Terik Parascak – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2026 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #11 Washington Capitals – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Sun, 03 May 2026 22:00:21 +0000

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 08: Washington Capitals Left Winger Ilya Protas (62) skates during warmup before the NHL regular season game between the Washington Capitals and the Toronto Maple Leafs on April 8, 2026, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON, Canada. (Photo by Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire)

Prospect System Ranking – 11th (Last Year - 7th)
GM: Chris Patrick Hired: July 2024 (Also Senior Vice President)
COACH: Spencer Carbery Hired: May 2023

After a surprising turnaround in 2024–25, when the Washington Capitals finished second in the Eastern Conference with 51 wins, the organization is now beginning to feel the effects of an aging core. With the team slipping outside the playoff picture, Washington has already begun its purge, moving long-time defenseman John Carlson to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for a 2026 first-round pick. That acquisition helps offset a depleted draft outlook, as the Capitals currently lack both second- and third-round selections in the upcoming draft. Luckily, the organization has drafted well in recent years, providing optimism that this may be more of a quick retool than a full rebuild under Chris Patrick. They now carry most of their picks post 2026, and there’s a decent expectation that they could add more to that pile.

Ryan Leonard has already graduated to the NHL and has established himself as a legitimate scoring threat in his rookie campaign, while prospects such as Andrew Cristall (46th), Ilya Protas (39th), and Ivan Miroshnichenko (125th) have continued to show well at the AHL level. On the back end, 2024 second-round pick Cole Hutson (16th) is coming off an explosive NCAA career at Boston University, where he produced at over a point-per-game pace across two seasons. Now transitioning to the NHL, Hutson already appears on the verge of graduating from our list in short order.

With speculations that this could be Alexander Ovechkin’s final season, the Capitals find themselves at a crossroads. However, the good news is that they are supported by a promising group of young players who could help usher in the next phase of competitive hockey in Washington quicker than expected.

NHL	RNK	PLAYER	POS	AGE	HT/WT	2024-25 TM	GP	G(W)	A(L)	PTS(GAA)	PIM(SPCT)
Wsh	1	Cole Hutson	D	19	5-10/165	Boston University (NCAA)	35	10	22	32	26
Wsh	1	Cole Hutson	D	19	5-10/165	Washington (NHL)	14	3	7	10	8
Wsh	2	Ilya Protas	LW	19	6-3/185	Hershey (AHL)	69	29	37	66	40
Wsh	2	Ilya Protas	LW	19	6-3/185	Washington (NHL)	4	1	3	4	2
Wsh	3	Andrew Cristall	LW	21	5-9/165	Hershey (AHL)	72	20	40	60	24
Wsh	4	Lynden Lakovic	LW	19	6-4/200	Moose Jaw (WHL)	22	18	11	29	8
Wsh	5	Milton Gastrin	C	18	6-1/195	MoDo Hockey (Allsvenskan)	39	10	14	24	4
Wsh	6	Terik Parascak	RW	20	6-0/180	Prince George (WHL)	61	33	46	79	53
Wsh	7	Ivan Miroshnichenko	LW	22	6-1/185	Hershey (AHL)	41	14	20	34	47
Wsh	7	Ivan Miroshnichenko	LW	22	6-1/185	Washington (NHL)	13	2	1	3	2
Wsh	8	Bogdan Trineyev	RW	24	6-3/200	Hershey (AHL)	62	17	28	45	31
Wsh	8	Bogdan Trineyev	RW	24	6-3/200	Washington (NHL)	2	0	0	0	0
Wsh	9	Ryan Chesley	D	22	6-0/200	Hershey (AHL)	64	6	10	16	18
Wsh	10	Leon Muggli	D	19	6-1/175	Hershey (AHL)	27	1	6	7	4
Wsh	11	David Gucciardi	D	23	6-1/185	Hershey (AHL)	52	3	10	13	55
Wsh	12	Eriks Mateiko	LW	20	6-5/215	Hershey (AHL)	27	1	5	6	16
Wsh	13	Cam Allen	D	21	6-0/195	Hershey (AHL)	22	3	4	7	22
Wsh	14	Maxim Schafer	RW	19	6-4/185	Chicoutimi (QMJHL)	53	21	28	49	28
Wsh	15	Petr Sikora	C	20	5-11/170	HC Ocelari Trinec (Czechia)	24	3	6	9	8

Cole Hutson, D, Boston University (NCAA) (Currently with Washington Capitals, NHL)

Both Boston University and the U.S. World Juniors teams have been underwhelming overall but luckily they’ve had Cole Hutson as one of the lone offensive brightsides. He’s had to do it all for the Terriers this season, top pairing offensive defenceman, top power play quarterback, top penalty kill. Hutson is all ready to jump into the Capitals blueline next season, seeing as how he can elevate the game of those around him with his playmaking and space creation. He is more conservative than his older brother with the puck and when pinching, which has made him way more defensively responsible and able to take hits at his young age. Hutson’s dynamism comes from his IQ and stickhandling, which has been very unpredictable no matter where he is on the ice, as long as he has the puck, he’s going to make a move. It may take longer for him to make the impact that Lane did in a lineup, but Cole Hutson will be an impact player for the Washington Capitals in the near future.
Ilya Protas, LW, Hershey Bears (AHL)

Washington’s use of a third-round pick on Ilya Protas is looking better and better every year. As a 19-year-old rookie, Protas has been the heartbeat of this Hershey Bears team. Protas has been the team’s first-choice center in nearly every situation from the jump. Being on the first line, first power play unit, and occasionally the penalty kill, he is easily the leader in ice time among the forward group. In his first 69 pro games, Protas put up 66 points and leads the team. Everything that made him a standout in Windsor has translated almost seamlessly in Hershey. Protas’ unique blend of size and skill is causing problems in the AHL. Protas has incredible vision and play anticipation for someone his age playing against men. He’s developing as a center in all the right ways in all three zones. It’s not a matter of if he will play alongside his brother in the NHL, but when. If Washington can’t find a way into the playoff picture, Protas will likely get a late-season call-up and work toward making the opening-day roster next season.
Andrew Cristall, LW, Hershey Bears (AHL)

Both in points and on the ice, the one player to have gone step for step with Ilya Protas thus far has been fellow rookie and linemate Andrew Cristall. In 72 games this season, Cristall put up 60 points and put his playmaking on full display. Cristall is at his best when he gets the puck on his stick and before you know it, he’s already dished it out. His style of slowing the play down, changing the angle and making a play has carried to the AHL level. Cristall’s offensive prowess wasn’t the largest area of concern when making the jump to the pros, but rather his pace and defensive capabilities. This season has shown these are still areas of growth for him. On the forecheck and in his defensive zone, Cristall is never grinding along the boards to get possession of the puck but rather hovering near the play to grab the loose puck and turn it into a scoring opportunity. It’s a style that limits him to a top six role, which he can reach but might delay his road to the NHL.
Lynden Lakovic, LW, Moose Jay Warriors (WHL)

You truly have to feel bad for Lakovic due to the season-ending injury that he suffered in November. Not only was he playing the best hockey of his career at that point in time (the game he got injured in snapped a 14-game point streak for him), if he had stayed healthy he surely would have been traded from the rebuilding Moose Jaw Warriors to one of the WHL's championship-chasing clubs. It also causes some concerns about his overall development, because he's still a very raw prospect who needs plenty of reps to refine some areas of need, but after already signing his entry-level contract, he won't be able to make a stop in the NCAA before going to the pro leagues. Either way, the Capitals are probably still sufficiently content about drafting Lakovic in the first round in 2025, because it's hard to find forwards at his size who are also such superb skaters and puck handlers. If everything unfolds just right for him in the coming years he could turn into a pretty rare kind of player at the NHL level.
Milton Gästrin, C, MoDo (Allsvenskan)

Gästrin’s DY+1 has gone swimmingly. He’s playing big minutes in all situations down the middle at the HockeyAllsvenskan level and producing at a solid clip as well. Helping win a gold medal at the WJC doesn’t hurt either. The strongest tools in Gästrin’s arsenal have translated well to the pro level. His high-end skating, his strong motor, and his hockey sense have allowed him to make an immediate impact as a two-way center for MoDo. His skills with the puck and his playmaking ability look like they’ve taken a step, and he’s shooting the puck with more oomph as well. What his exact NHL role will be is still a bit unclear. He’s got a solid NHL floor, but where he plays in the lineup will be defined by the next steps in his development. If he can bulk up a bit more and play with a harder physical edge, he could easily slot into a bottom six role. If he learns to accept more puck responsibility and stops deferring so much in the offensive zone, he could play higher up in the lineup. Hopefully that clears itself up after another year or two of development in the Swedish pro ranks.
Terik Parascak, RW, Prince George Cougars (WHL)

A lot of eyebrows were raised when Washington selected Parascak at 17th overall in the 2024 draft. He cracked the 100-point plateau that season as a 17-year-old with the WHL’s Prince George Cougars, but questions were asked and debates were held about whether his production was a genuine reflection of his talent and potential, or whether it might have been a bit of a mirage. Nearly two years later, all the signs are pointing towards it being the latter of the two, evidenced mainly by the ongoing decline of his scoring pace despite the consistency of his environment. He’s certainly not a bad prospect, by any means. He works hard and thinks the game well in all three zones, he’s effective on both sides of special teams, and he has an innate nose for the net. The problem is that that description is better suited to a prospect taken 57th or 67th overall, as opposed to 17th. There’s still time for Parascak to turn into a contributing NHL player, but the Capitals will need to do more to help him get there.
Ivan Miroshnichenko, LW Hershey Bears (AHL)

Out of everyone who has played at least two games for Hershey this season, Ivan Miroshnichenko leads the way in points per game. In 41 games, Miroshnichenko had 34 points for the Bears. In each of the past two seasons, Miroshnichenko has played roughly 30 games with the NHL club. This season, he has played five to date. Has he fallen out of favor with head coach Spencer Carbery, or is it just bad luck? More likely the latter. Miroshnichenko missed 12 games early in the year due to injury and during that time inked a two-year extension. Although he isn’t afraid to play along the boards and rough some people up, Miroshnichenko is more of a goal scorer than a depth player. With several forward contracts coming off the books next season in Washington, Miroshnichenko should get his shot as a full-time top nine forward with the Capitals.
Bogdan Trineyev, RW, Hershey Bears (AHL)

In his first two full seasons with Hershey in the AHL, Bogdan Trineyev hovered around the 20-point mark. This season has been a different story. Something has clicked offensively for the Russian and he has now eclipsed his career high in points in 39 games. It’s a remarkable jump in production from the 2020 fourth-round pick. Trineyev’s calling card has always been as a grinder. He works hard on the forecheck and is finally getting a share of the points he’s helping create. In his own end, he is stalwart defensively. He consistently positions himself well and actively uses his stick to disrupt play. He’s been a mainstay on the penalty killing unit for a while now. With the scoring ability finally there, Trineyev now looks to be capable of battling for a bottom six role in Washington. He’s already been called up once this season for two games and will likely be the first choice if a depth option goes down again.
Ryan Chesley, D, Hershey Bears (AHL)

Coming over from the University of Minnesota at the end of last season, Chesley had three points in four games. Through 64 games this season, Chesley only had 16. His offence has cooled recently and his defence hasn’t been on fire either. Chesley posted a team-worst +/- of -19. As a stay-at-home defenceman type, Chesley’s effectiveness has been reduced with a step up in play. The pace of play in the AHL puts more pressure on defencemen to make the correct decision quickly and Chesley is cracking under it. Under pressure, Chesley is not making the right reads quickly enough, which is leading to frequent turnovers. He hasn’t been a big feature of either special teams group, thus limiting his value. Chesley may not be as close to NHL-ready as once thought, but that shouldn’t really change his long-term projection. He still has plenty of time left to adjust and still projects as a dependable third-pairing defenceman.
Leon Muggli, D, Hershey Bears, (AHL)

Leon Muggli has suited up 19 times for Hershey this season, earning five points in the process. He missed 20 games early in the season due to an upper-body injury and then also spent time away from the Bears to participate in the World Junior Championships with Switzerland. In five games, he tallied one goal and four assists. During the handful of games Muggli has played, he’s been largely in a sheltered role, averaging a little over 16 minutes a game. He’s gotten more looks on the power play than the penalty kill. Muggli’s pro experience in Switzerland is showing up as he doesn’t look as out of place as you would expect for a 19-year-old defenceman in the AHL. He’s getting his stick in the right spots a lot of the time and his skating is solid for this level. Muggli has so much runway left in his development that it’s hard to project him at this point. It’s reasonable to think that Muggli will be a bottom-four NHL defenceman of some variety. A lot of it will depend on how much of his offensive game he can develop in Hershey.
David Gucciardi, D, Hershey Bears (AHL)

An underrated player in the Capitals system who impressed in this year’s NHL preseason. Gucciardi is a strong skating two-way defender who has been solid for Hershey so far this season. He could be a potential bottom pairing option for Washington in a year or two.
Eriks Mateiko, LW, Hershey Bears (AHL)

Mateiko was a breakout star last season at the WJC’s, helping Latvia find success. However, the big winger has struggled at the AHL level as a rookie, battling ineffectiveness and injury. He’ll need to adjust to the pace of the pro game.
Cam Allen, D, Hershey Bears (AHL)

A classic jack of all trades type defender, Allen will need to find an identity as a pro if he wants to be an NHL defender. His mobility is his best asset.
Maxim Schafer, LW, Chicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL)

The big German winger remains a big project. Playing in the QMJHL this year, he does a good job of getting to the net and using his size. However, does he have the skill to be an NHL player down the line? Staying in the QMJHL for another year would be extremely beneficial.
Petr Sikora, C, HC Ocelari Trinec (Czech)

Sikora really popped off at this year’s World Juniors, captaining the Czechs to a silver medal. He brings great energy and effort and is starting to gain confidence as a playmaker. Could continue to rise in the ranks of Washington’s system.

MCKEEN’S 2025-26 NHL YEARBOOK – WASHINGTON CAPITALS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #7

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 19:22:57 +0000

ST. LOUIS, MO - APRIL 12: Boston defenseman Cole Hutson (44) handles the puck during the championship game of the NCAA D1 Frozen Four between the Boston University Terriers and the Western Michigan Broncos on April 12, 2025, at Enterprise Center, St. Louis, MO. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire)

Prospect System Ranking – 7th (May 2025 - 9th)
GM: Chris Patrick Hired: July 2024 (Also Senior Vice President)
COACH: Spencer Carbery Hired: May 2023

The Washington Capitals pulled off a remarkable retool in 2024-25, blending an aging core with an influx of youth to finish second in the Eastern Conference. Though their playoff run ended in the second round, the season underscored a bright future under GM Chris Patrick.

Ryan Leonard, McKeen’s fifth-ranked prospect, leads the way. After a dazzling two-year career at Boston University (61 goals and 109 points in 78 games) the NCAA standout joined the Capitals late and is poised for a full time NHL role in 2025-26.

The junior ranks saw offensive explosions across the board. Andrew Cristall capped his WHL career with a staggering 132 points, bringing his final tally to 412 in 248 games. Ilya Protas, younger brother of NHLer Alexei, made a spectacular OHL debut, finishing second in league scoring with 124 points. Patrick Thomas, a 2023 fourth-round pick, nearly doubled his career best with 104 points. On the back end, 2024 second rounder Cole Hutson tied Zeev Buium for the NCAA scoring lead among defensemen with 48 points.

Several prospects—forward Ivan Miroshnichenko, defenseman Ryan Chesley, and blueliner Vincent Iorio—will be pushing hard to earn NHL spots next season, adding further competition to an already deep group.

Although Washington entered the 2025 draft with just five picks, they managed to bring in intriguing additions. Most notable was towering WHL forward Lynden Lakovic in the first round, followed by skilled winger Milton Gastrin in the second. Both debut in the team’s top 15 prospects.

Under Spencer Carbery, the Capitals have managed a rare feat of staying competitive while steadily developing their next generation. With the league’s most prolific goal scorer, Alex Ovechkin, still chasing milestones, the Stanley Cup window remains open—now supported by a wave of high-upside youth ready to contribute.

Washington Capitals Top-15 Prospects

1 - Ryan Leonard

Ryan Leonard is the best prospect the Capitals have had in at least a decade, you probably need to go back as far as when Washington drafted Filip Forsberg in 2012 to find a prospect in this organization that was so highly touted. The USNDTP and Boston College standout was among the best players in college hockey over the past couple years, leading the nation in goals with 30 last season. Internationally, he captained the United States to a second straight World Junior Gold medal, while also bringing home tournament MVP honours. Though only standing at six feet, Leonard profiles as an ultra-competitive and highly-skilled power forward. He joined the Capitals late last season and played meaningful minutes down the stretch and in the postseason in Washington’s middle six. It won’t be long before Leonard is a top six fixture in DC, he has the upside to be a star.

2 - Cole Hutson

Washington fans had to be over the moon after seeing Cole Hutson’s performance at last year’s World Junior Championship. The expectation would be that he would play a key secondary role for the Americans, but nobody could have predicted that he would lead the tournament in scoring en route to a Gold Medal. The 2023 second-round pick also ended up leading the NCAA in scoring among blueliners, putting up 48 points in 39 games. The 5-foot-10 blueliner’s calling card is his confidence, which is supported by his creativity and agility, making him an absolute nightmare for opponents to defend. His hockey IQ and competitive nature help him on the defensive side of the puck, but he still has work to do in that regard before he turns pro. Hutson will be back at Boston University again this season, and will be one of the best players in college hockey.

3 - Andrew Cristall

A lot of WHL defencemen must be thrilled that this is Cristall's final year in the league, because it means that his offensive reign of terror is coming to an end. To give you an idea of just how unstoppable he was, earlier this season he became just the first WHLer in the 21st century to amass 400 regular season points. A mid-season trade to Spokane only made him more dangerous, clicking immediately with fellow dynamo Berkly Catton. He’s creative, his offensive vision is razor-sharp, and he’s a wizard with the puck on his stick. So then why did he slide to the second-round in the 2023 draft and get snubbed by Hockey Canada for the World Juniors? Simply put, he’s a poor skater for a guy his size and plays at a low pace, which can sometimes make him a 200-foot liability. Cristall will need to be developed and deployed appropriately and carefully in order to translate his current success to the NHL.

4 - Ilya Protas

What a season it was for Ilya Protas, as he made the jump to the OHL with the Windsor Spitfries. He and the Spitfires took the league by storm, jumping to the top of the standings, and a lot of that can be attributed to the remarkable performance of Protas. The big winger is such a well rounded and intelligent offensive player. He’s highly skilled. He has great vision with the puck and demonstrates the poise of a player who you’d assume already has pro experience. He’s a committed two-way player who was utilized by Windsor in all situations. Like his brother Aliaksei, who just enjoyed a breakout year for the Washington Capitals, the only thing missing from his game is dynamic skating ability. Improving his quickness and agility will be paramount to his NHL success. The question is, where does Protas play next year? He could return to Windsor for another year or he could turn pro and play in the AHL as a 19/20 year old. Either choice would have potential drawbacks and benefits.

5 - Ivan Miroschnichenko

Even if his play in the NHL remains a work in progress, Miroschnichenko’s second pro season in North America had to be considered a mild success. He established himself as an excellent goal scorer at the AHL level with Hershey and he’s learning how to best utilize his shot and strength on North American ice. It’s easy to forget that he’s only 21, the age that most CHL players begin their pro journey; Miroschnichenko played in the AHL as an “underager” two seasons ago. With a few contracts coming off the books this offseason, one has to wonder if Miroschnichenko will be given every opportunity to earn a top nine role with the Capitals next season. His combination of skating ability, strength on the puck, and scoring instincts makes him the ideal complementary winger for a creative playmaking pivot. He could easily develop into a perennial 25 goal scorer for Washington in the near future and someone who can help ease the eventual transition post Alex Ovechkin.

6 - Lynden Lakovic

It’s still early, but the Capitals getting to add Lakovic at 27th overall currently looks like one of the best value picks of the 2025 draft. The Moose Jaw winger and team captain finished 13th overall on the final McKeen's ranking, and was even higher than that at earlier points in the season, because he absolutely oozes upside. For someone of his height he’s surprisingly slick and slippery with the puck, he’s quite coordinated as a skater, and his vision and creativity as a playmaker can’t be beat by many prospects out there. Oddly enough, the biggest knock on his game right now is that he’s too much of a gentle giant, shying away from contact more than he should and failing to take better advantage of his natural physical tools. Can that still be taught to him, or is it an inherent part of his personality? The Capitals are hoping that it’s the former, because if they can help Lakovic unlock that part of his game then there’s no telling just how good he could become.

7 - Ryan Chesley

Ryan Chesley, a 2022 second-round pick of the Capitals, was a steady presence on the back end for the University of Minnesota for the last three seasons. While he did show growth offensively by cracking the 20 point plateau in his third collegiate season, he is predominantly a defensive defenceman. Chesley loves to play the body, but also is a good enough skater that he can be very effective in shutting down rush chances. On retrievals and in transition, Chesley is good at making quick, effective reads and getting the puck up ice. In college he would occasionally jump up in the play, but that likely won’t be very prevalent in his game at the pro level. He projects as a safe, dependable, stay at home defender that comfortably fits on a third pairing but has upside to contribute on a second pairing. He will continue his development in Hershey this season.

8 - Terik Parascak

There was an expectation coming in this season that Parascak's point totals might come back down to Earth a little, especially now that he's no longer the unknown and unexpected scoring phenom that he was at the beginning of last year. That has indeed happened, but he has also proven that his breakout campaign wasn't just some kind of fluke. This is one driven, highly intelligent young player who just keeps erasing doubts about his underwhelming strength and skating ability. Few can match his instincts and anticipation in the offensive zone, which causes pucks to gravitate to his stick right before he strikes quickly with them. And despite lacking size he's not afraid to go into the dirty areas and absorb some punishment to help create scoring chances. There's still a lot of work to be done, and the Capitals will need to be patient, but Parascak has the potential to become a useful complementary piece in an NHL roster puzzle.

9 - Vincent Iorio

Iorio has essentially hit a crossroads in his development. The big right shot defender has the tools to be a quality bottom pairing defender in the NHL. He is mobile. He makes a great first pass. He competes physically and takes away space. Offensively, he’s not a standout; he’s not a skilled puckhandler or someone confident in jumping up in the play. He’s content with being that stable, stay at home defender. The issue is that the Capitals just don’t have room for him right now. That becomes an even larger issue next year when he is no longer exempt from waivers. If he performs well in camp, does Washington move out someone like Trevor Van Riemsdyk? Does he beat out someone like Declan Chisholm to earn the seventh defender spot? Either way, Iorio’s future with the Capitals may just be decided soon.

10 - Justin Sourdif

Justin Sourdif's scoring pace improved from his first two years in the AHL as he continues to refine his game at the pro level. Justin plays a well-rounded game, adding value both on and off the puck. His hands and ability to muscle through traffic are impressive, and he gets to the dirty areas to look for rebounds, making him an effective transitional player suitable for the NHL. Sourdif's shot has mystified AHL goaltenders this year as his release is a bit unorthodox and comes off quick. On the defensive end, Sourdif grinds hard on the backcheck to break up plays and is skilled at recovering pucks off the boards in scrums. After the Capitals paid a steep price to acquire Sourdif, he will likely see the NHL sooner rather than later. It wouldn’t be a shock to see Sourdif playing a valuable role in the Capitals' bottom six within the next two years.

11 - Milton Gastrin

A long-time captain in Sweden’s junior program, Gastrin is your prototypical hardworking forward who can play the game any way it comes. Possessing great straight-line speed, Gastrin is hard on the forecheck and relentless in his puck pursuit. He brings the size, skills, and hockey IQ to one day be an above average lower line forward entrusted with yeoman duties. It’s very possible that there’ll be more in the tank offensively down the line.

12 - Eriks Mateiko

We’ve loved Matiko’s size/aggressiveness combination for several years now, but the hulking winger put things into overdrive this winter. One of the most impressive goal scorers at the 2025 WJC, Mateiko then took serious flight with the Rimouski Océanic in their Memorial Cup hosting run after a midseason trade from Saint John. We saw improved passing, positional responsibility, and puck pressuring, with smarts and skills added to his previous intensity. What can he do for an encore?

13 - Leon Muggli

With a few shifts for the Hershey Bears this past spring, Muggli concluded a 2024-25 season that - statwise - was rather bland for a prospect who was one of the biggest risers in his draft year. More indicative of his progress was the often gaudy amount of ice time he got for EV Zug this past season, spent entirely as an 18-year-old. Still eligible for the upcoming WJC, Muggli is expected to establish himself in the AHL this season.

14 - Cam Allen

A solidly built RHD with a variety of tools, Allen has constantly left the scouting community wanting more since his 2023 draft season, one that saw him drop to the fifth round. The doubts continued in his injury-shortened DY+1 but found a wonderful end after a midseason trade to the OHL champs - and Memorial Cup-winning - London Knights, with whom he excelled as a multifaceted player who can play the game anyway it comes. His pro career starts this season.

15 - David Gucciardi

Coming off a quietly successful four-year tenure at Michigan State, including an outstanding senior season for the highly ranked Spartans, Gucciardi features a lot more puck-moving ability and rush-joining mobility than his numbers to date may indicate. Having concluded this past season on an ATO with the AHL affiliate, including his first pro goal, Gucciardi is scheduled to become a full-time pro this season and could be one of four Capitals-drafted blueline prospects in Hershey.

2025 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: #9 Washington Capitals – Top 15 NHL Affiliated Prospects

Thu, 29 May 2025 17:21:07 +0000

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 04: Capitals right wing Ryan Leonard (9) skates up ice during the Chicago Blackhawks versus Washington Capitals National Hockey League game on April 4, 2025 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire)

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Washington 25 Prospects

MCKEEN’S 2024-25 NHL YEARBOOK – WASHINGTON CAPITALS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #15

Introduction - Dave Hall, Profiles - Josh Bell — Fri, 20 Sep 2024 18:00:33 +0000

_{BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 12: Boston College forward Ryan Leonard (9) holds the puck during the Beanpot Consolation game between Boston College and Harvard on February 12, 2024, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire)}

Prospect System Ranking – 15th (Previous Rank - 14th)
GM: Chris Patrick Hired: July 2024 (Also Senior Vice President)
COACH: Spencer Carbery Hired: May 2023

The mission in Washington remains clear: help Alex Ovechkin break the all-time goals record. But while the focus is on Ovechkin’s pursuit, the Capitals’ prospect system has quietly made significant strides in our McKeen’s rankings, jumping from 27th to 14th in just one calendar year. The biggest catalyst for this rise has been the addition of Ryan Leonard, who ranks eighth overall in our prospect rankings.

Leonard, still only 19, has quickly established himself as a dominant force in the NCAA, not only putting up impressive numbers at both the collegiate and international levels but also playing with a tenacity that makes him one of the most exciting young prospects in the game. After a standout freshman season at Boston College, the Massachusetts native will return for his sophomore year, but it’s likely that Capitals fans could see him make his NHL debut by the end of the season.

If Leonard makes the jump, he’ll join a list of young graduates, including Connor McMichael, Hendrix Lapierre, and Alexei Protas. This, in addition to the already established core of Ovechkin, John Carlson, Tom Wilson, Dylan Strome, and new acquisitions Pierre-Luc Dubois and Andrew Mangiapane.

Additionally, a fully healthy Ivan Miroshnichenko (45th) could soon make his mark after splitting time between Washington and Hershey in his first North American season. Although, he’s likely to start the year in Hershey, where he’ll be joined by recent undrafted signing Zac Funk, who exploded in the WHL with 67 goals and 123 points for the Prince George Cougars. Meanwhile, Andrew Cristall (104th) and recently drafted Terik Parascak (155th) will continue their development in junior hockey as they push toward their futures with the Capitals.

On the defensive side, reinforcements are on the way in the form of Ryan Chesley (216th), Cole Hutson (246th), Cam Allen, and Leon Muggli (258th), but the system could still use more high-pedigree defenders. The recent additions of Rasmus Sandin and Jakob Chychrun help mitigate the need, but with John Carlson aging, addressing the blueline remains a priority for the organization.

Washington Capitals Top-15 Prospects

1. Ryan Leonard

Fresh off an eighth overall selection by the Capitals, Ryan Leonard didn't disappoint in his freshman year at Boston College. The 18-year-old forward lived up to his billing as a power winger, lighting up the NCAA with 31 goals and 60 points in 41 games. His offensive zone anticipation and understanding of spacing help him to consistently find soft spots in coverage and his quick release helps him to take advantage of those opportunities more often than not. Leonard wasn't just a one-dimensional scorer, either. He showed a willingness to play a physical brand of hockey and contributed positively away from the puck. His performance was a key factor in Boston College's deep playoff run. While the jump to the NHL is significant, his dominant season has undoubtedly bolstered excitement surrounding his future in Washington. He looks like a future top six winger with a well-rounded skill set and a knack for finding the net.

2. Ivan Miroshnichenko

Ivan Miroshnichenko's 2023-24 season was a whirlwind. Drafted in the first round by the Capitals in 2022, his battle with Hodgkin's lymphoma overshadowed his on-ice development. However, his resilience shone through. After a successful return to the ice, he impressed in the AHL with the Hershey Bears, notching 25 points in 47 games. The Capitals even gave him a taste of the NHL, scoring his first career goal in his fifth appearance, and sticking around for 21 games. While the sample size is small, the goal that he scored showcased his lethal shot – the same weapon that made him a top draft pick. The season wasn't without its hiccups. Questions about his compete level and overall consistency remain. Still, for a player overcoming a serious illness, his performance is encouraging. The team will likely give him more AHL seasoning this year, but with his raw talent, a full-time NHL push in 2024-25 isn't out of the question.

3. Andrew Cristall

Andrew Cristall, a dynamic left winger, made waves in the 2023-24 season with the Kelowna Rockets in the WHL. Standing at 5-foot-10 and weighing 174 pounds, the Vancouver native possesses a combination of speed, agility, and puck-handling skills that set him apart. His ability to create scoring opportunities and his willingness to drive to the net makes him a force to be reckoned with. He starts plays, builds them up, and then adds the finishing touches, turning the mundane into brilliance. His head fakes, handling skills, and slick edges leave defenders guessing, while his perfectly weighted passes set up teammates for success. Drafted by the Capitals in the second round, the potential as a top six winger in the NHL is undeniable. His 40 goals and 71 assists in the regular season, along with 15 points in the playoffs, showcase his impact on the ice.

4. Terik Parascak

Terik Parascak is set to be one of the most intriguing prospects in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, thanks to his unique profile and conflicting evaluations. After a limited role in the WHL as a 16-year-old, he soared to over 100 points at 17, shifting from a top goal-scorer to a playmaker. While some scouts see him as a potential top six NHL forward, others worry he might never reach the league. His impressive point totals highlight his high hockey IQ, with excellent awareness, anticipation, and decision-making. He consistently shows great effort and never seems to take a shift off. However, concerns linger about whether his success will translate to higher levels, given his average physical tools and skating. His standout performance might be a product of playing on a strong offensive team in a weak division. The Capitals’ fortune will hinge on whether Parascak evolves into a standout like Joe Pavelski or remains a reliable AHL player.

5. Ryan Chesley

Ryan Chesley's sophomore year at Minnesota wasn't a flashy offensive showcase, but it solidified his reputation as a reliable defensive force. Drafted 37th overall in 2022, Chesley's point totals dipped slightly (two goals, six assists) compared to his freshman year, but his defensive impact grew. He led the Big Ten in blocked shots (74) and emerged as a shutdown specialist. He keeps a very active stick and defends the rush very well. His defensive awareness is high. However, his offensive potential remains low. There are glimpses of a strong shot and smart puck movement, but consistency remains elusive. His development in the offensive zone will be crucial. Can he become a more well-rounded defenceman, or will his value lie primarily in his defensive dominance? The answer will determine his NHL ceiling. Regardless, the defensive prowess gives him a strong foundation to build on.

6. Vincent Iorio

Vincent Iorio's 2023-24 season was a grind in the AHL. The hulking defenceman (6-foot-4, 200 pounds) spent the year with the Hershey Bears, chipping in a respectable 14 points in 76 games, earning a spot in six NHL games. While the point total doesn't overwhelm, Iorio's biggest value lies in his defensive presence. He uses his size effectively to shut down attackers and is a force along the boards. However, offensive limitations remain a concern. His skating is a work in progress, and his puck-moving ability lacks creativity. While glimpses of offensive potential exist, consistency is lacking. The question becomes can he develop his offensive tools enough to become a well-rounded NHL defenceman? Another year in the AHL seems likely to refine his game. If his skating and decision-making with the puck can improve, he has the potential to be a reliable bottom-pairing defender in the NHL.

7. Cole Hutson

Montreal Canadiens fans are excited about Lane Hutson, but younger brother Cole might bring even more thrill to Captials’ fans. This offensive defenceman set the NTDP record for points by a defender and excelled at the World Under-18s, proving himself as one of the top defenders in the tournament. He’s set to join Boston University this season, stepping into his brother’s former role. Hutson’s offensive talent is undeniable. He can dominate from the back end, dictate play, and lead the attack with creativity and skillful maneuvers. His skating and vision are exceptional, allowing him to navigate traffic and find teammates effectively. Defensively, he holds his own but can get caught out, similar to his brother. While there’s some concern about how his game will translate to tougher competition, his high offensive ceiling suggests he could become a strong number three or four defender and a power-play quarterback.

8. Leon Muggli

Muggli stood out in his DY-1 season as a promising defensive defenceman with grit, and by the 2024 WJC, he had emerged as a top Swiss draft eligible prospect. His solid performance at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup was a precursor to a standout season, where he secured a spot with his NL club and quickly became a key player, logging over 18 minutes a night and up to 11 minutes per game in the playoffs. At the WJC, he played 27 minutes in an OT loss to Sweden and later captained Switzerland at the U18 Worlds before an injury cut his season short. Muggli is now regarded as the top draft-eligible defenceman from the NL since David Reinbacher. His game has seen impressive development across all zones, showcasing poise, confidence, and effective play both with and without the puck. Although he needs to improve his strength and mobility, Muggli’s potential and safe playstyle make him an intriguing prospect.

9. Clay Stevenson

Clay Stevenson, a 6-foot-4 goaltender, made waves in the 2023-24 season playing for the AHL’s Hershey Bears. In 36 games, he secured 24 wins and boasts a 0.922 save percentage, a GAA of 2.06, along with seven shutouts. His technical skills, combined with his size and agility, make him a formidable presence in the net. He has been tremendous for the last two seasons, with reading plays and stopping pucks being his strong suit. He is really putting himself on the map as a goalie prospect to own. However, he faces a challenge with the contracts in front of him at the AHL level, and being 24, he needs a shot sooner rather than later. He will continue to battle for the starting role in the AHL this season. He is definitely a prospect to keep an eye on as he continues to develop his game.

10. Alexander Suzdalev

In the 2023-24 hockey season, Alexander Suzdalev showcased a masterful blend of finesse and power on the ice, solidifying his status as a promising prospect. With lightning speed and deft puck-handling skills, he consistently outmaneuvered opponents, creating scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. His hockey IQ was on full display, as he demonstrated a keen ability to read the play and make split-second decisions under pressure. Throughout the season, his dedication to his craft was evident, as he relentlessly honed his skills both on and off the ice. His commitment to excellence earned him the admiration of fans and scouts alike, who recognized his potential to make a significant impact at the next level. As he continues to develop and refine his game, he remains a player to watch closely and could make waves on the Capitals squad.

11. Eriks Mateiko

Erik Mateiko remains a potential sleeper from his year's draft, having played on underperforming teams in the QMJHL and for Latvia. Standing at 6-foot-5, he's a powerful skater with a mix of strength and finesse, excelling in battles and handling the puck. While his shooting and passing are competent rather than standout, his upside remains intriguing. Though his projections are uncertain, he was worth the gamble as he has some high-reward potential.

12. Ilya Protas

While not as prominent as his brother Alexei, Ilya shares similar potential as a middle-six forward. While both players struggle with skating and using their size effectively, Ilya has particularly heavy boots and a need to get more physical. Despite these issues, he possesses strong playmaking skills and excellent vision. Lacking the dominant flashes Alexei showed, Ilya remains more of a project. Expect him to join the CHL next year now that import restrictions are lifted.

13. Ethen Frank

Ethen Frank built on his impressive rookie season in 2023-24, emerging as a top AHL scorer with 47 points (29 goals, 18 assists) for Hershey. Known for his speed, he repeated as the league’s fastest skater. Although he was relied upon in various situations, inconsistency at times affected his offensive impact. Improving decision-making could elevate his game further. With continued development, Frank is on track for an NHL call-up and could become a solid middle-six forward.

14. Pierrick Dube

Pierrick Dube’s 2023-24 season showcased his offensive prowess, with a career-high 48 points (28 goals, 20 assists) for the Hershey Bears. Despite a brief, scoreless NHL stint, his AHL performance highlighted his scoring ability and offensive flair. However, concerns about his defensive play and consistency persist. If Dube can refine his defensive game and maintain his scoring, he’s well-positioned for a full-time NHL role. Another strong AHL season could seal his promotion.

15. Zac Funk

The undrafted Zac Funk exploded this past season in the WHL, putting up a 123-point season, leading the league in goals (67), and earning a contract with the Capitals. His quick hands and strong puck control allow him to navigate tight spaces effectively. While his skating could benefit from further development, Funk’s high hockey IQ and scoring touch offer significant upside.

2024 NHL DRAFT WRAP UP: The best value picks plus the biggest surprise in each round

Brock Otten — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 18:58:05 +0000

What a draft week it was! The Sphere in Vegas lived up to the hype, and then some. Perhaps, this is biased, but it was one of the most impressive spectacles that I have ever been part of. Derek Neumeier (our assistant director of scouting) and myself were blown away by the production. The feedback from fans was similar in nature; no question the live draft in Vegas was a massive success for the NHL.

But what about the actual draft action itself? Like any draft, there were things that went according to script and there were surprises.

From our Top 100 on our final draft rankings, 97 of said players were drafted. The only ones not selected were Alex Zetterberg, Daniil Ustinkov, and Tomas Galvas. Galvas was the highest of those three at 70th overall.

Let’s take a look at some of my favourite selections, some of the biggest surprises, and some of the best undrafted players.

ROUND ONE

Favourite Selection: Sam Dickinson (#11) to San Jose

Dickinson had been our favorite defender in this class nearly all season long and we really like the value San Jose got at #11 after trading up from #14 a few days prior. Dickinson is such a safe bet to a top four defender for the organization; the kind of player who can eat serious minutes for them when they’re ready to take that next step again as a playoff contender.

Favourite Selection: Stian Solberg (#23) to Anaheim

This represents one of the best fits in the draft for us. Solberg improved so much in the second half, and we saw that at the World Championships, where he was a standout playing tough minutes against NHL players with Norway. His game still needs further refinement, but he projects as the perfect partner for the likes of Olen Zellweger or Pavel Mintyukov (even though all three are left-handed shots) with his physical intense defensive presence. It’s obvious Anaheim really liked him as they traded up into this slot with Toronto.

Biggest Surprise: Terik Parascak (#17) to Washington

This one caught a lot of people by surprise on the draft floor. There was probably more talk that Parascak could be a “faller” due to concerns over pace/quickness, in combination with his average size. Even Parascak was incredibly surprised to be taken this early, with a look of bewilderment following the announcement of his name. Our Western scouts are still a bit leery of his NHL odds, but there’s no denying that he was one of the draft’s most intelligent players. Washington is banking on that, hoping that he can have a Joe Pavelski type career.

Biggest Surprise (bonus): Beckett Sennecke (#3) to Anaheim

This one wasn’t as big of a surprise to those on the floor because there was a ton of chatter about this about an hour prior to the draft. However, it’s obvious Sennecke had no idea because he was visibly shocked to hear his name, creating one of the most genuine and honest draft reactions of the weekend. Anaheim is banking on Sennecke’s athletic upside and second half improvements, which is often an intelligent thing to do.

ROUND TWO

Favourite Selection: Teddy Stiga (#55) to Nashville

Look at all the teams clamoring to sign Jake Guentzel this offseason, because of how good of a complementary offensive player he is. Stiga proved that same thing this year, playing alongside potential 2025 first overall pick James Hagens. He’s a hard worker. He’s skilled. His skating improved over the year. There’s a ton to like and we really like the fit in Nashville for him. These are the types of players Nashville had an abundance of when they were dominating the West.

Favourite Selection: Carter George (#57) to Los Angeles

Admittedly, I was a bit worried that Carter George would drop a bit because of his lack of size in a size-crazed industry (concerning goaltenders). So, it was great to see George go in the second round to Los Angeles. There’s a deep-rooted connection to Owen Sound there and George is a heck of a goaltender. He’s so polished and refined already; he’s a big game goaltender.

Biggest Surprise: Ilya Nabokov (#38) to Colorado

Speaking of goaltenders, it was a shock to see 21-year-old Ilya Nabokov as the first netminder taken…and this early. Granted, his resume spoke for itself this year as the KHL’s playoff MVP. Colorado obviously wasn’t a big fan of their goaltending this year and by selecting Nabokov, they’re taking someone who can be a potential difference maker very soon, a lot sooner than your average draft eligible netminder.

ROUND THREE

Favourite Selection: Tarin Smith (#79) to Anaheim

Anaheim has had tremendous luck drafting electric offensive defenders like Smith in recent years. Mintyukov, Zellweger and Rodwin Dionicio all fit the mold. Zellweger even came from the same Everett (WHL) program as Smith. He is very raw. However, his offensive upside from the backend is extremely high. With such a strong and deep talent pool in place, Anaheim could afford to take a chance on him.

Favourite Selection: Matvei Shuravin (#97) to Florida

We ranked Shuravin #34 in our final rankings but did realize that we were higher on him than we expected him to be selected this weekend. It would appear that his weaker second half really pushed him down some draft boards. However, that’s Florida’s gain as they selected an athletic defender who showed some terrific flashes this year at both the KHL and MHL levels.

Biggest Surprise: Henry Mews (#74) to Calgary

Personally, I had somewhat expected Mews to fall at the draft. I didn’t believe that he would be a top 40-45 pick. However, I also did not expect him to slide all the way to the mid third. He’s a fairly dynamic offensive defender. I certainly have questions about his projection, but this represents great value for Calgary, especially after they grabbed Zayne Parekh in the first.

ROUND FOUR

Favourite Selection: Heikki Ruohonen (#107) to Philadelphia

We felt that Ruohonen was being massively underrated this year due to the fact that he stayed in the Finnish U20 league in order to preserve his NCAA eligibility. He’ll play in the USHL next year then head to Harvard. The physically imposing two-way power pivot is someone who could dramatically outperform his draft slot.

Favourite Selection: Hagen Burrows (#128) to Tampa Bay

We get the concerns over the feet. Burrows needs to improve his skating. But the 2024 Mr. Hockey Award winner plays a mature, pro-style game. He is a strong playmaker, and he can find his way to the net. Once he fills out his frame, he could be a terrific middle six NHL player.

Biggest Surprise: Trevor Hoskin (#106) to Calgary

As someone who covers Ontario, I just didn’t see this one coming. I thought that maybe Hoskin had a chance to go late in the draft after a strong World Junior A Challenge performance, however, this early? It’s very, very rare to see a double re-entry selected from Canadian Tier 2, let alone almost in the Top 100. We’ll see how this one works out for Calgary in the long run.

Biggest Surprise (bonus): Aron Kiviharju (#122) to Minnesota

I mean, how could we not include Kiviharju here. Yes, we expected him to fall. But, to the end of the fourth? So, what’s next for Kiviharju? Would he consider coming to the OHL next year to help recover his former top prospect status?

ROUND FIVE

Favourite Selection: Luke Misa (#150) to Calgary

No question, we could have listed this as the biggest surprise of round five. Seeing Misa fall to the mid-5th round was shocking. However, this is also an excellent value pick by Calgary. Did Misa close out this past OHL season on a high note? No. But, does he have the skating ability, tenacity, and skill to be an NHL player in some capacity? Absolutely.

Favourite Selection: Justin Poirier (#156) to Carolina

At some point, a player becomes just too good to pass up, even if you have concerns over projectability. In the 5th round, Poirier is terrific value for the Hurricanes. The size, skating, and IQ components of his game are dicey. But you can’t argue with the production and the offensive upside. Bottom line, you’re not going to find many guys in round five who could be top six scorers and that’s Poirier.

Biggest Surprise: Max Graham (#139) to New Jersey

No offense intended to Graham, but when he was drafted, I turned to Derek (who also scouts the West for us) and asked him who? He was flabbergasted that Graham, a double overager, was selected. He didn’t come close to hitting the point per game mark as a 20-year-old and it certainly brings to light questions over NHL upside.

ROUND SIX

Favourite Selection: Anthony Romani (#162) to Vancouver

I get the hesitation from NHL scouts. Is his offensive skill set translatable? He’s purely a complementary guy; one of the “quietest” CHL leading scorers in recent memory. But, at some point you have to bet on players who think the game at an elite level and that’s Romani. One team used a 17th overall selection on a player with pace/strength concerns, but high-end hockey sense, and another used the 162nd overall pick. Who got the best value?

Favourite Selection: Luke Ashton (#165) to Columbus

A re-entry out of the BCHL, Ashton is a really intriguing defensive prospect. He’s big. He’s mean. He’s athletic. He flashes high end skill. How it all comes together at a higher level remains to be seen. But we really like the upside. We also really like that he’s going to Minnesota State, a program that has developed defenders like him well.

Biggest Surprise: Stevie Leskovar (#174) to Minnesota

Again, no offense meant to Leskovar, but Derek had the same reaction to him as I did Graham. If you had told me that Leskovar would be drafted ahead of Leenders, Fibigr, and Finn Harding from that same Mississauga team, I would have called you crazy. Leskovar is a big, mean, throwback on the back end. He got better this year in his first full year with the Steelheads. But an NHL draft selection?

ROUND SEVEN

Favourite Selection: Ryerson Leenders (#219) to Buffalo

It worked with Devon Levi. It could work again with Leenders. He’s on the smaller side, but he’s very athletic. Quick post to post and solid in scramble mode, Leenders just needs to refine his approach and improve technically. He’s capable of stealing games and he could end up being a draft steal when all is said and done, similar to the way Florida got Levi (then traded him to Buffalo).

Favourite Selection: Erik Pahlsson (#213) to Nashville

We’ve had Pahlsson ranked for a few years now, so it was great to see him finally get selected after a solid year in the USHL. Again, there are some projection concerns over the athletic profile, but he finds a way to be productive. He’s intelligent. He’s shifty. He’s probably going to produce at the college level too with Minnesota.

Biggest Surprise: Alex Zetterberg Goes Undrafted, but Mac Swanson gets selected

Again, you hit a point in the draft where players are worth selecting despite some limitations. Mac Swanson’s size and skating combination are worrisome, but he’s one heck of a smart player. If he hits, he’s going to be a home run. The same could be said of Alex Zetterberg, the Swedish equivalent, who did nothing but produce this year. If you’re taking a chance on Swanson this late, Zetterberg deserved to go too.

OUR BEST UNDRAFTED PLAYERS

Tomas Galvas

The undersized defender was one of the draft’s best skaters, but it wasn’t enough for NHL teams. He’ll need to take his offensive game to another level. Would be great to see him in the CHL next year.

Daniil Ustinkov

Ustinkov started the year as a potential first round candidate and ended up not being selected. Concerns over his processing ability ultimately scared off teams. Does he come over to London next year to try to turn his career around?

Alex Zetterberg

Again, this one feels like a misstep. Yes, he’s small. Yes, there are strength concerns. But he’s ultra talented. Few players available in the 7th round would have had the upside of Zetterberg.

Nolan Roed

Our aggressive ranking of Roed came mostly from me, as he was a player I was very impressed with at the USHL and high school levels. I liked the competitive drive in his game. Next year’s Joe Connor?

Lukas Matecha

He just couldn’t recover from his poor second half. If he can put together a more consistent season next year, he’ll be back on the draft radar.

Matthew Van Blaricom

This one is shocking to me. Loved the aggressive and tenacious approach. Had a terrific WJAC. Here’s hoping that he goes somewhere next year (USHL, NCAA) where he can show that he should have been selected.

Frankie Marrelli

I get it. He’s an undersized stay at home type. But this young man is just such a smart defensive player. He competes hard and he’s going to get better at the offensive end too.

Gian Meier

A breakout performer at the U18’s with Switzerland, we figured someone would take Meier given the flashes he showed this year as a two-way defender.

MCKEEN’S HOCKEY 2024 NHL DRAFT GUIDE: TWO-ROUND MOCK DRAFT

Brock Otten — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 15:03:17 +0000

#1. San Jose Sharks - Macklin Celebrini - C - Boston University (HE)

At this point, San Jose might as well announce this now. The entire hockey world knows that Celebrini is going to be its guy. This is a pivot without any true weaknesses who projects as a franchise leader for the Sharks moving forward. Think of the impact that Jonathan Toews had on turning the Blackhawks rebuild around.

#2. Chicago Blackhawks - Artyom Levshunov – D - Michigan State (B1G)

Part of me believes that Chicago might really like Sam Dickinson because of how much value they have been placing on skating in recent drafts, but another part believes that Levshunov will be the Hawks guy. We prefer Dickinson, but there’s no doubting that Levshunov has among the highest two-way upside of any defender in this draft. With his high-end skill and offensive aggressiveness, he’ll be able to give the Hawks a dynamic puck mover on both of their first two pairings (with Korchinski).

#3. Anaheim Ducks - Anton Silayev – D - Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)

On one hand, the Ducks haven’t used a Top 50 pick on a Russian based player (as in playing in the KHL, MHL, etc) since Stanislav Chistov in 2001. It’s obvious that they have preferences for other regions. However, what’s also obvious is the fit here. The Ducks have so many terrific puck moving defenders. The system is loaded. However, the team’s high end defensively oriented prospects have had their development stall like Noah Warren and Drew Helleson. Anaheim could see Silayev as an amazing fit beside guys like Mintyukov and Zellweger, allowing them to play freely and aggressively.

#4. Columbus Blue Jackets - Ivan Demidov – RW - SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)

The Jackets have had great success with young Russian players recently, even forming a great Russian kid line involving Chinakhov, Voronkov, and Marchenko. Not only is Demidov clearly the best player available at this point, but he also helps add significant skill to the wing for the organization that needs it. This is an offensive play driver solely needed.

#5. Montreal Canadiens - Cayden Lindstrom – C - Medicine Hat (WHL)

This is one of the best-case scenarios for Montreal. Is Lindstrom’s injury history a concern? Likely for some teams. However, the upside here is too large for Montreal to pass up. Not only is Lindstrom a fantastic young player, but he also helps the Canadiens get bigger and heavier up front, which was a reason for preferring Slafkovsky at first overall two years ago.

#6. Utah Hockey Club - Zeev Buium – D - Denver (NCHC)

Seems likely that Utah could lean towards taking one of the high-end offensive defenders available with this pick. In the last five drafts, the Coyotes have not taken a single player out of the OHL. This leads me to believe that Buium is a guy that the team could find really attractive at #6. He’s such an intelligent playmaker from the backend and he would really help Utah improve their transitional game and powerplay production.

#7. Ottawa Senators - Sam Dickinson – D - London (OHL)

Dickinson is the perfect defender for the modern era thanks to his high-end skating ability. He’s the kind of blueliner who projects as an all situations, minute eater. Given how terrific he has been in this year’s OHL playoffs (and the Memorial Cup), Ottawa likely sees him as a terrific fit as a “winner” who can help them get over the hump in the coming years. The Sens really need to hit on this pick and Dickinson is as safe as safe can be to be an impact player.

#8. Seattle Kraken - Beckett Sennecke – RW - Oshawa (OHL)

There is a ton of traction for Sennecke to be a high pick and Seattle strikes us as a likely landing spot. They’ve targeted the OHL pretty heavily and, playing in the Pacific, they want to load up their lineup with heavier players who can withstand the punishing style in the division. Sennecke oozes upside as an athletic winger still growing into his frame. He is skilled, physical, and intelligent. A great combination. Logic says Seattle finally uses their first on a defender, but something about this spot screams Sennecke.

#9. Calgary Flames - Tij Iginla – C - Kelowna (WHL)

Maybe this is far-fetched. But maybe it’s not. Teams don’t use top ten selections for the sole purpose of nostalgia. But how can you pass up the opportunity to draft an iconic name, who also happens to be worthy in this spot. Iginla was terrific in the second half of the year, and this gives Calgary an injection of skill and tenacity. He could have a similar impact to his father in Calgary.

#10. New Jersey Devils - Konsta Helenius – C - Jukurit (Fin-Liiga)

The Devils are a team that definitely don’t want to be picking in this range. The organization has been trying to escape the rebuilding phase, so would it not make sense for them to target a player who has great upside, but who can also make an impact pretty quickly? Helenius fits in well with the players already in New Jersey and the Devils have liked the region in recent drafts.

#11. Buffalo Sabres - Zayne Parekh – D - Saginaw (OHL)

Yeah, we know that the Sabres already have Dahlin and Power on the back end. That powerplay unit is already loaded. However, at some point, you have to say that Parekh is too good to let slide further. One of the draft’s most creative and intelligent defenders, Parekh is the ultimate wild card. He could go as high as the top five or fall out of the lottery all together. This would be great value for the Sabres.

#12. Philadelphia Flyers - Cole Eiserman – LW - U. S. NTDP U18

Often tagged as being the draft’s purest goal scorer, Eiserman had an up and down year with the NTDP. However, he still managed to break the program’s scoring record and that is impressive. Big wingers who can put the puck in the net do not grow on trees. While the Flyers could go defense here, having just dealt top prospect Cutter Gauthier for defender Jamie Drysdale, it seems unlikely that they will go that route.

#13. Minnesota Wild - Carter Yakemchuk – D - Calgary (WHL)

This seems low for Yakemchuk. But someone is going to need to fall a bit considering the talent available in the lottery. While Yakemchuk’s upside is significant, we think teams may have concerns over his puck management and skating combination. That said, he’s a great fit in Minnesota as a potential puck mover and triggerman who can help their powerplay and move quickly through the system.

#14. San Jose Sharks (via Pittsburgh Penguins) - Stian Solberg – D - Valerenga (Norway)

The draft is bound to get pretty wild around this point given the wild fluctuation among rankings. Solberg has had a ton of momentum the last month and we really like this fit. Solberg was tremendous at the World Championships, showing that he can impact the game in a lot of different ways. This is someone who can come in and be a defensive stalwart for the Sharks in the future.

#15. Detroit Red Wings - Berkly Catton – C - Spokane (WHL)

This is much lower than our ranking for Catton, but we realize that we may be more aggressive on him compared to the NHL community. He is the kind of play driver who can elevate Detroit’s first two lines in the future. He’s more skilled than Danielson and Kasper, but he has that same kind of high-end work ethic. If Catton is still available at fifteen, this should one hundred percent be his landing spot.

#16. St. Louis Blues - Trevor Connelly – LW - Tri-City (USHL)

Where does Connelly go? That’s one of the draft’s biggest questions considering the noise around his off-ice “issues.” However, we do think that someone bites considering Connelly has among the highest offensive upsides of any forward in this draft. The Blues need more firepower. They need more play drivers. Connelly is someone who can make this St. Louis team better down the line if he progresses well.

#17. Washington Capitals - Adam Jiricek – D - Plzen (Czechia)

It was a pretty tough draft year for Jiricek, after he missed the majority of the year with injury. However, he came into the year as a potential top ten selection for a reason. He’s talented and a potential two-way stalwart like his brother David. So many options here but could see the Caps lean defense if Jiricek is still on the board.

#18. Chicago Blackhawks (via New York Islanders) - Michael Brandsegg Nygard – RW - Mora (Allsvenskan)

The Hawks have really been focusing on selecting strong skaters in recent years, so there’s a chance that they team will jump on a guy like Jett Luchanko here. However, we like Brandsegg Nygard here for a few reasons. One, he’s one of the best players available. Two, he’s an excellent fit alongside some of the high-end skill that Chicago has brought in. His hard work and attention to detail could make him the kind of high-end role player that Chicago had during their Cup runs.

#19. Vegas Golden Knights - EJ Emery – D - U. S. NTDP U18

Did you know that Vegas has never drafted a player out of the U.S. NTDP? Seems wild, but this could be the year. Vegas has used their first selection on a center every year of existence. That kind of commitment is impressive. However, we believe that this is the year that the streak breaks. We love Emery’s physical tools and upside as a defensive stalwart, and he fits the exact mold of the kind of defender Vegas seems to love. The team’s defensive core is getting older, and he could be a great fit there in a few years.

#20. New York Islanders (via Tampa Bay Lightning) - Michael Hage – C - Chicago (USHL)

We like this potential landing spot for Hage. He was, perhaps, the best player in the USHL in the second half of the year. This was the real Michael Hage, after he put some personal turmoil behind him. He has upside as a top six, power center and his skill is badly needed in a prospect pool that is currently lacking it.

#21. Los Angeles Kings - Jett Luchanko – C - Guelph (OHL)

We know the Kings love the OHL. Luchanko would be a great pick here. The tenacious and intelligent pivot brings speed and playmaking ability to the table and looks like a future fixture as a second line center. There aren’t a ton of natural pivots in the system right now, so it also makes sense for Los Angeles to target that position, if a good one is available.

#22. Nashville Predators - Leo Sahlin Wallenius – D - Vaxjo Lakers (Swe J20)

A strong skating, potential two-way defender, Sahlin Wallenius proved to be a bit of a chameleon in his draft year. What’s his real future role? Regardless, the physical tools are going to be intriguing to a team like Nashville.

#23. Toronto Maple Leafs - Harrison Brunicke – D - Kamloops (WHL)

This would be the first time since 2018 that Toronto uses its first-round selection on a defender. We’d say it’s needed. Brunicke is a strong skating rearguard with upside at both ends. He excelled defensively at the U18’s and he’s the kind of modern-day defender that Toronto sorely lacks. The organization would have also seen a fair amount of Brunicke while scouting Fraser Minten in Kamloops.

#24. Colorado Avalanche - Igor Chernyshov – LW - Dynamo Moskva (KHL)

We could see Colorado moving this pick at the draft for some immediate help after their disappointing playoff performance. However, if they keep this selection, a guy like Chernyshov could make a ton of sense. He can attack with speed and power, playing a North/South game that fits their system.

#25. Ottawa Senators (via Boston Bruins) - Liam Greentree – RW - Windsor (OHL)

Back-to-back OHL players for Ottawa in our mock, this time the team selects Windsor winger Greentree, who has the potential to be a Jason Robertson kind of player in the future. He is creative and skilled but needs to improve his skating. We believe improving the team’s skill and finishing ability on the wing should be a focus.

#26. Montreal Canadiens (via Winnipeg Jets) - Sam O’Reilly – RW - London (OHL)

With a strong OHL playoffs and Memorial Cup performance, O’Reilly has surged up draft rankings to close out the year. The physical, two-way center has more offensive upside than he has shown thus far playing in a secondary scoring role. Worst case scenario could see him developing into a Scott Laughton type, which would still be terrific value at this point of the first.

#27. Carolina Hurricanes - Alfons Freij – D - Vaxjo Lakers (Swe J20)

The Hurricanes always seem to love the same kind of players that the amateur scouting community love. Freij is one of those amateur scouting darlings this year that we (as a community) seem to love more than the NHL community (as a whole). The skating ability and skill are evident. He was a standout at nearly every international event for Sweden and projects as a skilled top four defende

#28. Calgary Flames (via Vancouver Canucks) - Cole Beaudoin – C - Barrie (OHL)

After drafting Iginla early, the Flames opt for a different kind of forward late in the first. Beaudoin projects as the kind of guy you win in the playoffs with. He brings versatility. He brings leadership. He brings consistency. He is an intelligent playmaker and can excel as a middle six complementary piece. Just seems very likely that at least one NHL team likes his intangibles enough to draft him in the first.

#29. Dallas Stars - Emil Hemming – RW - TPS (Fin-Liiga)

The Stars haven’t drafted a player out of Finland since Miro Heiskanen in 2017, but we’d say that has worked out pretty well. At this point, Hemming fills a need and represents the best player available. He brings tenaciousness and he is one of the draft’s best goal scorers from the wing.

#30. New York Rangers - Charlie Elick - D - Brandon (WHL)

Elick has a similar profile to Braden Schneider when the Rangers drafted him and that worked out pretty well. The size, skating, and physicality combination make Elick a potential shutdown defender for a decade. His decision making needs to improve, but New York has actually improved this component in several of their defensive prospects.

#31. Anaheim Ducks (via Edmonton Oilers) - Julius Miettinen – C - Everett (WHL)

Miettinen improved by leaps and bounds over the course of the year and represents a big body with skill. His skating took a big leap from the beginning of the year to the end, and it has really improved his projection as a top six forward. Anaheim really seems to favor forwards with a well-rounded profile and that’s Miettinen.

#32. Philadelphia Flyers (via Florida Panthers) - Ben Danford – D - Oshawa (OHL)

This pick might surprise some people, but Danford is a player who rocketed up rankings in the second half as part of an Oshawa team that went to the OHL finals. He’s one of the better defensive players in the draft; a shot blocking expert who has terrific defensive instincts. He’s also a strong skater who has shown flashes of more offensively. Shades of Oliver Bonk here and that worked out really well so far.

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#33. San Jose Sharks - Dean Letourneau – C - St. Andrew's (CHS-Ontario)

There’s definitely a chance that Letourneau goes in the first, but we feel that teams may be more comfortable using a second on a prep player given that many of those chosen in the first have not developed well. The Sharks can take a chance on Letourneau, given the team’s window is a ways away. The big man oozes upside because of his athleticism.

#34. Chicago Blackhawks - Henry Mews – D - Ottawa (OHL)

With the Hawks focusing so much on strong skating ability, Mews makes sense here. He’s a terrific four-way mover who possesses excellent upside as an offensive defender. He’s a creative rush attacker and his defense did improve over the course of the season.

#35. Anaheim Ducks - Terik Parascak – RW - Prince George (WHL)

A highly intelligent playmaker, Parascak makes up for only average skating by being a step ahead of others mentally. He’s skilled. He’s tenacious. He projects as a quality complementary piece in the top six and he would fit in perfectly with what Anaheim already has in the system.

#36. Philadelphia Flyers (via Columbus Blue Jackets) - Sacha Boisvert – C - Muskegon (USHL)

Why not double down on a top goal scorer? After drafting the draft’s best in Cole Eiserman, the Flyers now take one of the other best options in power center Sasha Boivert. His skating needs to continue to improve, but he can really fire it.

#37. Winnipeg Jets (via Montreal Canadiens) - Cole Hutson – D - U. S. NTDP U18

Wouldn’t it be fitting if the Jets used the Montreal pick to select Lane’s brother Cole? Cole battled some injuries this year, but he closed out the year on a high note by returning for the U18’s. He can control the tempo with his handling ability and mobility. His defensive game is also probably more advanced compared to Lane’s at the same age.

#38. Utah Hockey Club - Teddy Stiga – C - U. S. NTDP U18

Back-to-back NTDP members are chosen here as Stiga ends up being Utah’s pick. He is a terrific complementary piece who was one of the NTDP’s most improved players this year. He plays at a feverish pace, and he is skilled and intelligent enough to play with high end, creative playmakers. Could be the perfect future linemate for Logan Cooley.

#39. Ottawa Senators - Linus Eriksson – C - Djurgardens (Allsvenskan)

Erikson is a strong skating, two-way center with a strong chance of developing into an excellent and versatile middle six piece. He was solid for Sweden internationally this year and adds great depth to Ottawa’s center position down the line.

#40. Seattle Kraken - Will Skahan – D - U. S. NTDP U18

One of the draft’s most physical defenders, Skahan is big, reasonably mobile, and projects as a top four shutdown blueliner. Seattle has never really drafted a player like Skahan, and we would argue that in order for them to take that next step, they’ll need players like him in the Pacific.

#41. Calgary Flames - Dominik Badinka – D - Malmo (SHL)

Strong, two-way defender who played a ton at the SHL level. His true offensive upside was hidden by playing sheltered minutes against men. The Flames opt for defense here and have had some luck taking Swedish based defenders in recent years (Badinka is Czech but played out of Sweden).

#42. San Jose Sharks (via New Jersey Devils) - Andrew Basha – LW - Medicine Hat (WHL)

The Sharks opt for a bit of a safer selection at this spot after really rolling the dice with the previous two picks. Basha is an excellent complementary piece who projects as someone who can elevate the play of a creative and skilled pivot. He could be the perfect linemate for the likes of Celebrini, Smith, or Eklund because he is skilled and does the dirty work to open up ice.

#43. Buffalo Sabres - Maxim Masse – RW - Chicoutimi (QMJHL)

Buffalo makes Masse the first QMJHL player off the board. He’s one of the better pure goal scorers in the draft and he plays a mature, pro style game that sees him get to the middle of the ice. The skating needs to keep improving, but this is a player who could fit in well with some of the others in Buffalo’s system.

#44. Pittsburgh Penguins (via Philadelphia Flyers) - Lucas Pettersson – C - MoDo Hockey (Swe J20)

With their first pick in the draft, the Penguins opt for Swedish center Lucas Pettersson. He’s a strong skating, two-way pivot who projects as a solid middle six piece who can play in a variety of different situations. Building up prospect depth needs to be a focus of Kyle Dubas, after the system was bled dry for the last half a decade.

#45. Minnesota Wild - Brodie Ziemer – RW - U. S. NTDP U18

A Minnesota native heading to the University of Minnesota, the Wild get the captain of this year’s NTDP. He projects as a terrific complementary piece in the top nine who can help bring out the best in more skilled players. He plays a heavier game, which fits in with the theme that Minnesota seems to be focusing on at the draft in recent years.

#46. Pittsburgh Penguins - Aron Kiviharju – D - HIFK (Fin-Liiga)

If there is a team that is going to take a chance on Kiviharju bringing everything together, the Penguins make a ton of sense. With a couple of seconds, they should be focusing on bringing in high upside players and Kiviharju is just that. Is there concern that he has plateaued? Absolutely. However, there’s also a chance that injuries this year really prevented him from being at his best.

#47. Detroit Red Wings - Leon Muggli – D - Zug (Sui-NL)

The Red Wings opt for Leon Muggli, a Swiss defender who really emerged as a top-notch NHL prospect this year. He showed well playing against men in the NL. He’s intelligent and mobile and should have a solid floor as an NHL rearguard in some capacity.

#48. St. Louis Blues - Matvei Shuravin – C - Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (MHL)

Long and lean Russian defender with intriguing two-way upside. He was a player who was hard to get a read on this year with his limited minutes in the KHL, however he has an intriguing combination of size and mobility. It’s possible that he reminds the Blues of drafting Colton Parayko back in the day.

#49. Utah Hockey Club (via Washington Capitals) - Yegor Surin – C - Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)

Utah and their scouts have not been shy about selecting Russian players in recent drafts. Surin is better than the 49th player selected. He is a competitive, but skilled pivot who could end up developing into a versatile player for Utah down the line. Maybe the perfect linemate for fellow Russian Daniil But?

#50. Chicago Blackhawks (via New York Islanders) - John Mustard – C - Waterloo (USHL)

One of the best names in the draft, but also one of the best skaters. Mustard had a breakout campaign in the USHL this year. He’s an explosive player and a talented goal scorer. However, he is also an intense competitor, something that should make Mustard an NHL player in some capacity if the offensive game doesn’t translate.

#51. Philadelphia Flyers (Compensation Pick for Jay O’Brien) - Ryder Ritchie – RW - Prince Albert (WHL)

Ranked as a first rounder by us, there is thought that we are higher on him than NHL scouts after a bit of a disappointing second half mired by injuries. Ritchie is a competitive winger who plays bigger than his size (excuse the cliche). He has solid upside as a complementary piece on a scoring line. This is a nice swing for Philadelphia with their compensation pick.

#52. Washington Capitals (via Vegas Golden Knights) - Marek Vanacker – LW - Brantford (OHL)

The Capitals opt for speedy Hamilton winger Marek Vanacker, the last of our first round graded players. He was extremely consistent all year long and has intriguing offensive upside because of the pace he can play at. Washington would be very familiar with him thanks to their scouting of Patrick Thomas.

#53. Nashville Predators (via Tampa Bay Lightning) - Heikki Ruohonen – C - Kiekko-Espoo (Fin-U20)

The Preds have long loved Finnish players, with a strong presence in that market. Ruohonen was one of the biggest risers in the second half of the year; he was excellent at the U18’s for the Finns. He is a competitive, two-way, power center eventually heading to Harvard.

#54. New York Islanders (via Los Angeles Kings) - Adam Kleber – D - Lincoln (USHL)

Kleber is a massive defender whose game really improved over the second half of the year. His mobility, in particular, really took a positive step forward. The USHL rearguard projects as a physical stay at home type, but he does flash some intriguing offensive tools too.

#55. Nashville Predators - Mikhail Yegorov – G - Omaha (USHL)

There has been a ton of talk about Nashville moving on from Juuse Saros, handing over the keys to Askarov. However, there isn’t much of a back-up plan behind Askarov if he doesn't pan out. Taking a goalie makes sense for the Preds in round two and Yegorov is an excellent athlete who their goaltending development coaches can really work with.

#56. St. Louis Blues (via Toronto Maple Leafs) - Luke Misa – C - Mississauga (OHL)

Misa is a speedy, two-way forward who projects as a solid middle six option for St. Louis down the line. He had a solid year for Mississauga in the OHL and is the type of player who could move quickly through the system as a later birthday.

#57. Montreal Canadiens (via Colorado Avalanche) - Tory Pitner - Youngstown (USHL)

Montreal has done well by selecting heady defenders in recent years and Pitner is definitely that. He’s one of the draft's most intelligent blueliners, especially in the defensive end. He competes hard and projects as a solid two-way, second pairing type.

#58. Anaheim Ducks (via Boston Bruins) - Tarin Smith – D - Everett (WHL)

A team with an already loaded defensive talent pool can afford to take chances on high upside defenders like Smith. He’s very raw, but his physical tools are excellent. He skates well. He can create offense. How it all comes together remains to be seen, but Anaheim can afford to be patient.

#59. Nashville Predators (via Winnipeg Jets) - Adam Jecho – C - Edmonton (WHL)

An enigma to the highest degree, Jecho is one of the draft’s ultimate boom or bust prospects. At times, he dominates in the offensive end with his size and skill. Other times, he looks lumbering, lazy, and disengaged. Which Jecho will emerge as the real one? Nashville has always loved wingers like this with high end physical tools.

#60. Carolina Hurricanes - Nikita Artamonov – LW - Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)

This just seems like an amazing fit. The Canes have loved players like Artamanov. High end processor. Not the quickest or most physical, but efficient. They’ve also been one of the most aggressive NHL franchises in drafting Russian talent recently.

#61. New York Islanders (via Vancouver Canucks) - AJ Spellacy – RW - Windsor (OHL)

Spellacy was outstanding in the second half of the OHL season after he fully recovered from a knee injury. He has great length and speed and projects as a high end third line player who can be an elite penalty killer and defensive forward. The last Windsor forward NYI took worked out well.

#62. Calgary Flames (via Dallas Stars) - Raoul Boilard – C - Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)

What’s the finished product going to look like with Boilard? This is completely unknown due to some consistency issues. However, the Flames need to improve their center depth in the organization and Boilard is a rangy pivot who could end up being a solid middle six piece.

#63. Seattle Kraken (via New York Rangers) - Jesse Pulkkinen – D - JYP (Fin-Liiga)

The first re-entry to go in this mock draft, Seattle has not shied away from selecting players outside of their first year of eligibility. Pulkkinen is a big offensive defender who plays an aggressive style. He needs major refinement, but the tools are there.

#64. Edmonton Oilers - Pavel Moysevich – G - SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)

Have to think the Oilers go with a goalie here if there is one on the board that they really like. Moysevich is a re-entry who was fantastic in the KHL this past season. He is one of the draft’s best athletes and he could move quickly through the system.

#65. Utah Hockey Club (via Florida Panthers) - Jack Pridham – RW - West Kelowna (BCHL)

There is a connection between Utah (previously Arizona) and the St. Andrew’s College program of late. Pridham is a graduate of that program who had a solid year in the BCHL. He is a big winger with great skating ability. The upside is a bit of a mystery, but the tools are legitimate.

BELL: 20 Prospect Points – Lambert, Öhgren, Celebrini, Catton & More

Josh Bell — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 14:46:51 +0000

Winnipeg Jets forward Brad Lambert. Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire)

Welcome to 20 Prospect Points, a bi-weekly column where I dive into the trending news surrounding prospects - drafted and draft-eligible - from around the globe.

This edition dives into the impressive play of prospects Brad Lambert and Liam Öhgren, the ridiculous - and historic - play of Macklin Celebini, the recent surge from Michael Hage, and much more.

Drafted Prospects

#1 At this point, it’s fairly safe to call Brad Lambert’s AHL rookie season a success. The Winnipeg Jets’ prospect has been on an extremely impressive run as of late, with 12 points in his last eight games. That brings his total on the season up to 43 (18 goals, 25 assists) in 51 games. He’s leading the Manitoba Moose in points. Keep an eye on the young Finn who might just end up being one of the better steals of the 2022 NHL Draft.

#2 Another player who’s been on a tear is Chicago Blackhawks’ prospect Gavin Hayes. The Soo Greyhounds left winger is riding a nine-game point streak where he’s collected 16 points. That brings his total on the year to 76 points (37 goals, 39 assists). One note though is that this is just about on par with his season last year, and you’d like to see some positive growth here. Keep an eye on him down the stretch to see if he can build on this streak.

#3 Another OHLer that’s been having a stellar season is Slovak Dalibor Dvorsky. It’s hard to believe that this is his first season in North America, because he has not missed a beat. The Sudbury Wolves forward and St. Louis Blues prospect hit the 40-goal mark over the weekend, also seeing his point total on the season rise to 82 (40 goals, 42 assists). He’s a quiet star on that team behind David Goyette and Quentin Musty, but Dvorsky is just as much deserving of the spotlight.

#4 Overseas, Minnesota Wild prospect Liam Öhgren continues to tear up the SHL for Färjestad BK. In fact, he’s getting better and better. He has points in 10 of his last 11, with 13 (seven goals, six assists) over that stretch. That’s through just 26 games and his 0.73 points per game is the highest of any U20 player in the league, including Jonathan Lekkermäki who’s been earning a great deal of attention.

#5 I’ve mentioned Finnish prospect Jesse Kiiskinen before in this column, but he’s deserving of another mention. He wrapped his regular season up with the Pelicans U20 of the U20 SM-sarja, with 10 points in his final four games (sure, he had a six-game performance in there where he had five goals). That’s carried over into the playoffs with three assists in as many games and playing while seeing his ice time increase. The Nashville Predators must be happy with how their 68th overall pick has developed.

#6 Zac Funk just will not stop scoring. Since the last 20 Prospect Points (two weeks ago), the newly signed Washington Capitals prospect has added another 16 points (eight goals, eight assists), bringing his season total to 119 points (67 goals, 52 assists) in 66 games. He’s been absolutely on fire this season. It’s hard to believe that he put up just 58 points last season and he’s now over double that this year. The Caps made the right call here.

#7 In the QMJHL, New Jersey Devils prospect Cam Squires has been taking his game to the next level recently, with 16 points (seven goals, nine assists) through a seven-game stretch which recently just ended. Drafted 122nd overall in the 2023 draft, Squires is on pace to just modestly raise his production from his draft year (71 up from 64) but this late surge is worth keeping an eye on as he heads into playoffs.

#8 Another late draft pick, the Montreal Canadiens drafted Yevgeni Volokhin 144th overall in the 2023 NHL Draft, a Russian netminder coming off a 20-6-3 season with Mamonty Yugry where he had a .927 save percentage (SV%). He returned to the MHL this season with Mamonty Yugry and looked even better with a .938 SV% and 22-4-4 record along with five shutouts. That’s gotten even better in playoffs through three games with a remarkable .981 SV% and two shutouts. It’s worth noting that he has four shutouts in his last nine games.

#9 Another 2023 draftee, Jacob Fowler was selected 69th overall by the Canadiens and has been stellar in the NCAA this season. He’s won his last eight games and 13 of his last 14. He has one shutout in that stretch. He’s repping a .923 SV% and a 27-5-1 record. With the NCAA Frozen Four right around the corner, Fowler should continue to be the steady backbone of Boston College.

#10 One last drafted goaltender to mention here is another returnee to this list, Niklas Kokko continues to stand out with the Liiga’s Pelicans. After playing just nine Liiga games before this season, Kokko’s performance deserves attention. The Seattle Kraken prospect is 9-0-3 since being loaned to the Pelicans in January, with a .926 SV% and four shutouts. In fact, he has two shutouts in his last three games.

Draft-Eligible Prospects

#11 Macklin Celebrini just continues to show what he’s projected to be the first overall selection in the 2024 NHL Draft. The still-17-year-old is third in the entire NCAA in points (55), second in goals (30), and is tied in first for points per game (1.67) with Gabe Perreault. At this point, it seems a one-and-done is likely for the 2024 top prospect.

#12 Up in the WHL, Berkly Catton has been the quiet star of the 2024 group. While the focus seems to have been on Celebrini, Demidov, and the defensive stars, don’t sleep on Catton. I believe he hasn’t been talked about as much as he should be this season. He’s at 113 points (52 goals, 61 assists) in just 66 games, with 20 of those points coming in March. He needs to be looked at in the top five.

#13 Another potentially under-valued prospect in this class is Michael Hage. The Chicago Steel player has been one of my favourites in this class all season and has been really exploding as of late. He has an eight-game point streak rolling right now where he’s had 16 points (seven goals, nine assists), bringing his season total to 65 points (30 goals, 35 assists). He’s third in the league in points now, tied for seventh in points per game, and is tied for fourth in goals.

#14 Cole Eiserman may have been falling down draft rankings all season due to some off-puck play, but man - can he ever score goals. The USNTDP star has 48 goals in 45 games this season, bringing his U18 total (including last season) to 74 in 65 games. That 1.14 goal per game rate is the highest ever for the U18 program. Plus, he’s only eight goals away from Cole Caufield’s career record of 82. Keep an eye on that.

#15 I keep bringing him up, but how about Ondrej Becher? With his season winding down, the Czech forward just hit the 90-point mark on the season, in no small part due to his current 17-game point streak. He has 28 goals and an impressive 62 assists. It helps when you have players like Funk, Riley Heidt, and Terik Parascak putting the puck in the net, but Becher’s ability to find his teammates has been on full display this season. The double-overage should hear his name called this season.

#16 Speaking of Terik Parascak, what a run he’s on. He has eight goals and 16 points in his last six games, crossing the 40-goal, 100-point plateau this season (103 points, 43 goals, 60 assists). He becomes the first CHL rookie to hit 100-points this season. He leads all rookies in points, well ahead of the competition so far. For his recent efforts, he was named WHL Player of the Week.

#17 If there’s a player that an NHL team should bite on early, it’s Michael Brandsegg-Nygård. The Norwegian prospect’s numbers might not jump off the page at first look, but when you take a deeper look at his game you can see the value. McKeen’s Felix Robbins took a deep look at his game here.

This is a player that you should bet on making it.

#18 Looking ahead to the 2025 NHL Draft, Cameron Schmidt has been garnering some attention. The Vancouver Giants forward is playing at nearly a point-per-game pace this season with 56 points (30 goals, 26 assists) in 57 games. That 30th goal puts him in rare company, with only six players hitting that mark at 16 years old: Connor Bedard, Brayden Yager, Nolan Patrick, Brett Connolly, Patrick Marleau, and Gavin McKenna who hit it this season as well.

#19 Michael Misa is going to be a name you hear a lot over the next year, as the exceptional-status prospect enters his draft year in 2024-25. Last year’s OHL Rookie of the Year, Misa has continued his stellar play this season, albeit a little more sporadically than he may like. For example, he recently had nine points in three games - but that came after three games without a point. It’s been a bit of a trend this year, but it will be interesting to see how he progresses in his draft yet.

#20 Another 2025-eligible to keep an eye on, goaltender Love Härenstam has been stellar over the past month and a half - ever since the Five Nations Tournament (where he won both his starts including a 42-save performance against Team USA). Since then, he’s 5-1, regularly facing 30+ shots a night. On the season, he has an impressive .905 SV%. That’s especially impressive as a 17-year-old playing in the J20 Nationell. He’s worth some check ins over the next year.

2024 NHL DRAFT: MCKEEN’S MID-SEASON TOP 100 – Celebrini sits comfortably on top – Demidov and Parekh among risers in ranking – Strong defense group defines this draft class

Brock Otten — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 15:58:41 +0000

It’s time to update and expand our 2024 NHL Draft rankings. Since our preliminary ranking in December, we’ve passed some major events on the scouting calendar, like the World Juniors, CHL Top Prospect’s Game, World Junior A Challenge, and the USA Hockey All American Game.

Macklin Celebrini still sits comfortably at the top of our rankings. Not only has he continued to be a difference maker for Boston University, but he was also a solid contributor at the World Juniors for an underwhelming Canadian team, an impressive feat for a double underager. In our opinion, he is unquestionably the top prospect available this year and is the one player we view as a near surefire high impact player at the NHL level.

One player moving up our ranking inside the top ten is Ivan Demidov. While ice time issues have limited his impact at the KHL level, he has been an absolute monster at the MHL level and in a draft that we feel lacks high end upside, he stands out as a potential difference maker. One player falling inside of our top ten is Cole Eiserman. While the goal scoring ability is unquestionably impressive, we’ve been left wanting more from the rest of his game and feel that his development is showing signs of plateauing.

Saginaw defenseman Zayne Parekh is another big-time mover and shaker for us as he pushes his way inside the top ten. At this point, his production and offensive upside is too vast to ignore. Yes, there are questions regarding his defensive game. Yes, there are questions about how he fits into an NHL system given Saginaw’s unique modern approach. However, the skill and sense are so high end that we believe the reward outweighs the risk.

Other movers and shakers include Jett Luchanko (40th to 18th), Alfons Freij (32nd to 21st), Harrison Brunicke (HM to 25th), and Dom Badinka (58th to 28th). Luchanko is a speedy, playmaking pivot who brings consistent effort in all three zones. As he bulks up, he should be able to become a more consistent point producer. Freij has been terrific internationally this year for the Swedish U18 team and is starting to remind us of Tom Willander in regard to his steady presence on the ice at both ends. Brunicke is a very mobile, right-handed shot defender with size who remains a work in progress. He flashes high end skill and upside in the defensive end, and we believe that he is just scratching the surface of what he is capable of. Dom Badinka has a similar profile to Freij in the sense that he has a very projectable frame and skill set. He has been steadily improving in the SHL this year with Malmo and the Czech blueliner projects as an all situations top four, right shot blueliner.

Overall, 2024 is still holding strong as a quality draft for defenders. In fact, 14 of our first round graded players are defenseman. On the other hand, the strength of this goaltending crop remains to be seen. OHL netminders Carter George and Ryerson Leenders remain our top ranked goalies and the only ones inside of our Top 70. There are others pushing up the list (like NTDP netminder Nick Kempf and WHL re-entry Lukas Matecha), but it’s not looking like the ideal year to use a high pick on a stopper.

In the coming weeks, expect to see a podcast on our new YT channel (here), where Director of Scouting, Brock Otten, Associate Director of Scouting, Derek Neumeier, and Director of Video Scouting, Josh Bell, debate the midseason list and provide some insight into why certain players are ranked where they are.

RK	Name	POS	TEAM	GP	G/GAA	A/SV%	TP	PIM	HT/WT	DOB
1	Macklin Celebrini	C	Boston University (HE)	25	22	19	41	10	6-0/190	13-Jun-06
2	Sam Dickinson	D	London (OHL)	52	14	39	53	24	6-3/195	7-Jun-06
3	Ivan Demidov	RW	SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)	23	20	25	45	16	5-11/170	10-Dec-05
4	Anton Silayev	D	Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)	57	3	8	11	8	6-7/210	11-Apr-06
5	Cayden Lindstrom	C	Medicine Hat (WHL)	32	27	19	46	66	6-4/215	3-Feb-06
6	Berkly Catton	C	Spokane (WHL)	49	38	44	82	37	5-11/170	14-Jan-06
7	Artyom Levshunov	D	Michigan State (B1G)	30	8	20	28	40	6-2/200	28-Oct-05
8	Konsta Helenius	C	Jukurit (Fin-Liiga)	40	12	19	31	6	5-11/180	11-May-06
9	Cole Eiserman	LW	USN U18 (USDP)	37	38	22	60	28	6-0/195	29-Aug-06
10	Zayne Parekh	D	Saginaw (OHL)	49	25	49	74	40	6-0/180	15-Feb-06
11	Carter Yakemchuk	D	Calgary (WHL)	48	24	29	53	95	6-3/190	29-Sep-05
12	Tij Iginla	C	Kelowna (WHL)	48	35	28	63	25	6-0/185	1-Aug-06
13	Liam Greentree	RW	Windsor (OHL)	46	28	41	69	25	6-2/200	1-Jan-06
14	Trevor Connelly	LW	Tri-City (USHL)	34	17	31	48	40	6-1/160	28-Feb-06
15	Zeev Buium	D	Denver (NCHC)	26	7	27	34	16	6-0/185	7-Dec-05
16	Michael Brandsegg Nygard	RW	Mora (Allsvenskan)	32	6	7	13	14	6-1/195	5-Oct-05
17	Adam Jiříček	D	HC Plzen (Czechia)	19	0	1	1	2	6-2/175	28-Jun-06
18	Jett Luchanko	C	Guelph (OHL)	50	17	37	54	32	5-11/185	21-Aug-06
19	Matvei Shuravin	D	CSKA Moskva (KHL)	22	0	7	7	26	6-2/170	22-Mar-06
20	Michael Hage	C	Chicago (USHL)	37	21	23	44	35	6-1/190	14-Apr-06
21	Alfons Freij	D	Vaxjo Lakers (Swe J20)	33	11	15	26	12	6-1/190	12-Feb-06
22	Emil Hemming	RW	TPS (Fin-Liiga)	35	7	4	11	0	6-1/200	27-Jun-06
23	Ryder Ritchie	RW	Prince Albert (WHL)	34	13	18	31	16	6-0/175	3-Aug-06
24	Sacha Boisvert	C	Muskegon (USHL)	41	27	18	45	42	6-2/180	17-Mar-06
25	Harrison Brunicke	D	Kamloops (WHL)	46	10	11	21	45	6-3/185	8-May-06
26	Andrew Basha	LW	Medicine Hat (WHL)	47	23	44	67	32	6-0/185	8-Nov-05
27	Henry Mews	D	Ottawa (OHL)	46	8	34	42	46	6-0/185	9-Mar-06
28	Dom Badinka	D	Malmo (Swe J20)	15	2	10	12	39	6-3/185	27-Nov-05
29	Beckett Sennecke	RW	Oshawa (OHL)	46	19	26	45	53	6-2/180	28-Jan-06
30	Igor Chernyshov	LW	MHK Dynamo Moskva (MHL)	18	10	14	24	8	6-2/190	30-Nov-05
31	E.J. Emery	D	USN U18 (USDP)	41	0	10	10	51	6-3/185	30-Mar-06
32	Leo Sahlin Wallenius	D	Vaxjo Lakers (Swe J20)	34	7	23	30	30	6-0/180	10-Apr-06
33	Dean Letourneau	C	St. Andrew's (CHS-O)	14	14	11	25	6	6-7/210	21-Feb-06
34	Yegor Surin	C	Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)	37	19	27	46	104	6-1/190	1-Aug-06
35	Adam Jecho	C	Edmonton (WHL)	38	15	17	32	18	6-5/200	24-Mar-06
36	Maxim Massé	RW	Chicoutimi (QMJHL)	51	26	26	52	16	6-2/190	7-Apr-06
37	Lucas Pettersson	C	MoDo Hockey (Swe J20)	36	20	23	43	38	5-11/170	17-Apr-06
38	Charlie Elick	D	Brandon (WHL)	51	4	19	23	47	6-3/200	17-Jan-06
39	Raoul Boilard	C	Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)	52	21	31	52	32	6-2/190	7-Jan-06
40	Matvei Gridin	RW	Muskegon (USHL)	41	20	30	50	28	6-1/185	1-Mar-06
41	Nikita Artamonov	LW	Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)	48	7	15	22	12	5-11/185	17-Nov-05
42	Jesse Pulkkinen	D	JYP (Fin-U20)	18	11	17	28	47	6-6/215	27-Dec-04
43	Leon Muggli	D	Zug (Sui-NL)	4	0	2	2	4	6-0/165	9-Jul-06
44	Teddy Stiga	LW	USN U18 (USDP)	41	24	25	49	26	5-10/155	5-Apr-06
45	Aron Kiviharju	D	HIFK (Fin-Liiga)	7	1	1	2	0	5-10/165	25-Jan-06
46	Miguel Marques	RW	Lethbridge (WHL)	50	22	37	59	47	5-11/170	8-Mar-06
47	John Mustard	C	Waterloo (USHL)	39	22	18	40	22	6-0/185	16-Aug-06
48	Lukas Fischer	D	Sarnia (OHL)	52	4	22	26	50	6-4/180	6-Sep-06
49	Simon Zether	C	Rogle (Swe J20)	17	11	16	27	25	6-3/185	18-Oct-05
50	Luke Misa	C	Mississauga (OHL)	51	21	46	67	8	5-10/175	25-Nov-05
51	Sebastian Soini	D	Ilves (Fin-U20)	8	0	0	0	8	6-2/195	10-Jun-06
52	Carson Wetsch	RW	Calgary (WHL)	49	19	20	39	53	6-2/185	4-May-06
53	Terik Parascak	RW	Prince George (WHL)	52	31	42	73	37	5-11/180	28-May-06
54	Christian Humphreys	C	USN U18 (USDP)	35	15	25	40	14	5-11/170	4-Feb-06
55	Cole Hutson	D	USN U18 (USDP)	41	11	26	37	44	5-10/160	28-Jun-06
56	Cole Beaudoin	C	Barrie (OHL)	48	23	25	48	23	6-2/200	24-Apr-06
57	Marek Vanacker	LW	Brantford (OHL)	51	27	34	61	41	6-0/165	12-Apr-06
58	Stian Solberg	D	Vålerenga (Nor)	34	3	9	12	12	6-2/200	29-Dec-06
59	Herman Traff	RW	HV71 (Swe J20)	22	11	7	18	69	6-3/195	31-Dec-05
60	Kamil Bednarik	C	USN U18 (USDP)	41	18	25	43	40	6-0/185	26-May-06
61	Tomáš Galvas	D	Bili Tygri Liberec (Czechia)	26	2	4	6	6	5-10/150	11-Feb-06
62	Carter George	G	Owen Sound (OHL)	41	3.09	0.914	-	-	6-0/160	20-May-06
63	Ryerson Leenders	G	Mississauga (OHL)	38	3.19	0.909	-	-	6-1/175	1-Jun-06
64	Tanner Howe	LW	Regina (WHL)	52	24	38	62	48	5-11/180	28-Nov-05
65	Colton Roberts	D	Vancouver (WHL)	50	7	17	24	45	6-4/195	8-Jun-06
66	Ben Danford	D	Oshawa (OHL)	51	1	30	31	21	6-0/175	6-Feb-06
67	Eriks Mateiko	LW	Saint John (QMJHL)	40	19	19	38	18	6-4/210	18-Nov-05
68	Daniil Ustinkov	D	ZSC (Sui-NL)	18	0	1	1	0	6-0/200	26-Aug-06
69	Veeti Vaisanen	D	KooKoo (Fin-Liiga)	40	2	7	9	12	6-0/175	15-Feb-06
70	Clarke Caswell	C	Swift Current (WHL)	51	16	37	53	14	5-11/170	2-Feb-06
71	Jakub Fibigr	D	Mississauga (OHL)	44	6	20	26	33	6-0/170	22-Jul-06
72	Ondrej Kos	LW	KOOVEE (Fin-Liiga)	14	3	2	5	8	6-1/150	7-Mar-06
73	Sam O'Reilly	RW	London (OHL)	52	15	30	45	24	6-1/175	30-Mar-06
74	Jack Berglund	C	Färjestad BK (Swe J20)	37	14	18	32	18	6-3/210	10-Apr-06
75	Linus Eriksson	C	Djurgardens IF (Swe J20)	24	5	16	21	8	6-0/185	23-Mar-06
76	Tarin Smith	D	Everett (WHL)	54	7	30	37	45	6-1/175	24-Mar-06
77	Nick Kempf	G	USN U18 (USDP)	22	3.02	0.901			6-2/190	1-Mar-06
78	Melvin Fernstrom	RW	Örebro HK (Swe J20)	38	26	28	54	26	6-1/185	28-Feb-06
79	Alexander Zetterberg	C	Örebro HK J20	35	19	27	46	10	5-9/160	27-Apr-06
80	Spencer Gill	D	Rimouski (QMJHL)	50	9	23	32	50	6-3/180	17-Aug-06
81	Kevin He	LW	Niagara (OHL)	51	26	18	44	47	5-11/185	30-Apr-06
82	Aatos Koivu	C	TPS (Fin-U20)	23	15	14	29	28	6-0/165	22-Jun-06
83	Will Skahan	D	USN U18 (USDP)	40	2	7	9	63	6-4/210	14-May-06
84	Justin Poirier	RW	Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)	52	40	20	60	58	5-8/185	4-Sep-06
85	Maxmilian Curran	C	Tri-City (WHL)	40	5	27	32	25	6-3/190	27-Aug-06
86	Tory Pitner	D	Youngstown (USHL)	33	7	14	21	34	6-1/185	6-Mar-06
87	Lukas Matecha	G	Tri-City (WHL)	29	3.14	0.910			6-3/195	21-Mar-05
88	Brodie Ziemer	RW	USN U18 (USDP)	41	20	22	42	14	5-10/190	22-Feb-06
89	Niilopekka Muhonen	D	KalPa (Fin U20)	25	4	6	10		6-4/185	28-Feb-06
90	Anthony Romani	D	North Bay (OHL)	51	44	40	84	16	6-0/180	12-Jul-05
91	Julius Miettinen	RW	Everett (WHL)	53	22	24	46	30	6-3/205	20-Jan-06
92	Luca Marrelli	D	Oshawa (OHL)	50	2	38	40	14	6-1/185	4-Oct-05
93	Filip Sitar	C	Malmo (Swe J20)	33	12	31	43	10	5-11/175	29-Jun-05
94	Noel Fransen	D	Färjestad BK (Swe J20)	36	17	21	38	16	6-0/185	7-Dec-05
95	William Zellers	LW	Shattuck St. Marys (USHS-Prep)	43	41	43	84	20	5-10/165	4-Apr-06
96	Gabriel Eliasson	D	HV71 J20	27	0	3	3	81	6-6/205	9-Sep-06
97	Kim Saarinen	G	HPK (Fin-U20)	22	2.34	0.918			6-4/180	22-Jul-06
98	Max Vilen	D	Malmo (Swe J20)	39	1	12	13	8	6-2/200	29-Jun-06
99	Gabriel Frasca	C	Kingston (OHL)	26	9	9	18	10	6-0/170	18-Feb-06
100	Harrison Meneghin	G	Lethbridge (WHL)	41	2.46	0.922			6-3/165	13-Sep-06
HM	Tanner Adams	RW	Providence (NCAA)	27	5	12	17	2	5-11/185	2-Sep
HM	Alexandre Blais	C	Rimouski (QMJHL)	53	18	48	66	30	5-10/155	14-Nov-05
HM	Viggo Gustavsson	D	HV71 (Swe J20)	33	1	10	11	38	6-2/195	11-Sep-06
HM	Andrei Krutov	LW	Chaika Nizhny Novgorod (MHL)	35	15	24	39	10	5-11/175	25-Apr-06
HM	Darels Uljanskis	D	AIK (Swe J20)	35	7	16	23	14	6-1/185	25-Aug-06
HM	Pavel Moysevich	G	SKA St. Petersburg (VHL)	19	2.31	0.927			6-5/175	29-Sep-04
HM	Ondrej Becher	C	Prince George (WHL)	42	19	40	59	32	6-1/175	22-Feb-04
HM	Veit Oswald	RW	EHC Munchen (DEL)	32	8	4	12	0	6-1/165	31-Aug-04
HM	Nathan Villeneuve	C	Sudbury (OHL)	47	18	21	39	52	6-0/185	13-Apr-06
HM	Petr Sikora	C	HC Ocelari Trinec (Cze U20)	27	12	21	33	26	5-11/170	2-Jan-06
HM	Oskar Vuollet	C	Skelleftea AIK (Swe J20)	32	17	24	41	6	5-10/170	3-Dec-05
HM	Kenta Isogai	F	Wenatchee (WHL)	49	25	48	73	22	5-11/155	28-Aug-04
HM	Marcus Kearsey	D	Charlottetown (QMJHL)	51	5	32	37	14	5-11/170	17-03-06
HM	Nate Misskey	D	Victoria (WHL	40	6	26	32	52	6-3/210	1-Dec-05
HM	Thomas Desruisseaux	C	Chicoutimi (QMJHL)	52	10	34	44	16	5-11/160	10-Mar-06
HM	Jonathan Morello	C	St. Michaels (OJHL)	44	23	27	50	20	6-1/175	31-Jul-06
HM	Kieron Walton	LW	Sudbury (OHL)	47	15	19	34	12	6-5/205	22-Apr-06
HM	Adam Kleber	D	Lincoln (USHL)	33	5	13	18	20	6-5/205	24-Mar-06
HM	Riley Patterson	C	Barrie (OHL)	49	18	27	45	4	6-0/175	22-Mar-06
HM	Eemil Vinni	G	JoKP (Fin-Liiga)	27	2.5	0.9	-	-	6-2/285	18-Dec-06

2024 NHL DRAFT: EARLY SEASON FAVOURITES – Western Canada – Tij Iginla, Andrew Basha, Terik Parascak, Adam Jecho

Ben Misfeldt — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 22:24:17 +0000

Time for another series at McKeen’s from our scouting staff. The 2024 NHL Draft season is well under way and our scouts have been busy soaking in the action around the globe. Analyzing early season play can be difficult; perhaps even a bit of a ruse. Hot starts aren’t always sustainable and cold starts are not always indicative. However, players can still catch our attention in positive ways and that’s what this series intends to highlight.

Ben Misfeldt- West Regional Scout

Tij Iginla

Tij Iginla - Centre/Wing - Kelowna Rockets

6’0”, 181 lbs - 2006-08-01

Introduction

I’ll start this off by saying it’s been incredibly fun to watch Tij Iginla play for the Kelowna Rockets this season. Kelowna is where I am based out of and I’ve been fortunate enough to watch Iginla a number of times now. After being traded from Seattle to Kelowna this offseason, Tij Iginla has seen his game elevate to new levels. Since he was a healthy scratch throughout the playoffs for Seattle, nobody really thought of Iginla as a potential first-rounder coming into the season. For example, he didn’t make Team Canada’s Hlinka Gretzky Cup roster in August. However, he has established himself as a clear first-rounder with his play in the first portion of the season. While he has seen his point totals slow down relative to his unsustainably hot start, Iginla has continued to look impressive and is generating scoring chances at a high rate.

Scouting Analysis

There are numerous details in Iginla’s game that scream NHL potential and a lot of it is towards the high-end side. For one, Iginla is a gamer who will be able to make a smooth transition to the NHL due to his work ethic, physical attributes, style of play, and attention to detail. One example of this is Iginla’s ability to control the puck in tight areas and along the boards. This has been a key reason for his success this season. During puck battles, he comes up with possession so frequently, oftentimes without even engaging physically. Also, his desire and willingness to take the puck to the net stands out as significantly superior to his WHL peers. There’s nothing timid about his game– if there’s any space for him to work his way towards the net, he is going to take it in that direction. Combine this ability with his heavy, NHL shot and he is a consistent scoring threat on the ice.

Confidence has been a massive part of Iginla’s strong campaign thus far. He wasn’t in a position to try new things and take risks playing down the lineup on a WHL contender last year. However, it has been a different story in Kelowna where Iginla seemingly has the go-ahead to play his game and take risks, even if it results in the odd turnover. Iginla’s skating is also a significant positive for his NHL projection. One thing I noticed is that he is never skating in a straight line like many junior-aged players do. He is usually skating along a curved path and uses crossovers to switch the direction. These skating paths really test defenders for four-directional mobility and can be very hard to defend.

There are, of course, a couple areas of his game that Iginla needs to work on. For instance, he tends to enter the zone with control rather than passing to a teammate or dumping it in. This is fantastic when it works out, but the success rate is not high enough to justify the turnovers it leads to. In addition, when in the offensive zone, he sometimes tries to do much and extend possession with the puck, often in pursuit of taking it directly towards the net. Again, the issue here is the turnovers it creates. However, the main aspect of his game I’d like to see improved is his playmaking ability. He’s a functional playmaker on the ice, especially with the threat of his shot attracting defenders but he doesn’t necessarily create offense with his playmaking alone.

Video

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1-tij_iginla_forecheck-puck-possession.mp4

Here is an excellent example of the persistence Iginla shows on the forecheck. He keeps harassing the defender trying to handle the puck and eventually extends his stick with one hand to corral possession when it comes loose in the corner. Once he picks up the puck he keeps moving in an unpredictable manner while keeping the puck out of reach from the defender..

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2-tij_iginla_board-play-puck-possession.mp4

The way Iginla wins the puck here behind the net is something I noticed he does frequently. He is so good at calmly picking up the puck while engaging physically and bringing it to an area of safety, allowing him to escape and make a play.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/3-Tij-Iginla-zone-entry-skating.mp4

This is what happens when a dynamic zone entry goes right for Iginla. He can carve through defenders and is able to react quickly to defenders movements. It ends up as an assist for him.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/4-Tij-Iginla-turnover.mp4

Here is a good example of what sometimes goes wrong with Iginla’s game. He is being dynamic and tries to create but oftentimes turns the puck over. Learning when to play it safe and when to pick his spots will be key for him moving forward. This part of his game should come along with experience.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/5-tij_iginla_-_2nd_period_19_42_-_19_48.mp4

Finally, here is a clip of potentially Iginla’s biggest weapon– his NHL level shot.

Andrew Basha - Left Wing - Medicine Hat Tigers

6’0”, 183 lbs - 2005-11-08

Introduction

While teammate Cayden Lindstorm understandably commands most of the scouting attention for Medicine Hat with his jarring physical attributes, Andrew Basha has developed into a sneaky good NHL prospect. As linemates, the two dominated the ice when I caught the Medicine Hat Tigers live against Kelowna on October 14. I really liked what I saw from Basha last season, so it has been a bonus seeing him take his game to another level this season. As one of the late 2005-born players, Basha is expected to show more than some of his 2006-born counterparts if he wants to remain high in draft rankings. I think he has done enough this season to at least put himself in contention to be a first-round pick.

Scouting Analysis

In my eyes, Basha’s pure playmaking ability is the second best of any WHL player in this class after Berkly Catton. He is incredibly elusive in the offensive zone and will find excellent passing lanes with ease. His playmaking prowess is demonstrated even more by the deception he mixes into his offensive zone puck-handling. I really like Basha's skating ability as well. There are some key missing elements like power and balance but the edgework maneuvers he uses, along with the frequency he uses them in games, allows his skating to be a big advantage for him against his WHL peers. What I also like is that he plays at a high pace and is often moving quickly with the puck. The fact that he is able to navigate around the ice quickly while holding onto the puck easily and also scanning for open teammates shows an impressive trifecta of skating, skill, and hockey sense. Another point worth mentioning is Basha’s improving two-way game. He plays on the penalty kill unit for Medicine Hat and I’ve noticed his two-way game is an underappreciated part of his game.

I can’t quite pinpoint why, but Basha gives me the sense that he hasn’t yet popped offensively in the WHL just yet. In my eyes, his skillset often looks more impressive than the results he puts up. I think this is what makes Basha an exciting prospect to me– he has a lot of fixable deficiencies to work on and that bodes well for his trajectory as an NHL prospect. A key theme I have noticed in his game is a lack of consistency. Some games, he has looked dominant, making several high-end plays. However, in others, he reverts to a complementary perimeter playmaker. Also, adding more strength, especially to his lower body will be key for Basha to perform at higher levels as sometimes he can be pushed off the puck a little too easily. Finally, the lack of goals for Basha is something he needs to work on– he can’t only be a threat as a playmaker and expect to be a dynamic offensive player at the next level. In certain instances, his shot has looked very, very good but I think with Basha, there’s an overall unwillingness to shoot the puck and to take the puck to the home plate area.

Moving forward, the key thing to remember about Basha is the fact that he is a late 2005-born player and is currently playing in his 3rd WHL season, giving him a leg up on most of his draft eligible WHL peers. Amongst notable prospects in the WHL, Carter Yakemchuk and Tanner Howe fall into the same category. Essentially, there’s one more season of WHL hockey after this one for Basha and then he is off to professional hockey. Despite this, I really have liked what I’ve seen from Basha this season and the improvement he has shown over last season.

Video

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1-andrew_basha_-_1st_period_16_35_-_16_44.mp4

Here is a good example of his two-way play as he knocks a puck out of there to gain possession in the offensive zone. Then as he skates away from the boards, he spins to creatively and accurately play the puck off the boards to an open teammate.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2-andrew_basha_-_2nd_period_28_37_-_28_45.mp4

While this play didn’t work out exactly as planned, I elected to include it because it shows the creative, crafty playmaking element of Basha’s game that makes him an exciting NHL prospect. Instead of the obvious play, he makes the unexpected one.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/3-andrew_basha_-_2nd_period_28_44_-_28_56.mp4

This is Andrew Basha at his best– being incredibly elusive with the trifecta of puck skills, skating, and hockey sense. It’s plays like these that flash his high-end upside.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/4-andrew_basha_-_3rd_period_19_24_-_19_31.mp4

Here is an example of where Basha could improve his finishing ability. It’s a fantastic effort to get into a prime scoring area, but in order to be a goal-scoring threat, he needs to finish more. He has the skill to do it.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/5-andrew_basha_-_3rd_period_28_1_-_28_12.mp4

Here he makes a good defensive play and shows off some of his edgework once he enters the offensive zone. He then draws in the defender before passing it high to an open Cayden Lindstrom.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/6-andrew_basha_-_1st_period_0_20_-_0_26.mp4

This is a good example of Basha’s unwillingness to engage physically. The defenseman cuts him off and he simply stops instead of continuing to fight for the puck.

Terik Parascak - Right Wing - Prince George Cougars

5’11”, 174 lbs - 2006-05-28

Introduction

It would be remiss of me not to mention Terik Parascak in this piece. Unquestionably, Terik Parascak is the name that has caused the biggest stir amongst scouts in the WHL region this season– one glance at the scoring leaderboard will tell you why. However, Parascak’s high-flying campaign is made even more impressive by the fact he didn’t even play junior hockey last season– he was playing U18 AAA hockey. Now that he is finally in the WHL with significantly better players around him, he has been able to unlock another layer of offense that simply wasn’t available at a lower level of hockey. There is something special about players like Parascak who can move up to a significantly better league and somehow replicate their production and overall on-ice impact. It makes you think about his impending jump from the WHL to the NHL and how that might go.

Scouting Analysis

While I have been impressed with Parascak’s game, I’ve found it difficult to pinpoint and describe the elements of his game that make him an offensive threat. Immediately, you can tell that hockey sense is the bread and butter of the Parascak’s game. However, there aren’t really any physical attributes about his game that project clearly to the next level like with most top prospects. In this sense, Parascak reminds me significantly of Zach Benson last season, though not at the same level.

I really think the most elite elements of Parascak’s game stand out on the powerplay. His presence on the Prince George powerplay has helped them to one of the league’s best conversion rates. In general, he has an excellent understanding of the soft spots in the defense and where to go to position himself in a favourable spot to receive the puck. This is especially true when it comes to high danger areas, where he has scored a number of goals this year. While plays and excels on the top power play, he also gets penalty kill ice time, where I’ve found he has made a positive impact. He brings more two-way value than the typical winger.

Ultimately, it’s his ability to use and play off his teammates that has led to success. While his offensive numbers are super exciting, I wouldn’t expect them to stay at this level for the whole season. Even a point-per-game is impressive from a player who didn’t even play in the WHL last season. The trajectory he has shown is also worth mentioning. He hasn’t really even had time to figure out the WHL yet and here he is piling up points. Makes me wonder what’s in store as he gains more experience and hones his skills.

While his shot is very good, there is still some room for improvement. While Parascak projects as a capable goal-scorer at the next level, it is mostly owed to being a strong finisher rather than being a pure sniper. In addition, he could use some work to shore up his puck handling as sometimes he can look a little shaky with the puck, although he normally does a good job at executing the plays he intends to make. However, it is his skating that needs significant improvement for him to make the transition to the NHL. It’s not terrible by any means, but it is not what you would typically expect from a prospect now ranked on some first-round lists.

Video

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1-terik_parascak_-_1st_period_13_35_-_13_44.mp4

I like this play from Parascak because it shows the calmness in his game as he takes the puck from the defender and works it towards the net for a scoring chance.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2-terik_parascak_-_1st_period_14_4_-_14_11.mp4

This is a prime example of Terik Parascak’s ability to get open. He subtly slides into the optimal position for his teammate to get him the puck in a way that he can get a high quality shot off, one that he nearly scores on.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/3-terik_parascak_-_2nd_period_8_34_-_8_42.mp4

Here is a clip that shows the basis of what Parascak’s skating looks like. As you can see, it is not dynamic and looks pretty stiff. Moving forward, skating will be an aspect Parascak really needs to focus on.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/4-terik_parascak_-_3rd_period_2_47_-_2_53.mp4

I wanted to show another clip of his ability to get open as it’s so indicative of what makes him a special prospect. He manages to find the soft spots several times a game, often leading to a good scoring chance like it did here.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/5-terik_parascak_-_3rd_period_30_19_-_30_31.mp4

Parascak’s ability to slow the game down and execute high hockey IQ plays is another trademark of his game. Here he calmly delivers a dime of a pass to a streaking teammate for a breakaway.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/6-terik_parascak_-_1st_period_20_42_-_20_53.mp4

I mentioned earlier that I liked Parascak’s ability in the defensive zone. Here is a very simple, but important play from Parascak. He makes a smart read and positions himself to intercept the pass. Once he does he uses his body position to keep it out of reach and turn it into a clean zone entry for Prince George.

Adam Jecho - Right Wing - Edmonton Oil Kings

6’5”, 198 lbs - 2006-03-24

Introduction

Playing hockey in North America for the first time, Adam Jecho has been a European prospect on scouts’ radars for a number of years now. Interestingly, Jecho played not in one, not two, but three Hlinka Gretzky Tournaments. Now, you’d expect a player who made the Czech roster as a D-2 player to be a potential superstar and high first-round pick. The truth is, Jecho’s development hasn’t exactly been silky smooth since that tournament in August of 2021. However, Jecho has found his groove in the WHL this season, emerging as Edmonton’s highest-scoring player through the first part of the season. Now, he finds himself on the verge of the first round with scouts excited about his potential given his rare physical attributes.

Scouting Analysis

The first thing that stands out about Jecho is his size. Blessed with 6’5” frame that has plenty of room to fill out, Jecho already has a key attribute helping his NHL projectability. It looks to me like he has always been a player with a lot of size and that was one of the reasons he was so ahead of his peers a few years ago. As players began to catch up to Jecho, he lost some of his advantage and had to turn to working on other attributes to continue developing. However, in the WHL this season, Jecho’s size has been a major reason for his success.

Jecho is certainly not a finesse-style player but is a player you’d instantly peg as having more potential than the current product. He is a rangy 6 '5 " centre with a long, powerful stride and those simply don’t come around very often. His approach to the game is as a very direct player who lacks creativity and deception. Jecho handles the puck calmly and without over-stickhandling. Sometimes, it can look like his hands are on the slow side, but the more important element is that he can control the puck for extended stretches. It’s worth mentioning that his play with the puck has improved since the start of the season. He looks more comfortable and is doing a better job controlling the play with the puck, rather than just being a passenger in the offense. The shot is another part of Jecho’s game worth mentioning. He has a good one-timer and is able to get himself in position to unleash a high-quality shot on net.

The plays he tries are oftentimes the simple ones and when he has the puck, there is little deception in what he is attempting. For all the attributes he has, adding an element of unpredictability to his game could serve him wonders. I found this especially true when it came to his playmaking ability, which is something you need to see for a potential NHL centre who hopes to bring offensive value. I think we will see a lot of development from Jecho over the rest of the season. He looks like he is getting more and more comfortable in the WHL as the season has gone and the physical attributes he has give him an excellent base to build upon.

Video

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1-adam_jecho_-_1st_period_2_20_-_2_27.mp4

Here is an example of the sloppiness in Jecho’s game. I’ve noticed these issues in the neutral zone where you can see that this pass is telegraphed, making it easy for the defender to read. Jecho ends up passing it directly at the defender and turns it over.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2-adam_jecho_-_1st_period_23_4_-_23_16.mp4

This clip shows the value Jecho can bring in the forecheck. He works hard to disrupt the defender and ends up stealing the puck.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/3-adam_jecho_-_2nd_period_24_43_-_24_57.mp4

Here is a good look of how much of a force Jecho can be with his powerful skating. He covers a lot of ground quickly.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/4-adam_jecho_-_3rd_period_1_47_-_1_59.mp4

This is another good example of Jecho’s skating and how he can leverage his length to create favourable situations. It doesn’t take much for him to keep the puck out of the grasp of opponents.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/5-adam_jecho_-_1st_period_21_32_-_21_39.mp4

This clip shows him getting open for Hodnett to connect with him on a timer that ends up at the back of the net. Jecho has a very good shot that should be an asset in the NHL.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/6-adam_jecho_-_2nd_period_10_56_-_11_1.mp4

Here is a good example of what Jecho’s upside looks like. He makes this drive to the net and finish look effortless. It was very poorly defended, but Jecho can also be a lot for defenders to handle.

MCKEEN’S HOCKEY 2024 NHL DRAFT RANKINGS – December 2023 – Top 32 – Macklin Celebrini leads the pack early by a wide margin

Brock Otten — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 21:40:04 +0000

NORTH ANDOVER, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 1: NCAA men's hockey at Lawler Rink on December 1, 2023 in North Andover, Massachusetts. (Photo by Rich Gagnon)

It’s time for a ranking update at McKeen’s Hockey as we approach the end of the calendar year. Hopefully you’ve all been following along with our early regional favourites series, where our regional scouts have been providing detailed breakdowns of some of their favourites for the 2024 Draft.

This article shows our top 32 and is available to everyone. For subscribers, we are providing our Top 64 with a few honorable mentions. Then in the new year, we will expand to a Top 100.

The top player on our list is Boston University’s Macklin Celebrini. One of the highest scoring players in the NCAA this year as a freshman, Celebrini has met the ultra-high expectations placed on him heading into the year. He is, in our opinion, a slam dunk to be the first player selected this year. Recently named to the Canadian World Junior camp roster, hopefully Celebrini can earn a roster spot and have a strong performance for Canada as a focal point of the team’s offensive attack.

Sam Dickinson of the London Knights. Photo by Natalie Shaver/OHL Images

After Celebrini is where things get…murky. We see a group of seven players in competition for that second spot; Sam Dickinson, Cayden Lindstrom, Konsta Helenius, Cole Eiserman, Anton Silayev, Ivan Demidov, and Artyom Levshunov. How those seven players are ranked was heavily debated amongst our scouts. There truly wasn’t much of a consensus among our staff and we know that NHL scouts are having a similar debate at this current time. An argument could be made for any of these seven to be ranked second. Conversely an argument could be made for any of these seven to be ranked eighth. Hopefully a few of these players can truly separate themselves from the pack in the second half. In particular, we’re looking to see if the three defenders, Dickinson, Silayev, and Levshunov, can clean up some of their poor decisions with the puck.

Rounding out the top ten are forwards Berkly Catton (Spokane Chiefs) and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard (Mora). Catton is a dynamic play creator who has a chance to jump into that second tier grouping if he can find a way to become a more consistent off puck player. While Brandsegg-Nygard is a winger who plays a game that should translate easily to the pro level in North America. He competes hard. He skates well. It’s just a matter of whether you feel that he has the offensive upside and skill to be a top six player. At this point, considering our high ranking of him, we do believe he possesses that upside.

Of the remaining 22 players currently in our first round, 11 are defenders. While we aren’t enamored with this draft crop (overall), we do really like the upside of this blueline crop. The question is, can the likes of Adam Jiricek and Aron Kiviharju hang on to a spot in our first round because there is no question that they have underperformed compared to their expectations thus far.

But what about the goalies? This is everyone’s favourite question. At this point, we don’t see any netminders worthy of first round consideration. But we did rank OHL goalies Carter George and Ryerson Leenders at the back of our Top 64. George has been the more consistent performer thanks to his excellent play reading ability and mature approach. This was on display at last summer’s Hlinka/Gretzky too, when he stole the starter’s job from Gabriel D’Aigle. Meanwhile, Leenders is unquestionably the better athlete and a netminder with a penchant for making the highlight reel save thanks to his quickness. He just doesn’t have as refined of a technical approach.

The List:

RANK	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	HT/WT	DOB	GP-G-A-PTS
1	Macklin Celebrini	C	Boston University (HE)	6-0/190	13-Jun-06	15-10-15-25
2	Sam Dickinson	D	London (OHL)	6-3/205	7-Jun-06	27-6-14-20
3	Cayden Lindstrom	C	Medicine Hat (WHL)	6-3/210	3-Feb-06	27-22-16-38
4	Konsta Helenius	C	Jukurit (Fin-Liiga)	5-11/180	11-May-06	26-8-11-19
5	Cole Eiserman	LW	USN U18 (USDP)	6-0/195	29-Aug-06	21-25-16-41
6	Anton Silayev	D	Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)	6-7/210	11-Apr-06	38-3-7-10
7	Ivan Demidov	RW	SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)	5-11/180	10-Dec-05	7-2-5-7
8	Artyom Levshunov	D	Michigan State (B1G)	6-2/205	28-Oct-05	16-4-11-15
9	Berkly Catton	C	Spokane (WHL)	5-11/170	14-Jan-06	25-16-20-36
10	Michael Brandsegg-Nygard	RW	Mora (Allsvenskan)	6-1/195	5-Oct-05	21-2-4-6
11	Ryder Ritchie	RW	Prince Albert (WHL)	6-0/175	3-Aug-06	30-12-16-28
12	Carter Yakemchuk	D	Calgary (WHL)	6-3/190	29-Sep-05	26-12-16-28
13	Liam Greentree	RW	Windsor (OHL)	6-2/210	1-Jan-06	23-17-18-35
14	Trevor Connelly	LW	Tri-City (USHL)	6-1/160	28-Feb-06	20-8-18-26
15	Tij Iginla	C	Kelowna (WHL)	6-0/185	1-Aug-06	27-20-11-31
16	Zeev Buium	D	Denver (NCHC)	6-0/185	7-Dec-05	16-5-16-21
17	Zayne Parekh	D	Saginaw (OHL)	6-0/175	15-Feb-06	25-10-26-36
18	Matvei Shuravin	D	CSKA Moskva (KHL)	6-3/195	22-Mar-06	8-0-2-2
19	Adam Jiricek	D	HC Plzen (Czechia)	6-2/175	28-Jun-06	19-0-1-1
20	Aron Kiviharju	D	HIFK (Fin-Liiga)	5-9/170	25-Jan-06	7-1-1-2
21	Emil Hemming	RW	TPS (Fin-Liiga)	6-1/200	27-Jun-06	24-5-2-7
22	Igor Chernyshov	LW	MHK Dynamo Moskva (MHL)	6-2/190	30-Nov-05	15-6-6-12
23	Leo Sahlin Wallenius	D	Vaxjo Lakers (Swe J20)	5-11/175	10-Apr-06	27-5-20-25
24	Beckett Sennecke	RW	Oshawa (OHL)	6-2/180	28-Jan-06	21-7-13-20
25	Michael Hage	C	Chicago (USHL)	6-0/190	14-Apr-06	20-7-13-20
26	Henry Mews	D	Ottawa (OHL)	6-0/185	9-Mar-06	22-3-19-22
27	Cole Hutson	D	USN U18 (USDP)	5-10/160	28-Jun-06	22-6-15-21
28	Maxim Masse	RW	Chicoutimi (QMJHL)	6-2/190	7-Apr-06	30-13-16-29
29	Adam Jecho	C	Edmonton (WHL)	6-5/200	24-Mar-06	19-8-10-18
30	Sacha Boisvert	C	Muskegon (USHL)	6-2/180	17-Mar-06	22-13-8-21
31	Veeti Vaisanen	D	KooKoo (Fin-Liiga)	6-0/175	15-Feb-06	23-1-4-5
32	Alfons Freij	D	Vaxjo Lakers (Swe J20)	6-0/185	12-Feb-06	27-8-12-20

Terik Parascak – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2026 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #11 Washington Capitals – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Prospect System Ranking – 11th (Last Year - 7th) GM: Chris Patrick Hired: July 2024 (Also Senior Vice President) COACH: Spencer Carbery Hired: May 2023

Cole Hutson, D, Boston University (NCAA) (Currently with Washington Capitals, NHL)

Ilya Protas, LW, Hershey Bears (AHL)

Andrew Cristall, LW, Hershey Bears (AHL)

Lynden Lakovic, LW, Moose Jay Warriors (WHL)

Milton Gästrin, C, MoDo (Allsvenskan)

Terik Parascak, RW, Prince George Cougars (WHL)

Ivan Miroshnichenko, LW Hershey Bears (AHL)

Bogdan Trineyev, RW, Hershey Bears (AHL)

Ryan Chesley, D, Hershey Bears (AHL)

Leon Muggli, D, Hershey Bears, (AHL)

David Gucciardi, D, Hershey Bears (AHL)

Eriks Mateiko, LW, Hershey Bears (AHL)

Cam Allen, D, Hershey Bears (AHL)

Maxim Schafer, LW, Chicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL)

Petr Sikora, C, HC Ocelari Trinec (Czech)

MCKEEN’S 2025-26 NHL YEARBOOK – WASHINGTON CAPITALS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #7

Washington Capitals Top-15 Prospects

1 - Ryan Leonard

2 - Cole Hutson

3 - Andrew Cristall

4 - Ilya Protas

5 - Ivan Miroschnichenko

6 - Lynden Lakovic

7 - Ryan Chesley

8 - Terik Parascak

9 - Vincent Iorio

10 - Justin Sourdif

11 - Milton Gastrin

12 - Eriks Mateiko

13 - Leon Muggli

14 - Cam Allen

15 - David Gucciardi

2025 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: #9 Washington Capitals – Top 15 NHL Affiliated Prospects

MCKEEN’S 2024-25 NHL YEARBOOK – WASHINGTON CAPITALS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #15

Washington Capitals Top-15 Prospects

1. Ryan Leonard

2. Ivan Miroshnichenko

3. Andrew Cristall

4. Terik Parascak

5. Ryan Chesley

6. Vincent Iorio

7. Cole Hutson

8. Leon Muggli

9. Clay Stevenson

10. Alexander Suzdalev

11. Eriks Mateiko

12. Ilya Protas

13. Ethen Frank

14. Pierrick Dube

15. Zac Funk

2024 NHL DRAFT WRAP UP: The best value picks plus the biggest surprise in each round

ROUND ONE

Favourite Selection: Sam Dickinson (#11) to San Jose

Favourite Selection: Stian Solberg (#23) to Anaheim

Biggest Surprise: Terik Parascak (#17) to Washington

Biggest Surprise (bonus): Beckett Sennecke (#3) to Anaheim

ROUND TWO

Favourite Selection: Teddy Stiga (#55) to Nashville

Favourite Selection: Carter George (#57) to Los Angeles

Biggest Surprise: Ilya Nabokov (#38) to Colorado

ROUND THREE

Favourite Selection: Tarin Smith (#79) to Anaheim

Favourite Selection: Matvei Shuravin (#97) to Florida

Biggest Surprise: Henry Mews (#74) to Calgary

ROUND FOUR

Favourite Selection: Heikki Ruohonen (#107) to Philadelphia

Favourite Selection: Hagen Burrows (#128) to Tampa Bay

Biggest Surprise: Trevor Hoskin (#106) to Calgary

Biggest Surprise (bonus): Aron Kiviharju (#122) to Minnesota

ROUND FIVE

Favourite Selection: Luke Misa (#150) to Calgary

Favourite Selection: Justin Poirier (#156) to Carolina

Biggest Surprise: Max Graham (#139) to New Jersey

ROUND SIX

Favourite Selection: Anthony Romani (#162) to Vancouver

Favourite Selection: Luke Ashton (#165) to Columbus

Biggest Surprise: Stevie Leskovar (#174) to Minnesota

Prospect System Ranking – 11th (Last Year - 7th)
GM: Chris Patrick Hired: July 2024 (Also Senior Vice President)
COACH: Spencer Carbery Hired: May 2023