Tim Gettinger – McKeen's Hockey

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

Sun, 18 Sep 2022 19:45:27 +0000

BOSTON, MA - MAY 08: New York Rangers left wing Vitali Kravtsov (74) looks to pass during a game between the Boston Bruins and the New York Rangers on May 8, 2021, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire)

1 - Vitali Kravtsov RW

It has now been four years since Vitaly Kravtsov was drafted 9th overall by the Rangers, but despite the elite skills and skating talent that he possesses, he is still mostly thought of as the player who has gone back and forth between the KHL and the Rangers organization. Last season was no exception, as after Kravtsov was sent down to the AHL and refused to report, he was once again loaned back to his KHL home team of Traktor. When he finally arrived back in Russia, he needed some time to shake off the rust and start performing consistently, but once he did, he enjoyed a fine season. That said, considering Kravtsov’s elite skill and skating ability, being just good and not great on this level in his draft+4 season is underwhelming, even keeping in mind that players of his ilk often take a bit longer to develop. He has not yet convinced anyone that he is ready for a full-time job in the NHL and his frequent friction with the Rangers’ organization actually left many surprised that he extended his NHL contract with the club. While we still believe in the player and his talent, and hope that he will finally arrive in the NHL, ascending to the top six attacking role his talent demands, we are less willing to put our money down on the proposition. Tread carefully. - VF

2 - Brennan Othmann LW

The 16th overall selection in the 2021 NHL Draft, Brennan Othmann is looking like he is going to become a fan favourite for the Rangers, consistently being a pest to play against while still being an offensive threat with his dangerous shot. There aren’t many players that have the ability to get under the skin of opponents as much as Othmann does. He plays an aggressive style game, consistently having a high motor and using great physicality, making it very difficult to play against. The former 2nd overall selection in the 2019 OHL Draft had a successful rookie year, finishing with 33 points (17G,16A) in 55 games. During the 2020-2021 season while the OHL was shutdown due to Covid-19, Othmann made the trip to Europe like some others and played in the Swiss League, producing 16 points (7G,9A) in 34 games. Othmann also got the opportunity to play in the U18 World Championship. In the 2021-2022 season, Othmann had a breakout season, producing 97 points (50G,47A) in 66 games, which was 7th in the league in points, 2nd in the league in goals, and 1st on the team in points and goals. That same year, he also played in the U20 World Junior Championship. Othman’s best assets are his shooting and competitiveness. His shot is a threat from almost anywhere in the offensive zone. The release is quick and deceptive, and the shot is hard and accurate, able to find small holes that others can’t. Not only is Othmann very effective offensively, but he’s also strong defensively and punishes opponents with physicality, never taking a shift off. Going into the 2022-2023 season, Othmann will once again be a premier player and be among the top goal scorers in the league. - DK

3 - Nils Lundkvist D

The hype surrounding Lundkvist as he started his North American pro career last year had reached astronomical levels. He was coming off two terrific years in the SHL, including being named the top Swedish defender in Sweden. The expectation was that he would walk right into a prominent NHL role. While he did split time between the Rangers and Hartford (AHL), there were more struggles than standout moments. Part of that had to do with usage, especially at the NHL level. Part of it had to do with Lundkvist struggling to adapt to the size and strength of NHL forwards. Someone who consistently activated offensively and took chances with the puck in Sweden, looked to be lacking in confidence to do so in the NHL. The great news is that Lundkvist finished the year on a very bright note in the AHL, finally showing off his ability to impact the game offensively. He has a wicked point shot, moves the puck quickly and effectively, is skilled enough to create time and space, and, as mentioned, is aggressive when jumping up into the play to create scoring chances. So, what happens this coming season? The Rangers could appear to prefer Zac Jones and Braden Schneider over Lundkvist at this point, based on usage, but training camp will settle that. As far as we’re concerned, the battle is on even ground and it would be shocking to see Lundkvist held out of the NHL this year, given his higher upside compared to Jones and Schneider. One lukewarm year is not enough to sour us on his potential to be a prominent offensive defender at the NHL level. - BO

4 - Zac Jones D

In 2021, Jones went right from winning a National Championship with UMass (NCAA) to the New York Rangers and it looked like he could never spend a minute in the AHL after a strong debut. However, Jones spent more time in the AHL last year than he did in the NHL thanks to the depth of the Rangers blueline. Even this coming season, he is not guaranteed to be an NHL player as he competes with New York’s other talented young defenders for playing time. Jones is a natural offensive defender who can use his strong four-way mobility and puck skill to create offense. He walks the offensive blueline with confidence and his quick feet really help him to break down coverage. Jones also makes a strong exit pass, clearing his own zone quickly and efficiently. His quickness is an asset in the defensive end too, although he could undoubtedly stand to bulk up to be more effective defending traffic and to help him win more puck battles. He has the potential to be a top four powerplay quarterback and could realize that potential as early as next season. With so many talented young defenders ready to take spots, at some point something will have to give and one of them may be used as a trade chip to help the Rangers improve during this season. - BO

5 - Matthew Robertson D

Yes, you guessed it, another potentially NHL-ready defender for the New York Rangers. A former second round pick, Robertson is coming off of his first pro season with Hartford. The 6’4 defender is far from an offensive standout, but his combination of size, mobility, and physicality makes him a likely bet to be an NHL defender in some capacity. His ability to shut down transitional attacks and defend pace are standout qualities, in a similar way to Braden Schneider who has already carved out a niche with the Rangers. Robertson also can also use his length and quickness to disrupt space in the defensive zone, closing quickly to prevent opposing forwards from sustaining pressure. There is room for improvement in his decision making with the puck and he probably has more offensive potential than he showed as a first-year pro, but he could still move quickly through the system given his profile. Depending on the kind of role available on New York’s blueline (especially given a potential injury), Robertson may even be given a look earlier than some of the puck movers they have in the system. From an upside standpoint, Robertson could be viewed as a potential partner for the likes of Lundkvist and/or Jones in the future and he could slot in anywhere from #4-6 in the lineup. - BO

6 -Will Cuylle LW

Returning to the OHL this year, after playing out the pandemic in the AHL, Cuylle was fantastic for the Windsor Spitfires. He captained them to a Western Conference championship and finished tied for sixth in the OHL with 43 goals. He developed great chemistry with Dallas Stars prospect and Red Tilson winner Wyatt Johnston. The power forward’s game has come a long way since being drafted. His skating has improved, especially his explosiveness. His engagement level without the puck has become more consistent as he has become a quality defensive forward. His finishing ability has become more refined as his release has improved to match his already heavy wrist shot. In a lot of ways, Cuylle is the perfect complementary player for the middle six given his well-rounded game, ability to clear space, and finishing touch. He will play out his “real” first season in the AHL this coming season and should be able to make an immediate impact as a middle six player and powerplay option. After continuing to improve his skating, Cuylle could be ready for a full-time role with the Rangers within a few seasons. - BO

7 - Adam Sykora RW

Sýkora made probably the biggest step forward out of all Slovak prospects in his draft year. Before the season, he wasn´t even a lock to be drafted, yet he worked his way up to the second round. His performance at the 2022 Men’s World Championship was particularly impressive. As the youngest player in the tournament, he scored twice and added an assist, playing a key role for the Slovak team. On the contrary, his World Juniors performance was by no means as impressive, which included a late ejection during the final match against Finland. The World Juniors displayed the main weaknesses of the Rangers´ first selection in the 2022 Entry Draft. Sýkora isn´t a guy who can create a lot of offense. He is a fast skater, a fantastic forechecker who makes the defense´s life miserable, and his compete level is great, but he will never be a primary offensive threat. He likes to play aggressively and finishes his checks despite his smallish figure. The Slovak two-way winger is a great penalty kill option. He enjoys blocking shots and fighting for the puck, which makes him a unique prospect. All in all, he won´t be a top-six option in the NHL, but he is the kind of a bottom-six player who is extremely valuable for his team. He will spend the next season with Nitra in Slovak top tier league. - MD

8 - Bryce McConnell-Barker C

The 97th overall selection in the 2022 NHL Draft, Bryce McConnell-Barker was able to make the most while adapting into a 3rd line role on a stacked Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds team. The former 4th overall selection in the 2020 OHL Draft previously had won the 2019-2020 Alliance Hockey player of the year, but like many others, he wasn’t able to showcase himself right away, being forced to wait due to the Covid-19 shutdown. During the 2020-2021 season, McConnell-Barker was able to produce 49 points (23G,26A) in 68 games, which was 5th on his team in points, 4th on his team in goals, and also 7th in the leagues for points by a rookie. McConnell-Barker’s best assets are his competitiveness and hockey sense. There weren’t many times when watching McConnell-Barker that you questioned his competitiveness. Every single battle for the puck, even if he didn’t win, he was consistently giving his all. He’s very aggressive and uses his active stick and strength to quickly retrieve the puck and protect it from opponents, being able to do the dirty work on his line, making it easy to play with. McConnell-Barker also displays smart hockey sense consistently, being able to adapt to different roles while still being effective. One thing that stood out for him was how well he compliments a line. Not needing to have the puck and still find ways to contribute. He makes smart decisions without the puck and seems to always be in the right spot at the right time. Going into the 2022-2023 season, McConnell-Barker will most likely be elevated up in the lineup, giving him more ice time and opportunities on special teams. You could expect a rise in point production as well. - DK

9 - Brett Berard LW

As a fifth-round pick at the 2020 draft, many would be forgiven for not knowing much about Brett Berard. As a five-foot-nine winger without an easily identifiable standout offensive tool, many would be forgiven for believing that Berard is a long shot to make the NHL. But Berard has as good of a chance to make the NHL as any Rangers prospect, and after a point-per-game sophomore NCAA season, more and more people are taking notice. Speaking conventionally, Berard does not have a standout offensive tool, a weapon he can lean on when all else fails in order to create offense. He’s a good skater, and he’s fast enough to survive at his five-foot-nine size, but he’s not a burner and his speed won’t be what carries him to NHL success. Similarly, Berard’s shot is good, but he won’t be a long-distance scorer at higher levels. The thing that separates Berard more than anything else isn’t something that many would typically call a valuable offensive tool, but it is something that could carry Berard to professional success nonetheless: it’s his bravery. Berard isn’t a big player, but any player who has the misfortune of holding onto a puck along the boards that Berard wants won’t be able to tell. Berard willingly and frequently engages in the physical side of the game and can even go a bit too far in his attempts to attack the opposition. Berard is relentless in how he approaches the game, always looking to find any possible way to gain an upper hand on opponents. Berard’s size and skill combination puts a damper on his upside, but he still has a strong chance to rise through the pro ranks and find his way onto an NHL roster as the sort of “heart-and-soul” bottom-six player who brings work ethic, physicality, and some flashes of offensive skill to the table. - EH

10 - Dylan Garand G

If you could describe Garand in just one word it would have to be "steady." The 2020 New York Rangers 4th-rounder (103rd overall) isn't the biggest, fastest or most naturally athletic goaltender, but what he does possess is superb mental makeup. Named the WHL Scholastic Player of the Year in 2020, his intelligence is on display on a nightly basis, as his technique, positioning, and play-tracking are all quite advanced for a goalie of his age. He is also a very consistent and focused netminder, having won the starting job in Kamloops as a 17-year-old and comfortably locking it down for the following two seasons, maintaining a high save percentage and racking up wins the entire time. His ability to handle pressure is additionally impressive, as evidenced by his stellar run to the semifinals in the 2022 WHL playoffs and then by backstopping Canada to a gold medal at this past summer's World Juniors, winning the crease ahead of Detroit Red Wings 1st-rounder Sebastian Cossa and never relinquishing it. That hard-fought gold medal capped off a memorable calendar year that also saw him named as the CHL Goaltender of the Year. He has already signed his entry-level contract with the Rangers and could turn pro with the Hartford Wolf Pack for 2022-23 but will surely also feel the draw to stay in junior for his overage season as his Blazers club will be hosting the 2023 Memorial Cup. At his current trajectory he seems likely to become at least an NHL backup in due time. - DN

11 - Ryder Korczak

The Rangers have some options with Korczak this year. He could play in the AHL with Hartford or return to Moose Jaw for an overage year in the WHL. Korczak is a skilled and agile playmaker, but he will need to prove that he can compete against men physically.

12 - Bobby Trivigno

Trivigno, a recent free agent signing by the Rangers, was a four-year standout at UMass. He may not be big, but he is skilled and pesky, a combination which gives him a wide range of outcomes as a pro.

13 - Karl Henriksson

How the former second rounder handles the transition to Hartford this season remains to be seen. The undersized center is a strong two-way presence, but he had yet to find confidence in his ability to create while playing in the SHL.

14 - Lauri Pajuniemi

A former standout in Liiga, Pajuniemi was only OK in his first year in the AHL. His best quality is his shot, but he needs to work consistently to get himself opportunities to utilize it. Adding strength and quickness this offseason was a must.

15 - Patrick Khodorenko

Khodorenko was a four-year standout at Michigan State before turning pro two seasons ago. His upside may not be significant, but there is a path for him to become a quality bottom six center who can kill penalties.

16 - Hunter Skinner

What the Rangers have in Skinner remains to be seen. The big defender’s athletic tools are improving and he can play physical and blast the puck. How it all comes together is still a mystery.

17 - Jayden Grubbe

Returning from a knee injury suffered in his draft year, Grubbe was pushed down the depth chart in Red Deer. The physical two-way power center should be in line for more responsibility on a stronger Rebels team this season. If his skating can show growth, he could be a potential shutdown, third line center.

18 - Hugo Ollas

Ollas swallows up the crease with his 6’7 frame and was fantastic in his freshman year at Merrimack. He will look to follow that up this season by stealing away the starter’s job and establishing himself as one of the better netminders in the NCAA.

19 - Austin Rueschhoff

The 6’7, 230lbs winger can be a load to handle down low for opposing defenders and he shows great potential as an impactful bottom six player for the Rangers.

20 - Tim Gettinger

This year might be the final kick at the can for Gettinger in the Rangers system. The big winger still struggles with his consistency but was given another contract by New York to see if he can crack the Rangers roster full time in a fourth line role.

OHL Playoff Preview: Greyhounds pacing the pack

Brock Otten — Thu, 22 Mar 2018 20:51:07 +0000

The 2018 Ontario Hockey League playoffs kick off this week after the regular season wrapped up this past weekend. Heading into the playoffs, the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds are the clear favorites to come out of the OHL and represent the league at the Memorial Cup in Regina. They have spent the vast majority of the season as the top ranked team in the CHL, one of only two teams to chart the entire season (along with Blainville-Boisbriand of the QMJHL). But competition is always fierce and there are no sure bets in the OHL. Let us now take a look at each first round match-up.

Eastern Conference

#1 - Hamilton Bulldogs vs. #8 - Ottawa 67’s

Season Series: Hamilton leads 5-0

Will Bitten of the Hamilton Bulldogs. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Analysis: The Conference Champion Bulldogs face off against the 67’s after the Steelheads won on the final Sunday, securing the number 7 seed. Hamilton has been the cream of the crop of the Eastern Conference for the vast majority of the season. They have been extremely active in trades this year to give them the best chance of coming out of the East. The Bulldogs added Robert Thomas (St. Louis), Riley Stillman (Florida), Nic Caamano (Dallas), Ryan Moore, and Nic Mattinen (Toronto) to an already stacked lineup, giving Ottawa an extremely daunting challenge in round one. This team rolls three powerhouse offensive lines with Matthew Strome (Philadelphia), Will Bitten (Montreal), Mackenzie Entwistle (Arizona), Marian Studenic (New Jersey), and Brandon Saigeon being other top options. Forward Arthur Kaliyev (2019) is another name to watch. He is the first 16 year old to score 30 goals in the OHL since Alex Galchenyuk and he is a potential lottery pick next year as a power winger. In net, the Bulldogs boast one of the OHL’s most improved players this year in Kaden Fulcher (Detroit).

Kevin Bahl of the Ottawa 67's. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Ottawa, on the other hand, is a very young team. In a few years’ time, they could be Memorial Cup contenders. They could have five players drafted in the first three rounds this year (Kody Clark, Mitchell Hoelscher, Merrick Rippon, Kevin Bahl, and Carter Robertson). Offensively, they are paced by Sasha Chmelevski (San Jose), Travis Barron (Colorado), Austen Keating (2018) and Tye Felhaber. Chmelevski was a much hyped prospect who fell hard at last year’s draft (all the way to the 6th), but he has returned much stronger this season. His play away from the puck has greatly improved and it has taken his game to another level. But for all their talent offensively, the 67’s have had a very difficult time keeping the puck out of their own net this year. Overager Olivier Tremblay has not provided the stability that the team had hoped for when they brought him in early this year.

This one has all the makings of a quick series. This Ottawa team, as talented as they are young, is not yet ready for this type of challenge. The Bulldogs are one of the deepest teams in the OHL and their offensive firepower is likely to overwhelm an inexperienced defense and inconsistent netminder. One particular thing worth watching is the 67’s struggling penalty kill going up against one of the league’s best powerplay units from Hamilton. This has to be troubling for Ottawa because they also happen to be one of the league’s most undisciplined teams. And while Ottawa does have some great young offensive talent, the Bulldogs have one of the oldest defensive units in the league and are likely to limit the offensive chances of the 67’s. I look for Robert Thomas to have a big series here (and a big playoff performance overall). His points per game has taken a big dip since joining the Bulldogs, but I think he explodes this postseason.

Prediction: This Hamilton team is just too experienced and too talented for the 67’s. They have the advantage in nearly every area and should dominate. If Ottawa was getting better goaltending, I would say that they might be able to steal a game or two, but I do not even see that happening. Hamilton in 4.

#2 - Barrie Colts vs. #7 - Mississauga Steelheads

Season Series: Mississauga leads 4-2

Michael McLeod of the Mississauga Steelheads. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Analysis: If I was a betting man, I would bet that this is the match-up that Barrie wanted to avoid in the opening round. In fact, it was probably the match-up every team wanted to avoid in the first round. Mississauga has underachieved all season long, but they have shown some signs of finally coming to life the last month or so. Offensive talent is not to be questioned. Their first two lines include names like Michael McLeod (New Jersey), Ryan McLeod (2018), Owen Tippett (Florida), Trent Fox, Albert Michnac (2018), and Mathieu Foget. This group of six matches up well against any top six in the Eastern Conference and it helps to explain why the Steelheads are the third highest scoring team in the Conference. And this excludes their leading scorer, defenseman Nic Hague (Vegas), who was the first OHL defender to score 30+ since Allan Rourke. But keeping the puck out has been a challenge at times. Swedish import and defensive stalwart Jacob Moverare (Los Angeles) has been injured and that has really challenged their younger defensive players to play more minutes than they are ready for. Furthermore, young netminder Jacob Ingham (2018) has had an awful sophomore season that has seen him essentially lose the starting job to Emanuel Vella.

Andrei Svechnikov of the Barrie Colts. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

This is potentially trouble because Barrie is the highest scoring team in the Conference and the 3rd highest scoring in the OHL. Their first line of Andrei Svechnikov (2018), Aaron Luchuk (Ottawa), and Dmitry Sokolov (Minnesota) has been absolutely shredding teams of late. The supporting offensive cast includes guys like Ryan Suzuki (2019), Jason Willms (2018), and Zach Magwood who work extremely hard in all three zones and bring energy that exhausts the opposition so that the first line can go to work. The Colts do not have any stars on the blueline, but they are a tight knit unit who work well with Barrie’s forwards to play a terrific team defense. In net, overager Leo Lazerev starts and while he does not necessarily win any games outright for the Colts, he is a mostly reliable presence. It should be noted that he has yet to win an OHL playoff series in his career and probably goes into this match-up with just as many question marks as Mississauga’s tenders.

There is no question that this is not your average #2 versus #7 seed match-up. This is especially true when you consider the fact that Mississauga largely dominated the season series, winning all three games in the new year by a combined score of 18-10. For whatever reason, the speed of Mississauga’s forwards gives the defense of Barrie a tough time and Lazerev has an .840 save percentage against the Fish this season. This is complicated even more by the fact that Andrei Svechnikov has been suspended for the first four games of the series for a head check. But I admit, I have a tough time picking Mississauga to win this series. I do not trust their defense to be able to handle Barrie’s depth up front. And if these games go to an offensive shootout like they did in the regular season, I think Barrie ends up coming out on top this time. Mississauga’s Mathieu Foget has also been suspended for the first four games of the series and his loss might actually be felt more because of Mississauga’s lack of depth. His acquisition really triggered the turnaround for the team. Barrie also needs to stay out of the box. In the regular season, they gave Mississauga almost double the amount of powerplays that they received and it cost them dearly with the Steelheads clicking at over 30% with the man advantage. If they can stay out of the box, and Lazerev can make a few saves, I still like Barrie to come out on top.

Prediction: The result of this series would not surprise me either way, even with the difference in seeding. But depth is critical in the playoffs and Barrie has the advantage there. I am excited to see how the Svechnikov/Luchuk/Sokolov unit handles the pressure of the playoffs. Svechnikov, in particular, can really cement himself as the #2 prospect available in the draft with a strong postseason performance once he returns from suspension (as long as Barrie does not get swept). Barrie in 7.

#3 - Kingston Frontenacs vs. #6 - North Bay Battalion

Season Series: Kingston leads 3-1

Gabriel Vilardi of the Kingston Frontenacs. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Analysis: This is an intriguing match-up because of how differently these two teams approached the OHL season. Kingston brought in Gabe Vilardi (Los Angeles), Max Jones (Anaheim), Cliff Pu (Buffalo), Sean Day (New York Rangers), and Mitchell Byrne at the deadline to bolster an already solid line-up and make them contenders to come out of the East. While they failed to secure a division banner, the results post deadline have been mostly extremely positive. A healthy and re-invigorated Vilardi has provided the biggest boost, as his 1.87 points per game in Kingston is second to only Jordan Kyrou (St. Louis) in the OHL. His strength, on and off the puck, makes him a dominant force in all three zones and the type of player who works to tire and grind out opposing defenses.

Justin Brazeau of the North Bay Battalion. Photo by Terry Wilson /OHL Images,

The North Bay Battalion were sellers at the deadline this year, shipping out veterans Cam Dineen (Arizona), and Brett McKenzie (Vancouver). Those moves only worked to light a fire under the Battalion roster and the team actually improved their record in the New Year thanks to the play of new acquisitions Matthew Struthers (2018), and Jake Henderson, as well as veterans Justin Brazeau (2018), and Adam Thilander (2018). Brazeau, in particular, is a player to watch. The 6-5” winger finished just inside the Top 20 of league scoring and was named as the East’s most underrated player in the recent coaches poll that was released.

If we are measuring up these two teams, we need to give the edge to Kingston in nearly every area. The Fronts lead the season series 3-1, winning the three most recent games (February on). The biggest advantage Kingston has is in net with Jeremy Helvig (Carolina) manning the crease. The overager and veteran netminder has 19 OHL playoff games under his belt and is unquestionably one of the league’s top netminders. Meanwhile, the Battalion will rely on either Christian Propp (2018) or Julian Sime, who have a combined zero OHL playoff appearances. Kingston also has a heavy advantage on special teams, with their powerplay and penalty killing units operating at a higher level. With Robertson and Vilardi operating down low on the powerplay, North Bay is going to need to stay out of the box to have any chance in this series. One wild card to keep an eye on is the health of Max Jones. Jones has been out since the end of January after undergoing surgery on a broken finger. It is likely he returns at some point in these playoffs and he can be a major x-factor.

Prediction: Ultimately, Kingston’s experience and leadership should carry them to a relatively easy victory in this match-up. Gabe Vilardi and Sean Day won a Memorial Cup together last year. Mitchell Byrne won an OHL Championship last year. And Cliff Pu and Max Jones won an OHL Title and Memorial Cup in 2016. Kingston in 5.

#4 - Niagara IceDogs vs. #5 - Oshawa Generals

Season Series: Tied at 1 game apiece

Akil Thomas of the Niagara IceDogs. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Analysis: Two teams that do not see a ton of each other match-up in round one. Niagara and Oshawa also happen to be two of the hotter teams in the OHL heading into the playoffs. The IceDogs are a team that rely on speed and energy to play an up tempo and offensively oriented style of game. They get after it on the forecheck and have a powerplay that has been much improved since the acquisition of overager Sam Miletic (Pittsburgh) from London. On top of Miletic, Niagara has a trio of offensive weapons that they rely on in Kirill Maksimov (Edmonton), Akil Thomas (2018), and Ben Jones (Vegas).

Jack Studnicka of the Oshawa Generals. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Oshawa, on the other hand, prefers to slow things down and grind it out in the offensive end. Their fearless leader is Jack Studnicka (Boston), an excellent two-way center who makes an impact in so many different ways. A pair of first time draft eligible forwards support Studnicka; Serron Noel (2018), and Allan McShane (2018). Defenseman Matt Brassard (Vancouver) is also critical to their offensive success. He was one of the highest scoring defenders in the league in the second half and finished the year 7th in defensive scoring.

If we are truly comparing these two teams, it is difficult to determine who has a clear advantage. In goal, the nod should be given to Oshawa and their starter Kyle Keyser (Boston). Keyser has been a stable presence in net this year, definitely more so than Stephen Dhillon who has struggled for Niagara this year, or the inexperienced Colton Incze. Up front, I give the slight edge to Niagara because of their explosiveness and depth. On defense, the two teams boast slightly inexperienced units who are mobile, but can be mistake prone. Ultimately, I see two things possibly tipping the favor in Niagara’s direction. The first is special teams play. As mentioned, Niagara’s powerplay has been performing at a high level lately and Oshawa has one of the league’s worst penalty killing units. The second is home ice advantage, which Niagara owns after finishing the regular season on a 7 game winning streak.

Prediction: With home ice advantage, better special teams play, and a slightly more explosive offense, I like Niagara to win this series. Their goaltending concerns me slightly, but between Dhillon or Incze, they should be able to make enough big saves to at least get the IceDogs into the second round. But this one will be close. Niagara in 7.

Western Conference

#1 - Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds vs. #8 - Saginaw Spirit

Season Series: SSM leads 7-1

Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League. Photo by Terry Wilson

Analysis: The juggernaut Greyhounds kick off their Memorial Cup push against the Saginaw Spirit, whose five game losing streak to end the season forced them down the standings and into this first round match-up. Sault Ste. Marie has nine NHL draft picks on their roster and two more potential first rounders for 2018. Up front, Boris Katchouk (Tampa Bay), Taylor Raddysh (Tampa Bay), Jack Kopacka (Anaheim), Tim Gettinger (New York Rangers), Barrett Hayton (2018), and the underrated Hayden Verbeek pace the attack. But the real star is OHL 2nd leading scorer Morgan Frost (Philadelphia), one of the breakout stars of this season. On the backend, the Hounds are equally strong, led by Conor Timmins (Colorado), and Rasmus Sandin (2018). Neither seem to make a mistake with the puck and both are just as good in their own end as they are offensively. In net, Matthew Villalta (Los Angeles) has been a steady presence who makes the saves when he needs to.

Evan Cormier of the Saginaw Spirit. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Saginaw’s strength actually starts in net where overager Evan Cormier (New Jersey) keeps the Spirit in a lot of games that they do not deserve to be in. This is important because the Spirit struggle to score goals. They were only one of three teams in the OHL to not score 200 goals on the season and the other two finished dead last in their conferences (Flint and Sudbury). Furthermore, their powerplay was a league worst 14.7%. There is definitely some offensive talent on this team, but the team’s best days are ahead of them as guys like Blade Jenkins (2018), Nicholas Porco (2019), Ryan Stepien (2020), Aidan Prueter (2020), and Damien Giroux (2018) gain experience. In fact, the team’s only NHL drafted forward, Brady Gilmour (Detroit) finished 9th in team scoring.

In all honesty, this series should not be close and is not likely to be close. The Spirit have a talented young roster, but they are not currently an equal to the Greyhounds. Sault Ste. Marie has the advantage in nearly every area except maybe goaltending. Even then, Evan Cormier can only do so much. Heck, we might see the Greyhounds score more shorthanded goals than the Spirit score powerplay goals in the series.

Prediction: I want to say that Evan Cormier can do enough to steal a game for the Spirit in this series, but I cannot even see the Spirit winning a game. The Greyhounds are just too strong. SSM in 4.

#2 - Kitchener Rangers vs. #7 - Guelph Storm

Season Series: Kitchener leads 5-3

Logan Brown of the Kitchener Rangers. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Analysis: This is an interesting first round match-up between two teams that did not end the regular season the way they wanted to. Kitchener, a strong team all season, struggled down the stretch, although managed to hang on to their Division crown. Meanwhile, the Guelph Storm were one of the league’s worst teams in the last few months that saw them lose their grip on the #6 spot in the West. Kitchener loaded up at the deadline by bringing in Logan Brown (Ottawa), Givani Smith (Detroit), Mario Culina, and Austin McEneny. I think it would be fair to say that Kitchener is still waiting to see the best out of three of those four, with Culina playing well so far as a starter. It has been the guys around all season like Adam Mascherin (Florida), Kole Sherwood (Columbus), Joseph Gareffa, Logan Stanley (Winnipeg), and Riley Damiani (2018) that have been driving the team’s success. Moving into the playoffs, it will be about whether the newer faces can finally find chemistry or not. The health of defensive stalwart Connor Hall (Pittsburgh) could also impact the series.

Ryan Merkley of the Guelph Storm. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Guelph, as mentioned, has also struggled down the stretch, especially when it comes to preventing goals. Goaltender Anthony Popovich (2018) appeared to tire of late after seeing a huge jump in workload this season. The defensive group, led by Ryan Merkley (2018), and Dmitri Samorukov (Edmonton) also struggled, to the point where Merkley was a healthy scratch at times down the stretch. The Storm do have a hard working forward group who is capable of icing multiple scoring lines. The offensive leaders are unquestionably Isaac Ratcliffe (Philadelphia) and Cam Hillis (2018), who along with Alexei Toropchenko (St. Louis) form a quality first line.

Looking at this series a little more under the microscope, it is probably closer than people are making it out to be. The special teams match-up pretty well. Neither team has a dominant goaltender that one would qualify as a game-changer (no offense meant to Culina or Popovich). Both teams struggled down the stretch with team chemistry issues. The tipping point for me is experience. The Rangers have the clear advantage there, especially on the defensive end. Guys like Logan Stanley and Austin McEneny, who won a Memorial Cup together with Windsor last year, should really help to stabilize things, even without Connor Hall. I also look for longtime Rangers like Mascherin or Connor Bunnaman (Philadelphia) to really step up offensively to get this team over the first round hump.

Prediction: As mentioned, I feel like Kitchener’s experience advantage will help them come out on top in this series. I also feel that they have a much better team defense approach that likely plays out better for success in the playoffs. Guelph has talent, but they play a very high risk game that, without a ton of playoff experience, could be their undoing. It will be close, but Kitchener in 6.

#3 - Sarnia Sting vs. #6 - Windsor Spitfires

Season Series: Sarnia leads 5-1

Michael DiPietro of the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Analysis: No offense meant to the rest of the Windsor Spitfires, but this match-up is about two things. The Sarnia offense (2nd best in the OHL) versus the goaltending of Michael DiPietro (Vancouver). The dynamic DiPietro is one of the few goaltenders in the OHL who is capable of stealing a series victory for his team. The Spitfires rebuilt, dealing off the majority of their veterans held over from their Memorial Cup victory last year, but decided to hang on to their star netminder for this reason. They battle hard in the offensive end behind the likes of Curtis Douglas (2018), Cole Purboo (2018), Cody Morgan (2019), Luke Boka, and Matthew MacDougall (2018). And they play smart in their own end thanks to Connor Corcoran (2018), Nathan Staios (2019), Grayson Ladd (2019), and Zach Shankar. But this team has zero NHL drafted players outside of DiPietro and are incredibly inexperienced.

Jordan Kyrou of the Sarnia Sting. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

The Sting, conversely, were one of the biggest buyers throughout this OHL season, bringing in talented veterans like Cam Dineen (Arizona), Jonathan Ang (Florida), and Michael Pezzetta (Montreal). The lifeblood of the team is Jordan Kyrou (St. Louis), the league’s leader in points per game this year and possibly the best offensive player in the OHL. He is currently zero for three in first round appearances and is likely to do everything in his power to finally reach the second round (and beyond). You could likely argue that overager Justin Fazio is the team’s second most important player in the series, especially considering that he has to match-up against DiPietro. The margin for error is slim.

One of Sarnia’s biggest strengths is on the powerplay where Kyrou, Adam Ruzicka (Calgary), and Drake Rymsha (Los Angeles) have a combined 34 powerplay goals this year. Problem is, Windsor takes among the least amount of penalties in the OHL so as long as Windsor can continue to stay out of the box, Sarnia is going to need to beat DiPietro 5 on 5. The question I have is, how will Windsor manage to score goals, at least enough goals to win this 7 game series? It will not be with the man advantage either (likely) as the Sting have the league’s top penalty killing unit. I am slightly worried about Sarnia’s inexperienced defense though, but that concern is more directed towards round two or three (if the Sting advance that far). Sarnia will need big guys like Ruzicka, Pezzetta, Jordan Ernst, and Hugo Leufvenius (2018) to crowd DiPietro’s space as much as possible and really make him uncomfortable. Shoot, shoot, and shoot some more. Windsor fans can tell you, sometimes the best way to beat Michael DiPietro is through sheer luck and bad bounces.

Prediction: As much as I want to predict a Windsor victory, I do not see it in the cards. DiPietro will steal a few games and he will make Sarnia sweat. But the offensive firepower of Sarnia, combined with the inexperience of Windsor’s defense is likely to give the Sting too many scoring chances for the Spitfires’ star netminder to handle. Sarnia in 6.

#4 - Owen Sound Attack vs. #5 - London Knights

Season Series: London leads 4-2

Evan Bouchard of the London Knights. Photo by Terry Wilson/OHL Images.

Analysis: As is usually the case, the 4/5 matchup in the Western Conference looks to be the closest match-up of the first round, and subsequently the most difficult to prognosticate. London traded off the vast majority of their big guns to retool to fight another day. Instead, the team played inspired hockey down the stretch led by a host of younger players eager to make their mark. When talking about London, we have to start with defenseman Evan Bouchard (2018), the lifeblood of the Knights. His 87 points are the highest by a blueliner since Ryan Ellis hit the 100 point mark in 2011. The speedy Alex Formenton (Ottawa) is also playing the best hockey of his OHL career thus far with 12 goals in 14 games to close out the regular season. And you cannot talk about London without mentioning how good the “kid” line of Liam Foudy (2018), Billy Moskal (2018), and Nathan Dunkley (2018) has been since the trade deadline. This trio was challenged to step up their games with increased ice time and they all responded accordingly.

Owen Sound Attack of the Ontario Hockey League. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Owen Sound, on the other hand, was expected to be one of the top teams in the OHL this year but struggled to keep their star players healthy all year and subsequently struggled to perform consistently. That is, until the last few months when they have been, arguably, the OHL’s best. This team is scary good when healthy and they are now finally healthy. They roll three outstanding scoring lines, including a top unit of Jonah Gadjovich (Vancouver), Kevin Hancock (2018), and Nick Suzuki (Vegas) that has been one of the OHL’s best over the last two seasons. They also have one of the OHL’s top offensive blueliners in Sean Durzi (2018), who if he did not get injured, likely could have challenged Bouchard for the defenceman scoring title. It is in net where Owen Sound has struggled this season as Olivier Lafreniere and Mack Guzda (2019) have battled to find consistency. No question, Owen Sound has to have their offense rolling to win because they are not going to win many 2-1 games.

So who has the advantage going into this match-up? Experience wise, the nod has to be given to Owen Sound...and by a wide margin. The Attack are returning the vast majority of a roster that lost in the Conference finals last season. The Knights are an extremely well coached team, but they are relying on a lot of rookies and sophomores in key roles and that can often prove to be a recipe for disaster in the postseason. The deciding factor in this series probably comes down to the goaltending. So long as Owen Sound can get at least adequate goaltending from one of Lafreniere or Guzda, they should win this series. But if their goaltending struggles and team is forced to constantly play catch-up, the series tips in London’s favor, a team with nothing to lose.

Prediction: I have to give the nod to Owen Sound here because now that they are fully healthy, they look like a tough team to stop. This is especially true for a team as inexperienced as London; even if they are extremely talented. The Attack can get the saves they need to win this one, even if London pushes them and makes them sweat. Owen Sound in 6

OHL Finals Prediction

When the field is finally narrowed down to two teams who battle it out for OHL supremacy, I expect those two teams to be the Kingston Frontenacs and the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.

From the East I like Kingston for a couple reasons. The first is experience. As I already alluded to, they have a lot of players on that roster who have already won a Memorial Cup or OHL Championship (or both). That type of leadership goes a long way in the playoffs. The second is special teams play. The great Scotty Bowman always said combined special teams play was a great indicator of postseason success. Well the Fronts have the best powerplay in the league and the second best penalty kill. The third is goaltending. Jeremy Helvig is a veteran netminder who is about as consistent as they come. I have a ton of confidence in his ability to make saves when he needs to.

From the West, I like the Soo Greyhounds as they have looked about as dominant as anyone in the OHL has over the last few years. Their 116 points is the most since Barrie put up 116 in 2010. This team has it all. Special teams success. Good goaltending. Speed. Physicality. But most of all...depth. Drew Bannister’s players rarely seem to take a shift off and they rarely make mistakes with the puck. That composure at both ends of the ice makes them the favorite.

For the OHL Title, I am taking the Soo Greyhounds to win their first J. Ross Robertson Cup since they won back to back championships in the early 90ś.

New York Rangers – System Overview

Ryan Wagman — Fri, 15 Sep 2017 20:28:28 +0000

The New York Rangers are among the small handful of teams that has not found itself in the position of selling off assets in either the near or medium past. They are an organization that is always hunting out the opposite approach, finding ways to leverage the few interesting prospects they have on hand, or their upcoming draft picks, to improve their chances today, this season.

As mentioned in the previous paragraph, the Rangers make a habit out of trading draft picks. Until they picked in the first round this year (twice!), they had not made a first round selection since drafting Brady Skjei 28th overall in 2012. In the four drafts between Skjei and the 2017 draft that saw the Rangers add both Lias Andersson and Filip Chytil on day one, not only did they not have any first rounders, but they only even had two second rounders, only one of whom was drafted before pick #59. It goes without saying that not selecting until 50 or more of the best available prospects are already off the board is not an effective way to replenish the talent in a system.

With the 2017 season not living up to the standards of previous playoff runs, even though they upset the Atlantic Division winning Montreal Canadiens as a Wild Card entry, the Rangers went heavily into the one route available to all teams regardless of daft position: undrafted free agents. Now, most undrafted free agents went undrafted for a reason and very few will have the NHL impact expect of a first, or even a second rounder, but some were available for the taking due to simply blooming later than many of their peers. The majority of players are drafted in their age 18 season, and truthfully, the majority of players who achieve tangible success in the NHL were already clearly on that path by age 18.

There are exceptions to those rules, and by minimizing their presence on draft day, the Rangers’ strategy for player procurement by necessity must be to identify and sign those exceptions. They picked up a strong one last year in Jimmy Vesey, who actually had been drafted when he was first eligible, by took advantage of his status as a college graduate to declare free agency and avoid signing with Nashville (who drafted him) or Buffalo (who subsequently traded for his rights). The other two players signed as free agents last year, Malte Stromwall and John Gilmour, have not had the same measure of success.

This year, the Rangers tripled down on that strategy, both before and after the draft. Between March 23 and July 17, they gave out Entry Level Contracts to seven undrafted free agents, including one from the CHL, two out of Europe and four collegians. They will not all pan out, and in fact, only two are counted among the top 20 prospects in the system discussed below, but all are at least further down the road towards being a factor in the Rangers’ future plans and they help to fill gaps in the system at its upper levels. We may not be projecting a long or illustrious NHL career for Vince Pedrie, for example, a defenseman signed out of Penn State after two strong seasons with the Nittany Lions, but he has good skill on the puck, and the Rangers should not fear bringing him up for a few weeks in case of injury along the blueline. The same could be said for Vinnie Lettieri, a center with good hands and offensive IQ signed out of Minnesota, or Chris Nell (Bowling Green State) or Alexandar Georgiyev (TPS), both ready to add goaltending depth to the system after Brandon Halverson as the other goalies whose rights are owned by the Rangers will still be in college or Europe in 2017-18.

GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA - APRIL 15: Sweden's Elias Pettersson #21 2016 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images)

1 Lias Andersson – Although we felt that Andersson was an overdraft, going seventh overall in June, that does not mean that we do not value his skills or NHL projections. A powerful skater with a very good shot, he has already shown the ability to score at the highest levels in Sweden (19 points in 42 games for HV71) and on the international stage (three goals at the last WJC). He has an NHL-sized frame, and projects as a solid second line center. Higher ceilings were available, but few who are as close to ready.

2 Igor Shesterkin – Shesterkin is on the short list for best goaltending prospects in hockey. His save percentages for his primary team over the last four years (his draft year on forward) are: .947, .943, .954, and .937, respectively. That last figure represented his first prolonged exposure to the KHL, and was good for fourth among regular KHK netminders. He is a fantastic athlete and displays above average play reading ability and a high compete level. His KHL contract has two more years to run.

Filip Chytil (Photo by Andrea Cardin/HHOF-IIHF Images)

3 Filip Chytil – The Rangers second first round pick this year, Chytil is a lean, but electric forward prospect drafted out of the Czech men’s league. His skating, shot, puck skills and hockey IQ all grade as above-average. Further, as one of the youngest players who was eligible for this year’s draft (only ten days from the cutoff), he has more room for growth and development than most. He may be playing this season in the OHL with North Bay.

4 Gabriel Fontaine – Only one year removed from being selected in the sixth round, Gabriel Fontaine is not a great offensive threat, but still manages to turn heads. One of the better faceoff takers in the QMJHL last year, he is a great two-way prospect who can chip in offense from the middle six and anchor a strong penalty killing unit. Has enough puck skill and skating ability to foresee increased offense as a pro.

Sean Day of the Mississauga Steelheads was selected by the New York Rangers at the 2016 NHL Draft in Buffalo, NY on Saturday June 25, 2016. Photo by Aaron Bell/CHL Images

5 Sean Day – One of the very few players ever granted “exceptional player” status by the CHL, Day was the first of that sub-group to not be eventually taken first overall in the NHL draft. Instead, he lasted until pick 81. Problems of focus both on and off the ice led to mixed reviews from scouts, some of whom would not put him on their draft boards at any slot. The Rangers were wise not to pay heed to the detractors. Day is a fantastic skater, with plenty of puck handling skills. He’s not done improving, either.

6 Ryan Graves – Although slow of foot, Graves has learned to play in a style that minimizes that handicap and allows his other plus skills to shine through. He will never lead the rush, but acts as a pivotal trailer, finding a soft spot in coverage to receive a pass near the blueline and tee up a thunderous slapshot. He needs to be paired with a swifter defense partner, but he is positionally sound when not faced with high end speed and uses his large frame well to detract opponents.

7 Cristoval Nieves – Nieves’ rookie pro season was marred by injuries that limited him to 40 AHL games (plus one in the NHL), so he was only able to show flashes of the all-around skills set that has kept the Rangers intrigued throughout his four year run at Michigan after he was drafted in the second round in 2012. He is a very high IQ player, who also brings above average skater and puck skills to the game. Expect more offense, and more time in the NHL, this year.

8 Ryan Gropp – The Rangers top pick from 2015, Gropp is unlike most of the forwards above him on this list in that he has always scored goals at an impressive clip, but the other parts of his game tend to leave something to be desired. He reserves his fight for the offensive zone. Although large, he is not a physical player per se, but shows some fight for pucks in the right situation. This season he will begin to answer the question of how much of his production is due to playing with an elite center in Mathew Barzal.

9 Brandon Halverson – The second of four goalies on this list, Halverson is the only one of the bunch who has a chance to play on Broadway this year, in case of injury to Lundqvist or Pavelec. Unfortunately, he followed up a solid junior career with a very rough rookie AHL season, where he played second (out of tune) fiddle to Magnus Hellberg. He has solid puck tracking ability and moves well in the crease, but needs to quiet his game, both in terms of controlling movements, and limiting rebounds.

10 Neal Pionk – Although undersized, Pionk made big waves this year as a sophomore at NCAA finalist Minnesota-Duluth, making him a highly coveted NCAA free agent. He has a strong first few steps, getting to a nice top speed quickly. He is an offensive-minded blueliner who likes to pinch, can sell a deke and has a strong slapshot. He was physical enough for the NCAA game, but there will be an adjustment period in the pros. The highest profile among the seven undrafted free agents inked by the Rangers this year.

11 Tarmo Reunanen – A mobile skater with above average stickhandling skills, Reunanen, a 2016 fourth rounder, spent his first full season playing among adults last year. His point totals do not impress, but his skill set suggests very strongly that the undersized Finnish blueliner has strong sleeper potential. Expect him to spend more time in Finland’s top level this year and watch for him being more assertive on both sides of the puck.

12 Adam Huska – After posting the best numbers among all netminders in the USHL in 2015-16, Huska had a very strong freshman season for UConn this year. His limbs all move very well and he demonstrates consistently strong reactions. He has very good body control and seals his posts very well. He is a much better goaltender than his rough showing for Slovakia at the WJC might have you believe.

13 Alexei Bereglazov – A tall wide-bodied defender signed out of Mettalurg Magnitogorsk this spring, Bereglazov is the most physically mature of the seven undrafted free agents signed by the Rangers this year. He is a defensive-minded defenseman with great reach and some puck moving ability. He makes strong reads and uses his plus size to good effect. Although used to playing on the international stage for Team Russia, this will be his first prolonged North American experience.

14 Tyler Wall – Drafted out of the Leamington system in the GOJHL, Wall was immediately a work-horse stopper for Mass-Lowell, backstopping them as a true freshman to the Hockey East title. Wall grades well in his athleticism, compete level and his ability to read the play. As promising as his first season of play against top competition was, he is still a few years away from the pros.

15 Adam Tambellini - At this stage of the Rangers system, it is fair to say that the prospects listed here are no longer front of mind. For Tambellini, his downfall has been a failure to develop/grow in his second full AHL season with Hartford. He still flashes a good shot and solid puck skills, as well as decent vision in the offensive zone, but his production has stagnated and his off-puck play has been disappointing.

16 Sergey Zborovskiy – A solid two-way defender at the WHL level with Regina, Zborivskiy has an above average point shot and plays a strong game in his own end, but his collection of tools are somewhat limited, suggesting a ceiling as a potential third pairing blueliner, despite not having any significant weaknesses. He needs to add muscle, but has an NHL-sized frame and is mobile enough for his size.

17 Tim Gettinger – A massive winger with a gift for the goals, Gettinger’s advocates see a promising two-way forward who provides honest effort with every shift and has some skill at getting the puck into scoring position. His critics see limited skating ability and questionable offensive vision. Nobody questions his size or his ability to put the puck in the net. Has another year of OHL eligibility remaining.

18 Robin Kovacs – Without question, Kovacs’ first AHL season was a letdown. For a forward known for his offensive abilities before crossing the pond from Sweden, to play a full season and produce only two goals and 12 points can only disappoint heavily. He is still someone to watch as he was extremely young for the level, only turning 20 one month into the season, and very slight. His puck skills suggest he can and should do better with added bulk and experience.

19 Patrik Virta – Drafted in the seventh round this year as a 21 year old with two roughly full season of experience in Liiga, Virta is the draft equivalent of an undrafted free agent in that he is more mature and thus closer to his eventual output than many “normal” draft picks. Virta’s production spiked upwards with TPS this year (from 4 points to 26) and he is known for owning a plus shot.

20 Ty Ronning – Undersized and feisty like his father, longtime NHLer Cliff Ronning, Ty has plus offensive instincts and a strong shot that both suggest that the Rangers will get great value from their 2016 seventh round pick. By great value, I mean he is more likely to produce in the NHL than many seventh rounders, but his size and average skating may yet prevent him from maximizing his potential.

For a team that has put so little stick in recent years in the draft, the Rangers still have a solid system in terms of depth due to the signing of previously overlooked free agents as well as spending later round picks on overaged players whose projections are clearer than 18 year olds, or who have been passed over by other teams for various other black marks. There is a bit of Moneyball to their approach, and they should see more value from their prospect pool than would be expected by simply looking at the average value of players taken where this group was, but it still must be pointed out that outside of four or five players, most of those listed above are bottom half of the lineup players. When the time comes to replace the core of the lineup, this team will still have to rely on trades and NHL free agent signings as the help will largely not come from within.

NHL Draft Review and Grades: New York Rangers

Grant McCagg — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 15:24:26 +0000

Sean Day of the Mississauga Steelheads was selected by the New York Rangers at the 2016 NHL Draft in Buffalo, NY on Saturday June 25, 2016. Photo by Aaron Bell/CHL Images

The Rangers paid the price for trying unsuccessfully to win right now by having to sit silent at the draft table until the 81^st pick…perhaps it was because of that reason that they took a huge gamble in selecting a “boom or bust” prospect in Sean Day. Considered the best skater in the draft by many despite being 20-plus pounds overweight, Day’s stock fell because he’s never lived up to the expectations bestowed upon a player granted exceptional status. Day has loads of work to do on his off-ice training, maturity and consistency…and while there are doubts about whether he’ll ever figure out the sacrifices required to excel in the NHL, he has the skills to be an elite player if everything somehow falls into place.

RND	PICK	RNK	PLAYER	POS	CTY	HT/WT	TEAM
3	81	51	Sean Day	D	CAN	6-2/225	Mississauga (OHL)
4	98	NR	Tarmo Reunanen	D	FIN	6-0/180	TPS Turku (Fin)
5	141	68	Tim Gettinger	LW	USA	6-5/200	Sault Ste Marie (OHL)
6	171	95	Gabriel Fontaine	C	CAN	6-1/185	Rouyn Noranda (QMJHL)
6	174	NR	Tyler Wall	G	CAN	6-3/200	Leamington (GOJHL)
7	201	139	Ty Ronning	RW	CAN	5-9/165	Vancouver (WHL)

Tim Gettinger of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Tim Gettinger was in a similar situation entering the draft…once considered a candidate to go top 20…the big, skilled winger on many nights didn’t seem to show much interest in competing. Tarmo Reunanen, who played only 11 games for TPS U20 due to injury, has been lauded for his puck moving abilities.

Gabriel Fontaine of the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies was selected by the New York Rangers at the 2016 NHL Draft in Buffalo, NY on Saturday June 25, 2016. Photo by Aaron Bell/CHL Images

Gabriel Fontaine come to the forefront during Rouyn-Noranda’s playoff run…checking other team’s top center with smart, speed and competitiveness while chipping in offensively...he may end up being their top all-around prospect from this draft. Ty Ronning scored 31 goals in the WHL and stood out at the Top Prospects Game...the speedy son of Cliff also inherited his diminutiveness, and that hurt him on draft day.

Grade – D+: The success of this draft will pretty much hinge on whether Day and Gettinger can come close to reaching their potential. The late selections of Ronning and Fontaine kept the mark from being a D or worse.

All-American Prospects Game: Krys, Tkachuk star for Team Roenick

David Burstyn — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 07:35:29 +0000

Chad Krys left a favourable impression among NHL scouts at the 2015 CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game.

The Ridgefield, Connecticut native delivered a standout performance, showcasing the skill and poise that should translate into a first-round berth at the 2016 NHL Draft.

Up front, the duo of Matthew Tkachuk and Luke Kunin led the charge for Team Roenick - with the former making a convincing case to be a high draft pick next June.

Here are scouting reports for Team Roenick including Krys and a pair of bulky rearguards in Griffin Luce and Andrew Peeke, all of whom drew 'B' ratings (2nd/3rd rounders) from Central Scouting in the initial Players To Watch list.

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Joey Anderson (2016), RW, NTDP (USA)

Played on the top line and did all the little things necessary for his lines success .. brings understated puck skills that were not as obvious as his linemates - Luke Kunin and Matthew Tkachuk - who shadowed his contributions .. average size - but competes and finishes all checks .. aggressive in board battles and hurls his body into the fray .. had the wherewithal to get the puck to Kunin and Tkachuk at all times, smart enough to play within the framework of the line and not be selfish .. good fast skater .. offensive instincts are polished as he is the sum of his parts and plays a very unassuming game with leadership qualities .. the Roseville, Minnesota native is committed to the University of Minnesota Duluth.

Stephen Dhillon (2016), G, Niagara (OHL)

Came in prematurely for Team Roenick and played the majority of the game - in relief of Tyler Parsons of the London Knights who forgot his neck guard and got blasted with a shot early that took him out of the game .. an athletic goalie with good size .. stays on his feet .. can be prone to allowing weak goals, however is resilient as he will bounce back and settle down with a big save .. suffers lulls in his game as well as intermittent mental lapses .. does possess solid fundamentals and looks the part but needs to bear down .. can be a bit of a scrambler when he loses position.

Adam Fox (2016), D, NTDP (USA)

Struggled in the game defensively on account of his size and decision making - beaten cleanly on one goal .. a mobile, undersized, right-shooting blueliner .. exceptional skater with superb acceleration and lateral quickness .. can really fly up the ice, however he is very slight and easily knocked off the puck .. relies primarily on his elusiveness as he has not added much strength to his game - needs to bulk up considerably .. agile and quick on his edges which makes him dangerous, can stop and turn on a dime .. makes strong decisions with time and space as exhibited on the power play where he shined .. displays outstanding vision and is a deft passer which makes him elite in that regard .. his size hinders him however - will need four years of college before he matures to the pro game .. the Jericho, New York native will attend Harvard University next fall.

Tim Gettinger (2016), LW, Sault Ste Marie (OHL)

Scored on a nice deflection goal - demonstrating a sharp touch around the net .. the North Olmsted, Ohio native sports a pro-like frame at 6-5, 210 pounds - and also possesses the hand skills to make plays and handle the puck .. more of a finesse player than a bruising one, he puts up points with his quick stick and willingness to go into traffic areas to make a play .. jumps into lanes and is always moving once he gets into the offensive zone .. skating is good but needs to get quicker - adding strength will assist in this .. needs to show more shift-to-shift consistency and move his feet in the neutral and defensive zones as he has a tendency to be a step behind the play .. should be an offensive leader for the Soo Greyhounds this year and a likely bubble NHL 1st-round draft candidate.

Ben Gleason (2016), D, London (OHL)

The native of Ortonville, Michigan bypassed the U.S. collegiate route to join the OHL London Knights this season .. a prototypical small defenseman who boasts good puck skills but does not bring much else to the table .. shows flashes of being able to stickhandle past several players - yet lacks the size to take advantage of the holes he creates .. fast not explosive, bigger forwards and defenders are easily able to take away his time and space .. likes to push up and could possibly be experimented with as a forward .. simply does not put in solid efforts defensively; tends to lose his man easily and needs to bear down on his defensive zone coverage .. lots of sizzle, no steak.

Jack Kopacka (2016), LW, Sault Ste Marie (OHL)

The Lapeer, Michigan native competed and worked hard on a make-shift line that really had little impact on the game .. his skill-set was not on full display in this game as his line spent the majority of the game chasing the puck .. only an average skater, he's a bit sluggish off the mark and not overly fast, yet compensates by pumping his feet to stay in the play .. needs to constantly be moving his feet to be effective .. grinded it out down low and in the corners but was unable to get the puck into good positions .. had some shifts where he was able to display his puck skills when in possession - yet his contributions were extremely limited.

Luke Kirwin (2016), C, Windsor (OHL)

Played centre but seemed to miss the creativity and skill to be able to accept the responsibilities that the position demands .. the Dewitt, New York native boasts a burly 6-foot-2, 230-pound frame - and skates well for his size .. possesses good bursts of speed out of the gate .. had a few shifts in which he handled the puck okay, but generally he went missing for the entire game .. played on the fourth line and was buried in terms of ice time.

Chad Krys (2016), D, NTDP (USA)

Captain of the U.S. Under-18 Team .. committed to Boston University for 2016-17 .. showed himself to be the most skilled defenseman in the game as he could effectively launch himself out of the zone .. part of a new wave of talented transition defensemen that NHL teams covet .. not explosive - and doesn't have multiple levels of quickness - yet is a strong skater who is quite efficient and makes the most out of his stride - has good short-term speed to break away .. gifted with the puck - a heads-up puck mover .. always sees his options and does not feel any pressure to make a play; low panic threshold .. possesses excellent hands and a strong feel for the game - often jumping into the rush and giving opposing defensemen something to think about .. constantly makes strong decisions with the puck which sets him apart from his peers .. not particularly imposing at 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds, so has to rely on stick and positional play in the defensive zone .. does play with a bit of a chip on his shoulder as he has some edge to his play albeit not in a physical sense .. would likely be considered higher in the draft if he were only taller.

Luke Kunin (2016), C, Wisconsin (B1G)

The Chesterfield, Missouri native emerged as the best player in the All-Am Prospects Game as he scored in the first 30 seconds and had confidence the rest of the game to make plays .. formed a strong tandem with linemate Matthew Tkachuk as the two were in on three of the four goals scored for Team Roenick - with Kunin notching two beautiful markers and adding a goal with an upstairs wrist shot .. utilizes a tremendous release point, turns the stick slightly just before shooting to handcuff a goalie .. skates extremely well, able to pounce into open ice - quick off the mark and marries it with quick and nimble hands .. very intelligent in the offensive zone employing a bunch of little, subtle tricks; looking off players, faking a shot and stickhandling past guys who were foolish enough to play the puck .. boasts an outstanding individual skill-set .. difficult to gauge his defensive game as his line always had the puck .. his game is advanced enough to make an impact as a true 17-year-old collegiate freshman .. should be a player who is considered in the first round despite his average size (6-0, 195 pounds).

Will Lockwood (2016), RW, NTDP (USA)

It wasn't a prime showcase for the Bloomfield Hills, Michigan native, however he was able to show a few things .. noticeable in spurts in this game .. a tall and somewhat lanky winger who moves well for his size especially in straight-aways .. aware and alert in the offensive zone but there are questions about the level of his true hand skills .. used his size effectively to buy himself stay and space, but his plays with the puck were rather ordinary .. an average game playing on a line with Nick Pastujov and Riley Tufte on the left side - that barely generated much if anything at all during the game .. will attend the University of Michigan.

Griffin Luce (2016), D, NTDP (USA)

The grandson of former NHLer and Buffalo Sabres Hall-of-Famer Don Luce .. struggled early in the game with an inappropriate pinch and laboured with his play with the puck .. lost confidence in the game early and relied solely on d-to-d passes often getting rid of the puck as soon as it arrived .. offers ample size at 6-3, 215 pounds - and plays with some degree of physicality .. doesn't offer much in terms of skill however .. very average in most aspects of his game as he is quite vanilla .. skating is good for his size - yet he lacks some agility .. still growing into his massive frame .. needs to work on his overall co-ordination and develop his athleticism .. defensively, he pushes guys away but can be over zealous and has a little too much movement as evidenced by him moving across to screen Dhillon and blocking him on the game-winning goal against .. does have time on his side to round out his game and get more comfortable with his abilities .. the Williamsville, New York native will attend the University of Michigan.

Graham McPhee (2016), LW, NTDP (USA)

The son of former Washington Capitals GM George McPhee - Graham possesses excellent puck skills - and made several nice plays with the puck .. worked well on the third line to get the puck into good positions .. an explosive skater out of the gate - yet oddly enough seems to lack a separation gear .. perhaps with increased strength and size he can add this to his repertoire .. listed at 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds, his size is limiting in the defensive zone as well .. demonstrates outstanding vision and a strong shot which complement his game as he is an offensive threat .. especially effective when coming down the wing and given time to make a play .. scheduled to arrive at Boston College next fall.

Nick Pastujov (2016), C, NTDP (USA)

The second-line centre shows great ability to execute and make plays, however he struggled with consistency for the better part of the game .. completely uninvolved when the game got remotely physical - backs down and is easy to play against .. when given time and space, he can pick apart an entire team as his hands are lightning quick and he never looks down knowing exactly where it is the entire time .. does a lot of circling - pretends to look the part but doesn’t really apply himself to go the extra mile - puts in bare minimum efforts .. skates well, light on his feet, turns quickly, and with an up-right posture that enables him to survey the ice better as a result .. skilled but soft - Beau Bennett like .. the Bradenton, Florida native will attend the University of Michigan.

Andrew Peeke (2016), D, Green Bay (USHL)

A towering defender with excellent size at 6-foot-3 and a solid 210 pounds .. only has limited abilities otherwise however .. operates more as a defensive defenseman as he made mistakes when he tried to do too much .. his vision is good however when he moves the puck up the ice quickly .. demonstrates okay puck skills, however the second he had it for more than two steamboats is when troubles start to occur .. does a commendable job of moving his feet and trying to stay involved in the play .. sports good feet, pivots, turns .. moves well and is quite fluid for a big man .. will benefit from improving his shot which isn't that hard - especially given his size/strength .. has gotten better due to his willingness to compete and use his size to defend and clear the crease .. a native of Parkland, Florida - will play at the University of Notre Dame next fall.

Matthew Tkachuk (2016), LW, London (OHL)

The second best player in the All-Am Prospects Game, he was wired and dialled in - and displaying a competitive streak unmatched by anyone in this contest .. plays a brash power game similar to that of father and U.S. Hockey Hall-of-Famer Keith Tkachuk, who scored 566 career NHL goals .. came out on a mission and did everything he could to secure the win .. his internal drive makes him such a good player and helps to disguise weaknesses such as his footwork .. an average skater yet always on the move which creates the illusion he is going faster than he actually is .. anticipates the play in the offensive zone quicker and therefore gets to pucks .. plays with grit and is a dogged forechecker adept at cutting off angles and making opponents cough up the puck .. utilizes his good size and is physically stronger than most on the ice which allows him to do whatever he wants .. gained the zone on each rush he had and was nearly impossible to stop when he got a head of steam .. scored a goal by driving the net, was knocked down but still managed to raise the puck while on his knees to beat the goalie .. a man amongst boys at times Tkachuk stood out and dominated in a game featuring the nation's best players.

Riley Tufte (2016), LW, Fargo (USHL)

More was expected more from the Ham Lake, Minnesota native in this game - having been touted as one of the top Minnesota players as he scored close to a goal a game last year for Blaine High School - 23 goals in 24 games .. also set the bar high following a strong performance at last year's U17 World Hockey Challenge .. however he did not showcase any offensive prowess whatsoever in this contest - and seemed to be a step behind most plays .. a reactionary player who had trouble reading the play and keeping up .. decent shot but not over powering .. hard on the puck and is a big body but he had no legitimate scoring chances nor was he ever a threat at any period in this game .. will attend the University of Minnesota Duluth .. the jury is still very much out.

Observations at all levels: Player notes from Sean LaFortune

Sean LaFortune — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 19:51:04 +0000

Let’s face facts, things are not great for the Sudbury Wolves right now, there are some 'silver lining' aspects to their current plight. Kyle Capobianco, the 7th overall selection in the 2013 OHL Draft, is starting to gain headway in Draft circles.

Kyle Capobianco of the Sudbury Wolves. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Smart, quick, agile and offensive minded, he's more confident, more poised, working the powerplay while more importantly, gaining strength. He's never going to be extremely hard to play against, but strength has allowed him start the process of being better in his own zone. I think you can lock him in as a top 90 draft candidate...Matt Schmaltz has had himself a heck of a year. A big, powerful winger who has found his niche with the Wolves this year. Despite the upside, he saw very little ice time last year, limited to 4th line duty on a Wolves team that was attempting to take a run. Receiving more ice time this year, and playing with more confidence, Schmaltz has thrived, showing some of the reasons why many had him as a mid-round draft pick last year. He's tough, with good north to south feet along with a pretty impressive snap shot. While he may never be a 30 goal scorer at the NHL level, there's value in him as a mid-round pick this year, one who can play honest minutes. He’s probably the top draft re-entry guy this year, and should expect to hear his name called between the 4th and 5th rounds....

Congrats to the Ontario 99 age group who took home the Gold Medal at the 2015 Canada Games. Led by Gable Vilardi, Owen Tippett and Ryan McLeod, the group was dominant, leading for all but 30 minutes. Expect those aforementioned names to go highly in April's OHL Draft….

A lot of buzz about undrafted Boston University goalie Matt O'Connor. The Toronto native has impressive raw tools that everyone looks for in new-age goaltenders, he's big (6'6) and athletic. He's not a puck blocker, but his lateral mobility and agility are impressive. I had the opportunity to see him play twice in Boston this year, and while I can see the intrigue, patience will be required, he's got a while to go. Very raw from a positional standpoint, he's almost too mobile, losing his crease and reacting. It’s a cliche, but he needs to learn to allow the game to come to him, as opposed to getting uber aggressive and reactive. That said, a free lunch is a free lunch...Speaking of goaltenders, how good has Jake Patterson been for the Kitchener Rangers? Some in the media questioned the acquisition after trading away Justin Bailey, but it wasn't that complicated. A team with a young core needed protection from the mistakes that they are expected to make. In the past those mistakes would end up in the back of the net, but now they are stifled thanks to the abilities of Patterson. Add in the fact that the Rangers should now make the playoffs (something they were not guaranteed pre-trade) and give those young players more experience for next year, it's turned out to be a very, very smart move. Trade in a prime trade chip at a high return, bring in a goaltender at a lesser cost, and still make the playoffs. Heck, they may even win a round…

Said it last month, will say it again, Zachary Senyshyn is the most under rated skater in this draft...Calgary Flames prospect Sam Bennett is back with the Kingston Frontencas for the remainder of their season, and already is having an offensive impact. While we expected this would have a big impact on Draft eligible Lawson Crouse, the Frontenacs have chosen to spread the offense out and reunite Bennett and Spencer Watson while keeping the Crouse/Lammikko/McGlynn line together. Those who complain about Crouse's offensive output need to keep that in mind, had Crouse played with Watson and Bennett all year (mirroring the talent that Marner, Strome and McDavid have played with) it's fair to suggest that Crouse would probably be averaging well above a point a game, if not more...

There's a lot of love for Jakob Chychrun, and for good reason, he’s one of the, if not the most, impactful 16 year old defenders in recent memory, and could push for 1st overall status next year. With all that said, don't sleep on Logan Brown.

Logan Brown of the Windsor Spitfires. Photo by Terry Wilson/OHL Images.

Brown, a player who we had as a top OHL Draft pick last year at TheScout.ca, has all the tools that you look for in a pro. Quick, agile with good possession skills, he has a long, powerful stride, good in close skills and impressive 4 way mobility. Did I mention that he's 6'5 and continuing to grow into his game? He’s truly yet to scratch the surface on his long term potential, and it’s fair to suggest that he has top 10 NHL Draft abilities. He still has areas to grow, he's inconsistent and struggles with focus from game to game, however that’s not uncommon for 16 year olds making the transition to the OHL. I’d also add Soo Greyhounds winger Tim Gettinger to that group of top 2016 NHL Draft eligible skaters from Ontario. He has a lot of the same aspects to his game that Brown has - mobile, skilled, big and powerful. He's not your typical 'big man', he's a bigger player who thrives when playing with skill. Anyone who expects a north to south banger will be disappointed, but if you enjoy 6'5 wingers with active feet and creativity, who can play give and go, make smart touch passes and drive the net when needed, you'll like him. Expect him to be projected as a top 30 skater early next year....

The Guelph Storm signed former Waterloo Wolves defender Brock Phillips, he's not flashy, but has size, strength, is tough and blessed with good quickness. He's got a while to go before we talk NHL draft status, he's hardly played in the OHL, but keep his name in the back of your head. If he adjusts quickly to the league, look out, he’s got all the tools….While I’ve said before that Evan Cormier projects as one of the top goaltenders in the OHL, and should be projected as a top goaltender for next year’s draft... one player who hasn't gotten a ton of attention yet has thrived has been Keaton Middleton.

Keaton Middleton of the Saginaw Spirit. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

A raw rookie who many expected would be skating with the Jr B Cullitons this year, Middleton has made a fairly seamless transition this year, playing a calm, calculated style. He's never going to wow you with his impressive offensive tools or his ability to run a powerplay, but his reach, aggression and awareness allow him to take over a game in his own zone. He's hardly hit the surface, he needs to add weight, work on his outlets while continuing to improve his feet, but again, he’s a name that I would keep an eye on...had the opportunity to see US-NTDP Chad Krys in an Arbour recently, he's the real deal. An active defender, one who can push the pace in possession, stretch the ice with a pass or make a simple outlet, he's a new breed of intelligent 'puck managers' - ones who play a read and react possession style. He's already been called up to play with the U18 squad and has thrived. He's another strong option for the first round next year, especially if he accelerates and joins an NCAA program much like Zach Werenski and Noah Hanifin have done this year.