Ryan Johnson – McKeen's Hockey

AHL: Early Season Favourites – AHL – Ostapchuk, Tuch, Johnson & Webber

Michael Moroz — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 14:00:48 +0000

Time for another series at McKeen’s from our scouting staff. The 2024-25 season is well underway and our scouts have been busy soaking in the action around the globe. Our scouts have also been paying close attention to already-drafted and free-agent-signed prospects playing in the AHL. Analyzing early season play can be difficult; perhaps even a bit of a ruse. Hot starts aren’t always sustainable and cold starts are not always indicative. However, players can still catch our attention in positive ways and that’s what this series intends to highlight.

Michael Moroz - AHL Atlantic Division & AHL North Division Regional Scout

Zack Ostapchuk - Center/Left Wing - Belleville Senators

6’4, 212lbs - 2003-05-29

Ottawa Senators fans haven’t had too many reasons to feel excited about their team’s selections at the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. Tyler Boucher, their first-round pick, has struggled to gain traction in both the junior and pro games. Benjamin Roger, one of their second-round picks, was not signed by the team and is currently playing Canadian university hockey. Oliver Johansson, Carson Latimer, and Chandler Romeo haven’t necessarily panned out, either. This leaves Zack Ostapchuk, the earlier of their second-round picks, as the last hope for Senators fans to have some sort of material gain from the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, and by all accounts, it looks like Ostapchuk will develop into an effective NHL player.

Ostapchuk’s game is built on his defensive acumen, physicality, and an unrelenting willingness to go to the hard areas. At approximately 6 '4 and 212 lbs, he also has the size and strength to win positioning and puck battles in tight areas, and he’s unafraid to hold other players accountable by dropping the gloves. Questions still remain regarding Ostapchuk’s offensive ceiling, but he should be able to play, at the minimum, in the NHL for 10+ years as a bottom-six forward who kills penalties. The Senators’ top brass appears to see this too. Ostapchuk started the year in Belleville, and got off to a hot start, tallying five points in six games. He was recently recalled by the Senators and has been effective in a third/fourth line role, and it looks like he’s going to have a chance to spend significant time in the NHL this season. You can be excited, Senators fans - there’s a player here!

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He’s a clip of Ostapchuk using his offensive awareness to position himself in the slot to deflect a pass from Tyler Kleven, which results in a goal. Notice how he’s got his stick on the ice in anticipation of the pass - he can read the play before it happens.

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This is a clip of Ostapchuk where he comes into the offensive zone as a well-positioned F3, ready for a pass. Cole Reinhardt makes a quick pass out from behind the net to Ostapchuk, who uses a strong half-slapshot to hammer it home.

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Finally, here’s a clip of Ostapchuk’s solid defensive game. He tracks back and covers for his defenceman, intercepting a Marlies' pass by using his well-positioned stick. He finishes the play by making a hit in the corner on Marlies’ forward Robert Mastrosimone.

Luke Tuch - Left Wing - Laval Rocket

6’2, 215lbs - 2002-03-07

Luke Tuch, the younger brother of Buffalo Sabres’ forward Alex Tuch, has followed a slower yet steady development path to get to where he is today. After being selected out of the USNTDP in the second round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft by the Montreal Canadiens, Tuch embarked on a solid four-year collegiate career at Boston University. Although points were never in abundance for Tuch at BU, he could be counted on as a nightly contributor with his unrelenting hard-nosed attitude and power-forward style game. There were some concerns among Canadiens’ fans that Tuch would forgo signing with the team in favour of free agency, but these concerns have been quashed. Tuch is playing with the Laval Rocket and looks to be on track to earn NHL time with the Canadiens as early as this season.

If you have been paying close attention to my work, you may notice that I place strong value on hard-nosed players who are willing to compete at both ends of the ice. Skill has been in abundance in the NHL, both throughout the regular season and the playoffs, but the game specifically changes in the playoffs. During the playoffs, players are forced to increase their level of play, while also being counted on to make plays in a very physical game with limited time and space. But why does all of this context matter in the case of Tuch? Well - Tuch is the perfect player for the playoffs. He plays well at both ends of the ice, is unafraid to make a hit or block a shot, has a quick and accurate release, and most importantly - he competes. In a world with NHL GMs battling for every little edge over one another, Tuch looks to be the type of player who can eventually provide one in the playoffs for the Canadiens.

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Here’s a clip of Tuch, number 17 in white, making a quick pass off the wall and going straight to the net. By going straight to the net, Tuch positions himself quite well to grab the loose puck after it was blocked by the Syracuse defender. Tuch then makes a nice spinorama shot and gets an assist on Laval’s goal.

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This is a clip from an NHL preseason game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Tuch grabs the puck and bursts into the Leafs’ zone, driving wide and shielding the puck from Oliver Ekman-Larsson, a recent Stanley Cup champion and very capable NHL defenceman. Tuch gets the shot off, but it’s Tuch’s shielding that’s the most impressive here.

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Here’s a short clip from Tuch with Boston University. Immediately right off the faceoff, Tuch goes straight to the point to block a shot in a close game against the University of Maine. Tuch knows the game situation and is willing to put his body on the line to help his team win.

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Again, right from the faceoff - Tuch skates to the point to block a University of Vermont defenceman’s shot.

Ryan Johnson - Defence - Rochester Americans

6’1, 195lbs - 2001-07-24

Johnson was a very under-the-radar prospect heading into his draft season with the Sioux Falls Stampede in the USHL. With Sioux Falls, however, Johnson emerged - and ultimately played a huge role on a Clark Cup-winning team. Rapidly rising in the minds of managers and scouts alike, Johnson was selected in the first round at the 2019 NHL Entry Draft by the Buffalo Sabres. After the draft, Johnson went on to play college hockey at the University of Minnesota for coach Bob Motzko and compiled a very strong four-year career, narrowly losing the national championship game to Quinnipiac University in 2023. Johnson seemingly did it all during his college career, and carried over his collegiate success by having a strong first pro season in 2023/2024, split between the Rochester Americans and the Buffalo Sabres. Now back in the AHL, Johnson is eager to prove he belongs as a full-time player in the NHL.

Johnson’s game is all about his skating and his hockey awareness. A fluid and almost effortless skater, Johnson’s speed and edgework are truly phenomenal to watch. His skating almost never puts him out of position, and when he has the puck, he can use his sound edgework to pivot and make plays under pressure. Johnson also knows when he can jump down the wall in the offensive zone or join the rush from the neutral zone, which makes him a very calculating yet opportunistic player. Questions remain about whether he is particularly dynamic offensively, but it’s not hard to envision that Johnson could be a top-four minute munching defenceman who plays in all situations. The Sabres have a bunch of young defencemen, so time will tell whether Johnson ultimately gets the opportunity to play heavy minutes in Buffalo, but I don’t think anybody doubts that he can play.

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Here’s a clip of Johnson’s evasiveness and edgework in motion. He gets a pass in the offensive zone and makes a quick fake before releasing a shot from the point on the net.

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Another highlight of Johnson’s game is his low-sailing slapshot that he can release quickly and accurately. The shot doesn’t go in, but these are the types of shots coaches require from NHL defencemen.

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This is a clip of Johnson’s skating ability and attack attitude in motion. Johnson skates down the wall before cutting to the net to release a quick backhand shot. His quick bursts of speed are almost effortless.

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Finally, here’s Johnson’s deceptive release which almost stuns the Marlies’ goalie. Johnson gets an assist on this play, as the rebound is put in by a Rochester Americans’ forward.

Cade Webber - Defence - Toronto Marlies

6’7, 212lbs - 2001-01-05

Throughout Webber’s time in prep school, junior, and college, patience has been key. Webber certainly had the physical tools to get a jumpstart on multiple levels of hockey during his career, but it has been the extended time at each level (apart from his one season in the BCHL with the Penticton Vees) that has really enabled Webber to develop his game. Webber was drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in the fourth round at the 2019 NHL Entry Draft and played four seasons of college hockey at Boston University. Webber’s rights were traded from Carolina to the Toronto Maple Leafs last season, and he signed following the conclusion of his college career. While he was at BU, Webber never tallied more than 6 points in a single season - and yes, these statistical trends usually do not indicate a hopeful NHL player. With all that being said, Webber is more than points on a scoresheet. As a defender, you must defend; it’s in the name of the position. Webber can certainly defend, and it looks like he’s proved some of his critics wrong to start the season in the AHL.

The hallmark of Webber’s game is his ability to use his size and strength to defend. At 6 ‘7 and 212 lbs, Webber can use his size to engage in net-front battles with any size or strength of competition. He’s almost impossible to move, and his strong stick lets him prevent plays from happening before they begin. At times he can also be just straight-up mean, and he’s always willing to lay a hit in the corners on opposing forwards. I’m not sure if Webber will make the NHL, and if he does it may only be in a bottom pair or seventh defenceman role, but I think Webber has a chance. He will need a lot of time in the AHL, but as of today, it appears Webber is on the right track.

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Here’s a clip of Webber angling Alex DeBrincat during the NHL preseason. He keeps him to the outside and uses his long reach and excellent stick positioning to prevent DeBrincat from shooting at the Leafs’ goalie. Webber finishes the play by making a hit on DeBrincat in the corner.

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This is a clip of Webber cradling a pass before releasing a shot on the net. The clip is nothing special but shows that Webber has decent puck skills for his size and that he can make simple plays in the offensive zone.

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Finally, here’s Webber jumping into the play during his time at Boston University. He calls for and receives a pass before releasing a quick backhand in-tight against Northeastern University. Not bad for a big man!

MCKEEN’S 2023-24 NHL YEARBOOK – BUFFALO SABRES – Top 20 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #7

Brock Otten, Derek Neumeier, Chapin Landvogt and Josh Bell — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 21:04:44 +0000

Top 20 Buffalo Sabre Prospects

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 03: Rochester Americans right wing Jiri Kulich (25) on the ice during the first period of the American Hockey League game between the Rochester Americans and Cleveland Monsters on December 3, 2022, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire)

1. Jiri Kulich

While Matthew Savoie was the Sabres’ top-10 selection in the 2022 NHL Draft, it’s been 28th-overall-pick Kulich looking more and more like the team’s top prospect. The Czech forward made the jump overseas last season, going straight to the AHL as a teenager and fitting right in. The transition to the league wasn’t a difficult one for the centreman, having spent the previous season with HC Energie Karlovy Vary in the top men’s league in Czechia. He has also been a regular and a standout player on Team Czechia, most recently helping them to a 2023 World Juniors silver medal. Kulich plays hard, fast, and smart - the perfect trifecta for any NHL player. He could be thrown into any role or situation and thrive. At this point, there’s little question of whether or not he’ll make it to the NHL, but only when.

2. Zach Benson

It's not controversial to suggest that Benson is the single smartest prospect in all of hockey. His sense and innate understanding of the game allow him to legitimately thrive against his peers. The way he tracks, breaks down, and anticipates the play is exceptional. He always seems to have a complete understanding at all times of where every player is on the ice, and what their next move is likely to be, and he is constantly re-running those calculations in his head as his shifts progress. He can leave an impact in so many ways, with his zone exits and entries, forechecking, neutral zone positioning and work on both special teams. His shrewd fine details belie a long-time professional. His puck control, playmaking, and shooting abilities are all very good. His agility, crossovers, edge work, and overall skating mechanics help him overcome a short stride, and he has a motor that simply doesn't quit. Not content with being the smartest player on the ice, Benson is also usually the hardest-working and most driven. His consistently high competitiveness is terminator-like. He is a high-character winger who will undoubtedly be a core piece of an NHL roster in the future.

3. Devon Levi

What a successful journey it’s been for Levi. Starting with the CCHL’s Carleton Place Canadians in 2019-20, the goaltender has been MVP of the CCHL and 2019 World Junior A Challenge, Player of the Year in the CJHL and Hockey East, and on top of that, Top Goaltender of the NCAA (twice) as well as the 2021 World Juniors. And that’s just the Cole’s Notes version of his extensive resume to date. While critics will be quick to point out his size, at “just” six feet, he has all of the other attributes that should lead him to continued success throughout his career. He’s so quick and precise in his movement, using strong edges to maintain his positioning. His tracking is among the best of any goaltending prospect and his patience is elite. The wait for Levi to be an NHL regular shouldn’t be long, as the prospect has already signed his entry-level deal and made the jump to the NHL from Northwestern University at the end of last season, looking sharp in his first cameo.

4. Matthew Savoie

In terms of dynamic prospects, you’d be hard-pressed to find one better than Savoie. The Winnipeg Ice centreman has been tearing up the WHL for the past two seasons, eclipsing 35 goals and 90 points in both campaigns. He led all rookies in points in his first season and was rewarded by being selected ninth overall by the Sabres. He’s so difficult to defend due to his excellent edgework and impressive hands to match. He might just be one of the best skaters not in the NHL right now. Savoie is a well-rounded, offensive threat, with a shot that will stand out in the NHL along with strong playmaking and a knack for feeding the slot. He plays at a high pace and isn’t afraid to dive into battles, despite his 5-foot-9 frame. He has the talent to be a top line threat and seems like a safe bet for the top six, at the very least.

5. Isak Rosen

Like Kulich, Rosen just wrapped up his first season in North America and has wasted no time getting accustomed to the game on this side of the Atlantic. This should come as no surprise since the Swede spent the two seasons prior playing in the SHL with Leksands IF. The Sabres drafted him in 2021 at 14th overall, and he spent just one more season in Sweden before heading directly to the AHL. Rosen is such a fun player to watch, stemming from how light he is on his feet and how quickly he can change directions, making him extremely unpredictable. He is very patient, and his intelligence shows with the puck on his stick, waiting for the opportune moment to make a move and create chances. Consistency and finding ways to break through to the middle of the ice appear to be the biggest hurdles for him right now, but he’s well on his way to being a productive middle-six winger.

6. Noah Ostlund

Sticking with the top Swedes in the prospect pool, Ostlund is the third prospect on this list from the Sabres’ ridiculous 2022 first round. Ostlund was the second player taken, 16th overall. He may take some more time than Rosen to make the jump though, playing just 11 SHL games in 2021-22, without recording a point. He played in the second tier HockeyAllsvenskan last season with Djurgardens IF, where he was getting used to playing against men. The centreman brings a promising two-way presence combined with very agile feet. He can tend to be outmuscled on the puck rather often, so there is some concern about how that will translate once he comes overseas. This complicates his projection, but he has both the talent and the work ethic to be a contributing middle-six forward. Another year in Sweden, plus some time in the AHL will be beneficial to his overall development.

7. Anton Wahlberg

When you watch Wahlberg, it's easy to get excited about what he could look like five or 10 years down the road. He leaves an impact through his blend of size, mobility, and puck skill. He is tall and lanky, covering more ice in two strides than many prospects can cover in four. With a slight build, he is light on his feet and doesn't get slowed down by carrying extra weight. He also possesses an enormous wingspan, and his hands are good enough at extension to regularly play keep-away with the puck when opponents get too close and try to steal it from him. Occasionally he will have a shift where he is really feeling it, getting up to his top speed and making gorgeous sweeping dekes as he flies around defenders. He's also getting better at fending off pressure with his shoulder or free arm. These kinds of moments can be breathtaking, and if he can make them happen on a consistent basis, he will be a nightmare for to defend. There is a real chance, albeit a small one, that Wahlberg can become a force-of-nature kind of center once he matures and reaches his peak.

8. Prokhor Poltapov

The Sabres have shown in recent drafts that they’re going to bet on skill and all the rest will fall into place. That seems to be the thought process behind selecting Russian forward Poltapov 33rd overall in 2021. The forward also fits a Sabres mould in his energy level, playing like a wind-up car when he’s on the ice. He has the potential to pull off highlight-reel plays, although that isn’t always on display consistently. That makes him a player to always keep an eye on, as you never know when he’s going to go off. After spending the 2021-22 season bouncing between the MHL, VHL, and KHL, he carved out a role for himself in the KHL last season, albeit in an extremely limited role. His ceiling isn’t overly high, especially due to those aforementioned inconsistencies, but he is signed in Russia until 2024-25, so he has some time to figure it out.

9. Maxim Strbak

Strbak is a lot better than his production with Sioux Falls of the USHL would indicate. He has been a standout for Slovakia internationally over the last two seasons, particularly this past calendar year when he took on a leadership role with both the U18 and U20 teams. At minimum, Strbak projects as a quality stay-at-home defender at the NHL level because he brings physicality, strong positioning and awareness, and a high compete level. He also flashes the skill to evade pressure at both ends which helps him to be a competent facilitator . Even without high-end mobility, he often handles the forecheck well to start the breakout because he has good scanning habits and makes a great first pass. Improving his lateral quickness and agility will be the keys to unlocking any sort of offensive upside at the NCAA or pro levels. Strbak is heading to Michigan State where he should get a ton of ice time and the strength/conditioning program there should help him with his heavy boots. That will be the difference between him developing into a top four defender for Buffalo versus becoming more of a third pairing or depth type.

10. Ryan Johnson

In a system light on high-end defenders, Johnson could easily be higher on this - but that’s a testament to the team’s depth up front than it is a reflection on Johnson right now. Drafted 31st overall in 2019, the swift blueliner was coming off a one-and-done USHL season where he was named to the All-Rookie Team. He then jumped to the NCAA’s University of Minnesota where he was a huge part of their competitive program. His numbers don’t jump off the page, but he was still the No. 1 defender on the NCAA’s top team. His reliability, excellent mobility, and his ability to dictate the play all stand out as highly coveted, easily translatable traits. There’s likely not a ton of offensive upside to his game, but there’s also not a lot of downside to his game. He just wrapped up his senior year and doesn’t seem far off from stepping into an NHL role - potentially the top four.

11. Aleksander Kisakov

Kisakov remains a work in progress. The skill level and upside are undeniable, but he remains too slight to be a consistent offensive contributor at the pro level. The Sabres will be looking for him to take on a larger role in Rochester this season.

12. Olivier Nadeau

After a very strong QMJHL career, Nadeau will be turning pro this year and is expected to play with AHL Rochester. A big winger with strong puck protection skills, Nadeau will need to focus on improving his skating to be a consistent contributor at the next level.

13. Lukas Rousek

The leading scorer in Rochester last season, Rousek is a skilled playmaking winger who has a very real chance of earning an NHL roster spot with Buffalo this year. At 24, he is on the older side of the age scale for prospects, but his upside is still solid.

14. Viktor Neuchev

The former third round pick finally broke through to become a KHL regular last season and that parlayed into an NHL deal with Buffalo. He should be making the trek to Rochester this year but will likely be brought along slowly like Kisakov was. A creative offensive player, Neuchev’s offensive ceiling is high.

15. Brandon Biro

Now is the time for the former Penn State star to grab an NHL roster spot. He has been one of Rochester’s best players over the last two years, but he is now out of options at the NHL level. He will need a very strong training camp to stay in Buffalo’s long-term plans.

16. Brett Murray

Another player that is out of options and is no longer exempt from waivers. The big, power winger has improved every year at the AHL level and could be ready to push for a bottom six role with Buffalo.

17. Topias Leinonen

2022-23 was a season to forget for the first netminder taken in the 2022 Draft. He struggled to find his game, even at the U20 level in Finland, and was passed over for the Finnish squad at the WJC’s. The massive netminder will look to bounce back this season.

18. Gavin McCarthy

A third-round selection this past draft, McCarthy is a competitive two-way defender who will be attending Boston University this year. McCarthy’s ultimate projection is still a mystery, but the tools are intriguing.

19. Jake Richard

The decision to return to the USHL last year, delaying his enrollment at UConn, ended up being a solid one for Richard as he finished among the leading scorers in the league. A skilled playmaker who is dangerous down low, Richard will be focusing on improving his skating as he begins his NCAA career.

20. Mats Lindgren

Buffalo will be looking for Lindgren, a mobile, puck moving defender, to become one of the better defencemen in the WHL this season as they face a decision on whether or not to sign him. The upside is high for this son of the former NHL’er of the same name.

MCKEEN’S 2022-23 NHL YEARBOOK – BUFFALO SABRES – Top 20 Prospects

Sun, 18 Sep 2022 15:06:25 +0000

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 28: Buffalo Sabres defenseman Owen Power (25) holds the point on the power play during a game between the Boston Bruins and the Buffalo Sabres on April 28, 2022, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire)

1 - Owen Power D

The top prospect of the 2021 draft, Owen Power has met all the lofty expectations placed upon him, if not exceeded them. Power’s unorthodox choice to play an extra season in the NCAA after being drafted proved useful to his development, as he used his sophomore season at Michigan to refine his offensive toolbox and add some more polish to his game. Power’s choice to wait a bit longer to join the Sabres also allowed him to take part in the Beijing Winter Olympics, where he represented Canada and looked the part playing against some of the best players outside the NHL. By the time he stepped into the Sabres’ lineup in the spring of 2022, Power looked comfortable on NHL ice and found himself ready to weather the challenges of being a minute-eating defenseman at the game’s highest level. Power’s size is what most immediately sticks out to observers and forwards looking to score when he’s on the ice. Standing at six-foot-six, Power’s size allows him to impose himself on puck carriers and interrupt their plans in his zone. Power has exceptional reach and that reach when combined with his size and hockey IQ gives him a strong floor to work with as an NHL prospect. Even if his NCAA scoring doesn’t translate to the professional game, he should still be able to have a career as a high-end defensive defenseman. But, thankfully for the Sabres, Power has a strong chance to become a difference-maker offensively as well. Power is an extremely good skater for someone of his size, and his skating and exceptional on-ice vision help the Sabres’ transition game immediately next season. If Power can continue to grow more comfortable with the puck on his stick, he should be able to become a do-it-all top-of-the-lineup number-one defenseman. - EH

2 - Jack Quinn RW

The 8th overall selection in the 2020 NHL Draft, Jack Quinn has emerged as one of top prospects outside of the NHL after a dominating performance in the AHL this past season. The former Ottawa 67 hasn’t had the easiest ride to prospect stardom, but not all paths to the NHL are created equally. After a breakout OHL campaign that saw him earn a spot in the top 10 of the 2020 draft, Quinn had a rough start to his pro career during the 2020-21 season, when the pandemic forced the cancellation of the OHL season, pushing him into an AHL role likely before he was ready. Inconsistent performance and a season ending hernia injury mired that season. However, just as he had done during his OHL career, Quinn made the necessary adjustments to find success and this has him positioned for a full time NHL role this coming season. Two of Quinn’s best assets are his shot and his on-ice awareness. He is fantastic at finding space inside the offensive zone, positioning himself for quality scoring chances. This, in combination with his great shot, makes him a terrific complementary player to pair with a quality playmaking center. However, Quinn proved this year that he can create his own chances at the pro level by improving his explosiveness and confidence with the puck. He was often the primary play driver for Rochester, and this should have Sabres fans excited about his potential as an offensive star. Furthermore, he is more than just a one-dimensional offensive player. He excels in all three zones and his high IQ allows him to be a terrific defensive player too. As long as he can avoid injury (a lower body injury prevented him from emerging as a full time NHL’er late last season), Quinn should be a lock to be in the NHL this year. - BO

3 - Matthew Savoie C

Savoie is one of those players that is impossible to not root for when you watch him play. He makes up for his lack of stature with an entertaining package of slick puck skill, high-end hockey IQ, an abundance of heart and an enviable fearlessness. He is difficult to defend when he has some time and space to work with, because he innately thinks the game one step ahead of his opponents and can dissect them offensively in different ways. The Winnipeg Ice successfully convinced their 1st-overall selection in the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft to join the club, eschewing a prior verbal commitment he had made to the NCAA’s University of Denver, and after COVID-related detours to the AJHL and USHL in 2020-21 he finally made his full-time WHL debut in 2021-22, scoring a sparkling 90 points in 65 contests. For his efforts he was nabbed by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1st round, 9th overall, of the 2022 draft. He is still at least one full year away from NHL duty, which will be bad news for almost all of the WHL, as he will be reuniting on the Ice with fellow 2022 top prospect Conor Geekie and 2023-eligible phenom Zach Benson. It will also be the best-case situation for him health-wise, as it will allow him time to add on some much-needed muscle to better handle the physical challenges of the sport, which will be especially useful considering his love of attacking the net and lack of shyness about getting into the dirty areas. Savoie has plenty of upside as a possession-driving offensive forward, and since the Sabres have an abundance of talented young forwards that they can spread heavy lifting and difficult matchups between, you have to love his odds of reaching that ceiling. – DN

4 - John-Jason Peterka LW

Part of the reason why the Rochester Americans were so fun to watch last year was the dynamic duo of Jack Quinn and John-Jason Peterka. The two showed tremendous chemistry together as they tore apart the AHL. Peterka ended up leading the AHL in rookie point production (68) and goals (28). If you are a history buff, it is worth noting that Peterka’s 68 points were the third most all time by a U20 player in the AHL, and the first to top 60 points since Patrice Bergeron scored 61 in 2005 and Mikko Rantanen scored 60 in 2016. That is mighty impressive. This has caused Peterka to rocket up the rankings, making him one of the better young forwards currently outside of the NHL. That may not be for long. Many have him penciled into the Sabres lineup for the coming season, perhaps even as part of a “kid” line with Jack Quinn. Peterka has a skill set built for the modern NHL game. Not only is he a dynamic skater who can lead the attack or support it, but his development as a skilled puck carrier has been tremendous. Peterka is also someone who won’t hurt you playing limited minutes to start (increasing his odds of making the NHL this season) because he competes hard at both ends and already has an advanced understanding of how to play without the puck. The excitement over this budding German star is legitimate. - BO

5 - Devon Levi G

Despite posting an extremely good 941 save percentage in his draft season for the Carleton Place Canadians of the CCHL, Devon Levi had to wait until the seventh round of the 2020 draft to hear his name called, going 212th overall to the Florida Panthers. The main reason for that? While his,941 save percentage mark was elite (albeit against lower-tier competition) NHL teams seemingly cared far more about another number: 72. That’s how many inches Levi stands above the ground, clocking in at just six feet tall. He’s undersized by the standards modern NHL front offices apply to goalies, and as a result his future projection was cloudy. He could be an elite goalie at a lower level, sure, but would his lack of size leave him exposed at the more difficult NCAA level? In his freshman year at Northeastern University, Levi resoundingly answered that question. Levi posted a .952 save percentage and authored one of the most impressive individual seasons by any prospect this year. He already flashed that talent last year, representing Canada at the World Juniors, and now he proved it by laying waste to the college hockey landscape. Now a Buffalo Sabre, Levi’s incredible performance has solidified his place as their presumed “goalie of the future.” Levi’s game shares a lot of similarities to another legendary college performer, Jonathan Quick. Like Quick, Levi relies on his athleticism and mobility to make saves, aggressively challenging shooters and making himself look bigger than he is. Levi’s size will always bring those who question whether his game will work at the pro level, and there have been many talented junior or college goalies who flame out against more dangerous offenses. Levi’s no guarantee, but there are few goalie prospects who ooze talent like Levi does. - EH

6 - Noah Ostlund C

The 16^th overall selection in the 2022 draft, Ostlund is one of three centres the Buffalo Sabres selected in the first round this year. Buffalo has now selected a player from Sweden in back-to-back first rounds after selecting Isak Rosen last year. Ostlund should be considered a two-way centre, as he excels at both ends of the ice. He is agile and has a smooth skating stride with four-way mobility. He is strong in the faceoff circle and on both special teams. His calling card on offence is his strong playmaking ability. He is a menace in transition using his silky hands and smooth stride to weave through defenders. When he is given time and space, Ostlund will draw the opposition’s attention and wait for a passing lane to open up before rifling the puck to a teammate. The concern with Ostlund is his lack of size and strength, which could affect his ability to play down the middle over the long run. If he can add strength, Ostlund could be a staple down the middle for the Sabres in the near future. At worst, he projects to be a middle-six playmaking forward with the ability to contribute on both special team units. After dominating the J20 league last year, Ostlund will look to split time this year between the J20 and the SHL with Djurgårdens. - ZS

7 - Jiri Kulich C

The Czech forward made a huge impression at the recent World Juniors, scoring twice and adding six assists in seven matches. He was one of the main reasons for the Czechs reaching the semifinals. The Buffalo Sabres first rounder is a smart two-way forward who plays the game at a high pace. He has an absolute cannon of a shot and cannot be left unguarded. He excels at finding open spots for himself and shooting one-timers. Kulich has no notable weakness to his game; he is very good at both ends of the rink, can withstand the physical play, is very good along the boards, and he reads the game well. Kulich has proven himself at the senior level, scoring 14 points (9+5) in 49 games for Karlove Vary in Czech top tier league last year. Moreover, he absolutely tore up the last U18 World Championships, scoring 9 goals (and 2 assists) in six games as Czechia’s captain, earning an MVP title. Kulich should remain with Karlove Vary next season, although we could see him in North America at some point. He is ready to play with the pros with his well-rounded game, as he has already demonstrated. Kulich´s versality and confidence bring a lot of hope for Sabres fans that he should appear in the NHL within a few years. - MD

8 - Prokhor Poltapov LW

Selected #33 overall by Buffalo Sabres, Prokhor Poltapov continues to show steady progression. This year he has played for the Russian U-25 national team and for CSKA (KHL). Thus far, playing against men (last year and this year), Poltapov has proven to be an effective player because of his ability to work below the goal line and his high skill level. However, it is also obvious that he still needs to get stronger to perform well at higher levels. Poltapov is a proactive player with great hockey sense who can compete effectively at both ends of the ice. A competitive goal scorer, he also possesses a strong shot and scoring instincts. Poltapov battles hard for the puck, especially in the offensive zone, and is solid in the corners and behind the net. He shows great potential physically against his peers. He protects the puck extremely well and is difficult to knock off stride. While Poltapov has to be considered a mobile player with good agility, he could still stand to improve his quickness. His KHL contract ends after the 2024-25 season, which means that he will continue to develop in Russia until then. However, this will give him the chance to be a strong pro player even before coming to North America, meaning that at that time, he could step right into an NHL lineup and be an effective role player. His upside is probably that of a strong two-way middle six forward. - DB

9 - Isak Rosen RW

Rosen was selected 14^th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2021 NHL draft. He is a speedy winger who possesses a lethal shot, good puck handling skills, and strong playmaking ability. Rosen’s skating stride is textbook, as he is light on his feet with good ankle flexion and the ability to stop and pivot on a dime. He combines his skating stride with elite hands, allowing him to have plenty of success in transition. If you give Rosen enough space, he will hurt you with his scoring ability. One of the best pure scorers in last year’s draft, Rosen can beat you with a wrister or one-timer. When Rosen shoots, he has immaculate accuracy. If you give him too much time and space, he will find a way to put it in the back of the net. Last season, Rosen spent the majority of his time in the SHL in a sheltered bottom-six role where, considering the ice-time limitations, he was still able to put up 4 points in 28 games. When Rosen played in the J20 league with a larger role, he produced 4 goals and 9 points in 8 games. He recently made a strong impact for team Sweden in the August World Juniors, playing top-six minutes and contributing 4 points in 6 games. It is expected that Rosen will make the leap over to North America this upcoming season, where he will get a look from the NHL club during training camp, although he is most likely to spend majority of the season in Rochester playing for Buffalo’s AHL team. - ZS

10 - Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen G

The road to becoming an NHL netminder has not been easy thus far for the former OHL Star and Red Tilson winner (given to the league’s best player). His first pro season in 2020 was a near write-off as he attempted to return following offseason hip surgery. Then each of the last two seasons have also seen him battle various other injuries. However, last year was unquestionably his most promising as a pro. He performed extremely well in the NHL for the Sabres…before ultimately suffering a lower body injury that kept him out for a month. Upon returning to Rochester after the injury, he was not nearly as successful either. Without question, Luukkonen is talented enough to be an NHL netminder. He proved that this past year. He has the size. He has the athleticism. He reads the play well and competes for angles. There is a reason why he dominated the OHL and the World Juniors not too long ago. However, with each accumulating injury, you have to worry about Luukkonen’s long-term health and ability to succeed. First, and foremost, staying healthy will be important this season. The Sabres signed Eric Comrie from Winnipeg to split time with Craig Anderson in the Buffalo crease, putting less pressure on UPL. However, it seems likely that he sees some NHL action this year, even if only as an injury fill in. With Devon Levi knocking on the door as the Sabres goalie of the future, Luukkonen likely has a limited window to prove that he still deserves to be in that discussion. - BO

11 -Ryan Johnson

In a surprise turn of events, the former first round pick will return to Minnesota (NCAA) for his senior year, rather than turn pro. Will there be signability concerns with the smooth skating defensively oriented rearguard?

12 - Erik Portillo

The 6’6 netminder was one of the best goaltenders in the NCAA last season with Michigan, his sophomore year. Now he returns to Michigan for his junior year and is a top candidate for the Mike Richter award.

13 - Alexander Kisakov

After a small step backward in the MHL last year, Kisakov has decided to turn pro and will play in Rochester of the AHL this year. The Sabres will be looking for more consistency from the skilled, but competitive winger.

14 - Josh Bloom

The Saginaw Spirit weren’t great last year, but Bloom emerged as an excellent prospect. A high IQ winger, Bloom excels as a playmaker and shows potential as a strong two-way forward.

15 - Oskari Laaksonen

A former third round pick of the Sabres, Laaksonen’s first full season in North America was a major success as he became one of Rochester’s most dependable defenders. A mobile puck mover, he could be in play as a Buffalo call up this year.

16 - Mats Lindgren

Drafted later than we anticipated he would be, Lindgren is a mobile, pucking moving defender. The focus for him will be to improve his play in the defensive zone while maintaining his strong offensive play.

17 - Viktor Neuchev

A recent third round selection by the Sabres, Neuchev has a very high offensive ceiling due to his combination of speed and skill. He will continue his development in Russia this coming season.

18 - Olivier Nadeau

The playmaking winger won a QMJHL championship with Shawinigan last season. His athletic tools are still developing, but his offensive zone awareness is a major strength that makes him the perfect complementary player on a scoring line.

19 - Topias Leinonen

The highest selected goalie in the 2022 NHL Draft, Leinonen is a massive netminder who pairs his size with improving athletic traits. Consistency is an issue he has a long time to iron out.

20 - Brett Murray

The big, power winger, formerly of Penn State, has played well the last two seasons with Rochester of the AHL. After a strong NHL audition last year, he will be looking to make the jump permanently this season.

2021-22 TOP 15 PROSPECTS: BUFFALO SABRES – RANK: #8 – TIER II

McKeen's Hockey — Fri, 10 Sep 2021 15:17:01 +0000

Buffalo Sabres

#8 Buffalo - Adding Owen Power to the Buffalo system provided the Sabres with a power boost up the organizational rankings. With few of their top 15 expected to graduate this year, this ranking should be even higher next year.

Owen Power - D

Power is not a generational-type top prospect along the lines of a McDavid or Crosby, or Ovechkin, or Matthews. But he is franchise altering, as any number one defender is. Not sure if he’s a potential number one for the Sabres? Recent Team Canada (World Championships edition) head coach Gerard Gallant sure does. As Canada got off to a slow start in Latvia last month, Power quickly rose from depth minutes to the team’s top pairing, playing nearly half of the semi-final game against the US, and another 24 minutes the following day in the title match against Finland.

He is the complete package as a defender. Power can move, with an incredibly long stride, allowing him to get from end to end surprisingly quick, and with plus nimbleness moving laterally. More impressive than his skating is Power’s processing speed. He can manhandle players several years older and more experienced than he but will more often eschew the big hit for something more subtle and getting a better result. He has fantastic puck control, and is able to shield his intentions masterfully, forcing the opposition to be wary of all options (pass, shoot, carry) until the moment he begins to execute on his decision.

Power has already let it be known that he would like to return to Michigan for one more year before turning pro, a decision Buffalo may try to alter. However, a second, full season with the Wolverines will allow him to take a more central role in the team’s fortunes, allowing him to develop properly so that he can jump into Buffalo’s lineup in 2022 and make an immediate impact. - McKeen’s Draft Guide 2021

Jack Quinn - RW

A somewhat controversial 8th overall selection in 2020, Quinn’s rookie AHL season had its ups and downs. Like the other high end young OHL players, Quinn was loaned to Rochester with the OHL season cancelled. In Rochester, he continued to show a strong commitment at both ends of the ice, which certainly drew high praise from the Americans’ coaching staff. However, his offensive game drew more inconsistent reviews as he had some difficulty adjusting to the pace of play and his goal scoring ability did not translate as seamlessly as expected. It should be noted that Quinn played the season with a sports hernia and opted to have surgery on it in April, ending his season early. This could have certainly masked his true effectiveness and ability.

This upcoming season, Quinn will return to Rochester and will look to establish himself as a top scoring threat in the AHL before earning a serious look from the Sabres. He will continue to try to improve the explosiveness of his stride; being fully healthy should certainly help him. His skill and instincts as a goal scorer should still translate well to the pro level, and his effort away from the puck will continue to endear him to his coaches. Quinn projects as a complementary top six scoring winger who can play in all situations and emerge as a strong two-way player. - BO

Isak Rosen - RW

Isak Rosen is certainly an interesting forward prospect with considerable tools, the reason why Buffalo chose him at 14th overall. He is an excellent skater, with explosiveness and the ability to combine more dynamic lateral elements. He has a great shot, as seven goals in seven games at the World U-18 championships can attest. His wrister is a real weapon, anywhere from the high slot on in. Playing for his homeland, he could just set up on his off-wing around the faceoff dot and wait for a pass to unleash a one-timer. However, his playmaking ability and decision making are certainly not yet up to par.

There is no question that Rosen’s development was stunted by the pandemic. He was thrust into the men’s league too early, and it caused some hiccups. He will also need to show improvements to his off-puck game going forward, as there is some thought that he could be a top-six or bust type. Bulking up and showing a greater ability to play through traffic are also key. The positives still far outweigh the negatives, and Rosen does have the potential to be a top six player for the Sabres in a few seasons if his development in Sweden goes according to plan. - McKeen’s Draft Guide 2021

Ryan Johnson - D

After a slow freshman campaign, Johnson took a mighty step forward as a sophomore with Minnesota, a step which included an earned spot on Team USA’s blueline at the WJC. An assessment of his game begins with his skating. In terms of speed, North Dakota’s Jake Sanderson was the only defender in college hockey who could credibly challenge Johnson. Not only fast, but his skating is also remarkably smooth. This year, he began to use his skating as a weapon in the offensive zone, playing assertively and challenging defenders far more than he had as a freshman, or even in his pre-draft year in the USHL.

His shot is limiting in the sense that he is unlikely to play a primary role on too many power play units as a pro, but he is a capable puck distributor. Off the puck is another area where Johnson shines, reading the play well and making calm and confident decisions to get the puck moving the other way again. He still needs to add more muscle to his frame, and he is not aggressive in style, but he has no hesitation about taking a hit to make a smart play. Because of his lack of puck playing dynamism, Johnson will lack a lot of flash when he turns pro (likely next spring), but his overall package won’t look out of place as a decent #2 or good #3 at his peak. - RW

John-Jason Peterka - LW

The 2020-21 season proved to be about as long a season for JJ, who turned 19 in January, as any prospect was able to suit up for in these strange times. A compact skater who often displays an extremely powerful stride, Peterka kicked things off on loan to Red Bull partner Salzburg of the Austrian-based ICEHL, of which the best teams are perhaps most comparable to your average ECHL club. There, Peterka immediately established himself as an offensive weapon, racking up 16 points and a +4 in 12 games before joining Germany’s U20 squad for the WJC. His star really began to shine in Edmonton, where he was a key figure in helping a Covid-ravaged Team Germany to its best ever WJC outing, contributing 10 points in five games playing on a line with Tim Stützle and Florian Elias. This trio was instrumental by playing in every possible situation, often eating up gobs of ice time, especially in the three games where Germany only dressed 14 skaters.

Once back in Germany, things hit a bit of a lull. Recalled to a loaded Munich Red Bulls of the DEL, it took a while for the youngster to gain a regular spot - and role - on the team and he wasn’t able to pot his first goal of the DEL season until his 5th game, only generates two points in his first nine games. However, once a few injuries hit, his outlook changed considerably. Over the next 23 games, including playoffs, he collected 19 points and went +14, drowning any concern about him being ready to take the next step in his +1-draft year. A part-time role for Team Germany at the World Championships saw him score his first goal in a major tournament at the men’s level. Shortly after Germany’s fantastic 4th place finish, Buffalo inked him to an ELC. Likely to be loaned to Munich for the upcoming season, there’s reason to believe that Peterka’s all-round game and extensive pro experience in a DEL league, that often looks like a collection of AHL all-stars, will have him competing for a job with Buffalo by the 22-23 season. Of course, some time in the AHL may be the most prudent course of action at some point for a young man who has never spent a season in North America. - CL

Oskari Laaksonen - D

Laaksonen’s first season in North America had to be considered a success after the 22 year old blueliner nearly led the Rochester Americans in scoring this past season. He has quietly emerged as one of Buffalo’s top prospects and is likely to be the team’s top injury call-up this coming season.

A product of the IIves system out of Finland, Laaksonen is a smooth skating two-way defender who does well to open up passing lanes with his feet. He is not one to play an ultra-aggressive offensive style, however, he makes good decisions with the puck and is great at clearing the defensive zone and starting the breakout. In his first season in North America, he proved that he could defend tighter spaces with well-timed poke checks and strong positioning and his development thus far suggests that he could have second pairing upside for the Sabres in the future. Even though they are rebuilding currently, Buffalo’s defense remains a strong point (especially in terms of depth). Unlikely to beat anyone out for a spot at training camp, another season in the AHL would make him ready for a full-time gig in 2022/23, - BO

Prokhor Poltapov - LW

While lacking in prototypical power forward size, Poltapov plays a power-style game, rugged in the corners, engaging in physical play (both giving and receiving) and not shying away from any part of the ice. In fact, he does a lot of his best work down low, between the dots, and in front of the crease. Despite his still maturing frame, he demonstrates clearly enticing lower body strength, enabling him to take the hits without losing his ground. His strong performance at the Under 18’s likely greatly impressed the Sabres, where he was one of the best players on a strong Russian team.

As part of his general maturity which will come via experience, preferably at higher levels, Poltapov will have to show more consistently better decision making. His high energy style may lead to some rash choices, whether it is throwing the puck away needlessly, or losing his positioning due to chasing opponents for longer than is really necessary. These poor choices are more prevalent when he has more room to play in, as in tight quarters he tends to be more effective, hinting that his instincts are not the problem. In general, his game seems suitable to the smaller ice rinks of North America and considering that he is not currently under contract with the CSKA organization, perhaps a move is imminent. Poltapov is a high variance prospect with enticing upside, but not without notable risk either. At this point, Poltapov’s potential looks to be that of a strong middle six winger who complement the other skilled players in the organization. - McKeen’s Draft Guide 2021

Mattias Samuelsson - D

Son of long-time NHL’er Kjell Samuelsson, Mattias grew up in the USNTDP system, earning a selection at the top of the second round two years ago, on the back of his gargantuan size, and strong presence in his own end. He is not without value offensively, but that is more along the lines of simple passes, as he isn’t overly creative, and his skating, while strong for his size, lacks dynamism. Those knocks notwithstanding, Samuelsson had a strong professional debut, contributing at both ends while with Rochester and playing respectably in 12 games for the Sabres, including three appearances of over 20 minutes of ice time each.

The Buffalo blueline is still sorely lacking in skill and experience, and the likes of Jacob Bryson and Brandon Davidson should not be seen as significant impediments to Samuelsson earning more NHL playing time in 2021-22. For his development, he and the Sabres would be better off if Samuelsson earns that ice time, and he should by mid-season, if not earlier. The projection on him hasn’t changed since his time in the USNTDP. Two seasons with Western Michigan and one in the Buffalo system later, he still looks like a strong candidate to play as a #4 soon, and for a long time thereafter. - RW

Aleksander Kisakov - LW

The number two scorer in Russia’s top junior league, leading his MHL Dynamo Moscow team to a league title, we know what Kisakov can bring to the table. Some may be turned off by his lack of an international resume, although as a late birthday player, his chance to play for Russia at the U18s would have been in 2020, and we all know what happened then. Others may be turned off by his stature, as Kisakov is not only on the short side, but he is also seriously under-developed, listed at 143 pounds.

Concerns aside, Kisakov brings a package with a lot of good. After all, those points didn’t come from nowhere. His clearest selling point is his wrist shot, which has a quick and tricky release, is accurate and hard. He can also score via the one-timer and has shown repeatedly that he can get the puck on the net with little time or space to maneuver. He is a confident puck handler with an array of dangles in his arsenal and he is a fine passer. The overall profile is not without substantial risk, but the upside enticed the Sabres early in 2021. Kisakov will look to break through as a KHL regular this upcoming season, furthering his development. - McKeen’s Draft Guide 2021

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen - G

Things have not been easy thus far for Luukkonen since turning pro. 2019 was a banner year. Not only did Luukkonen win the Red Tilson Trophy as the OHL’s most outstanding player, but he also led Finland to gold at the World Junior Championships. However, he needed hip surgery that offseason and it led to a late start to his first professional season, which saw him struggle at the AHL level (although excel in the ECHL). Last year, while consistency issues did plague him, his performance was better. He even earned his first NHL victory with the Sabres. However, an ankle injury robbed him of more starts down the stretch to close out 2021.

As a goaltending prospect, Luukkonen is the complete package. He’s got the size (6’4), athleticism, and mental make-up to be a topflight NHL netminder. However, the injury issues thus far have certainly hampered his development. Staying healthy this coming season is an absolute necessity, especially given that the Sabres do not really have a solution in net. That means a great opportunity for Luukkonen should he play well. - BO

Erik Portillo - G

Portillo is a massive netminder who is coming off of a solid freshman season at the U of Michigan, albeit in a back-up role. This year he will be the team’s starter and with a larger sample size, he could really move quickly up league prospect goaltending rankings.

Devon Levi - G

One of the prize pieces brought in as part of the Sam Reinhart deal, Levi was a star at the World Juniors this year for Canada, earning the top goaltender award. However, a rib injury kept him away from his freshman year at Northeastern. He may not be large, but he battles for every save and has the athleticism and makeup to be an NHL netminder.

Arttu Ruotsalainen - C

Small but skilled, Ruotsalainen had a heck of a 2020/21 season. He torched Liiga in Finland. He averaged a point per game in the AHL and even scored five goals in 17 games with the Sabres. He enters this season as a 24-year-old (will turn 24 soon), so his window may not be huge, but he should earn a spot on the Sabres this year and will look to cement his status as a high end offensive player at the NHL level.

Linus Weissbach - LW

After four good seasons with the University of Wisconsin, Weissbach will finally turn pro this year and play in the AHL. He may not be large, but he is elusive because of his quick feet and high-end skill. However, his high-end potential is a bit of a mystery at this point

Brett Murray - LW

A big power winger, Murray is coming off of an excellent second pro season with Rochester, where he led the Americans in scoring. With a strong training camp, he might be able to push for a bottom six roster spot as early as this season.

NCAA TOURNAMENT RECAP – Minutemen Win First NCAA Title

Jashvina Shah — Fri, 23 Apr 2021 14:32:24 +0000

The NCAA tournament featured 16 teams, but due to COVID protocols, there were some changes and eventually only 14 teams ended up playing. First St. Lawrence, the ECAC’s automatic bid and tournament champion, was removed because the coach tested positive for COVID in the hours after celebrating the team’s Conference tournament victory. In their stead, Notre Dame snuck into the tournament.

But when Notre Dame went through COVID testing at the Albany regional, they, too, were sent home because of COVID protocols. Then, on the day of their Midwest Regional game, Michigan was informed they would also not be able to play.

For COVID protocols, teams worked with local contract tracers — so those at the different regional states — to determine close contacts stemming from a positive test. A positive test does not automatically mean a team is ineligible, but teams can be deemed ineligible due to subsequent contract tracing.

Here is a recap of the weekend and the subsequent Frozen Four:

Fargo Regional

North Dakota vs. American International

In recent years, we’ve seen No. 4 seeds upsetting No. 1 seeds. We also saw American International, an actual No. 16 seed, knock off the No. 1 seed St. Cloud State in 2019. But this game was not made for upsets. North Dakota was considered one of the best teams in the country, and they skated away with a 5-1 victory.

Jasper Weatherby (SJS) struck first less than 10 minutes into the game. And about three minutes later, he scored again. North Dakota wasn’t done with scoring in the first, though, as Grant Mismash (NSH) and Collin Adams (NYI) also added tallies. American International’s lone goal came in the third period, courtney of Tobias Fladeby.

Adams added another tally in the third. Junior Adam Scheel (DAL) made 24 saves. Jacob Bernard-Docker (OTT), Tyler Kleven (OTT), Judd Caufield (PIT) Jake Sandseron (OTT) each recorded an assist. Stefano Durante started for AIC but was replaced by Jake Kucharski (CAR) after allowing four goals on nine shots. Kucharski allowed one goal while making 19 saves.

Minnesota-Duluth vs. Michigan

This game was not played as Michigan was informed the day of the game that they would not be able to play due to COVID protocols. A player had tested positive before regionals and was left on campus. A different player that traveled with the team later tested positive.

North Dakota vs. Minnesota-Duluth

The NCHC rivalry game ended up being the best of the NCAA tournament. North Dakota against the perennial, two-time defending champions.

For two periods, the game was deadlocked. Then early in the third periods the Bulldogs struck twice in 1:20 thanks to Jackson Cates (PHI) and Cole Koepke (TBL) to take the 2-0 lead. A well-coached team, the Bulldogs began to stymie the Fighting Hawks, looking like they would return to the Frozen Four.

And they were two minutes away from doing so, before Adams scored again. 50 seconds later, Jordan Kawaguchi (DAL) scored. The game went into overtime.

And overtime. And overtime. And overtime. At one point, the Bulldogs scored — or they thought they had scored, but the goal was called back. And so they kept on playing.

Finally, in the fifth overtime — officially making the contest the longest NCAA tournament game, men’s or women’s, in history, Minnesota-Duluth sent out its rested fourth line and Luke Mylymok (’01), who had barely played during the first seven (!!!) periods, scored the game winner.

Shane Pinto (OTT) netted two assists while Weatherby added one.

Loveland Regional

Minnesota State vs. Quinnipiac

The Mavericks, cursed by first-round losses, opened up this year’s NCAA tournament against the Bobcats, who made the NCAA tournament after losing in the ECAC’s three-team tournament, but whose regular season was strong enough to keep them in consideration. The forced elimination of St. Lawrence due to COVID protocols, as discussed above, further cemented their place in the tournament as the sole representative from the ECAC.

Odeen Tufto (TB) put Quinnipiac up 1-0 early in the first period. With five minutes left in the frame, Peter DiLiberatore (VGK) made it 2-0. The Mavericks cut the lead in half with the lone second-period tally.

The third frame featured the most scoring action, started by CJ McGee, who scored his first goal of the year, to bring the Bobcats back up to a two-goal lead. Nathan Smith (WIN) scored for the Mavericks and Cade Borchardt scored with a minute left in regulation to tie the game. Ryan Sandelin, the son of Minnesota-Duluth coach Scott Sandelin, scored the game-winning goal in overtime.

Dryden McKay made 27 stops for the Mavericks while Keith Petruzzelli (DET) made 34 for Quinnipiac.

Minnesota vs. Nebraska-Omaha

This game ended almost as soon as it started, with Mason Nevers scoring his first collegiate goal to put Minnesota up 1-0. Minnesota reeled off three goals in the first period before Taylor Ward put the Mavericks on the board. Less than a minute into the second period, Ryan Johnson (BUF) put the Gophers back up by three. Two more tallies in the period sealed the eventual 7-2 win for Minnesota.

Jack LaFontaine (CAR) made 26 stops for the winners. Jack Perbix (ANA), Scott Reedy (SJS) and Sampo Ranta (COL) all scored. Brock Faber (LAK) recorded five assists. Blake McLaughlin (ANA), Sammy Walker (TBL), Jackson LaCombe (ANA), and Johnson each contributed a single helper. Tyler Weiss (COL) recorded two assists for Nebraska-Omaha. Isiah Saville (VGK) got the start for the losing side but was pulled after allowing five goals on 10 shots.

Minnesota vs. Minnesota State

It seemed Minnesota used up all its goals against Nebraska-Omaha because they came out flat against the purple Mavericks. Minnesota State earned a 4-0 shutout backed by 22 saves from Dryden McKay and goals from Sam Morton, Sandelin, Smith and Dallas Gerads. Minnesota’s Jack LaFontaine made 23 stops in the losing cause.

Bridgeport Regional

Wisconsin vs. Bemidji State

The Badgers returned to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2014 and for the first time under Tony Granato, largely bolstered by decent goaltending and offensive power from Cole Caufield (MTL). On the opposite side were the Pioneers.

In the biggest upset of the first round, Bemidji State dominated Wisconsin. They scored six minutes into the game and added another goal with 16 seconds left. The Badgers took advantage of a 5-on-3 power play early in the second with power play quarterback Linus Weissbach bringing the Badgers to within one. The Pioneers struck twice more in the last five minutes — including on a shorthanded tally that got the better of Weissbach — to make it 4-1.

Another goal in the third seemed to put the game away. But none other than Cole Caufield struck twice to cut the deficit. A shorthanded empty net goal with two seconds left sealed the victory for Bemidji State.

Caufield added an assist to his aforementioned goals. Shortly after the game, he signed with Montreal. Not long afterwards, he won the Hobey Baker Award as the nation’s top player.

Massachusetts vs. Lake Superior State

The Lakers returned to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1995-96 after winning their first conference tournament since 1994-95. The Minutemen, meanwhile, returned after falling in the 2019 national championship game.

UMass started the scoring in the first, but Lake Superior State tied it before the frame ended. From the second period onward, it was all the Minutemen, who scored four more goals and shut out the Lakers for the remainder of the game en route to a 5-1 win.

Zac Jones (NYR) recorded three assists while Filip Lindberg (MIN) made 30 stops in the victory.

Massachusetts vs. Bemidji State

The Minutemen put out a statement on the regional championship game, shutting out the Pioneers 4-0 to claim a second-consecutive berth to the Frozen Four. Carson Gicewicz recorded a natural hat trick in the victory. Marc Del Gaizo (NSH) recorded two assists and Matthew Kessel (STL) had one. Lindberg made 18 saves in the shutout.

Albany Regional

Boston College vs. Notre Dame

Notre Dame received a positive test upon arrival in Albany for the regional and were forced to withdraw. Boston College advanced in light of the no-contest.

St. Cloud State vs. Boston University

After a scoreless first, BU opened the scoring eight seconds into the second frame. St. Cloud’s Micah Miller tied the game off a fluke play where the puck bounced high and everyone except for Nolan Walker — the player whose stick the puck landed on — lost sight of it. Nick Perbix (TBL) gave the Huskies a 2-1 lead before Jake Wise’s (CHI) first goal of the season tied it.

In the third period, the Huskies were awarded a penalty shot, which they converted to regain the lead. St. Cloud State added two more goals in the win. Drew Commesso (CHI) made 32 saves in a losing cause while David Hrenak (LAK) made 34 in the win. Veeti Miettinen (TOR) scored a goal for the winners.

St. Cloud State vs. Boston College

The Eagles struck first thanks to Matt Boldy (MIN) and retained the 1-0 lead into the intermission, but from there on out it was all St. Cloud State. The Huskies scored three goals in the third period from Luke Jaycox, Will Hammer and Nolan Walker. Micah Miller added an empty net goal in the third. Boston College’s Spencer Knight (FLA) made 32 saves in defeat. Hrenak made 26 in the victory. On a down note, St. Cloud’s leading scorer, Easton Brodziński, broke his leg in the game.

Frozen Four

The Frozen Four featured three title-less programs in UMass, St. Cloud State and Minnesota State. The Bulldogs, of course, were trying to earn their third-straight national title. This would also be Minnesota State’s first ever Frozen Four appearance.

The Minutemen started the Frozen Four without leading goal scorer Carson Gicewicz and starting goaltender Filip Lindberg, as well as two other depth players, due to COVID protocols.

Minnesota State vs. St. Cloud State

The in-state rivalry game featured offensive, fast-paced, back-and-forth play between two evenly matched teams. Precise passing on the power play led to a couple good chances. One of those chances was a rebound that bounced straight to St. Cloud’s Spencer Meier, who shot the puck into an empty net. On Minnesota State’s tying goal, the Huskies couldn’t clear and Nathan Smith won the puck battle, earning the goal. But Minnesota State’s euphoria was short lived, as the Huskies reclaimed the lead 10 seconds later. The defense allowed St. Cloud’s Nolan Walker to take the puck and he skated past a defender who was closing in on him, stickhandled around another defender and made a quick, slick pass to Kyler Kupka, who scored. The Huskies held on to the one-goal lead heading into the first intermission.

Will Hammer’s second period goal seemed to put the game further out of reach for Minnesota State, but the Mavericks did not go away quietly. They responded with control of the puck, turning up the pace of play scoring once just past the middle point of the period, and that continued persistence led to a tripping penalty on St. Cloud that, in turn, led to the Mavericks tying the game with another Nathan Smith goal. In the third period, the Mavericks took the one-goal lead early, through the stick of Dallas Gerads and kept up the pressure and followed with another onslaught.

The Huskies were without leading goal scorer Easton Brodzinski, but it was his replacement — Joe Molenaar — who tied the game in the third period. With the teams evenly matched, it looked as though the game would go into overtime. The Mavericks earned a couple of good chances very late into the game, but Hrenak made the stops. Minnesota State had an offensive zone draw, but the Huskies won the face-off and took the puck up ice. They fought to keep it in the zone with Seamus Donohue collecting the puck in the corner and sending it to Nolan Walker, who took the shot from the blue line that gave St. Cloud state the lead with 45 seconds left. It was all the Huskies needed.

In addition to Nathan Smith’s (WIN) two goals for Minnesota State, Sam Hentges (MIN) recorded an assist and David Hrenak (LAK) made 25 saves.

Minnesota-Duluth vs. UMass

The rematch of 2019’s national championship game was much closer than that title game. In 2019, the Bulldogs scored and then clamped down. This year, the Minutemen actually took the lead on a Zac Jones (NYR) goal in the first period. The Bulldogs, an exceptionally well-coached team, tied the game up a just a few minutes later and entered the first intermission tied 1-1. Cole Koepke (TBL) scored first in the second to put the Bulldogs ahead.

This time, unlike 2019, the Bulldogs were unable to put the Minutemen away. UMass — bolstered by previous Frozen Four experience — came right back with pressure and even a scoring chance, which led to a UMD icing call and was then another UMass scoring chance. Just like that, the Minutemen kept attacking. UMass set the pace in the third and kept the Bulldogs chasing. Minnesota-Duluth was able to even out the run of play eventually, but the Minutemen crashed the net midway through the third and tied the game, with Anthony Del Gaizo credited with the equalizer.

The game went into overtime. Unlike with UMD’s earlier game against North Dakota, from the time the puck dropped in overtime, this time the Bulldogs looked exhausted. The Minutemen dominated and It looked very uncharacteristic of the Bulldogs, who spent overtime on their heels. UMass attacked relentlessly. It seemed like it was only a matter of time until UMass would score. That break came late in the first overtime period, when Bobby Trivigno fought to hold on to the puck deep in the offensive zone, skated around the net and fed the puck to Garrett Wait, who was waiting at the edge of the crease. Wait had a small, empty hole of the net to shoot through. He made no mistake, putting UMass in the final again, and ending any hope of a threepeat from Minnesota-Duluth.

UMass vs. St. Cloud State

The Huskies started the final game of the collegiate 2020-21 season game strong and with energy. They even hit a crossbar early on. The Huskies kept up the pace but unfortunately for them, luck did not go their way. The Minutemen scored the first goal after a Husky lost an edge and fell into a teammate, giving the Minutemen a breakaway chance which was converted by blueliner Aaron Bohlinger, his first of the season. With just over a minute left in the period, Reed Lebster of the Minutemen scored on offsides goal that could not be reviewed for offsides based on NCAA rules.

Play at that point was still even between the two teams, and the Huskies believed they still had a chance. SCSU also had a shorthanded scoring chance early in the second. The Huskies managed to kill off the penalty and seemed to still be playing with jump and earning chances.

But things changed when the Huskies received a power play of their own.

The Huskies had regrouped in their own end and were bringing the puck back up the ice. One of the Huskies aimed to send a cross-ice pass at a teammate, but it was deflected by UMass’ Philip Lagunov, who chased it down in the neutral zone, picked up the puck, made an excellent toe drag to get around the lone remaining defender. Lagunov took it calmly to the net and quickly shot it stick side to give UMass a 3-0 lead.

It was all over for the Huskies, who were deflated by the shorthanded marker. The Minutemen won 5-0, winning the program’s first NCAA title.

In his return to net, Lindberg made 25 saves. Hrenak made 17 in the losing cause for Minnesota-Duluth.

***

Brock Faber's (LAK) five points led tournament scoring amongst drafted players. Minnesota State’s Nathan Smith (WIN) led all drafted players in goals, netting four. Wisconsin’s Cole Caufield (MIN) and North Dakota’s Jasper Weatherby (SJS) and Collin Adams (NYI) all had two-goal games. Zac Jones (NYR) recorded four points.

Lindberg (MIN) allowed just one goal in 254:30 minutes of play, good for a .986 save percentage. Hrenak (LAK) played the most minutes and posted a .895 save percentage.

McKeen’s 2020-21 Hockey Yearbook: Top 300 Prospect Rankings

McKeen's Hockey — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 17:09:56 +0000

These are our final prospect ranking prior to the start of the season. As a subscriber you can download the list in an excel chart and can link to the player pages in the chart found here. As always, the rankings you see below are based on our 20-80 scouting system looking at five categories for skaters (Skating, Shot, Puck Skills, Hockey Smarts, Physicality) and six for netminders (Athleticism/Quickness/Speed, Compete/Temperament, Vision/Play Reading, Technique/Style, Rebound Control, Puck Handling). Our prospect team spent large portions of their last few months pre-COVID in the rinks, watching the players below and many others, and further work on video (Instat Hockey has been a terrific resource in recent days) before passing judgement on their future projections.

The 20-80 scouting system is meant to allow players from different leagues in different parts of the world to be compared to one another, such that grades on a player in the OHL can be directly compared to grades from an AHL player, and to grades of someone playing in the MHL.

PROSPECT CRITERIA

Players under 26 years of age as of the September 15th prior (Sep. 15, 1994) to the season in question who have appeared in less than 60 NHL games (30 for goalies) and less than 35 in any one season – or 25 last year (20 for goalies, 15 last season) are considered prospects

RANK	PLAYER	NHL	POS	AGE	HT/WT	ACQUIRED
1	Alexis Lafreniere	NYR	LW	19	6-1/195	`20(1st)
2	Tim Stutzle	Ott	C	18	6-1/185	`20(3rd)
3	Quinton Byfield	LA	C	18	6-4/215	`20(2nd)
4	Trevor Zegras	Ana	C	19	6-0/170	`19(9th)
5	Kirill Kaprizov	Min	LW	23	5-10/200	`15(135th)
6	Lucas Raymond	Det	LW	18	5-11/170	`20(4th)
7	Dylan Cozens	Buf	C	19	6-3/185	`19(7th)
8	Bowen Byram	Col	D	19	6-0/195	`19(4th)
9	Peyton Krebs	VGK	C	19	5-11/180	`19(17th)
10	Jake Sanderson	Ott	D	18	6-1/185	`20(5th)
11	Moritz Seider	Det	D	19	6-3/185	`19(6th)
12	Jamie Drysdale	Ana	D	18	5-11/175	`20(6th)
13	Igor Shesterkin	NYR	G	25	6-1/190	`14(118th)
14	Alexander Holtz	NJ	RW	18	6-0/190	`20(7th)
15	Cole Perfetti	Wpg	LW	19	5-10/180	`20(10th)
16	Marco Rossi	Min	C	19	5-9/185	`20(9th)
17	Vasili Podkolzin	Van	RW	19	6-1/190	`19(10th)
18	Victor Soderstrom	Ari	D	19	5-11/180	`19(11th)
19	Nick Robertson	Tor	LW	19	5-9/160	`19(53rd)
20	Cole Caufield	Mtl	RW	19	5-7/165	`19(15th)
21	Yaroslav Askarov	Nsh	G	18	6-3/175	`20(11th)
22	Spencer Knight	Fla	G	19	6-3/195	`19(13th)
23	Philip Broberg	Edm	D	19	6-3/200	`19(8th)
24	Jack Quinn	Buf	RW	19	6-0/180	`20(8th)
25	Matthew Boldy	Min	LW	19	6-1/190	`19(12th)
26	Nils Lundkvist	NYR	D	20	5-11/180	`18(28th)
27	Seth Jarvis	Car	RW	18	5-10/175	`20(13th)
28	Ty Smith	NJ	D	20	5-10/180	`18(17th)
29	Grigori Denisenko	Fla	LW	20	5-11/185	`18(15th)
30	Barrett Hayton	Ari	C	20	6-1/190	`18(5th)
31	Alex Newhook	Col	C	19	5-10/195	`19(16th)
32	Thomas Harley	Dal	D	19	6-3/190	`19(18th)
33	Alex Turcotte	LA	C	19	5-11/185	`19(5th)
34	Vitali Kravtsov	NYR	RW	21	6-3/185	`18(9th)
35	Philip Tomasino	Nsh	C	19	5-11/180	`19(24th)
36	Connor McMichael	Wsh	C	19	5-11/175	`19(25th)
37	Dawson Mercer	NJ	C	19	6-0/180	`20(18th)
38	Ilya Sorokin	NYI	G	25	6-2/180	`14(78th)
39	Gabriel Vilardi	LA	RW	21	6-3/200	`17(11th)
40	Ryan Merkley	SJ	D	20	5-11/170	`18(21st)
41	Alexander Romanov	Mtl	D	20	5-11/185	`18(38th)
42	Kaiden Guhle	Mtl	D	18	6-2/190	`20(16th)
43	Samuel Poulin	Pit	LW	19	6-1/205	`19(21st)
44	K'Andre Miller	NYR	D	20	6-3/205	`18(22nd)
45	Scott Perunovich	StL	D	22	5-10/175	`18(45th)
46	Evan Bouchard	Edm	D	21	6-2/195	`18(10th)
47	Braden Schneider	NYR	D	19	6-2/200	`20(19th)
48	Juuso Valimaki	Cgy	D	22	6-2/205	`17(16th)
49	Cam York	Phi	D	19	5-11/175	`19(14th)
50	Anton Lundell	Fla	C	19	6-1/185	`20(12th)
51	Morgan Frost	Phi	C	21	5-11/180	`17(27th)
52	Owen Tippett	Fla	RW	21	6-1/200	`17(10th)
53	Albert Johansson	Det	D	19	5-11/165	`19(60th)
54	Liam Foudy	CBJ	C	20	6-0/175	`18(18th)
55	Kieffer Bellows	NYI	LW	22	6-0/200	`16(19th)
56	Arthur Kaliyev	LA	RW	19	6-2/190	`19(33rd)
57	Oliver Wahlstrom	NYI	RW	20	6-1/205	`18(11th)
58	Nils Hoglander	Van	RW	20	5-9/185	`19(40th)
59	Matias Maccelli	Ari	LW	20	5-11/170	`19(98th)
60	Tobias Bjornfot	LA	D	19	6-0/200	`19(22nd)
61	Jacob Bernard-Docker	Ott	D	20	6-0/180	`18(26th)
62	Connor Zary	Cgy	C	19	6-0/180	`20(24th)
63	Dominik Bokk	Car	RW	20	6-1/180	T(StL-9/19)
64	Ryan Suzuki	Car	C	19	6-0/180	`19(28th)
65	Dylan Samberg	Wpg	D	21	6-3/190	`17(43rd)
66	Jake Bean	Car	D	22	6-1/175	`16(13th)
67	Josh Norris	Ott	C	21	6-1/195	T(SJ-9/18)
68	Rasmus Kupari	LA	C	20	6-1/185	`18(20th)
69	Jakob Pelletier	Cgy	LW	19	5-9/165	`19(26th)
70	Drake Batherson	Ott	RW	22	6-1/190	`17(121st)
71	Jan Jenik	Ari	RW	20	6-1/180	`18(65th)
72	John-Jason Peterka	Buf	LW	18	5-11/190	`20(34th)
73	Kirill Marchenko	CBJ	LW	20	6-3/190	`18(49th)
74	Bode Wilde	NYI	D	20	6-2/195	`18(41st)
75	John Beecher	Bos	C	19	6-3/210	`19(30th)
76	Tyler Madden	LA	C	21	5-10/155	T(Van-2/20)
77	Jack Studnicka	Bos	C	21	6-1/170	`17(53rd)
78	Jake Oettinger	Dal	G	22	6-4/210	`17(26th)
79	Alex Formenton	Ott	LW	21	6-2/165	`17(47th)
80	Matthew Robertson	NYR	D	19	6-3/200	`19(49th)
81	Calen Addison	Min	D	20	5-10/180	T(Pit-2/20)
82	Ty Dellandrea	Dal	C	20	6-0/185	`18(13th)
83	Akil Thomas	LA	C	20	5-11/170	`18(51st)
84	Mavrik Bourque	Dal	C	18	5-10/180	`20(30th)
85	Ian Mitchell	Chi	D	21	5-11/175	`17(57th)
86	Jason Robertson	Dal	LW	21	6-2/195	`17(39th)
87	Hendrix Lapierre	Wsh	C	18	5-11/180	`20(22nd)
88	Brendan Brisson	VGK	C	19	5-11/180	`20(29th)
89	Theodor Niederbach	Det	C	18	5-11/175	`20(51st)
90	Zac Jones	NYR	D	20	5-10/175	`19(68th)
91	Robert Mastrosimone	Det	LW	19	5-10/160	`19(54th)
92	Joe Veleno	Det	C	20	6-1/195	`18(30th)
93	Rodion Amirov	Tor	LW	19	6-0/170	`20(15th)
94	Jake Neighbours	StL	LW	18	5-11/195	`20(26th)
95	Julien Gauthier	NYR	RW	23	6-4/225	T(Car-2/20)
96	Justus Annunen	Col	G	20	6-4/215	`18(64th)
97	Egor Zamula	Phi	D	20	6-4/175	FA(9/18)
98	Shane Pinto	Ott	C	20	6-2/190	`19(32nd)
99	Noel Gunler	Car	RW	19	6-2/175	`20(41st)
100	Ridly Greig	Ott	C	18	5-11/165	`20(28th)
101	Jesse Ylonen	Mtl	RW	21	6-1/185	`18(35th)
102	Samuel Fagemo	LA	RW	20	6-0/195	`19(50th)
103	Mattias Norlinder	Mtl	D	20	5-11/180	`19(64th)
104	Olli Juolevi	Van	D	22	6-3/200	`16(5th)
105	Kristian Vesalainen	Wpg	LW	21	6-3/205	`17(24th)
106	Raphael Lavoie	Edm	RW	20	6-4/195	`19(38th)
107	Jan Mysak	Mtl	C	18	5-11/180	`20(49th)
108	Cayden Primeau	Mtl	G	21	6-3/180	`17(199th)
109	Pavel Dorofeyev	VGK	LW	20	6-1/170	`19(79th)
110	Morgan Barron	NYR	C	22	6-2/200	`17(174th)
111	Ville Heinola	Wpg	D	19	5-11/180	`19(20th)
112	Dylan Holloway	Edm	C	19	6-0/205	`20(14th)
113	Jack Dugan	VGK	RW	22	6-2/185	`17(142nd)
114	Alexander Khovanov	Min	C	20	5-11/195	`18(86th)
115	Jacob Perreault	Ana	RW	18	5-11/195	`20(27th)
116	Jake Evans	Mtl	C	24	6-0/185	`14(207th)
117	Adam Beckman	Min	LW	19	6-1/170	`19(75th)
118	Jett Woo	Van	D	20	6-0/205	`18(37th)
119	Nolan Foote	NJ	LW	20	6-3/190	T(TB-2/20)
120	Logan Brown	Ott	C	22	6-6/220	`16(11th)
121	Martin Kaut	Col	RW	21	6-1/175	`18(16th)
122	Jack Rathbone	Van	D	21	5-10/175	`17(95th)
123	Ozzy Wiesblatt	SJ	RW	18	5-10/185	`20(31st)
124	Ryan O'Rourke	Min	D	18	6-0/180	`20(39th)
125	Lukas Reichel	Chi	LW	18	6-0/170	`20(17th)
126	Jordan Harris	Mtl	D	20	5-11/180	`18(71st)
127	Lukas Dostal	Ana	G	20	6-1/170	`18(85th)
128	Egor Afanasyev	Nsh	RW	19	6-3/205	`19(45th)
129	Conor Timmins	Col	D	22	6-1/185	`17(32nd)
130	Lassi Thomson	Ott	D	20	6-0/190	`19(19th)
131	Eeli Tolvanen	Nsh	RW	21	5-10/175	`17(30th)
132	Kasper Simontaival	LA	RW	18	5-9/180	`20(66th)
133	Roni Hirvonen	Tor	C	18	5-9/165	`20(59th)
134	Thomas Bordeleau	SJ	C	18	5-9/180	`20(38th)
135	Benoit-Olivier Groulx	Ana	C	20	6-1/195	`18(54th)
136	Tyler Kleven	Ott	D	18	6-4/200	`20(44th)
137	Tyson Foerster	Phi	C	18	6-1/195	`20(23rd)
138	Helge Grans	LA	D	18	6-2/205	`20(35th)
139	Jonathan Dahlen	SJ	LW	23	5-11/185	T(Van-2/19)
140	Marat Khusnutdinov	Min	C	18	5-11/175	`20(37th)
141	Alexander Alexeyev	Wsh	D	21	6-3/200	`18(31st)
142	Pierre-Olivier Joseph	Pit	D	21	6-2/170	`17(23rd)
143	Topi Niemela	Tor	D	18	5-10/160	`20(64th)
144	Oskari Laaksonen	Buf	D	21	6-2/165	`17(89th)
145	Filip Hallander	Tor	LW	20	6-1/185	T(Pit-8/20)
146	Serron Noel	Fla	RW	20	6-5/205	`18(34th)
147	Martin Chromiak	LA	LW	18	6-0/185	`20(128th)
148	Shakir Mukhamadullin	NJ	D	18	6-3/180	`20(20th)
149	Mattias Samuelsson	Buf	D	20	6-3/215	`18(32nd)
150	Janne Kuokkanen	NJ	LW	22	6-1/190	T(Car-2/20)
151	Ryan Johnson	Buf	D	19	6-0/175	`19(31st)
152	Sean Farrell	Mtl	C	19	5-8/175	`20(124th)
153	Martin Fehervary	Wsh	D	21	6-1/190	`18(46th)
154	Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen	Buf	G	21	6-4/195	`17(54th)
155	Will Lockwood	Van	RW	22	5-11/175	`16(64th)
156	Isac Lundestrom	Ana	C	21	6-0/185	`18(23rd)
157	Michael DiPietro	Van	G	21	6-0/195	`17(64th)
158	Jonatan Berggren	Det	RW	20	5-10/185	`18(33rd)
159	Kevin Bahl	NJ	D	20	6-6/230	T(Ari-12/19)
160	Aliaksei Protas	Wsh	C	19	6-5/205	`19(91st)
161	Reilly Walsh	NJ	D	21	5-11/180	`17(81st)
162	Nick Abruzzese	Tor	C	21	5-9/160	`19(124th)
163	Tyler Tucker	StL	D	20	6-1/205	`18(200th)
164	Arseni Gritsyuk	NJ	RW	19	5-10/170	`19(129th)
165	Klim Kostin	StL	C	21	6-3/195	`17(31st)
166	Brayden Tracey	Ana	LW	19	6-0/175	`19(29th)
167	Joel Hofer	StL	G	20	6-3/160	`18(107th)
168	Joey Anderson	Tor	RW	22	6-0/195	T(NJ-10/20)
169	Yegor Spiridonov	SJ	C	19	6-2/195	`19(108th)
170	Sam Colangelo	Ana	RW	19	6-1/205	`20(36th)
171	Joey Keane	Car	D	21	6-0/185	T(NYR-2/20)
172	Jared McIsaac	Det	D	20	6-1/195	`18(36th)
173	Jamieson Rees	Car	C	19	5-10/175	`19(44th)
174	Ivan Morozov	VGK	C	20	6-1/180	`18(61st)
175	Rem Pitlick	Nsh	C	23	5-11/200	`16(76th)
176	Tyce Thompson	NJ	RW	21	6-0/170	`19(96th)
177	Michael McLeod	NJ	C	22	6-2/195	`16(12th)
178	Jaret Anderson-Dolan	LA	C	21	5-11/190	`17(41st)
179	Dustin Wolf	Cgy	G	19	6-0/165	`19(214th)
180	Antti Tuomisto	Det	D	19	6-4/190	`19(35th)
181	Brett Berard	NYR	LW	18	5-9/155	`20(134th)
182	Luke Evangelista	Nsh	RW	18	5-11/170	`20(42nd)
183	Joel Blomqvist	Pit	G	18	6-1/180	`20(52nd)
184	Joni Ikonen	Mtl	C	21	5-10/170	`17(58th)
185	Olivier Rodrigue	Edm	G	20	6-1/165	`18(62nd)
186	Lucas Elvenes	VGK	RW	21	6-0/175	`17(127th)
187	Anthony Angello	Pit	RW	24	6-5/205	`14(145th)
188	Tuukka Tieksola	Car	RW	19	5-10/160	`19(121st)
189	Declan Chisholm	Wpg	D	20	6-1/190	`18(150th)
190	Cole Koepke	TB	LW	22	6-1/195	`18(183rd)
191	Valtteri Puustinen	Pit	RW	21	5-9/185	`19(203rd)
192	Ty Smilanic	Fla	C	18	6-1/175	`20(74th)
193	Patrik Puistola	Car	LW	19	6-0/175	`19(73rd)
194	Justin Barron	Col	D	19	6-2/190	`20(25th)
195	Andrew Peeke	CBJ	D	22	6-3/210	`16(34th)
196	Michael Vukojevic	NJ	D	19	6-3/210	`19(82nd)
197	Alec Regula	Chi	D	20	6-3/200	T(Det-10/19)
198	Connor Corcoran	VGK	D	20	6-1/185	`18(154th)
199	Jeremy Swayman	Bos	G	22	6-1/190	`17(111th)
200	Pyotr Kochetkov	Car	G	21	6-1/175	`19(36th)
201	Mikey Anderson	LA	D	21	6-0/195	`17(103rd)
202	Carter Savoie	Edm	LW	18	5-9/190	`20(100th)
203	Samuel Walker	TB	C	21	5-11/160	`17(200th)
204	William Wallinder	Det	D	18	6-4/190	`20(32nd)
205	Jack Drury	Car	C	20	5-11/180	`18(42nd)
206	Emil Andrae	Phi	D	18	5-9/185	`20(54th)
207	Cal Petersen	LA	G	26	6-3/190	FA(7/17)
208	Jeremie Poirier	Cgy	D	18	6-0/200	`20(72nd)
209	Tarmo Reunanen	NYR	D	22	6-0/180	`16(98th)
210	Simon Holmstrom	NYI	RW	19	6-1/185	`19(23rd)
211	Aleksi Saarela	Fla	RW	23	5-11/200	T(Chi-10/19)
212	Anton Johannesson	Wpg	D	18	5-9/155	`20(133rd)
213	Lauri Pajuniemi	NYR	RW	21	6-0/185	`18(132nd)
214	Morgan Geekie	Car	C	22	6-2/180	`17(67th)
215	Shane Bowers	Col	C	21	6-2/190	T(Ott-11/17)
216	Sasha Chmelevski	SJ	C	21	5-11/190	`17(185th)
217	Ruslan Iskhakov	NYI	C	20	5-8/155	`18(43rd)
218	Cole Schwindt	Fla	RW	19	6-2/185	`19(81st)
219	Hugo Alnefelt	TB	G	19	6-3/195	`19(71st)
220	Nikita Okhotyuk	NJ	D	20	6-1/195	`19(61st)
221	Sampo Ranta	Col	LW	20	6-2/205	`18(78th)
222	Alexander Volkov	TB	LW	23	6-1/190	`17(48th)
223	Alexander True	SJ	C	23	6-5/205	FA(7/18)
224	John Leonard	SJ	C	22	5-11/190	`18(182nd)
225	Carl Grundstrom	LA	LW	23	6-0/195	T(Tor-1/19)
226	Dmitri Semykin	TB	D	20	6-3/200	`18(90th)
227	Cal Foote	TB	D	22	6-4/215	`17(14th)
228	Jean-Luc Foudy	Col	C	18	5-11/175	`20(75th)
229	Alex Barre-Boulet	TB	C	23	5-10/165	FA(3/18)
230	Tristen Robins	SJ	RW	19	5-10/175	`20(56th)
231	Max Gildon	Fla	D	21	6-3/190	`17(66th)
232	Nikita Alexandrov	StL	C	20	6-0/180	`19(62nd)
233	Michael Benning	Fla	D	18	5-9/180	`20(95th)
234	Justin Sourdif	Fla	RW	18	5-11/175	`20(87th)
235	Tanner Laczynski	Phi	C	23	6-1/200	`16(169th)
236	Eamon Powell	TB	D	18	5-11/165	`20(116th)
237	Kaedan Korczak	VGK	D	19	6-3/190	`19(41st)
238	Drew Commesso	Chi	G	18	6-1/180	`20(47th)
239	Nikolai Kovalenko	Col	RW	21	5-10/175	`18(171st)
240	Pius Suter	Chi	C	24	5-11/170	FA(7/20)
241	Wade Allison	Phi	RW	23	6-2/205	`16(52nd)
242	Bobby Brink	Phi	RW	19	5-10/165	`19(34th)
243	Lukas Cormier	VGK	D	18	5-10/180	`20(68th)
244	David Farrance	Nsh	D	21	5-11/190	`17(92nd)
245	Roby Jarventie	Ott	RW	18	6-2/185	`20(33rd)
246	Dmitri Voronkov	CBJ	LW	20	6-4/190	`19(114th)
247	German Rubtsov	Phi	C	22	6-2/190	`16(22nd)
248	Vitaly Abramov	Ott	RW	22	5-9/175	T(CBJ-2/19)
249	Alex Laferriere	LA	RW	19	6-0/175	`20(83rd)
250	Trey Fix-Wolansky	CBJ	RW	21	5-8/185	`18(204th)
251	Isaac Ratcliffe	Phi	LW	21	6-5/200	`17(35th)
252	Kale Clague	LA	D	22	6-0/180	`16(51st)
253	Landon Slaggert	Chi	LW	18	5-11/180	`20(79th)
254	Wyatt Kalynuk	Chi	D	23	6-1/180	FA(7/20)
255	Mikko Kokkonen	Tor	D	19	5-11/200	`19(84th)
256	Kevin Mandolese	Ott	G	20	6-4/180	`18(157th)
257	Daniil Tarasov	CBJ	G	21	6-5/185	`17(86th)
258	Evan Barratt	Chi	C	21	6-0/190	`17(90th)
259	Tyler Benson	Edm	LW	22	6-0/200	`16(32nd)
260	Yegor Korshkov	Tor	RW	24	6-4/215	`16(31st)
261	Hunter Skinner	NYR	D	19	6-2/175	`19(112th)
262	Riley Damiani	Dal	C	20	5-9/165	`18(137th)
263	Ryan McLeod	Edm	C	21	6-2/205	`18(40th)
264	Ilya Konovalov	Edm	G	22	6-0/195	`19(85th)
265	Will Cuylle	NYR	LW	18	6-3/205	`20(60th)
266	Evan Vierling	NYR	C	18	6-0/165	`20(127th)
267	Emil Heineman	Fla	LW	19	6-0/180	`20(43rd)
268	Zayde Wisdom	Phi	RW	18	5-10/195	`20(94th)
269	Hunter Jones	Min	G	20	6-4/195	`19(59th)
270	Ty Tullio	Edm	RW	18	5-10/165	`20(126th)
271	Jordan Spence	LA	D	19	5-10/165	`19(95th)
272	Dmitri Zavgorodny	Cgy	LW	20	5-9/175	`18(198th)
273	Alex Beaucage	Col	RW	19	6-1/195	`19(78th)
274	Matiss Kivlenieks	CBJ	G	24	6-2/190	FA(5/17)
275	Artyom Zub	Ott	D	25	6-2/200	FA(5/20)
276	Urho Vaakanainen	Bos	D	22	6-0/185	`17(18th)
277	Dmitri Samorukov	Edm	D	21	6-2/180	`17(84th)
278	Michal Teply	Chi	LW	19	6-3/185	`19(105th)
279	Colby Ambrosio	Col	C	18	5-8/170	`20(118th)
280	Mads Sogaard	Ott	G	20	6-7/195	`19(37th)
281	Jeremy Lauzon	Bos	D	23	6-3/205	`15(52nd)
282	Dennis Gilbert	Col	D	24	6-2/200	T(Chi-10/20)
283	Trent Frederic	Bos	C	22	6-4/215	`16(29th)
284	Lucas Carlsson	Chi	D	23	6-0/190	`16(110th)
285	Zack Macewen	Van	RW	24	6-3/205	FA(3/17)
286	Brandon Hagel	Chi	LW	22	6-1/175	FA(10/18)
287	Vasily Ponomarev	Car	C	18	5-10/180	`20(53rd)
288	Jakub Zboril	Bos	D	23	6-1/200	`15(13th)
289	Garrett Pilon	Wsh	RW	22	5-11/190	`16(87th)
290	Jeremy Bracco	Car	RW	23	5-9/180	FA(10/20)
291	Dylan Sikura	VGK	RW	25	6-0/170	T(Chi-9/20)
292	Kyle Capobianco	Ari	D	23	6-1/180	`15(63rd)
293	Sami Niku	Wpg	D	24	6-0/175	`15(198th)
294	John Farinacci	Ari	C	19	5-11/185	`19(76th)
295	Jackson Lacombe	Ana	D	19	6-1/170	`19(39th)
296	David Cotton	Car	LW	23	6-3/205	`15(169th)
297	Erik Portillo	Buf	G	20	6-6/210	`19(67th)
298	Jacob Truscott	Van	D	18	6-1/170	`20(144th)
299	Mikhail Berdin	Wpg	G	22	6-2/165	`16(157th)
300	Cam Hillis	Mtl	C	20	5-10/170	`18(66th)

McKeen’s 2020-21 Hockey Yearbook: Buffalo Sabres Top 20 Prospects

Wed, 18 Nov 2020 20:17:34 +0000

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

Dylan Cozens, C/RW (7^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 1)

Cozens has a unique blend of size, speed, and vision, and has since grown as a 200ft player who can drive play. He can play the prototypical power forward game where he gets in on the forecheck, works hard, creates turnovers, and generates a strong cycle game. He also has the ability to make high end plays, using both his vision and his feet. His top speed is very good and enables to him to beat guys wide although he has made a point of taking the puck directly to the net more last year. From the cycle game there are few who have the vision to make the passes he can. Either from below the dots along the half wall or from the rush he can put pucks into dangerous locations. He uses his body so effectively to shield the puck that he draws a ton of penalties. His comfort level with the puck on his stick was always high in traffic but now he is more dangerous in open space and his improving shot makes him a threat all over the ice. At the WJC he was highly productive, playing a mix of wing and center. – VG

Jack Quinn, RW (8^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

A late bloomer, Quinn is now pushing 6-1” and finished the season with 52 goals, good for second in the OHL. He can create his own scoring chances and fight through traffic to make plays. It has also helped him to become a fully engaged two-way player who excels just as much off the puck as he does on it. We cannot discuss Quinn without talking about his shot, one of the best shots in this draft class, particularly his powerful and accurate wrist shot, allowing him to score in many ways. He notably scored 34 even strength goals. Quinn is also a quality two-way player, excelling away from the puck. He also has terrific instincts, and this makes him a very good penalty killer. His skating stride, while improved, will continue to need work as he looks to improve his top speed. Additionally, his vision as a playmaker is not at the same level as his shooting ability. He can be such a valuable asset as an elite level goal scorer whose usage does not need to be sheltered in his own end. This will endear him to his future coaches. – BO

John-Jason Peterka, LW (34^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Without a great deal of ice time with EHC Munchen, it was internationally that Peterka shined this season. He is a dynamic offensive player blessed with high end creativity, finishing ability, and offensive instincts. His bread and butter is his one-timer from the faceoff dot, especially with the man advantage. He is excellent shooting from a standstill, able to beat goaltenders cleanly, with a high-end wrist shot as well. His hands are silky smooth, and he seldom loses the puck cheaply, in addition to great creativity. He can create his scoring chances. Even lacking strength, he navigates traffic and puts himself in position to utilize his skill set. He sees the game well enough indicating that production will continue to increase as he matures. He knows how and where to move the puck and has shown a propensity for setting up shop behind the net, in the corners, and along the hash marks. He knows how to get open and when to go to the net. As a two-way player, Peterka still has some growing to do. He also needs to improve his skating. Greater speed would open up his offensive game. - BO

Oskari Laaksonen, D (89^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 2)

Laaksonen’s puck moving abilities and vision were always there, making him an intriguing prospect with a lot of raw talent. He was lanky in his draft year, but he has gained strength and his overall game is headed in the right direction. The right-shot defenseman has a lot to offer offensively. He can make the simple first pass, stretch the ice with long passes or carry the puck from his own end. He has smooth hands and fast, poised stickhandling. He lacks a big slap shot from the point, but he has added power to it, which applies to his skating as well. He is a strong skater with good lateral movement. His first few strides are quick, and he has a good glide as well. He is smooth, mobile and athletic. He is not overly physical, and he could use his size and strength more effectively for hitting and in one-on-one battles. His second full Liiga season could have been much stronger. In the long term, Laaksonen has a good chance to develop into a middle- pairing NHL blueliner who would be useful on a second power play unit, after additional maturity and experience. - MB

Mattias Samuelsson, D (32^nd overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 3)

Not only does Samuelsson have old-school-scout-wet-dream size, but he is also a recognized leader, having worn the ‘C’ on multiple previous teams, as well as for his school as a sophomore. After two seasons each in the spotlight for both the USNTDP and Western Michigan, we know without any doubt that Samuelsson lacks any real offensive value. Of course, he can shoot and pass the puck, but that simply is not part of his game. The strength of his game lies off the puck. Samuelsson has accepted his size and his limitations and plays within himself. He has enough mobility to be able to stick with most opposing forwards, and positions himself well while also using his stick like a pro, so that the faster forwards are forced to the outside if he has trouble keeping up with them stride for stride. He is a very good skater for his size. Even if he never gets a shift on the power play, he will be a staple on the penalty kill, and should develop into a shutdown option at even strength, capable of defending against the opposition’s top lines with regularity. - RW

Ryan Johnson, D (31^st overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 4)

Johnson’s freshman at the University of Minnesota was underwhelming, at best. While his slight figure didn’t hamper his effectiveness at the USHL level, it definitely was a factor as a freshman. He still flashed occasional first round skills, though. He is a fantastic skater, smooth and quick in all directions. His backtracking ability is especially impressive. His skating also is the primary cause to hope that he can regain some offensive luster, as even as he struggled this year, he still showed the ability to walk the blueline nimbly, helping to open up lanes. On the other hand, Johnson demonstrated little ability to make good on whatever lane he could open up. His puck decisions felt rushed and all too rarely led to a dangerous scoring chance. His shot especially seemed meagre as a freshman. Even with his freshman struggles, it is worth remembering that Johnson was a young freshman, with a July 2001 birthdate, and he should be expected to continue developing, both physically, and in his game. He will need more strength to maintain effectiveness defensively, especially in terms of his defensive positioning. He needs a step forward next season. - RW

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, G (54^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 5)

Luukkonen is a big, athletic, and focused goaltender who has the ability, skill, and knowledge as though he was born to set foot in the crease. After surgery, he built back up the majority of his confidence in the ECHL where he performed well. Getting some time in the Liiga this season will get him prepped and ready to face the shots of the AHL where he is most likely to start sharing the role with Jonas Johansson. Luukkonen is the full package and is mature and physically built enough to play the NHL. He has a calm and mentally strong game where he tracks and sees the puck very well, is capable of playing high intensity games, and does not get easily rattled. He gets right over the puck, battles well and is not afraid to play the puck. Luukkonen will have to get better at communicating with his team and being more vocal. When the Sabres finally decide to call him up, it will most likely be his only call up. Expect him to be able to handle the pressure and to step into a role as Buffalo’s long-term starting goaltender. - SC

Erik Portillo, G (67^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 6)

Already in his second year of eligibility when the Sabres added another potential future staple in net in last year’s third round, Portillo showed that he could play on the big ice as well as he showed on the smaller rinks of his native Sweden. In his first season in North America, he was named the goaltender of the year in the USHL, with the best GAA (2.11), and the third best save percentage (.911) of any goalie with at least 20 games played. He was even named to Sweden’s WJC team as the third goalie, although he didn’t play. The gigantic 6-6” puck stopper plays a technically mature, athletic game, and is almost impossible to beat down low. Furthermore, his puck handling is near exception for a player at his level. Per InStat, the vast majority of the goals he surrendered with the Fighting Saints were from in tight, where he can sometimes go down too early. For the most part, though, he plays a calm game and forces the opposition to generate puck movement near the crease to create a hole. Portillo will tackle his next challenge at the University of Michigan. - RW

Jonas Johansson, G (61^st overall, 2014. Previous ranking: 7)

After spending some time up with the Sabres this past season, Johansson’s development has been good, and he has nearly earned the right to being a full time backup in the NHL. That being said, there is still a large ‘maybe’ hanging in the air and with the depth that Buffalo has for goaltenders in their system it is almost undeniable to say that the competition level is high for the starting role. Johansson will need more time in the AHL with Rochester to get a better grasp on reading plays and rebound control so he does not have to try so hard to make crazy second and third saves as those pucks should be held on to or deflected to the side. He is good at maintaining position and finding loose pucks; however he will need to be louder and communicate better with his team so he can gain confidence playing the puck. For now, Johansson stands a good chance at being backup option in Buffalo’s system when he earns his next call up but expect him to still get a few starts as a part timer, nonetheless. - SC

Will Borgen, D (92^nd overall, 2015. Previous ranking: 8)

Borgen brings the heat when it comes to laying the body and making sacrifices to keep the puck out of his own net. He is a solid and gritty defender who does well both with and without the puck. He does well at carrying it up and starting breakouts. He plays a well-structured two-way game; however he has the tendency to bite a little early on plays or make the wrong pinch which can catch his man flat-footed and off guard. In the future he will have to tighten his gap and ensure he is not causing so many unnecessary turnovers. Borgen needs to ensure his shots get to the net. Should he do that, then he will become an even bigger threat for the opposing team. He brings the intensity and strength with the maturity of a player already seasoned in the professional game. It will come as no surprise next season if he gets a chance to prove himself for a longer stint as a part of Buffalo’s bottom four. - SC

Casey Fitzgerald, D (86^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 9)

Oftentimes the players coming from the NCAA program have smoother transitions into the American Hockey League and that applies to Fitzgerald. He fits into the game as a strong skater with good instincts. As an undersized defenseman, he has no choice but to redeem himself as a strong skater and play maker. He is strong defensively and keeps his head on a swivel and his stick active when defending, he is reliable on the penalty kill, and he does well at keeping opponents to the outside. His play in the attacking zone could be more aggressive at times and he still needs to work on his timing for when to pinch going into next season. Fitzgerald has the potential to reach a bottom four position as a call up for the Sabres in the near future after his confidence grows and he plays more aggressively when shooting the puck. - SC

Marcus Davidsson, C/LW (37^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 10)

A skilled winger/center who has good tools. Davidsson skates well and is both smart and puck skilled. He lacks some competitiveness and consistency, though. I was pretty high on him during his draft year and while he was picked early in the 2nd round, his development since then has not been as expected yet. He changed SHL teams this season but did not succeed and actually produced at a lower rate. It was not only him choosing to change team as his former team had a hard time finding a top six role for him, mostly due to lack of consistency. This season, both Davidsson and his team struggled. I still see him as a player with a possible breakout year if he plays more a determined and consistent game. The NHL projection is as a middle six player if he gets everything together. At this point, soon to be 22 years old, the risk of him not becoming that player is growing higher. The next season will be important for him in that sense. - JH

Matej Pekar, C/RW (94^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 11)

A hard-nosed, high energy winger, Pekar saw himself move from Barrie to Sudbury in the OHL this season. With Sudbury, Pekar developed great chemistry with top 2020 draft prospect Quinton Byfield. Pekar was able to open up more space for the skilled Byfield with how he drives the net and with how he retrieves dump ins and applies pressure on the forecheck. For these reasons, he is a great complimentary player on a scoring line at the OHL level. However, at the next level, he does not likely possess the high-end skill, skating ability, or finishing ability to be a top six forward. He should settle into a bottom six role after a few seasons in the AHL and could carve out a long NHL career as a checking line player and penalty killer. Right now, the focus for Pekar should be on improving his explosiveness to ensure continued success at the pro level. - BO

Jacob Bryson, D (99^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 12)

After leading all defensive in points on the AHL Rochester Americans, Bryson proved to the Sabres management that they had indeed drafted a strong defenseman despite his 5-9” stature. He is a smooth skater, a physical player, and a defenseman who makes good plays with the puck while generally staying in a good position. His passing stands out in his skillset as a threat in the way he sees the ice and reads offensive opportunities, oftentimes seeing back door passes or quick shots not visible to most. Without a doubt, if given the chance, Bryson can be tested at the NHL level, however he needs to simply touch up on the details and the smaller areas of his game like gap control, keeping his feet moving, and not getting caught flat footed. Those are all details that make a big impact on the overall game and the development of Bryson’s play. Expect him to continue his development this coming season in order to earn a bottom four spot with Buffalo in the medium-term future. - SC

Brett Murray, LW (99^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 13)

Size has a lot to do with Murray’s success in his rookie professional season in the AHL with the Americans. He uses his size well to protect the puck and has no trouble getting to the net and finding shooting lanes. He is a good attacker and often causes or capitalizes on turnovers in the neutral zone where he showcases his quick reaction time and alertness to plays, which for a big guy he does well. Murray can stand to improve his play in his own end as he tends to be a little lazier and more scattered when challenging opponents. He has the potential to be a standout power forward when it comes to the NHL but his skating and defensive play have to get faster and he needs to bring more intent and energy to certain situations to become a better two way player before he can take over a bottom six role in the NHL. – SC

Albert Lyckasen, D (193^rd overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Passed over in his first year of draft eligibility, Lyckasen took his game to a new level as an offensive force, finishing as the second leading scorer among defensemen. He excels at both ends with his strong skating ability and does well on the powerplay with a good right-handed point shot. Although he lacks a great deal in terms of physical tools, he has a few strengths that suggest potential NHL future. He is a fine skater with alluring puck skills as well as a mature approach to the game. Lyckasen was also more of a offense driver from the blueline last season, finishing second in scoring among all Allsvenskan defenders last season. He will have to continue to add strength to allow his skills to play, as he is not a good candidate to play a shut down role. While there is tweener risk, in the seventh round, Lyckasen is a good gamble as he at least has some NHL caliber projections, even if they are faint. - RW

Arttu Ruotsalainen, C/LW (Undrafted Free Agent, signed May 8, 2019. Previous ranking: 14)

After breaking out in 2018-19 and earning an NHL contract, Ruotsalainen returned to Ilves on loan for another season. He was one of the club’s driving forces, helping the team achieve their best ranking of the decade in the Liiga regular season. He scored important, timely goals and he was the engine of Ilves’ power play. He was always extremely industrious and relentless at the junior level – his compete level has never been an issue – but he has shown some new elements to his game at the pro level. An offensively skilled center, his play with the puck continues to improve. He is a very good playmaker and delivers quality passes to his wingers. He has great speed and can pull away from defenders. He is committed to the defensive game, plays with passion and could develop into a strong 200-foot player. His development curve is heading straight up, and he has a real chance to make the Sabres roster as soon as next season. His rise into a top Liiga player has been a great success story, yet his best hockey is ahead. - MB

Brandon Biro, C (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 18, 2020. Previous ranking: 15)

Entering his fourth season at Penn State, Biro was expected to be one of the most sought-after collegiate free agents at the conclusion of the season. While the undersized winger finished with a point-per-game campaign, the Nittany Lions captain did not live up to his early billing, which suspect was due to a mid-season injury. A crafty offensive force, when he is healthy Biro can change the pace to keep defenders on their toes. He has deft hands that work well in tight spots. Off the puck, he reads the opposition well and can pick a few pockets with a quick stick. The big question as he moves to the professional ranks is whether he can still be productive even without the size or pure dynamic skillset usually found in a scoring role. He is a young college senior, having turned 22 a few days before signing with the Sabres, so there remains the possibility of more future development we generally see with senior signs, but the clock will only tick for so long and Biro will have to prove himself to reach the highest level. – RW

Dawson DiPietro, LW (UFA: Mar. 23, 2020. Previous ranking: UR)

Over four seasons with Western Michigan, DiPietro turned himself into an off-the-beaten-path candidate to play in the NHL, despite his humble beginnings. Never drafted by a CHL or even a USHL team, and only appearing in a single game as a freshman, he showed dominant flashes on occasion during his sophomore and senior campaigns for the Broncos. If his flashes came about more consistently, DiPietro would have likely signed earlier in his collegiate career. He makes up for his good-not-great production with a solid two-way game and the ability to play in all situations. His hands are fine enough that one could see him getting occasional game higher in a top six role, adding energy to scoring lines. He will turn 25 before this annual preview is published and his one-year entry level contract is a reminder that the Sabres took a no-risk step in bringing him into the organization. He is a low-risk gamble with a few paths to providing real value in the NHL. - RW

Miska Kukkonen, D (125^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: 17)

A right-handed shooting blueliner without any offensive game of note, Kukkonen has improved his future projections since turning pro for good last year. Even though injuries limited him to 23 total games, he showed enough flashes of above average skating, a big shot and a strong physical game, to make his potential hit home, if only he can play a full season without additional injuries. Kukkonen lacks any high end characteristics to his game, and there are also questions that he could contribute heavily at the top level in a shut down role, which reminds one of his persistent struggles to add anything to the offensive attack of his team. Like a number of the players immediately above, Lyckasen has only a moderate chance to reach the NHL – and the Sabres still haven’t given him an NHL contract – but he has a few NHL tools that keep the goal within reach. We would like to see some ability to contribute to the offensive attack before moving him up the list. - RW

MCKEENS 2020 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT – TOP 250 PROSPECTS

McKeens Hockey; Article by Ryan Wagman — Tue, 22 Sep 2020 11:50:55 +0000

I write these words less than 24 hours after the Dallas Stars took game one of the Stanley Cup Finals against the heavily favored Tampa Bay Lightning. Unlike most seasons wherein the end of the Stanley Cup marks the beginning of off-season player movement, this year teams have taken an early start to the transactional Ferris wheel as many expect the upcoming offseason (from the awarding of the Cup, through to the draft in the first week of October to the start of the 2020-21 season perhaps as soon as early December, pending COVID trends in North America) to be especially turbulent.

We have seen a few trades of NHL pieces, one deal which impacted this guidebook, as Toronto sent Kasperi Kapanen to Pittsburgh and Swedish winger Filip Hallander was among those coming back to Toronto. Hallander was our selection for the second-best prospect in the Penguins system and now holds that title for the Maple Leafs. That trade knocked the Penguins down a few slots on our organizational rankings and allowed Toronto to go the other way accordingly.

Of course, with the draft roughly 17 days away, and with it a complete re-shuffling of the organizational rankings, this is just a snapshot in time of how every team’s system shakes up. We will re-run this list, incorporating the drafted players, in our pre-season fantasy guide, where we will expand the lists up to 20.

What you are about to dive into is a comprehensive list of all prospect eligible players on all 31 teams. To hold prospect eligibility, a player needs to 25 or younger, as of September 15, 2020. All skaters need to have played less than 60 career games, with no more than 35 of those games coming in a single season (or 25 for this past shortened season). For goalies, the age criteria remain the same, but the games played benchmark drops to 30 career games and 20 in a given season (or 15 last year). Any cutoff that does not hew exactly to the Calder Trophy award criteria is, by nature, arbitrary, but we aim to be inclusive for all players who have not yet cemented NHL jobs and/or have not had a prolonged chance to prove himself capable – or incapable.

We rank 15 per team, as depth is as important as the high end. Our goal is to identify players who could – if they have an advocate for them within the team’s braintrust – play a role in the NHL. These players were identified through our thorough vetting of each prospect across the globe, assigning scores, or grades, to five areas for skaters (skating, shot, puck skills, smarts, physicality) and six for netminders (athleticism/speed/quickness, compete/temperament, vision/play reading, positioning/technique, rebound control, and puck handling). Depending on the position, the grades are run through an algorithm to come up with an overall future projection (OFP).

The OFP, if the scout is being honest, measures the future role we anticipate the prospect being able to hold. A 50 score is the lower threshold to be a regular 4^th line forward, or bottom pairing defender. Grades over 56 are potential top line/pairing skaters. The grades in between, obviously project to the middle of the lineup.

As we are reminded every year, development is not linear. Some players take unexpected sudden leaps forward (see Marino, John), and others stagnate (see Ho-Sang, Josh), and many do exactly what we expect of them when they are given the chance. As much as I trust the analysts in our team, I can also tell you that this exercise is always humbling. There will be at least one player who we rate highly who bombs. There will be at least one player who did not feature on his team’s top 15 who becomes an NHL regular next year. We accept those errors in judgment and promise you, our faithful subscriber, that we will learn from them and refine our work for next year, as we learn just as NHL teams learn.

Until then, please enjoy this snapshot view of the future of the beautiful, frozen game. Putting this together has provided at least some sense of normalcy during this crazy summer.

NHL	RNK	PLAYER	POS	AGE	HT/WT	TM	Acquired
Ana	1	Trevor Zegras	C	19	6-0/170	Boston University (HE)	`19(9th)
Min	2	Kirill Kaprizov	LW	23	5-10/200	CSKA (KHL)	`15(135th)
Col	3	Bowen Byram	D	19	6-0/195	Vancouver (WHL)	`19(4th)
Buf	4	Dylan Cozens	C	19	6-3/185	Lethbridge (WHL)	`19(7th)
Fla	5	Spencer Knight	G	19	6-3/195	Boston College (HE)	`19(13th)
VGK	6	Peyton Krebs	C	19	5-11/180	Winnipeg (WHL)	`19(17th)
Ari	7	Victor Soderstrom	D	19	5-11/180	Brynas (Swe)	`19(11th)
Mtl	8	Cole Caufield	RW	19	5-7/165	Wisconsin (B1G)	`19(15th)
Van	9	Vasili Podkolzin	RW	19	6-1/190	SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)	`19(10th)
Edm	10	Philip Broberg	D	19	6-3/200	Skelleftea AIK (Swe)	`19(8th)
Tor	11	Nick Robertson	LW	19	5-9/160	Peterborough (OHL)	`19(53rd)
Col	12	Alex Newhook	C	19	5-10/195	Boston College (HE)	`19(16th)
Det	13	Moritz Seider	D	19	6-3/185	Grand Rapids (AHL)	`19(6th)
Fla	14	Grigori Denisenko	LW	20	5-11/185	Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)	`18(15th)
Min	15	Matthew Boldy	LW	19	6-1/190	Boston College (HE)	`19(12th)
NJ	16	Ty Smith	D	20	5-10/180	Spokane (WHL)	`18(17th)
LA	17	Alex Turcotte	C	19	5-11/185	Wisconsin (B1G)	`19(5th)
Nsh	18	Philip Tomasino	C	19	5-11/180	Nia-Osh (OHL)	`19(24th)
Pit	19	Samuel Poulin	LW	19	6-1/205	Sherbrooke (QMJHL)	`19(21st)
Wsh	20	Connor McMichael	C	19	5-11/175	London (OHL)	`19(25th)
LA	21	Gabriel Vilardi	RW	21	6-3/200	Ontario (AHL)	`17(11th)
NYR	22	Igor Shesterkin	G	24	6-1/190	Hartford (AHL)	`14(118th)
Dal	23	Thomas Harley	D	19	6-3/190	Mississauga (OHL)	`19(18th)
Ari	24	Barrett Hayton	C	20	6-1/190	Arizona (NHL)	`18(5th)
NYR	25	Nils Lundkvist	D	20	5-11/180	Lulea (Swe)	`18(28th)
LA	26	Arthur Kaliyev	RW	19	6-2/190	Hamilton (OHL)	`19(33rd)
Cgy	27	Juuso Valimaki	D	21	6-2/205	DNP - Injured	`17(16th)
Det	28	Jared McIsaac	D	20	6-1/195	Hal-Mon (QMJHL)	`18(36th)
NYR	29	Vitali Kravtsov	RW	20	6-3/185	Hartford (AHL)	`18(9th)
Edm	30	Evan Bouchard	D	20	6-2/195	Bakersfield (AHL)	`18(10th)
NYR	31	K'Andre Miller	D	20	6-3/205	Wisconsin (B1G)	`18(22nd)
Edm	32	Raphael Lavoie	RW	19	6-4/195	Hal-Chi (QMJHL)	`19(38th)
NYI	33	Ilya Sorokin	G	25	6-2/180	CSKA (KHL)	`14(78th)
Det	34	Albert Johansson	D	19	5-11/165	Farjestads (Swe)	`19(60th)
Ari	35	Matias Maccelli	LW	19	5-11/170	Ilves Tampere (Fin)	`19(98th)
Van	36	Nils Hoglander	RW	19	5-9/185	Rogle (Swe)	`19(40th)
Ari	37	Jan Jenik	RW	20	6-1/180	Hamilton (OHL)	`18(65th)
Phi	38	Cam York	D	19	5-11/175	Michigan (B1G)	`19(14th)
Phi	39	Morgan Frost	C	21	5-11/180	Lehigh Valley (AHL)	`17(27th)
Ana	40	Lukas Dostal	G	20	6-1/170	Ilves Tampere (Fin)	`18(85th)
LA	41	Tobias Bjornfot	D	19	6-0/200	Ontario (AHL)	`19(22nd)
SJ	42	Ryan Merkley	D	20	5-11/170	London (OHL)	`18(21st)
NYI	43	Kieffer Bellows	LW	22	6-0/200	Bridgeport (AHL)	`16(19th)
NYI	44	Oliver Wahlstrom	RW	20	6-1/205	Bridgeport (AHL)	`18(11th)
LA	45	Rasmus Kupari	C	20	6-1/185	Ontario (AHL)	`18(20th)
CBJ	46	Liam Foudy	C	20	6-0/175	London (OHL)	`18(18th)
LA	47	Tyler Madden	C	20	5-10/155	Northeastern (HE)	T(Van-2/20)
Mtl	48	Alexander Romanov	D	20	5-11/185	CSKA (KHL)	`18(38th)
NYI	49	Bode Wilde	D	20	6-2/195	Bridgeport (AHL)	`18(41st)
Ott	50	Jacob Bernard-Docker	D	20	6-0/180	North Dakota (NCHC)	`18(26th)
Cgy	51	Jakob Pelletier	LW	19	5-9/165	Moncton (QMJHL)	`19(26th)
LA	52	Akil Thomas	C	20	5-11/170	Nia-Pbo (OHL)	`18(51st)
Wpg	53	Dylan Samberg	D	21	6-3/190	Minn-Duluth (NCHC)	`17(43rd)
Chi	54	Ian Mitchell	D	21	5-11/175	Denver (NCHC)	`17(57th)
Ott	55	Josh Norris	C	21	6-1/195	Belleville (AHL)	T(SJ-9/18)
NYR	56	Matthew Robertson	D	19	6-3/200	Edmonton (WHL)	`19(49th)
VGK	57	Pavel Dorofeyev	LW	19	6-1/170	Magnitogorsk (KHL)	`19(79th)
Dal	58	Jake Oettinger	G	21	6-4/210	Texas (AHL)	`17(26th)
Ott	59	Drake Batherson	RW	22	6-1/190	Belleville (AHL)	`17(121st)
LA	60	Samuel Fagemo	RW	20	6-0/195	Frolunda (Swe)	`19(50th)
Col	61	Justus Annunen	G	20	6-4/215	Karpat Oulu (Fin)	`18(64th)
Bos	62	John Beecher	C	19	6-3/210	Michigan (B1G)	`19(30th)
Phi	63	Egor Zamula	D	20	6-4/175	Calgary (WHL)	FA(9/18)
NYR	64	Zac Jones	D	19	5-10/175	Massachusetts (HE)	`19(68th)
CBJ	65	Kirill Marchenko	LW	20	6-3/190	SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)	`18(49th)
VGK	66	Jack Dugan	RW	22	6-2/185	Providence (HE)	`17(142nd)
StL	67	Scott Perunovich	D	22	5-10/175	Minn-Duluth (NCHC)	`18(45th)
Bos	68	Jack Studnicka	C	21	6-1/170	Providence (AHL)	`17(53rd)
Dal	69	Ty Dellandrea	C	20	6-0/185	Flint (OHL)	`18(13th)
Min	70	Calen Addison	D	20	5-10/180	Lethbridge (WHL)	T(Pit-2/20)
NYR	71	Julien Gauthier	RW	22	6-4/225	Charlotte (AHL)	T(Car-2/20)
Van	72	Olli Juolevi	D	22	6-3/200	Utica (AHL)	`16(5th)
NJ	73	Nolan Foote	LW	19	6-3/190	Kelowna (WHL)	T(TB-2/20)
NJ	74	Janne Kuokkanen	LW	22	6-1/190	Cha-Bng (AHL)	T(Car-2/20)
Ott	75	Alex Formenton	LW	21	6-2/165	Belleville (AHL)	`17(47th)
Det	76	Robert Mastrosimone	LW	19	5-10/160	Boston University (HE)	`19(54th)
NYR	77	Morgan Barron	C	21	6-2/200	Cornell (ECAC)	`17(174th)
Mtl	78	Jesse Ylonen	RW	20	6-1/185	Pelicans (Fin)	`18(35th)
Car	79	Dominik Bokk	RW	20	6-1/180	Rogle (Swe)	T(StL-9/19)
Nsh	80	Egor Afanasyev	RW	19	6-3/205	Windsor (OHL)	`19(45th)
Ana	81	Benoit-Olivier Groulx	C	20	6-1/195	Hal-Mon (QMJHL)	`18(54th)
Min	82	Alexander Khovanov	C	20	5-11/195	Moncton (QMJHL)	`18(86th)
Det	83	Joe Veleno	C	20	6-1/195	Grand Rapids (AHL)	`18(30th)
NJ	84	Kevin Bahl	D	20	6-6/230	Ottawa (OHL)	T(Ari-12/19)
Car	85	Ryan Suzuki	C	19	6-0/180	Bar-Sag (OHL)	`19(28th)
Van	86	Jett Woo	D	20	6-0/205	Calgary (WHL)	`18(37th)
Mtl	87	Mattias Norlinder	D	20	5-11/180	MODO (Swe 2)	`19(64th)
Min	88	Adam Beckman	LW	19	6-1/170	Spokane (WHL)	`19(75th)
Bos	89	Jeremy Swayman	G	21	6-1/190	Maine (HE)	`17(111th)
Wpg	90	Kristian Vesalainen	LW	21	6-3/205	Manitoba (AHL)	`17(24th)
Tor	91	Filip Hallander	LW	20	6-1/185	Lulea (Swe)	T(Pit-8/20)
Fla	92	Owen Tippett	RW	21	6-1/200	Springfield (AHL)	`17(10th)
Car	93	Jake Bean	D	22	6-1/175	Charlotte (AHL)	`16(13th)
Ott	94	Shane Pinto	C	19	6-2/190	North Dakota (NCHC)	`19(32nd)
Col	95	Martin Kaut	RW	20	6-1/175	Colorado (AHL)	`18(16th)
Van	96	Jack Rathbone	D	21	5-10/175	Harvard (ECAC)	`17(95th)
Tor	97	Nick Abruzzese	C	21	5-9/160	Harvard (ECAC)	`19(124th)
Bos	98	Urho Vaakanainen	D	21	6-0/185	Providence (AHL)	`17(18th)
Wsh	99	Alexander Alexeyev	D	20	6-3/200	Hershey (AHL)	`18(31st)
NYI	100	Simon Holmstrom	RW	19	6-1/185	Bridgeport (AHL)	`19(23rd)
LA	101	Jaret Anderson-Dolan	C	21	5-11/190	Ontario (AHL)	`17(41st)
Car	102	Joey Keane	D	21	6-0/185	Hfd-Cha (AHL)	T(NYR-2/20)
Wsh	103	Martin Fehervary	D	20	6-1/190	Hershey (AHL)	`18(46th)
StL	104	Tyler Tucker	D	20	6-1/205	Bar-Fnt (OHL)	`18(200th)
SJ	105	Yegor Spiridonov	C	19	6-2/195	Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk (MHL)	`19(108th)
NJ	106	Joey Anderson	RW	22	6-0/195	Binghamton (AHL)	`16(73rd)
Col	107	Conor Timmins	D	21	6-1/185	Colorado (AHL)	`17(32nd)
StL	108	Klim Kostin	C	21	6-3/195	San Antonio (AHL)	`17(31st)
Mtl	109	Cayden Primeau	G	21	6-3/180	Laval (AHL)	`17(199th)
SJ	110	Jonathan Dahlen	LW	22	5-11/185	Timra IK (Swe 2)	T(Van-2/19)
NJ	111	Reilly Walsh	D	21	5-11/180	Harvard (ECAC)	`17(81st)
Buf	112	Oskari Laaksonen	D	21	6-2/165	Ilves Tampere (Fin)	`17(89th)
NJ	113	Arseni Gritsyuk	RW	19	5-10/170	Omskie Yastreby (MHL)	`19(129th)
Wsh	114	Aliaksei Protas	C	19	6-5/205	Prince Albert (WHL)	`19(91st)
Cgy	115	Dustin Wolf	G	19	6-0/165	Everett (WHL)	`19(214th)
StL	116	Joel Hofer	G	20	6-3/160	Portland (WHL)	`18(107th)
VGK	117	Ivan Morozov	C	20	6-1/180	SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)	`18(61st)
Mtl	118	Jake Evans	C	24	6-0/185	Laval (AHL)	`14(207th)
Nsh	119	Eeli Tolvanen	RW	21	5-10/175	Milwaukee (AHL)	`17(30th)
Wpg	120	Ville Heinola	D	19	5-11/180	Lukko Rauma (Fin)	`19(20th)
VGK	121	Lucas Elvenes	RW	21	6-0/175	Chicago (AHL)	`17(127th)
TB	122	Cole Koepke	LW	22	6-1/195	Minn-Duluth (NCHC)	`18(183rd)
Ana	123	Isac Lundestrom	C	20	6-0/185	San Diego (AHL)	`18(23rd)
NYR	124	Tarmo Reunanen	D	22	6-0/180	Lukko Rauma (Fin)	`16(98th)
Mtl	125	Jordan Harris	D	20	5-11/180	Northeastern (HE)	`18(71st)
Ana	126	Brayden Tracey	LW	19	6-0/175	MJ-Vic (WHL)	`19(29th)
Phi	127	Tanner Laczynski	C	23	6-1/200	Ohio State (B1G)	`16(169th)
Chi	128	Alec Regula	D	20	6-3/200	London (OHL)	T(Det-10/19)
Buf	129	Mattias Samuelsson	D	20	6-3/215	Western Michigan (NCHC)	`18(32nd)
Car	130	Jamieson Rees	C	19	5-10/175	Sarnia (OHL)	`19(44th)
Edm	131	Olivier Rodrigue	G	20	6-1/165	Moncton (QMJHL)	`18(62nd)
Fla	132	Serron Noel	RW	20	6-5/205	Osh-Kit (OHL)	`18(34th)
Det	133	Antti Tuomisto	D	19	6-4/190	Assat Pori (Fin Jr)	`19(35th)
Dal	134	Jason Robertson	LW	21	6-2/195	Texas (AHL)	`17(39th)
Mtl	135	Joni Ikonen	C	21	5-10/170	DNP - Injured	`17(58th)
Nsh	136	Rem Pitlick	C	23	5-11/200	Milwaukee (AHL)	`16(76th)
Ott	137	Logan Brown	C	22	6-6/220	Belleville (AHL)	`16(11th)
TB	138	Samuel Walker	C	21	5-11/160	Minnesota (B1G)	`17(200th)
Phi	139	Wade Allison	RW	22	6-2/205	Western Michigan (NCHC)	`16(52nd)
Wpg	140	Declan Chisholm	D	20	6-1/190	Peterborough (OHL)	`18(150th)
NJ	141	Tyce Thompson	RW	21	6-1/180	Providence (HE)	`19(96th)
VGK	142	Connor Corcoran	D	20	6-1/185	Windsor (OHL)	`18(154th)
Ana	143	Jackson Lacombe	D	19	6-1/170	Minnesota (B1G)	`19(39th)
NYR	144	Lauri Pajuniemi	RW	21	6-0/185	TPS Turku (Fin)	`18(132nd)
Car	145	Tuukka Tieksola	RW	19	5-10/160	Karpat Oulu (Fin Jr)	`19(121st)
CBJ	146	Andrew Peeke	D	22	6-3/210	Cleveland (AHL)	`16(34th)
Ana	147	Axel Andersson	D	20	6-0/180	Moncton (QMJHL)	T(Bos-2/20)
Car	148	Patrik Puistola	LW	19	6-0/175	Tap-Juk-Koo (Fin)	`19(73rd)
NJ	149	Michael McLeod	C	22	6-2/195	Binghamton (AHL)	`16(12th)
Car	150	Pyotr Kochetkov	G	21	6-1/175	SKA-VIT (KHL)	`19(36th)
NJ	151	Michael Vukojevic	D	19	6-3/210	Kitchener (OHL)	`19(82nd)
NYI	152	Ruslan Iskhakov	C	20	5-8/155	UConn (HE)	`18(43rd)
Wpg	153	Sami Niku	D	23	6-0/175	Manitoba (AHL)	`15(198th)
TB	154	Hugo Alnefelt	G	19	6-3/195	HV 71 (Swe)	`19(71st)
NJ	155	Nikita Okhotyuk	D	19	6-1/195	Ottawa (OHL)	`19(61st)
NYR	156	Hunter Skinner	D	19	6-2/175	London (OHL)	`19(112th)
LA	157	Mikey Anderson	D	21	6-0/195	Ontario (AHL)	`17(103rd)
Col	158	Shane Bowers	C	21	6-2/190	Colorado (AHL)	T(Ott-11/17)
NYI	159	Joshua Ho-Sang	RW	24	6-0/175	Bri-SA (AHL)	`14(28th)
LA	160	Cal Petersen	G	25	6-3/190	Ontario (AHL)	FA(7/17)
Col	161	Sampo Ranta	LW	20	6-2/205	Minnesota (B1G)	`18(78th)
Wpg	162	Mikhail Berdin	G	22	6-2/165	Manitoba (AHL)	`16(157th)
Bos	163	Jeremy Lauzon	D	23	6-3/205	Providence (AHL)	`15(52nd)
Nsh	164	David Farrance	D	21	5-11/190	Boston University (HE)	`17(92nd)
Van	165	Will Lockwood	RW	22	5-11/175	Michigan (B1G)	`16(64th)
NYI	166	Sebastian Aho	D	24	5-10/175	Bridgeport (AHL)	`17(139th)
Wpg	167	Logan Stanley	D	22	6-7/225	Manitoba (AHL)	`16(18th)
Buf	168	Ryan Johnson	D	19	6-0/175	Minnesota (B1G)	`19(31st)
Van	169	Michael DiPietro	G	21	6-0/195	Utica (AHL)	`17(64th)
VGK	170	Kaedan Korczak	D	19	6-3/190	Kelowna (WHL)	`19(41st)
Car	171	Jack Drury	C	20	5-11/180	Harvard (ECAC)	`18(42nd)
StL	172	Nikita Alexandrov	C	19	6-0/180	Charlottetown (QMJHL)	`19(62nd)
Col	173	Nikolai Kovalenko	RW	20	5-10/175	Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)	`18(171st)
Nsh	174	Juuso Parssinen	C	19	6-2/205	TPS Turku (Fin)	`19(210th)
Chi	175	Pius Suter	C	24	5-11/170	ZSC Lions (NLA)	FA(7/20)
Fla	176	Aleksi Saarela	RW	23	5-11/200	Rfd-Spr (AHL)	T(Chi-10/19)
Bos	177	Trent Frederic	C	22	6-4/215	Providence (AHL)	`16(29th)
CBJ	178	Dmitri Voronkov	LW	20	6-4/190	Ak Bars Kazan (KHL)	`19(114th)
Ott	179	Lassi Thomson	D	19	6-0/190	Ilves Tampere (Fin)	`19(19th)
Car	180	Morgan Geekie	C	22	6-2/180	Charlotte (AHL)	`17(67th)
CBJ	181	Trey Fix-Wolansky	RW	21	5-8/185	Cleveland (AHL)	`18(204th)
Ott	182	Vitaly Abramov	RW	22	5-9/175	Belleville (AHL)	T(CBJ-2/19)
TB	183	Alexander Volkov	LW	23	6-1/190	Syracuse (AHL)	`17(48th)
Tor	184	Mikko Kokkonen	D	19	5-11/200	Jukurit (Fin)	`19(84th)
Ott	185	Kevin Mandolese	G	20	6-4/180	Cape Breton (QMJHL)	`18(157th)
CBJ	186	Daniil Tarasov	G	21	6-5/185	Assat Pori (Fin)	`17(86th)
LA	187	Carl Grundstrom	LW	22	6-0/195	Ontario (AHL)	T(Tor-1/19)
LA	188	Kale Clague	D	22	6-0/180	Ontario (AHL)	`16(51st)
Ott	189	Artyom Zub	D	24	6-2/200	SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)	FA(5/20)
Edm	190	Tyler Benson	LW	22	6-0/200	Bakersfield (AHL)	`16(32nd)
Det	191	Jonatan Berggren	RW	20	5-10/185	Skelleftea AIK (Swe)	`18(33rd)
Tor	192	Yegor Korshkov	RW	24	6-4/215	Toronto (AHL)	`16(31st)
Dal	193	Riley Damiani	C	20	5-9/165	Kitchener (OHL)	`18(137th)
VGK	194	Zach Whitecloud	D	23	6-2/210	Chicago (AHL)	FA(3/18)
Buf	195	Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen	G	21	6-4/195	Cincinnati (ECHL)	`17(54th)
Car	196	David Cotton	LW	23	6-3/205	Boston College (HE)	`15(169th)
Chi	197	Wyatt Kalynuk	D	23	6-1/180	Wisconsin (B1G)	FA(7/20)
Min	198	Hunter Jones	G	19	6-4/195	Peterborough (OHL)	`19(59th)
LA	199	Jordan Spence	D	19	5-10/165	Moncton (QMJHL)	`19(95th)
Cgy	200	Dmitri Zavgorodny	LW	20	5-9/175	Rimouski (QMJHL)	`18(198th)
Col	201	Alex Beaucage	RW	19	6-1/195	Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL)	`19(78th)
TB	202	Dmitri Semykin	D	20	6-3/200	SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)	`18(90th)
CBJ	203	Matiss Kivlenieks	G	24	6-2/190	Cleveland (AHL)	FA(5/17)
StL	204	Ville Husso	G	25	6-3/205	San Antonio (AHL)	`14(94th)
Phi	205	Bobby Brink	RW	19	5-10/165	Denver (NCHC)	`19(34th)
NYI	206	Otto Koivula	C	22	6-4/220	Bridgeport (AHL)	`16(120th)
Car	207	Eetu Makiniemi	G	21	6-2/180	KOOVEE (Fin 2)	`17(104th)
NYI	208	Anatoli Golyshev	RW	25	5-8/180	Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg (KHL)	`16(95th)
Chi	209	Evan Barratt	C	21	6-0/190	Penn State (B1G)	`17(90th)
Buf	210	Erik Portillo	G	20	6-6/210	Dubuque (USHL)	`19(67th)
Fla	211	Cole Schwindt	RW	19	6-2/185	Mississauga (OHL)	`19(81st)
Chi	212	Michal Teply	LW	19	6-3/185	Winnipeg (WHL)	`19(105th)
Ott	213	Mads Sogaard	G	19	6-7/195	Medicine Hat (WHL)	`19(37th)
Buf	214	Jonas Johansson	G	24	6-4/205	Rochester (AHL)	`14(61st)
TB	215	Cal Foote	D	21	6-4/215	Syracuse (AHL)	`17(14th)
StL	216	Niko Mikkola	D	24	6-5/200	San Antonio (AHL)	`15(127th)
NYI	217	Robin Salo	D	21	6-1/190	SaiPa (Fin)	`17(46th)
Bos	218	Jakub Zboril	D	23	6-1/200	Providence (AHL)	`15(13th)
Buf	219	Will Borgen	D	23	6-2/200	Rochester (AHL)	`15(92nd)
Pit	220	Pierre-Olivier Joseph	D	21	6-2/170	Wilkes-Barre (AHL)	`17(23rd)
SJ	221	Sasha Chmelevski	C	21	5-11/190	San Jose (AHL)	`17(185th)
Ari	222	Kyle Capobianco	D	23	6-1/180	Tucson (AHL)	`15(63rd)
Det	223	Keith Petruzzelli	G	21	6-5/180	Quinnipiac (ECAC)	`17(88th)
Wsh	224	Garrett Pilon	RW	22	5-11/190	Hershey (AHL)	`16(87th)
NJ	225	Nikola Pasic	RW	19	5-10/185	Karlskoga (Swe 2)	`19(189th)
TB	226	Alex Barre-Boulet	C	23	5-10/165	Syracuse (AHL)	FA(3/18)
Edm	227	Ryan McLeod	C	20	6-2/205	Bakersfield (AHL)	`18(40th)
NYI	228	Samuel Bolduc	D	19	6-3/210	BLB-She (QMJHL)	`19(57th)
Ott	229	Joey Daccord	G	24	6-2/195	Belleville (AHL)	`15(199th)
StL	230	Hugh McGing	C	22	5-9/180	Western Michigan (NCHC)	`18(138th)
Edm	231	Cooper Marody	C	23	6-0/180	Bakersfield (AHL)	T(Phi-3/18)
Tor	232	Jeremy Bracco	RW	23	5-9/180	Toronto (AHL)	`15(61st)
Phi	233	German Rubtsov	C	22	6-2/190	Lehigh Valley (AHL)	`16(22nd)
Wsh	234	Brian Pinho	C	25	6-1/195	Hershey (AHL)	`13(174th)
Col	235	Logan O'Connor	RW	24	6-0/170	Colorado (AHL)	FA(7/18)
Buf	236	Casey Fitzgerald	D	23	5-11/190	Rochester (AHL)	`16(86th)
NJ	237	Daniil Misyul	D	19	6-3/180	Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)	`19(70th)
Ari	238	John Farinacci	C	19	5-11/185	Harvard (ECAC)	`19(76th)
Edm	239	Aapeli Rasanen	C	22	6-0/195	Boston College (HE)	`16(153rd)
Pit	240	Anthony Angello	RW	24	6-5/205	Wilkes-Barre (AHL)	`14(145th)
Mtl	241	Cam Hillis	C	20	5-10/170	Guelph (OHL)	`18(66th)
Cgy	242	Mathias Emilio Pettersen	RW	20	5-9/170	Denver (NCHC)	`18(167th)
SJ	243	Alexander True	C	23	6-5/205	San Jose (AHL)	FA(7/18)
NYI	244	Reece Newkirk	C	19	5-11/175	Portland (WHL)	`19(147th)
Dal	245	Dawson Barteaux	D	20	6-0/180	RD-Wpg (WHL)	`18(168th)
Bos	246	Jack Ahcan	D	23	5-8/185	St. Cloud State (NCHC)	FA(3/20)
Det	247	Seth Barton	D	21	6-2/175	Mass-Lowell (HE)	`18(81st)
Fla	248	Max Gildon	D	21	6-3/190	New Hampshire (HE)	`17(66th)
Ari	249	Aku Raty	RW	19	6-0/175	Karpat Oulu (Fin)	`19(151st)
Wpg	250	David Gustafsson	C	20	6-1/195	Winnipeg (NHL)	`18(60th)

MCKEEN’S 2020 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – BUFFALO SABRES – ORGANIZATIONAL RANK: 13

Mon, 21 Sep 2020 17:09:23 +0000

Buffalo Sabres

Through the first 43 years of the Buffalo Sabres’ existence, the organization had employed only six men in the role of General Manager, a total that includes six months under interim GM John Anderson. The news from mid-June that Jason Botterill was out and Kevyn Adams was in marked the team’s third GM since early January 2014. Uncoincidentally, the team has not made the playoffs in that span.

When a team hires a new GM, I like to look at the unique tendencies of the predecessor and compare them to the background of the incoming head honcho. As we will see momentarily, that isn’t going to be so easy in the case of the changing of the guard in Western New York.

Let’s start with what we saw out of Botterill. Over the course of three draft classes, he almost completely avoided drafting players out of the CHL, with the only exception being the selection of top prospect Dylan Cozens at 7^th overall last June. A couple of his other picks moved over to the CHL after being drafted by the Sabres, in Ukka-Pekka Luukkonen and Matej Pekar, who were both drafted out of Europe and moved to OHL clubs through the CHL Import Draft. I am not one to argue against a strategy that focuses on college-bound players and/or Europeans, but I can see an argument that Botterill would have been better served by mixing things up a bit more, especially as CHL talents – high-end CHL talents – are more ready for the pro game after their junior careers, if for no other reason than the length of the CHL seasons compared to the college game. Think Casey Mittelstadt, the highly skilled Minnesota high schooler taken 8^th overall in Botterill’s first draft. It is far too early to write the book on Mittelstadt’s career, but the Sabres pushed him too far, too soon and he has struggled to establish himself as an NHLer. OHLers like Nick Suzuki and Robert Thomas, taken later in that first round, have certainly had softer NHL landings so far.

On the other side, we have Adams who was named General Manager with almost no executive experience at the NHL level. Since his NHL playing career petered out after a stint with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2007-08, the one-time first round pick spent a few years as a player-agent and joined the Sabres organization in 2009-10. His first role was as a development coach (two years) and then as an Assistant Coach (two more years), a period which coincided with the end of the Lindy Ruff era in Buffalo.

Since then, Adams has remained in the organization as a youth hockey supervisor, while also taking on the role of President of the Buffalo Jr. Sabres, of the OJHL. He was named Senior Vice President of Business Administration for the club last year before finally taking on the GM role in June 2020.

The remainder of the front office has not been filled out yet, but as part of the organizational swap, the tea also let go of the bulk of its scouting staff, leaving only (seemingly) Jeremiah Crowe and Jason Nightingale in the department. The former is the new Director of Scouting, and the latter is the new Director of Analytics ad Assistant Director of Scouting. Nightingale has been on the analytics side for a while and his retention and appointment to the number two role in the scouting department indicates that analytics will play a greater role in player acquisition.

As for Crowe, his playing career ended after playing for Clarkson in college, after which he coached in DIII for three years before moving into scouting at the USHL and then to the USNTDP program, where he was the Director of Player Personnel for two seasons, before joining the Sabres as a pro scout in the 2017-18 season.

In summary, I would not be surprised if the Sabres continue to scout heavily from the college-track cohort of prospects, although perhaps not as exclusively so. Either way, Adams will need more time at the helm than either Botterill or his predecessor, Tim Murray, were afforded to have a chance to build his vision.

Dylan Cozens. Photo by Erica Perreaux - Lethbridge Hurricanes

Dylan Cozens, C/RW (7^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 1)

Cozens has taken a noticeable step in his draft plus one season. His unique blend of size, speed, and vision made him a top 10 pick but his growth as a 200ft player and his ability to drive play have turned him into one of the top five drafted prospects outside of the NHL. He can play the prototypical power forward game where he gets in on the forecheck, works hard, creates turnovers, and generates a strong cycle game that wears down opposing defenders.

He also has the ability to make high end plays, both using his vision and his feet. His top speed is very good and enables to him to beat guys wide although he has made a point of taking the puck directly to the net more last year. From the cycle game there are few who have the vision to make the passes he can. Either from below the dots along the half wall or from the rush he can put pucks into dangerous locations.

He uses his body so effectively to shield the puck that he draws a ton of penalties. He drives play much more than a season ago; there was no doubt who set the offensive table for Lethbridge in 2019-20. His comfort level with the puck on his stick was always high in traffic but now he is more dangerous in open space and his improving shot makes him a threat all over the ice.

At the WJC he was highly productive, leading team Canada in +/- and was second in assists with seven in just seven games playing a mix of wing and center. There is real NHL promise to come from the young Yukoner and his ability to play the wing only enhances his chance of making an impact on the Sabres as soon as next season. - VG

Oskari Laaksonen, D (89^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 4)

The Sabres surprised many people when they selected Laaksonen in the third round of the 2017 NHL draft. Since then his development has been quite impressive. The puck moving abilities and vision were always there, making him an intriguing prospect with a lot of raw talent. He was lanky in his draft year, but he has gained strength and his overall game is headed in the right direction.

The right-shot defenseman has a lot to offer offensively. He can make the simple first pass, stretch the ice with long passes or carry the puck from his own end. He has smooth hands and displays fast stickhandling. He makes mistakes from time to time, but he shows skill and poise with the puck.

He lacks a big slap shot from the point, but he has added power to it, which applies to his skating as well. He is a strong skater with good lateral movement. His first few strides are quick and he has a good glide as well. He is smooth, mobile and athletic. He is not overly physical though, and he could use his size and strength more effectively for hitting and in one-on-one battles.

His second full Liiga season could have been much stronger – he will need to bounce back in 2020-21 and get his development back on track. In the long term, I think Laaksonen has a good chance to develop into a middle- pairing NHL blueliner who would be useful on the power play, at least on the second unit. However, he needs to mature and gain more experience at high levels to be prepared for the demands of the NHL. - MB

Mattias Samuelsson, D (32^nd overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 5)

Although not as big as father Kjell, Mattias Samuelsson is still a very large human being, currently measured at 6-4”, 220. Not only does he have old-school-scout-wet-dream size, but he is also a recognized leader, who has worn the ‘C’ for Team USA at the WU18 tournament in his draft year and last year at the WJC, as well as for his school as a sophomore. The captaincy honorific could not convince Samuelsson to stick to school for a third year though, as he signed an Entry Level Deal with the Sabres in late March, shortly after the 2019-20 NCAA season was cancelled.

After two seasons each in the spotlight for both the USNTDP and Western Michigan, we know without any doubt that Samuelsson lacks any real offensive value. Of course, he can shoot and pass the puck, but that simply is not part of his game. The strength of his game lies off the puck. Samuelsson, unlike many other bigger defenders, has accepted his size and his limitations and plays within himself.

He has enough mobility to be able to stick with most opposing forwards, and positions himself well while also using his stick like a pro, so that the faster forwards are forced to the outside if he has trouble keeping up with them stride for stride. It is fair to say that Samuelsson is a very good skater for his size, while being around average in a vacuum.

Even if he never gets a shift on the power play, he will be a staple on the penalty kill, while I expect him to develop into a shutdown option at even strength, capable of defending against the opposition’s top lines with regularity. Not a very exciting prospect, but potentially a very valuable one. - RW

Ryan Johnson, D (31^st overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 2)

Before saying anything else, it needs to be said that Johnson’s freshman season at the University of Minnesota was underwhelming, at best. Calling it disappointing would be more accurate, truth be told. Son of former NHL’er Craig Johnson, the native Californian is still very slight. While his figure didn’t hamper his effectiveness at the USHL level, where his play made him a reasonable first round pick, it definitely was a factor in his first collegiate season.

He was still able to show the occasional flash of the skillset that saw him rising up draft boards throughout the second half of his draft eligible season. He is a fantastic skater, smooth and quick in all directions. His backtracking ability is especially impressive. His skating also is the primary cause to hope that he can regain some offensive luster, as even as he struggled this year, he still showed the ability to walk the blueline nimbly, helping to open up lanes. On the other hand, Johnson demonstrated little ability to make good on whatever lane he could open up. His puck decisions felt rushed and all too rarely led to a dangerous scoring chance.

His shot especially seemed meagre as a freshman. Even with his freshman struggles, it is worth remembering that Johnson was a young freshman, with a July 2001 birthdate, and he should be expected to continue developing, both physically, and in his game. He will need more strength to maintain effectiveness defensively, especially in terms of his defensive positioning. It is too soon to give up on the upside of a two-way, top four defender, but without a big step forward next year, it may be appropriate to start downgrading expectations. - RW

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, G (54^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 3)

Luukkonen is the future of the Buffalo Sabres in terms of goaltending. He is a big, athletic, and focused goaltender who has the ability, skill, and knowledge to be naturally good at what he does as though he was born to set foot in the crease. Despite having surgery within the past year, Luukkonen ending up building up the majority of his confidence back in the ECHL where both his save percentage and GAA were very respectable.

He will start the 2020 season back in the Liiga in his native Finland with TPS but expect him to be back for the commencement of the AHL season in December. Getting some time in the Liiga will get him prepped and ready to face the shots of the AHL where he is most likely to start sharing the role with Jonas Johansson.

Luukkonen is the full package as a goaltender and is already mature and physically built to play in the NHL. He plays a calm and mentally strong game where he tracks and sees the puck very well, is capable of playing high intensity games, and does not get phased or rattled easily. He gets right over the puck, battles well and is not afraid to play the puck. Luukkonen will have to get better at communicating with his team and being more vocal, however that could be due to last season being only his second in North America.

When the Sabres finally decide to call him up, it will most likely be his first and last call up. Expect him to be able to handle the pressure and to step into a role as the Buffalo Sabres long term starting goaltender. - SC

Erik Portillo, G (67^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 7)

The gigantic 6-6” puck stopper plays a technically mature, athletic game, and is almost impossible to beat down low. Furthermore, his puck handling is near exceptional for a player at his level. Per InStat, the vast majority of the goals he surrendered with the Fighting Saints were from in tight, where he can sometimes go down too early. For the most part, though, he plays a calm game and forces the opposition to generate puck movement near the crease to create a hole. Portillo will tackle his next challenge at the University of Michigan. - RW

Jonas Johansson, G (61^st overall, 2014. 2019 Rank: UR)

After spending some time up with the Sabres this past season, Johansson’s development has been good, and he has nearly earned the right to being a full-time backup in the NHL. That being said, there is still a large ‘maybe’ hanging in the air and with the depth that Buffalo has for goaltenders in their system it is almost undeniable to say that the competition level is high for the starting role.

Johansson will need more time in the AHL with Rochester to get a better grasp on reading plays and rebound control so he does not have to try so hard to make crazy second and third saves as those pucks should be held on to or deflected to the side. He is good at maintaining position and finding loose pucks; however, he will need to be louder and communicate better with his team so he can gain confidence playing the puck. For now, Johansson stands a good chance at being backup option in Buffalo’s system when he earns his next call up but expect him to still get a few starts as a part timer, nonetheless. - SC

Will Borgen, D (92^nd overall, 2015. 2019 Rank: 11)

In the future he will have to tighten his gap and ensure he is not causing so many unnecessary turnovers. Borgen needs to ensure his shots get to the net. Should he do that, then he will become an even bigger threat for the opposing team. He brings the intensity and strength with the maturity of a player already seasoned in the professional game. It will come as no surprise next season if he gets a chance to prove himself for a longer stint as a part of Buffalo’s bottom four. - SC

Casey Fitzgerald, D (86^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 15)

His play in the attacking zone could be more aggressive at times and he still needs to work on his timing for when to pinch going into next season. Fitzgerald has the potential to reach a bottom four position as a call up for the Sabres in the near future after his confidence grows and he plays more aggressively when shooting the puck. - SC

Marcus Davidsson, C/LW (37^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 8)

This season, both Davidsson and his team struggled. I still see him as a player with a possible breakout year if he plays more a determined and consistent game. The NHL projection is as a middle six player if he gets everything together. At this point, soon to be 22 years old, the risk of him not becoming that player is growing higher. The next season will be important for him in that sense. - JH

Matej Pekar, C/RW (94^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 12)

However, at the next level, he does not likely possess the high-end skill, skating ability, or finishing ability to be a top six forward. He should settle into a bottom six role after a few seasons in the AHL and could carve out a long NHL career as a checking line player and penalty killer. Right now, the focus for Pekar should be on improving his explosiveness to ensure continued success at the pro level. - BO

Jacob Bryson, D (99^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: UR)

Without a doubt, if given the chance, Bryson can be tested at the NHL level, however he needs to simply touch up on the details and the smaller areas of his game like gap control, keeping his feet moving, and not getting caught flat footed. Those are all details that make a big impact on the overall game and the development of Bryson’s play. Expect him to continue his development this coming season in order to earn a bottom four spot with Buffalo in the medium-term future. - SC

Brett Murray, LW (99^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 17)

Murray can stand to improve his play in his own end as he tends to be a little lazier and more scattered when challenging opponents. He has the potential to be a standout power forward when it comes to the NHL but his skating and defensive play have to get faster and he needs to bring more intent and energy to certain situations to become a better two way player before he can take over a bottom six role in the NHL. - SC

Arttu Ruotsalainen, C/LW (Undrafted Free Agent, signed May 8, 2019. 2019 Rank: 19)

He was always extremely industrious and relentless at the junior level – his compete level has never been an issue – but he has shown some new elements to his game at the pro level. An offensively skilled center, his play with the puck continues to improve. He is a very good playmaker and delivers quality passes to his wingers. He has great speed and can pull away from defenders.

He is committed to the defensive game, plays with passion and could develop into a strong 200-foot player. His development curve is heading straight up, and he has a real chance to make the Sabres roster as soon as next season. His rise into a top Liiga player has been a great success story, yet his best hockey is ahead. - MB

Brandon Biro, C (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 18, 2020. 2019 Rank: IE)

A crafty offensive force, when he is healthy Biro can change the pace to keep defenders on their toes. He has deft hands that work well in tight spots. Off the puck, he reads the opposition well and can pick a few pockets with a quick stick. The big question as he moves to the professional ranks is whether he can still be productive even without the size or pure dynamic skillset usually found in a scoring role.

He is a young college senior, having turned 22 a few days before signing with the Sabres, so there remains the possibility of more future development we generally see with senior signs, but the clock will only tick for so long and Biro will have to prove himself to reach the highest level. - RW

NCAA: World Junior Edition – Key players and underdogs to watch from US College hockey

Jashvina Shah — Tue, 17 Dec 2019 13:37:06 +0000

ORNSKOLDSVIK, SWEDEN - APRIL 19: USAs Spencer Knight #30 holds his mask during the national anthem following a 12-5 preliminary round win against Slovakia at the 2019 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship at Fjallraven Center on April 19, 2019 in Ornskoldsvik, Sweden. (Photo by Steve Kingsman/HHOF-IIHF Images)

The most wonderful time of the year, when it’s cold outside and people are strapping on their skates to … represent their countries at the World Junior Championship

The annual tournament is a favorite amongst those who follow prospects, although none really know why. Perhaps it’s because of the never-ending USA-Canada rivalry. Or maybe it’s because players have one year, maximum two, to take home a gold medal. Perhaps it’s because, unlike the Olympics, this team is still a “team” and less a compilation of famous stars. Perhaps it’s because this a chance to catch the next generation of NHL players before they are NHL players. Or perhaps it’s because it’s a chance to see the best players of this generation, even though some of them won’t become NHL players.

For some, it’s because the World Junior Championship is a chance to watch some of the best college players in the country face off against the best of the best worldwide in their age group. And it is so much fun, albeit slightly alarming, how much people’s lives depend on the outcome of a game played by a bunch of 19-year-olds.

Each year a slew of elite college hockey players end up at the World Juniors. Most of them play for USA, but a few are scattered amongst other countries. This year, 27 college hockey players were selected to preliminary rosters.

Most, as mentioned above, ended up on the U.S. roster. The Czech Republic, Finland and Sweden also named one NCAA player each to their respective rosters. (The interesting note is that those players aren’t from programs you would normally associate with recruiting in those areas, since Finland’s Sampo Ranta plays for Minnesota and Sweden’s Erik Portillo is a Michigan recruit.) Canada named four players to its preliminary roster but later cut BC’s Alex Newhook, Quinnipiac’s Peter Diliberatore and Wisconsin’s Dylan Holloway.

The tournament runs from December 26, 2019 to January 5, 2020 in the Czech Republic. Countries still need to trim their rosters. Five must go from USA, which started its training camp on Dec. 15. The teams will practice before playing a controlled scrimmage against the National Team Development Program U18 (a.k.a. half of the future World Junior Championship roster).The team will then fly to the Czech Republic for pre-tournament games against Sweden and Germany.

There will be a preliminary round robin of group play followed by elimination games, which begin with quarterfinals on Jan. 2.

Group A consists of the United States, Russia, Canada, the Czech Republic and Germany. Group B features reigning champion Finland along with Switzerland, Sweden, Slovakia and Kazakhstan.

Here is a full list of NCAA prospects currently on preliminary rosters, along with their stat lines:

Canada:

Jacob Bernard-Docker | D | North Dakota | 17gp 3-11-14

Czech Republic:

Ondrej Pavel | F | Fargo, USHL (Minnesota State Recruit) |19 gp 6-4-10

Finland:

Sampo Ranta | F | Minnesota | 18gp 7-4-11

Sweden:

Erik Portillo | G | Dubuque, USHL (Michigan Recruit) | 15gp .912 sv%

USA

Goaltenders:

*Spencer Knight | Boston College | 15gs, .940 sv%

Isaiah Saville | Nebraska-Omaha | 3gs, .887 sv%

Defensemen:

Ty Emberson | Wisconsin | 18gp 0-3-3

Jordan Harris | Northeastern | 17gp 3-8-11

Ryan Johnson | Minnesota | 18gp 0-5-5

Zac Jones | UMass | 17gp 3-9-12

Christian Krygier | MSU | 17gp 0-3-3

*K’Andre Miller | Wisconsin | 18gp 6-5-11

Mattias Samuelsson | Western Michigan | 12gp 1-3-4

Spencer Stastney | Notre Dame | 17gp 2-6-8

Cam York | Michigan | 18gp 4-5-9

Forwards:

John Beecher | Michigan | 16gp 5-4-9

Bobby Brink | Denver } 18gp 7-6-13

Cole Caufield | Wisconsin | 18-12-8-20

*Jack Drury | Harvard | 10gp 4-6-10

Parker Ford | Providence | 17gp 6-8-14

Curtis Hall | Yale | 9gp 6-1-7

Trevor Janicke | Notre Dame 17gp 7-3-10

Robert Mastrosimone | Boston University | 17gp 4-6-10

Shane Pinto | North Dakota | 17gp 8-6-14

Jacob Pivonka | Notre Dame | 17gp 4-4-8

Alex Turcotte | Wisconsin | 18gp 6-9-15

Trevor Zegras | Boston University |17gp 5-12-17

*On last year’s WJC roster

The theme for selected NCAA players is scoring. It is unsurprising given that, in the past, USA Hockey has struggled in World Juniors because of lack of scoring. This team has five of the country’s 10 highest-scoring freshmen, with Caufield leading the way.

Majority of these players are from Midwestern teams, specifically from the Big Ten. Wisconsin has four players, Notre Dame has three, Michigan has two players as well as a recruit, Minnesota has two players and Michigan State has one. (Oddly enough, both Wisconsin and Notre Dame, who each have some of the top freshmen in the country, are struggling of late. But that’s a topic for a different day.) There are just two Eastern players on the defensive core, and five out of 12 in the forward core.

Here are some players to watch, by position:

Spencer Knight. Photo courtesy of the USNTDP.

Goaltending:

Players to watch:

The answer to this is, obviously, Spencer Knight. Knight, an NTDP alumnus, was actually on last year’s roster as the third stringer behind Cayden Primeau and Kyle Keyser. Primeau did pretty well, posting a .937 save percentage, leaving no need for Knight. Barring something unforeseen, Knight will be the starter this year.

Expected to be one of the top incoming freshman goaltenders in the country, Knight has played like it. He is sixth in the nation — and first amongst freshman goaltenders — with a .940 save percentage in 15 starts. That’s impressive because adapting to the faster speed can be a challenge for freshmen. Knight is the only rookie in the country with a save percentage that ranks in the top 14.

Underdogs:

Team USA generally has used Major Junior goaltenders over college hockey goaltenders because Major Junior goaltenders have more playing experience, although this trend may be shifting. It is interesting that this year the U.S. has two college hockey goaltenders. While Knight is the obvious front runner, don’t sleep on Isaiah Seville.

The starting netminder at Nebraska-Omaha, Saville has a .889 save percentage on a team that is last in the NCHC with two conference wins. But team stats aren’t really goaltending stats and Saville, the former USHL Goaltender of the Year, has a reputation of getting hot at the right time. And when he’s on, he’s on. He won gold with the U.S. at the World Junior A Challenge as well. Most likely Saville won’t see much action, but it would be surprising if he didn’t get any looks.

ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 24: Wisconsin Badgers defenseman K'Andre Miller (19) skates with the puck during a regular season Big 10 Conference hockey game between the Wisconsin Badgers and Michigan Wolverines on November 24, 2018 at Yost Ice Arena in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire)

Defense

Players to watch

The NCAA World Junior pool is loaded with high-end defensemen who can also contribute points from the blue line like K’Andre Miller, Cam York and Zac Jones. Jacob Bernard-Docker, Canada’s only remaining NCAA player, is a former CJHL Top Defenseman and a World A Junior Challenge gold medalist.

Last year Miller was one of the best freshmen defenders in the country, unfortunately missing some playing time with injuries. But Miller is one of the few WJC veterans on this team and played in six games during last year’s WJC with one point. He is tied for second most goals in the country amongst defensemen and leads this group with goals from the blue line.

Meanwhile Jones, despite his freshman status, is the highest-scoring defender in this group.

Underdogs:

Points are important but so are solid blue liners — a lesson we often re-learn in World Juniors. Michigan State has been burning through the Big Ten and just as they are underdogs, so is defenseman Christian Krygier. Yes, he was drafted, but as a seventh round. He has international experience, playing in the 2017 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup. Unlike Zac Jones, Krygier isn’t a scorer. He’s not flashy. But solid defensemen are important for championships, and Krygier – who has been impactful for Michigan State — could be impactful here, too.

Forwards

Players to watch

There are so many to choose from, but Cole Caufield is the correct answer. Yes, Caufield is short. That has led some to question his ability to make it in pro hockey. But the Montreal Canadiens disagreed, drafting him fifth overall. Yes, he may be small. Yes, the NHL and college hockey are physical. But you can’t hit what you can’t catch. Caufield has the mix of speed and skill that makes him the best player on this team, without question. Caufield broke both the single-season and career goal scoring records for the NTDP and finished with 180 points. At U18 Worlds, he tied Alexander Ovechkin’s scoring record with 14 goals. It is going to be a lot of fun to see him weave through the rest of this competition.

Underdogs

Parker Ford may be the biggest underdog of all the NCAA players selected for World Junior preliminary rosters. It is easy to lose his name amongst Providence’s other top scorers, like Jack Dugan, but Ford’s name is one to remember. The only undrafted player on the USA World Junior roster, Ford is already showing glimpses of how good he can be as he develops further. He also won gold with USA in the World Junior A Challenge.

Trevor Janicke’s name also may not jump out, but he has been phenomenal for the Fighting Irish thus far. He has given Notre Dame’s offense a boost as the team’s highest-scoring freshman. His offense may have tapered off of late, but earlier in the year he had a four-game goal streak. He skated with the NTDP and played in the U18 Worlds, where he won silver in 2017-18. He also won gold at the 2019 world Junior A Challenge.

Games to watch:

Dec. 26: Czech Republic vs. Russia

Sweden vs. Finland

Canada vs. USA

Dec. 27: Germany vs. USA

Dec. 28: Finland vs. Slovakia

Czech Republic vs. Germany

Switzerland vs. Sweden

Russia vs. Canada

Dec. 29: Kazakhstan vs. Finland

USA vs. Russia

Dec. 30: Kazakhstan vs. Sweden

Germany vs. Canada

USA vs. Czech Republic

Dec. 31: Sweden vs. Slovakia

Finland vs. Sweden

Canada vs. Czech Republic

Jan. 2: Quarterfinals

Jan. 4: Semifinals

Jan. 5: Quarterfinals

Ryan Johnson – McKeen's Hockey

AHL: Early Season Favourites – AHL – Ostapchuk, Tuch, Johnson & Webber

Zack Ostapchuk - Center/Left Wing - Belleville Senators

Luke Tuch - Left Wing - Laval Rocket

Ryan Johnson - Defence - Rochester Americans

Cade Webber - Defence - Toronto Marlies

MCKEEN’S 2023-24 NHL YEARBOOK – BUFFALO SABRES – Top 20 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #7

Top 20 Buffalo Sabre Prospects

1. Jiri Kulich

2. Zach Benson

3. Devon Levi

4. Matthew Savoie

5. Isak Rosen

6. Noah Ostlund

7. Anton Wahlberg

8. Prokhor Poltapov

9. Maxim Strbak

10. Ryan Johnson

11. Aleksander Kisakov

12. Olivier Nadeau

13. Lukas Rousek

14. Viktor Neuchev

15. Brandon Biro

16. Brett Murray

17. Topias Leinonen

18. Gavin McCarthy

19. Jake Richard

20. Mats Lindgren

MCKEEN’S 2022-23 NHL YEARBOOK – BUFFALO SABRES – Top 20 Prospects

2021-22 TOP 15 PROSPECTS: BUFFALO SABRES – RANK: #8 – TIER II

NCAA TOURNAMENT RECAP – Minutemen Win First NCAA Title

Fargo Regional

North Dakota vs. American International

Minnesota-Duluth vs. Michigan

North Dakota vs. Minnesota-Duluth

Loveland Regional

Minnesota State vs. Quinnipiac

Minnesota vs. Nebraska-Omaha

Minnesota vs. Minnesota State

Bridgeport Regional

Wisconsin vs. Bemidji State

Massachusetts vs. Lake Superior State

Massachusetts vs. Bemidji State

Albany Regional

Boston College vs. Notre Dame

St. Cloud State vs. Boston University

St. Cloud State vs. Boston College

Frozen Four

Minnesota State vs. St. Cloud State

Minnesota-Duluth vs. UMass

UMass vs. St. Cloud State

McKeen’s 2020-21 Hockey Yearbook: Top 300 Prospect Rankings

McKeen’s 2020-21 Hockey Yearbook: Buffalo Sabres Top 20 Prospects

Dylan Cozens, C/RW (7th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 1)

Jack Quinn, RW (8th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

John-Jason Peterka, LW (34th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Oskari Laaksonen, D (89th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 2)

Mattias Samuelsson, D (32nd overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 3)

Ryan Johnson, D (31st overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 4)

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, G (54th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 5)

Erik Portillo, G (67th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 6)

Jonas Johansson, G (61st overall, 2014. Previous ranking: 7)

Will Borgen, D (92nd overall, 2015. Previous ranking: 8)

Casey Fitzgerald, D (86th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 9)

Marcus Davidsson, C/LW (37th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 10)

Matej Pekar, C/RW (94th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 11)

Jacob Bryson, D (99th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 12)

Brett Murray, LW (99th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 13)

Albert Lyckasen, D (193rd overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Arttu Ruotsalainen, C/LW (Undrafted Free Agent, signed May 8, 2019. Previous ranking: 14)

Brandon Biro, C (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 18, 2020. Previous ranking: 15)

Dawson DiPietro, LW (UFA: Mar. 23, 2020. Previous ranking: UR)

Miska Kukkonen, D (125th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: 17)

MCKEENS 2020 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT – TOP 250 PROSPECTS

MCKEEN’S 2020 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – BUFFALO SABRES – ORGANIZATIONAL RANK: 13

Buffalo Sabres

Dylan Cozens, C/RW (7th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 1)

Oskari Laaksonen, D (89th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 4)

Mattias Samuelsson, D (32nd overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 5)

Ryan Johnson, D (31st overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 2)

Dylan Cozens, C/RW (7^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 1)

Jack Quinn, RW (8^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

John-Jason Peterka, LW (34^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Oskari Laaksonen, D (89^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 2)

Mattias Samuelsson, D (32^nd overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 3)

Ryan Johnson, D (31^st overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 4)

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, G (54^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 5)

Erik Portillo, G (67^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 6)

Jonas Johansson, G (61^st overall, 2014. Previous ranking: 7)

Will Borgen, D (92^nd overall, 2015. Previous ranking: 8)

Casey Fitzgerald, D (86^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 9)

Marcus Davidsson, C/LW (37^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 10)

Matej Pekar, C/RW (94^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 11)

Jacob Bryson, D (99^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 12)

Brett Murray, LW (99^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 13)

Albert Lyckasen, D (193^rd overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Miska Kukkonen, D (125^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: 17)

Dylan Cozens, C/RW (7^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 1)

Oskari Laaksonen, D (89^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 4)

Mattias Samuelsson, D (32^nd overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 5)

Ryan Johnson, D (31^st overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 2)

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, G (54^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 3)

Erik Portillo, G (67^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 7)

Jonas Johansson, G (61^st overall, 2014. 2019 Rank: UR)

Will Borgen, D (92^nd overall, 2015. 2019 Rank: 11)

Casey Fitzgerald, D (86^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 15)

Marcus Davidsson, C/LW (37^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 8)

Matej Pekar, C/RW (94^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 12)

Jacob Bryson, D (99^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: UR)

Brett Murray, LW (99^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 17)