Ruben Rafkin – McKeen's Hockey

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

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

_{Marcus Sylvegard (Växjö Lakers HC)}

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

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

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

Get ‘em while they’re hot

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Return visits?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Off the beaten path

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hidden gems?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SIDE NOTE

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

2022 IIHF World Junior Championship Preview

Zack Szweras — Tue, 09 Aug 2022 13:26:09 +0000

World Juniors’ Preview

Group A:

There is going to be a ton of competition out of this group, between Canada, Finland and Czechia. With this tournament being held in August, there will be omissions of players attending NHL training camp with the hope of making their respective NHL rosters. It will be interesting to see which countries will benefit the most from this.

Czechia

Line Projections

Jiri Kulich – Michal Gut – Jan Mysak

Ivan Ivan – Gabriel Szturc – Petr Hauser

Martin Rysavy – Matyas Sapovaliv – Jaroslav Chmelar

Tomas Urban – Matous Mensik – Jakub Kos

Stanislav Svozil – David Jiricek

Jiri Tichacek – Stepan Nemec

Tomas Hamara – David Spacek

Jan Bednar

Tomas Suchanek

Czechia is entering this tournament with one of the more complete group of defencemen. Highlighted by Columbus Blue Jacket’s prospects David Jiricek and Stanislav Svozil, it will be tough to get around their big-bodied defence. On top of that, Tomas Hamara, David Spacek and Jiri Tichacek can provide offence from the blueline. Currently David Jiricek did not travel with the team as he tested positive for COVID.

To complement their defence, they also have NHL drafted forwards spread through their lineup. The most notable names include Jiri Kulich, who was recently selected 28th in the 2022 entry draft from the Buffalo Sabres, Jan Mysak the Canadiens prospect who produced this year for the Hamilton Bulldogs on their way to win the OHL cup and Matyas Sapovaliv, the playmaking power forward taken in the 2nd round of this year’s draft by the Las Vegas Golden Knights. Everett Silvertips’ center Michal Gut will look to provide his improved playmaking, likely playing alongside goal scorers Kulich and Mysak.

Lastly, they will be looking for solid goaltending from Detroit Red Wings’ prospect Jan Bednar. With all their skill in their top-six forwards and on their blueline, Czechia will have to hope their depth can hold up and keep up with powerhouses like Finland and Canada.

Canada

Josh Roy – Mason McTavish – Connor Bedard

Kent Johnson– Logan Stankoven – Tyson Forester

Brennan Othman – Ridley Greig – William Dufour

Will Cuylle – Elliot Desnoyers – Nathan Gaucher

Donovan Sebrango – Olen Zellweger

Ryan O’Rourke – Lukas Cormier

Ronan Seely – Jack Thompson

Dylan Garand

Brett Brochu

While the Canadian team looks drastically different from the cancelled January World Juniors, they still have a strong chance of going far in this tournament. Offensively, Canada is loaded with the likes of Mason McTavish, Kent Johnson, Logan Stankoven and of course, 2023 projected first overall pick, Connor Bedard. Mason McTavish looked dominant in the January World Juniors. Using his combination of size, speed and skill to bully opponents, he will look to continue his success. The potential pairing of Kent Johnson and Logan Stankoven should be extremely fun to watch, as Johnson has elite skill often undressing defenders and Stankoven dominated the WHL last year, winning not only the WHL but the CHL player of the year award. Lastly, who can forget the name Connor Bedard, the 17-year-old phenom is coming off a season in which he produced 100 points in 61 WHL games and don’t forget he became the second 16-year-old to score a hat trick for Canada in the cancelled January World Juniors since some guy named Wayne Gretzky.

Defensively, Canada took a large blow losing both Kaiden Guhle and Owen Power, however they still have plenty of talent with Olen Zellweger, Ryan O’Rourke and Lukas Cormier. Olen Zellweger took his offensive game to another level last year producing 78 points in 55 games as an 18-year-old. He will see time running Canada’s powerplay. O’Rourke is a strong two-way defenceman who never takes a shift off, always trying to be involved, whether it’s a big hit, transition pass or a poke check to change momentum. O’Rourke will likely be paired with Lukas Cormier as Cormier is an extremely gifted offensive defenceman. While O’Rourke can bring strong defensive presence, Cormier will look for opportunities to transition the puck and join the odd man rush.

The final question for Canada is their goaltending. They are coming into the tournament with three solid options in Dylan Garand, Brett Brochu and Sebastian Cossa. All indications point to Garand and Brochu battling it out for the starting goaltending position. No matter who takes the net, Canada should be comfortable with all options available. Canada will be a team to beat this tournament.

Slovakia

Line Projections

Maros Jedlicka – Jakub Demek – Adam Sykora

Servac Petrovsky – Oleksiy Myklukha – Matej Kaslik

Samuel Honzek – Dalibor Dvorsky – Roman Faith

Oliver Stumpel – Peter Repcik – Lubomir Kupco

Rayen Petrovicky – Viliam Kmec

Adam Stripai – Maxim Strbak

Simon Groch – Boris Zabka

Tomas Bolo

Patrik Andrisik

Slovakia has taken a large hit from the tournament being held in August rather than December as top prospects Juraj Slafkovsky, Simon Nemec and Filip Mesar are not on the roster as they focus on NHL training camps. With that being said, there are still plenty of names worth watching. Looking at the forwards, Slovakia will be leaning on New York Rangers’ forward Adam Sykora to generate offence, who has made a strong impact on all international teams for Slovakia over the past year. Besides Sykora, Slovakia will be looking at Maros Jedlicka, who had a strong season in Slovakia, Minnesota Wild’s prospect Servac Petrovsky and Vegas

Golden Knights’ prospect Jakub Demek to provide support. The biggest name to watch for Slovakia, however, will be 2023 draft eligible Dalibor Dvorsky. Dvorsky as of now is seen as a top 10 talent in the upcoming draft and continues to find success internationally. The blueline is truly taking a toll with 2nd overall pick Simon Nemec opting not to participate in this tournament. Slovakia will look to rely on Rayen Petrovicky to give them top pairing minutes and solid defence from the backend. With the lack of depth, another 2023 draft eligible, Maxim Strbak, will be asked to step up to the plate. Strbak was a large piece of the Slovak team that won silver medal at the 2021 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and looks to make his name known as someone to keep an eye on during his draft year.

Finally, in net Slovakia will most likely look towards 20-year-old Tomas Bolo as the starter for the team. Bolo has consistently played for Slovakia in international play and played well for Slovakia at the start of the cancelled World Juniors this past January. Overall, Slovakia will be an exciting team to watch, but will need to overcome the lack of depth in order to compete in a strong Group A.

Finland

Line Projections

Roni Hirvonen – Aatu Raty – Joakim Kemell

Ville Koivunen – Samuel Helenius – Brad Lambert

Roby Jarventie – Juuso Maenpaa – Kasper Simontaival

Eetu Liukas – Oliver Kapanen – Kalle Vaisanen

Petteri Nurmi – Topi Niemela

Eemil Viro – Ruben Rafkin

Aleksi Heimosalmi – Kasper Puutio

Leevi Merilainen

Jani Lampinen

There is legitimate competition between Finland and Canada for the top team in this Group A. Finland is loaded with a ton of talent up front, with every player in their projected top-six being selected in the 1st or 2nd round in their NHL draft. Both Aatu Raty and Brad Lambert have a chip on their shoulder to score this tournament as they each went into their draft years as projected top three picks and ended up sliding down on draft day. Finland is also lucky to have some strong playmakers on offence as Roni Hirvonen and Ville Koivunen have both proven their ability to set teammates up in Liiga. When Finland is looking for someone to bury the puck, the first option will almost always be Joakim Kemell, the elite goal scorer started last season on an absolute tear and finished with 15 goals in 39 Liiga games while battling through injuries in his draft year.

Transitioning to defence, Finland is lucky to be anchored by the player awarded best defenceman in the 2020 World Juniors in Toronto Maple Leafs’ defenceman Topi Niemela. Niemela is likely to be paired with defensive defenceman and Montreal Canadiens’ prospect Petteri Nurmi in order to give Niemela the comfort to get involved in the offensive game. Another name to watch closely on the blue line is Carolina Hurricanes’ prospect Aleksi Heimosalmi, who is an extremely strong skater that thrives in the transition game. Finland is backing it all up with Ottawa Senators’ prospect Leevi Merilainen as the projected starter. While he struggled in his first year playing for the Kingston Frontenacs, Merilainen has produced during his time with the international squad. It will be extremely exciting to see the skill of this Finnish team.

Latvia

Line Projections

Girts Silkalns – Klavs Veinbergs – Arni Ravinskis

Peteris Purmalis – Dans Locmelis – Sandis Vilmanis

Felikss Gavars – Martins Lavins – Darels Durkurs

Rainers Darzins – Raimonds Vitolins – Danils Andersons

Ralfs Bergmanis – Niks Fenenko

Harijs Brants – Rihards Simanovics

Bogdans Hodass – Gustavs Ozolins

Bruno Bruveris

Patrick Berzins

In a strong Group A, Latvia seems likely to finish in the bottom of the standings. While there are still talented players on this team, it would take a miracle for Latvia to advance to the quarterfinals. Taking a look at the forwards, Latvia will likely pair MHL teammates Girts Silkalns and Klavs Veinbergs together. Continuing the teammate trend, Dans Locmelis and Sandis Vilmanis will likely see a large amount of ice time together for Latvia coming off a strong season together playing in the J20 league producing 34 and 32 points, respectively. Both Locmelis and Vilmanis were recently drafted in the 2022 NHL draft, Locemlis was taken in the 4th round by the Boston Bruins and Vilmanis was selected in the 5th round by the Florida Panthers.

Latvia’s blueline will be anchored by 17-year-old defenceman Niks Fenenko. Fenenko went undrafted in the 2022 NHL draft despite having a fairly solid season playing the QMJHL scoring 40 points in 62 games. Projected to partner with Fenenko is University of Vermont commit, Ralfs Bergmanis. Although he is only 5’10”, Bergmanis is willing to throw his body around and disrupt play. The likely starter in net for Latvia will be 20-year-old Bruno Bruveris, who spent the past year playing with Cedar Rapids of the USHL, posting a 3.02 GAA with a .873 SV%. It would be an upset to see Latvia make the quarterfinals let alone win a game in this tough Group.

Group B:

Group B is expected to be dominated by two powerhouses in the United States and Sweden. It will be exciting to see if any of Germany, Switzerland or Austria can challenge either powerhouse and shake up the group. Even with losing players due to NHL training camps, the United States and Sweden are still positioned to make it far in this tournament.

United States

Line Projections

Matthew Knies – Logan Cooley – Matthew Coronato

Landon Slaggert – Thomas Bordeleau – Carter Mazur

Sasha Pastujov – Hunter Mckown – Brett Berard

Red Savage – Charlie Stramel – Mackie Samoskevich

Wyatt Kaiser – Sean Behrens

Tyler Kleven – Ian Moore

Jacob Truscott – Brock Faber

Remington Keopple

Andrew Oke

The United States are coming into this tournament with an extreme amount of talent on both the offensive and defensive side of the ice. While they may have one of the most talented rosters entering the August World Juniors, they have one major concern, the goaltending. No matter which goaltender starts the tournament for them, it will be an undrafted goaltender. Before we dig deeper, let us take a look at their firepower upfront. It will be extremely exciting to be able to see a line consisting of Matthew Knies, Logan Cooley and Matthew Coronato. All three have played for the USNTDP and each are considered offensive forces.

On top of that, the US finally will be able to have Thomas Bordeleau play for them as he unfortunately missed the last several World Juniors. The depth of the US forwards is something to be amazed at. Players like Sasha Pastujov and Mackie Samozkevich, each have immense skill and will provide scoring depth throughout the lineup. In addition, 2023 draft eligible Charlie Stramel looks to have made a strong impression and has carved out a role on this team. It will be interesting to see how this boosts his draft stock entering his draft year.

Taking a look at the US defence, it may be one of the most talented pools of defenceman in this tournament. There are many reliable names defensively on the backend including captain Brock Faber, Tyler Kleven, Jacob Truscott and Wyatt Kaiser. Offensively, the US will lean on Sean Behrens and Ian Moore to pinch and provide odd man rushes from the blueline. It is extremely important for their defence to play up to the level that many expect them to as they are going to play behind lesser named goaltenders in Remington Keopple and Andrew Oke. Keopple, the older of the two goalies, played this past season with Des Moines of the USHL, putting up a 3.06 GAA and a .896 SV%. Oke, who is only 18, had a worse season playing for a poor Saginaw team in the OHL. He produced a 4.63 GAA with a .848 SV%. If the US can protect their goaltenders they will be in for a long run.

Switzerland

Line Projections

Simon Knak – Joshua Fahrni – Jonas Taibel

Fabian Ritzmann – Joel Henry – Marlon Graf

Attilio Biasca – Micolas Baechler – Kevin Nicolet

Joel Marchon – Mats Alge – Tim Muggli

Giancarlo Chanton – Noah Delemont

Nick Meile – Dario Sidler

Rodwin Dionicio – Arno Nussbaumer

Noah Patenaude

Andri Henauer

The battle for the third spot in Group B will be a close one to watch and Switzerland will have to rely on a mix of veteran and youth to avoid relegation. The most notable forward for Switzerland is 20-year-old Nashville Predators’ prospect Simon Knak who has split time between the WHL and the Swiss National League. Knak has a knack for forechecking, often using his skating ability to provide pressure to puck carriers hoping to pounce on loose pucks. Switzerland will also rely on the youth, with 17-year-old Jonas Taibel likely playing top line minutes. He finished the previous season with the Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL, producing 21 points in 57 games.

On the backend, Switzerland will turn to 20-year-old Noah Delemont to cover significant minutes for them. Delemont is calm cool and collected on the ice, which allows him to scan theice and use his strong vision to pass the puck. Like their forwards, Switzerland will again look to the youth and 18-year-old Nick Melie, who has been a consistent part of Switzerland’s international teams, producing four points in nine games at the U18’s. Switzerland is most comfortable with their goaltending. Noah Patenaude has proven to be reliable, playing for Saint John in the QMJHL producing a 2.96 GAA and a .914 SV%. With a little luck and strong goaltending, Switzerland has the chance to steal a couple games.

Germany

Line Projections

Alexander Blank – Danjo Leonhardt – Josef Eham

Markus Schweiger – Joshua Samanski – Justin Volek

Haakon Hanlet – Bennett Rossmy – Maciej Rutkowski

Thomas Heigl – Luca Hauf – Yannick Proske

Maksymilian Szuber – Luca Munzenberger

Adrian Klein – Maximilian Glotzl

Arkadiusz Dziambor – Korbinian Geibel

Florian Bugl

Niklas Lunemann

Germany was one of the unfortunate teams that were heavily affected by having the tournament moved from January to August as they had to replace seven players from the January roster. On offence, Germany will be leaning on Alexander Blank, Danjo Leonhardt and Josef Eham. Alexander Blank was off to a hot start for Germany in January scoring 3 points in 2 games before it was cancelled. Leonhardt, on the other hand, had a strong season playing in the Alps Hockey League finishing the past season with 35 points in 32 games. Both Leonhardt and Eham are teammates for RB Hockey in the Alps Hockey League and their chemistry should be used on a line together. Eham, like Leonhardt, had a great season finishing with a 1.14 point per game.

Defensively, the go-to player for Germany will be Luca Munzenberger. The former 3rd round pick of the Edmonton Oilers played the previous season for the University of Vermont. At Vermont, Munzernberger has polished his defence working on his gap control. Projected to play across from Munzenberger is Maksymilian Szuber who spent the majority of the season in the DEL playing for EHC Munchen. Szuber, an Arizona Coyotes’ draft pick, is a large raw defenceman who uses his body to his advantage.

In net, Germany will rely on 20-year-old Florian Bugl who dominated the Alps Hockey League last season producing a 2.27 GAA and a .916 SV%. Bugl looked fairly sturdy in January in his lone game in the cancelled World Juniors. Germany will be in a strong battle to avoid relegation and make the quarterfinals.

Austria

Line Projections

Oskar Maier – Leon Wallner – Moritz Lackner

Jonas Dobnig – Ian Scherzer – Senna Peeters

Fin Vann Ee – Luca Auer – Maximilian Hengelmuller

Tim Geifes – Janick Wernicke – Nico Kramer

Tobias Sablattnig – Martin Urbanek

David Reinbacher – Christoph Tialler

Lukas Horl – Lukas Necesany

Leon Sommer

Thomas Pfarrmaier

Similar to Switzerland and Germany, Austria will be trying to avoid relegation and will fight for a spot in the quarterfinals. The majority of Austria’s offence will be ran through Oskar Maier and Leon Wallner. Maier was named captain of the RB Hockey team in the Alps hockey league last year, finishing the season with 24 points in 27 games. Wallner, on the other hand, played his season in Sweden in the J20 league, producing 37 points in 28 games. An exciting name to watch for Austria this World Juniors is 2023 draft eligible Ian Scherzer. Last season, Scherzer excelled in the Swedish J18 league scoring 15 points in 17 games. He will be using this tournament as a platform to get himself noticed by NHL scouts.

Austria’s backend will be fortified by the youth with the likes of 19-year-old Tobias Sablattnig and 17-year-old David Reinbacher. Sablattnig spent the majority of the season in the Alps Hockey League where the 6’0” defenceman was able to put up 16 points in 37 games. Reinbacher has spent the past season between the U-20 Elit league and the Swiss League. The 2023 draft eligible put up a combined 33 points in 50 games and will look to use this tournament as a platform to get drafted.

Lastly, the net will be occupied by Leon Sommer who played for a poor Steel Wings Linz of the Alps Hockey league allowing 3.16 GAA while carrying a .910 SV%. Austria will hope their youth will be able to step up and lead their team to a few victories.

Sweden

Oskar Olausson – Daniel Ljungman – Fabian Lysell

Isak Rosen – Theodor Neiderbach – Jonathan Lekkerimaki

Linus Sjodin – Ake Stakkestad – Daniel Torgersson

Oskar Magnusson – Victor Stjernborg – Albert Sjoberg

Simon Edvinsson – Helge Grans

Leo Loof – Mans Forsfjall

Emil Andrae – William Wallinder

Jesper Wallstedt

Calle Clang

The other power house in Group B, Sweden has an enormous amount of talent up front and will look to lean on their skill to bring them a medal. The projected first line of Oskar Olausson, Daniel Ljungman and Fabian Lysell will be looked upon to set the offensive tone for Sweden. Olausson and Lysell both have a combination of speed and skill, which they use to transition the puck and attack the offensive zone. Ljungman has proven to be a good two-way centre who will provide support on both sides of the ice. Sweden still has options down the line including a pair of first round picks in Buffalo Sabres’ prospect Isak Rosen and Vancouver Canucks’ prospect Jonathan Lekkerimaki. Both these players spent a large chunk of the previous season in the SHL in limited roles and were still able to produce.

The backend is where Sweden will excel, anchoring it will be none other than 6’6” Detroit Red Wings’ prospect Simon Edvinsson who has a unique combination of size, physicality and speed. Opposite of Edvinsson should be Helge Grans, the two-way defender uses his speed and long reach to close gaps and attack forwards turning over possession. To show the depth on this defence, the projected bottom pairing, Emil Andrae and William Wallinder, should make a large impact for Sweden. Andrae is an extremely skilled offensive defenceman who put up 33 points in 41 games in the Hockey Allsvenkan league. His partner Wallinder is a big bruising 6’4” defenceman who will crush any player in his way.

In net is where Sweden has the largest advantage though, with Minnesota Wild’s prospect Jesper Wallstedt. Wallstedt improved on his draft year season playing 22 games in the SHL and putting up ridiculous numbers with a 1.98 GAA and a .918 SV%. It is going to be extremely difficult to score on Sweden in this tournament.

WJ Predicitons

Group A

Canada

Finland

Czechia

Slovakia

Latvia

Group B

Sweden

USA

Germany

Switzerland

Austria

Quarterfinals

Canada over Switzerland

Finland over Germany

Czechia over USA

Sweden over Slovakia

Semifinals

Canada over Finland

Sweden over Czechia

Medals

Sweden – Gold

Canada – Silver

Finland – Bronze

Tournament MVP – Connor Bedard

Best Forward – Mason McTavish

Best Defenceman – Simon Edvinsson

Best Goaltender – Jesper Wallsted

All-Tournament team

F – Connor Bedard

F – Mason McTavish

F – Logan Cooley

D – Simon Edvinsson

D – Topi Niemela

G – Jesper Wallstedt

2022 NHL DRAFT: SECOND CHANCES, PART 2 – NHL Draft Re-Entry Candidates from Europe

Wed, 25 May 2022 13:59:09 +0000

In a normal year, scouting hockey is marred by imperfection. Every year high end players get skipped over at the NHL draft for various reasons. Maybe they suffered through injuries. Maybe their team struggled, and it prevented scouts from getting a good read on them. Maybe their team was too good, forcing them down the depth chart with limited minutes and exposure opportunities. Or...maybe they just were not good enough. But thankfully human development is nonlinear and therefore unpredictable. Teenage hockey players are far from a finished product on the ice as their games mature just as the rest of their body and mind does. That is why it is critical to track players as they move through their second and third years of draft eligibility (or fourth years of eligibility for some European players).

This year, it feels like we are playing catch-up because of how disjointed last year was in the scouting community. The OHL did not play. Other leagues played only partially. How much was development stunted? Better yet, how many players have surprised this year with their progression given that they were not able to show said progression last year (such as the OHL players). Will we see an extraordinary number of “re-entry” players selected this year as NHL scouting teams gobble up all of these players who slipped through the cracks of the pandemic scouting year?

North American players with birth dates from January 1st to September 15th, will be eligible for three NHL drafts. Players with birth dates from September 16th to December 31st, will be eligible for two NHL drafts. And for European players (in European leagues), extend that eligibility by one year in both cases. Recently, NHL scouts have increased the rate with which they are selecting “re-entry” candidates, or players previously passed over. Contract limits have made it critical for teams to spread out where they select players from, in addition to their age. This has made second- and third-year eligible U.S. and European based players especially attractive. However, these players have had a lot of success in recent years too. Look around the league and you see these players everywhere. For example, Florida Panthers standout defender Mackenzie Weegar was one. So too was Winnipeg Jets starter Connor Hellebuyck. Standout Arizona Coyotes rookie Janis Moser was one last year.

Speaking of last year, ten “re-entry” candidates went in the Top 100; Ryker Evans, Josh Doan, Janis Moser, Carter Mazur, Alexei Kolosov, Taige Harding, Andrei Buyalsky, Josh Lopina, Ville Ottavainen, and Jakub Malek In our “second chances” article last year (Part 1:) (Part 2: )( Part 3) we wrote about eight of these ten. In total there were 34 taken, actually below the trend of over 40 being selected in other recent drafts (roughly about 20% of all players selected). Additionally, of those 34, we identified and wrote about 17 (half of them) in our aforementioned second chances series. Just like in previous editions of this annual report, we aim to identify more.

In 2022, we have some very interesting candidates. Lucas Edmonds of the Kingston Frontenacs was near the top of OHL scoring all season. Stephen Halliday of Dubuque had one of the best statistical seasons in the history of the USHL. Dmitri Buchelnikov completely obliterated the MHL, a year after being passed over as one of the youngest eligible players in 2021. This article intends to highlight them and many other candidates who could be part of that 20% (if the average is restored) this year.

Finland

Jimi Suomi - Defense - TPS (Liiga)

Ranked #201 by us for last year’s draft, Suomi has had a solid rookie year in Liiga, breaking through as a near everyday player for TPS. The undersized, but fleet of foot defender is a standout with the puck and had a strong performance for TPS in Champions League play this season.

“I was absolutely not a fan of Jimi Suomi last season, and I certainly see the same issues I was seeing last season this year. There’s no doubt that Suomi’s defensive rush play is far from ideal, and his defensive play to close out cycles is still a major work in progress, but the guy can simply fly with the puck. An excellent puck transporter, and skilled offensive creator, Suomi is a player that has glaring weaknesses, but gifts that help him overcome those weaknesses unlocked with his feet. He’s on my watchlist and may not be a player I think about until later in the draft, but you can always bet on and develop skating, and Suomi is a great example of how mobility and raw agility can help defenders push play in the right direction.” - Will Scouch

Petteri Nurmi - Defense - HPK (Liiga)

Not only did Nurmi establish himself as a Liiga regular this year, but he also made team Finland for the abruptly ended World Junior Championships. Destined for a second pairing role, it would have been a great showcase for Nurmi to prove that he should be selected this year. The numbers in Liiga this season certainly don’t stand out, but that’s not really Nurmi’s game. He did play over 20 minutes per game on many occasions this year and his steady puck management skills and two-way acumen could be attractive to NHL teams this July.

“Two years ago, Nurmi was still playing Finnish U18 hockey. Now, after just a single year of U20 in between, he’s a full time Liiga defenceman at twenty. He doesn’t pack much offensive punch, and didn’t even in his junior career, but Nurmi’s smart, efficient passes in transition seem to have endeared him to HPK’s coaching staff as he averages over sixteen minutes a game as a rookie defender. Nurmi is well-suited to Liiga hockey, preferring a slow build-up in the transition game. He is poised, happy to take all the time he is given, and has very good vision up into the neutral zone. His outlet pass is a good one; he can connect with moving forwards in the neutral zone with long passes from around the net on a consistent basis.

Of course, the NHL is a much quicker and more aggressive league than the Liiga, and Nurmi’s ability to make plays under tough forechecking pressure is difficult to discern in a Liiga environment. He’s not the quickest nor the most skilled defenceman, so his distribution skills could falter in the North American game, where teams are less content to sit back in a neutral zone trap. Regardless, his intelligence and successful season as a Liiga rookie should warrant some attention from NHL clubs.” - Sam Happi

Ruben Rafkin - Defense - TPS (Liiga)

This is not Rafkin’s first appearance on this list, but he deserves to repeat after another strong season in Liiga. The highly competitive former Windsor Spitfire defender is one of the most aggressive physical defenders in Europe, and his play in the defensive end really took a positive step forward this season. Fun fact, Rafkin was one of only three players in Liiga to garner over 100 penalty minutes on the year.

“Rafkin is a highly physical defenceman who might be best known to some as the player who got a game misconduct for kneeing Brett Berard in Finland’s WJC pre-tournament game against the United States. It is rather surprising that no team has yet drafted Rafkin, who flashed some impressive puck-moving ability for Windsor of the OHL in his first year of eligibility and then followed that up with a solid rookie season in the professional-level Liiga. He successfully employs an aggressive style of neutral zone defence, looking to force attackers wide and then put them into the boards. Often, this results in uncontrolled or failed entries.

Rafkin is also very effective in physical confrontations along the boards, using his strength to easily push most forwards off the puck. He also skates quite well, able to evade most forecheckers who attempt to chase him around the net. On occasion, he’ll bring the puck all the way forwards into the offensive zone but doesn’t boast much offensive skill with which to continue his attack effectively. His outlet pass is decent, but not great: he can make basic plays, but will often revert to banking the puck out or playing it to a teammate in pressure when a forechecker successfully pressures him. Still, his mobility and very effective physical game may make him one of the stronger bets to carve out an NHL role of this draft’s overage prospects.” - Sam Happi

Nick Malik - Goaltender - KooKoo (Liiga)

The road back to relevance for Malik has been long and winding. The son of former NHL defender Marek Malik, Nick was once a highly thought of prospect. However, he struggled mightily in his NHL draft year, including a stop with the Soo Greyhounds of the OHL. Fighting through injuries and inconsistency, Malik had a remarkable season in Liiga with KooKoo (including a terrific playoffs) and it has him back on the map as a draft prospect. Not only did he finish top five in save percentage, but his performance as a U20 player compares favorably with the likes of other top goaltending prospects in recent years like Juuse Saros, Ville Husso, and Lukas Dostal.

“What Malik has accomplished this year in Liiga is extremely impressive. I saw a lot of him when he played for the Greyhounds in his half OHL season, and his game has improved remarkably. Always a terrific athlete, Malik has worked hard to improve the technical components of his game. His pushes are more controlled, and he is covering his angles more consistently. There are still some scrambling tendencies to his game, but he is doing a better job of tracking pucks through traffic and staying up when he needs to. Historically, his season compares well with other top young netminders who have played in Liiga in recent years. Given how weak this year’s goaltending crop is for the draft, Malik has to be a slam dunk to be selected this time around. At least, you would have to think so.” - Brock Otten

Sweden

Elias Ekstrom - Wing - Orebro (SHL)

Ekstrom, an undersized winger, finally broke through as an SHL regular this season, his sixth in the Orebro organization. Among U21 players in the SHL, Ekstrom’s 11 assists put him sixth. And of the forwards ranked in the top ten of scoring at his age, only Ekstrom remains undrafted.

“Ekstrom has demonstrated consistent year-after-year growth, culminating in a full-time role in the Swedish Hockey League at age 20. He seems to have found a niche in Orebro’s lineup, playing a limited role at even-strength but making up for it with a steady diet of powerplay time. The little bit of extra time that Ekstrom has on the man advantage seems to unlock his offensive games as he’s made some terrific plays in a variety of roles. He most often mans the half-wall on his off wing, where he isn’t a major one-time threat but rather prefers to receive the puck, take a few steps towards the net, and then shoot out of a toe drag. His shot is strong and accurate, and he can beat goaltenders from that area. More impressive is Ekstrom’s distribution from that spot: he’ll draw penalty killers to him, then feed down low where his teammates can take advantage of the now-exaggerated numerical advantage. Ekstrom’s well-rounded offensive skill set shrinks a little at even-strength, where he largely reverts to simple passes and tries to pop open in the slot for quick shots. Considering Ekstrom’s unspectacular skating and puck skills, that is to be expected; he thrives when he has time to make plays on the powerplay but doesn’t have the skills to navigate traffic effectively at even-strength. To eventually find a niche in the NHL, Ekstrom will want to embrace a well-rounded bottom-six role at evens and continue to refine his offensive flashes on the powerplay.” - Sam Happi

Södertälje's Leon Wallner during the ice hockey match in the Hockeyallsvenskan between Almtuna and Södertälje on December 8, 2021. In Uppsala. Photo: Emma Wallskog / BILDBYRÅN

Leon Wallner - Wing - Södertälje SK (SHL)

An Austrian playing out of Sweden (Wallner left top Austrian program Red Bull Academy at 16 years of age), Wallner was one of the highest scoring players in the Swedish J20 league this past season. Among those who played over 25 games, Wallner’s 1.32 points per game was eight in the league. This helped him earn a promotion to Södertälje’s parent club in the Allsvenskan.

“Wallner received a well-earned promotion to Sodertalje’s professional team in Sweden’s second division after an excellent U20 season. His clever offensive game proved too effective for junior competition, as Wallner piled up both goals and assists. He is adept at drawing pressure before moving the puck to space and shows impressive composition under pressure, able to find open teammates in the offensive zone even with a defender draped around him. Wallner was a very capable scorer too, which is interesting because he doesn’t have a whole lot of power on his shot. He compensates with accuracy, often shooting low and looking to tuck the puck just above the goaltender’s pad.

With the professional team, Wallner’s skills are less evident. His skating, good but not great, is no longer enough to pose a significant rush threat, and Wallner has yet to score a professional goal with his strategy of accuracy over power. However, the Austrian’s intelligence remains a feature of his game. Several of his assists have resulted from some apt plays: a beautiful one-touch pass in the neutral zone after a stretch pass, a spinning backhand pass into the slot, and cleverly shooting to create a rebound off the pad, to name a few. Wallner’s intelligence and playmaking are his greatest strengths, and we may see the rest of his offensive toolkit emerge with increased pro experience and skill development.” - Sam Happi

Ian Blomquist - Goaltender - Vasteras IK J20 (J20 Nationell)

One of the top goaltenders in the Swedish J20 circuit this year, Blomquist has put himself in contention to be drafted this year after going unselected last year (as a 2003 born). He also posted very respectable numbers in a limited sample with the Vasteras IK men’s club in the Allsvenskan. Given Hugo Havelid’s lack of size, there’s a very real chance that Blomquist is Sweden’s first goaltender drafted this year.

“Blomquist has emerged as one of the top goaltenders in Sweden’s top U20 circuit after playing U18 hockey last year, which was his first opportunity to be drafted. He’s 6’2” and takes away a lot of the net, making him a difficult goalie to beat cleanly from distance. As you might expect from a player in his first season of top-level junior hockey, he does seem to be fairly raw as a prospect at this point: his rebound control can be hit or miss, and his positioning can fail against opposing attacks that move the puck around effectively. When forced to move side-to-side, his first move is powerful and effective, getting him across the net quickly enough to deny most one-timer opportunities, but his movement isn’t particularly well-controlled and so he has little ability to recover quickly if a second push off is required. His puck-tracking also seems to be in need of some refinement: Blomquist experiences more than his fair share of awkward-looking goals against where the puck eventually sneaks right past him after bouncing around a bit in the slot, simply because he’s lost awareness of where the puck is. There’s work to be done, but Blomquist doesn’t have a lot of experience at high levels yet and his size and first-save ability could signal some potential to be uncovered here. He has a real chance to be drafted this time around.” - Sam Happi

Marcus Limpar Lantz - Center - Orebro HK J20 (J20 Nationell)

Limpar Lantz didn’t play last season, his initial draft year, due to injuries and the covid shutdown of the J20 and J18 leagues in Sweden. The former highly touted Swedish center was once a fixture on the Swedish national team for his age and was considered a likely selection at a younger age. However, he returned to action this year and looked good in J20 action. No doubt, scouts will have taken notice of this.

“Limpar Lantz put together an impressive season for himself largely on the back of a newfound scoring ability. He doesn’t have a great shot but found a niche playing the slot on Orebro’s powerplay, where he was able to find soft pockets of space in the prime scoring area. You don’t need a great shot to beat goaltenders from that area. He has a solid finesse scoring game, able to elevate pucks past goaltenders from in tight and effectively collecting rebounds around the net. He’s also a pretty good skater, which allowed him to occasionally beat defenders with speed and go in at the net, where his finishing took over.

His playmaking doesn’t seem to be as much of an asset for him as his scoring. He put up good assist numbers, but largely due to the fact that his slot presence meant he was often involved in promising offensive plays by simple location. His teammates would score off his rebounds, or he would make bumper passes out of the slot which eventually became second assists. He did demonstrate the ability to make some good passes out of pressure when swarmed, but his passing does not appear to be consistently strong enough to be something that could be impactful for him at the NHL level one day.” - Sam Happi

Milton Oscarson - Center/Wing - Orebro (SHL)

A gigantic, but versatile forward, Oscarson was a standout at the J20 level this year, earning a split season with the men’s club in the SHL with Orebro. He also earned himself a look on a few Swedish national team entries. At 6’6, NHL scouts are likely to be very intrigued by the massive offensive improvement that Oscarson showed this season compared to last.

“Oscarson is 6’6” and over 200 pounds, making him an absolute giant of a forward. That size is presumably the reason why last season, as a first-time draft eligible in his first season of U20 hockey, Oscarson got into a few SHL games for Orebro’s pro club. He wasn’t particularly impactful at any level last season, but Oscarson has leapt forward with his play in both leagues this season: not only did he record more than a point per game at the junior level, but he also became a fairly regular SHL player with more than twenty games under his belt. Oscarson is a decent skater. His skating doesn’t create opportunities for him, but he doesn’t look slow against SHL competition and doesn’t fall behind the play. He’s a little lighter on his skates than you’d expect considering his size, a product of his lankiness.

As a hitter, Oscarson certainly has the physical capabilities to pack quite a punch but doesn’t have the body control or hitting technique to lay heavy hits on a consistent basis. Offensively, Oscarson tends to hang around the slot, where he’ll use his size and reach to screen goaltenders, collect rebounds or passes, and throw shots on net. He’s not a particularly advanced offensive player but could potentially find a net front niche at higher levels like he did with his junior team this past season. Oscarson’s size and decent toolkit could eventually make him an option for a bottom-six role in the NHL.” - Sam Happi

Linus Sjodin - Center/Wing - Rogle (SHL)

Sjodin is a 2002 born forward who played a decent role in helping Rogle capture a Champion’s League title this year. His overall performance in the SHL this year was strong too. Among U20 players, his 11 points were sixth best, ahead of many NHL drafted forwards. On a Rogle team with some quality drafted and draft eligible forwards, there’s no doubt NHL scouts would have seen Sjodin’s progression this season.

“Sjodin’s junior record doesn’t seem like that of a player who might become a high-level offensive contributor at the pro level, but his 11 points in 49 games in his first full season of SHL hockey is a solid mark. He flashed some impressive skills this season, making a number of sweet plays that led to goals or excellent chances. The headliner was a beauty of a goal in which Sjodin dangled into a defender’s skates, pulled the puck out, then roofed it on his backhand just before falling.

In addition to his puck skills, Sjodin is a pretty good passer, able to find teammates slicing into the slot from the wall. Sjodin doesn’t have a strong shot, struggling to beat goaltenders cleanly from anywhere outside of the immediate slot, but scored five SHL goals this season due to his ability to pounce on rebounds around the crease. His skating isn’t much of an asset either– he isn’t slow but isn’t a threat to beat any defenders. Sjodin has some real offensive skill, particularly as a puckhandler and as a passer, which he used to build a very solid 19-year-old season in a pro league. He’ll look to build upon that next year in Sweden and could possibly make the jump to North American hockey at some point if an NHL team shows interest.” - Sam Happi

Tim Lindfors - Wing - Malmo J20 (J20 Nationell)

A good-sized winger, Lindfors has been a quality scorer at nearly every level he has played at. This includes the J20 this year, where his 0.82 goals per game was among the best in the league, behind top draft prospect Liam Ohgren, who was over a goal per game.

“Lindfors is very much a goalscorer, having potted 23 goals in 28 games in U20 play this past season. He’s quite dominant at the junior level but failed to crack Malmo’s SHL club for any more than a one game audition, which meant he ended up playing part of his season in the HockeyEttan, the third division of Swedish professional hockey. He played fairly well there, continuing to use his instincts to find opportunities around the net and score five goals in 22 games. The interesting thing about Lindfors’ scoring profile is that he doesn’t seem to be much of a sniper: he does well to find space around the net and winds up more than his fair share of grade-A chances but doesn’t have the great shot required to threaten from further out. Lindfors doesn’t have much ability to create for himself– his skating and hands are decent, but not particularly strong, and he’s not much of a playmaker– so his offensive game will be quite dependent on whether or not he can continue to find those opportunities around the net. His scoring success so far could make him worthy of a shot, but it isn’t until he breaks into higher levels of pro hockey that we will see how translatable his skillset really is.” - Sam Happi

Russia

Maxim Arefyev - Goaltender - Sakhalinskiye Akuly (MHL)

A late bloomer playing in his first year in the MHL, Arefyev was a standout on a very poor team. While his team did not win many games, he did his best to keep them in the majority of them. His .916 save percentage was over 20 points higher than the next closest netminder on his team. For that reason, the 6’4, athletic netminder has drawn the intrigue of NHL scouts.

“A bit of a Cinderella story in 19-year-old Maxim Arefyev’s case (even though some might say that it is hard to associate a 6’4'' hockey goalie with such an image), as just last season he was buried at the Russian U18 level and now he is listed among the top goalies of this year’s draft. However, it might be slightly confusing for the people, who look at his stats, as he isn’t among the MHL top goalies stat wise, yet the stats should always be looked at in context: his team is among the weakest in the MHL and Arefyev is one of the rare reasons they are winning any games at all. That makes those stats more than solid for this situation. Arefyev is a big goalie, a bit raw in terms of technique (which makes him more of a longshot), yet with good reflexes and having a solid puck handling skill. With all that being said I’m more impressed with his psychological toughness and by that, I mean his ability to be extremely consistent both short and long-term even though the defense in front of him would frequently let him down, not to mention being pretty much always overloaded with a lot of shots, so that’s why I’d say there can be something good out of this kid.” - Viktor Fomich

Dmitri Buchelnikov - Wing - SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)

Buchelnikov was barely eligible for the 2021 NHL draft, born at the beginning of September. Immature physically, he was not able to properly showcase his offensive talents. Now a little stronger, and certainly more confident, Buchelnikov exploded in the MHL this season, finishing second in league scoring. He also followed that up with a strong playoff performance, recording a goal per game in the postseason for SKA.

“Every year there are prospects, who are going undrafted because while they have the required skills, something is still missing to get those altogether and convert them into solid and consistent production. A small right-handed winger Dmitry Buchelnikov was exactly one of these cases last year, but he clearly got it all together this year and it resulted in a dominating performance on the MHL level. Buchelnikov is skilled and dynamic, always aimed at the goal and has an excellent shot, which is of particular interest, as it is just great in terms of release and precision, not to mention his almost automatic one-timer from the left circle. Some concerns still remain though in his case, such as being undersized and lacking much of experience outside of the MHL juniors, yet his attacking skill set clearly indicates a notable offensive upside.” - Viktor Fomich

Danil Alalykin - Center/Wing - Salavat Yulaev Ufa (KHL)

In his final year of draft eligibility, Alalykin is a late bloomer who seems to improve every year in the KHL, finally establishing himself as a regular this past season. Playing for a strong Ufa team, Alalykin is utilized as a role player in the bottom six, but when he does finally receive more ice time, he is a serious breakout candidate.

“I. Just. Can’t. Understand. Why. He. Still. Isn’t. Drafted. Ok, let’s put emotions aside, but I really can’t understand that, as Danil Alalykin is an extremely smart and hard-working forward, who sees the ice well and understands where and when he should be for a positional attack to be executed. No issues in the skill or skating departments, although it should be noted that Alalykin is slightly lightweight, yet it is hard to look at that as any kind of a red flag, considering 6’0” height and still having more than enough time to add some muscle. Another issue is exposure, as Alalykin’s KHL team is a strong one (both in terms of team’s strength and physicality of the players there) and he is still in process of earning a big role there. Yet, I think he has been extremely effective in his limited ice time this season, which makes me optimistic about things to come. It is his last year of draft availability and I’m not sure if Alalykin will be drafted. If a team does decide to, it will be an extremely smart pick in many ways, so here I just hope that common sense will prevail, as I think NHL Top 9 forward potential is there.” - Viktor Fomich

Ilya Ivantsov - Center - SKA-Neva St. Petersburg (VHL)

A previously highly touted prospect, Ivantsov went undrafted last year despite a solid performance at the U18’s, where he helped Russia earn a silver medal while wearing an “A.” This year he made his debut in the Russian second men’s league, the VHL, and it was a terrific debut. He led the league in U20 scoring ahead of the likes of Nikita Chibrikov and Fyodor Svechkov, two high NHL draft picks the same age as Ivantsov.

“Ilya Ivantsov being undrafted is quite an understandable case though, as despite all of his renown talent, his skating has always been at least questionable. On the other hand, Ivantsov has natural playmaking talent at the level that is unteachable, because the elite playmaking ability requires a player to have an excellent vision, feel the timing and tempo of the game at the instinctive level, not to mention needing to have a pretty good pair of hands. So quite a borderline case here in terms of the draft potential, but there’s a factor in Ivantsov’s favor: not only he has debuted against pros in the VHL and spent the full season there, but also became his team’s top point producer while being just 19, which seems like a clear sign that at least there’s nothing to worry about in terms of his transition from the juniors.” - Viktor Fomich

Czechia

Jiri Tichacek - Defense - Rytíři Kladno (Czechia)

Our video scouting team loved Tichacek last year and as such we ranked him quite high in 2021 (77th overall). Ultimately, the undersized defender was not selected and now makes an appearance on this list as nominated by…our video scouting team. The reality is that Tichacek’s mobility is NHL caliber, and he is coming off a season that saw him play over 40 games in the Czech men's league. Only potential top five pick David Jiricek (also an ‘03) produced more offensively and took on a larger role.

“I can’t just ignore one of my top re-entry players undrafted in 2021. Jiri Tichacek has stepped right into the Czech Extraliga and helped his team avoid relegation back to the Chance Liga through his strong mobility, excellent stick-first defending, and a great shot from the point. Tichacek may be small, but he fits a role that I certainly think is an unexplored potential area of value. Hypermobile turnover generators that provide more pros than cons, even if the cons can be less than ideal. Tichacek drove great results defensively and while he shows some issues moving pucks up the ice with his passing, he’s a gifted skater that I believe will only improve with time. His World Junior showing was largely positive in my view, and he may be a longshot, but one that I’d still be willing to take.” - Will Scouch

Slovakia

Maros Jedlicka - Wing - HKM Zvolen (Slovakia)

The 19-year-old, 6’1 winger absolutely exploded in his first full year playing against men in the Slovak top league, averaging nearly a point per game. Among U20 players, his 38 points were far and away the best, ahead of draft eligible prospects Simon Nemec, Adam Sykora, and Filip Mesar. Historically, his performance stands up with one of the better players to come from Slovakia, Michal Handzus.

“Jedlička has had a true breakout season in the Slovak top tier league. Having only scored four points in the last season, he was surprisingly promoted to Zvolen's top line this year and earned his minutes well. Jedlička finished the regular season as the team's leader in points (38 PTS in 44 GP) and pointwise, he had the 6th most successful season from a U20 player in the Slovak league's history. Jedlička is basically a jack of all trades. He is able to play at all forward positions, he's a capable bottom-six, penalty killer, but can also generate offense in the top-six and be successful at power plays. He plays a fast, physical kind of hockey; he moves well and has a solid size. He likes to get under the opponents' skin and doesn't shy away from escalating conflicts.

Unfortunately, his season ended with a knee injury, but there is a lot to like about Jedlička. He doesn't have any major weaknesses in his game; maybe the upside is a little lower than one would prefer, but his game is still nicely translatable to the North American ice. Jedlička projects as a future power forward with middle-six upside; he skates well and complements more skilled players who he can create space for. He is not afraid to get his nose dirty and scores from tough areas. All in all, a fast and physical winger who can play well at every position you put him into. He is a first year overager but could make a nice middle-to-late round pick.” - Matej Deraj

Switzerland

EDMONTON, AB CANADA - DECEMBER 25: Switzerland vs Slovakia preliminary round action at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship at Rogers Place on December 25, 2020 in Edmonton, AB Canada. (Photo by Andrea Cardin/HHOF-IIHF Images)

Dario Allenspach - Center/Wing - EV Zug (NL)

We wrote about Allenspach last year in this piece after a breakout season in the SL, Switzerland’s second men’s division. He reappears this year after a strong rookie season in the NL, the top men’s league. A fixture on the international scene, Allenspach would have played at this year’s World Junior Championships and been one of Switzerland’s go to players. We will almost assuredly see him in the summer when the tournament starts again. A strong overall player, Allenspach could be a longshot to be drafted, but is a name to keep in mind moving forward.

“Allenspach has grown a bit in the past year, now measuring in at 6 foot, roughly 170 pounds. Also having grown has been his role in the NL, where he was able to take a regular shift for EV Zug, which finds itself in the playoffs just now. His year may have been even more spectacular had the WJC not been called off, as it was a tournament he was thoroughly intending to use to make a lasting impression on NHL teams after having collected three assists in four games the winter before. First turning 20 less than two months after the draft this summer, it’ll be Allenspach’s third go-around at the draft and the question is whether his body of work to date has led NHL people to feel he’s worth adding now. Busy establishing himself as a two-way player, Allenspach has only put up four goals and nine points in 48 games this season. He’s also dressed nine times in the SL for the club’s farm team, but only to the tune of four points. When you’re this size and still not sticking out in offensive capacity, a team really needs to like something else about your game. Maybe one does?” - Chapin Landvogt

Joshua Fahrni - Center - SC Bern (NL)

Another top rookie in the NL this year, Fahrni has long taken on a leadership role within his age group internationally. He wore an “A” for Switzerland at the abruptly ended World Junior Championships. The energetic, two-way pivot has really blossomed this year after being passed over last year. The late born 2002 was the highest scoring U20 player in the NL this season.

“A player who motors around the ice in a crouched stance, constantly reading the play, Fahrni has come a long way in a short period of time. Basically, a non-topic in his first year of eligibility, Fahrni’s 21-22 season has seen him not only become a regular for SC Bern in the NL, but also contribute 13 points over the course of 49 games in a bottom six role. His team was a veteran-laden club that failed to live up to expectations despite healthy contributions from former NHLers such as Dominik Kahun, Kaspars Daugavins, and Cory Conacher, among others, but Fahrni proved to be one of the bright spots in the line-up, contributing a healthy dose of youthful enthusiasm and quickly becoming a fan favorite.

His fantastic season also saw him wear an “A” on his jersey for Switzerland at the WJC, where he centered the team’s first line, collecting an assist and +1 against Russia. A righty shot with a compact, strong build (194 lbs. at just 5’11”) and strong 3-zone instincts, the question is going to be whether a team can envision him turning out to be a poor man’s JG Pageau, who once seemed to have much of the same attributes and wasn’t a guarantee for the NHL until he worked his way into what has become a successful niche.” - Chapin Landvogt

Noah Meier - Defense - Küsnacht (SL)

Meier is a former highly touted defense prospect who had a chance to be drafted last year, after splitting time between the NL and SL. We ranked him at #202 for 2021. However, the lack of progress in his development the last few years obviously scared off NHL teams. This season he actually played less in the NL, but did perform extremely well in the SL, finishing top five in defenseman scoring. The World Juniors this year would have been a great event for him to showcase possible improvements, but that sadly did not happen.

“The WJC participant has continued to grow and establish himself as a young pro after what was a very solid 1st year of eligibility and a subsequent snub at the draft. That could be different this summer, even if he hasn’t blown last season out of the water. In essence, the smooth all-rounder who still only measures in at 5’11”, 170 lbs., took his game at the SL level to, well, another level, going from 20 points in 35 games to 30 points in 40. He’s suited up for fewer NL games this winter (10 as opposed to the 18 the winter before) and there’s no junior play to look at, but those watching should be able to use his considerable role in the SL as a solid measuring stick of where he’ll be in a few years’ time, albeit it’s unsettling that this offensively oriented defenseman doesn’t have a point in 28 career NL games. He’ll be at the WJC this summer, so one couldn’t be faulted for believing teams may be inclined to perhaps wait on his 3rd year of draft eligibility, when they’ll have a much greater book on his play against his peers at the highest international level. In fact, he may very well just be in line for the Janis Moser treatment on the draft front. Still, he’s clearly one of his nation’s most promising U20 players and continues to build on what’s a cerebral game.” - Chapin Landvogt

Norway

Eskild Bakke Olsen - Wing - Storhamar (Norway)

It seems like Norwegian players are being drafted into the NHL at a great rate of late. Four of the last five years, players from Norway have been selected by NHL teams, including the last two. Can Olsen make it three years straight? He would appear to have the best shot. He continues to improve his production in the Norwegian men’s league and helped Norway to a bronze medal at the Division 1 U20 World Juniors.

“We’ll kick things off by stating that if a Norwegian kid has his sights on an NHL future, he is very likely in North America or Sweden by the time he’s 15, with the latter being the most common destination. Not only is there nary a language barrier, but the top clubs in Sweden are regularly looking to pluck talents from Norway (among others) at a young age, should their talent indicate the necessity. Bakke Olsen has never even been recruited by a Swedish club, much less looked to latch onto one. He’s born and raised in Storhamar and that’s who he sweats and bleeds for. Like his former pro, high scoring father before him. And like his younger brother, who is currently tearing up the U18 D1A tournament with Norway. And oh, the kid brother is draft-eligible for the first time this year.

Interestingly, the recently turned 20-year-old Eskilde has been playing for the pro team for three seasons now, each one better than the prior - statistically. In essence, the husky 6-foot, 185-pounder has an underrated and underused shot. His one-timer is lethal. He has very strong instincts around the net, also with respect to finding open teammates. He can take and give hits and drives the offensive play. He’s an upright, stiff skater, but in the way a Ryan Getzlaf or Jason Spezza are stiff skaters, meaning also strong on his edges. Now, Bakke Olsen has two straight seasons of over a PPG. For fans of the Norwegian scene, Bakke Olsen is considered the country’s top U21 player. Period. But is that enough to entice an NHL team to take a flier on him? One did for the overager Emil Martinsen Lilleberg just last summer.” - Chapin Landvogt

Germany

Maks Szuber - Defense - EHC Munchen (DEL)

A 6’3, left shot defender, Szuber established himself as a DEL regular this season, his first after leaving the storied Red Bull program in Austria. Szuber also wore an ‘A’ for Germany at the abruptly ended World Junior Championships.

“This winter’s WJC was supposed to be Szuber’s coming out party at the international level. Blessed with a 6’3”, 190-pound package, Szuber was a top defender for the Red Bull Academy of the AlpsHL last season and surprisingly stuck with the Red Bull in the DEL this season, initially thought to be simply a result of some heavy waves of COVID-19 leaving the line-up decimated at times. However, he continues to take a regular shift with all bodies on board and was the top scorer of a pre-WJC 4 Nations Tournament in Norway with 6 points in 5 games.

Thought of as power play blueliner number one at the WJC, Szuber actually enjoys a reputation as a very studious and intelligent defenseman who doesn’t sacrifice his duties on the defensive end to get more involved up front. Turning 20 on August 25th, he’s put up 7 points in 32 games and averages roughly 15 minutes of ice time per game, having several times seen over 18 minutes a night. His role and performance in the upcoming playoffs could be decisive in whether a team decides to make use of a late rounder to take a chance on a kid who brings many attributes of an NHL defenseman to the table. If we had to select one overager out of Germany, Szuber would be the guy.” - Chapin Landvogt

Alexander Blank - Center/Wing - Krefeld (DEL)

We wrote about Blank last year in this very article, after he was one of the top rookies in the DEL last year. This year, Blank’s stats were pretty similar, yet his skill set should still make him a potential draft option. He looked very strong at the World Juniors before they were halted, something that might have caught the attention of a few scouts.

“The 5’11”, 180-pound Blank officially arrived on the prospect scene last season by putting up five goals and 27 points (!) in just 16 games in Germany’s 3rd pro circuit, before joining the DEL club for good, contributing six goals and 13 points in 37 games for the league’s worst team. He has gone on to boost that reputation in the DEL this year, taking on a bigger DEL role for a team that has been unsuccessfully fighting to avoid relegation for most of 2022. Points have been hard to come by at times and he’s managed “just” 5-11-16 in 46 total games. More importantly though is that he was used in all situations. Just average in size, Blank has found himself on the ice for every imaginable scenario this season.

What is solidifying him as perhaps Germany’s second most likely draft pick this summer, even as a 3rd year overager, is his three-point, +2 WJC performance, having scored both goals in a thrilling 2-1 overtime upset of the Czech Republic. The scouting community had seen him in the DEL, but now they can gauge his progress a bit in comparison to his peers. He had already looked perfectly comfortable in the team’s first game against Finland. He’s currently in camp with Team Germany in preparation for the men’s WC. Remember his name when the later rounds of the draft swing around.” - Chapin Landvogt

Bennet Rossmy. Photo by Dan Hickling, Hickling Images

Bennet Rossmy - Wing - Eisbaren (DEL)

The captain of last year’s German U18 team, there was some thought that Rossmy could be selected in 2021. We ranked him as an honorable mention in our draft guide. That was obviously not the case. This year, he has cracked the DEL part time and performed even better at the DEL2 level. He also happens to have an August birthday, which made him one of the youngest players eligible last year, when he went unselected. The 6’3 winger possesses some raw athletic tools that do appear to be improving.

“The captain of Germany’s entry at last spring’s U18 Worlds, the 6’3”, 195-pounder was thought to have a solid shot at being drafted last summer after having been a regular with strong numbers in the DEL2 as a 17-year-old. First turning 19 on August 1st, you’d think the draft snubbing would have Rossmy entering this season with a real chip on his shoulder, but things just didn’t want to go his way. Although he ultimately made the WJC squad in a top six capacity, he not only couldn’t make a dent on the scoresheet in the DEL, but also wasn’t putting up nearly the kind of numbers he had the year before in the DEL2. Ultimately, he’d go on to finish the DEL season with two points (both goals) in 27 games and the DEL2 season with seven goals and 14 points in 29 games.

But then something happened in the DEL2 playdowns. His team was busy staving off relegation, and he decided to basically do it all on his own by putting up four goals, 11 points, and a +8 in five games. What will it mean for teams that were just not convinced enough last summer? Unfortunately, the most important factor in his being drafted as an overager was going to be his WJC performance. Hard to see him getting drafted with that tournament having fallen through, but the size/pro experience ratio is very appealing for an overager who’ll be just 18 right on through the draft.” - Chapin Landvogt

Florian Bugl - Goaltender - Red Bull (AlpsHL)

The German starter at the last two WJC’s, Bugl is an average sized, but athletic netminder who has been playing with the Red Bull Academy in Austria for the last six years. He improved upon his stats after repeating the AlpsHL level this season. His .916 save percentage was 12th best in the league.

“The 19-year-old will turn 20 next month and has been out of commission for a good month now after his Red Bull Juniors were eliminated in the pre-playoffs of the AlpsHL. This will be his third year of eligibility. With the exception of one very catastrophic pre-playoff game, which saw Bugl swallow six goals against on just 33 shots against, he had a very strong second season in the AlpsHL going 13-7 with a 2.27 GAA, .916 SV%, and four shutouts along the way. After being Germany’s key to success at the 2021 WJC, standing in goal for both victories and then the 2-1 loss to Russia, he looked like he could be THE difference for Germany at this past WJC. And with a 0.98 GAA and .975 SV% in his one game in Alberta this winter, it sure looked like he was ready to take the bugle, uh, bull by the horns. At 6-foot, 187 pounds, Bugl is below average in size for modern goalies and has precious little experience to offer on the international stage against the best other countries have to offer, although that little bit of experience has been outstanding. He’s a free agent at the moment and it’s felt he’ll be signing with a DEL team for next season. He’s also a certainty to be part of this summer’s WJC team.” - Chapin Landvogt

2022 WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP: TEAM FINLAND – A Deep Squad and Perennial Medal Threat Features Two High Profile 2022 Draft Prospects

Sam Happi with notes from Tommi Nekkula — Fri, 24 Dec 2021 21:21:22 +0000

Finland enters the tournament with three gold medals in the last ten years, tied for the most of that period alongside Canada and the United States. The first of those medals came in 2014, making the eight-year period between then and now a strikingly impressive stretch of hockey for a country with a population several times smaller than Canada’s. Finland achieves their success through effective tactics and deep rosters that combine young talent with older players that often have several years of professional experience by their final year of eligibility. Two 2022 draft eligibles appear on Finland’s squad this year, both of whom could play key roles for the team. Joakim Kemell should be most involved; he’s been one of the best forwards on JYP’s men’s squad so far this year and has seen his draft stock skyrocket over the first half of the season. He enters the tournament as a possible top three pick in the 2022 draft and could be one of Finland’s top scoring forwards. Brad Lambert is the bigger question mark: he entered the season as a probable top three pick but has struggled vastly in Finland’s professional circuit and at one point looked to be in question of making Finland’s tournament roster at all– despite impressing in last year’s World Juniors.

A comeback win over the United States in pre-tournament action should have Finland feeling good about their team this year. Finland outplayed the USA for most of the game but found themselves trailing 3-1 entering the final minutes of the game. However, an elbow to head of Joakim Kemell gave Finland a powerplay and a golden opportunity to storm back and they did exactly that, scoring twice in regulation and once in overtime for the 4-3 victory. The team will need to shore up their defensive mistakes– Roni Hirvonen’s fanned pass that caused the first United States goal being the most egregious– but the squad should be satisfied with their breakout and offensive play, especially their powerplay.

Finland will be without Islanders draft pick Aatu Raty, whose Finnish league team was quarantined shortly before the tournament. Raty has been excellent over the last few weeks since being loaned to Jukurit, having totalled 13 points in 11 games. Raty fell to the 52nd pick in 2021 after struggling to carve out a role with Karpat, but it appears that a change of scenery might have been all that he needed. Finland is left without a player who was expected to be a key centre for their club. With his absence, 5’7” Jusso Mäenpää centred the top line in the pre-tournament. It’s possible that we see Maple Leafs prospect Roni Hirvonen centre a line as well, but he played the left wing against the United States and was strong in that appearance. Based upon their outing on Thursday, there seems to be little reason for the coaching staff to switch up the top line of Hirvonen, Mäenpää, and Kasper Simontaival at all.

Finland will open their tournament against Germany on Boxing Day. They play Austria on the 27th, Czechia on the 29th, then finish up the group stage with their premier matchup against Canada on the 31st. If Finland meets expectations, they should manage to at least lock up a second-place position in their pool at the conclusion of group play, which would prime them to play the third place team in the opposite pool in their quarterfinal.

Players To Watch:

2021 IIHF World Junior Championship - Topi Niemela - Edmonton, AB Canada Game #15 - Finland vs Slovakia preliminary round action at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship at Rogers Place on December 30, 2020 in Edmonton, AB Canada. (Photo by Andrea Cardin/HHOF-IIHF Images)

Topi Niemelä, D

Niemelä should assume a massive role for Finland after excelling at last year’s tournament, quarterbacking the top powerplay unit and looking to build upon his eight points in 2021. His accurate shot and quick passing make him a valuable powerplay asset, while his skating and puck skills should make him a dependable option on the breakout. Niemelä is undersized and can struggle along the boards in his own zone, so Finland may be wise to pair him with a defensively-sound partner like Eemil Viro or Ruben Rafkin. Niemelä has three seasons of professional experience under his belt now and has been one of the most impactful defenders in all of Finnish pro hockey with 24 points in 31 Liiga games. It won’t be easy to challenge defencemen like Jake Sanderson, Owen Power, or Simon Edvinsson, but Heinola could be a dark horse to snag one of the two tournament All-Star spots available for defencemen if he plays to his capabilities and Finland does well.

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)

Joakim Kemell, RW

Kemell has been the Liiga’s most impressive rookie, immediately becoming one of JYP’s top offensive contributors in his first games of professional hockey. The 2021 draft eligible will look to continue his draft year success at the WJC, where he should adopt a crucial scoring role for Finland. Kemell is a versatile scorer with a great shot. The Finn is most dangerous on the powerplay, but his ability to find open ice in the offensive zone should make him a threat at any game state. A storyline that scouts and draft observers will be tracking throughout the tournament is Kemell’s performance in comparison to fellow 2021 eligible and JYP teammate Brad Lambert, also on Team Finland. Lambert had a clear edge in draft stock entering this season, but Kemell has stormed past him with such a terrific start to his Liiga career.

Ville Koivunen, W/C

Koivunen will be one of Finland’s most skilled forwards, using his excellent intelligence to utilize a toolbox of above-average skating, puck skills, and playmaking ability. He could be a candidate to get involved on the powerplay with his playmaking and intelligence and could present a problem to defend off the rush for opposing teams. He has 19 points in 30 games for Karpat in the Liiga, an impressive rookie season for the 2021 second round selection. Koivunen was a top player at the World U18s last year, tallying 10 points in seven games for a fourth-place Finnish team. Alongside fellow Finn Aleksi Heimosalmi, Koivunen is one of ten (!) Carolina Hurricanes prospects to represent his country at this year’s tournament, the most of any NHL team.

Kasper Simontaival, RW

Simontaival quickly asserted himself as one of Finland’s most skilled forwards in the pre-tournament game, using his puck skills and skating to slice his way to the net on numerous occasions. Finland’s top line is small– Simontaival and Roni Hirvonen are 5’9”, while centre Jusso Mäenpää is 5’7” -- but extremely skilled and they were very effective as a unit against the United States. Simontaival scored Finland’s first goal and recorded a secondary assist on their second. The forward is dangerous as both a scorer and playmaker, eager to use his puck skills to drive his way to the slot and then choosing between his heavy shot or intelligent passing to create opportunities. He had seven points in seven games in last year’s tournament and looks to be ready for a similarly excellent performance this go around. Simontaival will be leaned upon heavily by Finland for offensive contributions.

Roby Järventie, LW

Järventie is a big, skilled winger with a breadth of professional experience under his belt– having played in both Finland’s tier one and two professional leagues as well as the American Hockey League, Järventie has played against men in three different contexts. Järventie brings a lot of elements to Finland’s team– he’s 6’3”, skates well, can really shoot the puck, and has good hands. He’s sure to be valuable on the powerplay, where his frame and scoring instincts could make him a netfront option or Finland could use his shooting ability from further out. Järventie had a tough tournament last year but will look to bounce back in what should be an increased role this time around. He’s the type of player that needs some help from his teammates but can complement a line very well with his scoring instincts– ideally, Järventie will get the chance to play alongside some skilled forwards in Finland’s top-six. Järventie did not play in Finland’s pre-tournament game for what seems to be injury/illness reasons and could possibly be in danger of missing the tournament.

Roni Hirvonen, C

A 2020 second round pick of the Leafs, Hirvonen’s steadfast two-way game and excellent playmaking abilities make him a candidate to centre Finland’s top line throughout the tournament. That’s a significant role– being relied upon to counter the stacked top lines of teams like Canada, USA, and Sweden is not at all easy– but it’s tough to find a player more suited for such a job than Hirvonen. Hirvonen plays a highly responsible defensive game: he is always in position to support his defencemen, he excels at anticipating and disrupting passes, and he is surprisingly effective along the boards considering his 5’9” frame. Hirvonen has been named captain of the Finnish squad but will be leaned upon in much more than just a leadership role over the course of the tournament. He manned the left wing rather than centre in Finland’s pre-tournament game but was still an important two-way anchor for the unit. An unfortunate turnover on his part prompted USA’s first goal, but Hirvonen compensated with an assist and the game-winning goal in overtime.

Alexeri Hiemosalmi. Photo by Dan Hickling, HIckling Images

Aleksi Heimosalmi, D

Heimosalmi nearly had his tournament robbed from him by COVID-19 like Aatu Raty and Rami Maata did, but a previous infection allowed him to join Finland’s squad despite the rest of his Liiga team being in quarantine. Heimosalmi is the only 2003-born defenceman on the Finnish roster, a statement to his talent and maturity. He plays a full-time role on Assat’s blueline at 18-years old, albeit in a fairly limited role for the time being. Heimosalmi is a mobile, well-rounded defenceman who could prove dependable in a variety of fashions for Finland. His excellent skating makes him a threat to push the puck through the neutral zone and the defenceman loves to walk the line in the offensive zone, a skill that could become useful on the powerplay if Heimosalmi can earn that opportunity. The Finn doesn’t sacrifice much in the offensive zone; he’s small and can be pushed around a little, but compensates with an active stick, consistent positioning, and smothering rush defence.

Eemil Viro, D

Viro was initially paired with Ruben Rafkin to form what could be Finland’s shutdown defensive line for the tournament. Both players are physical and defensively sound, but Viro projects to be the more offensive of the two. Viro is a mobile, versatile defender who could be Finland’s next-best option to anchor a pairing behind Niemelä. The Red Wings prospect is in the midst of his third Liiga season, having asserted himself as a stifling defender who is unafraid of playing physical despite being disadvantaged to most opponents in age, experience, and size. He has never been much of a point producer but can push shots through from the point and can be expected to be more offensively active than usual against junior competition. In transition, Viro is a steady presence who will use his mobility and poise to safely transport the puck forwards. He was all over the ice in Finland’s pre-tournament game, being named Finland’s player of the game for his efforts.

Ruben Rafkin, D

Rafkin is Finland’s most physical player, a stocky 6’0” defenceman who plays tough, aggressive defence. It didn’t take long for Rafkin to assert his physicality, receiving a five minute major and game misconduct in the first period of Finland’s pre-tournament game. The defenceman aggressively stepped up on USA’s Brett Berard near the United States’ blueline, ultimately clipping Berard as the winger jumped out of the way of the check. It did not seem to be a malicious check by any means and Rafkin is expected to be available once again for Finland for their first game of the tournament. In addition to his physical play, Rafkin is an effective outlet passer who makes quick, simple passes to exit the zone and keep the puck out of trouble. Expect to see a lot of Rafkin in situations where Finland is killing a penalty or protecting a lead, provided he manages to keep his nose clean for the remainder of the tournament.

Joel Blomqvist, G

Leevi Merilainen got the start in the pre-tournament match, but Blomqvist entered the game early in the third period as Finland split the game between their goaltenders. Merilainen does have a better save percentage than Blomqvist for Finland’s U20 squad so far this year, but Blomqvist’s league record is far superior. Blomqvist rocks a stellar .964 save percentage in eight games in the Liiga, whereas Merilainen stands below a .900 SV% for the OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs. Blomqvist’s game is built around excellent technical skills. He tracks the puck very well and is rarely caught out of position, making him a difficult goaltender to beat even with fluid puck movement before the shot. Blomqvist is the type of goaltender that can keep a team in a game with sound, stellar play and he could be a major stabilizing force in Finland’s net. Blomqvist may not play every game early in the tournament but expect Finland to look to him against Canada in their final round robin matchup and throughout the playoffs.

Brad Lambert of Finland stops with the puck during the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship quarterfinal between Finland and Sweden on January 2, 2021 in Edmonton.
Photo: Andy Devlin / BILDBYRÅN /

Sleeper To Watch – Brad Lambert, C/RW

There is hope that Brad Lambert can use this opportunity against junior competition to shake off the troubles that he has experienced in the Liiga this year, but expectations cannot be particularly high for the Finn as he comes off a very disappointing first half of his draft season. Lambert is an excellent skater and puckhandler who will be most visible in the neutral zone, where he excels at advancing the puck into the offensive zone with control. Team Finland seems happy to take advantage of that skill, frequently using Lambert on entries and putting him out on the ice as Finland looked to tie their pre-tournament game on the powerplay in the final minutes. Lambert’s success in this tournament will depend on his ability to get off the wall and into the slot in the offensive zone. If he can get to dangerous areas, Lambert is skilled enough to be Finland’s most impactful forward. But he’s struggled to do so over the last two years and continued to have issues there against the USA in pre-tournament action.

OHL: Ruben Rafkin, D, Windsor (2020)

Brock Otten — Wed, 13 May 2020 11:36:43 +0000

While not overly large, Ruben Rafkin packs a punch as a physical two-way defender. Mobile and calculated, he plays a consistent and safe game with the puck, helping the Windsor Spitfires be a strong team in transition. His intelligence, aggressiveness, and skating ability makes him a very effective player in his own end. Rafkin has already signed back home for next year with TPS in Liiga, meaning his stay in the OHL was short lived. However, his projection as a versatile #4-5 defender makes him an attractive option to NHL teams in the middle rounds as they look to improve their organizational depth.

Ruben Rafkin	2020 NHL Draft Eligible
Position: D, Shoots: R	H/W: 6-0", 190lbs
Stats to Date: (GP-G-A-PTS-PIMS)	Windsor Spitfires, OHL (59-4-27-31-61)
	Finland U18, Hlinka Gretzky Cup (3-0-1-1-2)

Ruben Rafkin of the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Skating: Rafkin is a smooth skater who moves well in all four directions. He shows well exiting his zone by quickly evading forecheckers to carry the puck out himself, or by creating enough space to execute a strong outlet pass. In particular, Rafkin’s lateral pushes are strong. He will occasionally push deeper through the neutral zone, showing a solid top speed. As a defensive player, he keeps a wide base while being fluid, making him difficult to get around in transition. This is crucial given his average size and reach. He is also quick to recover dump ins, showing the ability to go backwards to forwards smoothly. Grade: 55

Shot: Rafkin is definitely a pass first defender who does not possess a high end shot, or extreme confidence in using it. When patrolling the point, it is rare to see him cycle down to play deeper into the offensive zone, instead holding his position. He possesses an accurate low wrist shot, but he is much more likely to use his mobility to create a passing lane than a shooting lane. As an example, his shots per game (1.14) was 15th among first time draft eligible defenders in the OHL, with many of those ahead of him not being NHL prospects. As Rafkin becomes stronger and more confident, I would expect that his shot progresses to become league average. Grade: 50

Skills: As mentioned, Rafkin is a confident puck carrier who handles the pressure of the forecheck well. He is not big, but he usually protects the puck well through changes of direction, allowing him to push forward across his blueline or deeper. Added strength on the puck would help him avoid being pushed off the puck in the defensive zone, as he can occasionally have difficulty with the forecheck. On the point, he does a good job keeping pucks in and walks the line well. However, Rafkin is not an exceptionally skilled defender. He plays a pretty safe two-way game. He will push the pace when he can, but rarely pinches deep into the offensive zone. He will not dazzle you with his offensive skill set. Grade: 50

Smarts: A strong and confident two-way defender, Rafkin’s IQ at both ends is quite high. It is rare to see him turn the puck over once he escapes the forecheck as he is calculated when attempting to push the pace. He will not try to go through defenders or force plays through traffic, instead opting to use chip outs, dump ins, drop backs, or a heads up pass when pressured. Defensively, he has excellent gap control when defending in transition, balancing an aggressive physical approach with patience and poise. This is possible because of his mobility. It is also rare to see him get lost in coverage, as he recovers well, even when he is assertive in taking the body. Grade: 55

Physicality: Not massive by any means (6-0”, 180lbs), Rafkin packs a serious punch as a physical player. While he may not be aggressive as an offensive player, he is aggressive physically by stepping up on attackers in the neutral zone and around the blueline to disrupt zone entry attempts. Rafkin also makes his physical presence known when battling along the wall, where he engages physically to separate his man from the puck and does well to win the majority of his one on one battles. However, he is also intelligent in using his physicality, as he rarely gets himself taken out of position going for a hit. His intensity level in the defensive end makes him a difficult player to match up against. Grade: 55

Overall Future Projection (OFP): 53.5

A note on the 20-80 scale used above. We look at five attributes (skating, shooting, puck skills, hockey IQ and physicality) for skaters and six for goalies (athleticism/quickness, compete/temperament, vision/play reading, technique/style, rebound control and puck handling). Each individual attribute is graded along the 20-80 scales, which includes half-grades. The idea is that a projection of 50 in a given attribute meant that our observer believed that the player could get to roughly NHL average at that attribute at maturity.