. The native of Naters, Switzerland led all rookie scorers in the QMJHL and finished 10th in league scoring, while delivering strong performances for his country at both the U20 and U18 World Junior Championships (WJC).

A fast and dynamic skater with high-end puck skills, Hischier distinguished himself for his two-way diligence and his ability to contribute in every area of the ice and - by extension - the game. He possesses a high hockey IQ and is a very creative player combining both structure and innovation.

It will be an agonizing decision if New Jersey opts to pass on Hischier in favour of the other prime attraction - Nolan Patrick of the Brandon Wheat Kings.

The Winnipeg native entered the 2016-17 season as the consensus top choice after a standout season in which he tied for the league playoff scoring lead with 30 points in 21 games (13-17-30) and earned WHL Playoff MVP honours.

Nolan Patrick of the Brandon Wheat Kings. Photo by Tim Smith/Brandon Sun

Patrick was injured during that playoff run however and underwent sports hernia surgery last July. His groin/abdominal problems would re-surface after playing in Brandon's opening five games, and sideline him for 34 games and force him to miss the U20 WJC.

Returning in January, Patrick still managed to finish fifth on the Wheat Kings in scoring with 20 goals and 46 points despite playing in just 33 games.

However he suffered another health setback late in the regular season - an unspecified upper-body injury - and missed the WHL playoffs.

Nolan Patrick would be the first Manitoban selected first overall in the NHL draft - with Nico Hischier set to become the first-ever Swiss-born player.

A third option emerged for New Jersey this spring at the U18 WJC where defenceman Miro Heiskanen turned in a commanding performance for Finland and effectively threw his hat into the ring.

Finland's Miro Heiskanen #2 lets a shot go during relegation round action against Latvia at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/HHOF-IIHF Images)

It makes some sense for the Devils to consider adding a potential building block on the blueline given the loss of Adam Larsson in last summer's Taylor Hall deal.

Heiskanen would be the first Finnish-born player to go first overall.

CENTRE STAGE

Gabriel Vilardi of the Windsor Spitfires sits at No. 4 on the McKeen's Top 125 - ranking the best prospects available for the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

Gabriel Vilardi of the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

The 6-foot-3, 200-pound forward led Windsor with 29 goals and 61 points - in just 49 games - and then played a central role in helping the Spitfires win the Memorial Cup, highlighted by a four-assist performance in a win over the top-ranked Erie Otters.

Big, highly-skilled, and ultra competitive, Vilardi brings plenty of meat to the plate - but the skating has raised concerns about how impactful an NHLer he can be. Described as a 'knock kneed' skater, he will have to continue upgrading his quickness and explosiveness.

The Kingston, Ontario native can play on the wing but showcased at the Top Prospects Game in January that he is very effective playing in the middle.

The fifth-ranked prospect is Casey Mittelstadt, the top American-born player.

Mittelstadt ripped apart the high school circuit averaging 2.56 points per game (64 points in 25 games) and earning Minnesota’s distinguished Mr. Hockey award as the state’s top senior skater. He fell short though of leading his hometown Eden Prairie to a state championship, falling in the semi-finals.

Mittelstadt was questioned about returning for his senior year amid concerns that his development could be stunted. However, he helped allay some of those concerns with impressive stints in the USHL, wrapped around his high school season, recording 30 points in 24 games - for a 1.25 points-per-game average which was tops in the league.

Sharp-shooting winger Owen Tippett of the Mississauga Steelheads is next at No. 6.

The Peterborough, Ontario native infuriated with his inconsistent (and incomplete) defensive work habits but, at the end of the day, may be the best goal-scoring prospect in this draft class.

He finished fifth in the OHL with 44 goals and added another 10 goals in 20 playoff games.

Slick-skating defenceman Cale Makar of the Brooks Bandits is ranked seventh.

The Calgary, Alberta native was among this season's biggest risers - shooting up the draft chart and dazzling with his skating and skills while leading Brooks to the RBC Cup final.

Makar still has plenty of growing to do in terms of learning how to harness and deploy his exceptional talents. His education will be in good hands for his upcoming freshman season at the University of Massachusetts. Makar may benefit most by staying on the NCAA collegiate route for at least two years, though the lure of the NHL is all powerful.

Sorting out the rest of the top 10 has been a convoluted journey since the initial rankings were published last fall. That's not unusual - but this season the rankings seemed to be in a larger state of flux. There's not much to separate the next dozen or so players - all of whom could conceivably land a top 10 spot.

Cody Glass of the Portland Winterhawks

Cody Glass of the Portland Winterhawks was another big riser, moving up from 24th - in the preliminary ranking - to grab the No. 8 position.

A cerebral two-way pivot with good size and skill, the Winnipeg native led Portland and tied for seventh in WHL scoring during a spectacular breakout season - in which he more than tripled his rookie numbers from 2015-16.

Glass begins a run of centremen with seven of the next ten players being pivots; Michael Rasmussen (10th), Elias Pettersson (11th), Martin Necas (12th), Robert Thomas (15th), Nick Suzuki (16th), and Lias Andersson (17th).

KLIM PICKINGS

The wildcards for this year's draft will begin with swift-skating Swedish defenceman Timothy Liljegren

The native of Kristianstad, Sweden has been a prime name for 2017 since he was 16 years old - and was ranked No. 4 on our preliminary list. However, he was sidelined early by a bout of mononucleosis and struggled to find his game after returning.

There's no denying the physical gifts as he is a strong, fast skater with a good skill set featuring a heavy wristshot.

Klim Kostin

However, his hockey sense and overall decision making have continually come into question as the scrutiny on his game intensified. He doesn't seem to possess an innate feel for pressure and can be prone to stickchecks and turning pucks over on outlets. Can this part of his make-up develop and mature? Perhaps. It's a risk NHL teams must weigh before considering him as a top selection.

Another 'hot potato' pick will be Dynamo Moscow forward Klim Kostin who began the season at No. 5 in the rankings following a solid showing at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial. The Penza native captained Russia and led his team in scoring (5-4-3-7) while flashing an intriguing mix of size, skill and creativity.

He also put in a decent showing at the Canada-Russia series in November, albeit not enough for World Junior team coach Valeri Bragin to include him on the U20 roster. However, Kostin underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in January and missed an opportunity to further convince NHL scouts at the U18 WJC in April.

Strong and skilled with the puck, Kostin can create openings with his stickhandling and 1-on-1 abilities, but must work on his skating and consistency.

Eeli Tolvanen

Eeli Tolvanen also watched his stock soften as the season progressed after beginning as a top 10 pick (8th).

The native of Vihti, Finland tied for third in the USHL with 30 goals and then helped Sioux City reach the Clark Cup Finals. Tolvanen possesses sharp offensive instincts and a lethal shot, yet there are concerns about how his slight frame and dimensional game will translate to higher levels.

No player fell further in the rankings this season than towering Russian winger Nikita Popugaev.

The Moscow native fired 19 goals in his first 25 games with Moose Jaw, however his play tailed off in December and he was dealt a month later to Prince George where he continued to sputter.

Popugaev brings great size at 6-foot-6 and 220 pounds as well as a strong shooting arsenal. His skating needs to come along though, particularly his footwork and overall agility.

But the bigger concern is how badly he wants it - as his work ethic and defensive play regressed to alarming levels over the second half.

PLENTY OF FINNISH

Finland gave advance warning that they would be a big factor at the 2017 NHL Draft when they captured gold at the 2016 U18 WJC.

It was Finland's first gold medal at the event since winning the first two tournaments in 1999 and 2000 - and was accomplished with a predominantly underage blueline.

They followed up this year at the U18's with a silver medal, led by the splendid duo of Miro Heiskanen and Urho Vaakanainen.

Heiskanen's exploits were well chronicled, however Vaakanainen's play may have turned just as many NHL heads. His smooth skating, subtle skills, and innate feel for the game were on full display throughout.

Vaakanainen could turn out to be one of the best players from this draft.

Expect the Finns to be high profile at this draft - as they could place up to seven players in the opening round plus another half dozen in the second.

In all, there are 16 Finnish-born players in the McKeen's Top 125 including a number of potential sleepers such as Joni Ikonen (59th), Aleksi Heponiemi (65th), Emil Oksanen (76th) and U18 WJC captain Aarne Talvitie (77th).

Finland's Santeri Virtanen #22 carries the puck during semifinal round action at the 2017 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship. (Photo by Andrea Cardin/HHOF-IIHF Images)

Gritty two-way centre Santeri Virtanen threw his name into the ring with an impressive showing at the U18 WJC after missing most of the season to injury.

His late rise wasn't a total surprise as he had initially been slotted as a potential 50-70 pick after a good showing at the Ivan Hlinka last fall.

RANK	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	HT/WT	DOB	Nation
1	Nolan Patrick	C	Brandon (WHL)	6-2/200	19-Sep-98	Canada
2	Nico Hischier	C	Halifax (QMJHL)	6-1/175	4-Jan-99	Switzerland
3	Miro Heiskanen	D	HIFK Helsinki (Fin)	6-0/170	18-Jul-99	Finland
4	Gabriel Vilardi	C	Windsor (OHL)	6-3/200	16-Aug-99	Canada
5	Casey Mittelstadt	C	Eden Prairie (USHS-MN)	6-1/200	22-Nov-98	USA
6	Owen Tippett	RW	Mississauga (OHL)	6-1/200	16-Feb-99	Canada
7	Cale Makar	D	Brooks (AJHL)	5-11/180	30-Oct-98	Canada
8	Cody Glass	C	Portland (WHL)	6-2/180	1-Apr-99	Canada
9	Kristian Vesalainen	LW	Frolunda (Swe)	6-3/205	1-Jun-99	Finland
10	Michael Rasmussen	C	Tri-City (WHL)	6-6/215	17-Apr-99	Canada
11	Elias Pettersson	C	Timra (Swe 2)	6-2/165	12-Nov-98	Sweden
12	Martin Necas	C	Kometa Brno (Cze)	6-0/170	15-Jan-99	Czech
13	Urho Vaakanainen	D	JyP Jyvaskyla (Fin)	6-0/185	1-Jan-99	Finland
14	Juuso Valimaki	D	Tri-City (WHL)	6-2/205	6-Oct-98	Finland
15	Robert Thomas	C	London (OHL)	6-0/190	2-Jul-99	Canada
16	Nick Suzuki	C	Owen Sound (OHL)	5-11/185	10-Sep-99	Canada
17	Lias Andersson	C	HV 71 (Swe)	5-11/200	13-Oct-98	Sweden
18	Isaac Ratcliffe	LW	Guelph (OHL)	6-5/200	15-Feb-99	Canada
19	Erik Brannstrom	D	HV 71 (Swe)	5-10/175	2-Sep-99	Sweden
20	Timothy Liljegren	D	Rogle (Swe)	6-0/190	30-Apr-99	Sweden
21	Klim Kostin	C	Dynamo Moscow (Rus)	6-3/195	5-May-99	Russia
22	Eeli Tolvanen	RW	Sioux City (USHL)	5-10/175	22-Apr-99	Finland
23	Conor Timmins	D	Sault Ste Marie (OHL)	6-1/185	18-Sep-98	Canada
24	Kailer Yamamoto	RW	Spokane (WHL)	5-8/160	29-Sep-98	Canada
25	Jason Robertson	LW	Kingston (OHL)	6-2/195	22-Jul-99	USA
26	Ryan Poehling	C	St. Cloud State (NCHC)	6-2/195	3-Jan-99	USA
27	Nicolas Hague	D	Mississauga (OHL)	6-6/215	5-Dec-98	Canada
28	Josh Norris	C	NTDP (USA)	6-1/195	5-May-99	USA
29	Shane Bowers	C	Waterloo (USHL)	6-1/185	30-Jul-99	Canada
30	Cal Foote	D	Kelowna (WHL)	6-4/215	13-Dec-98	USA
31	Henri Jokiharju	D	Portland (WHL)	6-0/180	17-Jun-99	Finland
32	Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen	G	HPK (Fin)	6-4/195	9-Mar-99	Finland
33	Jaret Anderson-Dolan	C	Spokane (WHL)	5-11/190	12-Sep-99	Canada
34	Kole Lind	RW	Kelowna (WHL)	6-1/180	16-Oct-98	Canada
35	Jesper Boqvist	C	Brynas (Swe)	6-0/180	30-Oct-98	Sweden
36	Grant Mismash	LW	NTDP (USA)	6-0/185	19-Feb-99	USA
37	Keith Petruzzelli	G	Muskegon (USHL)	6-5/180	9-Feb-99	USA
38	Pierre-Olivier Joseph	D	Charlottetown (QMJHL)	6-2/165	1-Jul-99	Canada
39	Maxime Comtois	C	Victoriaville (QMJHL)	6-2/200	8-Jan-99	Canada
40	Adam Ruzicka	C	Sarnia (OHL)	6-4/205	11-May-99	Slovakia
41	Morgan Frost	C	Sault Ste Marie (OHL)	5-11/170	14-May-99	Canada
42	Filip Chytil	C	Zlin (Cze)	6-0/180	5-Sep-99	Czech
43	Nikita Popugaev	LW	Prince George (WHL)	6-6/220	20-Nov-98	Russia
44	Jake Oettinger	G	Boston University (HE)	6-4/210	18-Dec-98	USA
45	Josh Brook	D	Moose Jaw (WHL)	6-1/185	15-Jun-99	Canada
46	Santeri Virtanen	C	TPS Turku (Fin Jr)	6-2/195	11-May-99	Finland
47	Kyle Olson	C	Tri-City (WHL)	5-11/165	22-Mar-99	Canada
48	Evan Barratt	C	NTDP (USA)	6-0/190	18-Feb-99	USA
49	Max Gildon	D	NTDP (USA)	6-3/190	17-May-99	USA
50	MacKenzie Entwistle	RW	Hamilton (OHL)	6-3/180	14-Jul-99	Canada
51	Stelio Mattheos	RW	Brandon (WHL)	6-1/195	14-Jun-99	Canada
52	Marcus Davidsson	C	Djurgardens (Swe)	6-0/190	18-Nov-98	Sweden
53	Michael DiPietro	G	Windsor (OHL)	6-0/195	9-Jun-99	Canada
54	David Farrance	D	NTDP (USA)	5-11/190	23-Jun-99	USA
55	Stuart Skinner	G	Lethbridge (WHL)	6-3/210	1-Nov-98	Canada
56	Matthew Strome	LW	Hamilton (OHL)	6-4/210	6-Jan-99	Canada
57	Alex Formenton	LW	London (OHL)	6-2/165	13-Sep-99	Canada
58	Eemeli Rasanen	D	Kingston (OHL)	6-7/215	6-Mar-99	Finland
59	Joni Ikonen	C	Frolunda (Swe Jr)	5-10/170	14-Apr-99	Finland
60	Scott Reedy	C	NTDP (USA)	6-1/205	4-Apr-99	USA
61	Sasha Chmelevski	C	Ottawa (OHL)	5-11/190	9-Jun-99	USA
62	Filip Westerlund	D	Frolunda (Swe)	5-11/180	17-Apr-99	Sweden
63	Ian Mitchell	D	Spruce Grove (AJHL)	5-11/175	18-Jan-99	Canada
64	Maxim Zhukov	G	Green Bay (USHL)	6-3/190	22-Jul-99	Russia
65	Aleksi Heponiemi	C	Swift Current (WHL)	5-10/150	9-Jan-99	Finland
66	Ostap Safin	LW	Sparta Praha (Cze Jr)	6-4/200	11-Feb-99	Czech
67	Jack Studnicka	C	Oshawa (OHL)	6-1/170	18-Feb-99	Canada
68	Nick Henry	RW	Regina (WHL)	5-11/190	4-Jul-99	Canada
69	Markus Phillips	D	Owen Sound (OHL)	6-0/200	21-Mar-99	Canada
70	Jarret Tyszka	D	Seattle (WHL)	6-2/190	15-Mar-99	Canada
71	Kirill Maksimov	RW	Niagara (OHL)	6-2/195	1-Jun-99	Russia
72	Jake Leschyshyn	C	Regina (WHL)	5-11/185	10-Mar-99	Canada
73	Alexei Toropchenko	RW	MVD Balashikha (Rus Jr)	6-3/190	25-Jun-99	Russia
74	Kirill Slepets	LW	Loko Yaroslavl (Rus Jr)	5-10/165	6-Apr-99	Russia
75	Olle Eriksson Ek	G	Farjestads (Swe Jr)	6-2/185	22-Jun-99	Sweden
76	Emil Oksanen	LW	Espoo United (Fin 2)	6-1/190	25-Sep-98	Finland
77	Aarne Talvitie	C	Espoo Blues (Fin Jr)	5-10/200	11-Feb-99	Finland
78	Reilly Walsh	D	Proctor Academy (USHS-NH)	5-11/180	21-Apr-99	USA
79	Ivan Lodnia	RW	Erie (OHL)	5-10/180	31-Aug-99	USA
80	Jonah Gadjovich	LW	Owen Sound (OHL)	6-2/210	12-Oct-98	Canada
81	Ben Mirageas	D	Chicago (USHL)	6-1/180	8-May-99	USA
82	Dylan Samberg	D	Hermantown (USHS-MN)	6-3/190	24-Jan-99	USA
83	Antoine Morand	C	Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL)	5-10/180	18-Feb-99	Canada
84	Morgan Geekie	C	Tri-City (WHL)	6-2/180	20-Jul-98	Canada
85	Alexei Lipanov	C	MVD Balashikha (Rus 2)	6-0/165	17-Aug-99	Russia
86	Jack Badini	C	Chicago (USHL)	6-0/200	19-Jan-98	USA
87	Brady Lyle	D	North Bay (OHL)	6-1/205	6-Jun-99	Canada
88	Lucas Elvenes	C	Rogle (Swe Jr)	6-0/175	18-Aug-99	Sweden
89	Zach Gallant	C	Peterborough (OHL)	6-2/190	6-Mar-99	Canada
90	Lane Zablocki	RW	Red Deer (WHL)	5-11/190	27-Dec-98	Canada
91	Kevin Hancock	C	Owen Sound (OHL)	5-11/185	2-Mar-98	Canada
92	Alexandre Texier	C	Grenoble (Fra)	6-0/190	13-Sep-99	France
93	Noel Hoefenmayer	D	Ottawa (OHL)	6-0/190	6-Jan-99	Canada
94	Nate Schnarr	C	Guelph (OHL)	6-3/180	15-Jun-99	Canada
95	Jonas Rondbjerg	RW	Vaxjo Lakers (Swe Jr)	6-0/175	31-Mar-99	Denmark
96	Ivan Chekhovich	LW	Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)	5-10/180	14-Jan-99	Russia
97	Robin Salo	D	Sport (Fin)	6-1/190	13-Oct-98	Finland
98	Luke Martin	D	Michigan (B1G)	6-4/215	20-Sep-98	USA
99	Cale Fleury	D	Kootenay (WHL)	6-1/205	19-Nov-98	Canada
100	Mikey Anderson	D	Waterloo (USHL)	6-0/195	25-May-99	USA
101	Mason Shaw	C	Medicine Hat (WHL)	5-9/180	3-Nov-98	Canada
102	Linus Nyman	RW	Kingston (OHL)	5-9/160	11-Jul-99	Finland
103	Gustav Lindstrom	D	Almtuna (Swe 2)	6-2/190	20-Oct-98	Sweden
104	Marian Studenic	RW	Hamilton (OHL)	6-0/165	28-Oct-98	Slovakia
105	Jack Rathbone	D	Dexter (USHS-MA)	5-10/175	20-May-99	USA
106	Artyom Minulin	D	Swift Current (WHL)	6-2/200	1-Oct-98	Russia
107	Kalle Miketinac	C	Frolunda (Swe Jr)	5-11/190	2-Apr-99	Sweden
108	Dmitri Samorukov	D	Guelph (OHL)	6-2/180	16-Jun-99	Russia
109	Ian Scott	G	Prince Albert (WHL)	6-3/175	11-Jan-99	Canada
110	Austen Keating	C	Ottawa (OHL)	6-0/170	7-May-99	Canada
111	Maksim Sushko	RW	Owen Sound (OHL)	6-0/185	10-Feb-99	Belarus
112	Tyler Inamoto	D	NTDP (USA)	6-2/195	6-May-99	USA
113	Ty Lewis	LW	Brandon (WHL)	5-11/180	5-Mar-98	Canada
114	Drake Batherson	C	Cape Breton (QMJHL)	6-1/190	27-Apr-98	Canada
115	Rickard Hugg	C	Leksands (Swe Jr)	5-10/185	18-Jan-99	Sweden
116	Scott Walford	D	Victoria (WHL)	6-1/195	12-Jan-99	Canada
117	Jordy Bellerive	C	Lethbridge (WHL)	5-10/195	2-May-99	Canada
118	Matthew Kellenberger	D	Oakville (OJHL)	6-0/175	11-Jan-99	Canada
119	Johnathan Kovacevic	D	Merrimack (HE)	6-4/215	2-Jul-97	Canada
120	Nick Campoli	C	North York (OJHL)	5-11/190	16-Feb-99	Canada
121	Mario Ferraro	D	Des Moines (USHL)	5-11/185	17-Sep-98	Canada
122	Michael Pastujov	LW	NTDP (USA)	6-0/195	23-Aug-99	USA
123	Tyler Steenbergen	C	Swift Current (WHL)	5-10/190	7-Jan-98	Canada
124	Mark Rubinchik	D	Saskatoon (WHL)	6-0/180	21-Mar-99	Russia
125	Kasper Kotkansalo	D	Sioux Falls (USHL)	6-2/200	16-Nov-98	Finland