Otto Salin – McKeen's Hockey

2025 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: #25 LOS ANGELES KINGS – Top 15 NHL Affiliated Prospects

Wed, 21 May 2025 19:47:45 +0000

PARADISE, NV - JUNE 28: Liam Greentree is drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the first round during the Upper Deck NHL Draft on June 28, 2024 at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Speer/Icon Sportswire)

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Los Angeles 25 Prospects

MCKEEN’S 2024-25 NHL YEARBOOK – LOS ANGELES KINGS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #21

Introduction - Dave Hall, Profiles - Josh Bell — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 18:00:21 +0000

_{PITTSBURGH, PA - FEBRUARY 18: Los Angeles Kings Defenceman Brandt Clarke (92) passes the puck during the second period in the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Los Angeles Kings on February 18, 2024, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire)}

Prospect System Ranking – 21st (Previous Rank - 15th)
GM: Rob Blake Hired: April 2017
COACH: Jim Hiller Hired: February 2024

Once considered one of the league’s premier pipelines, the Los Angeles Kings’ pool of young talent has gradually taken steps back. However, our fifth-ranked prospect, Brandt Clarke, continues to prop them up quite nicely. Fresh off his official rookie year in Ontario, Clarke fell just shy of contributing at a point-per-game clip with 46 points in 50 games. At 21, he’s poised to secure a permanent role on the Kings’ blueline, joining recent graduate Jordan Spence on the big club’s defence.

Goaltender Erik Portillo (140th) showed tremendous promise in his rookie AHL season, posting the fifth-best win total league wide with a 24-11-3 record. The addition of NHL veteran Darcy Kuemper and now 2024 second-rounder Carter George (236th) adds competition both in the short and long term, but the former Michigan Wolverine has unsurprisingly tracked well. Portillo recently signed a three-year contract with the Kings.

In the 2024 NHL Draft, the Kings managed to snag tremendous value at 26th overall, selecting the Windsor Spitfires’ captain Liam Greentree (87th). Coming off a 90-point OHL season, the Oshawa native tracks well to become a dual-threat contributor for the Kings. Considering the team had only four picks in 2024, they hit big on value with each of their two affirmed mentioned picks (Greentree and George)

While the remaining depth chart continues to offer substance with longstanding names like Alex Turcotte (182nd), Martin Chromiak, and Akil Thomas, the outlook is a distant cry from where it was just a few seasons ago. Then again, graduating names like Quinton Byfield and Arthur Kaliyev (RFA) and trading away Gabe Vilardi will certainly have that type of impact.

Despite making just four picks in the 2024 NHL Draft—first, second, fifth, and sixth rounds—GM Rob Blake has retained most of the team’s future draft capital, except for a 2025 second rounder. The big question now is whether these assets will be used to keep Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty’s Stanley Cup dreams alive or if the team will take a step back to retool while awaiting the full emergence of the Byfield and Clarke era.

Los Angeles Kings Top-15 Prospects

1. Brandt Clarke

Bypassing the CHL for the AHL, Brandt Clarke's pro debut with the Ontario Reign was a learning experience. The offensively gifted defenceman (eighth overall pick in 2021) surprised many with his strong play, leading all AHL rookie defenders in assists (36 and 46 points in 50 games) and earning a spot on the All-Rookie Team. Clarke's offensive instincts and poise with the puck were on display, showcasing the offensive potential that had scouts buzzing pre-draft. However, questions about his defensive awareness and overall physicality remain. While he's not a liability, some consistency issues cropped up throughout the season. The Kings likely view Clarke's season as a success. He adapted well to the pro game and showed flashes of NHL-caliber ability. Another year in the AHL seems likely to refine his defensive game, but a late-season NHL call-up wouldn't be a shock. Clarke's future remains bright, and his offensive potential is undeniable. The key will be solidifying his defensive play and becoming a complete two-way force.

2. Liam Greentree

Greentree had been a standout for McKeen’s throughout his draft year, making an impact for a struggling Windsor Spitfires team despite limited skating skills. His potential draws a parallel with Dallas’ Jason Robertson, suggesting a similar upside if an NHL team remains patient with his development. Though his skating needs work, Greentree shows commitment and leadership as an OHL captain. His stride and posture are decent, but he struggles with speed, which could improve with better strength and conditioning. Offensively, Greentree’s puck skills are exceptional—he deftly avoids pressure and excels in battles along the wall, showcasing strong hands and a powerful wrist shot. His game sense is sharp, minimizing turnovers with quick decisions. However, his two-way play and physicality need improvement. Despite a less impressive U18 performance, Greentree remains a high-upside prospect with the potential to evolve into a top six NHL contributor.

3. Erik Portillo

Erik Portillo's arrival in the pros wasn't without its growing pains. Signed by the Kings after a stellar college career at Michigan, Portillo spent his season with the AHL's Ontario Reign. His AHL numbers (24 wins, 0.918 SV%) were solid, and continued to impress as he improved on his NCAA numbers from the year prior. There were flashes of the netminder who dominated college hockey, but consistency remained elusive. While Portillo's raw talent is undeniable, his pro adaptation has been a learning curve. Questions linger about his ability to handle the faster pace and increased workload of the NHL. The Kings likely view him as a long-term project, but another year in the AHL to refine his game seems like the most likely course. Patience will be key for both Portillo and the Kings organization and the netminder continues to develop and improve on his game.

4. Alex Turcotte

Alex Turcotte's 2023-24 campaign was a season of split results. The Kings' 2019 first rounder started with a brief NHL stint, notching four points in 20 games. While the production was decent, consistency remained elusive. Turcotte struggled to carve out a permanent role and found himself back in the AHL with the Ontario Reign. There, his offensive light shone brighter. He amassed 29 points in 35 games, showcasing his impressive skillset. However, questions about his defensive awareness and overall decision-making lingered. Turcotte's future hinges on ironing out these inconsistencies. The tools are there – his skating and offensive instincts are undeniable. But can he become a reliable two-way contributor? The Kings will be watching closely this season to see if Turcotte can take that next step. There is a risk that he may never reach the potential that was placed on him as a fifth-round pick though.

5. Carter George

Carter George had an impressive 2023-24 season marked by remarkable consistency. He led Canada to gold at the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup and was a key player for the Owen Sound Attack in the OHL, keeping them competitive in many games. He closed the year with another gold at the U18 World Championship, earning top goaltender honours. Although George lacks the high-end mobility and size that scouts often seek (standing at 6-foot-1), his play tracking and positioning are exceptional. He consistently covers his angles and shows excellent body control, improving his rebound control significantly over the season. An underrated strength is his puck handling; he operates confidently as a third defender, greatly aiding the transition game. His size is a concern, but his technical skills and puck management make him a standout prospect. With continued development, George has the potential to be the top goaltender coming from this draft class.

6. Francesco Pinelli

Francesco Pinelli is a dynamic and creative center with a high offensive ceiling. He boasts exceptional speed and agility, allowing him to dance around defenders and create scoring chances in tight spaces. His vision and anticipation are elite, consistently identifying soft spots in coverage and delivering precision passes to exploit them. His shot is accurate and heavy, making him a threat from anywhere on the ice. He is an impressively well-rounded and complete player, though his mental makeup stands out as his strongest quality. He's very focused and driven and maintains an even keel through the times where things get tougher. With continued development, Pinelli has the potential to become a top six forward and a key contributor on the Kings' power play. His upside as a playmaking center with a scoring touch makes him one of the most exciting prospects for the Kings.

7. Jakub Dvorak

Jakub Dvorak is a physical defenceman with a compelling combination of size, speed, and skill. Featuring a wide wingspan, he excels at shutting down opponents' attacks, using his quick feet and active stick to intercept passes and clear the zone. His vision and anticipation allow him to spark transition play, and his accurate shot makes him a threat from the point. He's also a physical presence, using his size and strength to win battles and protect his teammates. Looking like a future beast on the penalty kill, he eats up time and space with his long reach and affinity for board work. With continued development, he has the potential to become a top four defenceman and a key contributor on the Kings' blue line. His upside as a reliable, two-way defender should help him get there.

8. Samuel Fagemo

Samuel Fagemo's 2023-24 season was a tale of two leagues. In the AHL with the Ontario Reign, he was a force. Fagemo tore up the league, leading the Reign in goals (43) while showcasing his power play prowess (16 goals). His offensive dominance earned him a brief call-up to the NHL with both the Kings and Predators, where things were less rosy. Fagemo only managed one goal in eight combined NHL games, highlighting the gulf between AHL dominance and NHL success. While his skating and physical tools translate well, his decision-making needs refinement at the highest level. Fagemo's future hinges on translating his AHL success. Can he develop the hockey IQ to complement his offensive arsenal? Another strong AHL season could earn him a longer NHL look, but consistency and decision-making will be his biggest tests.

9. Koehn Ziemmer

Drafted 78th overall by the LA Kings in 2023, Koehn Ziemmer continued his development with the Prince George Cougars of the WHL. While a mid-season injury sidelined him for a stretch, Ziemmer put up an impressive 31 points in just 23 games. His scoring touch remains a strength, with a knack for finding the net (11 goals). However, consistency remains an area for improvement. There were stretches where he dominated offensively, followed by periods of quieter production. The Kings inked Ziemmer to a three-year entry-level contract in November, signaling their belief in his future. His skating, a past weakness, has shown improvement, but further refinement is needed for the NHL level. His defensive awareness is a work in progress as well. Overall, 2023-24 was a season of steady progress. He'll likely spend another year in the WHL to refine his all-around game. If he can improve his consistency and defensive play, Ziemmer could develop into a solid middle-six forward for the Kings.

10. Hampton Slukynsky

Hampton Slukynsky is a talented and athletic goaltender with a high ceiling. He boasts exceptional quickness and agility, allowing him to cover a lot of ground in the crease and make highlight-reel saves. His vision and anticipation are also impressive, as he consistently reads plays and positions himself to cut off shooting lanes. He has a penchant for the highlight reel save because of his play-reading ability and because he never quits on a save, always competing for sight lines and pushing to make those second/third chance saves. His glove hand is particularly strong, and he shows poise and confidence in his game. A classic butterfly netminder, he does have a tendency to scramble in his crease and can be taken out of position. With continued development, Slukynsky has the potential to become a backup goaltender in the NHL due to his upside as an athletic and agile netminder.

11. Akil Thomas

Akil Thomas is a dynamic forward with exceptional skating and playmaking skills. His sharp hockey sense and ability to create scoring opportunities make him a constant offensive threat. Thomas excels in transition and has a knack for finding open space. While he could improve his defensive game, his offensive creativity and vision highlight his potential as a future top six NHL forward.

12. Martin Chromiak

Martin Chromiak’s 2023-24 season was a solid but unspectacular progression for the Kings prospect. Drafted 128th overall in 2020, he recorded 32 points (15 goals, 17 assists) in 70 games with the Ontario Reign, showing offensive versatility. While his powerful skating and scoring ability were evident, consistency and game awareness remain concerns. Chromiak’s future depends on improving his consistency and decision-making to potentially secure a spot in the Kings' bottom six. The 2023-24 season was a good start, but he needs to build on it with a more complete performance.

13. Aatu Jamsen

Aatu Jamsen is an intriguing forward with excellent offensive instincts and creativity. His impressive vision and playmaking skills allow him to set up scoring opportunities effectively. Jamsen’s skating is smooth, and he demonstrates a strong hockey IQ. While he could work on his defensive game and physicality, his offensive upside and potential make him a promising prospect for future NHL contributions.

14. Jack Hughes

Jack Hughes stands out with his exceptional skating and offensive creativity. His vision and playmaking abilities allow him to create scoring opportunities and drive the attack. While he needs to refine his defensive game and consistency, Hughes' high hockey IQ and dynamic skills make him a promising prospect with significant NHL potential.

15. Otto Salin

Otto Salin is an adept defenceman with impressive puck-moving skills and a keen offensive instinct. His smooth skating and agility allow him to transition play effectively and contribute to the power play. While his defensive positioning needs refinement, Salin’s vision and ability to generate offence from the blue line highlight his potential as a future NHL contributor.

2024 WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP: Ten Prospects Who Elevated Their Stock

Jared Brown — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 22:22:42 +0000

Gavin Brindley of USA during the 2024 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship between USA and Norway on December 26, 2023 in Gothenburg.
Photo: Carl Sandin / BILDBYRÅN

The World Juniors is a chance for NHL fans to watch some of their team's top prospects take center stage in what is arguably the most entertaining hockey tournament of the year. USA came in as favourites and they left champions, going a perfect 7-0. It’s important to note that this short tournament does not define how a prospect will pan out as an NHL player. We’ve seen players look like rockstars at the World Juniors but struggle to make an impact in the NHL and vice versa. There have been players who have had average-poor tournaments but go on to be all-stars in the show (Brayden Point comes to mind). With that all being said though, players at this tournament have the opportunity to showcase their talent and tools. In this article, I mention ten NHL-affiliated prospects who I believe elevated their stock at becoming NHLers based on the skill sets they showed at this year’s World Juniors. This list consists of four first, two second, two third, one fifth, and one sixth-round picks. The St. Louis Blues have two prospects represented.

Gavin Brindley - USA (Columbus Blue Jackets 2023 2nd round, 34th overall)

I’m not sure there was a player at this year’s World Juniors who played with more pace than Brindley. With or without the puck, he’s got outstanding speed and is always keeping his feet moving. Tenacious in his puck pursuit, opposing defenders had nightmares on their puck retrievals when he was on the ice. He’s even willing to play physical even though he’s only 5’9”. He never gives up on pucks and doesn’t ever appear to run out of stamina. He was a highly effective penalty killer for the Americans due to the way he stops and starts so quickly. He scored an eye-popping individual effort goal on the penalty kill in their round-robin game against Slovakia. He showed better finishing ability at this tournament than he did in his draft year. Showcased a lightning-quick release in stride and a swift one-timer. Offensively, Brindley has the tools to be an electric play-creator. He’s a high-end puck handler who combines his elite agility with it to adjust his puck protection to control the puck in tight and open ice. Brindley displays solid awareness and will rarely force a play if the pass is not there to make. While he still needs to physically mature and Columbus shouldn’t be rushing him into the NHL, everything else in his game is NHL-ready and could be a high-energy impact forward for the Jackets for years to come.

Rutger McGroarty - USA (Winnipeg Jets 2022 1st round, 14th overall)

What McGroarty further showcased is that he’s the ultimate competitor and a terrific leader. Rutger was stretchered off the ice back in mid-November and was hospitalized for roughly a week-and-a-half to two weeks. But you wouldn’t have known that when you watched him play at this tournament. He’s not flashy but he does have some quick hands and a solid offensive skillset. He can drive his line with his off-puck competitiveness and be a great complement to a couple of skilled linemates with his above-average finishing touch around the front of the net and in the slot. McGroarty doesn’t take a single shift off. He skates hard and plays with an insane amount of drive to disrupt defenders on retrievals and their breakouts. He’s strong on his stick and has that power forward play style where he can overpower his opponents on the puck. I’ll add another impressive part to his tournament was that he took no minor penalties while maintaining his hard-nosed, aggressive play. Rutger lives for big games and knows how to get his team fired up and will be a fan favourite in Winnipeg. He’s going to have a long NHL career, whether that’s playing in a top-six role with skilled linemates complementing them or being a bottom-six-character player.

Trey Augustine - USA (Detroit Red Wings 2023 2nd round, 41st overall)

Augustine maybe wasn’t the best goaltender of the tournament, but he did outduel Hugo Havelid in the Gold Medal game. In USA’s semi-final matchup against Finland, Augustine had to make numerous high danger saves due to his team's shaky defensive coverage. Finland easily could’ve had more than just two goals in the first period and although his team spotted him with ten goals in their game against Slovakia, he churned out a great performance with 38 saves on 40 shots. What I saw out of Augustine was the technical skills and athleticism an NHL starter needs to have. He’s not a big goalie but he pushes off his edges quickly and has great lateral quickness in the crease. He keeps his arms tight to his body when moving side-to-side and has solid control over the positioning of his hands. The majority of goals that got by him were deflections going through his legs (he will want to improve his stick positioning to cover his fivehole better) and he didn’t give up soft goals (maybe one against Finland). He’s got the poise in his positioning to make calming saves for his team and then the flexibility and athleticism to make timely saves. Another aspect of his play that I like is that he never looks rattled.

Theo Lindstein - Sweden (St. Louis Blues 2023 1st round, 29th overall)

Lindstein didn’t initially make Sweden’s roster until a late injury to one of their defencemen on Christmas Eve earned him the call to represent his country. He started the tournament as the seventh defenceman for Sweden but got better and better with each passing game en route to being named to the tournament All-Star team. Offensively, he led the way in tournament scoring by a defenceman with eight points in seven games. He showed glimpses of what St. Louis scouts saw in him to take him in the first round of last year's NHL draft. He’s a mobile blueliner who handles the puck fluidly in all directions and is willing to activate to add a layer of offence from the backend. He shoots strategically from the point, looking to shoot when there’s a screen or shooting for a tip. Lindstein was very patient moving the puck in transition, making accurate passes into the neutral zone. He also displayed improved defensive instincts and engagement from my previous international tournament viewings of him. He uses his skating to close gaps quickly and times his stick checks efficiently. He helped mask his defence partner getting beaten or caught out of position on zone entries by playing assertively and closing on the puck carrier. I also thought he was stronger in board battles and would use his body more to break up cycles rather than relying on his stick checking.

Noah Ostlund - Sweden (Buffalo Sabres 2022 1st round, 16th overall)

Tournament MVP Lekkerimaki was the main feature point of Sweden’s offence, and he delivered. However, I thought Ostlund was just as dangerous all tournament long as his fellow countryman. Ostlund is a lethal transitional threat with his combination of speed, agility, and high-end puck-handling skills. He’s incredibly hard to strip off the puck through the neutral zone as he’s constantly scanning the ice carrying the puck, knowing when to dispose of the puck, and when to take advantage of the open ice. The elusiveness in his skating is top-notch. He’s able to cut and change directions swiftly or accelerate at defenders and use his quick hands to deke around them in stride. The bigger ice surface definitely benefited Ostlund’s game as he loves to possess the puck and be the play driver for his line, and he was able to do just that. He was a one-man zone entry machine all tournament long for his team. As he’d often do circling around the offensive zone, his scanning habits were on display along with his playmaking vision to find seam passes. He’s great at making cross-body passes. Ostlund is a dangerous setup artist as he’ll swiftly evade a check along the boards and then find an open man either in the slot or on the weak side of the play.

Maveric Lamoureaux - Canada (Arizona Coyotes 2022 1st round, 29th overall)

Lamoureaux was a horse on the backend for Canada. He logged the second-most minutes on Canada (only behind his defence partner Mateychuk) but the brunt of Maveric’s minutes was served to shut down other teams’ top lines and utilized heavily on the penalty kill. I will put myself on record saying I did not like Arizona drafting Lamreaux as high as they did in the 2022 NHL draft. After watching him at these recent World Juniors, I can understand why they did. You would think for a player his size that his skating is a downfall to his game, but it isn’t at all. He’s smooth on his boots skating backwards, pivots without losing balance or momentum, and isn’t a poor puck carrier by any means. His mobility was no issue for the bigger sheet of ice and you often never saw him getting beat wide. Part of that is also due to his insane length that he’s so effective at using to force players to the boards before he rubs them off the puck. He showed solid poise waiting that extra second for his teammates to get into his passing lane before dishing the puck off. He distributed the puck accurately underneath sticks and in small spaces. He’s able to make those tough passes in the defensive zone to help exit the zone. Lamoureaux possesses the defensive skillset to be a top-four shutdown defenceman.

Servac Petrovsky - Slovakia (Minnesota Wild 6th round, 185th overall)

Petrovsky was terrific for Slovakia in their opening game of the tournament against Czechia, finishing with an impressive stat line of five goals and nine points in five games. His production was terrific, but what really impressed me was his mature play. He doesn’t overexert himself in plays or overextend on his shifts. Petrovsky is a positionally sound two-way forward who stays above pucks and anticipates where the play is going to cut it off. In the defensive zone, he provides close puck support in downlow battles and prioritizes protecting the middle of the ice (sometimes can get caught puck-watching too often though). He’s an active penalty killer who cuts off lanes and reloads back in position quickly. He’s not going to get in and finish his checks. Instead, he does a terrific job of using his anticipation at both ends of the ice to pick off passes. He does a good job of retrieving pucks in the corners, turning away from pressure, and making a quick pass. Great puck control and quick hands to make plays along the boards in tight. Petrovsky is not the fastest of skaters, impacting his puck carrying abilities. However, he makes up for it with quick and smart decisions when moving the puck in transition. He’s got the tools to become a solid bottom-six pro who can be used on the penalty kill and sparingly on the powerplay.

Marek Alscher - Czechia (Florida Panthers 2022 3rd round, 93rd overall)

Alscher wasn’t on my radar heading into the tournament. Still, I really liked his overall two-way game and pro tools to become an effective pro someday. The Florida Panthers are looking to emulate the Vegas Golden Knights's defence core with big, rangy, mobile defencemen. Alscher fits that makeup to a tee. At 6’3 and close to 200 pounds, he showcased his size and physical strength advantage in the dirty areas of his own end. He kept his gaps tight man-on-man and even when players tried to pull up on him with a hard stop, he didn’t let them out of his range. Plays physical along the boards as you’d expect. His agility is solid and doesn’t look sluggish or slow coming out of a stop or standstill. The one area of his game I was most impressed with was his decision-making with the puck. He showed great poise handling the puck along the blueline and would on occasion activate down the boards. Alscher is a smooth passer, he keeps pucks flat and doesn’t throw grenades up to his forwards. He ended the tournament held off the scoresheet, but he made a lasting impression on me of a player who has the physical tools and hocket smarts to potentially crack the NHL one day.

Aleksanteri Kaskimaki - Finland (St. Louis Blues 2022 3rd round, 73rd overall)

I thought Kaskimaki was an underrated player for his line. He’s not a dynamic skater but has strong strides to propel himself quickly in straight lines. He can be a heavy forechecker and lay the body on defenders. He’s not afraid to get his hands dirty and I’m sure Blues fans will love hearing that. Great balance on his skates to fend off players and maintain control of the puck. Impressive slot passer who made plays underneath and through defenders to set up scoring chances for his teammates. Kaskimaki displayed comfort in making passes off his backhand and accuracy with them. He regularly showcased his above-average vision throughout this tournament. He quickly gets his head up when the puck is on his stick in transition or when along the boards in the offensive zone to survey his passing options. In his draft year, he was primarily a shoot-first player but he played mostly as a pass-first winger for his line at this tournament. That being said, Kaskimaki is still smart with his off-puck positioning in the offensive zone. He looks to find soft spots in coverage to get his heavy shot off (as we saw on Finland’s third goal in the Quarterfinals against Slovakia) or goes to the front of the net to battle and make himself available for a tip.

Otto Salin - Finland (Los Angeles Kings 2022 5th round, 148th overall)

Salin battled injuries in his draft year, but it was nice to see him return to form in this tournament. Frankly, it wasn’t even close as to who was the best puck moving defenceman for Finland. Salin cleanly broke the puck out of his zone on almost every single one of his attempts. I loved his instincts to drag the forechecker behind his net before quickly accelerating around and separating himself from them. He possesses the speed to carry pucks out of his zone. Salin accelerates with linear crossovers on his carries. He likes to throw in head fakes and make no-look passes, which gives his breakout passes great deception. Salin completes passes through his opponents’ triangles with relative ease. He’s always moving in the offensive zone, walking the blueline to open up space, and pinching down the boards to keep pucks in. Don’t underestimate him for being a “soft” defender just because he’s 5’11”. While not a heavy hitter, he uses his body to close out attackers along the boards and engages physically. It’s a tall climb for Salin to make the NHL considering he’s an “average” sized defenceman who isn’t incredibly talented offensively. Still, he’s a fantastic puck mover and doesn’t mind getting dirty and play physical.

MCKEEN’S 2024 WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP GUIDE – Team Finland

Steven Graves — Sun, 24 Dec 2023 13:44:00 +0000

After a disappointing result, finishing 5th at the 2023 World Junior Championship in Halifax, the Finns are looking to reclaim glory in 2024 with former Kärpät coach Lauri Mikkola taking the rein’s. Last year didn't go quite as planned after a hard-fought 3-2 loss to the Swedes in the quarter-finals, but with the previous success at the tournament, it has been more of a gold or bust mentality for the Finns. This tournament is going to be quite difficult because Finland finds themselves in a division with both Sweden and Canada, so it’s not going to be an easy road if they want to go far. As always, the Finns are a threat to earn a medal but do they have enough high end talent to bring them to carry them deep into the tournament in Gothenburg, Sweden?

It’s definitely going to be a challenge, the team’s best player is probably going to be top 2024 NHL draft prospect Konsta Helenius who could go as high as top-5 on draft day. But even though Helenius is über talented, he is still a double underager for this tournament. Finland had a potential of 7 returnees from last year's team, however only 5 will be on the team this year after the Nashville Predators chose to keep Joakim Kemell in North America and play in the AHL instead and allegations surrounding Topi Ronni came to light. That leaves Niklas Kokko (Seattle), Otto Salin (LA), Lenni Hämeenaho (New Jersey), Jani Nyman (Seattle) and Aleksanteri Kaskimäki (St. Louis) as the only returning players for this year's tournament. Along with the loss of Kemell, the Finns will also be without top prospect Aron Kiviharju and Islanders 4th round pick Jesse Nurmi, also due to injury’s.

Up front, the loss of Kemell will hurt - the Finns are likely, then to be relying on the aforementioned Konsta Helenius as well as Jani Nyman, Lenni Hämeenaho, Oiva Keskinen, Kasper Haltunnen and Aleksanteri Kaskimäki to provide offense in the top-6. Helenius and Nyman are near point per game forwards in the Liiga - while Columbus 7th rounder Oiva Keskinen as well as New Jersey second rounder Lenni Hämeenaho are also enjoying very good season’s in the league also. San Jose prospect Kasper Haltunnen meanwhile is playing well for London in the OHL, where he already has 20 goals to his name in only 28 games. After that the team has pretty good secondary scoring with undrafted Jere Lassila as well as Minnesota Wild second rounder Rasmus Kumpulainen, and Emil Hemming, who is a potential first rounder in the upcoming NHL draft.

The defense will likely be led by returnee Otto Sahlin who led the Finn’s in scoring from the blueline in last year's tournament with 3 points in the 5 games played. He will be joined by Vegas third rounder Arttu Kärki who has played very well in the OHL with the Soo Greyhounds where he already has 16 goals in 30 games due to his wicked one timer from the faceoff dot, we should see him get some power play action. We should also see Pittsburgh Penguins draftee Emil Pieniniemi as well as Veeti Väisänen, who is a potential first rounder in the 2024 NHL draft. The other roster spots will be filled by 3 of Kalle Kangas, Jesse Pulkkinen, Kasper Kulonummi or Joona Väisänen.

In net, we should see Kokko start but if he falters the Finns have a pretty good backup in Eemil Vinni who could see himself as one of the first goaltwnders taken in the upcoming NHL draft.

LANDSHUT, GERMANY - APRIL 30: Finland's Jani Nyman #12 celebrates after scoring the tying goal against Sweden during Semifinal Round action at the 2022 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship at Fanatec Arena on April 30, 2022 in Landshut, Germany on April 30, 2022 (Photo by Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images)

Key Players

Konsta Helenius, RW

Helenius is poised to play in his first world juniors and will play a prominent role if Finland wants to go far. Helenius is a super smart winger that competes hard. He does a fantastic job at anticipating play and is always thinking a step ahead. This year Helenius already has 20 points in 28 games for Jukurit in the Liiga which is tied for second on the team in scoring, an impressive feat for a player this junior. The expectations are sky high for Helenius who could go in the top-5 of the 2024 NHL draft in June. Expect him to live up to those expectations and some, as Helenius is the type of kid to thrive under pressure.

Jani Nyman, RW

Nyman returns as the highest scoring player coming back from Finland's 2023 WJC team after having a goal and two assists in 5 games in Halifax last year. This year expectations are going to be much higher for theSeattle Kraken second rounder who is enjoying a very good season for Ilves. Nyman has already racked up 14 goals and 22 points in 28 games this season already in the Liiga, best on the team for any player playing in the league this season. The Finns are going to need his big body and net front presence to show up big time if they want to do well in the tournament.

Lenni Hämeenaho, LW

The New Jersey Devils second rounder returns after playing more of a secondary scoring role for Finland last year as a draft eligible. This year he should be a key component to the success of the team, as he is poised to play a lot of meaningful minutes in the top-6 for this roster. Hämeenaho has enjoyed a strong start to his sophomore campaign in the Liiga, putting up 11 goals and 17 points in 25 games so far this season for Ässät. Lenni is a very smart winger who knows where to be on the ice to make plays, he has improved on his shot and should be a dangerous offensive player throughout the tournament.

Oiva Keskinen, C

Keskinen has seen his stock skyrocket this season after being completely passed over in the 2022 NHL draft. The 2023 Columbus Blue Jackets seventh rounder has really turned heads this season with his play in the Liiga. He has 15 points in 29 games while playing excellent two-way hockey in the process. Keskinen is a playmaking center that sees the ice incredibly well, look for Keskinen to be centering and feeding one of the Finns goal scoring wingers throughout the tournament.

Niklas Kokko, G

Finland's third string goalie at last year's WJC is poised to start in net for Finland this year. The Seattle Kraken second round selection is a big goalie that relies on his positioning more than anything when in the net. He has been the backup for Kärpät this season and has seen 10 games of Liiga action where he has only 2 wins on the season. If Finland wants a chance to medal, they’re going to need Kokko to catch fire immediately and keep up consistency throughout the tournament.

Otto Salin, D

The lone returning defender from last season's WJC team - Salin put up respectable totals on last year's roster totaling 3 assists in 5 games. The Los Angeles Kings fifth round pick is going to have to lead this young defensive corps offensively - Salin is probably the best puck mover on the roster and we should see him manning the first power play unit. Salin is a defender that isn’t afraid to get into the play and is able to use his elusiveness in the offensive zone to make plays. Salin is going to be a key player for this Finnish roster this year.

Aleksanteri Kaskimäki, C

Kaskimäki is the final returning player we’ll be talking about here. He wasn’t able to do much at last season's tournament where he was playing bottom-6 minutes in the games he got into. However, this year should be much different, as he should be a very important player on this team. You should see him wear a letter, and he is going to play some important special team’s minutes. He is a very good skater and combines that with some impressive puck skills and at times an impressive shot. He should be an important piece on this Finland squad.

Emil Pieniniemi, D

Pieniniemi has sort of flown under the radar in terms of prospects, but he is a kid I really enjoy watching. He is a very stout defensive defender that shows real good poise and positioning in the defensive end, and he isn’t afraid to lay the body either. He is good at moving the puck up the ice however the offense may be a little limited. He was a Pittsburgh Penguins third round selection in 2023 and has played the majority of the season so far for HIFK in the Liiga - Pieniniemi should play a key role on the penalty kill for the Finns.

Arttu Kärki, D

Kärki has been a man on a mission so far this season in the OHL - the Vegas third round has been the Soo Greyhounds best defender scoring 16 goals and 30 points so far this season in as many games. His bread and butter is scoring goals from the faceoff dot on the power play on the right side of the ice, teams have struggled to contain him this year from that spot and he is really making them pay because of it. I would like to see him continue to play the same spot on the power play at the WJC. Either way, he should be a very important component to Finland's success this season.

Kasper Halttunen, RW

Halttunen made the move to Canada over the summer to join the OHL, he has had a very respectable start to the season for the London Knights scoring 20 goals and 31 points in the first 28 games of the season. He has a deadly shot, and you don’t want to give him much time, or space or else he’ll make you pay. In the tournament, expect him to play a key role on the power play. He was a San Jose Sharks second round selection in June’s draft and expect him to play a key offensive role for the Finns at the upcoming WJC.

Sleeper

Jesse Pulkkinen, D

Pulkkinen was on no one’s radar’s last year, at all - he was completely passed over in his first year of NHL draft eligibility after scoring only 4 assists in 43 games in Finland’s U20 junior league. Fast forward to this season and Pulkkinen is taking the scouting world by storm thanks to his measurable size, paired with how drastic of a difference a year has made for him. The 6’6” defender is well over a point per game in the same league he got only 4 assists in last year and he has even gotten into some games in Finland's top 2 Mens leagues, putting up respectable totals in both leagues in the process. If Pulkkinen can continue his play from early on in the season, look out for him to be able to be a standout performer on this Finland team.

MCKEEN’S 2023-24 NHL YEARBOOK – LOS ANGELES KINGS – Top 20 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #18

Brock Otten, Derek Neumeier, Chapin Landvogt and Josh Bell — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 18:21:43 +0000

PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 20: Los Angeles Kings Defenseman Brandt Clarke (92) moves the puck during the second period in the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Los Angeles Kings on October 20, 2022, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire)

Top 20 Los Angeles Kings Prospects

1. Brandt Clarke - D

If the Kings' plan all along was to give Clarke just a taste of the NHL before letting him go back to the OHL so that he would set the entire league on fire, then boy, mission accomplished. The growth in his game from 2021-22 to last season was meteoric, which really goes to show how much of a difference it can make to be around some of the best players in the world for a few weeks. His hockey sense in the offensive zone is almost spooky, as he loves to rove around and change position, and no matter where he goes or what he does the puck always seems to find him like a magnet. Opposing teams just have no answer for defending him when he activates like that. He will be given every opportunity to stay with Los Angeles for the entirety of this season.

2. Jordan Spence - D

Spence might have been ready to be a full-time NHLer last season considering the impressive audition that he gave in 2021-22, which even included some playoff games, but the Kings decided to not rush things and to let him marinate a little longer, and he's still young enough that it won't have hindered his ultimate upside in any way. There are few defensemen in his age range who think the sport as well as Spence does, and that goes a long way towards overcoming some of the limitations that he has between his size and mobility. He works very well on the power play, not necessarily as the one driving things through his stick, but more so by setting his teammates up to be more effective. Spence has a long NHL career ahead of him, though it's still a little murky to project how high up in a defence corps he will be able to play.

3. Alex Turcotte - C

Turcotte simply cannot catch a break when it comes to staying healthy. Ever since his draft year his career has been beleaguered by injuries and illnesses, from hip issues to mononucleosis to COVID to two concussions. Despite being the fifth overall pick in 2019, he has only played in 12 NHL games thus far and is still searching for his first NHL point. Even more concerning, the missed games have made it hard for him to fully find his game even down at the AHL level. When healthy and at his best he is a two-way possession specialist, always in the right position, and always making the right decisions with the puck. Where do things go for him from here? The Kings have been patient, but with his smaller stature, average footspeed, and lengthy injury history it's difficult to not worry about what the physicality of the NHL could do to him.

4. Samuel Fagemo - RW

Fagemo's name was one of the most surprising to not hear get called at the 2018 draft, his first year of eligibility. His natural knack for scoring goals was clearly evident even back then, but the rest of his game was still coming along. It didn't take him long to make every NHL team look foolish though, as he stormed out of the gate the very next season and hasn't stopped lighting the lamp at any level since. His shot is nasty, with a quick, hard release that he can both disguise and unload from difficult angles. His play without the puck is still very rough to watch at times, as he is easy to box out and he doesn't generate many scoring chances for himself or his teammates, but prospects who can find the back of the net with the frequency Fagemo can don't grow on trees.

5. Francesco Pinelli - C

The Kitchener Rangers badly underperformed as a team this season, but they did have one bright and shining constant: their captain, superstar Pinelli. He really came into his own last season as one of the best players in the entire league, crossing the 40-goal plateau and becoming a real three-zone, 200-foot force in a way that he hadn’t been before. He saved his very best hockey for the playoffs, helping the Rangers upset the heavily favoured Windsor Spitfires in the opening round. He is an impressively well-rounded and complete player, though his mental makeup stands out as his strongest quality. He's very focused and driven and maintains an even keel through the tougher times of the season. If Pinelli can continue improving his skating, which he will probably work tirelessly to accomplish, then he should be able to reach an even higher level.

6. Jakub Dvorak - D

One of the most enticing physical specimens of the 2023 draft, Dvorak spent last season solidifying himself as one of the top defensive options in his league at any age, leading to his 2nd round selection by the Kings. Looking surprisingly coordinated despite his considerable height, Dvorak spent this past season (as a 17-year-old) entirely with powerhouse Liberec in Czechia’s top men’s league. Featuring a wide wingspan, which he uses to good effect as a poke-checker, Dvorak has been a devastating physical force against his peers internationally, albeit a cage-wearing target playing pro back home. Always ready to apply himself physically, he has been nondescript in his work with the puck but is quite capable of making decent breakout passes and getting pucks to the net from the blueline. Czechia made heavy use of him at both the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and U18 Worlds last season, where he logged over 19 minutes of ice time per game in every outing. Looking like a future beast on the PK, Dvorak eats up time and space with his long reach and affinity for board work. He’s docked to spend the upcoming season gaining further experience and responsibility with Liberec in the Czech Extraliga.

7. Alex Laferriere - RW

Laferriere just keeps getting a little better and a little better year over year, and he's done it so many years in a row now that it would be foolish to expect anything else. His game is unassuming in a way, as he doesn't have a single tool that really jumps out at you, but he's seemingly always around the puck, and when you check the box scores he often has more points than you would have expected. He certainly helps advance Harvard's reputation for being a place that recruits and fosters smart prospects. Laferriere plays in a way that is simple yet effective, and safely projects as a 40-50 point-scorer in the show at his peak, even if he never plays higher than the second or third line and slots most comfortably in a supplementary role.

9. Aatu Jamsen - RW

There is no feeling as uniquely satisfying for a scout than vouching for a prospect in the seventh round who turns out to be a solid professional player and eventually becomes a regular NHLer. Jämsen has accomplished the former and is on a good trajectory for the latter, so the Kings scouts who facilitated that selection must be at least a little excited right now. He is a toolsy winger who has played for his hometown hockey organization, the Lahti Pelicans, from their youth programs up through every single level to Finland's highest league, the Liiga. And it was in the Liiga last season where he showed that his credibility as an offensive threat wasn't just confined to junior. Due to a lack of international exposure, Jämsen is currently one of the best-kept secrets in the prospect world.

10. Erik Portillo - RW

Portillo saw the writing on the wall in Buffalo, with the Sabres having fellow highly-touted young netminders in Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Devon Levi in their system, and made it clear that he didn't wish to sign his first NHL contract with them. The team eventually agreed and his rights were traded to the Kings, where his path to success is more clear. He's an enormous, fairly technically sound goalie who was a late bloomer and has since flashed tantalizing potential. He still needs to refine the details in his play. He put up some dazzling numbers with Michigan, but on the flip side, had the luxury of playing behind a team that usually had the puck. The AHL might be an eye-opening challenge for him, and how he responds could be indicative of just how good he really is — and how good he could still become.

11. Akil Thomas - G

Injuries, specifically a shoulder injury, have really derailed Thomas’ development, limiting him to only 13 games last season. The former Canadian WJC hero still has terrific offensive upside, but he just needs to find a way to stay healthy.

12. Tyler Madden - C

2022-23 was a step back for Madden as he saw his offensive production (on a point per game basis) decrease from the year prior. Time is running out for the once promising prospect as he is no longer exempt from waivers. The talent level is still high but he continues to have trouble with consistency and is prone to playing primarily on the perimeter.

13. Martin Chromiak - C

Chromiak’s first pro year had its ups and downs, but he showed enough promise to remain a highly thought of prospect in the system. The focus moving forward needs to be on getting both quicker and stronger.

14. Samuel Helenius - C

The massive center was a huge (no pun intended) disappointment in his first full pro season in North America, scoring all of two goals for AHL Ontario. It’s starting to look like his offensive upside may be pretty limited, but the physical tools nevertheless give him a chance to be a solid bottom six center.

15. Jack Hughes - C

A slippery offensive player, Hughes’ skill shines through as he looks to attack the offensive zone. Strength and speed deficits continue to prevent him from being a more consistent player and he’ll look to take a big step forward in his junior season with Northeastern this year.

16. Kasper Simontaival - RW

An undersized, but competitive winger, Simontaival continues to improve every year in Finland. Positive progression is a good thing and he is starting to look like a future middle six candidate for Los Angeles in the near future.

17. Kenny Connors - C

The big surprise of the Kings’ system last year, Connors adjusted to the NCAA game seamlessly with UMass and even earned a place on the American WJC team. A competitive, two-way center, he is altering the perception of his upside.

18. Otto Salin - D

A mobile, offensively oriented defender, Salin is coming off a strong rookie season in Liiga with HIFK. A potential powerplay quarterback, the Kings are looking for him to tighten up his decision making and play in his own end.

19. Kim Nousiainen - D

The smaller defender’s development appears to be headed in the wrong direction. Once thought to be a top defender in the system, his play in the AHL thus far has been uninspiring. This is likely a big year for his development, especially given LA’s depth.

20. Matthew Mania - D

It was pretty shocking for us to see Mania fall as far as he did on draft day, but the Kings may have gotten a good one here. Mania is an impressive mover on the back-end and he is still gaining confidence in how to use it to his advantage offensively. Defensively, he is a work in progress, but the upside is high.

2022 IIHF ICE HOCKEY U18 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: Key Storylines – Players to Watch – Predictions

Brock Otten — Fri, 22 Apr 2022 17:09:06 +0000

The 2022 IIHF World Under 18’s kickoff this weekend in Germany. Every year, this is one of the top events on the scouting calendar as many players are given one final chance to impress (on the ice) prior to the NHL Draft. Last year, the U18’s occurred in a bubble in Texas, with team Canada taking home the gold thanks to Shane Wright and Connor Bedard.

This year’s tournament may not be occurring in a bubble, but it’s far from normal either. Due to the ongoing conflict in the Ukraine, Russia and Belarus have been removed and thus the event will run with only eight teams. That means all eight teams will make the quarterfinals. It also means that for the second straight year, no teams will be relegated.

At this point, the tournament is wide open. Like any year, the United States enters the U18’s as the favourite because of team cohesiveness (and of course high-end talent). Sweden, Finland, and reigning champion Canada also enter the tournament as favourites. Originally, it was expected that Canada would struggle to field a competitive team given the circumstances (such as the extension of the CHL regular season), however their stack of Connor Bedard and Adam Fantilli down the middle may be the best one/two punch in the tournament.

Let’s look at each team closely; the storylines, the top players to watch, and a prediction.

Division A

Canada

FRISCO, TX USA - MAY 5: Canada’s Connor Bedard #17, Shane Wright #15, and Corson Ceulemans #4 stand while the national anthem plays after a 8-1 win over Sweden during semifinal round action at the 2021 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship at Comerica Center on May 5, 2021 in Frisco, TX USA. (Photo by Ryan McCullough/HHOF-IIHF Images)

Storylines to Watch:

1) Did anyone say Defense?

There is absolutely no denying the talent Canada is bringing at forward. It compares favorably with the best the other nations have to offer. Adam Fantilli and Connor Bedard are an absolutely dynamic one/two punch down the middle. They will be flanked by some talented wingers. This team WILL score. But will they be able to keep pucks out of their net? Outside of Owen Pickering (and 2023 eligible Lukas Dragicevic), there may not be a Top 100 draft defender on this roster. Who the third pairing will be remains a complete mystery and could be a revolving door. Likely starting netminder Reid Dyck was terrific at the Top Prospect’s Game, but he has struggled mightily of late with Swift Current. Can he re-find his game? Realistically, Dyck is going to have to be the best goaltender in this tournament for Canada to escape the medal round and compete for gold.

2) The 2023 Draft to the rescue.

This Canadian team is not loaded with talent available for the 2022 draft like the other nations in this tournament. Owen Pickering may be the closest thing to a lock for the first round, with a few others like Goyette and Lorenz having an outside shot. However, the talent available for 2023 is this team’s saving grace. First, we have Bedard and Fantilli, who could be the first two players selected next year. Then we have BCHL’er Matthew Wood, WHL defender Lukas Dragicevic and a few other late born 2004 players who could be standouts. Not to mention the late 2005 born Tanner Howe, who will be one of the youngest players in the tournament, but who is coming off a tremendous season in the WHL.

3) U18 scoring records in jeopardy?

All eyes will be on Connor Bedard for a lot of reasons. It is pretty rare for outstanding players to repeat this tournament. Bedard helped Canada win gold last year on the strength of 14 points in seven games. Now let’s look at some records. Mat Barzal is the leading scorer for Canada all time at this event with 16 points (in 14 games). Bedard needs only three points to break that. Jack Hughes is the tournament’s all-time leading scorer with 32 points over 14 games. Bedard would need 19 points to break that. Lastly, Nikita Kucherov holds the record for most points in a tournament with 21. Bedard could obviously best that.

Top Players to Watch:

Connor Bedard (2023)

The first player to receive exceptional status in the WHL, Bedard has been nothing short of amazing in his two WHL seasons to date. He hit the 50 goal and 100-point plateaus this season. He was incredible at last year’s U18’s, so what can he do this year? The dynamic and creative pivot should be the best player at this year’s tournament.

Adam Fantilli (2023)

Due to the fact that he went south of the border to play for the Chicago Steel, it feels like the Fantilli hype train has not quite hit Canada yet. But it will after this tournament. Fantilli is the real deal. A true power center who can play through you or around you, his combination of size, skill, and power is truly rare. It will be exciting to see him star at this tournament, especially given that his participation was a surprise because Chicago is starting the USHL playoffs without him.

Owen Pickering (2022)

The Swift Current Broncos defender is going to have to be a serious minute eater for Canada, especially against tough competition. A big defender with a smooth stride, Pickering is already solid in the defensive end. His physicality will be a real asset. However, Canada needs him to contribute with the puck too, which has been an area scouts are still unsure of in regard to Pickering. This is a big tournament for him.

Matthew Wood (2023)

A big winger, Wood was sensational in the BCHL this year, leading the league in scoring as a 16/17-year-old. For comparison’s sake, Wood’s 85 points were the best of any U17 player in the league in this millennium, blowing away the seasons of Kyle Turris and Alex Newhook. And in the more modern era, only Paul Kariya had a better points per game average. He’s not yet the world's most dynamic mover, still growing into his frame, however his skill level is extremely high. Expect him to play a large role.

Rieger Lorenz (2022)

Much like Wood, Lorenz played this past season in tier 2. He was the fifth leading scorer in the AJHL and is headed to play for the reigning NCAA Champion Denver Pioneers next season. A fringe first round talent at this current moment, Lorenz will be looking to seize a top six role on this team to increase his draft stock. A big and versatile forward, Lorenz is a very capable scorer. Scouts will be looking for his play away from the puck to be more consistent, especially given that he is unlikely to be the focal point of his line if he flanks one of Bedard or Fantilli.

David Goyette (2022)

The top OHL player on this squad, Goyette is a very talented offensive player. He can play center, or the wing and that versatility will prove to be important for Canada. Goyette finished second behind only Shane Wright among U18 scorers in the OHL this season for Sudbury and was especially dynamite in the second half. His speed and creativity will be great assets, and this could be a great showcase for Goyette to help him solidify his spot in the first round come July.

Tanner Howe (2024)

One of the youngest players in this tournament, Howe is a late 2005 born player. That makes him ineligible for the NHL draft until 2024. Playing with Bedard in Regina (WHL) this year, Howe finished tied for second in U17 scoring with 69 points. That’s tied for the fourth best total by a U17 player in this millennium. For an undersized winger (5’8), Howe isn’t the fastest, but he is already a terrific two-way player and is extremely intelligent. He is the type of player the Canadian coaching staff could use in any situation.

Nick Moldenhauer (2022)

It’s been a bit of a tumultuous year for Moldenhauer. He came into the year as a possible first round talent, but a leg injury delayed the start to his year and upon returning to the Chicago Steel (USHL) lineup, he struggled. However, in the second half of the USHL season, he emerged as one of the better players in the league and has his game definitively back on track. A highly skilled and quick attacker, Moldenhauer is cut from a similar cloth to David Goyette. Look for him to have a big tournament and to really raise his draft stock.

Reid Dyck (2022)

It would appear that Dyck has the inside track to be the starting netminder for Canada, even if his play down the stretch for Swift Current wasn’t great. Dyck was a star in the CHL’s Top Prospect game and definitely has a chance to be one of the top netminders from this draft class due to his play reading ability and athleticism. With a defensive group that lacks depth, Dyck will need to be terrific for Canada should they want to medal.

Prediction: Bronze Medal

United States

Logan Cooley. Photo by Rena Laverty/USA Hockey

Storylines to Watch:

1) Can they end the drought?

The United States has largely dominated the gold medal position since the creation of the NTDP…except for the last few years. They have not won gold at the event since 2017 and did not even medal on home soil in Texas last year. Quite frankly, there are no excuses given how this team is assembled and the familiarity that they have with each other. The talent on this team (multiple first round selections) is exceptional and nothing short of a trip to the gold medal game will be labeled as anything but a disappointment.

2) Will the defense and the goaltending hold up?

The talent at forward is ridiculous. This team is as deep, skilled, and quick as any forward unit in this tournament. They are physical. They can fire the puck. Their powerplay unit is lethal. Yet, the defense is on the smaller side and has had some problems with bigger, physical teams in the USHL (and College exhibition) this year. Additionally, goaltending is a real question mark. One of the team’s 2004 born starters, Dylan Silverstein, has battled injuries since making the U.S. World Junior (U20) team and did not make the trip to Germany. That means Tyler Muselik will need to handle the reins and his play has been inconsistent this season. Even if this forward group is talented, the U.S. will not make it back to the gold medal game if they can’t defend the talented forwards from Canada, Sweden, and Finland.

3) Cooley and Nazar to the rescue.

Talent at center is so important in this tournament. Lucky for the U.S. they have a tremendous one/two punch in Logan Cooley and Frank Nazar, two potential top ten selections this year. Best of all, both Cooley and Nazar are lightning quick, without question two of the better skaters at this event. They can really keep defenders on their heels and that is bad news for the competition.

Top Players to Watch:

Logan Cooley (2022)

At one point this year, Cooley was receiving some consideration for first overall (ahead of Shane Wright) from the internet scouting community. There's a good reason why. Cooley is the ultimate pace pusher and is a dynamic transitional attacker. Skilled, tenacious, intelligent; Cooley has it all. He is not the biggest, but his awareness and two-way approach will remind people of Matty Beniers. Simply put, Cooley is fun to watch and is a near slam dunk to be a top five selection this year.

Frank Nazar (2022)

Additionally, at one point this year Cooley was thought to be far and away the top draft prospect on this NTDP squad. However, Nazar has closed the gap down the stretch and with a strong tournament could put himself in contention to be a top five pick. A dynamic and creative player, Nazar blends speed and skill to be a near automatic zone entry attacker. There may not be a player in this draft who has more pure offensive potential.

Cutter Gauthier (2022)

Gauthier is a player built to play in the NHL. He has size. He skates well. He is physical. He is a strong supporting player in all three zones. He can shoot the puck. He is the perfect modern-day winger. Gauthier will be a big part of this U.S.’ offense and there is some belief in scouting circles that he could go as high as the top ten this year, especially if he has a strong tournament here.

Jimmy Snuggerud (2022)

Thanks to improvements made to his explosiveness and overall skating stride, Snuggerud has been the most improved player on the NTDP this year. As such, he has vaulted himself into the conversation for the first round. Snuggerud is a very versatile forward who can play nearly any role asked of him, but one who also has great finishing skills and scoring instincts. High IQ/awareness is definitely his best asset.

Isaac Howard (2022)

Sometimes it seems like Howard is the forgotten man on this team, even though he led them in scoring this season across the USHL and exhibition games. He’s not as quick as Cooley, as creative as Nazar, as physical as Gauthier, or as smart as Snuggerud, but he blends intelligence and skill to have an attacking mentality in transition. The only thing missing from his game is consistent physicality and an ability to play through contact, something he will need to do at this tournament to prove that he belongs in the first round.

Rutger McGroarty (2022)

It may sound cliche, but if McGroarty could skate like Cooley/Nazar,or even Cutter Gauthier, we would be talking about him as a potential top 15 selection. The big, power forward competes at both ends of the rink, is an intelligent player, and has a rocket of a shot. The key to his development will be the continued improvement of his stride power, to make him more explosive.

Gavin Brindley (2023)

Most years USA Hockey will add a player or two from outside the NTDP for this tournament. This year that player is Gavin Brindley. A former Florida Alliance player (and teammate of Seamus Casey), Brindley is an electric offensive player. He always seems to keep plays alive in the offensive zone with his feet and he should be the perfect complementary player on a scoring line, giving this team even more depth offensively. A late born 2004, Brindley is not eligible until 2023 for the NHL draft.

Ryan Chesley (2022)

One could probably argue that Chesley is this team’s top defender, even if they don’t have the kind of dominant two-way blueliner that we’re used to seeing. Chesley is staunch defensively. He is as strong as an ox down low and is nearly impossible to beat one on one due to his mobility and gap control. His play with the puck and overall decision making can be inconsistent, so scouts will be really focused on that at this tournament.

Charlie Stramel (2023)

It has been a bit of a tough year on the injury front for Stramel and this has caused him to fall down the depth chart a bit, but he is a terrific NHL draft prospect. Like McGroarty, Stramel is a big and physical power forward who lives to drive the net and play through the middle. However, he is also a solid skater for a bigger winger, and this gives him significant upside as an NHL player. With a late 2004 birthday, Stramel is not eligible for the NHL Draft until next year, when he will be playing for the University of Wisconsin.

Seamus Casey (2022)

This is going to be a big tournament for Casey. Currently there seems to be a divide in love for Casey as an NHL draft prospect. Some worry about his lack of size and production given his profile. Others (like our video scout team) absolutely love his combination of mobility and IQ. What he will need to show at this tournament is that he can consistently defend talented players, show up for big games, and impact the game a little more consistently from an offensive perspective (especially in terms of the score sheet).

Prediction: Gold

Czechia

EDMONTON, ALBERTA - DECEMBER 27: Germany vs Czech Republic preliminary round action at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship at Rogers Place on December 27, 2021 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andrea Cardin/HHOF-IIHF Images)

Storylines to Watch:

1) Dynamic duo down the middle.

The overlying theme of this division seems to be center depth. The Czechs have it too. Jiri Kulich and Matyas Sapovaliv are both potential first round selections who can make their wingers better. Both show well in all three zones. Both are high IQ players. If they can really elevate their play and give Czechia two prolific scoring lines, the Czechs could surprise some teams at this tournament and make the semifinals.

2) The great Eduard Sale.

The 2023 pick who no one seems to be talking about because he is being overshadowed by the other dynamic talents. While the likes of Bedard, Fantilli, Michkov, etc have been setting records in their own respective leagues, Sale has been doing just the same in Czechia. He broke the all-time scoring record for a U17 player in the Czech U20 league, besting the likes of Miroslav Satan, Jakub Voracek, Petr Sykora, and Ales Hemsky. He also beat the previous record by 11 points. Sale also managed to score his first two Czech men’s league goals with Brno. The skilled and speedy winger is a name to watch, and he will be a main contributor on this Czech team.

3) Do they have what it takes to upset one of the big four?

If the Czechs want to make the semifinals, they will need to upset one of the big four (Canada, US, Sweden, or Finland). That could mean a round robin win against the US or Canada, likely setting up an easier QF matchup against one of Switzerland or Latvia. That could mean beating one of Sweden or Finland in the quarterfinals. Either way, their record to a strong tournament will go through a better (or at least deeper) team on paper. This Czech team does have high end talent, so it is entirely possible.

Players to Watch:

Matyas Sapovaliv (2022)

Even though the Saginaw Spirit struggled as a team, Sapovaliv’s first season in the OHL was a success. He improved over the course of the year and has emerged as a serious first round candidate. The lanky pivot uses his reach so well in all three zones, to help him protect the puck in the offensive zone and to help him disrupt puck carriers and passing lanes in the defensive zone. As his skating continues to improve, he could be a terrific NHL player.

Jiri Kulich (2022)

If you missed it, the first Scouching report for 2022 dropped recently profiling Kulich (found here). The Czech pivot is a strong two-way player already (much like teammate Sapovaliv) and has terrific goal scoring instincts. He has struggled to find consistent success in the Czech men’s league this year due to a lack of strength, so it will be very interesting to see how he performs against his own age group at this tournament.

Eduard Sale (2023)

We just mentioned Sale above. He is coming off the best season by a Czech U17 player in ages. Sale oozes skill and creativity and is already 6’1. It is likely that he pairs up with either Sapovaliv or Kulich and he should be one of the top performing 2005’s in this tournament.

Simon Slavicek (2022)

Even though the Flint Firebirds are in the midst of a (hopefully) long playoff run, they allowed Slavicek to join team Czechia for this event. Slavicek’s first season in the OHL did not elicit terrific results, however the Firebirds are a deep team and Slavicek’s ice time wavered. This is because he came over a few months into the season and it was tough to work his way into an already solidified top six. As a checking line player, Slavicek did improve over the course of the year, but this tournament will be an opportunity for him to prove that he is the high-quality prospect we thought he was coming into the year.

Tomas Hamara (2022)

The top defender on this Czech team, Hamara has been playing out of Finland the last few years and established himself as a Liiga regular this season. The smooth skating, high IQ defender will likely quarterback the top powerplay unit and see significant ice time at even strength. A borderline top two round prospect currently, Hamara can solidify his place with a strong performance.

Prediction: 5th

Germany

FRISCO, TX USA - APRIL 26: Germany's Julian Lutz #16 skates with the puck while the Czech Republic's Jakub Altrichter #18 chases him down during preliminary round action at the 2021 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship at Comerica Center on April 26, 2021 in Frisco, TX USA. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/HHOF-IIHF Images)

Storylines to Watch:

1) The return of Julian Lutz

Coming into the season, Lutz was considered the next in line of German prospects to be selected in the first round. However, injuries have derailed his season and he has fallen like a rock because of it. Lutz will need to be the straw the stirs the drink for Germany and if he can have a strong tournament, it could really help to save his draft stock given how little NHL scouts have seen him this season.

2) Will home ice give them an advantage?

In 2015, Switzerland hosted the U18’s and used the tremendous fan support (and strong performances from Denis Malgin and Jonas Siegenthaler) to help them make the semi-finals. Can Germany do the same this year? Given the strength of their division, Germany will be in tough but maybe home ice advantage will carry them to an upset or two.

3) Can they upset someone…anyone?

As mentioned, Germany is going to need to upset someone to even win a game in this tournament. Division A is the stronger division, with Canada, the United States, and Czechia all significantly stronger on paper. If they lose every game in the round robin, they’ll probably need to upset one of Sweden or Finland in the quarterfinals to play on. Again, this is an uphill battle, but not impossible given the one game nature of these types of tournaments.

Players to Watch:

Julian Lutz (2022)

The 6’2 winger combines a powerful stride with great puck control skill. Unfortunately, the injury issues he’s had this year have really limited his opportunities to showcase his offensive capabilities and overall potential. He will unquestionably be the offensive leader for this German team, and he will need to do his best to stand out, even if the Germans find themselves under a constant barrage. Given how little he has played this year, he will be under the microscope of NHL scouts eager to get more of a glimpse of him in a larger role.

Rayan Bettahar (2022)

Bettahar is coming off his first season in the WHL with Swift Current, a season that had mixed results. There are times where Bettahar’s talent shines through, as he provides a physical element and finds success leading the breakout. Then there are other times where he struggles to execute basic skilled plays and with his decision making. Bettahar is on the fringe of being drafted, but he will get a ton of ice time in this tournament to showcase his worth and potential.

Luca Hauf (2022)

The highest ranked German player eligible this year behind Lutz, Hauf is an intelligent, playmaking winger. He didn’t have a terrific Hlinka/Gretzky cup this past summer, but he did manage to play a bunch in the DEL this year and has a high offensive ceiling because of his hands and vision. However, his play away from the puck is a major weakness right now. This tournament will provide him an opportunity to help generate offense with Lutz as part of Germany’s first line.

Prediction: 7th

Division B

Sweden

Djurgården's Jonathan Lekkerimäki during the ice hockey match in the SHL between Djurgården and Oskarshamn on October 21, 2021 in Stockholm.
Photo: Andreas L Eriksson / BILDBYRÅN

Storylines to Watch:

1) Will their defense hold up?

If you’ve noticed, this is a storyline to watch for nearly every team in the tournament. The reason? Many of the top defenders available this year are ineligible for the tournament as late 2003 born players (like Jiricek), are not at the tournament because their teams did not qualify or are not allowed (like Nemec or Grudinin) or are not at the tournament because they were not released for it (like Mateychuk). Among our top ten ranked defenders at midseason, only one will be at this tournament (Seamus Casey). So, what about Sweden? They have some talented defenders like Salomonsson, Odelius, and Havelid. But these are all players whose defensive games and effectiveness have been questioned this year. This team will be able to score but will they be able to shutdown opponents to win in the medal round?

2) Medal streak continued?

Sweden has medaled at this event the last three years the tournament has run (with 2020 being canceled due to the pandemic). They have made the semifinals in the last five tournaments. That’s quite the streak and one that is very likely to continue this year. In that streak is only one gold, something they will be working hard to change in 2022.

3) The health of Jonathan Lekkerimaki and Leo Carlsson.

Two of Sweden’s top players are coming into this tournament banged up and their effectiveness may be limited. Potential top ten pick Jonathan Lekkerimaki is just getting over mono and we know how that can negatively impact a player due to weight/strength loss. Additionally, top 2023 prospect Leo Carlsson has/had an elbow injury that was originally thought to be keeping him out of this tournament. These are two key players. Are they healthy enough to make the kind of impact they are capable of?

Players to Watch:

Jonathan Lekkerimaki (2022)

As mentioned, Lekkerimaki is returning from mono, and his effectiveness may be limited. It’s not even known whether he starts the tournament or starts playing later on, closer to the medal round. On the strength of a superb SHL performance in the second half, Lekkerimaki has rocketed up draft lists. His goal scoring ability is among the best in this draft class, and he will be a weapon on the powerplay.

Elias Salomonsson (2022)

Salomonsson came into the season as a potential top ten selection and was receiving consideration as the top defender available over Nemec and Jiricek. However, his draft year has not gone according to plan. He oozes offensive potential because of his skating ability and transitional skills; however, his defensive intensity and effectiveness has been weak. This is a huge tournament for his draft stock. Another poor performance likely pushes him even further down the draft board, while a strong performance probably vaults him back into the first round.

Leo Carlsson (2023)

The 6’3 center is a top prospect for the 2023 draft, a draft which is looking like one for the ages. Carlsson will be one of many 2023 prospects playing in this event, so it will be interesting to compare them a year out. An elbow injury was thought to be keeping him out of action, but it looks like he will play. In all likelihood, Carlsson will either anchor the third line or shift to wing in the top six.

Liam Ohgren (2022)

Few players available this year have scored the way that Ohgren has this season. He started the year off with a bang at the Hlinka/Gretzky and never looked back as one of the top performers in the Swedish J20 league. The intelligent and skilled winger will be a fixture on a scoring line and a strong performance at this event could bring him out from under the radar to be a potential top ten selection.

Noah Ostlund (2022)

A highly polarizing player eligible this year, Ostlund is a competitive, two-way center. His offensive production hasn’t been quite as high as you would like this year and his performance internationally has left something to be desired. However, he will be the team’s first- or second-line center and will be given every opportunity to show what he is truly capable of.

Filip Bystedt (2022)

Bystedt is the kind of athletic and rangy pivot that NHL teams seem to gravitate towards these days. Strong in puck protection scenarios and effective below the goal line, Bystedt is already proficient at using his 6’4 frame to shield the puck. There are some concerns about his potential and overall skill level, but he will likely be the other scoring line center with Ostlund, a great opportunity for him to shine.

Calle Odelius (2022)

Odelius seems to be a favourite of the online scouting community. Our video scouting team loves him. His ability to positively affect the game with his mobility gives him intriguing potential. However, there are some concerns over his game management ability and defensive effectiveness. He will see a ton of ice time here and a strong defensive performance could make him a serious first round candidate.

Mattias Havelid (2022)

The Swedish powerplay QB, Havelid is the son of former NHL defender Nic Havelid (and the twin brother of starting U18 goaltender Hugo Havelid). Mattias Havelid has a howitzer of a point shot and walks the line well with excellent four-way mobility. As an undersized defender, he will need to prove that he can be effective at even strength, especially in the defensive end.

Prediction: Silver Medal

Finland

FRISCO, TX USA - APRIL 27: Finland's Joakim Kemell #25 skates with the puck during preliminary round action against Russia at the 2021 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship at Comerica Center on April 27, 2021 in Frisco, TX USA. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/HHOF-IIHF Images)

Storylines to Watch:

1) Will Joakim Kemell meet expectations?

Kemell started the season on fire in Liiga play and was on pace to have the best season ever by an under-18 player in the top Finnish men’s league. However, injuries and fatigue caught up to him and this resulted in a very disappointing second half. This is a very important tournament for Kemell, as he will be expected to be one of the best players and highest scorers at the event. Anything less than that will be considered a disappointment.

2) Secondary scoring.

It isn’t the deepest draft crop out of Finland this year, at least in comparison to other recent years. Kemell is terrific. There are a few other high-end forwards like Nyman and Kaskimaki. But this Finnish team does not have the depth that the other big nations have this year and that could prove to be problematic for them. Finland will need a few other players to really step up to provide secondary scoring if they want to escape the quarterfinals, let alone the semi-finals.

3) Aron Kiviharju the phenom.

The youngest player at this event (2006 born), it will be important to temper expectations for Kiviharju. However, the talented offensive defender just finished top five in the U20 Finnish league in defensive scoring…as a 15/16-year-old. He outproduced the other, older defenders on this team at the same level save for Otto Salin. It was the best offensive season by a U16 defender ever in the league. However, it will be tough for him to stand out against the best U18 players on the planet. The best offensive performance by a U16 defender in the history event belongs to Samuel Knazko of Slovakia. That was three points. Can Kiviharju beat that? How much of a role will he be given?

Players to Watch:

Joakim Kemell (2022)

Kemell should be one of the best forwards at this event. The key is…should be. He hasn’t had the best second half (as discussed). However, he is an electric goal scorer because of his shot, scoring instincts, and creativity with the puck on his stick. He will need to put this Finnish team on his back and dominate his touches if Finland has any hope of capturing gold.

Jani Nyman (2022)

A big, power winger, Nyman blends size with skill and finishing ability. He comes into the event as a bubble first round pick, but we know how much NHL GM’s covet players like Nyman. He has a big opportunity here. He definitely has some fans in the scouting community, and he will be given every opportunity to be a standout in this event.

Otto Salin (2022)

The top defender on this Finnish team, Salin is a highly intelligent puck mover who is excellent in transition because of his quickness and four-way mobility. A likely top two round selection, Salin is going to see a ton of ice time in all situations for Finland and thus will be given a great opportunity to raise his draft stock with a strong performance.

Aron Kiviharju (2024)

We already spoke about this phenom earlier. He is the youngest player in the tournament and is coming off a record setting season in the Finnish U20 league. The dynamic offensive defender is not guaranteed to play a large role, but he is most definitely a player of interest. Watch for his dynamic skating ability, which makes him an effortless puck mover and transition player. Can Kiviharju put his name in the hat as the early favourite for first overall in 2024…if he hasn’t done so already?

Topias Leinonen (2022)

Who the top goaltender selected will be this year is a total mystery. It’s not a strong year and we may need to wait until the third round before one hears their name called. One of the contenders is Leinonen because of his massive frame and projectable athleticism. Consistency has been an issue, but what young goaltender doesn’t face issues in their play reading ability and mental toughness?

Aleksanteri Kaskimaki (2022)

In the earlier ‘storylines to follow’ piece, we mentioned how Finland would need secondary scoring options to step up. Kaskimaki is one of those players. He is one of the better skating forwards in this event and can be a real load to handle as he attacks the offensive zone. However, he has a tendency to disappear as the game slows down and has struggled to play through the middle at times. Finland will need him to increase his physical engagement level and be a consistent scoring threat.

Prediction: Fourth

Switzerland

Storylines to Watch:

1) The health of Lian Bischel.

As of now, Bischel is not on the Swiss roster for this event, which is a real shame. He hasn’t played in over a month after taking a bad hit in the SHL. Without question, Bischel would have been the team’s captain and most important player. The potential first rounder would have been playing over 30 minutes a night on the top pairing. Maybe there’s a chance he heals up in time to join the Swiss after the start of the tournament, but that seems like a longshot at this point.

2) Can they beat Latvia?

Even though the Swiss played Canada tough in a pre-tournament game, the expectations for this team are fairly low. They are very unlikely to beat Sweden or Finland in their division. That means…the round robin game against Latvia will be integral for them. It could be the difference between finishing top six, or dead last. Additionally, it would give them a slightly easier QF matchup.

3) Can they keep things competitive?

This Swiss team is likely to face at least three highly competitive teams in Sweden, Finland, and whoever they face in the quarterfinals. While winning those games may be a stretch, it would be great for them if they could keep the games competitive and close. After all, the players on this team are trying to impress NHL scouts and keeping games close would be the best way to do that.

Players to Watch:

Lian Bischel (2022)

As mentioned, Bischel is unlikely to play in this tournament. It is a real shame too. Bischel, a massive, but mobile blueliner, has played well in the SHL this year and is a likely first round selection. It would have been great to have seen him lineup against the best of other nations at this event. As mentioned, maybe there’s a chance he joins later in the tournament if he is cleared or feels up to it.

Mattheo Reinhard (2022)

With no Bischel, Reinhard is probably the top draft prospect on this Swiss team. He’s not big (5’8), but he has a great motor, and it helps him find success through the middle despite his lack of size/strength. Reinhard will be the first line center for Switzerland and the team’s offense will need to flow through his energy and ability to play with pace.

Prediction: 6th

Latvia

Storylines to Watch:

1) Can they beat Switzerland?

As mentioned in the Swiss write-up, third place in this division likely comes down to the winner between Latvia and Switzerland. The winner gets a sense of pride and an easier quarterfinal matchup. On paper, this game could be a tossup. How it ends up is anyone’s guess.

2) Can Sandis Vilmanis lead the way?

Vilmanis may actually be the best draft prospect among those playing in that Swiss/Latvian match-up, so he will be fully under the microscope. Tournaments like this are huge for players like Vilmanis; prospects from lower ranked hockey nations. While he does play in the Swedish J20 league, this tournament gives him a chance to be a true offensive leader as Latvia’s offense will flow through him.

3) Can they keep things competitive?

I feel like this is something I have written a few times. It seems like every time we have a competitive hockey tournament these days, blowouts are met with backlash on social media over whether IIHF events need to be restructured to limit these blowouts. It’s a tiresome topic of conversation. Personally, I think that the only way countries like Latvia, Germany, Switzerland, Norway, etc, improve is by playing the best in the world. Being challenged is integral for growth. So hopefully Latvia can keep these games close. Realistically, they would have been the odds-on favourite to be relegated, had there been relegation this year.

Player to Watch:

Sandis Vilmanis (2022)

Playing out of the Lulea program in Sweden, Vilmanis had a solid season in J20 action, finishing tied for first in team goal scoring with Latvian teammate Dans Locmelis. The big winger also helped Latvia earn promotion to the main group at the U20’s this summer, after a strong performance at the Division IA championships late in 2021. Vilmanis blends size and quickness on the wing to help him be a competent goal scorer. Not only is he competing to impress NHL scouts, but CHL scouts will also be closely watching his performance for Import Draft purposes.

Prediction: 8th

2022 NHL DRAFT MIDSEASON RANKING: TOP 100 PLAYER PROFILES WITH VIDEO – #61 thru #70

Brock Otten — Sat, 19 Feb 2022 16:15:57 +0000

In case you missed it, we updated our 2022 NHL Draft rankings recently. You can find that here. Shane Wright still headlines the list but the gap is unquestionably closing as other candidates elevate their play.

With this piece our intention is to briefly introduce you to each of the players that fill out the rest of the Top 100 (ranked 50-100), after previously looking at the Top 50. Below you will find a short summary of their games in addition to a top highlight. In the coming months you will see in-depth scouting reports published by our regional scouts on each of these players (like this one on Shane Wright).

FRISCO, TX USA - APRIL 29: Russia's Sergei Ivanov #29 and Arseni Koromyslov #7 defend during preliminary round action against Germany at the 2021 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship at Comerica Center on April 29, 2021 in Frisco, TX USA. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/HHOF-IIHF Images)

Arseni Koromyslov - Defense - SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)

A late born ‘03, Koromyslov has long been on the scouting radar since debuting in the MHL at the age of 15. A 6’3, smooth skating defender, Koromyslov has evolved his game to be a more effective defensive player over the last few years, especially when it comes to defending pace and counter attacks. He takes away time and space really well and definitely projects as someone who can make a difference in the defensive end at the NHL level. However, his offensive production has not really taken that next step forward this year despite possessing the hands and creativity to play aggressively and to play deep in the offensive zone. Has his development stagnated? What is the disconnect here? Either way, his combination of mobility and size will be attractive, and all eyes will be on him to close out the year strongly.

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Jack Hughes - Center - Northeastern (NCAA)

The jokes have been fast and furious the last few years regarding Hughes, no relation to the other Hughes family (Jack, Quinn, and Luke) which is quickly becoming hockey royalty. Instead, Jack is the son of Kent Hughes, the newly named general manager of the Montreal Canadiens. This Jack Hughes is a dynamic and intelligent playmaker who is having a solid freshman season at Northeastern. He loves to attack the offensive zone using his mohawk (10 to 2) stride, showing an ability to keep the puck on a string as he moves in and out of traffic. He lacks the strength to be a consistent contributor away from the puck at the NCAA level right now, but he does generally have a high work rate and should improve into more of a well-rounded player as he gains strength. Our ranking of him is definitely lower than some of our contemporaries. The main reason is his reliance on mohawking to generate off the rush, which has not had a strong track record of transitioning well to the NHL (or even AHL) level. Ask Jeremy Bracco (or Antonio Stranges last year).

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Lane Hutson - Defense - USNDP (USHL)

Hutson is viewed in a similar light to his program teammate Tyler Duke. He is not big, but his game is highly efficient. Hutson is a beautiful skater, especially in terms of his ability to build speed out of pivots. This helps him to escape the defensive zone, even under duress. It also helps him quarterback the powerplay effectively and move the puck along the blueline. Our video scouting team absolutely loves Hutson and believes that he has tremendous offensive upside as he gains confidence in his ability to carry the puck and play more aggressively. That said, there are times where he is overwhelmed in the defensive zone. He is a better skater than Duke, but his physical tenacity and his effectiveness in defending the net front is not at the same level. This begs the question, is Hutson limited to being more a specialized defender at the next level who needs to be sheltered? Or is there a definitive top four upside as his defensive game (and body) matures?

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Gavin Hayes - Wing - Flint Firebirds (OHL)

It has been a bit of a rollercoaster year for Hayes thus far. He had a really strong showing at the Hlinka/Gretzky for the U.S., excelling as a physical attacker and generator off the rush. However, when the OHL season started, he found himself buried on the fourth line (or the press box) in Flint. He eventually turned things around and earned more playing time, even getting back on to the top powerplay unit. However, when Flint got Ethan Keppen back from the AHL recently, his ice time was once again reduced. One thing Hayes has had trouble doing this year is blending his physicality/energy with his ability to be a dangerous offensive player. When he has been scoring, he has played a more passive game without the puck. When he has not been scoring, he has been bringing physicality and excelling in all three zones. The merger of the two to be a true difference maker has not yet happened, despite the expectation that it would (and it did at the Hlinka/Gretzky).

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Otto Salin - Defense - HIFK (Fin-Liiga)

Injuries have been a problem for this promising, right shot, offensive defender this season. However, he has returned recently after a long lay-off and is playing on HIFK’s third pair and on the powerplay. A strong skater, Salin can be an impactful puck mover because of how efficiently he is able to start the breakout. His vision is definitely his best asset, and it is rare to find a right shot defender with the kind of mobility and offensive awareness that Salin possesses. There are a few questions, likely because of his lack of playing time this year. The first is, how skilled and creative is Salin? Can he be a powerplay quarterback at the NHL level? The second is, what is Salin’s ceiling as a defensive player? Can he improve his defensive zone play to the point where he would be classified as a strong two-way defender? He will be a player to watch down the stretch as he is finally back to playing again. We should get a better read on his progression by the time the U18’s roll around.

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Hunter Haight - Center - Barrie Colts (OHL)

Haight is one of the best examples of what the year off did to the development of some players in Ontario. He had a terrific summer camp with Hockey Canada, excelling in the U18/U20 blended games. However, his start to his OHL career has been rocky. His inconsistent play has led to another young star, Beau Jelsma, passing him on the team’s depth chart. Haight is still one of the most individually skilled and creative players in this Ontario age group. In fact, he’s actually a pretty well-rounded player too, who shows well on both sides of the puck when he is dialed in. The issue right now stems from a lack of strength, confidence, and the fact that his skating does not look quite as strong as it did as a U16 player. Haight is the ultimate home run swing in the middle rounds because of the upside he possesses. He has not played his best this year, but let’s see how he closes the year and if his game shows development down the stretch.

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Antonin Verreault - Wing - Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL)

A highly intelligent and creative playmaker, Verreault has not quite elevated his game the way many expected he would this year. The QMJHL’s rookie of the year last season was arguably one of the best ‘04’s in the CHL last year. Verreault is at his best in the offensive zone. He works in and around traffic with strong small area quickness and agility and is able to prolong possession with his elusiveness. His poise and vision with the puck are strengths as he operates surgically from the outside. Herein lies the issue though. At 5’9, Verreault is not big, and the one criticism of his game is that he does not find success inside as consistently as he needs to. Be it a need to alter his mindset. Be it a need to add strength on the puck. Verreault can be kept to the perimeter. However, he does possess a high upside as an offensive player because of his intelligence and creativity in the offensive end. Our scouts will be looking for him to truly step up and elevate his game with the QMJHL starting back up in order to keep his spot in the Top 75.

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Cameron Lund - Wing/Center - Green Bay Gambles (USHL)

Playing in his first season in the USHL, Lund has been a standout for Green Bay, especially lately. The Northeastern commit is a well-rounded player. He looks strong as a transitional attacker because of his power and puck protection ability. However, he also drives the net hard and plays a power game, looking to use his 6’2 frame physically to gain leverage near the crease and in the corners. It is really easy to see him becoming a quality, long time pro with his versatile skill set. Is the upside significant? Probably not. But as Lund fills out, you could easily see him becoming a really solid two-way player and an asset down low. It should also be mentioned that Lund was one of the U.S.’ best players at the Hlinka/Gretzky last summer, so his progression has been consistent since leaving Cushing Academy.

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Bryce McConnell-Barker - Center/Wing - Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)

McConnell-Barker is a former high pick in the OHL draft who has had a bit of a difficult time finding his footing thus far. He has been moved up and down the Greyhounds’ lineup and has shifted between the middle and wing. There have been moments where he has looked great, but consistency has certainly been an issue, much like Hunter Haight ranked slightly ahead of him. Best case scenario, McConnell-Barker develops into a solid two-way, goal scoring center who can push the pace with his speed and play in all situations. He is quick. He has good size. His compete level in all three zones is generally solid. He has a heavy shot. It is about putting all these pieces together. The major concern is whether McConnell-Barker has enough skill to be a play driver or consistent finisher. He has had some trouble finishing off plays in tight this year. Additionally, given his high-end shot, he needs to find a way to slip into soft spots in coverage more consistently to get himself good looks. In a lot of ways, he and Ludwinski are similar in that the shell of an impactful two-way forward is there, but the production has been inconsistent due to possible skill limitations.

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Brennan Ali - Center - Avon Old Farms (USHS - PREP)

Inside our top 50, we had Sam Rinzel as the top ranked player from the Minnesota high school ranks this year. Well Brennan Ali is the top ranked prep player from the East coast. Ali is a highly competitive pivot who loves to push and attack the middle. He is consistently dialed in physically and his work rate is extremely high, especially on the forecheck and down low. This is a player who loves to get under the skin of the opposition. While he’s played primarily with Avon Old Farms, he has looked great in limited action with Lincoln (USHL) and in a few guest appearances with the US U18 team. The Notre Dame commit probably does not have the upside of a top six player, but his skating and physicality combination makes him a fun player to watch. If his puck skill and finishing ability can improve through his college career, Ali could have a long career as a Brandon Dubinsky type.

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2022 NHLDRAFT: MCKEEN’S MID-SEASON RANKING – TOP 100

Brock Otten — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 20:59:29 +0000

RED DEER, ALBERTA - DECEMBER 26: USA vs Slovakia preliminary round action at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship at WP Centrium on December 26, 2021 in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images)

A new year means a new draft ranking at McKeen’s Hockey, as we expand our list at mid-season to a Top 100. Back in mid-November, we released our preliminary ranking, a top 32, so this serves not only as an update, but an expansion too.

Like many, we were disappointed with the abrupt ending of the World Junior Championships, not just because it robbed us of some terrific hockey, but because it prevented a high-quality look at some of the best talents in this draft year. While a poor showing at the World Juniors is often dismissed, a strong showing can really help elevate a player’s standing. Ultimately, the decision to stop the tournament was the correct one, given the circumstances, however, hopefully the World Under 18’s can occur in Germany as planned in April.

At this point Kingston Frontenacs center and former CHL exceptional status player Shane Wright remains at the top of our rankings, however the gap is admittedly closing between him and some of the other players inside of our top five. Defenseman Simon Nemec is having a historically good season in the Slovak men’s league and will play for Slovakia at the Olympics. Center Logan Cooley is proving to be a dynamic two-way threat and is fresh off a terrific performance at the Biosteel All American Game. Center Matthew Savoie of the Winnipeg Ice continues to lead the WHL in scoring on the top ranked team in the Canadian Hockey League. A year ago, it was unfathomable to imagine anyone else but Wright being selected first overall. That concept is not as far-fetched today. Without question, Wright will need to pick up his play in the second half to withstand his competitors.

Looking specifically at those ranked inside our first round (top 32), the positional breakdown is as follows: 10 defenders, 22 forwards, and zero goaltenders. In fact, we do not have a single goaltender ranked inside the first two rounds. Tyler Brennan and Topias Leinonen are our top goaltenders, ranked 84th and 87th, respectively. The quality and depth of goaltenders available this year may be the worst that we have ever seen as a scouting staff.

Regionally, the breakdown is as follows: ten players from the CHL, seven players from the USHL (more specifically the NTDP), four players in Sweden, four players in Russia, three players in Finland, two players in Slovakia, and two players in Czechia. The U.S. National Development program is extremely well represented with ten players inside of our first two rounds.

This top 100 was formed in consultation with our regional scouts and our video scouting team. Now that we have our midseason list formed, look for our annual, in-depth individual scouting reports to start being published in the very near future.

Shane Wright of the KIngston Frontenacs. Photo by Robert Lefebvre/OHL Images.

RANK	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	HT/WT	DOB	GP-G-A-PTS
1	Shane Wright	C	Kingston (OHL)	6-1/190	5-Jan-04	25-12-19-31
2	Simon Nemec	D	HK Nitra (Svk)	6-1/190	15-Feb-04	28-0-19-19
3	Matthew Savoie	C	Winnipeg (WHL)	5-9/180	1-Jan-04	35-19-34-53
4	Logan Cooley	C	USN U18 (USDP)	5-10/180	4-May-04	25-15-20-35
5	Danila Yurov	RW	Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL)	6-1/175	22-Dec-03	21-0-0-0
6	Joakim Kemell	RW	JyP (Fin-Liiga)	5-11/175	27-Apr-04	21-12-6-18
7	Juraj Slafkovsky	LW	TPS (Fin-Liiga)	6-4/225	30-Mar-04	20-1-3-4
8	Conor Geekie	C	Winnipeg (WHL)	6-4/205	5-May-04	35-11-27-38
9	Brad Lambert	C	JyP (Fin-Liiga)	6-0/180	19-Dec-03	24-2-4-6
10	Ivan Miroshnichenko	LW	Omskie Krylia (VHL)	6-1/185	4-Feb-04	30-9-6-15
11	David Jiricek	D	HC Plzen (Cze)	6-3/190	28-Nov-03	29-5-6-11
12	Filip Mesar	C	HK Poprad (Svk)	5-10/165	3-Jan-04	22-6-5-11
13	Pavel Mintyukov	D	Saginaw (OHL)	6-1/190	25-Nov-03	31-6-17-23
14	Denton Mateychuk	D	Moose Jaw (WHL)	5-11/190	12-Jul-04	35-7-24-31
15	Marco Kasper	C	Rogle BK (SHL)	6-1/185	8-Apr-04	27-4-2-6
16	Alexander Perevalov	LW	Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)	6-0/190	16-Apr-04	29-19-20-39
17	Seamus Casey	D	USN U18 (USDP)	5-10/160	8-Jan-04	31-5-13-18
18	Frank Nazar	C	USN U18 (USDP)	5-10/175	14-Jan-04	33-15-23-38
19	Noah Ostlund	C	Djurgardens J20 (Swe J20)	5-10/160	11-Mar-04	19-6-18-24
20	Cutter Gauthier	C	USN U18 (USDP)	6-2/190	19-Jan-04	33-20-12-32
21	Jonathan Lekkerimaki	C	Djurgardens J20 (Swe J20)	5-11/170	24-Jul-04	25-19-15-34
22	Tristan Luneau	D	Gatineau (QMJHL)	6-2/175	12-Jan-04	26-5-10-15
23	Nathan Gaucher	C	Quebec (QMJHL)	6-3/205	6-Nov-03	30-15-11-26
24	Ty Nelson	D	North Bay (OHL)	5-9/195	30-Mar-04	33-5-21-26
25	Vladimir Grudinin	D	Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (MHL)	5-10/160	9-Dec-03	15-2-7-9
26	Owen Beck	C	Mississauga (OHL)	5-11/190	3-Feb-04	33-13-16-29
27	Simon Forsmark	D	Orebro (SHL)	6-2/195	17-Oct-03	22-0-1-1
28	Mats Lindgren	D	Kamloops (WHL)	5-11/175	26-Aug-04	34-2-19-21
29	Rutger McGroarty	LW	USN U18 (USDP)	6-1/205	30-Mar-04	27-15-17-32
30	Jiri Kulich	C	Karlovy Vary (Cze)	6-0/175	14-Apr-04	31-7-4-11
31	Isaac Howard	LW	USN U18 (USDP)	5-10/180	30-Mar-04	33-15-24-39
32	Jimmy Snuggerud	RW	USN U18 (USDP)	6-1/185	1-Jun-04	33-16-22-38
33	Filip Bystedt	C	Linkopings (SHL)	6-4/185	4-Feb-04	14-1-1-2
34	Brandon Lisowsky	LW	Saskatoon (WHL)	5-8/175	13-Apr-04	35-19-10-29
35	Jagger Firkus	RW	Moose Jaw (WHL)	5-10/155	29-Apr-04	38-23-21-44
36	Maveric Lamoureux	D	Drummondville (QMJHL)	6-7/195	13-Jan-04	30-3-8-11
37	Matthew Poitras	C	Guelph (OHL)	5-11/175	10-Mar-04	29-10-13-23
38	Adam Ingram	C	Youngstown (USHL)	6-2/165	14-Oct-03	27-16-20-36
39	Liam Ohgren	LW	Djurgardens (SHL)	6-0/185	28-Jan-04	21-1-1-2
40	Calle Odelius	D	Djurgardens J20 (Swe J20)	6-0/185	30-May-04	28-4-17-21
41	Sam Rinzel	D	Chaska (USHS-MN)	6-4/180	25-Jun-04	13-3-13-16
42	Ludwig Persson	LW	Frolunda J20 (Swe J20)	6-0/180	8-Oct-03	24-16-19-35
43	Artyom Duda	D	Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (Rus)	6-1/180	8-Apr-04	36-11-20-31
44	Jani Nyman	RW	KOOVEE (Fin-Mestis)	6-3/210	30-Jul-04	23-14-9-23
45	Matyas Sapovaliv	C	Saginaw (OHL)	6-3/180	12-Feb-04	31-10-16-26
46	Kevin Korchinski	D	Seattle (WHL)	6-1/185	21-Jun-04	32-4-24-28
47	Gleb Trikozov	RW	Omskie Yastreby (MHL)	6-1/185	12-Aug-04	17-9-8-17
48	David Goyette	C	Sudbury (OHL)	5-11/170	27-Mar-04	32-12-18-30
49	Owen Pickering	D	Swift Current (WHL)	6-3/180	27-Jan-04	34-6-15-21
50	Lian Bichsel	D	Leksands (SHL)	6-5/215	18-May-04	13-0-1-1
51	Paul Ludwinski	LW	Kingston (OHL)	5-11/175	23-Apr-04	28-6-13-19
52	Jordan Dumais	RW	Halifax (QMJHL)	5-8/165	15-Apr-04	30-16-31-47
53	Aleksanteri Kaskimaki	LW	HIFK (Fin U20)	6-0/185	6-Feb-04	22-15-14-29
54	Luca Del Bel Belluz	C	Mississauga (OHL)	6-1/180	10-Nov-03	33-18-27-45
55	Ryan Chesley	D	USN U18 (USDP)	6-0/195	27-Feb-04	32-2-5-7
56	Danny Zhilkin	C	Guelph (OHL)	6-2/185	19-Dec-03	27-10-14-24
57	Isaiah George	D	London (OHL)	6-0/195	15-Feb-04	29-1-9-10
58	Rieger Lorenz	LW	Okotoks (AJHL)	6-1/185	30-Mar-04	43-28-39-67
59	Tyler Duke	D	USN U18 (USDP)	5-8/180	19-Jul-04	27-1-7-8
60	Mattias Havelid	D	Linkopings (SHL)	5-9/170	1-Jan-04	12-0-0-0
61	Arseni Koromyslov	D	SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)	6-3/180	3-Nov-03	22-0-8-8
62	Jack Hughes 2	C	Northeastern (NCAA-HE)	6-0/165	2-Nov-03	22-5-4-9
63	Lane Hutson	D	USN U18 (USDP)	5-8/150	14-Feb-04	33-4-25-29
64	Gavin Hayes	RW	Flint (OHL)	6-1/175	14-May-04	30-8-9-17
65	Otto Salin	D	HIFK (Fin-Liiga)	5-11/185	7-Mar-04	5-0-1-1
66	Hunter Haight	C	Barrie (OHL)	5-10/175	4-Apr-04	24-8-6-14
67	Antonin Verreault	LW	Gatineau (QMJHL)	5-8/165	28-Jul-04	29-8-18-26
68	Cameron Lund	RW	Green Bay (USHL)	6-2/185	7-Jun-04	30-11-9-20
69	Bryce McConnell-Barker	C	Soo Greyhounds (OHL)	6-1/185	4-Jun-04	34-11-12-23
70	Brennan Ali	C	Lincoln (USHL)	6-1/195	9-Feb-04	2-0-0-0
71	David Spacek	D	Sherbrooke (QMJHL)	6-0/170	18-Feb-03	27-5-20-25
72	Angus Booth	D	Shawinigan (QMJHL)	6-0/175	27-Apr-04	30-1-20-21
73	Jake Livanavage	D	Chicago (USHL)	5-9/160	6-May-04	32-2-25-27
74	Markus Vidicek	C	Halifax (QMJHL)	5-10/160	21-Mar-04	30-9-18-27
75	Matthew Seminoff	RW	Kamloops (WHL)	5-10/160	27-Dec-03	30-15-18-33
76	Kasper Kulonummi	D	Jokerit (Fin U20)	6-0/175	1-Mar-04	25-2-16-18
77	Vinzenz Rohrer	RW	Ottawa (OHL)	5-10/160	9-Sep-04	30-9-14-23
78	Elias Salomonsson	D	Skelleftea J20 (Swe J20)	6-1/170	31-Aug-04	24-8-9-17
79	Liam Arnsby	C	North Bay (OHL)	5-10/180	20-Nov-03	32-8-10-18
80	Daniil Orlov	D	Sakhalinskiye Akuly (MHL)	6-2/180	21-Dec-03	44-8-18-26
81	Quinn Finley	LW	Madison (USHL)	6-0/170	8-Aug-04	14-5-5-10
82	Topi Ronni	C	Tappara (Fin U20)	6-1/180	5-May-04	21-7-11-18
83	Jordan Gustafson	C	Seattle (WHL)	5-11/180	20-Jan-04	29-13-18-31
84	Tyler Brennan	G	Prince George (WHL)	6-4/190	27-Sep-03	8-11-2, 3.34, .902
85	Cole Spicer	C	USN U18 (USDP)	5-10/175	13-Jun-04	31-10-12-22
86	Ryan Greene	C	Green Bay (USHL)	6-1/175	21-Oct-03	28-10-16-26
87	Topias Leinonen	G	JyP (Fin U20)	6-4/215	19-Jul-04	17GP, 2.17, .919
88	Alexander Suzdalev	LW	HV 71 J20 (Swe J20)	6-2/175	5-Mar-04	31-11-22-33
89	Pano Fimis	C	Niagara (OHL)	5-10/175	17-Jun-04	27-5-14-19
90	Spencer Sova	D	Erie (OHL)	6-1/185	10-Jan-04	30-2-12-14
91	Yoan Loshing	C	Moncton (QMJHL)	5-9/160	29-Feb-04	19-8-5-13
92	Jack Devine	RW	Denver (NCHC)	5-11/175	1-Oct-03	19-2-12-14
93	Ruslan Gazizov	RW	London (OHL)	5-11/185	21-Jan-04	20-5-11-16
94	Jackson Dorrington	D	Des Moines (USHL)	6-2/190	13-Apr-04	27-3-7-10
95	Jorian Donovan	D	Hamilton (OHL)	6-1/180	5-Apr-04	31-3-9-12
96	Jere Lassila	C	JyP (Fin U20)	5-9/170	8-Mar-04	13-7-4-11
97	Tucker Robertson	C	Peterborough (OHL)	5-11/190	22-Jun-03	31-19-23-42
98	Noah Warren	D	Gatineau (QMJHL)	6-5/215	15-Jul-04	29-3-9-12
99	Zakary Lavoie	RW	Mississauga (OHL)	5-11/170	15-Mar-04	31-10-15-25
100	Boston Buckberger	D	Brooks (AJHL)	5-10/175	1-Jun-03	42-11-9-20

2022 NHLDRAFT: MCKEEN’S MID-SEASON RANKING – TOP 32

Brock Otten — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 20:58:52 +0000

Shane Wright of the KIngston Frontenacs. Photo by Robert Lefebvre/OHL Images.

RANK	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	HT/WT	DOB	GP-G-A-PTS
1	Shane Wright	C	Kingston (OHL)	6-1/190	5-Jan-04	25-12-19-31
2	Simon Nemec	D	HK Nitra (Svk)	6-1/190	15-Feb-04	28-0-19-19
3	Matthew Savoie	C	Winnipeg (WHL)	5-9/180	1-Jan-04	35-19-34-53
4	Logan Cooley	C	USN U18 (USDP)	5-10/180	4-May-04	25-15-20-35
5	Danila Yurov	RW	Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL)	6-1/175	22-Dec-03	21-0-0-0
6	Joakim Kemell	RW	JyP (Fin-Liiga)	5-11/175	27-Apr-04	21-12-6-18
7	Juraj Slafkovsky	LW	TPS (Fin-Liiga)	6-4/225	30-Mar-04	20-1-3-4
8	Conor Geekie	C	Winnipeg (WHL)	6-4/205	5-May-04	35-11-27-38
9	Brad Lambert	C	JyP (Fin-Liiga)	6-0/180	19-Dec-03	24-2-4-6
10	Ivan Miroshnichenko	LW	Omskie Krylia (VHL)	6-1/185	4-Feb-04	30-9-6-15
11	David Jiricek	D	HC Plzen (Cze)	6-3/190	28-Nov-03	29-5-6-11
12	Filip Mesar	C	HK Poprad (Svk)	5-10/165	3-Jan-04	22-6-5-11
13	Pavel Mintyukov	D	Saginaw (OHL)	6-1/190	25-Nov-03	31-6-17-23
14	Denton Mateychuk	D	Moose Jaw (WHL)	5-11/190	12-Jul-04	35-7-24-31
15	Marco Kasper	C	Rogle BK (SHL)	6-1/185	8-Apr-04	27-4-2-6
16	Alexander Perevalov	LW	Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)	6-0/190	16-Apr-04	29-19-20-39
17	Seamus Casey	D	USN U18 (USDP)	5-10/160	8-Jan-04	31-5-13-18
18	Frank Nazar	C	USN U18 (USDP)	5-10/175	14-Jan-04	33-15-23-38
19	Noah Ostlund	C	Djurgardens J20 (Swe J20)	5-10/160	11-Mar-04	19-6-18-24
20	Cutter Gauthier	C	USN U18 (USDP)	6-2/190	19-Jan-04	33-20-12-32
21	Jonathan Lekkerimaki	C	Djurgardens J20 (Swe J20)	5-11/170	24-Jul-04	25-19-15-34
22	Tristan Luneau	D	Gatineau (QMJHL)	6-2/175	12-Jan-04	26-5-10-15
23	Nathan Gaucher	C	Quebec (QMJHL)	6-3/205	6-Nov-03	30-15-11-26
24	Ty Nelson	D	North Bay (OHL)	5-9/195	30-Mar-04	33-5-21-26
25	Vladimir Grudinin	D	Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (MHL)	5-10/160	9-Dec-03	15-2-7-9
26	Owen Beck	C	Mississauga (OHL)	5-11/190	3-Feb-04	33-13-16-29
27	Simon Forsmark	D	Orebro (SHL)	6-2/195	17-Oct-03	22-0-1-1
28	Mats Lindgren	D	Kamloops (WHL)	5-11/175	26-Aug-04	34-2-19-21
29	Rutger McGroarty	LW	USN U18 (USDP)	6-1/205	30-Mar-04	27-15-17-32
30	Jiri Kulich	C	Karlovy Vary (Cze)	6-0/175	14-Apr-04	31-7-4-11
31	Isaac Howard	LW	USN U18 (USDP)	5-10/180	30-Mar-04	33-15-24-39
32	Jimmy Snuggerud	RW	USN U18 (USDP)	6-1/185	1-Jun-04	33-16-22-38