Thomas Schemitsch – McKeen's Hockey

Florida Panthers 2019-20 Prospect Review: Top 20

Sat, 14 Sep 2019 11:33:07 +0000

In looking through the Florida system, we were struck by how the system has a clear top three and a second clear tier with the players ranked four through six below. After that, we had around 20 players to choose from and myriad orders which we could have used to line them up.

That, in and of itself, is not that unique. Most teams have a top rung and second rung (sometimes a third) before the muddy middle. When I continued to look at those top Panthers, I further noticed that the top three consisted of the team’s three most recent first rounders. Their next three consisted of the team’s three most recent second rounders. The muddy third tier was from all over the place, including later round picks, undrafted free agents, and players of an older vintage.

It is often said about drafts that a team can win a draft with their late round picks, but an early round bust can definitely lose the draft for the team. For all intents and purposes, it seems that the Panthers have not lost any of their recent drafts, but it is equally questionable if they have won them either.

In fact, I would argue that they have not yet won a draft in the Dale Tallon era. The last late round pick to have any appreciable impact on the NHL roster was MacKenzie Weegar, who rose from a seventh round overage flier to a competent #6/7 NHL defender. So kudos to Florida for taking the plunge on Weegar, but they will need a few of those hits to build the organizational depth that they have long needed as they have sought to establish themselves as perennial contenders.

If there is anything that help that aspect it is that a lot of the third tier of prospects in the system are already experienced AHLers. There may not be any top half of roster players among the lot, but netminder Samuel Montembeault (#8) has already spent a few games with the Panthers, and blueliner Riley Stillman (#13) also had a brief cameo.

If the Panthers aim to get back into the postseason, they will also need entry level salary players to fill up the bottom six forward group and the bottom defensive pairing. That might mean more time in the show for Stillman, or for fellow blueliner Thomas Schemitsch (#10), or perhaps one of Jonathan Ang (#11) or Cliff Pu (#16) take a big step forward in their respective second pro seasons. A more likely player to make the jump would be one of Dryden Hunt (#7) or Rodrigo Abols (#18), both of whom were free agent signings. Hunt was a high scoring WHLer who signed directly out of junior hockey three years ago, while Abols signed this offseason as a free agent out of Sweden.

The Panthers have made plenty of big waves this offseason with the hiring of new head coach Joel Quenneville and free agent signings headlined by star netminder Sergei Bobrovsky (which makes it odd that three of their top 20, including their recent first round pick are netminders), defender Anton Stralman and winger Brett Connolly, with no shortage of others to back them up. But this is the NHL and the NHL is a cap league and without viable players on cheap salaries, the aforementioned free agents will be left without the support needed to win consistently.

-Ryan Wagman

Florida Panthers right wing Owen Tippett (74) (Photo by Vincent Ethier/Icon Sportswire)

1 Grigori Denisenko, LW (15^th overall, 2018. Last Year: 3) Denisenko had a stellar performance at the latest WJC, leading the whole tournament with nine points – tied with his potentially future teammate Aleksi Heponiemi. The former first-round pick is a very gifted player with excellent skating and smooth hands – qualities that allow him to control the play in the offensive zone. He also has an excellent, hard shot and overall excellent puck skills. He is very dangerous in open ice as he can either pass the puck or bury the chances with his great nose for the net. He is not a physical player nor is his defensive game his forte, thus he is strictly a top six player and his success will mostly depend on how he develops his game in the offensive zone. He already said that he intends to move to NHL at the end of the coming season, but all things considered, it may be better for him to postpone his plans for a further year or two. - ASR

2 Owen Tippett, LW/RW (10^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 2) Once considered a relatively one dimensional goal scoring winger, Tippett has done a good job of rounding out his game in the OHL the last few seasons. While his ability to put the puck in the net will be his ticket to an NHL career, he has improved his play away from the puck and his patience with it to become a player who can make an impact even when he is not scoring. With good size and skating ability, Tippett is at his best when he is attacking North/South, hunting for opportunities to unleash his terrific wrist shot. He can have a tendency to float in the offensive zone and needs to be more willing to attack between the dots. He will look to show off a better two way game in hopes of cracking Florida’s roster this year. Long term, he has the skill set to be a top six, goal scoring winger and powerplay threat. - BO

3 Spencer Knight, G (13^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) As a general rule, I am opposed to using first round picks on netminders. The bust rate is simply too high and the development timeline is simply too long. In judging the strength of Knight as a prospect, we should note that we are not considering the Panthers’ decision to lock up free agent goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky to a big money, seven year contract around one week after using their first rounder on Knight. By any measurement, Knight has been an elite goalie for his age group. He is a phenomenal athlete, plays a mature, refined technical game, and delights in playing the puck up the boards. His play seems to pick up a notch when the action is toughest although he can slack when getting ready for a shot off a zone entry, and he has never carried a full starting netminder’s workload. He has the tools to be a high end NHL starter, but only time will tell if he can reach it. With Bobrovsky in tow, the Panthers will give him plenty of time. - RW

4 Serron Noel, RW/LW (34^th overall, 2018. Last Year: 4) Noel is a unique prospect because of his combination of size, power, and athleticism. He loves to push the pace, using his explosive skating stride to enter the offensive zone and attack the net. He is so strong and as such, he is also difficult to stop when working the cycle. His hands, shot, and vision with the puck all continue to evolve too, making him a potentially dominant force offensively and physically at the OHL level. While his stride possesses a ton of power, he can still struggle with his balance and his cuts. His ability to receive passes at full stride and make moves East/West with the puck on his stick are also areas requiring growth. Noel is a potential future power forward top six winger for the Panthers who should have an excellent final year in the OHL upcoming. No doubt he is a project, but with patience, he could be a very good NHL player. - BO

5 Aleksi Heponiemi, C (40^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 5) Heponiemi had a fantastic season with Karpat in the Liiga an was nominated for the circuit’s Rookie of the Year Award. A nifty stickhandler with excellent vision and offensive awareness, he is a natural playmaker who can finish, too. His shot has improved quite a bit, he has the ability to pick his spots and be a dual threat in the final third. While not fast, Heponiemi is highly agile on his skates and can make shifty moves to evade defenders. He needs to start using his size to his advantage more often and become tougher to play against as far as the physical game is concerned. However, I see big offensive potential and game-breaking abilities in Heponiemi’s skill set. If he can adjust his game to the NHL, he could be a first or second line player for the Panthers. - MB

6 Vladislav Kolyachonok, D (52^nd overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) Kolyachonok is noted first for his mobility, which should be considered well above average. His four way mobility and his explosiveness are major assets both offensively and defensively. The second thing he is noted for is his work ethic, on and off the ice. A mature player, he is committed and focused and should improve upon his weaknesses with time, such as his decision making with the puck. He can currently be baited into turnovers and does not utilize his skating ability well enough to escape forechecks. What Kolyachonok’s offensive ceiling is remains to be seen. A better idea of that should be given this coming season, his second in the OHL. More comfortable and with an improved roster around him, Kolyachonok should emerge as a quality powerplay QB and offensive defender to go with being a staunch defender of his own end. Long term, he profiles as an all situations second pairing defender who can eat up large minutes on the penalty kill. - BO

7 Dryden Hunt, LW (Undrafted free agent, signed Mar. 2, 2016, Last Year: 7) A late bloomer, was passed over in the draft twice, even though he was well above one point per game in his second go-round. In his overage season in the WHL with Moose Jaw, he absolutely exploded, leading the league in goals and winning the league Player of the Year award, which he capped off by signing an Entry Level deal with the Panthers. Since turning pro, Hunt has improved his relative weakness, his skating, to the point that he is around average. His offensive tools all play up thanks to his well honed instincts and sense of positioning. He has adapted well to the pro game and did not look too out of place in the NHL over as prolonged run last year. There is a new coach in town now, but he should have a chance to fight for a bottom six role. - RW

8 Samuel Montembeault, G (77^thoverall, 2015. Last Year: 9) An agile netminder who has steadily improved his performance in each season since he was drafted, Montembeault has generally been the kind of goalie who looks better than his numbers. That said, he held his own in a challenging circumstance taking over the net for a foundering Panthers squad late last year. He tracks the puck well and exudes a mature sense of calmness in between the pipes, but gives up more second chances than you would like to see in your starter. Once seen as the goalie of the future in Florida, the big money, big dollar signing of Sergei Bobrovsky, coupled with the use of a mid-first round pick on top goalie prospect Knight means that Montembeault will never again have a great opportunity to win an NHL job than he does right now, as Bobrovsky’s backup. - RW

9 Cole Schwindt, C/RW (81^st overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) A rangy pivot, Schwindt is a very committed two-way player who uses his length to be very disruptive in the neutral zone and in the defensive end. This makes him a very effective penalty killer. With a wide skating base, Schwindt also can be difficult to separate from the puck below the hash marks as he puts defenders on his back. He was a point per game player down the stretch following the trades of Owen Tippett and Ryan McLeod out of Mississauga, but how much offensive upside he possesses is unknown. His overall skating power, his ability to create in transition, and his composure/creativity with the puck all rate out average at this current time. He will still have a few years to improve these areas and will be a focal point of Mississauga’s offense during that time. - BO

10 Thomas Schemitsch, D (88^th overall, 2015. Last Year: 20) Schemitsch has steadily improved his game and his production over the three years of his entry level deal, a period which started with him barely able to get out of the ECHL. He is a big man who moves around relatively well for his size. He also packs a big shot from the point. Where his growth has been most notable has been in his ability to read the game, as he now shows commendable awareness in all three zones, allowing to use space to his advantage with frequency. Despite his size advantage he is not an overly physical defender and he could still stand to play a more consistent game. The Panthers believe in him enough to keep him around, but it is up to Schemitsch to take that next step and force his way onto the NHL roster, where he could provide value on the third pairing. - RW

11 Jonathan Ang, C (94^th overall, 2016. Last Year: 6) A brilliant skater, Ang’s hands are almost as quick as his legs. The question he has always been asked about is his offensive ceiling. For as much as his speed allows hi to be one step ahead of the play and very difficult to contain, his numbers have never really stood out. He finally surpassed the point-per-game mark in his final season in junior, but not by a whole lot. His first taste of professional hockey was a return to that sense of frustration. He flashes the tools that got him drafted, but not consistently and he struggles to finish what he starts. Another aspect of his development that Ang needs to work on is his overall physique. He is not tall and he is very lean, which allows him to get outmuscled when he tries to play in tighter spaces. The speed will keep him on the radar as a potential bottom six player, but he has a ways to go to get there. - RW

12 Greg Meireles, C (168^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) Meireles used a very strong second half to his OHL season to get drafted in his final year of eligibility. He profiles best as a jack of all trades kind of forward who can be utilized in a variety of different situations. His speed and tenaciousness make him an effective forechecker and penalty killer. His vision and hands make him an effective playmaker who loves to set up shop behind the net and near the half wall, where he can use his strong balance and lower body to keep plays alive and tire out opposing defenses until holes open up. It can often be difficult to predict how the skill sets of these older breakout CHL players translate to the pro level, but as of right now, Meireles does look like someone who could potentially be a 3rd or 4th line forward for Florida within the next couple of years. - BO

13 Riley Stillman, D (114^th overall, 2016. Last Year: 15) Son of longtime NHLer Cory Stillman, Riley’s professional rookie season was somewhat nondescript, although it ended with the young blueliner making his NHL debut. He has roughly average size, but plays a strong, physically imposing game. He has never had much presence in the offensive end – even in the OHL – but he is an accurate and sharp passer. His ultimate ceiling will depend on him proving that he can continue to excel in his own end, against better and better competition. He is the type of player that would have been more valued 10-20 years ago, when defensive defensemen were highly valued. That said, he is in an organization that may be more in line with the old school approach under GM Dale Tallon than many others and he might still have a chance to prove that he is worthy of a regular role on the third pairing by 2020-21. - RW

14 Ryan Bednard, G (206^th overall, 2015. Last Year: 17) Drafted out of the NAHL four years ago, Bednard has seen his game on a steadily upward trajectory since becoming a part of the Florida Panthers’ extended family. After one year with Youngstown of the USH and three seasons at Bowling Green State, the big netminder is turning pro. Big and hard-nosed, Bednard is an impressive athlete for his size, and is capable of filling up the net admirably. His save percentage improved continuously with BGSU, from .882 as a freshman, to .916 as a sophomore and ended up at .927 during his final, junior, year on campus. Unlike the younger Knight above, Bednard still has a few rough parts of his game that need to be ironed out. He needs to make better decisions about when and how to play the puck, while also improve his rebound control. The Florida crease may be crowded, but he should be ready to compete for the backup slot in the NHL within about two seasons. That may also be his ceiling. - RW

15 Santtu Kinnunen, D (207^th overall, 2018. Last Year: Not ranked) Kinnunen is an intriguing right-shot defenseman who plays with a lot of poise He has a high-panic threshold and moves the puck really well from the backend. His offensive vision and ability to consistently move the puck into good spots makes him an efficient player. He also makes smart decisions with possession in the offensive zone. He is mobile and has improved his skating, especially his first few strides have become quicker. He uses a good stick to break up plays before moving the puck in transition. He is physically raw an needs to get much stronger. All things considered, Kinnunen was a smart late round gamble for the Panthers in 2018 because his development has clearly been on an upward trajectory over the past few seasons and he has not yet reached his peak. - MB

16 Cliff Pu, RW (69^th overall, 2016 [Buffalo]. Last Year: 14 [Carolina]) It isn’t often that you get a player traded twice before his 21^st birthday, but here we are. Pu moved from Buffalo to Carolina before his professional debut as part of the return for Jeff Skinner. His time in the Carolina system was, to be blunt, rancid and the Hurricanes sent him to Florida at the trade deadline for future considerations. He only appeared in 14 more games on the year, split between the ECHL and the AHL. Despite his debut struggles, Pu is an incredibly quick skater and can be very effective on the rush. What held him back last year was his awareness of game situations, putting himself into unfavorable positions and not being able to capitalize on his natural speed. It is too early to give up on him, but he needs to do better. He could scarcely do much worse. - RW

17 Owen Lindmark, C (137^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) One of the lesser heralded members of the star-studded 2018-19 USNTDP class, Lindmark joined teammate Spencer Knight as a future Florida Panther when the South Florida team made him a fifth round pick. The Oklahoma native played a bottom six role for the most part with the program, earning his spot through forechecking and backchecking heavily and helping out on both special teams’ units. He is a fine skater who also shows some passing touch with the puck, but Lindmark has never given any indication that he should be relied upon one day as an offensive force. Headed to the University of Wisconsin, as part of another much ballyhooed recruiting class, he remains unlikely to get much time in an offensive role, but his safe, smart game, coupled with solid physical tools, should make it easy for him to reach his NHL ceiling, even if that ceiling is only on the fourth line. - RW

18 Rodrigo Abols, C (184^th overall, 2016 [Vancouver]. Last Year: Not ranked [not affiliated]) A big center who combines skills with a powerful style. Abols works hard and is really strong close around the net. He showed early promise in Latvia and had okay production in the CHL which got him drafted as a 20-year-old in 2016. He needed some time to adjust to the SHL but had a strong overall season with 18 goals in 45 games. He scores goals almost exclusively from close range. He plays an intense, energetic game and uses his size and hands to win loose pucks and to capitalize on rebounds. He is helped by his agile skating as well. He doesn’t have the tools to be a top six center in the NHL has enough to be a good scorer on a lower line. Next season, he will play for Springfield in the AHL. - JH

19 Benjamin Finkelstein, D (195^th overall, 2016. Last Year: 18) After flying under the radar for two years at St. Lawrence, Finkelstein took a step back to spend half a season with Waterloo of the USHL, winning the league’s Defenseman of the Year award in a scintillating 23 game performance. He returned to the collegiate ranks last year with Boston College, and performed reasonably well despite missing around half the year to injury. He is an exciting puck mover with some playmaking abilities, but also looks after things in his own zone, despite being significantly undersized. He is especially notable defensively as a shot blocker. He will be returning to campus for his senior season this year, giving Florida officials one last look before they have to decide whether he can be developed as a bottom half of the lineup defender despite his physical shortcomings. - RW

20 Linus Nassen, D (89^th overall, 2016. Last Year: 14) Nassen had his most offensive season to date although his offense isn’t going to be what gets him into the NHL. He is a solid defender who breaks up plays well despite not being over physically. He is very good with his stick and does well defending against the rush. With a goalie that made the first save so frequently in Ottawa draft pick Mad Sogaard, he was highly successful at retrieving the puck and making the first play to initiate a sound breakout. He could be an effective 5/6 who helps keep the puck out of his own net but doesn’t generate a much beyond his own blue line. Nassen’s next steps will be back in Sweden for SHL team Vaxjo.- VG

Florida Panthers Prospect System Overview

Ryan Wagman — Sat, 15 Sep 2018 18:32:48 +0000

So as not to bury the lede, I will note within the opening sentence of this overview of the Florida Panthers’ system that it is simply not overly impressive. There are some truly high end talents at the top, but the quality of their talent drops sharply after the first three players, and then drops even more precipitously after the next next two. The rest of the top 20 prospects here are OK, but all essentially qualify as system depth.

When the brief, bright rule of analytics was deposed in Florida, it was supposed to mark a return to first principles, namely GM Dale Tallon’s experienced scouting eye. After all, he was widely heralded as the architect of the mini-dynasty in Chicago. He was the Blackhawks’ Director of Player Personnel from 1998-2002. He was an Assistant General Manager for the following three seasons and the GM for four, finally leaving the organization after spending the 2009-10 season – their first as Cup winners - as a Senior Advisor.

Of course, Tallon was not responsible for every draft pick over the 1998-2009 period, but he certainly had a big say in the manner. So how good was his track record at scouting amateurs?

The Hawks’ first two drafts with Tallon as Director of Player Personnel were pretty bleak. The only two players to exceed 100 NHL games were Steve McCarthy and Michael Leighton. 2001 yielded Tuomo Ruutu and Craig Anderson, while 2002 brought in Anton Babchuk, Duncan Keith, James Wisniewski, and Adam Burish.

At that point, if we are to credit Tallon for the players taken, additional credit must also be given for finding talented players in the later rounds. To that light, in his three seasons as an AGM, the Hawks drafted better in the later rounds than in the first. Their three first rounders in that era were Brent Seabrook, Cam Barker, and Jack Skille. One outright success, one outright failure, and a relative disappointment. Thankfully, in that same time period, later round picks included Corey Crawford, Dustin Byfuglien, Dave Bolland. Bryan Bickell, Troy Brouwer, and Niklas Hjalmarsson, among the many other players who have already largely been forgotten.

As the head honcho, he famously drafted Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane at the top of the draft in consecutive years, but also selected Kyle Beach and Dylan Olsen with first rounders. The only players after the first round to reach 100 NHL games in those four draft classes were Ben Smith, Brandon Pirri, Byron Froese, and Marcus Kruger.

Of course, we don’t really know how much credit or blame goes to any one person when it comes to the draft. For all we know, the team could have been hoping to draft Hugh Jessiman in 2003, but fell back on Seabrook after Jessiman went two picks earlier to the Rangers. Along a similar hypothetical, they could have been hoping that Marcus Johansson slipped to them at 28 in 2009, before he was taken off the board at 24 by Washington leaving the Hawks with a Plan B of Dylan Olson.

Bringing this back to the Panthers, who have employed Tallon as GM for seven of the past nine years. Florida has had very little success after the first round in Tallon’s time, with only Vincent Trocheck, Logan Shaw, and Iiro Pakarinen reaching 100 games so far, and only one of those in the Sunshine State. While he experienced some successes in his time in Chicago, his Panthers’ successes have been more faltering. Others will join them, but I am not yet convinced that the tea would not have been better off with the so-called Computer Boys.

Henrik Borgstrom

1 Henrik Borgstrom, C (23^rd overall, 2016. Last Year: 1^st) A mild surprise when Florida selected Borgstrom is the first round in 2016 in his second year of eligibility, the only surprise now is how he went undrafted in his first go-round. Sure, he was gangly, but over one assist per game in the Finnish U18 league was telling. Since being drafted, he has been a two-time NCAA (West) All-American, finishing his two-year collegiate career at Denver with one championship and one finalist slot in the Hobey Baker voting. Borgstrom is a superstar in the making. He is still slight and not strong in the corners, but every other aspect of his game grades out as high end, if not near elite. His offensive instincts are in the absolute upper echelon of all drafted prospects.

2 Owen Tippett, LW/RW (10^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 2^nd) Owen Tippett began last year with the Panthers, but the 18-year-old wasn’t really ready and was returned to the OHL after seven games, in which he scored once. Outside of inexplicably not making Canada’s WJC squad, his post-draft year was as expected. Tippett brought his dynamic offensive game to the Mississauga Steelheads, finishing three points off the team lead despite missing 17 games. He is a fantastic skater with a high end shot and mesmerizing puck skills. He is not as strong off the puck as he is on it, but that part of his game is improving. While he is not a forceful player in the physical sense, he is stocky and strong enough to withstand pressure at the highest levels. He will get another chance to make the Panthers out of camp as the alternative is still a return trip to the OHL.

3 Grigori Denisenko, LW (15^th overall, 2018. Last Year: IE) Another exquisite puck handler in the Florida system, Denisenko is more abrasive than the two players ranked higher, but also further away from contributing in the NHL. With limited experience internationally (14 games at the U18 level – although he did not play at the WU18s) or in the KHL (only four postseason games), his high-speed puck handling, full of silky dangles and accurate passing ability, suggest that the style of game will translate over time to higher levels of competition. He is also a fine skater, owning an explosive first few steps, a smooth stride, and agility. Where there are still questions about Denisenko’s game, involve his seeming lack of interest away from the puck, and his ability to play physical while toeing the disciplinary line.

4 Serron Noel, RW/LW (34^th overall, 2018. Last Year: IE) Whereas the three players listed above are all notable for their offensive gifts, Serron Noel is more of a throw-back player in that the most notable things about him is his size, as the player who just turned 18 stands a menacing 6-5”, 205. Noel is more than just a big power winger, as his hands are quite soft for his size (or any size, to be honest) and the same can be said about his ability to motor around the ice. He plays very well without the puck and exhibits good vision in all situations. He plays a physical game without being reckless or looking to punish indiscriminately. As part of his growth curve, he needs to be more selfish, as he will often pass up a scoring chance to give the puck to a teammate, but the collection of tools suggests a strong future.

Aleksi Heponiemi

5 Aleksi Heponiemi, C (40^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 9^th) A playmaker extraordinaire, Heponiemi was drafted by the Panthers after leading all WHL rookies in points. He followed it up with an even more impressive showing, leading the WHL in assists in both the regular season and playoffs. His success is partly puck skills and partly creativity. Physically, he is the antithesis of Noel above, as Heponiemi is both short (5-10”) and slight (under 150 pounds). He moves well enough, although not exceptionally and he can finish, although that has never been his game. Shortly after the conclusion of his season, he signed a two-year pact with Karpat, in Finland’s Liiga, and the bigger ice may better suit his development, giving him more time to fill out before taking on the North American pros.

6 Jonathan Ang, C (94^th overall, 2016. Last Year: 8^th) The first player on this list to be drafted after the first two rounds, Ang has slowly, yet steadily improved in the two seasons since Florida selected him in the fourth round. That improvement was more notable in the first half of last season, as he was often the only offensive generator on a struggling Peterborough squad. A high-end skater who is just as talented as a scorer as he is creating for others, he can contribute up and down the ice, suggesting his game is not necessarily locked in as a top six or bust player. Still developing from a physical perspective, Ang has more bite than his frame might suggest, although that will not be the focus of his game going forward.

7 Dryden Hunt, LW (UDFA: Mar. 2, 2016. Last Year: 15^th) Indicative of the lack of drafting success outside of the elite range in the last few years, the top prospect in the Florida system who has already spent significant time with the organization’s AHL affiliate was acquired as an undrafted free agent. Hunt was a bit of a late bloomer, but peaked in his last year in the WHL, being named the Top Player in the league and earning an ELC from the Panthers. He since made tangible strides in his two years in the AHL, nearly doubling his scoring rate year over year. While he is not the greatest skater, he does everything else at an average or better level. While he didn’t do much in his first AHL call up last year, he is likely to receive another chance this year, and I would expect to see more.

8 Maxim Mamin, LW/RW (175^th overall, 2016. Last Year: 12^th) Taken in the sixth round two years ago as a 21-year-old, Mamin came over to the AHL after one more year in Russia and acclimated immediately. In fact, he was so impressive with Springfield – scoring at a better clip than he had since his final season in the MHL - that he ended up playing 26 games in the NHL in his first season over in North America. As he did not produce this much offense in Russia, it is likely that his production would have dipped in a larger sample, but his skating prowess, coupled with his inherent puck skills are strong enough that he would not look out of place in a bottom six role right now. He can contribute secondary scoring as well as a moderate physical presence.

Samuel Montembeault

9 Samuel Montembeault, G (77^th overall, 2015. Last Year: 3^rd) As the top goalie prospect in the Panthers’ system again, Montembeault continues to pass the so-called “eye-test” but comes up wanting in the performance test. He has plus athleticism, and seems to track the play well, but was far more prone to allowing more pucks past him then his partners. In other words, his .896 save percentage this year with Springfield pales in comparison to Harri Sateri’s .927 mark. The individual components of his game, bar puck handling, all grade out well, so it could just be a matter of time for acclimatizing to the better releases of the AHL compared to the QMJHL. More will definitely be expected of him this year.

10 Patrick Bajkov, RW/LW (UDFA: Mar. 9, 2018: Last Year: IE) After going undrafted twice, the Panthers inked Bajkov to an ELC last March as he neared the end of what ended up as a 100-point season, followed by a run to the WHL finals. While he is a fine skater with solid puck skills, Bajkov has achieved what he has thanks to very impressive hockey IQ. Under the tutelage of defense-oriented coach Kevin Constantine, he has earned trust through both his offensive results and his reliability in all zones. Think of Dryden Hunt above, but a touch less in the offensive side of his game, replaced by greater impact off the puck.

11 Anthony Greco, LW/RW (Nov. 21, 2017. Last Year: IE) Not all paths to prospectdom are the same. There are the high-end draft picks like Tippett and Denisenko, above. The more modest picks like Ang, and Montembeault. The guys who took longer to get there, like Borgstrom, drafted in his second year of eligibility. There are guys like Hunt and Bajkov, who are not drafted at all, but sign as free talents at age 20. And then there’s Anthony Greco. After four years at Ohio State, he got a try-out with one AHL club and then was signed to an AHL deal with Springfield. One year turned to two, and sensing that he was finally learning how to weaponize his shot and that his puck skills were approaching a real strength, the Panthers extended an ELC his way, a few months after his 24^th birthday. Greco will never be a superstar, but he might be a decent player. Not many saw that coming.

12 Jayce Hawryluk, RW (32^nd overall, 2014. Last Year: 6^th) The Panthers’ 2014 draft class started off strong, as they took Aaron Ekblad with the first overall pick. No one else from that class has yet seen the NHL. Hawryluk is the only other one who even merits a top 20 prospect slot. A fine skater who plays with a large chip on his shoulders, it is apparent that the offensive heights he reached as a junior have not made their way to the pro game. He has a nose for the puck and can contribute in a secondary form, but he lacks the dynamism to play in a top six role. With more focus on his defensive responsibilities, a fourth line role on the wing o even in the middle may yet be attainable.

13 Max Gildon, D (66^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 7^th) If you were paying attention, you may have noticed that the first 12 players on this list included 11 forwards, one netminder and zero blueliners. Max Gildon is the best in the Florida system. He is a big skater, with a booming point shot. He can also flash plus with his other tools, including puck skills and skating ability to boot. His flashes of hockey smarts are rarer, though. Born and raised in Texas, he may simply need more time at a new level to acclimate. The second half of his draft year with the USNTDP was much better than the first after all. Perhaps a second season with the University of New Hampshire will see him take a step forward. If not, many in this organization will be frustrated.

14 Linus Nassen, D (89^th overall, 2016. Last Year: not ranked) Before moving to the WHL, Nassen spent part of his first post draft year in the SHL with Lulea, where, as is typical for teenagers in Sweden’s tip league, he didn’t do all that much. While injuries hampered his first season in North America, when healthy, the slight blueliner showcased strong skating ability, good puck skills and impressive hockey IQ. Consistent with his lack of muscle, his point shot failed to impress, and he could not show power in the corners, but there is a hope that Nassen could develop into a decent, puck moving, transitional defender. At press time, it was still unclear where he would be playing in 2018-19, but both AHL and SHL are possibilities.

Riley Stillman

15 Riley Stillman, D (114^th overall, 2016. Last Year: 14^th) With a father who played over 1,000 games in the NHL, Stillman has a good model to follow. He showed glimpses of that ability in the last few years, but his performance in the OHL playoffs with Hamilton last year, helping take the team to a championship and Memorial Cup appearance, indicated that he was ready for the next step. A good skater who plays a steady physical game, the rest of his tools grade out around average, but work in tandem to form a solid likely bottom pairing blueliner who can sometimes play up. If the pace of the AHL does not overwhelm him, he may be a quick study.

16 Logan Hutsko, C/RW (89^th overall, 2018. Last Year: IE) At this stage in his career, Logan Hutsko’s back story is far more well-known than what type of player he is. He missed time in his age 16-17 season with a broken neck and missed most of his first draft eligible year with a broken kneecap and various complications in the healing process. Finally healthy, he led Boston College in scoring as a freshman, getting himself squarely back on the prospect radar. His skating is fine, but the rest of his tools are currently closer to OK than anything else. He is a great story but needs to keep performing to be more than that.

17 Ryan Bednard, G (206^th overall, 2015. Last Year: not ranked) A very athletic goaltender who excels at minimizing second chances, Bednard took over the crease at Bowling Green Sate as a sophomore and did a fine job of keeping pucks from getting behind him. He has near ideal size and the agility in his lower body will give him a chance to continue to receive chances as he moves up the ladder. He guards the line well but has tended to let things snowball on bad days. One particular area in which he needs improvement is his decision making when it comes to playing the puck. He can get it up the wall to a teammate, but all too often misjudges the available time.

18 Benjamin Finkelstein, D (195^th overall, 2016. Last Year: not ranked) In his prep days, Benjamin Finkelstein was a world-beater for Kimball Union. But he was tiny and nearly 200 other names were called out before the Panthers spoke his. He was very impressive at St. Lawrence University as a freshman but left the school mid-way through his sophomore year due to unstated personal reasons., spending the second half of last year with Waterloo of the USHL, where he was so overwhelming from the perspective of the scoresheet, he was named Defender of the Year for the league. He has great vision and passing skills, well suited for quarterbacking the powerplay, but there are enough open questions about his mobility at his size for me to want to see his production hold up after he gets to Boston College, and later, the pro game.

19 Tyler Inamoto, D (133^rd overall, 2017. Last Year: 13^th) A teammate of Max Gildon’s with the UNSTDP, Inamoto was a physical bomber where Gildon was a wild stallion. Inamoto struggled at time as a freshman at Wisconsin as he stilled relied on a big physical game, leading to poor positioning and reads. He has never shown the hands or instincts to be a big offensive producer from the blueline, but at lower levels, his physical game was intimidating enough to create a genuine fear factor in opponents. He will have to adjust to the college level, with stronger, more mature opponents, and show some modicum of skill to continue progressing, but it is too early to close the book on him.

20 Thomas Schemitsch, D (88^th overall, 2015. Last Year: 19^th) A former third round pick, Schemitsch’s career has not progressed as hoped, but to his credit, the 21-year-old defender did take a big step forward last year, his second as a pro. His 10 goals scored from the blueline were his highest total since his draft year. He also demonstrated that he could mentally keep up with the pace of the AHL, after being relegated to the ECHL for half of his first season as a professional. Entering the final season of his ELC, the Panthers will be wanting to see Schemitsch take another step forward. His physical presence and relative youth suggest there may be more to come but the onus is on him to access whatever latent skills he has.

Florida – System Overview

Ryan Wagman — Fri, 15 Sep 2017 16:25:35 +0000

The Florida Panthers organization has a few bright lights to crow about, but taken as a whole, is a shallow system, reflecting both failures to identify talent over the past half-decade as well as failures for prospects to develop. An example of failure of talent to develop is the case of Steven Hodges. Drafted in the third round in 2012, he had once been a top ten WHL Bantam Draft selection. His draft year numbers were OK, although falling far short of the magic one point-per-game mark that generally indicates a top six NHL contributor down the road. His numbers never really improved over his final two junior seasons and he entered the pro ranks as a depleted stock. Between injuries and ineffectiveness, his pro career never took off either and following the closure of his initial ELC, he was not tendered a new contract and has reportedly retired.

Looking at the failure to identify talent, the Panthers currently own the rights to my favorite prospect punching bag, Joe Wegwerth, a massive winger currently skating for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The fourth round pick in 2014, Wegwerth was a role player with the USNTDP, with size being his only real skill. Despite a regular role with Notre Dame, he has only 15 points through his first two seasons of collegiate hockey. With the game moving more and more toward a speed and skill sport, there is no room left at the inn for players of Wegwerth’s ilk. Even in 2014, the game was trending in that direction. On the one hand, fourth round picks are not expected to make it more than half the time. On the other hand, Wegwerth should have been expected to never pan out.

To their credit, the Panthers have done relatively well with their first rounders, many of whom were high first rounders. Aaron Ekblad was taken first overall. Aleksander Barkov was a #2. Jonathan Huberdeau was a third overall pick. Lawson Crouse, a wedge-issue prospect made it quickly to the NHL, although his overall future impact potential is still not expected to be great. Michael Matheson, a later first round pick, had a promising rookie season. The problem has been that the team got very, very little after the first round. Since 2010, the only players drafted by the Panthers who have received more than token call ups have been Vincent Trocheck, Denis Malgin, Iiro Pakarinen, and Logan Shaw. The latter two have mostly made their marks with other organizations.

Thankfully, two years ago, the Panthers made waves through moving to the forefront of the analytical revolution, and even let the so-called “Computer Boys” handle their draft list in 2016. It is still far too early to judge their work but it is only fair to point out that fully ten of their current top twenty are products of those two drafts, including the top two, both expected to be high-impact players in the near future.

While it now looks like veteran “hockey man” Dale Tallon is back running the team’s scouting staff, we do not know how their approach will change (again) in coming seasons, but it is more than fair to say that what went on before the Computer Boys ascended was not working.

June 24, 2016: Henrik Borstrom looks on after being picked by the Florida Panthers in the first round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft at First Niagara Center in Buffalo, NY (Photo by John Crouch/Icon Sportswire.)

1 Henrik Borgstrom – A surprise first round pick as a second year eligible in 2016, Borgstrom moved from Finland to the University of Denver and was immediately one of the most exciting and talented offensive players in the NCAA. He scored over one point per game as a freshman, helping secure an NCAA championship for the Pioneers. He is a strong skater, with a very good shot and magic in his stick. His impressive patience brings all of his skills together. He could play in the NHL this year, but has decided to go back to Denver for another year first.

Owen Tippett

2 Owen Tippett – Although his detractors can fairly point to Tippett’s lack of commitment away from the puck, and his relatively soft style, not taking full advantage of a pro-sized frame, what Tippett does bring to his team more than makes up for the blemishes. He has plus acceleration, getting to top speed in two steps, allowing to skate clear of most defenders. Once he is clear, he has a near-elite shot. Tippett was easily among the best shooters in the 2017 draft class.

3 Samuel Montembeault – In the two years since being drafted in the third round, Montembeault’s save percentage was steadily rose. Last year’s .907 mark was third among starting netminders in the QMJHL. He is a fundamentally strong netminder, who excels at controlling rebounds and preventing second chances. Above average athleticism also helps his game play up. He is clearly the front-runner for goalie of the future status in the Panthers’ organization.

4 Ian McCoshen – A big, physical blueliner who has solid tools, but is not expected to ever be a big point producer. In his first year as a professional, McCoshen succeeded in taming his previously over-aggressive style. He has enough of a point shot to maintain hope of getting second unit power play duty, but will make his career on being reliable in his own zone. Won’t be a fantasy hockey stud, but is maybe one year away from starting a lengthy NHL career.

5 Henrik Haapala – Last year’s leading scoring in Liiga, Finland’s top league, Haapala signed as a free agent with the Panthers. He is a highly skilled forward who can handle the puck at top speed thanks to his great hands. His vision and acceleration are both high end. Although quite undersized, he does not shy away from physical play. He will have to prove he can withstand the increased physicality of the North American game, and is likely to get his chance in the NHL this year.

6 Jayce Hawryluk – Hawryluk fell off the radar somewhat in his first pro season, one that was delayed by injury and then took some time to get going in earnest. False start notwithstanding, this is still a player with plus vision in the offensive zone. He is a player that can dictate the flow of the game, create offense and find his way to the puck. Despite being somewhat undersized, he can play with a chip on his shoulder as well. Expect him to take a sizeable step forward this year.

Max Gildon

7 Max Gildon – A product of the burgeoning Texas hockey scene, Gildon came a long way over the course of his draft year in the USNTDP. While the tools were always there, as he combines strong skating with decent puck skills and cannon from the point, he could not always put it all together and was prone to embarrassing mental gaffes. By year’s end, he was more reliable in his own end and capable of big offensive contributions, such as his hat trick at the WU18 tournament.

8 Jonathan Ang – A speed demon with some goal scoring skills, Ang may never be a top six forward at the NHL level, but he has a strong enough all-around game that he should be able to carve out a steady roll on a third or fourth line. Has a decent shot and passable puck skills. He even plays a solid physical game despite being on the slighter side. He will need to pack on more muscle to be able to play his style of game at the higher levels.

9 Aleksi Heponiemi – Yet another undersized forward in the Panthers’ system, Heponiemi came over from Finland and was immediately one of the better playmakers in the WHL with Swift Current, finishing second in the league in assists among draft eligible players. He also has enough speed and agility to beat defenders on his own. On the downside, weighing only 150 pounds, he is physically a long ways from being ready for the pros.

Adam Mascherin of the Kitchener Rangers. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

10 Adam Mascherin – Short but stocky, Mascherin very quietly reached 100 points this year for the Kitchener Rangers. With a developing two-way game, he should be limited to an offensive-role once he turns pro. In spite of his gaudy assist totals, Mascherin’s shot is more dangerous than his playmaking. His skating is also sneakily impressive. Although he shies from physical play, he is a hard worker.

11 MacKenzie Weegar – With another year like his last, Weegar can turn into the best Panthers’ late round pick since Filip Kuba. The late bloomer is solid in his own zone, closes gaps aggressively and looks good manning the point as well. He moves the puck around well and has a passable point shot. His success is a product of smarts and instincts more than tangible tools. The tools are good enough, but the mind allows them all to play up a notch.

12 Maxim Mamin – At this point in the system, upside starts to dwindle. With Mamin, we are looking at a hard-working grinding winger, who will fight for a bottom line role with the Panthers in his first season coming over from the KHL. He has solid passing skills, but is unlikely to ever be a big offensive producer.

13 Tyler Inamoto – Another player with limited offensive projections, Inamoto was the most punishingly physical defender in the US National program this year, earning himself a nod in the fifth round. He is a strong skater with at least rudimentary puck handling ability, but his future projections lie with his physical play away from the puck. The next step for him to take as he heads off to college is to cut down on unnecessary penalties.

14 Riley Stillman – A decent skater although better over distance than in small-space maneuvering, Stillman shows the type of hockey brain that is expected from one whose father (Cory) had a long NHL career. Has a modicum of offensive skill, but is stronger off the puck.

15 Dryden Hunt – A non-descript WHLer until his final season, when the undrafted winger earned an NHL contract on the strength of a 116 point campaign, Hunt found the going much tougher in his first pro season. He is a hard worker with a good enough shot that he should at least develop into a decent scorer at the AHL level. If he gets that far, he will also have earned an NHL opportunity or two.

16 Juho Lammikko – The jump from junior hockey to the pros is a daunting one, and Lammikko found the transition especially difficult last year. He has a good frame, and decent puck skills, but his points production never crested one point per game in the OHL, and was practically non-existent as an AHL apprentice. He is smart and reliable and the Panthers will not write him off just yet.

17 Mike Downing – Drafted out of the USHL as a promising offensive defenseman, Downing plateaued as a sophomore at Michigan, and struggled to get going as a rookie in the AHL. His instincts are stronger in the offensive zone than in his own end, but his puck skills and shot are underwhelming. For now, he is a tweener.

18 Sebastian Repo – A 21 year old drafted in the sixth round this year after two promising seasons in Liiga, Repo was given an ELC almost immediately after the draft. He played a depth role in Finland’s 2016 WJC title and spent half a season in the USHL before that, to middling results, but took a big step forward this year with Tappara. He is a bit of a mystery, but there are enough present signs to suggest an eye be kept on his progress.

19 Thomas Schemitsch – A promising two-way blueliner with great size and the ability to help the offense from the point, Schemitsch had a rough landing in his first full pro season, splitting the season between the AHL and ECHL. He was good enough in the latter league to have earned a longer AHL look this year.

20 Chase Balisy – At the end of the season, Balisy, who led Florida’s AHL affiliate in scoring, was not offered a qualified contract. The Panthers subsequently gave the former sixth rounder a one year deal. He has decent vision and some playmaking ability, but not enough to be an impact NHLer. There is enough there for him to get some chances filling in temporarily in a fourth line role.

If the Panthers show more commitment to drafting players with skill ad hockey IQ over brawn and grit, they could begin to populate their system with more than the filler that we have here past the top 12-15 players.

Then again, if the top two players listed here reach their potential, the lack of system depth may be glossed over, but that would be a mistake. Strong teams always have supplemental depth that is cost-controlled, allowing them to spend more on the premium players. The Panthers need to do a better job at drafting and development (how often was it mentioned above that a rookie pro struggled mightily) to get to that level.

2015 NHL Draft – McKeen’s Top 120 Rankings

McKeen's Hockey — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 18:17:44 +0000

Ilya Samsonov made the most of his opportunity in front of NHL scouts last month in the Czech Republic.

The 6-foot-3, 200-pound native of Magnitogorsk helped lead Russia to victory at the Five Nations Tournament.

Samsonov showcased a full package of skill and smarts while upsetting Team USA in a 5-4 overtime win - being outshot 51-to-16 - and then shutting down Sweden 5-1 in the final game.

He played this season in the MHL with Stalnye Lisy, Magnitogorsk's junior team, and will get another chance to bolster his draft stock at the U18 World Championships next month in Switzerland.

A number of Samsonov's U18 teammates could draw some draft interest with strong showings in Zug and Lucerne, the two host cities for the U18 Worlds.

Big, strong-shooting winger Denis Gurianov of Lada Togliatti is rated in the second round - 40th overall - on the McKeen's Top 120 rankings for the 2015 NHL Draft.

Mikhail Vorobyev (Salavat Ufa) is rated 78th overall and is a smart, well-structured pivot in the classic old Russian style, while diminutive winger Kirill Kaprizov (Novokuznetsk) is listed as a late third-rounder - 89th overall. Just 5-foot-9 and 185 pounds, Kaprizov was a creative force throughout the Five Nations and demonstrated that he has the courage and work ethic to help overcome the size factor.

Samsonov is the top-rated goaltender in the McKeen's rankings for the 2015 NHL Draft - debuting in the first round in the 29th spot.

Drafting goalies in the opening round has becoming increasingly less common. In fact, only six goaltenders have been selected in the first round over the past eight drafts (2007 to 2014). That compares to the five-year period from 2002 to 2006 in which a total of 14 goalies were first-round picks.

Samsonov is one of 11 goaltenders to earn spots in the McKeen's Top 120 rankings.

Mackenzie Blackwood of the Barrie Colts is next on the goalie list - ranked as an early second-rounder at 33rd overall - while a pair of QMJHL goalies hold down the next two spots - Callum Booth of Halifax at 61st and Samuel Montembeault of Blainville-Boisbriand in the No. 68 spot.

RANK	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	HT/WT	DOB
1	Connor McDavid	C	Erie (OHL)	6-1/195	13-Jan-97
2	Jack Eichel	C	Boston University (HE)	6-2/195	28-Oct-96
3	Noah Hanifin	D	Boston College (HE)	6-3/205	25-Jan-97
4	Mitchell Marner	C	London (OHL)	5-11/160	5-May-97
5	Ivan Provorov	D	Brandon (WHL)	6-0/195	13-Jan-97
6	Lawson Crouse	LW	Kingston (OHL)	6-4/210	23-Jun-97
7	Zach Werenski	D	Michigan (B1G)	6-2/205	19-Jul-97
8	Dylan Strome	C	Erie (OHL)	6-3/190	7-May-97
9	Pavel Zacha	C	Sarnia (OHL)	6-3/210	6-Apr-97
10	Mathew Barzal	C	Seattle (WHL)	5-11/175	26-May-97
11	Travis Konecny	C	Ottawa (OHL)	5-10/175	11-Mar-97
12	Mikko Rantanen	RW	TPS Turku (Fin)	6-3/210	29-Oct-96
13	Timo Meier	RW	Halifax (QMJHL)	6-1/210	8-Oct-96
14	Kyle Connor	C	Youngstown (USHL)	6-1/185	9-Dec-96
15	Thomas Chabot	D	Saint John (QMJHL)	6-1/180	30-Jan-97
16	Jakub Zboril	D	Saint John (QMJHL)	6-1/185	21-Feb-97
17	Nick Merkley	RW	Kelowna (WHL)	5-11/190	23-May-97
18	Joel Ek Eriksson	C	Farjestads (Swe)	6-2/180	29-Jan-97
19	Colin White	C	NTDP (USA)	6-0/185	30-Jan-97
20	Paul Bittner	LW	Portland (WHL)	6-4/210	4-Nov-96
21	Brandon Carlo	D	Tri-City (WHL)	6-5/200	26-Nov-96
22	Jeremy Roy	D	Sherbrooke (QMJHL)	6-0/190	14-May-97
23	Evgeni Svechnikov	LW	Cape Breton (QMJHL)	6-2/200	31-Oct-96
24	Jake DeBrusk	LW	Swift Current (WHL)	5-11/170	17-Oct-96
25	Jacob Larsson	D	Frolunda (Swe)	6-2/190	29-Apr-97
26	Jonas Siegenthaler	D	ZSC Zurich (Sui)	6-2/220	6-May-97
27	Oliver Kylington	D	Farjestads (Swe)	6-0/185	19-May-97
28	Brock Boeser	RW	Waterloo (USHL)	6-0/195	25-Feb-97
29	Ilya Samsonov	G	Magnitogorsk (Rus)	6-3/200	22-Feb-97
30	Jack Roslovic	C	NTDP (USA)	6-0/185	29-Jan-97

31	Erik Cernak	D	Kosice (Svk)	6-3/200	28-May-97
32	Guillaume Brisebois	D	Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL)	6-2/170	21-Jul-97
33	Mackenzie Blackwood	G	Barrie (OHL)	6-4/215	9-Dec-96
34	Tom Novak	C	Waterloo (USHL)	6-0/180	28-Apr-97
35	Jansen Harkins	C	Prince George (WHL)	6-1/180	23-May-97
36	Filip Chlapik	C	Charlottetown (QMJHL)	6-1/195	3-Jun-97
37	Blake Speers	C	Sault Ste Marie (OHL)	5-11/180	2-Jan-97
38	Daniel Sprong	RW	Charlottetown (QMJHL)	6-0/190	17-Mar-97
39	Matthew Spencer	D	Peterborough (OHL)	6-1/200	24-Mar-97
40	Denis Gurianov	RW	Lada Togliatti (Rus)	6-2/185	7-Jun-97
41	Noah Juulsen	D	Everett (WHL)	6-1/175	2-Apr-97
42	Jordan Greenway	LW	NTDP (USA)	6-5/225	16-Feb-97
43	Alexander Dergachyov	RW	SKA St. Petersburg (Rus)	6-4/200	27-Sep-96
44	Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson	C	Omaha (USHL)	6-1/195	31-Oct-96
45	Jeremy Bracco	RW	NTDP (USA)	5-9/175	17-Mar-97
46	Zachary Senyshyn	RW	Sault Ste Marie (OHL)	6-1/195	30-Mar-97
47	Anthony Beauvillier	LW	Shawinigan (QMJHL)	5-10/175	8-Jun-97
48	Ryan Gropp	LW	Seattle (WHL)	6-2/185	16-Sep-96
49	Dennis Yan	LW	Shawinigan (QMJHL)	6-1/180	14-Apr-97
50	Jens Looke	RW	Brynas (Swe)	6-0/180	11-Apr-97
51	Robin Kovacs	RW	AIK (Swe)	6-0/170	16-Nov-96
52	Glenn Gawdin	C	Swift Current (WHL)	6-1/190	25-Mar-97
53	Nikita Korostelev	RW	Sarnia (OHL)	6-1/195	8-Feb-97
54	Travis Dermott	D	Erie (OHL)	5-11/195	22-Dec-96
55	Gabriel Carlsson	D	Linkopings (Swe)	6-4/185	2-Jan-97
56	Adam Musil	RW	Red Deer (WHL)	6-2/200	26-Mar-97
57	Mitchell Vande Sompel	D	Oshawa (OHL)	5-10/180	11-Feb-97
58	Christian Fischer	RW	NTDP (USA)	6-1/215	15-Apr-97
59	Brendan Guhle	D	Prince Albert (WHL)	6-1/185	29-Jul-97
60	Dennis Gilbert	D	Chicago (USHL)	6-2/200	30-Oct-96

61	Callum Booth	G	Quebec (QMJHL)	6-3/200	21-May-97
62	Sebastian Aho	RW	Karpat Oulu (Fin)	5-11/175	26-Jul-97
63	Ryan Pilon	D	Brandon (WHL)	6-2/210	10-Oct-96
64	Nicolas Roy	C	Chicoutimi (QMJHL)	6-4/200	5-Feb-97
65	Austin Wagner	LW	Regina (WHL)	6-1/180	23-Jun-97
66	Graham Knott	LW	Niagara (OHL)	6-3/195	13-Jan-97
67	Michael Spacek	C	Pardubice (Cze)	5-11/190	9-Apr-97
68	Samuel Montembeault	G	Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)	6-2/165	30-Oct-96
69	Yakov Trenin	LW	Gatineau (QMJHL)	6-2/195	13-Jan-97
70	Daniel Vladar	G	Kladno (Cze)	6-5/185	20-Aug-97
71	Kyle Capobianco	D	Sudbury (OHL)	6-1/180	13-Aug-97
72	David Kase	C	Chomutov (Cze)	5-11/170	28-Jan-97
73	Bailey Webster	D	Saint John (QMJHL)	6-3/210	8-Sep-97
74	Felix Sandstrom	G	Brynas (Swe)	6-2/190	12-Jan-97
75	Jesper Lindgren	D	MoDo (Swe)	6-0/160	19-May-97
76	Keegan Kolesar	RW	Seattle (WHL)	6-1/215	8-Apr-97
77	Kevin Davis	D	Everett (WHL)	6-0/185	14-Mar-97
78	Mikhail Vorobyev	C	Salavat Ufa (Rus)	6-2/195	5-Jan-97
79	Vince Dunn	D	Niagara (OHL)	6-0/185	29-Oct-96
80	Nathan Noel	C	Saint John (QMJHL)	5-11/175	21-Jun-97
81	Gustav Bouramman	D	Sault Ste Marie (OHL)	5-11/185	24-Jan-97
82	Matej Tomek	G	Topeka (NAHL)	6-2/180	24-May-97
83	Lukas Jasek	RW	Trinec (Cze)	5-11/165	28-Aug-97
84	Nicolas Meloche	D	Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)	6-2/200	18-Jul-97
85	Roope Hintz	LW	Ilves Tampere (Fin)	6-2/185	17-Nov-96
86	Mitchell Stephens	C	Saginaw (OHL)	5-11/185	5-Feb-97
87	Jean-Christophe Beaudin	RW	Rouyn Noranda (QMJHL)	6-1/185	27-Mar-97
88	Filip Ahl	LW	HV 71 (Swe)	6-3/210	12-Jun-97
89	Kirill Kaprizov	LW	Novokuznetsk (Rus)	5-9/185	26-Apr-97
90	John Marino	D	South Shore (USPHL)	6-0/175	21-May-97

91	Chaz Reddekopp	D	Victoria (WHL)	6-3/220	1-Jan-97
92	Adam Marsh	LW	Saint John (QMJHL)	6-0/165	22-Aug-97
93	Parker Wotherspoon	D	Tri-City (WHL)	6-0/170	24-Aug-97
94	Loik Leveille	D	Cape Breton (QMJHL)	5-11/220	25-Sep-96
95	Adam Gaudette	C	Cedar Rapids (USHL)	6-1/175	3-Oct-96
96	Justin Lemcke	D	Belleville (OHL)	6-2/200	13-Feb-97
97	Gabriel Gagne	RW	Victoriaville (QMJHL)	6-5/190	11-Nov-96
98	Thomas Schemitsch	D	Owen Sound (OHL)	6-3/205	26-Oct-96
99	Jesse Gabrielle	LW	Regina (WHL)	5-11/205	17-Jun-97
100	Jonne Tammela	LW	KalPa (Fin)	5-10/180	5-Aug-97
101	Christian Jaros	D	Lulea (Swe)	6-3/200	2-Apr-96
102	Ales Stezka	G	Liberec (Cze)	6-3/180	6-Jan-97
103	Ethan Bear	D	Seattle (WHL)	5-11/200	26-Jun-97
104	Mathieu Joseph	RW	Saint John (QMJHL)	6-0/165	9-Feb-97
105	Jeremiah Addison	LW	Ottawa (OHL)	6-0/185	21-Oct-96
106	Devante Stephens	D	Kelowna (WHL)	6-1/175	2-Jan-97
107	Michael McNiven	G	Owen Sound (OHL)	6-0/205	9-Jul-97
108	Jeremy Lauzon	D	Rouyn Noranda (QMJHL)	6-2/195	28-Apr-97
109	Luke Opilka	G	NTDP (USA)	6-1/195	27-Feb-97
110	Philippe Myers	D	Rouyn Noranda (QMJHL)	6-5/195	25-Jan-97
111	Adam Werner	G	Farjestads (Swe)	6-5/185	2-May-97
112	Brendan Warren	LW	NTDP (USA)	6-0/190	7-May-97
113	Julius Nattinen	C	JyP Jyvaskyla (Fin)	6-2/190	14-Jan-97
114	Colton White	D	Sault Ste Marie (OHL)	6-1/185	3-May-97
115	Samuel Dove-McFalls	LW	Saint John (QMJHL)	6-2/205	10-Apr-97
116	Veeti Vainio	D	Blues (Fin)	6-2/170	16-Jun-97
117	Matt Bradley	C	Medicine Hat (WHL)	5-11/185	22-Jan-97
118	Tyler Soy	C	Victoria (WHL)	5-11/170	10-Feb-97
119	Dmytro Timashov	LW	Quebec (QMJHL)	5-9/190	1-Oct-96
120	A.J. Greer	LW	Boston University (HE)	6-2/205	14-Dec-96

2015 NHL Draft – Top 20 OHL Prospects

McKeen's Hockey — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 03:00:37 +0000

Making an impact on a stacked team can be problematic for young players looking to impress in their draft seasons.

Such has not been the case however for Blake Speers and Zachary Senyshyn of the powerhouse Soo Greyhounds.

The duo have contributed a combined 48 goals to the OHL's top-scoring team - a significant total considering the logjam of forwards on the Greyhounds swelled with the additions of Nick Ritchie and Justin Bailey.

The Soo stormed to the top of the league during a commanding 12-game winning streak recently that saw Senyshyn erupt for nine goals.

The Nepean, Ontario native is tied for fourth on the team with 26 goals - and second overall in OHL rookie scoring to Erie's Alex DeBrincat.

Speers sat out the final six games of the streak due to a shoulder injury (strain) - but has been a creative force in the few games since returning.

The Sault Ste. Marie native has also excelled in the classroom earning OHL 'Academic Players of the Month' honours for both November and December.

Speers is ranked eighth among OHL players (37th overall) in the McKeen's rankings for the 2015 NHL Draft, while Senyshyn sits 10th - and 46h overall.

A third Greyhounds' player - Swedish import Gustav Bouramman - earned a spot in the OHL Top 20 list - and is ranked 17th among OHL players - and 81st overall.

OHL	ALL	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	HT/WT	DOB
1	1	Connor McDavid	C	Erie (OHL)	6-1/195	13-Jan-97
2	4	Mitchell Marner	C	London (OHL)	5-11/160	5-May-97
3	6	Lawson Crouse	LW	Kingston (OHL)	6-4/210	23-Jun-97
4	8	Dylan Strome	C	Erie (OHL)	6-3/190	7-May-97
5	9	Pavel Zacha	C	Sarnia (OHL)	6-3/210	6-Apr-97
6	11	Travis Konecny	C	Ottawa (OHL)	5-10/175	11-Mar-97
7	33	Mackenzie Blackwood	G	Barrie (OHL)	6-4/215	9-Dec-96
8	37	Blake Speers	C	Sault Ste Marie (OHL)	5-11/180	2-Jan-97
9	39	Matthew Spencer	D	Peterborough (OHL)	6-1/200	24-Mar-97
10	46	Zachary Senyshyn	RW	Sault Ste Marie (OHL)	6-1/195	30-Mar-97
11	53	Nikita Korostelev	RW	Sarnia (OHL)	6-1/195	8-Feb-97
12	54	Travis Dermott	D	Erie (OHL)	5-11/195	22-Dec-96
13	57	Mitchell Vande Sompel	D	Oshawa (OHL)	5-10/180	11-Feb-97
14	66	Graham Knott	LW	Niagara (OHL)	6-3/195	13-Jan-97
15	71	Kyle Capobianco	D	Sudbury (OHL)	6-1/180	13-Aug-97
16	79	Vince Dunn	D	Niagara (OHL)	6-0/185	29-Oct-96
17	81	Gustav Bouramman	D	Sault Ste Marie (OHL)	5-11/185	24-Jan-97
18	86	Mitchell Stephens	C	Saginaw (OHL)	5-11/185	5-Feb-97
19	96	Justin Lemcke	D	Belleville (OHL)	6-2/200	13-Feb-97
20	98	Thomas Schemitsch	D	Owen Sound (OHL)	6-3/205	26-Oct-96

Youngblood: November OHL Rankings for 2015 NHL Draft

Brendan Ross — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 14:49:47 +0000

1. Connor McDavid, LC, Erie (OHL)

Sitting alone comfortably at the top of the draft class is recently injured phenom Connor McDavid. Playing under the critical eye of everyone, Connor McDavid has somehow exceeded the impossible expectations created by the hoopla of the draft. Racking up 51 points in just 18 games launching his Erie Otters to the top of the CHL standings (before getting hurt in a fight), McDavid has the hockey world drooling over his pro future. Poised, professional and humble throughout the process, McDavid somehow maintains his focus and just plays his game fending off all of the craziness surrounding his name and future. Elite in every skill, McDavid has proved to be not only “exceptional” but extraordinary in the face of adversity.

2. Pavel Zacha, LC, Sarnia (OHL)

It took the big Czech a few games to get comfortable but Pavel Zacha’s pro upside is extremely high. The left-shooting pivot owns an intelligent processor and outstanding vision, displaying advanced creativity and the ability to play as a shooter as well. He is capable of playing a power game, shaking off of pressure easily with his first few powerful strides and as he steps into a scoring area, he can unleash an array of deceptive shots. Zacha reaches top speed with a few powerful bursts and attacks head on displaying high-end one-on-one elusiveness and puck skills. He's a powerful attacker who uses his lengthy reach well making him a dominant possession player. He's got offensive star written all over him and with his elite level snapshot, he will rack up his fair share of goals. The scary part – Zacha is still finding his way in the OHL and we have yet to see him play the buzzer-to-buzzer dominant game that he’s capable of.

3. Lawson Crouse, LW, Kingston (OHL)

Crouse is a player I absolutely love. Don’t get wrapped up by his mediocre offensive production because you need to watch this kid to really appreciate what he brings to the game. He’s the type of player that every coach wants on his team because you can throw him out in every situation and know he’s going to make an impact. One of the smartest two-way forwards in the draft, Crouse has the size and strength that makes him a low-risk selection as he can play up and down in the lineup. He’s shown impressive gains in his offensive game and there’s no reason to think he won’t be a top-six winger at the next level. Every time he hits the ice, he does something – whether it’s dominating the cycle game or stripping an attacking player of possession – that makes you go, “wow, he’s going to be good”.

4. Mitch Marner, RW, London (OHL)

Slow out of the gates, Mitch Marner is the hottest player in the OHL and we all knew he’d find his way eventually. Confident in possession and blessed with some silky mitts, Marner combines the creativeness, assurance and vision to make opponents look silly and his playmaking style will be a tremendous asset at the next level. He’s the type of forward who is thinking one-two-three steps ahead of his peers and it shows with his ability to create offensive chances almost at will. He’s not overly big and doesn’t own ideal strength but it’s progressing and his skating certainly helps him overcome those elements. I tried to find a way to move Marner even higher in these ranks but for now, the players ahead of him project to be better pro players and that’s certainly not a knock against Marner, who is primed for big things in the future.

5.Dylan Strome, LC, Erie (OHL)

McDavid’s teammate in Erie, Dylan Strome could’ve easily been ranked second on this list and come draft day, it will come down to personal preference. Seeing him ranked 5^th on my list is a bit troubling considering the stellar offensive production he’s provided this season but let me state that it’s basically a 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d situation with Crouse, Marner, Zacha and Strome. They are that close and this early in the season, the group is fairly interchangeable.. Strome plays the game at a high-pace and is always pushing the pace of the game. He is a creative passer with elite vision and his crafty puck skills allow him to play a strong possession game. His skating is improving from what used to be somewhat gangly and heavy footed. Now, with an elongated stride, Strome propels himself up the ice with ease erasing any of those previous concerns. Strome is a confident offensive player but at times he tries to do too much and it leads to some unnecessary turnovers but it’s those ballsy plays that actually make him a special talent with great pro upside.

6.Travis Konecny, RC, Ottawa (OHL)

Every year a player struggles in his draft season and this year, Travis Konecny hasn’t quite had the start that he’s probably envisioned. Battling through a concussion and taking on more responsibility as captain, Konecny may be putting too much pressure on himself. Eventually, the 2014 OHL Rookie of the Year will find his way out of it. Konecny continues to show an unmatched work ethic and owns the drive to succeed. His elite level shooting ability continues to shine but the pucks aren’t finding their way as frequent as last year. Travis started slowly in the goal department during his freshman season so let’s see if he can replicate his strong second half showing from last year.

7. Mitchell Vande Sompel, LD, Oshawa (OHL)

Oshawa Generals sophomore defender, Mitchell Vande Sompel, continues to log impressive minutes and he’s earned every second of them. Here’s one of the most intelligent defenders in the draft and with his skating ability and instinctual ability to read the ice, he projects as a high-end puck-moving defender. He can escape pressure with his advanced skating ability but also displays smart decision making, choosing when to pick his offensive rushes. In my opinion, he hasn’t been getting the recognition he deserves in this draft class but after coming off a strong offensive month where he earned OHL Top Defenseman honours, I am sure the tides will turn in the scouting world.

8. Matthew Spencer, RD, Peterborough (OHL)

Projected as a two-way minute munching defenseman, Matt Spencer owns the size, defensive awareness and projectable skills to attract suitors looking for a defender who can play a low-maintenance game. Spencer plays a relatively safe and reliable game, skates extremely well and has the smarts to maintain poise under high pressure situations. He’s not immune to making mistakes and that’s been evident at times this season but as he matures, he’s going to be even tougher to play against. Throw him out in any situation and let him eat up a tonne of minutes. At the next level, Spencer likely projects as a #3 or 4 puck-moving defenseman.

9. Nikita Korostelev, RW, Sarnia (OHL)

Terry Wilson (OHL Images)

As a sniper, Nikita Korostelev needed to bury the puck this season in order to receive first round consideration for the NHL Draft and he’s done that (and more) with 11 goals on the season. He is an opportunistic scorer who has a knack for sliding into scoring areas and unleashing an extremely quick shot. The puck comes off his blade extremely quickly and he can make opponents pay before they realize he’s slipped past their coverage. His skating (a bit heavy in acceleration and lacks a breakaway speed) remains a work in progress and might scare away some teams from using a first round selection but his ability to find the net is rare. Korostelev shows flashes of good puck skills but because he isn’t the swiftest skater, his ability to maintain possession is short-lived once pressure closes in on him. As a result, he’s best employing give-and-go plays rather than attempting individual rushes and follows up by getting himself into position to score. Playing to his strength (shooting) and improving his top-end speed will help him solidify a first round selection moving forward.

10. Rasmus Andersson, RD, Barrie (OHL)

The highly touted Swede was slow out of the gates in his first OHL season but has since found his groove registering seven assists in all five November games bumping him up to 8^th in OHL defensive scoring. An elite skater who shows no hesitation in jumping into the rush, Andersson’s entries are clean and effective. He is a reactionary puck rusher using his vision, quick puck skills and lateral agility to evade attackers at the last second under pressure. Prone to defensive lapses and he can get outmuscled at times, Andersson will need to continue to work on his defensive commitment, specifically positioning himself and sealing off his assignments. Andersson is one of several mobile offensive defenseman who will push for a top round selection but based on his upside, he will hold down at Top 10 OHL spot …for now.

11. Thomas Schemitsch, LD, Owen Sound (OHL)

Arguably, the OHL’s biggest riser in draft rankings over the first few months and it doesn’t appear that he’s going to slow down. His ability to quarterback the Attack’s powerplay has been solid and he’s only improving with each passing game. His game isn’t polished quite yet but that’s exactly the reason he’s considered a worthy investment as he does possess some untapped upside.

12. Graham Knott, LW, Niagara (OHL)

Good size allows Knott to play as a possession forward but he doesn’t use his size to bang, rather, he employs it in combination with his puck skills to dominate down low. Knott also packs an impressive shooting arsenal.

13. Blake Speers, RW, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)

The Soo native was red hot to start the season picking up 12 points in his opening seven games and he’s been one of the most improved sophomores in the league. Speers is a highly intelligent finesse forward and his playmaking ability radiates throughout the lineup, making his teammates around him better.

14. Mackenzie Blackwood, G, Barrie (OHL)

Top ranked OHL goaltender is coming off an impressive showing with Team OHL at the Subway Super Series getting the CHL representatives the league’s first win. The Thunder Bay native owns great NHL size and he carries himself with an aura of confidence – an element that certainly won’t hurt his long-term chances. Tall and athletic, Blackwood’s style is a hybrid of a throwback stand-up goaltender and a blocker. He challenges shooters aggressively and owns the mobility and lateral quickness to provide all-around coverage. Mackenzie will pop up-and-down quickly into the butterfly and he shows to be very aggressive with his stick clearing out unwanted traffic from the blue paint. The goaltending draft class is very much wide open with several suitors battling to be the top ‘tender selected but so far, there hasn’t been anyone elevated themselves above the rest.

15. Travis Dermott, RD, Erie (OHL)

A 2012 9^th round selection of the Otters, Travis Dermott has risen quickly to become a great defensive prospect and a real shrewd pick of Erie. The undersized swift skating defenseman has a real knack for spearheading the Otters breakouts and has proven to be a capable quarterback on the powerplay as well. He missed some time due to a foot injury so views have been limited but look for him to gain momentum as he gets back into the swing of things.

16. Dante Salituro, RC, Ottawa (OHL)

To the surprise of many, Dante Salituro has been Ottawa’s offensive leader with an impressive 14 goal and 20 point effort through 18 games. Salituro has always been one of the best finishers in his age group dating back to his minor midget days with the Don Mills Flyers. He is an intense competitor and the only thing keeping this highly energetic dynamic forward from a high selection is that he’s skating at only 5-foot-8. Whether you agree with it or not, NHL teams value size. Regardless of where he is ranked, you can bet on Salituro maintaining a strong offensive pace and bringing an admirable work ethic each time he hits the ice.

17. Mitchell Stephens, RW, Saginaw (OHL)

Born to shoot the puck, Mitchell Stephens combines a high-level release with explosive skating giving him the tools to cash in on scoring chances often. The sophomore forward has only found the back of the net a handful of times but with increased opportunity in the future, look for Stephens to climb the scoring charts. The Saginaw forward projects as a Top 90 selection but I wouldn`t be surprised to see an NHL roll the dice on his package of pro tools as early as the second round. Opportunity will be key moving forward for Stephens.

18. Vince Dunn, LD, Niagara (OHL)

Few defensemen can skate and elude pressure like Peterborough native Vince Dunn. He’s been part of a Niagara blue line that was porous to start the season, one of the reasons the team only captured two wins in its opening 15 games. The turnaround is on in Niagara and Dunn should have plenty of time to show that his offensive creativity is draft-worthy but he will have to do so while improving his defensive commitments.

19. Kyle Capobianco, LD, Sudbury (OHL)

Joining the bevy of talented smooth skating offensive defensemen is Sudbury’s sophomore Kyle Capobianco. He is a calculated attacker who has the ability to make fore checkers miss with his strong four-way mobility. Elusive under pressure and a defender with natural anticipation skills, Capobianco is built to play as a puck-moving blueliner. He’s playing on a very poor Sudbury team so he will certainly experience growing pains but if he can continue to add to his wiry frame then he could be a Top 100 pick.

20. Zachary Senyshyn, RW, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)

Playing in his first full OHL season, Ottawa native Zachary Senyshyn is a prospect all about pro potential. It was a toss-up between him and Addison for this spot but Senyshyn holds this position for now based solely on his future potential. He`s playing depth minutes in Sault Ste Marie and has been nicked up at times but I have really liked what I`ve seen. Senyshyn is a rangy winger who shows strong possession skills and some deceiving puck handling talents. He isn`t on many people`s radars yet but keep an eye on this intriguing forward as he may even push Speers as the best pro draft-eligible prospect from the Greyhounds.

21. Jeremiah Addison, RW, Ottawa (OHL)

22. Marcus Crawford, RD, Saginaw (OHL)

23. Justin Lemcke, RD, Belleville (OHL)

24. Gustaf Franzén, RC, Kitchener (OHL)

25. Artem Artemov, RW, Saginaw (OHL)

26. Roy Radke, RW, Barrie (OHL)

27. David Miller, RC, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)

28. Gustav Bouramman, RD, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)

29. Hayden McCool, LW, Windsor (OHL)

30. Colton White, LD, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)

The Next Best (Alphabetical Order)

Andrew Burns, LD, Windsor (OHL)

Noah Bushnell, RW, Sarnia (OHL)

Doug Blaisdell, LD, Kitchener (OHL)

Anthony Cirelli, LC, Oshawa (OHL)

Adam Craievich, RW, Guelph (OHL)

Ben Fanjoy, RW, Ottawa (OHL)

Justin Fazio, G, Sarnia (OHL)

TJ Fergus, LD, Erie (OHL)

Sam Harding, RC, Oshawa (OHL)

Ivan Kashtanov, LW, Sudbury (OHL)

Vladislav Kodola, LC, Sarnia (OHL)

Adam Laishram, RC Belleville (OHL)

Brandon Lindberg, LC/W, Sarnia (OHL)

Matt Luff, RW, Belleville (OHL)

Tyler MacArthur, RD, Owen Sound (OHL)

Garrett McFadden, LD, Guelph (OHL)

Brett McKenzie, LC, North Bay (OHL)

Michael McNiven, G, Owen Sound (OHL)

Medric Mercier, LD, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)

Ryan Moore, LC, Windsor (OHL)

Petrus Palmu, RW, Owen Sound (OHL)

Jesse Saban, LD, Erie (OHL)

Ethan Syzpula, RC, Owen Sound (OHL)

Artem Vladimirov, LD, Peterborough (OHL)

Zach Wilkie, LD, Niagara (OHL)

Bryce Yetman, RW, Plymouth (OHL)

5 Sleepers to Watch

Noah Bushnell (Sarnia) – Tough as nails but only averaged sized, Noah Bushnell has shown his gritty side this season but to be drafted, he will need to show that he can play with the puck as well and he has the talent to do so.

Gustaf Franzén (Kitchener) – Kitchener’s 4^th overall selection in the 2014 import draft, Franzén has stepped in to provide secondary scoring depth (20GP-5G-14P) and it’s been a main reason that the Kitchener Rangers are rocking an 11-3-2-4 record midway through November. He doesn’t own blazing speed but the Swedish import certainly thinks the game at a high level, offering up good playmaking ability. Strength and size could be an issue Gustaf.

Hayden McCool (Windsor) – McCool has the coolest name in the draft and most recently, was dealt to Windsor from Niagara as the key return in the Josh Ho-Sang trade. He owns some slick puck skills and skating ability to be a factor offensively but he will need to bear down and shed his passive approach to the game to be considered a legit pro prospect.

Ryan Moore (Windsor) – Pint-sized centerman who is both creative and dynamic on the attack. Every time he hits the slab of ice, he creates scoring chances but his stature will be the concerning point for scouts.

Roy Radke (Barrie) – OHL freshman who arrived from Illinois, Roy Radke possesses the mean streak, physicality and possession game to be considered a potential Top 100 pick. As he gets his feet wet, highlight Radke as a potential riser in the draft rankings.

Look for @RossyYoungblood’s updated 2015 NHL Draft rankings next month which will include