Samuel Bolduc – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2023-24 NHL YEARBOOK – NEW YORK ISLANDERS – Top 20 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #28

Brock Otten, Derek Neumeier, Chapin Landvogt and Josh Bell — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 12:30:44 +0000

ELMONT, NY - JANUARY 28: New York Islanders Right Wing Samuel Bolduc (4) skates with the puck during the second period of the National Hockey League game between the Las Vegas Golden Knights and the New York Islanders on January 28, 2023, at UBS Arena in Elmont, NY. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire)

Top 20 New York Islander Prospects

1. William Dufour

It was an interesting QMJHL career for Dufour, to say the least. Over his four years in the league, he played with four different teams. That included three before he was even drafted, 152nd overall in 2020. He had a short and strong DY+1 season but his +2 season with the Saint John Sea Dogs was something else altogether. With 116 points and a league-leading 56 goals in 66 games, he was named league MVP and then led the Sea Dogs to a Memorial Cup title, also being named MVP for the tournament. Oh, and he found time for a World Junior gold medal in between. Dufour made the jump to the AHL last season, sliding in extremely well and impressing with his production. He has a pro frame which has helped him muscle his way into success at the higher level. His skating has improved, he has a great wrist shot, and his hands are looking softer by the game. There’s middle-six potential here.

2. Samuel Bolduc

One of the best young d-men in the AHL last season, it’s been a slow burn for Bolduc since being drafted 57th overall in 2019. He’s had a slow and steady pace of improvement each season throughout his QMJHL career and now into the AHL, other than 2021-22 - his AHL sophomore season. Thankfully, he made up for that down campaign last season, earning a spot on the NHL roster. All signs are pointing to him graduating from prospectdom sooner rather than later. He plays a consistent, two-way game with excellent mobility, he has a knack for getting in the passing lanes in his end, and he’s shown that he can contribute offensively, especially with his big shot. He looks like a viable bottom-four rearguard right now, but should be able to produce more offense as he gets more settled in the NHL.

3. Ruslan Iskhakov

The path taken by Iskhakov is an case study for why you should never give up on your dream. The Islanders drafted the Russian out of the MHL way back in the 2018 NHL Draft. From there, he joined NCAA University of Connecticut, where he spent two seasons. He then went back overseas, spending a season with TPS in the Liiga before playing a year in the DEL with Adler Mannheim. Iskhakov just wrapped up his third-straight rookie season in a pro league, this time with the AHL Bridgeport Islanders. Even better, he had an excellent season and was among the leaders both on the team and among rookies around the league. While he’s on the smaller side at 5- 8”, 165 pounds, he’s extremely elusive, from his quick hands to his light footwork, and his offensive awareness stands out. He has the skill to be a middle-six contributor but give him some more time in the AHL first.

4. Calle Odelius

Selected 65th overall in the 2022 Draft, Odelius is a bit of a polarizing prospect as some believe he can be a game-breaker, while others lean more toward a depth defender. Depending on the game you watch, you can understand either assessment. The Islanders selected him out of the J20 Nationell, where he had a strong season, earning seven games in the SHL. With Djurgardens being demoted to the HockeyAllsvenskan, he didn’t progress as one would hope, struggling to pop offensively or show development in other areas of the game. When he’s on, he’s a good four-way skater, and solid in his own end, breaking up plays and turning the puck up the other way. He may even end up more defensive leaning as he progresses. He could still surprise, but a depth defender is likely where he ends up.

5. Danny Nelson

For two thirds of the year, Nelson struggled with consistency as his role within the USNTDP team changed repeatedly. After getting his own line with the role of shutdown center in the bottom six and a top penalty killing option, his game and confidence took off. He capped off his draft season with an extremely strong performance at the U18’s in helping the USA take home gold. Nelson is intriguing because of his high floor, strong athletic foundation, and because of his great progression over the course of the season. One of the youngest players eligible in 2023 (with an August birthday), he is already 6- 3”, 200 pounds and his skating ability has already improved considerably. Although his lack of creativity and high-end skill may ultimately make him more of a bottom six player at the NHL level, the opportunity to escape the shadows of Will Smith and Oliver Moore while developing at Notre Dame may bring out the best in him.

6. Matt Maggio

Maggio was one of the many OHLers impacted by the OHL season shutting down due to the pandemic in his draft year. While he already had two seasons of OHL action under his belt, he wanted to get scouts’ eyes on him and headed overseas, playing with Sweden’s SK Lejon in the HockeyEttan. It wasn’t enough though, as he went undrafted. Heading back to the OHL in 2021-22, with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove, Maggio took a huge step forward with 85 points. Last season, he took an even bigger jump forward, leading the OHL in goals (54) and points (111). His strength, ability to get into the high-danger areas, and competitiveness have all contributed to this progression. While making it as a pro isn’t a sure thing, these are all aspects that should help him get there as a reliable bottom six player.

7. Otto Koivula

One of the older players still considered a prospect by McKeen’s, Koivula heard his name called back in the 2016 Draft, 120th overall. Islanders’ fans have had to be patient with the forward since then. He was selected out of the U20 SM-liiga, where he helped Ilves to a championship, earning playoff MVP in the process. The next season, he made the jump to the Liiga where he led all rookies in assists (20) and points (30) and was named Rookie of the Year. The 6-5” forward spent one more season in the Liiga before making the jump to North America, where he has stuck ever since, spending most of his time in the AHL. He’s been good in the AHL but just hasn’t been able to stick in the NHL. He’s likely at his ceiling now, bouncing between leagues.

8. Alex Jeffries

Drafted out of the high school prep circuit in the 2020, Jefferies had a strong draft year with The Gunnery and played AAA with the Rochester Coalition. In both leagues, he was named to All-Star teams. He then made the jump to Merrimack College, where he’s been getting better and better each season, playing at over a point per game last season and leading the team in scoring. He plays a fast-paced game, has an excellent shot, and has an improving ability to find space in the offensive zone. Jeffries is an above-average skater with good vision and even brings a decent level of two-way ability. How exactly he translates to the next level remains to be seen, but as a late bloomer, his stock seems to be trending up. He likely peaks as a depth forward who might bounce between the AHL and NHL.

9. Quinn Finley

Drafted by the Islanders in the 2022, 78th overall, the organization has to be happy with Finley’s progression last season. This was after his sophomore season in the USHL with the Madison Capitols, where he was considered a player to watch although he didn’t stand out. Last season, he was back in the USHL and split the season with the Capitols and the Chicago Steel, doubling his production from the previous season. He also participated in the World Junior A Challenge, producing a point per game, and helping Team USA to a gold medal. Finley is very intelligent and processes the game very well. He doesn’t seem to truly drive his line or take over plays, limiting his overall ceiling. While his progression has impressed, at this point he seems likely to be a depth player. However, he will have some time to continue developing and will move to the University of Wisconsin next season, which will be very telling.

10. Jesse Nurmi

A skilled young man with some real jump in his game when motivated, Nurmi was widely seen as a top 100 candidate in the 2023 draft after an unspectacular Hlinka Gretzky Cup performance turned into a tremendous season in Finland’s U20 circuit, where his output over 41 games was good for 6th overall and only six points behind the league leader. As such, the Islanders didn’t hesitate in announcing his name 113th overall with only their second pick of the draft. To be clear, Nurmi has much to do before the pieces of his puzzle are put together. Despite strong performance in the Finnish junior ranks, we have not yet seen much from him internationally and his game without the puck still leaves much to be desired. A coordinated and athletic player, his average height and lack of weight will have to be compensated for in the coming years. If he manages to bulk up accordingly, there’s ample offensive skill and energy for him to become a viable option moving forward. He’s in line for a regular role with his Liiga club this season, the success of which will be very telling with respect to his developmental curve. He is also a strong WJC candidate for Finland.

11. Isaiah George

One of the better skaters in the OHL, George went on a lengthy run with the London Knights last season, playing a crucial role. His mobility can be a major asset in the defensive end, however his offensive development has yet to take that next step.

12. Eetu Liukas

Liukas is a power forward who loves to apply himself physically and who is coming off a breakout offensive season in Liiga action where he finished third in goals for HPK. At the very least, he could be a great replacement for Cal Clutterbuck in a few seasons.

13. Robin Salo

It’s taken Salo a long time to get there, but the former second round pick finally appears to have turned the corner. The next step is solidifying himself as an NHL regular. Competition will be tight at training camp, but his mobility and improving defensive game may give him an edge.

14. Cameron Berg

After two decent years with the University of Nebraska-Omaha, Berg has transferred to North Dakota for the upcoming season. It will be interesting to see what kind of effect that has on his development. A two-way power center, Berg still has middle six upside.

15. Arnaud Durandeau

Durandeau had a breakout offensive season last year for Bridgeport, as he emerged as a scoring leader for the Sound Tigers. Offense isn’t likely to be his game at the NHL level though. He’s a future bottom six, energy guy who can play the penalty kill.

16. Tristan Lennox

After battling injuries and the Covid shutdown in the OHL, Lennox’s development finally got back on track last year with Saginaw. The former highly touted prospect will hope to use a strong OA year as a springboard to a strong first pro season.

17. Jakub Skarek

Skarek is likely reaching a crossroads in the Islanders organization after three mediocre pro seasons. The big Czech netminder will need a big year to stave off competition and to remain in the Islanders’ future plans.

18. Daylan Kueffler

Kueffler is very much a throwback to the power forwards of yesteryear. He throws big hits. He drops the mitts. He’s a net front presence. Skating may ultimately limit his NHL upside, but his first pro season with Bridgeport should provide greater feedback.

19. Travis Mitchell

Signed as a free agent out of Cornell, Mitchell is far from an exciting blueline prospect. He won’t wow you with skill or high-end mobility, but he is a staunch defensive presence with a chance of being a bottom pairing, PK type for New York in the future.

20. Aidan Fulp

Another heavy defender signed out of college (Western Michigan), Fulp will be competing for a role with the aforementioned Mitchell in the future. Of the two, who can adapt to the pace of the pro level the best while maintaining their physical advantage?

MCKEEN’S 2023 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #26 New York Islanders

Josh Bell — Sat, 13 May 2023 15:19:06 +0000

Prospect System Ranking – 26^th (30^th last year)

The Islanders under Lou Lamoriello (GM since 2018) remain in ‘win now’ mode, despite missing the playoffs for the last two years. Prior to that they advanced to the Semi-Finals and the Conference Finals (under coach Barry Trotz). Lane Lamber took over as coach for the past season, narrowly missing the postseason. Lamoreillo had traded his first pick for the three past years. This past season he acquired leading free agent Bo Horvat, for his 2023 first, prospect Aatu Raty, and Anthony Beauvillier. Prior to the start of the season, he sent his 2022 1^st for Alexander Romanov from Montreal. The season prior was for Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac. This has left the prospect pipeline depleted, with not a lot on the horizon.

Despite the lack of high picks, they have placed five prospects in our top 200 (Dufour, Bolduc, Iskhakov, Odelius, and Maggio). Simon Holmstom, Oliver Wahlstrom and Noah Dobson have all graduated for the 2019 and 2018 first rounds. Credit to scouting and development with Dobson emerging as a star. A core built around Horvat, Barzal and Brock Nelson down the middle (Barzal has been on wing at times) with Dobson, Pulock, and Romanov on defense, and one of the best goalies in the league in Sorokin, will keep them looking to add. Past is prologue and expect Lamoriello to follow the same playbook next season.

1. William Dufour

It was an interesting QMJHL career for William Dufour, to say the least. Over his four years in the league, he played with four different teams. That included three before he was even drafted, selected 152nd overall in 2020. He had a short but strong DY+1 season but his +2 season with the Saint John Sea Dogs was something else. With 116 points and a league-leading 56 goals in 66 games, he was named MVP and then lead the Sea Dogs to a Memorial Cup title, also being named MVP. Oh, and he had a World Junior gold medal in there too. He’s made the jump to the AHL this season, sliding in extremely well and impressing with his production. He has a pro frame which has helped him muscle his way into succeeding at the higher level. His skating has improved, he has a great wrist shot, and his hands are looking softer by the game. There’s middle-six potential here.

2. Samuel Bolduc

One of the best young d-men in the AHL this season, it’s been a slow burn for Samuel Bolduc since being drafted 57th overall in 2019. He’s had a steady pace of slowly getting better and better each season throughout his QMJHL career and now into the AHL, other than 2021-22 - his sophomore season in the AHL. But he’s made up for his slow year this season, earning a spot on the NHL roster. All signs are pointing to him being a graduate sooner rather than later. He plays a consistent, two-way game with excellent mobility, he has a knack for getting in the passing lanes in his end, and he’s shown that he can contribute offensively, especially with his big shot. He should stick where he is, as a bottom-four rearguard, but should be able to produce more offense as he gets more settled in the NHL.

3. Ruslan Iskhakov

The path of Ruslan Iskhakov is an example of why you can never give up on your dream. The Islanders drafted the Russian out of the MHL way back in the 2018 NHL Draft. From there, he joined the University of Connecticut in the NCAA, where he spent two seasons. He then went back overseas, spending a season with TPS in the Liiga before playing a year in the DEL with Adler Mannheim. Iskhakov is now in his third-straight rookie season in a pro league, but in the AHL with the Bridgeport Islanders. Even better, he’s having an excellent season, among the leaders on the team and with rookies around the league. While he’s on the smaller size at 5-foot-8, 165 pounds, he’s extremely elusive, from his quick hands to his light footwork and his offensive awareness stands out. He has the skill to be a middle-six contributor but give him some more time in the AHL first.

4. Calle Odelius

Just selected in the recent 2022 NHL Draft, 65th overall, Calle Odelius is a bit of a polarizing prospect where some believe he can be a game-breaker and others lean more toward a depth defender. Depending on the game you watch, you can understand one assessment or the other. The Islanders selected him out of the J20 Nationell, where he had a strong season and earned seven games in the SHL. With Djurgardens being demoted to the HockeyAllsvenskan, he hasn’t progressed as one would hope, struggling to pop offensively or in other areas of the game. When he’s on, he’s a good four-way skater, and is solid in his own end, breaking up plays and turning them up the other way. He may even end up more defensive leaning as he progressed. He could still surprise, but a depth defender likely is where he ends up.

5. Matt Maggio

Matt Maggio was one of the many OHLers impacted by the OHL season shutting down due to the pandemic in his draft year. While he already had two seasons of OHL action under his belt, he wanted to get scout’s eyes on him and headed overseas, playing with Sweden’s SK Lejon in the HockeyEttan. It wasn’t enough though, as he went undrafted. Heading back to the OHL in 2021-22, Maggio had a chip on his shoulder and something to prove, taking a huge step forward with 85 points. This season, he’s taken an even bigger jump forward, leading the OHL in goals (54) and points (111). His strength, ability to get into the high-danger areas, and competitiveness have all contributed to this progression. While making it as a pro isn’t a sure thing, these are all aspects that should help him get there as a reliable bottom-six player.

6. Otto Koivula

One of the older players still considered a prospect by McKeen’s, Otto Koivula heard his name called back in the 2016 NHL Draft, 120th overall. Islander’s fans have had to be patient with the forward since then. They selected him out of the U20 SM-liiga, where he helped Ilves to a championship and was named playoff MVP in the process. The next season, he made the jump to the Liiga where he led all rookies in assists (20) and points (30) and was named Rookie of the Year. The 6-foot-5 forward spent one more season in the Liiga before making the jump to North America, where he’s stuck ever since, spending most of his time in the AHL. He’s been good in the AHL but just hasn’t been able to find that success in the NHL. He’s likely at his ceiling now, bouncing between the leagues.

7. Alex Jefferies

Drafted out of the high school prep circuit in the 2020 NHL Draft, Alex Jefferies had a strong draft year with The Gunnery and played AAA with the Rochester Coalition. In both leagues, he was named to All-Star teams. He then made the jump to Merrimack College, where he’s been getting better and better each season, playing at over a point per game this season and leading the team in scoring. He plays a fast-paced game, has an excellent shot and has an improving ability to find space in the offensive zone. He’s an above-average skater with good vision and even brings a level of two-way ability. How exactly he translates to the next level remains to be seen, but as a late bloomer, his stock does seem to be trending up. He likely peaks as a depth forward that might bounce between the AHL and NHL.

8. Quinn Finley

Recently drafted by the Islanders in the 2022 NHL Draft, 78th overall, the Islanders have to be happy with his progression this season. This was after his sophomore season in the USHL with the Madison Capitols, where he was a player to watch but didn’t overly stand out. This season, he’s back in the USHL and split the season with the Capitols and the Chicago Steel, doubling his production from a year ago. He also participated in the World Junior A Challenge, producing a point per game and helping Team USA to a gold medal. Finley is a very intelligent player that processes the game very well. He doesn’t seem to truly drive his line or take over plays, limiting his overall ceiling. While his progression has impressed, at this point he seems likely to be a depth player. However, he will have some time to continue to develop and will move to the University of Wisconsin next season, which will be very telling.

9. Isaiah George

Another 2022 NHL Draft selection, Isaiah George was selected 98th overall from the OHL’s London Knights as a rookie. It would have been his sophomore season had it not been for the cancelled season. George could be an interesting prospect, as he could explode at any minute with the Knights, as soon as he gets bigger minutes. He’s an underrated two-way defender, who plays a very confident, reliable game. He’s good in transition and his awareness in his own end stands out. He’s a versatile defender able to play on either side of the rink. It has to be wondered if playing on the deep Knights has slowed his progression, but he does have some processing issues at times that also need to be factored in. George could still surprise when given the chance, but at this point, he looks like a depth, two-way defender.

10. Eetu Liukas

Playing in the Finnish TPS organization his entire career - until this season - Eetu Liukas has a steady path of progression. The Islanders saw that ahead of the 2021 NHL Draft, calling his name 157th overall. He was just making the jump to the Liiga that season, still playing mainly in the U20 SM-sarja. That pendulum swung in 2021-22, as he spent the majority of his time in the Liiga but still saw some time in the junior ranks. This season, he was full-time in the Liiga and showed a significant step in the right direction. He has a pro frame and plays with a ton of strength. He has a sneaky good shot but does often wait for the play and the puck to come to him rather than taking charge on the ice. If he can reach the NHL, he’s likely to be a call-up option at this point.

AHL: BELL – Stock Up, Stock Down – 10 Early Impressions

Josh Bell — Tue, 22 Nov 2022 12:44:16 +0000

CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 09: Cleveland Monsters right wing Kirill Marchenko (86) on the ice during the first period of the American Hockey League game between Grand Rapids Griffins and Cleveland Monsters on November 9, 2022, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire)

Stock Up, Stock Down: Early Impressions on AHL Prospects

With the puck dropping on the AHL season just over a month ago, it’s the perfect time to take an early look at how some of the prospects in the league are performing.

Some surprising names have been lighting up the league and received early call-ups to the NHL, while others came in with high hopes and haven’t exactly reached those expectations. It’s a point in the season where players can still come back down to earth or find their stride and turn their season around.

While many more are off to hot or cold starts, here are 10 prospects in the AHL that have already seen their stock rise or fall this season.

Stock Down: John Beecher, C, Providence Bruins

Boston Bruins prospect John Beecher wrapped up his NCAA career last season, jumping to the AHL at the end of the year for a taste of the next level. He played well, with five points (three goals, two assists) in nine games, followed by one assist in two playoff games.

After starting the season looking like a contender for an NHL role, he started in the AHL and just hasn’t taken that step forward in his development. It was expected that he would take on a big role in Providence, but his struggles have led to him sliding down the lineup into the bottom six and collecting just four points (two goals, two assists) in his first 15 games.

The biggest issue for Beecher right now is his processing. There seems to be a delay in his thinking and reacting. This is resulting in bad passes, trouble receiving passes, being caught out of position, and bad giveaways. He just looks to be missing a step in his game. He’s not pushing the pace or driving play. He’s not making it hard for the other team to play against him. The season is still young, and Beecher can still turn it around, but right now there is reason to be worried about the young prospect.

Stock Up: Samuel Bolduc, D, Bridgeport Islanders

The 2021-22 season was rough for Samuel Bolduc, his second in the AHL. After putting up 14 points in 24 games in his rookie season, he started the season injured and just could bounce back, collecting just seven in 57 games.

So far this season, Bolduc has taken a big step forward, already recording 13 points (two goals, 11 assists) in 14 games. This is largely thanks to a seven-game point streak he had, including one three-assist performance. He’s been playing significant power-play minutes and has been given increasing time on the penalty kill.

This step forward began last season when Bolduc really started taking strides in the back half, showing improvement in his reading of the play and his ability to utilize his body to control opponents. His defensive game has continued to impress this season, while his offensive game appears to continuously trend upwards. He’s making quick decisions with the puck, showing off great passing, and getting pucks on net at the right moments. Expect the 6-foot-4, 220-pound defender to make the jump to New York at some point this season for his first NHL game.

Stock Up: Matej Blumel, W, Texas Stars

Arguably the AHL prospect that has raised their draft stock most this season, Matej Blumel came back to North America after three seasons playing in the top professional league in Czechia. Originally drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in 2019 (100th overall), the team opted not to sign him and lost his rights on June 1, 2021.

Just over a year later, the Dallas Stars signed the former USHL player to a two-year, entry-level contract, a decision that’s looking like a brilliant one at this point. He started his season with a seven-game point streak, with 11 points (five goals, six assists) in that time. He was called up to the NHL, where he had one goal through four games, before being sent back to Texas.

When Blumel’s on the ice, you need to be worried. He’s averaging 0.44 expected goals per game and a 62% Corsi for percentage. He’s driving the net, hunting down rebounds, moving the puck around well, utilizing a big one-timer, and showing off impressive patience. He’s creating offense in a number of different ways and is a dangerous player every time he hits the ice. It looks like the Oilers will be regretting the decision not to sign the winger.

Stock Down: Grigori Denisenko, LW, Charlotte Checkers

When the Florida Panthers drafted Grigori Denisenko 15th overall in the 2018 NHL Draft, they were hoping they were drafting a future top-six offensive talent. It looked promising to start, spending the majority of the next two seasons in the KHL, leading the 2019 World Juniors in points, and captaining Russia at the 2020 World Juniors.

Since over from Russia in the 2020-21 season, the winger just hasn’t been able to find his groove. This has been further complicated by the pandemic and a broken kneecap, but this season, he’s healthy and still struggling to put up points. Through 15 games, he has just four points (one goal, three assists).

The forward looks to lack confidence in his game. Looking at his shot maps from his draft year to this season, his shots are coming from further and further out. This season, he rarely shoots from inside the house, navigating the perimeter instead. He’s rushing his decisions, throwing the puck away into traffic. He needs to take a step back, slow his game down, and start to regain confidence. He’s playing on the power play regularly, so it could come. Don’t completely write him off yet, but he’s going to need to turn it around fast.

Stock Up: Ruslan Iskhakov, C, Bridgeport Islanders

Right there with Blumel as one of the most impressive AHL prospects to start the season, Ruslan Iskhakov is taking the league by storm. When we talk about interesting paths to the NHL, Iskhakov might just take the cake. He’s played in the MHL, Slovakia U18, NCAA, Liiga, and the DEL before coming to the AHL this season.

Entering his rookie season, expectations weren’t overly high for the 2018 draft pick. Yet, he exploded out of the gate, collecting 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) in his first nine games. He was named AHL Rookie of the Month for his efforts. He’s playing on the top line and the top power-play unit, and it looks like the sky is the limit for the forward.

Iskhakov is showing off his talent in a number of ways. He’s forcing turnovers in the offensive zone, he’s making some pinpoint-accurate passes, and just as accurate shots. He’s remarkably quick on loose pucks and he’s showing off great vision. If he keeps this up, it won’t be long before he hits the NHL ice.

Stock Up: Kole Lind, RW, Coachella Valley Firebirds

Drafted all the way back in 2017 by the Vancouver Canucks, it’s been a long ride for Kole Lind. Now with the Seattle Kraken organization, he has had a taste of NHL action, playing 23 games last season, and now it looks like he wants to get back there as soon as he can.

In the Coachella Valley Firebirds’ first season in the AHL, Lind collected the first goal and later the first hattrick in franchise history. He’s collected 14 points (six goals, eight assists) through 13 games so far, second on the team behind 2021-22 league points leader Andrew Poturalski.

Lind has been showing off a hard, accurate shot this season, and a powerful one-timer on the power play. He drives the net hard, with or without the puck, battling for position and getting his stick on pucks. He moves the puck around well, both in assisting transition and around the offensive zone. Don’t be surprised to see him called up soon.

Stock Up: Kirill Marchenko, RW/LW, Cleveland Monsters

The wait for Kirill Marchenko is just about over for Columbus Blue Jackets fans. Drafted back in 2018, 49th overall, the Russian forward is finally spending his first season in North America - and it’s been going very well.

The 22-year-old has already racked up 14 points (eight goals, six assists) in 12 games. While he didn’t exactly pop in the pre-season, it looks like this was his time to get settled as he hasn’t slowed down since the AHL season started, recording a point in all but two games.

His offensive awareness is sky-high and with his impressive start to the season, he’s oozing confidence. He shows a great deal of patience with the puck, drawing defenders in and creating space for his teammates. He has a full arsenal of ways to put the puck in the net from a net-front tip, a quick wrist shot, or a pass to a teammate. He’s not far off from breaking into the NHL.

Stock Down: Jan Mysak, LW, Laval Rocket

There were a lot of expectations coming into the season for Jan Mysak. After a 64-point season in the OHL, helping the Hamilton Bulldogs to an OHL Championship, a strong performance at the World Juniors where he was named to the All-Star Team, and a strong NHL pre-season, he was expected to pop. That hasn’t happened.

Adding to these expectations, Mysak actually already spent time in the AHL in the 2020-21 season when the OHL season was shut down, playing in 22 games and potting two goals. That’s more than he has this season, with just one goal in 15 games.

He’s averaging just 12:21 minutes per game, among the lowest on the team. He’s playing on the fourth line, has even been scratched, and he hasn’t seen significant power play time. While he hasn’t been in a position to succeed, he’s also not knocking down the door for a bigger role. He can get caught out of position, losing his mark and giving up opportunities, and he just hasn’t produced offensively yet, granted there are flashes of chances. Mysak needs more opportunity, but he needs to take advantage of the ice he does have, which hasn’t happened yet.

Stock Down: Victor Soderstrom, D, Tucson Roadrunners

When the Arizona Coyotes drafted up in the 2019 NHL Draft to the 11th overall pick and selected Victor Soderstrom, expectations were set. Trading up, especially at that point in the draft, these expectations are unavoidable to justify the transaction. For Soderstrom, those expectations have yet to be met.

Now in his third season in North America, the hope was that the defender could take the step forward and make the jump to the NHL. Not only has that not been the case, but even within the AHL, he seems to have taken a step back. After collecting 19 points in 32 games last season (0.59 points per game) he’s recorded just five assists in 13 games this year (0.38 points per game).

On top of not producing (despite significant power play time), the defender’s possession and defensive game has struggled throughout the season. The most glaring concern is the turnovers that he produces, especially in his own zone. The defender tends to panic when under pressure, throwing the puck away. He’s been burned this season with turnovers leading to goals against, but his teammates have bailed him out on other occasions. The ceiling of Soderstrom is very much in question at this point in his development.

SAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 12: Los Angeles Kings defenseman Jordan Spence (53) carries the puck during the NHL game between the San Jose Sharks and the Los Angeles Kings on March 12, 2022 at SAP Center in San Jose, CA. (Photo by Matt Cohen/Icon Sportswire)

Stock Up: Jordan Spence, D, Ontario Reign

The resumes that Jordan Spence has built through his young career is truly impressive, from QMJHL Rookie of the Year to QMJHL Defender of the Year, to AHL All-Star and All-Rookie Team nods last season, it’s safe to say that the bar was high for the defender. And he hasn’t disappointed.

Spence started his season going a point-per-game, with 12 assists through 12 games. He sits second on the Ontario Reign in points and second in the league for assists from a defender. Both Spence and Brandt Clarke look ready for the NHL, but there just aren’t any spots for them to fill right now.

The defender’s passing has definitely stood out throughout his time in the AHL from his outlet passes to his puck movement in the offensive zone. He’s getting pucks through traffic and on net, creating rebounds that his forwards can bury. He’s not afraid to step up to get a closer shot or to pull defenders out of position. He’s ready for the NHL.

MCKEEN’S 2022-23 NHL YEARBOOK – NEW YORK ISLANDERS – Top 20 Prospects

Sun, 18 Sep 2022 19:37:39 +0000

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 28: New York Islanders Center Aatu Raty (61) controls the puck during the second period of the National Hockey League game between the New York Islanders and the Philadelphia Flyers on September 28, 2021 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire)

1 - Aatu Raty C

Since being drafted 52^nd overall in the summer of 2021, Räty has been on vengeance tour to prove to the hockey world that he should not have lasted as long in the draft as he did. Räty was fantastic for Finland at the U20 Five Nations Tournament in 2021 following the draft and then went on to have one of the best pro seasons of any drafted U23 player in Europe. After a slow start, he exploded after being loaned out to Jukurit, clipping at just under a point-per-game pace during the regular season. With an ELC already in his pocket, Räty completed the year with the Islanders’ AHL affiliate in Bridgeport, putting up a goal and four points in six postseason games. He then was one of the best overall players in this summer’s rescheduled WJC, where he finished 5^th in scoring with three goals and 10 points in seven games winning a silver medal. Despite all this progress and the consistency with which he has produced since being drafted, Räty continues to have a rather stiff skating stride and a subpar second gear. Quite shifty in traffic and very adept with the puck, his tendencies lean towards playmaking although his wrist shot and one-timer have proven deadly time and again. The Islanders say he’s tabbed for Bridgeport this season, but don’t be surprised if he keeps proving the doubters wrong and gets NHL games. - CL

2 - William Dufour RW

Dufour just had an exceptional season with the Saint John’s Sea Dogs: he won the league MVP award with 56 goals and 60 assists in just 66 games and won the Memorial Cup, winning the tournament’s MVP award there as well. To add a cherry on top, he played an instrumental role on the first line (at times) of Team Canada at the World Junior Championship helping them win a gold medal. Dufour’s standout attribute is his shot: it is hard, heavy and has pinpoint accuracy. He rounds out this attribute with a very efficient physical game and explosive skating. In his draft year, some scouts were pointing out Dufour’s lack of intensity. It’s now safe to say that William corrected this part of his game as he always plays aggressive on the forecheck and provides a consistent physical edge. William’s 6’3” frame combined with his great north-south skating and his excellent release gives him a great chance to develop nicely into a good middle-six scoring option at the NHL level. This upcoming season, Dufour will have a chance to prove himself furthermore with the Bridgeport Islanders as he was drafted in the 5^th round by the New York Islanders back in 2020. In retrospect, it looks like a steal of a pick by the Isles who must be thrilled by Dufour’s progression so far. - EB

3 - Robin Salo D

Making a name for himself thanks to his strong lateral movement along the opposition blueline, Salo has been taking his time to mature since being drafted 46^th overall in 2017. After more than six full seasons of professional hockey experience in Europe, this past season was his first in North America and it ended with mixed reviews. He suited up for the New York Islanders 21 times and earning time on the second power play unit. Heady, active, and confident in rushing the puck, Salo looked overwhelmed at times when it came to pressure exhibited by forecheckers. His corner and net-front work continue to be a work in progress, but there was no lack of effort or confidence playing a two-way, game from the blueline. His 46 total games of AHL play saw him begin and end with a good bit of responsibility as a top two defenseman, but he hit a wall mid-season. This could be attributed to playing more games than he ever had before, but the midseason Covid lull may have also impacted his second half slide. He looked like a certainty for a February call-up, but Parker Wotherspoon got the call instead with the Islanders noting that Salo wasn’t where he needed to be in his play at the time. The Islanders now enter the 22-23 season with an open spot on the left-hand side and the decision should come down to Salo, Sebastian Aho, or newly acquired Dennis Cholowski. – CL

4 - Otto Koivula C

A 2016 4^th rounder, the 6’4”, 220-pound Koivula is coming off his best season as a pro. Not only did he set career highs with 35 assists and 47 points in 56 AHL contests, he also suited up eight times for the Islanders, collecting his first two NHL assists. A tall player with a very formidable build, you wouldn’t be blamed for mistaking Koivula for Islander top goal-scorer Brock Nelson, as the two look incredibly similar in the way they carry themselves, but the similarity stops there. The speed of the NHL game is still a bit overwhelming for the Finn and he played very conservatively, looking to make quick, safe plays at every juncture. Overall, his time on Long Island saw him deployed in a bottom six capacity, averaging 11 minutes per outing. Originally a left wing whose greatest holdback has been his skating, Koivula was a bit of a prospect sensation for the Islanders when he was immediately moved to center during his rookie AHL season in 18-19 and proceeded to put up 46 points. Nonetheless, his progress has somewhat stalled since then and his future role in the organization is uncertain. He heads into the upcoming season with two years remaining on his second contract and finds himself as the 5^th man on the center depth chart. Huge production on the farm could be just the tonic necessary to make the jump for an Islanders team that is constantly seeking more offense. - CL

5 - Simon Holmstrom RW

Drafted 23^rd overall in the 2019 NHL Draft, Holmström was widely seen as an off-the-board pick despite being one of Sweden’s top forwards available that year. In light of the progress of players such as Philip Tomasino, Connor McMichael, and Arthur Kaliyev (not to mention fellow Swede Nils Höglander), all currently taking NHL shifts and having been selected shortly after Holmström, the belief that he was a poor selection persists. Nonetheless, he has shown progress and it is too early to write him off. He spent the majority of last season healthy and forced his way into a top six role for the Bridgeport Islanders. His 12 goals and 43 regular season points were good for third on the team. At 6’1”, 195 lbs., Holmström is solidly built and has been working hard on moving from a largely perimeter game to one with more sandpaper and a greater readiness to make his way to the net through traffic. His playmaking continues to be strong, and he occasionally pulls off the type of move that pulls viewers out of their seats. An NHL debut this season is not unthinkable, but the Islanders still find themselves in a “win-now” mode and are looking for Holmstrom to take a greater step as a go-to guy on the attack for the AHL outfit. Ultimately, contracts for players like Zach Parise and Josh Bailey are winding down and the organization sees Holmström as a high priority to ultimately fill those future lineup holes. - CL

6 - Calle Odelius D

Odelius was selected with the 65^th overall pick by the New York Islanders in the most recent draft. He projects as a two-way defenceman with solid mobility and playmaking ability. He spent this past season playing with Djurgårdens in the J20 league, producing 30 points in 43 games. His skating stride stands out as he has strong ankle flexion, good balance and impressive four-way mobility. He is often able to read plays before they occur and position himself to break up offensive chances. Once he breaks up possession, he quickly looks to transition the puck, either with a crisp pass through the neutral zone or with his smooth north-south skating. While his offensive game isn’t dynamic per se, his ability to assess passing lanes and complete passes at an efficient rate make him a decent offensive option. He is extremely athletic and uses his frame to edge out opponents for the puck. Odelius was part of a large group of draft eligible players playing for Djurgårdens at the junior level last season and will look to develop along with that group moving forward. He will work on rounding out his game, splitting time between the Allsvenskan and the J20 league for Djurgårdens in the upcoming season. - ZS

7 - Isaiah George D

The 98th overall selection in the 2022 NHL Draft, Isaiah George dropped farther than some were expecting, as he was projected as a potential 2nd round pick by some. Like others, George missed the 2020-2021 season due to the Covid-19 shutdown. During the 2021-2022 season, George was given little opportunity to play, as do most London Knights rookies, especially defensemen. Despite not given a lot of time on ice, George was able to make the most of his time, being very effective in transition, both offensively and defensively. George displayed great strength and mobility when breaking up and shutting down plays in transition in the defensive zone. Being able to keep a strong gap control with good four-way mobility, an active stick and being physical when needed. At the end of the season, George finished with 23 points (6G,17A) in 67 games, which was 7th on the team in points and 2nd in points for a defenseman on the Knights despite playing minimal minutes. During the skills testing at the CHL Top Prospects Game, George did very well, ranking 1st in 30m backward skating with and without the puck, and 3rd in 30m forward skating with and without puck which resulted in George finishing 4th overall. George’s best assets are his skating and puck handling. He has the ability to play with great speed and pace each shift, having the acceleration and agility to separate himself from opponents and create space for himself. He’s able to use his quick hands to stay deceptive and keep control of the puck in traffic, showing great poise. Going into the 2022-2023 season, George will most likely see an increase in minutes and be given more of an opportunity to play in more situations. His point totals should also see an increase in production. - DK

8 - Cameron Berg C

A player who was passed up in his first year of NHL draft eligibility, Cameron Berg’s 2020-21 USHL campaign was strong enough for him to be selected in the fourth round of the 2021 NHL draft. Berg’s time as a Muskegon Lumberjack was far more fruitful than his time with the Omaha Lancers, but despite that Berg chose to head back to Omaha for his collegiate career, suiting up for the University of Nebraska-Omaha. There, Berg had a solid first college season, scoring 23 points in 37 games. Berg wasn’t a top player at even strength, but he received solid power play minutes and flashed some real offensive upside in those situations, times when he wasn’t as hard-pressed to create space due to the man advantage. Berg doesn’t have a standout offensive tool, instead relying on his hard work and persistence to be effective on the attack. This will likely be enough for him to survive as a scoring threat in college, but it severely limits his NHL upside. Still, Berg should take a jump next season and be a top scorer for Nebraska next season. If he can do that, maybe his offensive upside as a pro will warrant a second look. But right now, Berg’s motor will be the most likely tool that carries him as a pro, and he’ll need to prepare for the inevitable transition he’ll make into being more of a role player without a lot of offensive opportunities. While the expected jump in production many expect for Berg will draw more attention, it’s the improvements that he does or does not make in his two-way game that will have more of an impact on his chances of becoming an NHL player. - EH

9 - Quinn Finley LW

Quinn Finley, one of the younger players available at the 2022 draft, was a bit of a divisive prospect. Ultimately drafted 78th overall by the Islanders, some saw the pick as a reach for a player yet to put all his talent together at the USHL level, while others saw it as an appropriate home run swing for an organization that has a prospect pipeline short on skilled offensive players. While Finley’s numbers — 29 points in 39 games for the Madison Capitals — Finley has legitimate scoring upside. Finley is both a threat as a passer and a shooter, although he’ll likely do his most damage in a role as the latter. Finley can pick a corner on a goalie and score from a perimeter. His shot is his best tool, and it’s what contributes the most to his NHL upside. That being said, Finley needs to get better at finding the right places and times to unleash his shot, and while he isn’t a perimeter-only player he can stand to get better at scoring goals from closer to the net. As a playmaker, Finley showed the chops to set up teammates in the USHL, but he’ll need to develop his approach and add more deception in order to be a playmaker at higher levels. How far Finley goes will largely depend on how far his shot and speed tools can carry him. Barring any major developments to his away-from-the-puck game, Finley has the upside to be a speedy goal-scoring specialist at the NHL level. His odds of actually achieving that upside will come down to how he spends his time in college at the University of Wisconsin. Finley has all the tools to outperform his third-round draft billing, and he’ll be one of the freshmen players to watch in college hockey next season. - EH

10 - Eetu Liukas LW

Built like a truck, the 2021 5^th rounder spent last season becoming a verifiable NHL prospect. 10 goals and 20 points in 13 U20-league games showed he can score, but 12 goals in a lower line role over 65 games for TPS of Liiga make him more interesting still, with a game that is all about taking the body and getting under opponent’s skin. This is exactly what he did for Finland at this summer’s WJC, with two assists and a +3 in six games while throwing his weight around and contributing to the penalty kill. One indicative play from late in the Gold Medal game saw him win a puck battle in Canada’s corner, send a tape-to-tape pass to his onrushing defenseman, charge the net, partially screening the goalie while gaining the attention of both Canadian defensemen, giving Joakim Kemell just the time and space necessary to score on a one-timer. Liukas has a strong build and understands his role to a T, playing a throwback style harkening the likes of Esa Tikkanen. He can be unpleasant, tough along the boards, and dish out some hurt, but he keeps his penalty minutes to a minimum. On top of it all, he has a surprisingly hard and accurate shot. He is signed on this season with HPK with the intent of securing a top nine role. A strong season could lead to an ELC next summer. - CL

11 - Alex Jefferies

Jefferies, a slippery and skilled playmaking winger, has had two good, but not great seasons at Merrimack to start his NCAA run. The Islanders will be looking for him to truly take that next step as an offensive leader as a junior.

12 - Jakub Skarek

A former third round pick of the Islanders, Skarek has been playing with Bridgeport the last three seasons. Last year was his best as a pro, which does breed some confidence that he can be an NHL netminder if he can continue to progress this year.

13 -- Matt Maggio

The competitive goal scoring winger took massive strides forward with Windsor of the OHL this past season. He could turn pro this season or return to Windsor for his overage year.

14 - Ruslan Iskhakov

The road to prospect relevancy has not been standard for Ishakov. Two years at UConn, a year in Liiga, and a year in the DEL (most recently). However, the undersized playmaking center has produced at each of those levels and will now try his hand in the AHL next year.

15 - Tristan Lennox

Last season was pretty much a write off for the former highly touted goaltending prospect. Injuries plagued his year, and the Spirit were pretty bad in front of him when he did. Without a strong overage season next year, the Islanders may not elect to sign him.

16 - Blade Jenkins

After three mediocre OHL seasons, Jenkins has now had two mediocre AHL seasons with Bridgeport. The big forward needs to have a much better third pro season to stay in New York’s plans.

17 - Bode Wilde

No question Wilde is talented. He is athletic. He is skilled. There were many OHL games during his time with Saginaw where he was the best player on the ice. However, as a pro, his lack of game awareness has limited him. He will return to the AHL this year after a year abroad in Sweden last year.

18 - Arnaud Durandeau

There is a path to the NHL for Durandeau, a lunch pail type of winger who can be used in a variety of different situations. The upside may not be more than as a fourth liner, but he could still have a productive career.

19 - Matias Rajaniemi

A hulking Finnish defender, Rajaniemi has become a regular in Liiga with Pelicans the last two seasons. He’s not the fleetest of foot, but there is value in his shutdown capabilities.

20 - Samuel Bolduc

Bolduc’s pro debut with Bridgeport was solid in the shortened, watered down AHL season two years ago, but last year was a major step backward. The big defender is more of an offensive powerplay QB, rather than a staunch, physical force (as you might expect given his 6’4, 220lbs frame).

2021-22 TOP 15 PROSPECTS: NEW YORK ISLANDERS – RANK: #31 – TIER VII

McKeen's Hockey — Fri, 10 Sep 2021 16:30:08 +0000

New York Islanders

#31 NY Islanders - Too many failed picks or players who have been rushed to the NHL, losing prospect eligibility. For all of NYI's success at the NHL level, they need to draft better. Much better.

TRINEC, CZECH REPUBLIC - DECEMBER 29: Kazakhstan vs Finland preliminary round action at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship at Werk Arena on December 29, 2019 in Trinec, Czech Republic. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images)

Aatu Raty

At this time last year, Aatu Raty was the front runner to be the first overall selection in the 2021 NHL Draft. The 6’1, 181lbs center had a trying year that saw his production in Liiga (with Karpat) plateau and his spot on the Finnish WJC team disappear. Given the disappointing season he had, the Islanders were able to secure his rights in the back half of the second round. That said he has the skill to be a top line center in the NHL. Raty has some fairly dynamic elements and makes things happen with his individual play. His stickhandling ability is very good as he is capable of stickhandling through multiple opponents and making plays with limited time and space. He has quick hands, and he can catch defenders off guard by attacking to the middle from the wall. He also protects the puck well with his body and he is effective on the cycle.

There are definitely some areas of his game that Raty needs to improve to finally progress his game after hitting said plateau. He will need to improve his first step quickness, his shot selection, and the consistency of his physical engagement level. While Raty does still possess a high ceiling, even if he does not reach his full potential, he could still bring value to the Islanders. He could play in different roles and up and down the lineup due to his versatility and understanding of the game. Given his terrific performance at the recent World Junior Summer Showcase, Raty is a likely bounce back candidate who could have a terrific season in Liiga with Karpat. - McKeen’s Draft Guide 2021

Robin Salo

A second rounder in 2017, Salo has taken his sweet time in developing, especially for a defender who was drafted right off of a fairly full - and highly successful - season of Liiga play. But if last season was any indication, the time in the incubator is about to truly pay off. After a 19-20 season that saw him finally take a more positive step in development with 27 points split between Liiga and SHL action, the heady defenseman with a penchant for making smooth passes really exploded on the scene this past season. Overall, he was one of Örebro’s top three defenders and often eclipsed 20 minutes of play per night. A dancer on the blueline, and very active both with and without the puck, his 30 regular season points placed him 10th overall in scoring among SHL defenders while he was tied for 5th league-wide with a +17 rating.

The upcoming season will be spent in North America and although the general thought is that he’d be well-served spending the first year of his ELC in the AHL, the fact that the Islanders have moved Devon Toews and Nick Leddy in successive years, while not having replaced either through free agency (particularly the latter), should have Salo headed to the US staring at a job opening right on Long Island. Very mobile and strong in all four directions, it only seems a matter of time before he gets a prolonged NHL shot, especially for a team that’ll now be in good need of blueliners capable of a strong first pass and ready to rush the puck in transition. It would seem a safe bet that Salo will make his NHL debut at some point in the upcoming season, even if current Islanders leadership tends to work in rookies seldom and slowly at that. - CL

Samuel Bolduc

Coming out of the QMJHL, the former second round pick may not have had the hype of some other ‘Q” defenders, but a very strong first pro season has certainly raised some eyebrows. An AHL All-Star for Bridgeport last season, Bolduc proved that his offensive capabilities could translate to the pro level, while also providing a more stable defensive presence than many expected.

The 6’4, 210 lbs defender is not the type of player you would expect him to be. He is a smooth skating puck moving defender who can quarterback a powerplay with a booming point shot. His physical play and assertiveness in the defensive end have always been marked as a weakness. Additionally, his decision making with the puck had been, at best, inconsistent. However, reports suggest that both of those areas showed marked improvement as a pro with Bridgeport. At this point, Bolduc seems ticketed for another year in the AHL, however his strong performance has likely caused him to pass Bode Wilde as the Islanders’ top injury call up and as such, he could see action this year. His long-term projection is that of a second or third pairing defender who could possibly quarterback the Islanders’ powerplay. - BO

Bode Wilde

With Bode Wilde, it has always been about whether his elite physical tools could allow him to transform into a high-end NHL defender. Blessed with a combination of size, mobility, and skill, Wilde often previously did as he pleased in the OHL, dominating shifts at both ends of the ice. Yet, his decision making and awareness at both ends have always been criticized, leading some to believe that he would not be able to process the game well enough to be an NHL defender.

In his first full pro season with Bridgeport, Wilde continued to show flashes of his high-end potential. However, turnovers and poor reads continued to plague him, suggesting that the Islanders may need to continue to be patient with his development. Wilde will return to Bridgeport this coming season and will look to establish himself as one of the team’s top defenders. If he can make the necessary adjustments, he still stands a chance of being a future top four defender for the Islanders. If he does not, Wilde likely projects as more of a higher risk, third pairing defender who could see some powerplay time and sheltered minutes to try to limit his minutes in the defensive zone. Unquestionably, this is a big year for his development. - BO

Simon Holmstrom

For New York Islander fans, Holmstrom’s second season of organizational membership did little to suppress the feeling that their favorite team may not have made the wisest choice with its first-round selection in 2019. A creative puck-handler who is known to combine strong overall wherewithal and good hockey sense with sound 3-zone decisions, he surprisingly began his Islander career by appearing in 46 AHL games as an 18-year-old in the 19-20 season – to mixed reviews.

His 20-21 season kicked off with him playing for Vita Hästen in Sweden’s Allsvenskan. There, Holmstrom tallied just one goal and two points in 10 games, playing primarily in a lower line role and looking a little out of his depth. That impression continued somewhat at the WJC, where Holmstrom at times showed a slick pair of mitts while being one of Sweden’s best producers with five points in as many games but had a hard time dealing with physical play and often looking like little more than a perimeter player who could be rather easily separated from the puck. Upon returning to the AHL, he was basically force-fed top line minutes, suiting up for all of Bridgeport’s 24 games and getting a fair share of power play duties. Seeing as how his scoring pace was less than in his rookie year, one has to ask if he hasn’t ultimately been overwhelmed by coming to the AHL at such a young age, especially coming off a draft year cut short by a handful of injuries? For certain, a lot is on the line for Holmstrom in the 21-22 season, in which he’ll need to give some indication of what can be expected of him in the not-so-distant future. He is, after all, the only first rounder the team has had in the past three drafts. - CL

Kieffer Bellows

Only 23-years-old, it is still far too early to close the door on Bellows. But the door isn’t open as wide as it was when he was the deadliest scorer in his class, scoring 50 goals in his draft year with the USDP, many off passes from the likes of Clayton Keller and Adam Fox. His path to today has been circuitous, involving a one year stay at Boston University, where he struggled to have an impact at either end. From there, he moved for one year to Portland of the WHL, where he scored 41 goals playing with Cody Glass. Course seemingly corrected, Bellows turned pro and saw his career trajectory take another dip.

That rookie pro season was a real challenge, finishing with only 19 points in 73 games, and spending far too much time in the penalty box. While his enhanced physicality was not unwelcomed, the Islanders were looking to Bellows for offense. Some of that returned in 2019-20, as Bellows more than doubled his point per game rate and earned an eight game NHL stint, before COVID mucked everything up for all of us. He spent all of last year with the Islanders, but appeared in only 14 games, scoring three times. It could be that Bellows’ impulsiveness and occasional selfishness on the puck are simply not a good fit under coach Barry Trotz, but Bellows is running out of time to make the needed adjustments to his game to reach his ceiling of a top six scoring winger. - RW

Ruslan Iskhakov

Iskhakov, a former second-round pick by the Isles in 2018, has certainly taken the road less traveled. Drafted out of the MHL, he then played two seasons at the University of Connecticut (where he was relatively underwhelming), before spending last season in Liiga with TPS. TPS ended up finishing as the season finalists and Iskhakov played a large role in that, which would have likely made the Islanders very happy.

This coming season he is set to play in the DEL with Adler Mannheim, who are perennial powerhouses in Germany. At the conclusion of the season (June 1, 2022), the Islanders will finally have to make a decision on whether to sign Iskhakov or let his rights expire. A strong playmaking center, Iskhakov certainly is not large (5’8), but he competes hard and can play with pace. His defensive play improved greatly in Finland last season and the Islanders will likely be looking for him to continue to progress as a two-way player in Germany this season. He projects as a middle six center, however, is probably still a few years away from making an impact with the Islanders (if they elect to offer him a contract). - BO

Tristan Lennox

It had to have been tough on Lennox to not get the opportunity to show scouts his true colours this season due to the OHL’s pandemic cancellation. Last season was a rough one for Lennox. A late born ‘02, he got injured as the starter for Canada at the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup and it really derailed his entire year. He has the size and athleticism combination that scouts look for in goaltenders these days, but the technical components to his game just need to become more consistent, especially his rebound control and positioning.

Heading into the 2021/22 OHL season, the league’s return to normalcy, Lennox will once again be expected to start for Saginaw and emerge as one of the OHL’s elite netminders. With a strong showing he can put himself in contention for the World Juniors, and as a late born 2002, it also makes him a candidate to be signed by the Isles so that he can start his pro career the following season. Lennox does possess the potential to be an NHL netminder and a significant asset to the Isles, but he will need to stay healthy and find his confidence again. - McKeen’s Draft Guide 2021

Cameron Berg

Berg’s performance this year justified our belief in him, as he entered the 2021 draft as one of our highest ranked undrafted players in 2020. A hard hitting, goal scoring, power center, Berg exploded with Muskegon over a full season, finishing in the top 10 in USHL scoring. This led to his selection by the Islanders in the fourth round in 2021.

He could still stand to improve his skating so as to maintain speed over longer distances, but he is a pure sniper who can score anywhere from the dots and in, with underrated puck skills and a relish for laying into opponents with big hits. Berg is the type of player who can play in all situations, excelling at both ends of the ice. This versatility was no doubt intriguing to the Islanders scouting staff. His next stop will be the University of Nebraska-Omaha, where he should be an immediate impact player for the Mavericks. His production as a freshman should give us a better indication of the type of NHL potential he possesses, but as of right now he looks like a middle six candidate after two or three seasons at the NCAA level. - McKeen’s Draft Guide 2021

Sebastian Aho

After three years of largely above-average play in the AHL, including several appearances in the AHL all-star game, the 20-21 season proved a very difficult one for Aho. A permanent member of the New York Islanders’ taxi squad, the clever puck-mover saw all of three games of action. From the outside, his two points in those three games speaks very well for a surely rusty player who was thrown into the fire in the middle of an important stretch. Alas, several defensive breakdowns, some outmuscling along the way, and a few instances where he was clearly slower than the competition saw Aho replaced by Thomas Hickey, who went on to play five games.

Complicating Aho’s situation was that the Islanders spent a large majority of the season playing with the same six defenders and hardly anyone else got into any action on that blueline. In fact, four of the defensemen played all 56 games and another got into 55. With Nick Leddy having been moved this offseason, Aho may appear to some to be a logical candidate to fill that void in light of his being an offensively oriented left-side defender, but few in the business can see him being entrusted with anything close to a top six role. The most likely scenario for Sebastian as long as he’s an Islander is that he’ll continue to serve solely as organizational depth until injuries set in and he perhaps excels in a more prolonged shot or finds himself suiting up for another franchise, either being traded or perhaps plucked from waivers should the Islanders look to reassign him to the AHL. - CL

William Dufour

A big power winger with soft hands, Dufour loves to put defenders on his back and drive the net. He has improved each year in the QMJHL and will play next season with Saint John, his fourth team in as many years. Improving his explosiveness is a must.

Reece Newkirk

After three very successful seasons with the Portland Winterhawks (WHL), Newkirk will turn pro this year and play with Bridgeport in the AHL. The tenacious playmaking center must show that his offensive skill set can translate to the next level.

Alex Jefferies

A fourth-round selection in 2020 out of The Gunnery prep school, Jefferies had a very good (albeit abbreviated) freshman year for Merrimack last season. The hockey program shut down early due to covid, but the strong skating and creative winger will look to be even better this year as a sophomore. A hidden gem in the Isles system?

Otto Koivula

A big, power winger, Koivula has not yet been able to have that breakthrough moment as a pro after three seasons in the AHL. His development appears to have stagnated, although he may get another shot this training camp to earn a fourth line role for the Islanders.

Alexander Ljungkrantz

The Islanders third round selection in 2020, Ljungkrantz is an intelligent, two-way forward who is still trying to establish himself as an SHL forward in Sweden. The hope is that he can find a consistent place in Brynas’ lineup this coming season and take that next step as an offensive player that the Islanders are looking for.

McKeen’s 2020-21 Hockey Yearbook: New York Islanders Top 20 Prospects

Mon, 07 Dec 2020 19:53:03 +0000

McKeen's Top 20 New York Islanders 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. https://www.mckeenshockey.com/nhl-blog/2020-nhl-draft-team-reviews-metropolitan-reviews/

Ilya Sorokin, G (78^th overall, 2014. Previous ranking: 1)

Sorokin required patience as he spent six years honing his game in the KHL, winning one Gagarin Cup, one Olympic Gold Medal, and three World Championship bronzes. On the smaller side, he makes up for it with high end athleticism and a complete unwillingness to give up on any puck. He likes to challenge shooters but is calm in his crease and does not overcommit his positioning. If he has any kryptonite, it is on shots over his right (blocker) shoulder, where he stopped only 67% of shots last year, per InStatScout; generally when he gets too low in his crouch when the play is too close to the crease. All other potential holes were covered up at least 86% of the time. The only part of his game which does not project to easily above average at the NHL level is his puck handling, which is at a fine level for European goalies, but not notable in North America. The only significant question about Sorokin’s projection revolves around whether he can sustain his elite level of play in a lengthy NHL season, as the 25-year-old has never played more than 40 league games in any one year. - RW

Kieffer Bellows, LW (19^st overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 2)

Bellows is on the cusp for making the permanent break into the NHL. The power forward has outsized expectations to meet when it comes to his ceiling as a player. He is strong, physical, capable of winning battles, and hard on the puck, all of which makes him difficult to play against. This past season, he made his NHL debut, putting up three points in eight games. He has recently shown improvements in his discipline and has been able to find a better groove last season. With any luck he can keep developing, thinking quicker, and learning to move the puck faster in order to prove that he deserves a top six spot. He still needs to work on keeping his feet moving throughout his shifts, and finding that extra gear more often, as well as his two-way play in order to be a complete player. Consistency is key and if Bellows can maintain the same level of focus and intensity each game it will be hard to deny him. - SC

Oliver Wahlstrom, RW (11^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 3)

A product of the USNTDP, Wahlstrom plays a good forechecking game and has an impressive overall skill set. That said, he has yet to live up to his first-round billing. He was not ready for the NHL last season, as he needs more experience to increase his production, build his confidence, and quicken his general pace. Wahlstrom is a mature player with respect to his age and often stood out at the U20 national team level in terms of how he carried the puck and got to the net, however playing at the NHL level has had him more frustrated than confident when the puck is on his stick. In the AHL, he has fared well, but was still not standing out as much as he should or could. With the rate at which he has been developing, if he does not put up a strong season this year, working on staying ahead of the play, he will be at risk of falling onto the trade block. He will need to focus on his two-way play without losing any of the skilled power forward traits that made him so exciting at the draft to earn another NHL opportunity. - SC

Bode Wilde, D (41^st overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 4)

After starting the year in the AHL, but with very limited ice time, the Islanders sent Wilde back to the OHL to get appropriate minutes, but that, too, was cut short due to the pandemic. When he was able to play, he showed that his decision making still needs to improve and will likely be the key to him reaching his potential. He is still a risk taker who generates significant offense from the back end, but who also gives up his share of chances because of turnovers or lackluster coverage in transition. The increased pace of the AHL only exacerbated those flaws. On the other hand, Wilde retains a very high upside because of the raw tool set he possesses. He skates at a high level. He handles the puck at a high level. He has a terrific shot and scoring instincts from the back end. He flashes physical presence in the defensive end. At the top of his game, he can be a real difference maker, but the Islanders may have to be patient with him, as he gradually adapts his game to the pros. – BO

Simon Holmstrom, RW (23^rd overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 5)

Holmstrom made the jump immediately from the draft to the AHL, where he did not look out of place as the season rolled along. He has a good work ethic and adapts well, which was evident in his growing confidence throughout the season. Holmstrom has the right mindset and maturity to make his NHL debut sooner than later, however he will still need to get a little stronger on the puck and more creative when trying to find open space. He already has the skating and puck handling ability to operate at the next level and these are small adjustments to be made considering right composure and attitude. Look to see him earn more special teams time as well next season. Should that happen, he will have more opportunities to carry the puck in game situations and get a better feel for setting up plays with the man advantage on the smaller, North American ice. He looks like a bottom six forward now, but that will only rise with more experience. – SC

Ruslan Iskhakov, RW (43^rd overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 6)

Ruslan Iskhakov was a gem of a find for the UConn coaching staff, who plucked him from Russia. That same year, Iskhakov was drafted in the second round, 43rd overall, by the Islanders. Before coming to UConn, he also spent a season and change playing in Slovakia as well as one season in the MHL, Russia’s top U20 league. He also represented Russia at the U-18 World Junior Championship. His defining characteristic is his speed – he is one of the fastest players in the East. However, his speed is still raw and could use some refining. At 5-8”, he is on the smaller side, but that is no longer a deal breaker in pro hockey. Despite his size, he is still aggressive and not afraid of playing a physical style. There is room in his game to mature and the speed of his hands to catch up with the speed of his feet. He is moving on from UConn to spend next season in Finland, with TPS. - JS

Joshua Ho-Sang, RW (28^th overall, 2014. Previous ranking: 7)

In a weird and controversial turn of events, Ho-Sang was loaned out last season club after requesting a trade when he was left off the opening night roster. He was not loaned to another league but rather a different NHL organization and affiliate with the San Antonio Rampage of the St. Louis Blues. Ho-Sang played just six games with the Rampage before being returned to the Islanders’ regular AHL club, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. It is no secret that Ho-Sang and management do not get along but for the talented and smooth skating forward next season is a make or break year. Due to his attitude on and off the ice it seems that the only way that Ho-Sang will be given any realistic chance is if he earns it, putting up a record year. He is not short on talent or offensive ability but the game is not played in one direction only and he will need significant work on his two way game before being given a shot at cracking the Islanders top six, that is if he doesn’t get traded first. - SC

Sebastian Aho, D (139^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 8)

For a defenseman, (“the other”) Sebastian Aho finished second in points for AHL Bridgeport this past season, sitting only one point behind Kieffer Bellows. He is a tremendously composed defender who carries the puck well and likes to set up plays. Aho makes carrying the puck look easy and his hockey IQ is very high which has him oftentimes setting up both breakouts and attacks making him an asset as a two-way player. Having not had a call up in over a season, the Islanders are making sure that he is better developed for the NHL game and this coming season should be a promising one for Aho who has proved to Bridgeport that he is up for a more challenging role with the NHL club. Aho has the potential now to be tried anywhere from the top pairing to the third as he is versatile and capable of playing well in all situations. - SC

Otto Koivula, LW (120^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 9)

Koivula is a big, bodied forward who moves well despite his size, possesses top quality hands, and a good shot. He finished with the Islanders last season, however with zero points to show after 12 games up in the NHL, there is a strong chance that he is likely to start back out in Bridgeport with the AHL’s Sound Tigers for the 2020-21 season. There is little that needs to be improved with Koivula in terms of skill but he will need to move the puck faster and learn to keep his feet moving better at the next level or else he runs the risk of falling behind the play again, instead of leading with his hands and strength. Koivula has a high ceiling if he can manage to put all the pieces to his game together and dial in to hit that extra gear next season should he get called back up to fill in on the Islanders’ bottom six. - SC

Anatoli Golyshev, LW (95^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 10)

A small winger, who nonetheless shows no fear in playing in front of the net, Golyshev’s place on this list is both a farewell and a reminder to Islanders brass that they still control the rights of a gifted offensive talent in Russia, who has provided more than respectable numbers over the last three seasons in the KHL, but has not yet signed an Entry Level deal at 25 years old. He is fleet of foot and likes to cut across the slot, creating passing lanes for his linemates to find him with. Golyshev plays with a surprising amount of jam for a player of his small stature, somewhat reminiscent of a player like Tyler Ennis. He has soft hands and impressive puck control and can be a solid half-wall quarterback on the power play, given his vision and accurate passing. Again, somewhat reminiscent of Tyler Ennis. Golyshev signed a four-year deal with Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg last year, so he won’t be coming anytime soon. A small, but notable waste of a resource. – RW

William Dufour, RW (152^nd overall, 2020. previous ranking: NA)

Following a trade to Drummondville at midseason last year, Dufour’s game took off, making him one of the higher scoring QMJHL draft eligibles in the second half. In his final 15 games, he had 26 points (15 goals). He is a powerful winger with upside who combines strength, good hockey sense, a plus shot. The progression in his game from month to month has been extremely impressive, although skating is not a strength. He drives the net, and his shot is heavy and deceptive, allowing him to score from anywhere. It is also notable that he grew a full 10 inches in the space of two years, suggesting that he is still learning how to work within his maturing body and making one wonder what his game will be like when he fully adjusts to an evolving skill set. There might be more to see in Dufour than we have yet been able to witness. He has more sleeper potential than anyone else in this system. – Brock Otten

Alexander Ljungkrantz, LW (90^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Tall and rangy, Ljungkrantz was a depth player for Sweden’s entry in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup last year and parlayed that experience into a top six role on a (relatively) experienced Brynas junior squad, scoring 15 goas in his first experience at that level and even earning a call up to the senior side, where he scored his first SHL goal during his three game stint. Ljungkrantz projects as a power forward project who is still waiting for the power element to develop. He skates well and has finishing skills, making him a solid net front presence. A top scorer at the U16 level, there is still hope that more will come at the senior level, and he will receive a lengthier opportunity to show what he can do against men this year after a very strong start to his return engagement at the U20 level. The main improvement that could turn him from a project to a player is the development and refinement of his instincts, which have given his game a tentative feel so far. – RW

Robin Salo, D (46^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 11)

Salo was the top defenseman for SaiPa in 2019-20 before being loaned to the SHL’s Örebro in the later part of the season. He logged big minutes and played with a lot of confidence with the puck. The improvement he made over the course of the season was quite impressive. He is now a well-rounded defenseman who plays an effective, mature game at both ends. He moves the puck well in transition, has good vision and shows offensive imagination. He has a precise wrist shot which he can unleash on the net through traffic. He reads the game really well without the puck, especially in the defensive zone. He uses strong positioning and a quick stick to maintain tight gap control. Skating is still not among his best attributes. The biggest issue is his stride which is clumsy and affects his mobility. He could be more explosive as well. Salo does not have one dominant trait, but he does many things well and his ability to read and anticipate the play are assets. - MB

Samuel Bolduc, D (57^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 12)

Bolduc is a tantalizing defenseman when you watch him at the point. He has a devastating slapshot that he fires with authority several times per game, and he skates well. He moves the puck well in the offensive zone and can distribute. He has excellent size for the pro game and looks to get even bigger as he fills out. However, while the size is a positive, he sometimes forgets that he is 6-4” and over 200 pounds, because he is not a physical defender. If he figures that out, he would be able to get off the bottom pair in terms of his potential, because he would use his solid raw power all over the ice to his advantage. His passing is inconsistent outside of the powerplay, and at times he struggles to recover from unforced errors, but all-around he has solid pro potential, as long as he learns to use his frame. He is signed to an entry-level deal and will start in the AHL next year. - MS

Reece Newkirk, C (147^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 13)

Newkirk’s competitiveness shines through in all he does on the ice. He is a hard forechecking, hard backchecking, meat-and-potatoes type of player that brings a consistent effort. As seen with his play last season he is able to play with skill players and carved out a role on a top line with Seth Jarvis most nights. Newkirk has improved across the board although his offensive talents will not be how he carves out a pro career. He isn’t a massive player, but he plays a heavy game for his size. He has solid vision and passing skills, that when added to his strong head for the game, make him a decent offensive player. He also reads open ice well, both finding it himself or taking it away defensively, reads breakouts well, and gets himself into places where he can be effective. He is a very effective players without the puck which helps him to generate more than his fair share of turnovers. – VG

Mitchell Vande Sompel, D (82^nd overall, 2015. Previous ranking: 14)

After playing a solid 70 game season in 2018-19, it was unfortunate that Vande Sompel spent the entirety of the 2019-20 season out with a serious arm injury. Despite being injured, he still remains on the prospect list as one of the Islanders top offensive defensemen outside of the NHL, capable of skating with the puck, passing, and getting into good shooting position. He has improved his defensive zone coverage a lot since his professional debut in the AHL and has turned into a more mature two-way player, especially compared to his offensively focused days in major junior. Next season, should Vande Sompel be healthy enough, will be a make or break year for him as he will need to prove that the smaller defender can withstand the rigors of the professional game, and is good enough to be called up and good enough to earn a bottom four spot in the NHL. - SC

Collin Adams, LW (170^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 15)

An undersized late bloomer, Adams needed an extra year in the USHL (which typically doesn’t play many already drafted players) before moving on to North Dakota. After struggling mightily as an underclassman, Adams took a huge step forward in both responsibility and production as a junior last year, nearly doubling his combined point total from the previous two campaigns. The former sixth round pick may never be more than a bottom line energy player at the highest level, he plays with a respectable combination of puck skills, playmaking chops, two-way responsibility and grit to earn some fans among decision makers. Before he can make his mark professionally, he will need to continue to demonstrate improvements in his game as a senior, and if he can’t add on any additional muscle to his lean frame, perhaps he can add an extra gear to wheels that are currently known more for edges than speed. – RW

Parker Wotherspoon, D (112^th overall, 2015. Previous ranking: 16)

More than any other player in this system, Wotherspoon fits the profile of the type that works his way through the minor leagues and finds a perch in the NHL. There is very little flash to his game, yet he gets results. He doesn’t have any real weaknesses, but on the other hand, nothing about his play really jumps out. He is dependable at both ends. He tends to make good decisions and moves the puck well enough and yet, here he is, three years after turning pro without a single NHL game to his credit. The Islanders still like him enough to have given him a two-year contract extension this offseason, making him a likely candidate to be dangled in the upcoming expansion draft. Perhaps the trade of Devon Toews to Colorado will open the door for Wotherspoon to finally make his NHL debut because his game isn’t changing much, one way or the other, at Bridgeport. - RW

Grant Hutton, D (Undrafted Free Agent. Signed Mar. 21, 2019. Previous ranking: 18)

The best way to look at Hutton is in comparison to Wotherspoon. Hutton is a bit bigger, but not exceptionally so. Both are roughly average skaters. Both are two-way blueliners with well-rounded, if unexceptional skill sets. Both were recently given two-year contract extensions. Both have produced at the AHL level, but neither has put up eye-opening numbers that would force their way up to the NHL. While Wotherspoon shoots from the left side, Hutton is a right-handed shot. And we rank Wotherspoon above Hutton mostly because the former is still 23 while the latter is 25, having spent the full four seasons playing collegiately for Miami (Ohio) before signing as a free agent with the Islanders. Neither blueliner projects as much more than a third pairing defender, and either could reasonably step up and step into the lineup in limited minutes right now. Neither is exciting, but both can play, and it stands to reason that at least one of them will get NHL time this year, if not both of them. - RW

J. Greer, LW (Trade: Oct. 11, 2020. Originally: 39^thoverall, 2015 [Colorado]. Previous ranking: 14 [Colorado])

A scrappy, all-situations forward who just completed his fourth season at the AHL level, Greer possesses a unique combination of size, shooting dexterity, and underrated offensive skill. Always game to push the pace from shift to shift, the 2015 second-rounder is adept at making soft plays with his hands for a big man and has enough physical tools to be useful off the puck, especially on offense, where he can operate down low as a cycle option or a net-front presence. Defensively he is reliable, as the 23-year-old can pin down forwards against the boards and effectively cut off defensemen from pinching against the wall. Without much skating speed aside from his average acceleration and decent topflight pace, or any standout attributes that make him a unique prospect, I don’t know how he would fit into an NHL roster. But then again, he is still only 23 and can make for a useful fourth-line player in the future for the cap strapped Islanders, who acquired him in the offseason from Colorado in exchange for AHL defender Kyle Burroughs. - TD

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 – New York Islanders – ORGANIZATIONAL RANK: 22

Mon, 14 Sep 2020 16:58:00 +0000

New York Islanders

Just over two years ago, the Islanders hired Hall of Famer Lou Lamoriello to be the organization’s President of Hockey Operations and General Manager. Within days, he hired Barry Trotz, fresh off a Stanley Cup Championship with the Washington Capitals, to be the team’s new head Coach. And while I am sure there were changes made here and there in Hockey Ops, many of the key players filling key roles for the franchise have stayed in the same roles they had under previous GM Garth Snow. These include Director of Professional Scouting Ken Morrow (in the role since 1992-93!!!), Director of Amateur Scouting Trent Klatt (carried the role from 12-13 – 14-15, and re-ascended to the top with Lamoriello’s return), and Head Coach at AHL Bridgeport, Brent Thompson (since 14-15).

I am not here to suggest that anyone should lose their jobs. I am here to suggest that there is a disconnect between the type of player the Islanders have been drafting, especially with top picks, and the way those players are subsequently developed internally and sometimes even brought up to the NHL.

If there is a theme among the upper crust of this system’s prospects, it is the abundance of highly skilled forwards being drafted, and those same forwards not developing well once they get to the AHL.

Let’s examine players who have graduated from Bridgeport since Thompson, who had a long professional career as a defensive defenseman, took over as Head Coach.

Adam Pelech – Big defensive defenseman spent one full season and two partials learning from Thompson before securing a full time NHL gig.

Ryan Pulock – Big defenseman with a top shelf point shot. First rounder took most of three seasons on the farm to get the call

Devon Toews – Two-and-a-half seasons as an offensive defenseman in the AHL before he broke through. In fairness, a big injury in his second year may have held him back

Michael Dal Colle – Former fifth overall pick was a dynamic scorer in junior hockey yet was stagnant for his first two seasons before finally acquitting himself in his third AHL campaign. Now almost a reasonable fourth liner in the NHL.

So, in six seasons, we have seen two first rounders make it, and two other later picks exceed expectations. It is not a very promising record of development, especially up front. For further proof of that, look at last year’s Bridgeport team. The forward units had four former first rounders to play with in Bellows, Wahlstrom, Holmstrom, and Ho-Sang, and ended up as the worst scoring team in the AHL. All four players have trended downwards since they were drafted, and especially since turning pro.

Perhaps they were overrated as amateurs and would not have progressed anywhere. Perhaps the Islanders need more help with skill development on the farm to help the forwards understand which tools will work best in the NHL. Or perhaps the organization needs better lines of communication between the AHL, scouting and the farm, such that the team is drafting players who fit in Trotz’ mold, and they are then being developed to reach those levels. Whichever is the answer, something needs to change to avoid continuing to waste talent. This coming offseason will give us all a better idea of what Lamoriello perceives as the problem, assuming he recognizes it as a problem at all.

UNIONDALE, NY - FEBRUARY 06: New York Islanders Left Wing Kieffer Bellows (20) during the third period of the National Hockey League game between the Los Angeles Kings and the New York Islanders on February 6, 2020 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire)

Ilya Sorokin, G (78^th overall, 2014. Pre-season: 4)

While neighboring Broadway is in the middle of the transition from Henrik to Igor, the team from Long Island/Brooklyn is approximately one year behind in their own transition, from a smorgasbord of goalies currently featuring Semyon Varlamov and Thomas Griess, to their own Russian phenom in Ilya Sorokin.

The 2014 third rounder required patience as he spent six years honing his game in the KHL, winning one Gagarin Cup, one Olympic Gold Medal, and three World Championship bronzes. His 2015-16 performance saw him put up the lowest GAA and second best save percentage of any KHL netminder in that six-year span.

At only 6-2” and a puck over 175 pounds, Sorokin is on the smaller side for a modern netminder, but he makes up for it with high end athleticism and a complete unwillingness to give up on any puck. Sorokin likes to challenge shooters, but he is calm in his crease and does not overcommit his positioning. If Super Sorokin has any kryptonite, it is on shots over his right (blocker) shoulder, where he stopped only 67% of shots this year, per InStatScout, generally when he gets too low in his crouch when the play is too close to the crease. All other potential holes were covered up at least 86% of the time.

The only part of his game which does not project to easily above average at the NHL level is his puck handling, which is at a fine level for European goalies, but not notable in North America. The only significant question about Sorokin’s projection revolves around whether he can sustain his elite level of play in a lengthy NHL season, as the 25-year-old has never played more than 40 league games in any one year. We will begin to find out the answer in 2020-21 as Sorokin is finally under NHL contract. - RW

Kieffer Bellows, LW (19^st overall, 2016. Pre-season: 8)

As the scoring leader for the AHL Bridgeport Sound Tigers this past season, Bellows is on the cusp for making the permanent break into the New York Islanders lineup. As a former first round pick and potential power forward, Bellows has big shoes to fill when it comes to his overall ceiling as a player.

He is strong, physical, capable of winning battles, and hard on the puck, all of which makes him a difficult opponent to play against. This past season, he made his NHL debut for a stint of eight games, putting up three points, which was good but the Islanders need to see more from him before making a full time commitment. Bellows will need to prove himself in camp in order to make the starting roster or else expect him to start back down with Bridgeport in 2020-21.

He has recently shown improvements in his discipline and has been able to find a better groove than last season. With any luck he can keep developing, thinking quicker, and learning to move the puck faster in order to be ready to fill one of the top six spots on the Islanders roster within the next two seasons. He still needs to work on keeping his feet moving and finding that extra gear more often, as well as his two way play in order to be considered a complete player. Consistency is key and if Bellows can maintain the exact same level of focus and intensity each game it will be hard to deny him a chance at becoming a prime asset in the NHL. - SC

EAST MEADOW, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 5: Oliver Wahlstrom of the New York Islanders (Photo by Bruce Bennett/NHL via Getty Images)

Oliver Wahlstrom, RW (11^th overall, 2018. Pre-season: 2)

As a former USNTDP product, Oliver Wahlstrom plays a good forechecking game and is highly talented in the skill department. Despite having a brief stint in the NHL with the Islanders this past season, he failed to perform up to his first-round standard and did little to up his stats during that time. When the Islanders first brought him up it seemed as though his play was still a little too immature to match up with such a competitive group but with another season at the professional level it should help him to improve his production, build his confidence, and quicken the pace at which he moves the puck.

Wahlstrom is a mature player in terms of his own age group and often stood out at the U20 national team level for how he carries the puck and gets to the net, however playing at the NHL level has had him more frustrated than confident when the puck is on his stick. In the AHL with Bridgeport he has fared well but was still not standing out as much as he should or could be.

With the rate at that Wahlstrom is developing, if he does not put up a strong season this year and work on staying ahead of the play, he will be at risk of falling into prime trading territory. He will need to focus on his two-way play and prove to staff that he is the same highly skilled power forward they drafted in 2018 if he wants a chance at cracking the bottom six on Long Island. - SC

Bode Wilde, D (41^st overall, 2018. Pre-season: 5)

It was a bit of a tough season to evaluate Wilde’s development. He started the year in the AHL with Bridgeport but struggled in limited ice time. So, the Islanders sent him back to the OHL to play so that he could help Saginaw with a long run towards a Memorial Cup. After 11 games, the season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

So, what have we learned about Wilde? For one, his decision making still needs to improve and will likely be the key to him reaching his potential as an NHL defender. He is still a high-risk taker who generates significant offense from the back-end, but who also can give up his share of chances the other way because of turnovers or lackluster coverage in transition. From all accounts, this was what he struggled with most at the AHL level, especially given the increase in pace.

On the other hand, Wilde remains a defensive prospect with a very high upside because of the raw tool set he possesses. He skates at a high level. He handles the puck at a high level. He has a terrific shot and scoring instincts from the back end. He shows flashes of being a physical presence in the defensive end. When he is playing at the top of his game, he can be a real difference maker.

Ultimately, the Islanders may have to be patient with Wilde. He will not be able to beat pro players with his athleticism the way that he does OHL players. It would be best to ease him into a role, allowing him to adjust to the pace until his decision-making approach adapts. – BO

Simon Holmstrom, RW (23^rd overall, 2019. Pre-season: 3)

Entering the North American professional system the same year as being drafted is uncommon when talking about European players who often settle for a year at home, playing in their respective leagues, or for Russian players often playing out KHL contracts first before coming over, however that was not the case for Sweden-born Simon Holmstrom, who was the Islanders first round pick in 2019. He made the jump immediately to the AHL’s Bridgeport Sound Tigers where he did not look out of place as the season rolled along.

He has a good work ethic and adapts well, which was evident in his growing confidence throughout the season. Holmstrom has the right mindset and maturity to make his NHL debut as soon as next season, however he will still need to get a little stronger on the puck and more creative when trying to find open space. He already has the skating and puck handling ability to operate at the next level and these are small adjustments to be made for a player with the right composure and attitude.

Look to see him earn more special teams time as well next season. Should that happen, he will have more opportunities to work on carrying the puck and getting a feel for setting up plays in power play situations on the smaller, North American ice. Look for Holmstrom at some point this coming season to hit the ice for the Islanders as part of a bottom six winger pairing. - SC

Ruslan Iskhakov, RW (43^rd overall, 2018. Pre-season: 11)

His defining characteristic is his speed – he is one of the fastest players in the East. However, his speed is still raw and could use some refining. At 5-8”, he is on the smaller side, but that is no longer a deal breaker in pro hockey. Despite his size, he is still aggressive and not afraid of playing a physical style. There is room in his game to mature and the speed of his hands to catch up with the speed of his feet. He is moving on from UConn to spend next season in Finland, with TPS. - JS

Joshua Ho-Sang, RW (28^th overall, 2014. Pre-season: 7)

In a weird and controversial turn of events, Ho-Sang was loaned out last season to a club after requesting a trade when he was left off the opening night roster. He was not loaned to another league but rather a different NHL organization and affiliate with the San Antonio Rampage of the St. Louis Blues. Ho-Sang played just six games with the Rampage before being returned to the Islanders’ regular AHL club, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

It is no secret that Ho-Sang and management do not get along but for the talented and smooth skating forward next season is a make or break year. Due to his attitude on and off the ice it seems that the only way that Ho-Sang will be given any realistic chance is if he earns it, putting up a record year. He is not short on talent or offensive ability but the game is not played in one direction only and he will need significant work on his two way game before being given a shot at cracking the Islanders top six, that is if he doesn’t get traded first. - SC

Sebastian Aho, D (139^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 10)

Having not had a call up in over a season, the Islanders are making sure that he is better developed for the NHL game and this coming season should be a promising one for Aho who has proved to Bridgeport that he is up for a more challenging role with the NHL club. Aho has the potential now to be tried anywhere from the top pairing to the third as he is versatile and capable of playing well in all situations. - SC

Otto Koivula, LW (120^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 16)

Koivula is a big bodied forward who moves well despite his size, possesses top quality hands, and a good shot. He finished with the Islanders last season, however with zero points to show after 12 games up in the NHL, there is a strong chance that he is likely to start back out in Bridgeport with the AHL’s Sound Tigers for the 2020-21 season.

There is little that needs to be improved with Koivula in terms of skill but he will need to move the puck faster and learn to keep his feet moving better at the next level or else he runs the risk of falling behind the play again, instead of leading with his hands and strength. Koivula has a high ceiling if he can manage to put all the pieces to his game together and dial in to hit that extra gear next season should he get called back up to fill in on the Islanders’ bottom six. - SC

Anatoli Golyshev, LW (95^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 9)

He is fleet of foot and likes to cut across the slot, creating passing lanes for his linemates to find him with. Golyshev plays with a surprising amount of jam for a player of his small stature, somewhat reminiscent of a player like Tyler Ennis. He has soft hands and impressive puck control and can be a solid half-wall quarterback on the power play, given his vision and accurate passing. Again, somewhat reminiscent of Tyler Ennis. Golyshev signed a four-year deal with Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg last year, so he won’t be coming anytime soon. A small, but notable waste of a resource. - RW

Robin Salo, D (46^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank UR)

He moves the puck well in transition, has good vision and shows offensive imagination. He has a precise wrist shot which he can unleash on the net through traffic. He reads the game really well without the puck, especially in the defensive zone. He uses strong positioning and a quick stick to maintain tight gap control. Skating is still not among his best attributes. The biggest issue is his stride which is clumsy and affects his mobility. He could be more explosive as well. Salo does not have one dominant trait, but he does many things well and his ability to read and anticipate the play are assets. - MB

Samuel Bolduc, D (57^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 18)

However, while the size is a positive, he sometimes forgets that he is 6-4” and over 200 pounds, because he is not a physical defender. If he figures that out, he would be able to get off the bottom pair in terms of his potential, because he would use his solid raw power all over the ice to his advantage. His passing is inconsistent outside of the powerplay, and at times he struggles to recover from unforced errors, but all-around he has solid pro potential, as long as he learns to use his frame. He is signed to an entry-level deal and will start in the AHL next year. - MS

Reece Newkirk, C (147^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 17)

He isn’t a massive player, but he plays a heavy game for his size. He has solid vision and passing skills, that when added to his strong head for the game, make him a decent offensive player. He also reads open ice well, both finding it himself or taking it away defensively, reads breakouts well, and gets himself into places where he can be effective. He is a very effective players without the puck which helps him to generate more than his fair share of turnovers. - VG

Mitchell Vande Sompel, D (82^nd overall, 2015. 2019 Rank: 14)

After playing a solid 70-game season in 2018-19, it was unfortunate that Vande Sompel spent the entirety of the 2019-20 season out with a serious arm injury. Despite being injured, he still remains on the prospect list as one of the Islanders top offensive defensemen outside of the NHL, capable of skating with the puck, passing, and getting into good shooting position.

He has improved his defensive zone coverage a lot since his professional debut in the AHL and has turned into a more mature two-way player, especially compared to his offensively focused days in major junior. Next season, should Vande Sompel be healthy enough, will be a make or break year for him as he will need to prove that the smaller defender can withstand the rigors of the professional game, and is good enough to be called up and good enough to earn a bottom four spot in the NHL. - SC

Collin Adams, LW (170^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: UR)

The former sixth round pick may never be more than a bottom-line energy player at the highest level, he plays with a respectable combination of puck skills, playmaking chops, two-way responsibility and grit to earn some fans among decision makers. Before he can make his mark professionally, he will need to continue to demonstrate improvements in his game as a senior, and if he can’t add on any additional muscle to his lean frame, perhaps he can add an extra gear to wheels that are currently known more for edges than speed. - RW

MCKEEN’S 2019 NHL DRAFT GUIDE: Final Rankings – Top 217 Plus 100 Honourable Mention

Iain Morrell — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 17:52:23 +0000

MCKEEN'S RELEASES FINAL 2019 NHL DRAFT RANKINGS

KOSICE, SLOVAKIA - MAY 13: USA's Jack Hughes #6 and Finland's Kaapo Kakko #24 shake hands following a 3-2 overtime win for team USA during preliminary round action of the 2019 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship at Steel Arena on May 13, 2019 in Kosice, Slovakia. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images)

American center Jack Hughes or Finnish Winger Kaapo Kakko?

That is the decision facing the New Jersey Devils who won the draft lottery for the second time in the past three seasons and hold the top pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.

Hughes (5-foot-10, 170 pounds) led the USA Hockey National Team Development Program under-18 team in scoring while setting the NTDP career record for assists (154) and points (228) in two seasons (110 games) with the program.

He earned the highest Overall Future Projection (OFP) score of 64.50, as per the 20/80 grading system developed by McKeen's Director of Scouting Ryan Wagman.

Skating, shooting, puck skills, hockey IQ, physicality - these are the attributes measured for skaters using the 20/80 grading system to arrive at an Overall Future Projection (OFP) score.

Six areas are assessed for goalies: athleticism/quickness, compete/temperament, vision/play reading, technique/style, rebound control and puck handling.

BROADWAY KAAPO

Kakko (6-foot-2, 195 pounds) earned the next highest OFP score at 64.00.

The Turku, Finland native will go to the New York Rangers with the second pick, their highest draft position since taking Brad Park in 1966 before expansion (1967-68).

Kakko led Finland with six goals while winning gold at the 2019 World Championships at just 18 years, 102 days old to become the youngest player in IIHF history to win gold at the Under-18, Under-20, and WM (World Men) levels, supplanting Connor McDavid of Canada (19 years, 130 days) from the record books.

The Chicago Blackhawks have the number three pick with the top defenseman Bowen Byram of the Vancouver Giants next on the McKeen's OFP scale (63.40).

Seven players in total received OFP scores of at least 60.00 this season, up from five in 2018 - and just two in 2017 when the Devils selected Nino Hischier first overall.

The next five spots in the rankings are all centers - Kirby Dach of Saskatoon (63.20 OFP), Dylan Cozens of Lethbridge (61.40), the NTDP duo of Trevor Zegras (61.25) and Alex Turcotte (60.00), and Peyton Krebs of Kootenay (59.65).

ALL AMERICAN

Spencer Knight. Photo courtesy of the USNTDP.

Spencer Knight of the NTDP is the top-rated goaltender available (55.75 OFP) at No. 32 in the McKeen's rankings.

Knight will likely go in the opening round of what will be a record haul for the U.S. National Team Development Program as upwards of eight players could be taken in the top 31 selections.

As for past records, the Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) had four players taken in the opening round of the 1979 NHL Draft - as did the Toronto Marlboros (OHA) in 1972 and the Montreal Junior Canadiens (OHA) in 1969.

Along with Hughes (1st), Zegras (6th), and Turcotte (7th), wingers Matthew Boldy and Cole Caufield are ranked at No. 12 and 13 on the McKeen's list, with defenseman Cam York at No. 17 and center John Beecher at 30th.

Caufield (5-foot-7, 165 pounds) scored 14 goals at the U18 World Junior Championship, tying Alex Ovechkin's single-tournament goals record. However, the United States lost in a shootout to Russia in the semi-finals.

There are also four others in the program ranked in the 32 to 62 range (second round) - all defensemen - Marshall Warren (35th), Alex Vlasic (54th), Henry Thrun (58th) and Drew Helleson (62nd).

In total, 16 players from the NTDP are ranked among the top 100.

SWEDE GOLD - SWEET SEIDER

ORNSKOLDSVIK, SWEDEN - APRIL 23: Swedens Philip Broberg #4 makes a pass during preliminary round action against Russia at the 2019 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship at Fjallraven Center on April 23, 2019 in Ornskoldsvik, Sweden. (Photo by Steve Kingsman/HHOF-IIHF Images)

Sweden won a first-ever gold medal at the U18 World Juniors.

Four blueliners on that Swedish team are first-round candidates led by Philip Broberg of AIK, named 'Top Defenceman' at the U18 tournament, and Victor Soderstrom of Brynas, ranked No. 9 and 10 respectively on McKeen's.

U18 captain Tobias Bjornfot of Djurgardens is ranked 19th and Albert Johansson of Farjestads is 26th.

Following Dominik Bokk's selection in 2018 (25th to St. Louis), Germany will produce another first-round pick this year in Adler Mannheim defenseman Moritz Seider.

The 6-foot-3, 185-pound, right-shot blueliner displayed impressive skills and maturity for his age while appearing at the 2019 World Championships (5-2-0-2).

Seider earned an OFP score of 57.50 and is ranked No. 15.

He will become the highest-selected German-born player at the NHL Draft since the Edmonton Oilers took Leon Draisaitl third overall in 2014.

Here are our final 2019 NHL Draft Rankings. They are a culmination of a season’s worth of prospect analysis and coverage on mckeenshockey.com and the tremendous work put in rinks and looking at screens and numbers from our committed team. Enjoy!

RANK	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	HT/WT	DOB	Nation
1	Jack Hughes	C	NTDP (USA)	5-10/170	14-May-01	USA
2	Kaapo Kakko	RW	TPS Turku (Fin)	6-2/195	13-Feb-01	Finland
3	Bowen Byram	D	Vancouver (WHL)	6-0/195	13-Jun-01	Canada
4	Kirby Dach	C	Saskatoon (WHL)	6-3/200	21-Jan-01	Canada
5	Dylan Cozens	C	Lethbridge (WHL)	6-3/185	9-Feb-01	Canada
6	Trevor Zegras	C	NTDP (USA)	6-0/170	20-Mar-01	USA
7	Alex Turcotte	C	NTDP (USA)	5-11/185	26-Feb-01	USA
8	Peyton Krebs	C	Kootenay (WHL)	5-11/180	26-Jan-01	Canada
9	Philip Broberg	D	AIK (Swe 2)	6-3/200	25-Jun-01	Sweden
10	Victor Soderstrom	D	Brynas (Swe)	5-11/180	26-Feb-01	Sweden
11	Vasili Podkolzin	RW	SKA-1946 St. Pete. (Rus Jr)	6-1/190	24-Jun-01	Russia
12	Matthew Boldy	LW	NTDP (USA)	6-1/190	5-Apr-01	USA
13	Cole Caufield	RW	NTDP (USA)	5-7/165	2-Jan-01	USA
14	Raphael Lavoie	RW	Halifax (QMJHL)	6-4/195	25-Sep-00	Canada
15	Moritz Seider	D	Adler Mannheim (DEL)	6-3/185	6-Apr-01	Germany
16	Simon Holmstrom	RW	HV 71 (Swe Jr)	6-1/185	24-May-01	Sweden
17	Cam York	D	NTDP (USA)	5-11/175	5-Jan-01	USA
18	Alex Newhook	C	Victoria (BCHL)	5-10/195	28-Jan-01	Canada
19	Tobias Bjornfot	D	Djurgardens (Swe Jr)	6-0/200	6-Apr-01	Sweden
20	Philip Tomasino	C	Niagara (OHL)	5-11/180	28-Jul-01	Canada
21	Arthur Kaliyev	RW	Hamilton (OHL)	6-2/190	26-Jun-01	USA
22	Ryan Suzuki	C	Barrie (OHL)	6-0/180	28-May-01	Canada
23	Samuel Poulin	LW	Sherbrooke (QMJHL)	6-1/205	25-Feb-01	Canada
24	Thomas Harley	D	Mississauga (OHL)	6-3/190	19-Aug-01	Canada
25	Ryan Johnson	D	Sioux Falls (USHL)	6-0/175	24-Jul-01	USA
26	Albert Johansson	D	Farjestads (Swe Jr)	5-11/165	4-Jan-01	Sweden
27	Robert Mastrosimone	LW	Chicago (USHL)	5-10/160	24-Jan-01	USA
28	Connor McMichael	C	London (OHL)	5-11/175	15-Jan-01	Canada
29	Matthew Robertson	D	Edmonton (WHL)	6-3/200	9-Mar-01	Canada
30	John Beecher	C	NTDP (USA)	6-3/210	5-Apr-01	USA
31	Pavel Dorofeyev	LW	Magnitogorsk (KHL)	6-1/170	26-Oct-00	Russia
32	Spencer Knight	G	NTDP (USA)	6-3/195	19-Apr-01	USA
33	Bobby Brink	RW	Sioux City (USHL)	5-10/165	8-Jul-01	USA
34	Brett Leason	RW	Prince Albert (WHL)	6-4/200	30-Apr-99	Canada
35	Marshall Warren	D	NTDP (USA)	5-11/170	20-Apr-01	USA
36	Egor Afanasyev	RW	Muskegon (USHL)	6-3/205	23-Jan-01	Russia
37	Ville Heinola	D	Lukko Rauma (Fin)	5-11/180	3-Feb-01	Finland
38	Nolan Foote	LW	Kelowna (WHL)	6-3/190	29-Nov-00	Canada
39	Samuel Fagemo	RW	Frolunda (Swe)	6-0/195	14-Mar-00	Sweden
40	Nick Robertson	LW	Peterborough (OHL)	5-9/160	11-Sep-01	USA
41	Nils Hoglander	RW	Rogle (Swe)	5-9/185	20-Dec-00	Sweden
42	Jamieson Rees	C	Sarnia (OHL)	5-10/175	26-Feb-01	Canada
43	Jakob Pelletier	LW	Moncton (QMJHL)	5-9/165	7-Mar-01	Canada
44	Antti Tuomisto	D	Assat Pori (Fin Jr)	6-4/190	20-Jan-01	Finland
45	Lassi Thomson	D	Kelowna (WHL)	5-11/190	24-Sep-00	Finland
46	Michal Teply	LW	Bili Tygri Liberec (Cze)	6-3/185	27-May-01	Czech
47	Brayden Tracey	LW	Moose Jaw (WHL)	6-0/175	28-May-01	Canada
48	Arseni Gritsyuk	RW	Omskie Yastreby (Rus Jr)	5-10/170	15-Mar-01	Russia
49	Yegor Chinakhov	RW	Omskie Yastreby (Rus Jr)	6-0/175	1-Feb-01	Russia
50	Mattias Norlinder	D	MoDo (Swe Jr)	5-11/180	12-Apr-00	Sweden
51	Karl Henriksson	C	Frolunda (Swe Jr)	5-9/165	5-Feb-01	Sweden
52	Vladislav Kolyachonok	D	Flint (OHL)	6-1/185	26-May-01	Belarus
53	Nikola Pasic	RW	Linkopings (Swe Jr)	5-10/185	16-Oct-00	Sweden
54	Alex Vlasic	D	NTDP (USA)	6-6/200	5-Jun-01	USA
55	Pyotr Kochetkov	G	HK Ryazan (Rus 2)	6-1/175	25-Jun-99	Russia
56	Albin Grewe	RW	Djurgardens (Swe Jr)	5-11/190	22-Mar-01	Sweden
57	Trevor Janicke	C	Central Illinois (USHL)	5-10/195	25-Dec-00	USA
58	Henry Thrun	D	NTDP (USA)	6-2/190	12-Mar-01	USA
59	Yegor Spiridonov	C	Stalnye Lisy Mag. (Rus Jr)	6-2/195	22-Jan-01	Russia
60	Patrik Puistola	LW	Tappara (Fin Jr)	6-0/175	11-Jan-01	Finland
61	Ilya Nikolayev	C	Loko Yaroslavl (Rus Jr)	6-0/190	26-Jun-01	Russia
62	Drew Helleson	D	NTDP (USA)	6-3/195	26-Mar-01	USA
63	Graeme Clarke	RW	Ottawa (OHL)	5-11/175	24-Apr-01	Canada
64	Ronnie Attard	D	Tri-City (USHL)	6-3/210	20-Mar-99	USA
65	Mads Sogaard	G	Medicine Hat (WHL)	6-7/195	13-Dec-00	Denmark
66	Oleg Zaitsev	C	Red Deer (WHL)	6-1/185	7-Jan-01	Russia
67	Isaiah Saville	G	Tri-City (USHL)	6-1/190	21-Sep-00	USA
68	Kaedan Korczak	D	Kelowna (WHL)	6-3/190	29-Jan-01	Canada
69	Adam Najman	C	Benatky nad Jizerou (Cze 2)	5-11/175	23-Jan-01	Czech
70	Mikko Kokkonen	D	Jukurit (Fin)	5-11/200	18-Jan-01	Finland
71	Michael Vukojevic	D	Kitchener (OHL)	6-3/210	8-Jun-01	Canada
72	Patrick Moynihan	RW	NTDP (USA)	5-11/185	23-Jan-01	USA
73	Michael Gildon	LW	NTDP (USA)	6-1/195	21-Jun-01	USA
74	Judd Caulfield	RW	NTDP (USA)	6-3/205	19-Mar-01	USA
75	Vladislav Firstov	LW	Waterloo (USHL)	6-1/180	19-Jun-01	USA
76	Hugo Alnefelt	G	HV 71 (Swe Jr)	6-3/195	4-Jun-01	Sweden
77	Gianni Fairbrother	D	Everett (WHL)	6-0/195	30-Sep-00	Canada
78	Jackson Lacombe	D	Shattuck-St. Mary's (USHS-MN)	6-1/170	9-Jan-01	USA
79	Ethan Keppen	LW	Flint (OHL)	6-2/210	20-Mar-01	Canada
80	Anttoni Honka	D	JyP Jyvaskyla (Fin)	5-10/180	5-Oct-00	Finland
81	Roman Bychkov	D	Loko Yaroslavl (Rus Jr)	5-11/160	10-Feb-01	Russia
82	Ryder Donovan	C	Duluth East (USHS-MN)	6-3/185	4-Oct-00	USA
83	Nathan Legare	RW	Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)	6-0/205	11-Jan-01	Canada
84	Billy Constantinou	D	Kingston (OHL)	6-0/185	25-Mar-01	Canada
85	Vojtech Strondala	C	Slavia Trebic (Cze 2)	5-7/155	17-Dec-00	Czech
86	Case McCarthy	D	NTDP (USA)	6-1/195	9-Jan-01	USA
87	Simon Lundmark	D	Linkopings (Swe)	6-2/200	8-Oct-00	Sweden
88	Zac Jones	D	Tri-City (USHL)	5-10/175	18-Oct-00	USA
89	Erik Portillo	G	Frolunda (Swe Jr)	6-6/210	3-Sep-00	Sweden
90	Daniil Misyul	D	Loko Yaroslavl (Rus Jr)	6-3/180	20-Oct-00	Russia
91	Daniil Gutik	LW	Loko Yaroslavl (Rus Jr)	6-3/180	31-Aug-01	Russia
92	Hunter Jones	G	Peterborough (OHL)	6-4/195	21-Sep-00	Canada
93	Michael Koster	D	Chaska (USHS-MN)	5-9/175	13-Apr-01	USA
94	Aliaksei Protas	C	Prince Albert (WHL)	6-5/205	6-Jan-01	Belarus
95	Blake Murray	C	Sudbury (OHL)	6-2/190	5-Jul-01	Canada
96	Cole MacKay	RW	Sault Ste Marie (OHL)	5-10/190	13-Jun-01	Canada
97	Trent Miner	G	Vancouver (WHL)	6-0/185	5-Jan-01	Canada
98	Semyon Chistyakov	D	Tolpar Ufa (Rus Jr)	5-10/170	7-Aug-01	Russia
99	Leevi Aaltonen	RW	KalPa (Fin Jr)	5-9/175	24-Jan-01	Finland
100	Antti Saarela	C	Lukko Rauma (Fin)	5-11/185	27-Jun-01	Finland
101	John Farinacci	C	Dexter (USHS-MA)	5-11/185	14-Feb-01	USA
102	Marcus Kallionkieli	LW	Sioux City (USHL)	6-2/195	20-Mar-01	Finland
103	Andre Lee	LW	Sioux Falls (USHL)	6-4/200	26-Jul-00	Sweden
104	Kirill Slepets	RW	Loko Yaroslavl (Rus Jr)	5-10/165	6-Apr-99	Russia
105	Shane Pinto	C	Tri-City (USHL)	6-2/190	12-Nov-00	USA
106	Jordan Spence	D	Moncton (QMJHL)	5-10/165	24-Feb-01	Canada
107	Keean Washkurak	C	Mississauga (OHL)	5-10/185	16-Aug-01	Canada
108	Owen Lindmark	C	NTDP (USA)	6-0/195	17-May-01	USA
109	Matej Blumel	RW	Waterloo (USHL)	5-11/200	31-May-00	Czech
110	Jack Malone	RW	Youngstown (USHL)	6-1/190	13-Oct-00	USA
111	Jayden Struble	D	St. Sebastian's (USHS-MA)	6-0/195	8-Sep-01	USA
112	Artemi Knyazev	D	Chicoutimi (QMJHL)	5-11/180	4-Jan-01	Russia
113	Maxim Cajkovic	RW	Saint John (QMJHL)	5-11/185	3-Jan-01	Slovakia
114	Matvey Guskov	C	London (OHL)	6-1/180	30-Jan-01	Russia
115	Nikita Okhotyuk	D	Ottawa (OHL)	6-1/195	4-Dec-00	Russia
116	Valeri Orekhov	D	Barys Astana (KHL)	6-1/190	17-Jul-99	Kazakhstan
117	Zdenek Sedlak	RW	Karpat Oulu (Fin)	6-2/205	23-Mar-00	Czech
118	Alexander Yakovenko	D	Muskegon (USHL)	5-11/175	22-Feb-98	Russia
119	Yannick Bruschweiler	C	GC Kusnacht Lions (Sui 2)	5-10/175	29-Aug-99	Switzerland
120	Ilya Mironov	D	Loko Yaroslavl (Rus Jr)	6-3/200	15-Mar-01	Russia
121	Albert Lyckasen	D	Linkopings (Swe Jr)	5-10/180	29-Jul-01	Sweden
122	Keegan Stevenson	C	Guelph (OHL)	6-1/185	31-Dec-00	Canada
123	Ilya Konovalov	G	Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)	6-0/195	13-Jul-98	Russia
124	Cole Schwindt	RW	Mississauga (OHL)	6-2/185	25-Apr-01	Canada
125	Domenick Fensore	D	NTDP (USA)	5-7/155	7-Sep-01	USA
126	William Francis	D	Cedar Rapids (USHL)	6-5/210	16-Nov-00	USA
127	Simon Gnyp	D	Kolner (Ger Jr)	5-11/180	10-Sep-01	Germany
128	Tuukka Tieksola	RW	Karpat Oulu (Fin Jr)	5-10/150	22-Jun-01	Finland
129	Ethan Phillips	C	Sioux Falls (USHL)	5-9/150	7-May-01	Canada
130	Linus Pettersson	RW	MoDo (Swe)	5-7/145	11-Apr-00	Sweden
131	Matias Maccelli	LW	Dubuque (USHL)	5-11/170	14-Oct-00	Finland
132	Anthony Romano	C	Sioux Falls (USHL)	5-11/185	7-Oct-00	Canada
133	Nikita Alexandrov	C	Charlottetown (QMJHL)	6-0/180	16-Sep-00	Germany
134	Arturs Silovs	G	HS Riga (Lat)	6-4/205	22-Mar-01	Latvia
135	August Hedlund	G	AIK (Swe Jr)	6-4/185	7-Jan-00	Sweden
136	Nicholas Porco	LW	Saginaw (OHL)	6-0/175	12-Mar-01	Canada
137	Joe Carroll	C	Sault Ste Marie (OHL)	6-2/200	1-Feb-01	Canada
138	Alex Beaucage	RW	Rouyn Noranda (QMJHL)	6-1/195	25-Jul-01	Canada
139	Luke Toporowski	C	Spokane (WHL)	5-11/180	12-Apr-01	USA
140	Sasha Mutala	RW	Tri-City (WHL)	6-0/200	6-May-01	Canada
141	Harrison Blaisdell	C	Chilliwack (BCHL)	5-11/180	18-Mar-01	Canada
142	Valentin Nussbaumer	C	Shawinigan (QMJHL)	5-11/165	25-Sep-00	Switzerland
143	Dustin Wolf	G	Everett (WHL)	6-0/155	16-Apr-01	USA
144	Ondrej Psenicka	RW	Sparta Praha (Cze Jr)	6-5/195	7-Jan-01	Czech
145	Juuso Parssinen	C	TPS Turku (Fin Jr)	6-2/205	1-Feb-01	Finland
146	Mitchell Brewer	D	Oshawa (OHL)	6-0/205	20-Mar-01	Canada
147	Lukas Parik	G	Liberec (Cze Jr)	6-4/185	15-Mar-01	Czech
148	Grant Silianoff	RW	Cedar Rapids (USHL)	5-11/170	4-Jan-01	USA
149	Josh Nodler	C	Fargo (USHL)	5-11/195	27-Apr-01	USA
150	Bryce Brodzinski	RW	Blaine (USHS-MN)	6-0/195	9-Aug-00	USA
151	Colten Ellis	G	Rimouski (QMJHL)	6-1/190	5-Oct-00	Canada
152	Rhett Pitlick	LW	Chaska (USHS-MN)	5-9/160	7-Feb-01	USA
153	Dillon Hamaliuk	LW	Seattle (WHL)	6-3/190	30-Oct-00	Canada
154	Aleksei Sergeev	C	Quebec (QMJHL)	5-9/185	22-May-00	Russia
155	Jack York	D	Barrie (OHL)	6-0/190	17-Sep-00	Canada
156	Jacob LeGuerrier	D	Sault Ste Marie (OHL)	6-1/200	22-Nov-00	Canada
157	Zach Uens	D	Wellington (OJHL)	6-1/180	13-May-01	Canada
158	Josh Williams	RW	Edmonton (WHL)	6-1/195	8-Mar-01	Canada
159	Elmer Soderblom	RW	Frolunda (Swe Jr)	6-6/220	5-Jul-01	Sweden
160	Kyle Topping	C	Kelowna (WHL)	5-11/185	18-Nov-99	Canada
161	Albin Sundsvik	C	Skelleftea (Swe Jr)	6-1/185	27-Apr-01	Sweden
162	Cameron Rowe	G	NTDP (USA)	6-2/200	1-Jun-01	USA
163	Filip Lindberg	G	Massachusetts (HE)	6-0/180	31-Jan-99	Finland
164	Liam Svensson	C	Frolunda (Swe Jr 18)	6-3/195	2-Feb-01	Sweden
165	Xavier Simoneau	C	Drummondville (QMJHL)	5-6/170	19-May-01	Canada
166	Pavel Gogolev	RW	Guelph (OHL)	6-0/175	19-Feb-00	Russia
167	Danil Antropov	LW	Oshawa (OHL)	6-1/185	20-Dec-00	Canada
168	Daniel D'Amico	LW	Windsor (OHL)	5-9/185	26-Jan-01	Canada
169	Vladimir Alistrov	LW	Edmonton (WHL)	6-2/175	12-Feb-01	Belarus
170	Reece Newkirk	C	Portland (WHL)	5-11/175	20-Feb-01	Canada
171	Sergei Alkhimov	LW	Regina (WHL)	6-0/210	3-Jul-01	Russia
172	Adam Beckman	LW	Spokane (WHL)	6-1/170	10-May-01	Canada
173	Alexander Campbell	LW	Victoria (BCHL)	5-10/150	27-Feb-01	Canada
174	Taylor Gauthier	G	Prince George (WHL)	6-1/195	15-Feb-01	Canada
175	Max Crozier	D	Sioux Falls (USHL)	6-1/195	19-Apr-00	Canada
176	Santeri Hatakka	D	Jokerit (Fin Jr)	6-0/175	15-Jan-01	Finland
177	Kalle Loponen	D	Hermes (Fin 2)	5-10/185	13-Mar-01	Finland
178	Eric Ciccolini	RW	Toronto Jr Canadiens (OJHL)	5-11/160	14-Jan-01	Canada
179	Aku Raty	RW	Karpat Oulu (Fin Jr)	5-11/170	5-Jul-01	Finland
180	Arvid Costmar	C	Linkopings (Swe Jr)	5-11/180	7-Jul-01	Sweden
181	Matt Brown	LW	Des Moines (USHL)	5-9/180	9-Aug-99	USA
182	Sven Leuenberger	C	Zug (Sui)	5-10/185	18-Feb-99	Switzerland
183	Jasper Patrikainen	G	Pelicans (Fin)	6-0/175	1-Jul-00	Finland
184	Jack Williams	G	Springfield (NAHL)	6-3/175	21-Jun-01	USA
185	Mikhail Abramov	C	Victoriaville (QMJHL)	5-10/160	26-Mar-01	Russia
186	Ben Brinkman	D	Minnesota (B1G)	6-0/215	4-Oct-00	USA
187	Chris Giroday	D	Green Bay (USHL)	6-1/175	13-Dec-00	Canada
188	Petr Cajka	C	Erie (OHL)	6-0/170	11-Dec-00	Czech
189	Mark Kastelic	C	Calgary (WHL)	6-3/215	11-Mar-99	USA
190	Kevin Wall	RW	Chilliwack (BCHL)	6-0/190	1-Feb-00	USA
191	Lucas Edmonds	RW	Karlskrona (Swe Jr)	5-11/175	27-Jan-01	Sweden
192	Carter Gylander	G	Sherwood Park (AJHL)	6-5/175	5-Jun-01	Canada
193	Ethan de Jong	RW	Quinnipiac (ECAC)	5-10/170	12-Jul-99	Canada
194	Wiljami Myllyla	RW	HIFK Helsinki (Fin Jr)	6-0/170	9-Apr-01	Finland
195	Yaroslav Likhachyov	RW	Gatineau (QMJHL)	5-10/170	2-Sep-01	Russia
196	Layton Ahac	D	Prince George (BCHL)	6-2/195	22-Feb-01	Canada
197	Alfred Barklund	D	Orebro (Swe Jr)	6-2/200	21-Oct-00	Sweden
198	Radek Muzik	LW	Lulea (Swe Jr)	6-3/180	25-Mar-01	Sweden
199	Marcus Pedersen	RW	Linkopings (Swe Jr)	6-2/165	25-May-01	Sweden
200	Filip Koffer	RW	Pardubice (Cze Jr)	5-11/175	4-Mar-01	Czech
201	Henri Nikkanen	C	Jukurit (Fin Jr)	6-3/200	28-Apr-01	Finland
202	Marc Del Gaizo	D	Massachusetts (HE)	5-9/190	11-Oct-99	USA
203	Tag Bertuzzi	LW	Hamilton (OHL)	6-0/200	18-Feb-01	Canada
204	Martin Hugo Has	D	Tappara (Fin Jr)	6-4/190	2-Feb-01	Czech
205	Jet Greaves	G	Barrie (OHL)	5-11/165	30-Mar-01	Canada
206	Mason Millman	D	Saginaw (OHL)	6-1/175	18-Jul-01	Canada
207	Janis Jerome Moser	D	Biel-Bienne (Sui)	6-0/160	6-Jun-00	Switzerland
208	Nick Abruzzese	C	Chicago (USHL)	5-9/160	4-Jun-99	USA
209	Logan Barlage	C	Lethbridge (WHL)	6-4/200	7-Jan-01	Canada
210	Carter Berger	D	Victoria (BCHL)	6-0/200	17-Sep-99	Canada
211	Nando Eggenberger	LW	Oshawa (OHL)	6-2/205	7-Oct-99	Switzerland
212	Tyce Thompson	RW	Providence (HE)	6-1/180	12-Jul-99	USA
213	Nolan Maier	G	Saskatoon (WHL)	6-0/175	10-Jan-01	Canada
214	Massimo Rizzo	C	Penticton (BCHL)	5-10/180	13-Jun-01	Canada
215	Matthew Steinburg	C	St. Andrew's (CHS-O)	6-1/185	7-Oct-00	Canada
216	Jake Lee	D	Seattle (WHL)	6-1/215	13-Jul-01	Canada
217	Luke Bast	D	Brooks (AJHL)	5-9/170	20-Nov-00	Canada

100 HONOURABLE MENTION IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER:

	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	HT/WT	DOB	Nation
HM	Nathan Allensen	D	Barrie (OHL)	5-11/180	3-May-01	Canada
HM	Ethan Anders	G	Red Deer (WHL)	6-1/175	26-Sep-00	Canada
HM	Nicklas Andrews	D	Des Moines (USHL)	5-10/185	6-Jul-01	USA
HM	Tyler Angle	C	Windsor (OHL)	5-9/165	30-Sep-00	Canada
HM	Marcel Barinka	C	Halifax (QMJHL)	6-0/165	3-Jan-01	Czech
HM	Roman Basran	G	Kelowna (WHL)	6-1/195	26-Jul-01	Canada
HM	Luke Bignell	C	Barrie (OHL)	6-0/170	3-Nov-00	Canada
HM	Mathieu Bizier	C	Gatineau (QMJHL)	6-1/185	13-May-01	Canada
HM	Oscar Bjerselius	C	Djurgardens (Swe Jr)	5-11/185	18-Feb-01	Sweden
HM	Kaden Bohlsen	C	Fargo (USHL)	6-3/190	10-Jan-01	USA
HM	Samuel Bolduc	D	Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)	6-3/210	9-Dec-00	Canada
HM	Jakob Bondesson	D	Rogle (Swe Jr)	6-1/185	22-May-00	Sweden
HM	Cole Brady	G	Janesville (NAHL)	6-5/165	12-Feb-01	Canada
HM	Alex Brannstam	D	Djurgardens (Swe Jr)	5-11/170	3-Jun-01	Sweden
HM	Lynden Breen	C	Central Illinois (USHL)	5-9/165	31-May-01	USA
HM	Jonas Brondberg	D	Vaxjo Lakers (Swe Jr)	6-4/190	26-Jan-01	Sweden
HM	Jeremie Bucheler	D	Victoria (BCHL)	6-4/200	31-Mar-00	Canada
HM	Brett Budgell	LW	Charlottetown (QMJHL)	5-11/190	1-Jun-01	Canada
HM	Luka Burzan	RW	Brandon (WHL)	6-0/190	7-Jan-00	Canada
HM	Felix Carenfelt	LW	Djurgardens (Swe Jr)	5-10/185	13-Feb-00	Sweden
HM	Luke Cavallin	G	Flint (OHL)	6-1/190	29-Apr-01	Canada
HM	Filip Cederqvist	LW	Vaxjo Lakers (Swe)	6-1/185	23-Aug-00	Sweden
HM	Cole Coskey	RW	Saginaw (OHL)	6-0/190	1-Jun-99	USA
HM	Braden Doyle	D	Lawrence Academy (USHS-MA)	5-11/170	24-Aug-01	USA
HM	Justin Ducharme	LW	Chicoutimi (QMJHL)	5-10/180	22-Feb-00	Canada
HM	Nathan Dunkley	C	London (OHL)	5-11/195	3-May-00	Canada
HM	Pontus Englund	D	Timra (Swe Jr)	6-3/205	15-Jul-00	Sweden
HM	Lucas Feuk	LW	Sodertalje (Swe Jr)	6-0/185	19-Feb-01	Sweden
HM	Parker Ford	C	Sioux City (USHL)	5-8/170	20-Jul-00	USA
HM	Ethan Frisch	D	Fargo (USHL)	5-11/190	29-Oct-00	USA
HM	Maxim Golod	LW	Erie (OHL)	5-11/175	18-Aug-00	Canada
HM	Jacob Gronhagen	C	HV 71 (Swe Jr)	6-6/215	18-Jan-01	Sweden
HM	Maxence Guenette	D	Val d'Or (QMJHL)	6-1/180	28-Apr-01	Canada
HM	Hugo Gustafsson	C	Sodertalje (Swe 2)	5-10/160	23-Feb-00	Sweden
HM	Mack Guzda	G	Owen Sound (OHL)	6-4/215	11-Jan-01	USA
HM	Aidan Harper	G	Skipjacks HC 18U (USPHL)	6-2/170	28-May-01	USA
HM	Ludvig Hedstrom	D	Djurgardens (Swe Jr)	5-11/175	14-Apr-01	Sweden
HM	Konsta Hirvonen	LW	HIFK Helsinki (Fin Jr)	5-11/165	1-Nov-00	Finland
HM	Eric Hjorth	D	Linkopings (Swe Jr 18)	6-3/190	8-Jan-01	Sweden
HM	Samuel Hlavaj	G	Lincoln (USHL)	6-4/185	29-May-01	Slovakia
HM	Krystof Hrabik	C	Tri-City (WHL)	6-4/220	24-Sep-99	Czech
HM	Rickard Hugg	C	Kitchener (OHL)	5-11/190	18-Jan-99	Sweden
HM	Aaron Huglen	RW	Roseau (USHS-MN)	5-11/165	6-Mar-01	USA
HM	Aarne Intonen	C	TPS Turku (Fin Jr)	5-11/180	17-Jul-01	Finland
HM	Michal Ivan	D	Drummondville (QMJHL)	6-1/185	18-Nov-99	Slovakia
HM	Dylan Jackson	RW	Dubuque (USHL)	5-9/175	6-Sep-01	Canada
HM	Ty Jackson	C	Dubuque (USHL)	5-7/150	6-Sep-01	Canada
HM	Taro Jentzsch	C	Sherbrooke (QMJHL)	6-1/155	11-Jun-00	Germany
HM	Samuel Johannesson	D	Rogle (Swe Jr)	5-11/175	27-Dec-00	Sweden
HM	Wilson Johansson	RW	Farjestads (Swe Jr)	5-11/175	11-Oct-00	Sweden
HM	Brooklyn Kalmikov	C	Cape Breton (QMJHL)	6-0/165	21-Apr-01	Canada
HM	David Karlstrom	C	AIK (Swe Jr)	6-1/185	12-Mar-01	Sweden
HM	Mans Kramer	D	Frolunda (Swe Jr)	6-2/180	6-Mar-01	Sweden
HM	Jami Krannila	C	Sioux Falls (USHL)	5-10/160	3-Oct-00	Finland
HM	Grayson Ladd	D	Windsor (OHL)	6-1/175	1-Mar-01	Canada
HM	Martin Lang	LW	Kamloops (WHL)	5-11/170	15-Sep-01	Czech
HM	Oscar Lawner	LW	Farjestads (Swe Jr)	5-11/185	13-Feb-01	Sweden
HM	Jonathan Lemieux	G	Val d'Or (QMJHL)	6-0/185	8-Jun-01	Canada
HM	Hugo Leufvenius	LW	Sarnia (OHL)	6-3/230	26-Mar-99	Sweden
HM	Ethan Leyh	LW	Langley (BCHL)	6-0/190	7-Sep-01	Canada
HM	Josh Lopina	C	Lincoln (USHL)	6-1/175	16-Feb-01	USA
HM	Emil Malysjev	D	Saskatoon (WHL)	6-3/190	1-May-01	Sweden
HM	Matias Mantykivi	C	SaiPa (Fin Jr)	5-11/160	21-Jun-01	Finland
HM	Jeremy McKenna	RW	Moncton (QMJHL)	5-10/175	20-Apr-99	Canada
HM	Billy Moskal	C	London (OHL)	6-0/185	22-Mar-00	Canada
HM	Derek Mullahy	G	Dexter (USHS-MA)	6-0/180	20-Mar-01	USA
HM	Kim Nousiainen	D	KalPa (Fin Jr)	5-9/170	14-Nov-00	Finland
HM	Zachary Okabe	RW	Grande Prairie (AJHL)	5-8/165	4-Jan-01	Canada
HM	Oliver Okuliar	LW	Sherbrooke (QMJHL)	6-1/190	24-May-00	Slovakia
HM	Quinn Olson	LW	Okotoks (AJHL)	5-10/170	9-May-01	Canada
HM	Xavier Parent	LW	Halifax (QMJHL)	5-8/170	23-Mar-01	Canada
HM	Tommy Pasanen	D	Sioux City (USHL)	6-3/220	30-Jul-01	Germany
HM	Thomas Pelletier	D	Drummondville (QMJHL)	6-2/195	23-Aug-01	Canada
HM	Andrew Perrott	D	Owen Sound (OHL)	5-11/205	24-Aug-01	USA
HM	Kari Piiroinen	G	Windsor (OHL)	6-0/175	1-Jul-01	Finland
HM	Lukas Pilo	D	Orebro (Swe Jr)	6-1/185	7-Sep-99	Sweden
HM	Garrett Pinoniemi	C	Holy Family Catholic (USHS-MN)	5-11/150	15-Jun-01	USA
HM	Mason Primeau	C	North Bay (OHL)	6-5/205	28-Jul-01	Canada
HM	Kirby Proctor	D	Des Moines (USHL)	6-3/190	19-Apr-01	Canada
HM	Liam Ross	D	Sudbury (OHL)	6-2/195	13-May-01	Canada
HM	Henrik Rybinski	RW	Seattle (WHL)	6-0/175	26-Jun-01	Canada
HM	Nikita Sedov	D	Regina (WHL)	6-1/185	5-May-01	Russia
HM	Egor Serdyuk	RW	Victoriaville (QMJHL)	5-10/160	3-Jun-01	Russia
HM	Nikita Shashkov	LW	Sibir Novosibirsk (KHL)	5-11/180	26-Mar-99	Russia
HM	Ryan Siedem	D	Central Illinois (USHL)	6-2/190	25-Feb-01	USA
HM	Samuel Sjolund	D	AIK (Swe Jr)	6-1/175	19-May-01	Sweden
HM	Hunter Skinner	D	Muskegon (USHL)	6-2/175	29-Apr-01	USA
HM	Dominik Sojka	C	Banska Bystrica (Svk Jr)	6-5/210	16-Feb-01	Slovakia
HM	Kyen Sopa	RW	Niagara (OHL)	5-9/185	30-Sep-00	Switzerland
HM	Tyler Spott	D	Green Bay (USHL)	5-10/170	17-Jun-00	Canada
HM	Matthew Struthers	C	North Bay (OHL)	6-2/210	26-Dec-99	Canada
HM	Roope Taponen	G	HIFK Helsinki (Fin Jr)	6-0/165	14-Mar-01	Finland
HM	Jacob Tortora	LW	Barrie (OHL)	5-6/165	25-Jul-99	USA
HM	Bobby Trivigno	LW	Massachusetts (HE)	5-8/155	19-Jan-99	USA
HM	Eric Uba	RW	Flint (OHL)	6-0/195	17-Dec-00	Canada
HM	Max Wahlgren	RW	MoDo (Swe)	6-1/185	9-May-01	Sweden
HM	Carl Wang	D	Sodertalje (Swe Jr)	6-2/195	28-Mar-01	Sweden
HM	Matteus Ward	G	Linkopings (Swe Jr)	6-0/170	7-Mar-01	Sweden
HM	Lukas Wernblom	C	MoDo (Swe 2)	5-9/170	22-Jul-00	Sweden
HM	Jonathan Yantsis	RW	Kitchener (OHL)	6-2/210	28-Apr-99	Canada

Samuel Bolduc – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2023-24 NHL YEARBOOK – NEW YORK ISLANDERS – Top 20 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #28

Top 20 New York Islander Prospects

1. William Dufour

2. Samuel Bolduc

3. Ruslan Iskhakov

4. Calle Odelius

5. Danny Nelson

6. Matt Maggio

7. Otto Koivula

8. Alex Jeffries

9. Quinn Finley

10. Jesse Nurmi

11. Isaiah George

12. Eetu Liukas

13. Robin Salo

14. Cameron Berg

15. Arnaud Durandeau

16. Tristan Lennox

17. Jakub Skarek

18. Daylan Kueffler

19. Travis Mitchell

20. Aidan Fulp

MCKEEN’S 2023 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #26 New York Islanders

Prospect System Ranking – 26th (30th last year)

AHL: BELL – Stock Up, Stock Down – 10 Early Impressions

MCKEEN’S 2022-23 NHL YEARBOOK – NEW YORK ISLANDERS – Top 20 Prospects

2021-22 TOP 15 PROSPECTS: NEW YORK ISLANDERS – RANK: #31 – TIER VII

McKeen’s 2020-21 Hockey Yearbook: New York Islanders Top 20 Prospects

Ilya Sorokin, G (78th overall, 2014. Previous ranking: 1)

Kieffer Bellows, LW (19st overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 2)

Oliver Wahlstrom, RW (11th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 3)

Bode Wilde, D (41st overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 4)

Simon Holmstrom, RW (23rd overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 5)

Ruslan Iskhakov, RW (43rd overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 6)

Joshua Ho-Sang, RW (28th overall, 2014. Previous ranking: 7)

Sebastian Aho, D (139th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 8)

Otto Koivula, LW (120th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 9)

Anatoli Golyshev, LW (95th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 10)

William Dufour, RW (152nd overall, 2020. previous ranking: NA)

Alexander Ljungkrantz, LW (90th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Robin Salo, D (46th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 11)

Samuel Bolduc, D (57th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 12)

Reece Newkirk, C (147th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 13)

Mitchell Vande Sompel, D (82nd overall, 2015. Previous ranking: 14)

Collin Adams, LW (170th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 15)

Parker Wotherspoon, D (112th overall, 2015. Previous ranking: 16)

Grant Hutton, D (Undrafted Free Agent. Signed Mar. 21, 2019. Previous ranking: 18)

J. Greer, LW (Trade: Oct. 11, 2020. Originally: 39th overall, 2015 [Colorado]. Previous ranking: 14 [Colorado])

MCKEENS 2020 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT – TOP 250 PROSPECTS

MCKEEN’S 2020 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – New York Islanders – ORGANIZATIONAL RANK: 22

New York Islanders

Ilya Sorokin, G (78th overall, 2014. Pre-season: 4)

Kieffer Bellows, LW (19st overall, 2016. Pre-season: 8)

Oliver Wahlstrom, RW (11th overall, 2018. Pre-season: 2)

Bode Wilde, D (41st overall, 2018. Pre-season: 5)

Simon Holmstrom, RW (23rd overall, 2019. Pre-season: 3)

Ruslan Iskhakov, RW (43rd overall, 2018. Pre-season: 11)

Joshua Ho-Sang, RW (28th overall, 2014. Pre-season: 7)

Sebastian Aho, D (139th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 10)

Otto Koivula, LW (120th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 16)

Anatoli Golyshev, LW (95th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 9)

Robin Salo, D (46th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank UR)

Samuel Bolduc, D (57th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 18)

Reece Newkirk, C (147th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 17)

Mitchell Vande Sompel, D (82nd overall, 2015. 2019 Rank: 14)

Collin Adams, LW (170th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: UR)

MCKEEN’S 2019 NHL DRAFT GUIDE: Final Rankings – Top 217 Plus 100 Honourable Mention

MCKEEN'S RELEASES FINAL 2019 NHL DRAFT RANKINGS

Prospect System Ranking – 26^th (30^th last year)

Ilya Sorokin, G (78^th overall, 2014. Previous ranking: 1)

Kieffer Bellows, LW (19^st overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 2)

Oliver Wahlstrom, RW (11^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 3)

Bode Wilde, D (41^st overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 4)

Simon Holmstrom, RW (23^rd overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 5)

Ruslan Iskhakov, RW (43^rd overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 6)

Joshua Ho-Sang, RW (28^th overall, 2014. Previous ranking: 7)

Sebastian Aho, D (139^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 8)

Otto Koivula, LW (120^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 9)

Anatoli Golyshev, LW (95^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 10)

William Dufour, RW (152^nd overall, 2020. previous ranking: NA)

Alexander Ljungkrantz, LW (90^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Robin Salo, D (46^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 11)

Samuel Bolduc, D (57^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 12)

Reece Newkirk, C (147^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 13)

Mitchell Vande Sompel, D (82^nd overall, 2015. Previous ranking: 14)

Collin Adams, LW (170^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 15)

Parker Wotherspoon, D (112^th overall, 2015. Previous ranking: 16)

J. Greer, LW (Trade: Oct. 11, 2020. Originally: 39^thoverall, 2015 [Colorado]. Previous ranking: 14 [Colorado])

Ilya Sorokin, G (78^th overall, 2014. Pre-season: 4)

Kieffer Bellows, LW (19^st overall, 2016. Pre-season: 8)

Oliver Wahlstrom, RW (11^th overall, 2018. Pre-season: 2)

Bode Wilde, D (41^st overall, 2018. Pre-season: 5)

Simon Holmstrom, RW (23^rd overall, 2019. Pre-season: 3)

Ruslan Iskhakov, RW (43^rd overall, 2018. Pre-season: 11)

Joshua Ho-Sang, RW (28^th overall, 2014. Pre-season: 7)

Sebastian Aho, D (139^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 10)

Otto Koivula, LW (120^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 16)

Anatoli Golyshev, LW (95^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 9)

Robin Salo, D (46^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank* UR*)

Samuel Bolduc, D (57^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 18)

Reece Newkirk, C (147^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 17)

Mitchell Vande Sompel, D (82^nd overall, 2015. 2019 Rank: 14)

Collin Adams, LW (170^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: UR)