Viljami Marjala – McKeen's Hockey

McKeen’s 2025-26 Late, Late Show: Sleepers

Peter Harling — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 19:37:15 +0000

One of the greatest joys of participating in fantasy hockey is drafting a player in the way late rounds that not many others have heard of, and to have that player go on to not only make your fantasy roster but have good value. Each year there is an influx of new fantasy prospects that have the potential to deliver value from the final rounds of your draft. These imports can come from Europe or the NCAA, or some late blooming prospects poised for a breakout. To help give you a competitive edge in your fantasy league, here are some of the prospects who could prove to be gems, mined in the late, late rounds.

Coming to America – European Imports

Arseni Gritsyuk, RW – New Jersey Devils

The European imports on this list are usually undrafted players, but Gritsyuk was selected by the Devils way back in 2019 129^th overall. He is a long-forgotten afterthought in many leagues. Since his draft he has quickly developed in the KHL winning the Rookie of the Year, and a Gagarian Cup. A highly skilled and offensive winger his best season was his last where he scored 44 points in 49 games. Signed by the Devils he will make his NHL debut right away. He should be drafted in the mid-rounds, but if he slips to the late rounds he would have tremendous value with good offensive upside, and little to zero wait time before he contributes.

Maxim Shabanov, RW – New York Islanders

For the second straight year the Islanders have signed the top free agent from Europe. Last year it was Maxim Tsyplakov who headlined this list and delivered with a 35-point rookie season. Can Shabanov follow suit? In Tsyplakov’s last KHL season he posted 47 points in 65 games, while Shabanov just had a 67-point season in 65 games. However, Tsyplakov has NHL size at 6-foot-3 while Shabanov is well undersized at 5-foot-8, 157 pounds. In the later rounds, that is a gamble I will make all day as it has very little risk with a potential massive payoff.

Viljami Marjala, LW – Edmonton Oilers

Originally drafted by Buffalo in 2021, he became a free agent and was signed to a two-year contract by the Oilers. The Finnish winger previously played junior in Quebec, but since has been developing in the Liiga and posted a 52-point season in 54 games with TPS. The Oilers prospect pool is thin, and he may need a season in the AHL before he is NHL ready, but he has great sleeper value.

Juho Lammikko, C – New Jersey Devils

Lammikko is actually coming back to America as he previously played 159 career NHL games with Florida and Vancouver. Lammikko has limited offensive upside, he posted a career total of 26 points in the NHL but can add some hits and is strong on draws. In a late round you would be getting a player that should play in the AHL but has solid NHL recall options when injuries occur. However, if Cody Glass fails to deliver on his new $2.5 million contract, Lammikko would offer a much more cap friendly fourth line center option for the Devils.

Charles-Edouard D’Astous, D – Tampa Bay Lightning

A 27-year-old, undrafted and unknown player that you want to draft is D’Astous. His resume highlights include such hits like, QMJHL, ECHL, and SHL Defenceman of the Year, Liiga First Team All-Star. The 6-foot-2 left shot defender posted 39 points and 67 PIM in 49 SHL games with Brynas last season, good for 15^th overall, and second overall in defence scoring. Tampa signed him to a one-year contract, he will play in the AHL, but if he hits it could be well worth a late round dart at the draft board.

Top Of The Class – NCAA Free Agents

Tim Washe, C – Anaheim Ducks

After he captained Western Michigan University to their first national championship, the Ducks signed the 6-foot-3, 215-pound center as a free agent to a one-year contract, and he made his NHL debut. Currently a RFA Washe brings size, a two-way game, leadership, physicality and a commanding presence in the face-off circle. He may top out as a AHL player or possibly a bottom six NHL center. He has limited upside, but in a dynasty league where he would have minors' eligibility and provide face off wins and greasy stats, he has some value.

Quinn Hutson, RW – Edmonton Oilers

The third and oldest of the Hutson brothers is a forward and the biggest at 5-foot-11, 170 pounds. Like his brothers he played NCAA at Boston University and lead the Terriers in scoring last year with 50 points in 38 games. The Oilers signed the free agent to a two-year contract, and he made his NHL debut playing in two games and burning the first year of the contract. He made a strong impression at the Oilers development camp but would be a long shot to make the NHL in his rookie year. At 23-years-old, he should need little AHL time before we know if he can make the cut in the NHL. Given his family pedigree, I will bet he makes it.

Carter King, C – Calgary Flames

The Calgary native signed a one-year contract after playing a key role in the NCAA with Denver, where he won two national championships. King finished the season in the AHL on an ATO with two points in two games. King was a near point per game player in his final two campaigns in NCAA forecasting to the NHL, after a season in the AHL he could be a solid bottom six, energy center for the Flames. Despite being sub six-feet tall he plays a physical game.

Luke Haymes, LW – Toronto Maple Leafs

The Leafs signed the unheralded NCAA free agent to a two-year contract, and he finished the year in the AHL with the Marlies on an ATO. In his AHL audition of nine games Haymes made a strong impression with six points. The Ottawa native had strong sophomore and junior seasons with 1.16 and 0.82 points per game in each, showcasing his offensive upside. Still only 21-years-old and with three seasons of development in the NCAA at Dartmouth, Haymes is a legit prospect for the Leafs with top six upside. But it may be a season or two before he is ready for that role.

John Prokop, LD – Toronto Maple Leafs

The Leafs double dipped in the NCAA free agent pool and landed the top defenceman in big 6-foot-3, 190-pound Prokop. While Prokop may have been one of the top free agent targets in the NCAA this year, his role will be as a big, physical defensive defender, which will not have the same value in fantasy leagues. His NCAA career stat line of 85 points and 83 PIM in 107 games is promising and gives some optimism that he can provide more offensive punch than last years free agent NCAA signing in Cade Webber.

Late Bloomers – Rookies

Tyson Jugnauth, LD – Seattle Kraken

After leaving Wisconsin and the NCAA in his sophomore season for the WHL, Jugnauth had a breakout season in his final year in junior leading the WHL in defence scoring with 89-points in 65 games. Drafted 100^th overall by the Kraken in 2022, his breakout performance earned him a three-year ELC, and he will begin his pro career in the AHL with Coachella. Jugnauth is still under the radar as a fantasy prospect with low Fantrax roster percentage making him a great value add.

Patrick Thomas, C – Washington Capitals

The Capitals signed their 2023 fourth round pick on the heals of his 104-point breakout season. The 20-year-old hit new highs across the board offensively but had quietly been a steady and consistent scorer throughout his junior career. There is some concern however as he has average size and we have seen senior players with big fourth seasons before that fail to make an impact in the NHL. But with a late pick, it is well worth a gamble.

Tuomas Uronen, RW – Vegas Golden Knights

The Finnish winger came to the CHL via the Import Draft in the 2023-24 season with the Ottawa 67’s, but injury limited him to just 11 games. He was traded to Kingston last year and had a breakout season with the Fronts scoring 38 goals and 90 points in 63 games. His play at the WJC winning Silver with Finland caught the Vegas managements eye and he was signed to his ELC. The Knights may have found a gem with the 2023 192^nd overall pick.

Tyler Thorpe, RW – Montreal Canadiens

As a member of the Vancouver Giants, 6-foot-5 Thorpe lived up to the name “Giant.” The massive winger plays a physical game, posting 69 PIM but also shows impressive skill for a man of his size. Passed over in the 2023 draft, the Canadiens spent a fifth-round pick in 2024 on him, and he signed with Montreal in April and made his AHL debut and posted two points. The big man is a prospect on the rise and a player to target in fantasy.

Blake Smith, LD – Toronto Maple Leafs

The NHL is certainly favouring big, physical defence again and Smith fits that bill perfectly. The 6-foot-5, 225-pound defender was undrafted, but posted 32 points and 54 PIM in 64 games this season in the OHL with Flint. The 20-year-old Oshawa native signed his three-year ELC with the Leafs and they hope he brings the aggressive physical edge he played with in the OHL. His offensive upside will be limited at the pro level, but if you need hits, PIM and blocks, Smith is your man.

MCKEEN’S 2025-26 NHL YEARBOOK – EDMONTON OILERS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #26

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 19:44:25 +0000

BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 05: Boston University Terriers forward Quinn Hutson (17) looks on during the Dunkin’ Beanpot semifinal game between the Boston College Eagles and the Boston University Terriers on February 5, 2024, at TD Garden in Boston, MA. (Photo by Erica Denhoff/Icon Sportswire)

Prospect System Ranking – 26th (May 2025 - 30th)
GM: Stan Bowman Hired: July 2024
COACH: Kris Knoblauch Hired: November 2023

While the Edmonton Oilers remain near the bottom of McKeen’s prospect rankings, they continue to make efforts aimed at supporting their championship ambitions.

Their latest move involved a prospect swap, acquiring disgruntled NHL-ready forward Isaac Howard in exchange for Sam O’Reilly, a prospect better suited to contribute down the line. Howard now slots in alongside Matthew Savoie as the top of the Oilers' prospect food chain, with both sitting on the cusp of cracking Edmonton’s NHL roster.

Acquired from the Buffalo Sabres last summer, Savoie finished fifth among AHL rookies with 54 points in 66 games after a dominant WHL career, where he posted a 1.41 points-per-game average. He’s not only the team’s top prospect but also their best internal option for immediate secondary scoring.

Below them are Beau Akey and Dalyn Wakely, both of whom enjoyed strong OHL campaigns. Akey, the Oilers’ top blueline prospect, returned to health and provided steady two-way play for the Barrie Colts. Now 20, he’s expected to transition to the pro level this season. Wakely has joined the NCAA rush, committing to UMass for the 2025-26 season.

Speaking of college, GM Stan Bowman has made a point of adding NCAA talent to the mix, zeroing in on two Boston University forwards: Quinn Hutson—brother of Lane and Cole—and Matt Copponi. Hutson joins and instantly slots in as our third-ranked prospect within the system and should find a home in Bakersfield in 2025-26.

Emil Venni, despite limited starts in 2024-25, remains a high-upside long-term option in the crease.

With Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl still in their primes, Edmonton has no choice but to think in the now. For the Oilers, the goal remains clear: keep stacking talent around their stars in hopes of finally bringing Lord Stanley's cup back to Alberta’s capital.

Edmonton Oilers Top-15 Prospects

1 - Matthew Savoie

The Matthew Savoie trade will be a fun one to look back on in a few years when all the dust has settled, especially given Buffalo's long history of giving up future breakout stars. His first full AHL season was very promising, adjusting quickly and producing at a high rate, hovering around 0.80 points per game. Savoie’s shot had a lot of success against AHL goalies, with goals coming from a variety of locations and releases, but his ability to knock loose pucks home with a quick release stood out the most. As a playmaker, he’s made some slick plays by using his shiftiness to open up passing lanes and hit teammates in the slot. It’s very possible Savoie could make the jump to the NHL soon, even if he’s not quite ready. The Oilers are always tight against the cap and looking for secondary scoring, so he could be a strong fit in their bottom six, should they give him an opportunity.

2 - Isaac Howard

Edmonton’s newest prospect addition, Isaac Howard, joins the organization with a pedigree that should excite Oilers fans. The 2022 31st overall pick was acquired from the Tampa Bay Lightning this offseason in exchange for fellow first rounder Sam O’Reilly. His game took off in 2024-25 as he jumped up to 52 points, a 16-point improvement on his previous best, en route to a Hobey Baker Award. Howard led the NCAA in points per game with Michigan State and even suited up for the United States at the World Championship in the spring. Howard plays with a ton of pace and is sneakily dangerous with his ability to identify and slip into soft spots in coverage and pounce on loose pucks. This skill set was huge in his emergence as a goal scorer last season, and will be invaluable in the Oilers lineup given the attention-grabbing weapons they already have offensively. It is not hard to imagine Howard being a fixture in Edmonton’s top six forward group and on the power play for years to come.

3 - Quinn Hutson

Quinn Hutson, older brother of Canadiens blueliner Lane and Capitals prospect Cole, was an undrafted free agent that signed an entry level contract with the Oilers this past spring. Hutson emerged as an offensive threat last season with Boston University, reaching the 50-point mark. Though not as elusive of a skater as his brothers, Quinn still is an above average skater and has a much better shot than either of them. His standout trait is his ability to find open ice, where he can either get dangerous shots off or find a nearby teammate with a short pass. Quinn will need to get stronger and focus on developing his defensive game before he will be able to stick as an NHL regular. Hutson may one day develop into a middle six scoring winger. For this season, it’s expected that he will be continuing his development in Bakersfield.

4 - Beau Akey

After missing the majority of last year with a shoulder injury, Akey returned to the Barrie lineup this season with fairly high expectations. The incredibly smooth skating defender ended up having an OK year, which can often be the case for players returning from serious shoulder injuries; it takes time to build up that confidence again. Unfortunately for Akey, he also lost his role as the lead offensive defender due to the emergence of Kashawn Aitcheson. However, he did make the Canadian World Junior team in a depth role, although the team did greatly underperform. The concern with Akey might be that the shoulder injury negatively impacted his development as an offensive facilitator. Does he profile as a defensive first player at the pro level? In order to be an NHL defender, he’s going to need to find that mojo again as a puck carrier, using his terrific skating ability to be a difference maker at both ends. He’ll turn pro next year and will probably need to be brought along slowly in Bakersfield.

5 - Maxim Berezyokin

Maxim Beryozkin has come a long way since being drafted by Edmonton in 2020, evolving into one of the KHL’s top two-way forwards. His high compete level stands out as he pressures opponents relentlessly and forces countless turnovers. Offensively, he’s gained confidence as a play driver, consistently creating chances with smart, patient passing. He protects the puck well using his size and smooth hands, showing a more polished, controlled game overall. While his pace might be a concern at the NHL level, he’s become a reliable, hard-working forward who could thrive in a bottom six/fourth-line role. With his KHL contract set to expire this season, a move to Edmonton could come soon. He will likely need some time in the AHL, but his work ethic and development give him a real chance at an NHL future.

6 - Samuel Jonsson

Coming into the 2024-25 season, no one would have had Jonsson touted as a guy to look out for. But after a great campaign in the Allsvenskan, seemingly out of nowhere, Jonsson should now find himself in a tandem role with Bakersfield. Jonsson is a big, technical goalie, who has some athletic ability but typically opts for a reserved playstyle. He frames a great stance, keeping it very stable, he uses calm precise shuffles with smart routes through the crease, and has shown to have a very quick glove. He also tracks play pretty well too, and has good attention to detail in his movement, moving as a full connected unit. But he does struggle to set his feet for a shot with quick change of direction and has a tendency to open up the five hole if making a butterfly slide/adjustment. Given the goalie situation in Edmonton and no true third string goalie as of yet, Jonsson could find himself in an Oilers uniform relatively soon if he adjusts to the AHL well and potentially end up as a backup.

7 - Roby Jarventie

Roby’s time in North America has not been smooth sailing by any means. He missed much of the 2023-24 season with a lingering knee injury and then played just two games in the 2024-25 season with his new team following his departure from the Senators organization. It was announced he’d miss the rest of the year due to more knee issues. After it looked like he would return to his home country, Edmonton re-signed Roby on a one-year deal, giving him a last chance in North America to have a healthy, productive season. Roby reads the play well and has the skill to be effective in transition. He was regularly winning pucks on the forecheck and picked up a pair of assists in his season debut. He also chipped in defensively, picking off passes and turning the play back up ice. It will be interesting to see Roby fight for a spot with the Oilers in potentially his last opportunity. It all hinges on his lower-body issues.

8 - Tommy Lafrenière

When a player gets to be part of a roster that features generational talents, like the Edmonton Oilers currently have with both Connor McDavid and Leaon Draisaitl, sometimes the most important thing to learn is how to support those superstars and make their jobs easier. For Lafrenière, if he ever reaches that point in his career his coaches probably won’t have to teach him much, because he already is that kind of player. It’s impossible to not like and respect what he brings, because he’s just so focused and determined and fearless, and he brings that mentality every single shift. The Blazers were a WHL bottom-feeder for all of 2024-25, yet that didn’t stop him from playing like every game was a big one, and with that mentality he just kept taking on more and more responsibility on his team, offensively and defensively. Lafrenière will never be the best player on an NHL team — or probably even an WHL or AHL team — but he should be a great glue guy to keep around in an organization.

9 - William Nicholl

Nicholl was, hands down, one of the most improved players in the OHL this past year. In true London Knights fashion, the Edmonton seventh rounder went from being a fourth line afterthought to a top six difference maker in a matter of a year. The Oilers have to be ecstatic about his progress. On a lot of nights last season, Nicholl was the most impressive forward for the Knights and that includes top picks like Easton Cowan, Kasper Halttunen, and former Oiler Sam O’Reilly. Nicholl’s game is all about using his speed to be effective. He loves to push pace, and he has the work rate to match that pace; which has endeared him to Dale Hunter. He flashes significant offensive upside thanks to improving hands and we’ll get a much better read of said upside next year when he becomes a go-to offensive player for London. At this point, it looks like the Oilers have found a nice little gem late in the draft last year.

10 - Paul Fischer

Paul Fischer had a great season as a sophomore at Notre Dame, developing as a two-way defenceman with a strong defensive presence and moderate offensive awareness. His physical play is a standout trait, as he actively engages in puck battles and clears the net front effectively. Under pressure, he demonstrates solid puck movement, though he struggles at times with routine passes. His positioning and defensive awareness started off shaky but improved as the games progressed, highlighting his adaptability. Skating remains average, and decision making is an area for further growth, requiring patience in his development. Fischer has been deployed on the second unit for special teams, showcasing his ability to contribute in various situations. Looking ahead, Fischer’s ability to refine his passing consistency and decision-making will be crucial in maximizing his two-way potential. With continued development, he has the tools to become a reliable, second or third-line pairing defenceman who can contribute on both ends of the ice.

11 - David Lewandowski

We’ve seen several versions of Lewandowski to date and at his best, it can be a glorious thing to watch. And when not, then take cover. Inconsistency has haunted him every step of the way but his jump to the WHL last season after seven scoreless DEL contests was a very good sign of what he has in the tank. We found out he’s more physical than we previously knew but there are skating issues here for Edmonton to clean up. Sidenote: He’s a fan of countryman Draisaitl!

12 - Eemil Vinni

Vinni’s draft year was terribly exciting due to his starting role for a Mestis team with whom he was able to put up big numbers. However, the aftermath of back surgery in the summer of 2024 pretty much led to his 2024-25 season getting washed out. Ultimately, he only started 8 pro contests this past season and his last game was at the end of December. Now it’s all about seeing if and when the rather well-schooled goalie will play again.

13 - Matvey Petrov

With two straight seasons of basically identical lower line AHL stats, Petrov’s stellar 93-point regular season and 22-point playoff run in the OHL during the 2022-23 season feels like a very long time ago. As an AHLer, Petrov hasn’t been able to escape a bottom four role, having at least emerged as a penalty killing option. Time for him to show more wherewithal with the puck, better usage of time and space, and a lot more shots. Chases the game too much.

14 - Viljami Marjala

A 2021 Buffalo Sabres draft pick, Marjala unexpectedly went unsigned this past summer, and Edmonton swiftly moved in to give him an ELC. After two decent but not overwhelming seasons in the QMJHL, Marjala has spent the past three seasons in Finland crafting himself into a verified offensive force in Liiga play, finishing this past season fifth overall in assists and 14th overall in scoring. The AHL beckons and we’re certainly excited about his unpredictable puck play.

15 - Connor Clattenburg

Drafted as a big, rugged winger always willing to throw his weight around, Clattenburg not only spent this past season as the captain of his Firebirds team but became a player coaches across the OHL respected for his extremely hard work and defensive play. Throw in his career high offensive production and the fact that Edmonton has already inked him to an ELC, and it’s evident that the organization believes in his possibilities as a future fourth line NHLer.

2025 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: #22 BUFFALO SABRES – Top 15 NHL Affiliated Prospects

Thu, 22 May 2025 18:59:20 +0000

CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 06: Rochester Americans center Konsta Helenius (91) shoots the puck during the first period of the American Hockey League game between the Rochester Americans and Cleveland Monsters on November 6, 2024, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire)

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Buffalo 25 Prospects

NHL PROSPECTS: Top five drafted prospects in Europe

Chapin Landvogt — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 19:43:02 +0000

The 24-25 season has played host to a number of European draft picks making some real noise in leagues across the continent. Whereas the top five draft picks on the European side of the pond was a relatively clear story in recent years, a good dozen players threw their names in the hat to claim a spot in the following list this season. In addition, some of our honorable mentions here not only would have been on those recent lists, but a couple actually were also (we’re looking at you, messers Nikishin and Sandin-Pellikka)!

Long story short, the NHL teams who own these players’ rights have a whole lot to look forward to.

Of course, as nice a season as the following players have had, it’s up to them to take the next step!

Ivan Demidov - RW/C - KHL - Montreal Canadians 1st rounder in 2024

Sure, there was plenty of fanfare about Demidov at last summer’s draft and the seemingly typical unknowns with respect to his status as a Russian prospect moving forward. In Demidov’s case, his draft year was basically spent in the MHL junior circuit and as dominating as his stats there were, such a measuring stick is laden with uncertainty. A Montreal organization that has done plenty of drafting over the past half decade had no qualms in selecting him fifth overall and welp, it looks like they’ve got a player who may one day end up being among the top three to come out of this draft. He’s only proceeded to spend the entire 24-25 season playing for SKA St. Petersburg in the KHL and it’s been beautiful. 49 points and a +17 in 63 regular season games has been absolutely outstanding for any player at the age of 18/19 in his rookie pro season, but it’s been accompanied by no lack of highlights and flashes of brilliance along the way. His current KHL contract ends this spring once the playoffs have concluded, so the expectation is that we’ll see him in North America next fall. The leaguewide excitement is warranted and considerable, to say the least.

He (91) can rip it!

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He can dish it off!

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Dmitri Buchelnikov - LW - KHL - Detroit Red Wings 2nd rounder in 2022

When Buchelnikov was drafted, he was one of those picks that was very intriguing but clouded by uncertainty among world events and in light of his incredible draft year stats coming entirely in the Russian MHL. Where have we heard that before? Well, Buchelnikov followed his strong draft year with a noticeable VHL season before becoming a KHL regular on loan last season, putting up 29 points in the process. That strong step has turned into a monster 24-25 season in which the 21-year-old has accumulated 51 points in 62 KHL games, mostly on the strength of 36 assists, becoming a key powerplay quarterback in the process. Shifty and slick with the puck, Buchelnikov has the kind of game-reading smarts that rarely see him make a poor decision with the puck while also being able to make timely passes and throw absolute darts on goal at any given time. Detroit will need to wait another year, but the Red Wings could have another ready-made youngster coming into the fray as of the summer of 2026.

He (72) can rip it!

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He can dish it off!

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Lenni Hämeenaho - RW - Liiga - New Jersey Devils 2nd rounder in 2023

Hämeenaho has been one of these players who just continues to produce wherever he plays and in whatever environment. He’s been ready-made for a power play role at every step of his development in the last half dozen years and neither his size nor tools have ever really been brought into question with respect to their projectability. He was a regular Liiga player in his draft year and now he’s one of the guys at the top of his team’s scoring list. He’s just continued to produce throughout the season, now at 20-31-51 in 58 games, even turning things up a notch with nine points in his final 10 regular season games. Little stands in the way of him signing his ELC this summer and joining a New Jersey Devils team that can realistically hope that it has another Jesper Bratt style impact player on its hands.

He (29) can rip it!

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1-lenni_hameenaho_-_2nd_period_21_59_-_22_9.mp4

He can dish it off!

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He can even run with it…

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Jesse Kiiskinen - C - Liiga - Detroit Red Wings (by trade) 3rd rounder in 2023

Another Red Wings prospect, albeit a Nashville pick from 2023 that Steve Yzerman traded for, Kiiskinen has absolutely exploded this season, becoming his team’s top scorer. Eyebrows were raised with 10 Liiga points in his DY+1, but nobody would have seen him putting up 14-30-44 and +6 numbers in his DY+2. But that’s exactly what he did! The crafty righty shot whose game just keeps getting slicker might have had even better numbers if he hadn’t been a key component for an upstart silver medal WJC squad for which he went 6-1-7 in 7 contests. In short, it’s been a phenomenal season and word is, he’s even getting consideration for the men’s WC this spring. As always, Finland has plenty of players to pick from but what doesn’t seem to be in question is Kiiskinen’s near future. An ELC is all but in the bag and even if he’s given another year in Europe, he clearly looks like he has the offensive skills and wherewithal to put his name on the NHL map within the next three seasons.

He can rip it!

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He (38) can dish it off!

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Oliver Kapanen - C - SHL - Montreal Canadiens 2nd rounder in 2021

Kapanen spent a whole lot of time with the Canadiens last fall, even suiting up for 12 games (2 assists) before being loaned out to the Olli Jokinen-coached Timra squad in the Swedish SHL, where he then proceeded to take the league by storm. To be clear, his 27- and then 34-point seasons in Liiga play the previous two years where strong indicators about where things were headed for this 21-year-old, but finishing this season with 15 goals and 35 points in 36 games, including five points in the final two games of the season was nothing short of an attest to where he’s at and how close he is to contributing at the NHL level. Strong on the face-off and opportunistic throughout the offensive zone, it’s hard to imagine Kapanen outside of North America next season. There are NHL teams for whom Kapanen could easily be seen as the top prospect at this very moment.

He (89) can snipe it!

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He can dish it off!

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He’s got face-off game…

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Honorable mention:

Nikita Artamanov - RW - KHL - Carolina Hurricanes 2nd rounder in 2024

We all knew he was good last season, putting up 23 points in 54 KHL games as an 18-year-old. Impressive! That wasn’t sexy enough to make him a first-round pick but seeing him jump from seven to 22 goals (38 points thus far) this season sure makes him feel like a first rounder now.

Semyon Chistyakov - D - KHL - Nashville Predators 4th rounder in 2019

The Predators have always been able to find defensive gems in the draft and after next season, Chistyakov will likely count as yet another. We’ve liked him for years now, but his career high 17 goals, 38 points, and +28 have put him in a whole new light at this point.

Simon Forsmark - D - SHL - Carolina Hurricanes 4th rounder in 2022

Goodness, Carolina sure knows how to pick them. Good-sized defenseman increased his output with even more responsibility this season. Just the type of player you hope to hit on in the middle rounds.

Artyom Galimov - LW - KHL - Anaheim Ducks 5th rounder in 2020

Some might say he’s the top draftee in all of Europe. After all, he’s got 35-24-59 and +30 in 65 KHL games this season. That puts him way up there in league scoring. However, he is already 25 and only really exploded this season, even if in a big way. What comes next?

Marcus Gidlöf - G - SHL - New York Islanders 5th rounder in 2024

We liked him a lot as a midrounder with strong upside last summer. Alas, even we didn’t see him turning into a late-season SHL starter and putting up some of the most solid numbers in the league. Throw in Gamzin (KHL) and the Islanders suddenly have some interesting goaltending options.

Samuel Jonsson - G - HockeyAllsvenskan - Edmonton Oilers 5th rounder in 2022

Just 21, the 6-foot-5 netminder is killing it for HA contender Karlskoga, (somewhat) coming out of nowhere with a 17-6 record and 1.88 GAA. Now we’ll see if he becomes the go-to guy in the playoffs.

Vitali Kravtsov - RW/LW - KHL - Vancouver Canuck (Rangers) 1st rounder in 2018

It’s taken a good long while, but Kravtsov has finally put in a season that has him firmly entrenched as a “scorer”, albeit in the KHL. 27 goals, 55 points, and a +28 are all career highs. So, uh, is he heading back to North America? His KHL contract is up...

Viljami Marjala - C/LW - Liiga - Buffalo Sabres 5th rounder in 2021

Several decent, but unspectacular seasons in the QMJHL have turned into two straight solid Liiga seasons and he’s just 22 now. Only eight goals this year, but 51 points! A top Liiga playmaker.

Vadim Moroz - LW/RW - KHL - Utah HC 3rd rounder in 2023

The good-sized Belarussian winger had two decent KHL seasons as an uncertain lower line player for a struggling Dinamo Minsk. Now he’s tearing things apart with 25 goals and 42 points. The +17 looks good too. And he’s just 21. Nice!

Ilya Nabokov - G - KHL - Colorado Avalanche 2nd rounder in 2024

Already an overage sensation last summer, Nabokov has done nothing other than double down on his potential with a 23-16 season featuring a 2.16 GAA and .925 SV%. Granted, those are fairly “pedestrian” technical stats in the KHL, but he’s a gamer and a winner.

Alexander Nikishin - D - KHL - Carolina Hurricanes 3rd rounder in 2020

It’s basically groundhog day again this year, even if Nikishin’s numbers are a wee bit lower than in seasons before. Of course, he’s second in KHL scoring among defensemen and his 17 goals are tied for first, so there’s that. The SKA Saint Pete’s captain is as NHL-ready as they come.

Joel Nyström - D - SHL - Carolina Hurricanes 7th rounder in 2021

Has arrived as a full-fledged SHL defenseman for a contender this season, putting up six goals and 27 points in the regular season. Hardly surprising that another Carolina pick is establishing himself as a possible NHL defenseman despite being a seventh round pick.

Axel Sandin-Pellikka - D - SHL - Detroit Red Wings 1st rounder in 2023

Kicked off the season with one highlight reel after another. 12 goals and 29 points is some solid blueline work for an SHL teenager. Had bouts with consistency and was good, but not overly dominant at the WJC. Still a dreamy prospect with a possibly special NHL future.

Arno Tiefensee - G - DEL - Dallas Stars 5th rounder in 2023

In a bad season for DEL goalie stats, Tiefensee is near the top across the board in most categories and the clear #1 for his Mannheim team. Brutally strong numbers and six wins in his final 10 starts to the season have folks excited in Mannheim now that it’s playoff time!

Zemyon Vyazoyov - G - KHL - Seattle Kraken 6th rounder in 2021

Second in the KHL with a 1.86 GAA and second overall with a .936 SV%. He’s taken a big step this year with a winning record, even if he’s still just a 1b for his team.

Yegor Zavragin - G - KHL - Philadelphia Flyers 3rd rounder in 2023

Zavragin is just 19 and already a full-fledged starter at the KHL - for a winner, no less. Looks like good things are ahead for the growing goaltender.

Other notables:

Zakhar Bardakov (COL, KHL), Maxim Berezkin (EDM, KHL), Henrik Borgström (WAS, SHL), Alex Chmelevski (SJS, KHL), Liam Dower-Nilsson (DET, HockeyAllsvenskan), Noel Fransen (CAR, HockeyAllsvenskan), Hugo Gabrielson (VAN, HockeyAllsvenskan), Kirill Gerasimyuk (FLA, VHL), Olaf Glifford (FLA, SHL), Vasili Glotov (BUF, KHL), Arseni Gritsyuk (NJD, KHL), Filip Hallander (PIT, SHL), Juha Jatkola (NAS, Liiga), Roman Kantserov (CHI, KHL), Oiva Keskinen (CBJ, Liiga), Bogdan Konyushkov (MTL, KHL), Josef Korenar (UHC, CZE), Rasmus Korhonen (UHC, HockeyAllsvenskan), Yaroslav Korostelyov (SJS, MHL), Matvei Korotky (STL, MHL), Topias Leiponen (BUF, HockeyAllsvenskan), Jakob Malek (NJD, Liiga), Ivan Morozov (VGK, KHL), Felix Nilsson (NAS, SHL), Victor Nörringer (NAS, SWE U20), Ilya Pautov (PHI, MHL), Prokhor Poltapov (BUF, KHL), Daniil Pylenkov (TBL, KHL), Dmitri Rashevsky (WIN, KHL), Vinzenz Rohrer (MTL, NL), Otto Salin (LAK, Liiga), Daniil Savunov (UHC, VHL), Melker Thelin (UHC, HockeyAllsvenskan), Lassi Thomson (OTT, SHL), Victor Söderström (CHI, SHL), Danila Yurov (MIN, KHL)

MCKEEN’S 2024-25 NHL YEARBOOK – BUFFALO SABRES – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #12

Introduction - Dave Hall, Profiles - Josh Bell — Sun, 22 Sep 2024 13:00:37 +0000

_{PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 28:Buffalo Sabres center Jiri Kulich (20) skates with the puck during the second period in the NHL preseason game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Buffalo Sabres on September 28, 2023, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire)}

Prospect System Ranking – 12th (Previous Rank - 2nd)
GM: Kevyn Adams Hired: June 2020
COACH: Lindy Ruff Hired: April 2024

Trading away McKeen’s 39th-ranked prospect, Matthew Savoie, has left a dent in the Sabres' prospect rankings, causing their fall from second to eighth, and now to 12th. However, at some point, the focus must shift from stockpiling prospects to winning games and making a push for the playoffs. Even with Savoie out of the picture, Buffalo still boasts seven players within our McKeen’s top 150, including two prospects ranked in the top 35. Most of their top prospects are close to home, developing with the Rochester Americans in the AHL while sitting just a rock's throw away of NHL deployment.

Leading the pack is forward Jiri Kulich (33rd), who appears closest to earning a promotion to the NHL. Since transitioning from Czechia two seasons ago, Kulich has been a consistent producer, racking up 91 points across 119 games, good for a 0.76 point-per-game pace. Isak Rosén (116th), Buffalo’s 2021 first rounder, is right behind him with 87 points over roughly the same span of games. Swedish sensations Noah Östlund (93rd) and Anton Wahlberg (110th) have also been tracking nicely in the SHL and have crossed the pond. Meanwhile, Konsta Helenius (51st), Buffalo’s latest first-round pick, is expected to join the North American ranks.

Buffalo’s prospect pool complements an already youthful NHL roster featuring Jack Quinn (22), Dylan Cozens (23), Zach Benson (19), J.J. Peterka (22), Tage Thompson (26), Bowen Byram (23), Owen Power (21), and Rasmus Dahlin (24).

The situation between the pipes is especially interesting. With Devon Levi, McKeen’s 21st-ranked prospect, waiting in the wings, Buffalo recently signed 25-year-old Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to a new five-year extension. While this solidifies Buffalo’s goaltending depth, it raises questions about how the goalie hierarchy will shake out.

After 13 years without playoff hockey, Buffalo’s rebuild has come to a critical juncture. With an incredibly talented core and a strong prospect pool, it’s only a matter of time before this team is ready to surge back into postseason contention.

Buffalo Sabres Top-15 Prospects

1. Devon Levi

Devon Levi's meteoric rise through the NCAA ranks had scouts raving about his potential as a future NHL star. The buzz stemmed from his remarkable calmness in net, his ability to make highlight-reel saves with a feline grace, and his knack for stealing games for his team. Levi's arrival in the NHL hasn't quite been the seamless transition many expected. While the raw talent is undeniable, there's a sense that the pro game's quicker pace and tighter margins have exposed some weaknesses in his game. His save percentages haven't reached the heights he achieved in college, and there have been moments where his positioning seems a touch off. The key is to remain patient. Adjusting to the NHL is a challenge for any goalie, and Levi's underlying numbers suggest there's still plenty to be optimistic about. He has the tools to be a difference-maker at this level, but it might take some time for him to fully adjust and find his rhythm.

2. Jiri Kulich

Jiri Kulich isn't the biggest forward on the ice, but he plays with a heart that belies his frame. He boasts a powerful skating stride that translates to dangerous rushes and the ability to create separation in tight spaces. Don't be fooled by his speed – Kulich isn't afraid to mix it up in the dirty areas. He battles for pucks along the boards with a willingness to go to the net to create scoring chances. But his true calling card is his offensive arsenal. He possesses a wicked wrist shot with a deceptive release, making him a constant threat from the perimeter. He's not a one-trick pony, though. Kulich displays slick hands and a knack for finding open ice in scoring areas. His hockey IQ shines in his ability to anticipate plays and make smart decisions. While all that is enticing, there's room for improvement in his overall strength. Consistency can also be a concern. If he addresses those issues, Kulich has top six forward potential with a knack for scoring goals.

3. Konsta Helenius

Konsta Helenius is a highly intelligent and skilled player, drawing comparisons to Lucas Raymond in his draft year due to their similar style, size, and smart play. Known for his results-oriented approach, Helenius consistently performed at a high level, finishing fifth in Liiga scoring among players 20 or younger, despite not being affiliated with an NHL team. He also represented Finland at the WJC, U18 Worlds, and the men’s world championships, where he made a strong impression as the youngest player ever to suit up for Team Finland. Helenius’s puck control, passing, and ability to navigate through traffic make him a formidable offensive threat. Although he needs to add strength, his skillset and maturity suggest he’ll be a valuable NHL asset soon. Helenius is seen as a player who could make a swift impact at the NHL level, potentially even faster than Raymond.

4. Noah Ostlund

Don't be fooled by his size – Noah Ostlund conducts the offence like a seasoned veteran. The Swedish center boasts a smooth skating stride and elite puckhandling ability, weaving through defenders with a magician's touch. His vision on the ice is a thing of beauty, threading needlepoint passes to spring linemates for breakaways. While not a prolific scorer himself, Ostlund elevates the play of everyone around him, a true playmaking maestro. Questions linger about his finishing touch. Despite flashes of a deceptive shot, consistency in finding the net remains a work in progress. Adding some physicality to his frame wouldn't hurt either, allowing him to battle harder in the trenches and win those board battles. Despite these areas for improvement, Ostlund's potential as a top six center with elite playmaking skills is undeniable. If he can add some scoring punch and a bit of grit, he could become a difference-maker at the NHL level.

5. Anton Wahlberg

After a limited stint with the Malmö Redhawks in the SHL, where he put up 10 points in 43 games, Wahlberg found his footing in the AHL with the Rochester Americans. In nine games with the Americans, Wahlberg notched one goal and three assists for four points. While the point totals aren't eye-popping, it's important to remember Wahlberg is a young player (just 18 years old) adjusting to the pro game. The small sample size in the AHL makes it difficult to draw major conclusions, but the fact that he was able to produce at all is a positive sign. Those familiar with Wahlberg's scouting reports will likely point to his hockey IQ and playmaking ability as his biggest strengths. While his offensive upside remains to be seen, his performance in the AHL suggests he can be a productive player at that level. Looking ahead, it will be interesting to see how the Sabres decide to utilize him. Another year in the AHL could be in the cards.

6. Isak Rosen

Isak Rosen wasn't expected to light up the scoresheet in his second AHL season, but the young Swede did just that. After a decent rookie campaign, Rosen exploded offensively in 2023-24, putting up a respectable 50 points (20 goals, 30 assists) in 67 games for the Rochester Americans. His improved playmaking ability was particularly noteworthy, suggesting a well-rounded offensive skillset emerging. Questions linger, however. While he can create scoring chances, his finishing touch remains a work in progress. Consistency was also an issue – stretches of dominance were occasionally punctuated by quiet periods. Did Rosen finally earn his NHL call-up many predicted last season? The answer is a tantalizing ‘almost.’ He saw limited action with the Sabres, failing to register a point. His development in 2023-24 was a positive step, but the jury's still out on his NHL readiness. Can he refine his finishing and translate his AHL success to the big leagues? This season will be crucial in determining if Rosen becomes a reliable NHL contributor or remains a top AHL producer.

7. Vsevolod Komarov

Drafted 134th overall in 2022, the Sabres saw something in the 6-foot-3, 187-pound Vsevolod Komarov. The defender was coming off his first season in the QMJHL and while he had modest production, Buffalo believed in him. That appeared to be the right choice as the defenceman led all QMJHL defenders in assists (55) and points (69) this past season, earning him the Emile-Bouchard Trophy as the top defender in the league. The Russian defender has steadily improved since coming to North America, showing off creativity at the blue line, an ability to draw defenders in, and the knack for finding his open teammates. He’s not afraid to fire a shot himself either. Defensively, he utilizes his size very well, using his strength to muscle people off pucks and his reach to knock pucks away and get in the passing lanes. While there was some question about his upside and potential, Komarov is looking more and more like an NHL player.

8. Adam Kleber

Kleber is a towering right-shot defender who showed remarkable growth throughout last season. After struggling in the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup and having a slow start in the USHL with Lincoln, he gradually gained confidence and improved his impact on both ends of the ice. A key factor in his development was the significant improvement in his skating, which became noticeably more powerful and fluid as the season progressed—a rare mid-season transformation that highlights his dedication and hard work. Defensively, Kleber became more effective at handling faster opponents, thanks to his improved mobility and impressive reach. Offensively, he began to take more risks as a puck mover, showing a newfound aggressiveness that hints at a higher upside. While he may never reach Cale Makar's level, his evolving confidence with the puck could push him beyond the role of a physical, stay-at-home defender. An NHL team would be wise to let him develop further at Minnesota-Duluth, allowing him to refine his puck skills and build confidence before turning pro.

9. Maxim Strbak

Drafted 45th overall by Buffalo, Maxim Strbak's freshman year at Michigan State was a solid, if unspectacular, debut. Known for his strong defensive positioning and ability to clear the crease, Strbak solidified himself as a reliable presence on the Spartans' blue line. While his offensive contributions were limited (two goals, nine points in 32 games), his defensive awareness and strong work ethic were valuable assets for the team. His skating remains a work in progress, particularly his top speed. This could limit his offensive upside at the NHL level. However, his ability to shut down plays, and make smart decisions with the puck, suggests he can carve out a niche as a dependable two-way defenceman. His development in the coming years will be crucial in determining whether he can become a top four option for the Sabres.

10. Viktor Neuchev

Viktor Neuchev is a tantalizing prospect with a rare blend of speed, skill, and creativity. At 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, he has the frame to play a power-forward role at the NHL level. Neuchev possesses a heavy shot that he can unleash with a quick release. He’s also surprisingly nimble for his size, showing good edgework and acceleration. The Russian winger boasts elite-level quickness, able to separate from defenders with ease and generate high-danger scoring chances. His vision and anticipation are equally impressive, consistently identifying soft spots in coverage and delivering precision passes to exploit them. While Neuchev must continue to develop his physicality and defensive awareness, his upside is significant. With continued growth, he could become a dynamic, top six forward and a key contributor on the power play. Neuchev's ceiling is high, and he's an exciting addition to the Sabres' prospect pipeline.

11. Aleksandr Kisakov

Aleksandr Kisakov is a dynamic offensive talent with high-end skating, agility, and edge work, enabling him to navigate through defenders and create scoring chances. His vision, anticipation, and quick release shot make him a constant threat. While he excels offensively and isn't afraid to battle along the boards, his defensive awareness needs improvement. With continued development, Kisakov has the potential to be a top six forward for the Sabres.

12. Brodie Ziemer

Brodie Ziemer may not always stand out during games with his average height and speed, but his intelligence and skill set make him a key player. As a former captain of Team USA at the U18 Worlds, he excels in tight spaces with excellent hands around the net, delivering subtle tips and strong support. Ziemer’s contributions go beyond offence; he's reliable on the penalty kill, blocks shots, and does the little things right. His deceptive strength and all-for-the-team mentality make him a valuable, Zach Hyman-like prospect.

13. Nikita Novikov

After being drafted back in 2021, 188th overall, Nikita Novikov finally made the jump overseas in 2023-24, dressing for the AHL’s Rochester Americans. The two-way defender showed off impressive abilities in his own end, using his long reach and strong positioning to shut down opponents. He also took strides forward in the offensive zone, showing improved confidence and assertiveness. He’s on track to a bottom-four role in the NHL in the near future.

14. Prokhor Poltapov

Before hearing his name called 33rd overall in 2021, Prokhor Poltapov looked like one of the most skilled players in the NHL Draft. Since then, he’s made the jump to the KHL where he’s struggled to translate his offensive talent. His decision-making and use of his teammates need improvement, but there’s no questioning the skill he brings. He’s going to need to work out how to adapt his game now that he’s playing against strong opponents.

15. Viljami Marjala

Viljami Marjala has been developing very well since being drafted back in 2021, going from the QMJHL to the U20 SM-sarja to the Liiga full-time in 2023-24. He impressed with 40 points in 60 games, showing off his deceptiveness and unpredictability as he navigated defences. Expect him to take another step forward in the Liiga this season before coming back to North America.

NHL PROSPECTS: 22-23 European Prospect Musings #2 – Prospects coming into focus in the stretch run

Chapin Landvogt — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 16:28:41 +0000

While the NHL All-Star Game has just wrapped up and NHL teams are gearing up for whatever trade deadline transactions they may intend to conduct at the end of the month, most European leagues are in the stretch run for playoff spots, with a few leagues just a half dozen games away from “the best time of the year”. Looking across Europe and even into Russia, there are plenty of interesting prospect notes, but not a whole of stories that have NHL teams licking their chops about a young man who is guiding the fortunes of his respective league, much less his team.

We’d like to take a look at some of the more notable stories that have been developing to this point in the season.

230103 Rögles William Wallinder, 3 januari 2023 i Växjö.
Foto: Jonas Ljungdahl / BILDBYRÅN

Sweden

Coming into the season as a favorite, Rogle has certainly not had the season it was expecting and is currently mired in 11th, yet only four points away from 8th place. The team has nonetheless seen several young draftees grow into bigger, if not chief roles. It was expected that Detroit’s Marco Kasper would grow on last season, and he has, putting up eight goals and 20 points to date. A number of his assists have come on the power play, and he’s had a top nine role pretty much all season. As a third-year pro, Adam Edstrom (NYR) is in the midst of a career season, even if his 12 points to date are only minimally more than what he’s produced the past two years. His role has grown and he’s looking a lot more at home in his 6’8”, 225-pound body.

Another Rangers pick, Oliver Tarnstrom, has taken on a much smaller role, but also suited up for 32 games now while Ottawa’s 2022 3rd rounder Oskar Pettersson has found himself in a Rogle jersey for 21 games, which might have been more had he not spent several weeks playing for the WJC squad. Each has two points in the SHL this year. Buffalo’s SHL recent 7th rounder Linus Sjodin has suited up for 41 games (six points) himself, although this is his second full season in the SHL.

But the real story on the prospect front have been the defensemen William Wallinder (DET) and Adam Engstrom (MON). A recent second rounder, Wallinder was already a contributing regular last season, but his role has grown into that of the team’s go-to player on the blueline. He not only leads all defensemen with 23 points in 41 games but is third on the entire team in scoring. At the same time, Engstrom has wiggled his way into what is basically a top 4 role, contributing 10 points in 32 games along the way. That actually has him 5th overall in the SHL in junior rookie scoring. The world got to see how far he’s come when he put up three points and a +6 at the WJC for Team Sweden. His star is rising considerably on the prospect front.

As should come as no surprise, the top scorers in the league continue to be veterans, with recent Maple Leaf Antti Suomela having led the way most of the season. His 24 goals and 48 points in just 38 games were good for tops and have him producing at a clip that few players have played at in the SHL over the past decade. He is however now trailing UFA and linemate Patrik Karlkvist, who has collected 50 points in 41 contests. Recent San Jose Shark Jonathan Dahlen, who headed back to his heart and hometown team Timra to play his first ever season of SHL play, is sitting 9th in league scoring with 17 goals and 32 points. The 25-year-old had 12 goals for the Sharks just last season.

But all eyes are still on Örebro HK forward Leo Carlsson, who’s coming off a 6-point WJC performance. He’s not blowing anything out of the water with his five goals and 18 points in 34 games, but as usually happens in a top pro league, vets tend to be relied upon more down the stretch run. His name still tops the list of draft eligibles, but we think NHL teams have got to have Axel Sandin-Pelikka ranked among their top 20 prospects for next summer’s event. And we’d advise any and everyone who is stat watching to disregard his mere five points in 22 games and the quiet assist at the WJC. His coaches already trust him. He’s getting PP time and he’s getting time at the end of the game when something is on the line. His understanding of the game, ice usage, and situations is simply something you don’t see much in a player this age.

A teammate of his in Skelleftea and on the U20 club is Zeb Forsfjall. The young man with a slight build has 10 games of SHL play and is looking like a lock for the U18 Worlds this spring. He is the younger brother of 20-year-old Mans Forsfjall who is undrafted but looking like quite the overage option in this summer’s draft, often found on the first line and having put up two goals, 13 points, and a +14 thus far this season. Would be fascinating if the brothers are both selected next summer.

There’s a whole bunch more going on across the nation in the SHL, Allsvenskan, and U20 circuit with a number of draft-eligible players getting shifts in pro hockey, but we continue to be very impressed with the J20 Nationell Noah Dower Nilsson, whose 48 points in 28 games means he’s clipping at a 1.78 PPG pace, which is a league-high. It’s only been good enough to get him into one game of SHL action, but the mother club Frolunda is chock full of options and, well, Detroit prospect Liam Dower Nilsson (22 games) looks to be blocking his path to the bigs at the moment.

Boston Bruins fans will be happy to hear that Latvian pick Dans Locmelis isn’t far behind Nilsson in U20 production with 47 points in 35 games, good for 6^th in the league. Lulea would have loved to test him at the SHL level by now, but that won’t be happening as Locmelis is scheduled to begin playing for the University of Massachusetts next fall. Expect this well-schooled and very experienced young man to have an instant impact on college hockey next season.

As the draft approaches, we’ll be spending time at the site with the likes of defenseman Theo Lindstein (22 games for Brynas), Frolunda two-way forward Otto Stenberg, and Danish surprise Oscar Molgaard (31 games and six points for HV71), but we’ll wrap up our look at Sweden with overage defenseman Oskar Asplund. In the midst of his second full season of HockeyAllsvenskan play, the heady two-way 5’11” defenseman already has five goals and 27 points in 39 games. It has earned him two games of SHL play with Skelleftea and overall, he reminds us a bit of former overager Adam Wilsby, who was selected in the 4th round by Nashville in the 2020 draft. Wilsby is currently suiting up for Milwaukee of the AHL. Asplund is even in the same organization.

Joakim Kemell of Finland celebrates after scoring 2-2 during the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship final between Canada and Finland on August 20, 2022 in Edmonton.
Photo: Joel Marklund / BILDBYRÅN /

Finland

The Finnish Liiga is well on its way to the finish line and one of the more astounding trends is that there are few players currently scoring at a PPG pace. Even the league leader Michael Joly has just 49 points in 48 games. Perhaps not surprising in light of that, but astounding nonetheless, is that Joona Ikonen (an undrafted 24-year-old) leads the league in goal-scoring behind Joly’s 21 goals with just 20 markers. Yes, in some cases, individual team scoring is simply spread across more shoulders, but the lack of individual scoring prowess is more akin to what we usually see in the SHL.

What this means is that a few current and former prospects are putting up numbers that are eyebrow-raising to say the least. Former Winnipeg Jets draft pick Sami Niku couldn’t edge out a solid NHL job despite at times outstanding AHL numbers. He was suiting up for the Montreal Canadiens just last season. At age 25, he decided he needed more job security and perhaps one very impressive season in Europe to get his name back into the minds of NHL GMs. Well, his nine goals and 37 points in 46 games for JYP is likely doing the trick while simultaneously making him the league’s top scorer among defensemen. An appearance at the men’s World Championship is all but a lock and then the question will be if Niku gets an offer that has a spot in an NHL line-up somewhat set in stone.

This past week, the Islanders moved arguably their top prospect in Aatu Raty to the Vancouver Canucks as part of the Bo Horvat trade, but his brother Aku Raty (ARI) is having himself a fine season for Ilves with 29 points and a +16 in 41 games. It’s a career best for the 21-year-old and is coming at a time where Arizona is going to want to decide on whether to sign him to an ELC. Really arriving on the scene has been Tampa Bay’s 2021 7th rounder, the 6’2”, 210-pound Niko Huuhtanen. Certainly, his 77 points in 64 games for the Everett Silvertips meant that he was already on the map for most prospect watchers, but he’s reinforced the belief that there’s a pro here with a sense for offensive generation, as his 15 goals and 27 points in 36 games go to show this season. That puts him within the top 40 in league-wide scoring, ahead of i.e., solid Maple Leafs prospect Roni Hirvonen, who himself is doing just fine with 24 points in 46 games for HIFK.

One name you’re not seeing is that of U18 and WJC star Joakim Kemell (NAS), whose 11 points and -14 rating in 32 games have him flying far below expectations. Quite the opposite is the case for Patrik Puistola (CAR), who leads all U23 players with 13 goals and 34 points in 48 games. That not only has him 12th in league scoring but means he’s the clear-cut go-to player for his Jukurit team, something that has to have the Hurricanes brass mighty excited about.

When it comes to Finland’s top junior league, there are not many NHL-drafted players currently plugging away at it, but Buffalo’s Viljami Marjala is second in league scoring with 48 points and a +29 in 31 games. He’s also put up two points in four games for Liiga club TPS and it’s felt he’ll conclude the season with the big club one way or another. You may remember that Marjala spent the past two seasons with the Quebec Remparts of the QMJHL. It was felt Nashville went a very safe route in picking all-round defenseman Kasper Kulonummi in the 3rd round last summer. His 39 points in 33 games has him second to teammate Leevi Sorvali (42 in 39 contests) league-wide in defenseman scoring. He’s seen 5 games of Liiga action for Tappara this season, which - in case you hadn’t heard - is Finland’s most hockey-crazy town.

True prospect fans will surely be wondering what 2024 top prospect Aron Kiviharju has been up to in recent weeks. Many had hoped to see him on this winter’s WJC squad, but the season has seen a more conservative approach. Having just turned 17, Kiviharju has gotten into 14 games of Liiga action (two assists and a +1 rating) while only being able to suit up for 20 U20 league games this year, in which he’s impacted play fairly considerably with a 1-16-17 and +11 statline. All fine, but not screaming superstar just now. Still, the U18 Worlds is where he’s expected to show the international scouting community just how far he’s come.

Germany

The DEL has been of special interest this year, but not so much due to any particular up-n-coming young players making noise.

No, it’s been all about a certain prospect making a major comebokk on the prospect scene. Oh yes, that play on words just couldn’t be skipped out on as former St. Louis Blues 1st rounder and current Carolina Hurricanes asset Dominik Bokk has spent all season letting the hockey world know he is not to be forgotten after, well, pretty much having gone forgotten in the Hurricanes organization. As we mentioned in the fall, he’s been playing for league newbie Frankfurt Lions after having won the championship with Berlin last season, with whom his cameo had little to do with Berlin’s fate when all was said and done. Now he’s spent most of the season leading the entire DEL in scoring, currently coming in at 24 goals and 49 points in 43 games. He’s doing it for a team that entered the year with but an outside shot at the playoffs and it has to be clear to anyone watching that he’s technically and physically a number too good for this league, one filled with former NHL and AHLers. His scoring has often been timely, and he’s constantly been able to create and make his teammates better.

If he hasn’t renewed Carolina’s interest, there must be a few teams out there wondering if this is your classic case of a late bloomer. Once the DEL year is over, he’s basically a lock for the men’s WC tournament, which will surely make him one of the more interesting viewings from an NHL standpoint. Or could he be part of a trade deadline package before that?

Unfortunately, Bokk was caught in an awkward check this weekend and will miss the remainder of the regular season with a shoulder injury.

What’s also been noteworthy this year is the goaltending position. Primarily young, German-born goaltenders have found themselves getting plenty of ice time and holding their own in the process. Yes, 26-year-old Maxi Franzreb is making the most of the season, getting more starts than any U27 goaltender and shining brightly with a 2.28 GAA and .925 save percentage. Mirko Pantkowski (24) has become a full-fledged starter himself, going 21-15 thus far for Cologne. But the kids really opening eyes are Arno Tiefensee (20), Florian Bugl (20), Tobias Ancicka (21), and - in a cameo appearance - Daniel Allavena (23), who went 4-1 over an emergency 5-game stretch for Munich. For the other three, Ancicka has 30 starts for Berlin as the go-to number 1 in goal, Bugl has gone 15-7 for Straubing since having initially filled in for the injured starter, and Tiefensee is way up there in the league with a 2.17 GAA, .919 SV%, and 10-5 record for Mannheim.

This century simply hasn’t witnessed this many German goalies successfully carrying this much responsibility in goal in Germany’s top league. And as everyone knows, NHL history is full of goaltenders signed out of Europe as free agents in their mid- to late 20s. Some of whom have ended up having successful careers, so these are names you’re going to want to have in the back of your mind moving forward. Also, if you’re wondering who the next minor league UFA signings á la Julian Napravnik and Kai Wissmann may be, two Ingolstadt Panthers have arrived on the scene this year in a big way, both quite unexpectedly. Defenseman Leon Huttl is just 22 and of average size, but his 19 points in 45 games have been accompanied by a +21 rating and he’s been effective in all three zones for a team that has experienced major injury hits to every position. Up front, Polish-born Wojciech Stakowiak has been the team’s fully unexpected all-everything contributor. Now 23, he was coming off of five- and six-point seasons, but now has 15 goals, 31 points, and a +16 in 46 games, finding himself on the ice in all key situations.

We already chronicled how a number of U21 players had started getting a shot to kick off the season and we must say, it hasn’t stopped. The number of players 21 and under who have gotten a shot in the DEL this season has been astounding, with 16-year-old defenseman Max Merkl (Nuremberg), 17-year-old defenseman Paul Mayer (Mannheim), and 18-year-olds Edmund Junemann (Düsseldorf) and Lukas Ullmann (Ingolstadt) having basically come out of nowhere to get into a handful of games. With injuries on the blueline, Ingolstadt even reacquired 18-year-old defenseman Niklas Hubner out of Finnish juniors, and he’s suited up for each of the last seven games. We commented some years ago about how particularly the SHL was able to regularly churn out players aged 16-21 who were taking fairly regular shifts. The DEL knew it had to follow suit in order for the quality of players to increase and provide the nation with more quality depth. Just that seems to be happening as we write.

Russia

The Matvei Michkov watch has been gaining momentum since he was loaned out to HK Sochi. After just three scoreless games with St. Petersburg and then an eye-popping 10 goals and 14 points in 12 games with SKA’s VHL outfit, Michkov found himself in the show on a scoring line with a Sochi team that had an offensive role to offer. The result has been five goals and nine points in 17games, with three of those points coming in the two most recent games. All things Russia continue to be taboo, but in a time where Connor Bedard is running away with the first overall pick status, the hockey world has got to be back to asking whether Michkov isn’t still the second-best option at this summer’s draft?

Like with the Finnish Liiga, players clipping at a PPG pace are hard to come by in the KHL this year. Former NHLer Dmitri Jaskin is back to his scoring ways though, leading the league with 33 goals (3^rd with 50 points) in 59 games, closely followed by German national Brooks Macek, who has 31 in 52 games. At the same time, impending 26-year-old free agent Marat Khairullin is having a career year for SKA with 25 goals and 50 points, blowing his previous high of 32 points out of the water. Will he be sought after like Andrey Kuzmenko was last offseason?

Pleasantly though, several NHL prospects are making some real noise with career years. It simply must be pointed out that Carolina’s 21-year-old defensive prospect Alexander Nikishin, who measures in at an imposing 6’4” and 216 pounds, leads ALL defensemen in scoring with 10 goals and 49 points in 57 games. It’s basically a season for the ages in a league still dominated by older veterans. The question is when and if he’s coming over and just how his game will translate. But he’s clearly the NHL asset with the most traction in Europe this season. Almost just as impressive is the work being put in by Colorado’s Nikolai Kovalenko , who checks in at 6th overall in league scoring with 19 goals and 48 points in 50 games. A chip off the old block, it’ll be interesting to see if Colorado feels Kovalenko’s work is in line with an ELC this offseason.

Two other highly touted prospects keeping things extremely fascinating are New Jersey’s Arseni Gritsyuk (21) and Minnesota’s Marat Khusnutdinov (20). Whereas Gritsyuk pretty much arrived on the scene last season with 22-16-38 in 52 contests, he’s now heading towards the playoffs with Omsk sporting 13-21-34 numbers as more of a set-up man for Reid Boucher (25 goals) and Vladimir Tkachev (20 goals). It’s Khusnitdinov who is truly arriving this season as his 11-26-37 and +12 statline for SKA marks a true step in development, far outweighing anything done the past three seasons, where he already showed some glimpses of what was to come. Hard to imagine that GM Bill Guerin won’t be looking to get him over to North America for next season.

Out of the nation’s second tier league, VHL, there are three players who have caught our eyes as being noteworthy. Up front, Detroit’s 2022 2nd rounder Dmitri Buchelnikov, who can be quite the wizard with the puck on his blade, has 14 goals, 27 points, and a +9 in just 32 games. He’s also chipped in 12 points in four MHL contests as well as two points in 10 KHL games for St. Petersburg. In short, he’s having a wildly successful DY+1 season. On the defensive side, we let you know that we’d be closely watching LA Kings’ draft pick Kirill Kirsanov and he hasn’t disappointed in a developmental capacity. After starting off on fire, his overall game has leveled out to a sound 13 points and +13 rating in 28 games, but he’s been a PPG player in five MHL games and has gotten his feet wet in nine KHL contests (one assist, -5 rating). The 6’1”, 198-pound defender is right on track in his development. The league is also playing host to a 23-draft prospect who has been gaining traction. Alexander Rykov is a mid-sized forward who has 11 points in 20 games for Chelyabinsk and has even gotten into six KHL games (no stats) for Traktor. He’s exactly the type of player we’d have loved to see at the U18 Worlds this spring.

Another young man we’d like to make mention of is 19-year-old forward Nikita Grebyonkin. After a very impressive draft year in the junior circuit MHL, collecting 77 points and a +42 in 67 total games, Grebyonkin has spent the majority of this season loaned out to Amur Khabarovsk with whom he’s put up nine goals, 23 points, and a +3 in 40 games. Already a fan favorite for the club’s faithful, Grebyonkin is generally a player who just hasn’t played in a spotlight location. What we’re seeing is an astute 5^th pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs whose slick style and 6’2”, 180-pound frame is looking very promising moving forward. That said, his skating is that of a later round draft pick.

The notes are currently minimal on both the NHL and prospect fronts in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Switzerland, but there are a few player situations developing there that we’ll look to highlight in the next edition. The upcoming playoffs will surely give us much to muse about as the spring rolls around.

2021 NHL DRAFT: ATLANTIC DIVISION REVIEW

Ryan Wagman — Mon, 30 Aug 2021 15:40:04 +0000

2021 NHL Draft Review

Time to review the draft, in depth. As I have done in previous seasons, this review will cover the league one division at a time. For each team, we will offer a quick summary of their draft class, a deeper look at their first pick/first rounder(s), and then a look at what we think to be the best value pick of their draft class, and a final look at their worst value pick. Once the divisions have all been covered, a final article will go over some other miscellaneous trends of the draft that was (odds & ends), and the annual McKeens shadow draft class. Let’s dig in.

Atlantic Division

Luleå's Fabian Lysell during the ice hockey match in the SHL between Rögle and Luleå on 5 January 2021 in Ängelholm.
Photo: Petter Arvidson / BILDBYRÅN

Boston Bruins

1 (21) Fabian Lysell, RW, Lulea HF (SHL)

3 (85) Brett Harrison, C, KOOVEE U20 (U20 SM-sarja)/Oshawa (OHL)

4 (117) Philip Svedeback, G, Vaxjo HC J20 (J20 Nationell)

5 (149) Oskar Jellvik, LW, Djurgardens IF J20 (J20 Nationell)

6 (181) Ryan Mast, D, Sarnia (OHL)

7 (213) Andre Gasseau, C, USNTDP (USHL)

7 (217) Ty Gallagher, D, USNTDP (USHL)

The Bruins had used a lot of their picks in recent years on lower-upside, higher floor players, giving them a system with a lot of players with NHL projections, but few looking like top half of the lineup types. This year, Boston took a different approach, largely drafting for upside, seeing which players dropped and finding a home for them. Five of their seven picks were selected lower than we had them ranked. I also appreciated how they spread out their picks among the different on-ice positions, selecting one goalie, two blueliners, two wingers, and two centers. As for geography, they selected three players out of Sweden, two from the USNTDP, and two Ontarians, one of whom spent the year in Finland with the cancellation of the OHL season, and the other who didn’t see game action last year. So, no major trends of note here, but they commendably let the draft come to them, not even making any draft day trades to move up, down, in, or out.

First round pick – Fabian Lysell, RW, Lulea HF (SHL), 21^st overall

Although his profile was not without warts – some clubs were disconcerted by his request to be moved from Frolunda to Lulea mid-season last year, Lysell reminded the hockey world what he is capable of with a stellar showing at the World Under 18 tournament, where he tied for the team lead in scoring on the Bronze Medal winning Swedish side. He is an electrifying puck handler, and his development will include learning when to play it simple, and when unleash his creativity and skill. His talent level is rare and gives him top line upside if it all clicks. A pick to get excited about.

Best value pick(s) – Ty Gallagher, D, USNTDP (USHL), 217^th overall, & Ryan Mast, D, Sarnia Sting (OHL), 181^st overall

Although the Bruins didn’t select a defender until the sixth round, they ended the draft with a pair of pretty good ones. Mast is a big, shutdown type with a right-handed shot. He has never displayed much of an offensive side, at any level of his development, but he has always known how to take care of business in his own end. We highly suspect that had he played at all this year, he would have been drafted far earlier. As for Gallagher, he is the polar opposite style of defender compared to Mast. He is a riverboat gambler who gets dinged for skating concerns, but as the year progressed, he timed his risks much better and his ability to positively impact a shift grew exponentially, which included a stellar showing for Team USA at the WU18s. His rawness can be very frustrating at times, but he tries to make things happen, and has enough skill and hockey sense to succeed enough to be of value.

Worst value pick – Oskar Jellvik, LW/C, Djurgardens IF J20 (J20 Nationell), 149^th overall

I though about naming fourth round pick Philip Svedeback, a goalie who had been passed over in his first year of eligibility and was unrated by us – or any other public facing outlet, but he was also drafted by Dubuque in the USHL draft and will spend next season stateside. Jellvik was considered by our Swedish analyst, but despite solid numbers in the Swedish junior leagues, he doesn’t seem very projectable, with an average frame, and tools that project in the sphere of average across the board. He is only a fifth rounder, but there isn’t much to dream on.

Photo Courtesy of the University of Michigan

Buffalo Sabres

1 (1) Owen Power, D, Michigan (NCAA/Big 10)

1 (14) Isak Rosen, RW, Leksands IF (SHL)

2 (33) Prokhor Poltapov, LW, Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (MHL)

2 (53) Alexander Kisakov, LW, MHK Dynamo Moskva (MHL)

3 (88) Stiven Sardaryan, RW, Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (MHL)

3 (95) Josh Bloom, LW Saginaw (OHL)

4 (97) Olivier Nadeau, RW, Shawinigan (QMJHL)

5 (159) Viljami Marjala, LW, Quebec (QMJHL)

6 (161) William von Barnekow, LW/RW, Tyringe SoSS (HockeyEttan)

6 (188) Nikita Novikov, D, MHK Dynamo Moskva (MHL)

7 (193) Tyson Kozak, C, Portland (WHL)

After four straight drafts of only selecting five or six players per year, it was good to see the moribund Buffalo franchise inject a ton of talent into their system, coming away from the 2021 draft with 11 new players, including multiple picks in each of the first three rounds. Still new GM Kevyn Adams has received criticism for a number of his early decisions running the Sabres, but it’s hard to find significant fault with his handling of this year’s draft, including the shipment of maligned defender Rasmus Ristolainen to Philadelphia for a mid-first round pick, Robert Hagg, and a 2023 second rounder in the hours before the first round began.

The picks themselves were very forward heavy, with nine forwards among the 11 picks, to go with two defenders. The Sabres also mixed up the pipelines they selected from, which included drafted players from a few areas that previous GM, Jason Botterill, notably overlooked in the CHL and Russia. Buffalo drafted one or two players from each CHL league, and four out of Russia. The remaining picks were from Sweden (2) and the NCAA (1 big one). As far as selecting for upside, which the McKeens rankings have a bias towards, most of the Sabres’ picks were selected around where we had them ranked – in fact, six of their selections were incredibly close to their ranking slot, while most of those we saw as reaches came in the last two rounds. We’ll get into the exception to that rule a little bit below.

First first round pick – Owen Power, D, Michigan (Big 10), 1^st overall

The pick of Power at first overall was a near no-brainer. He has virtually every tool and characteristic a team wants in a workhorse, number one defender. He is gigantic, skilled, solid in his own zone, skates well, even if he will never be mistaken for Cale Makar/Quinn Hughes. He has dominated against his age-peers, as well as against NHL veterans, such as he demonstrated at the World Championships. Power is going back to Michigan for his sophomore season, a decision supported publicly by Buffalo. He could play in the NHL now, but he could develop further collegiately, with a longer leash for risk taking. I still expect him to sign right after Michigan’s season ends, and finish up 2021-22 with the Sabres, what should be the beginning of a long run as a fixture for the team.

Second first round pick – Isak Rosen, RW/LW, Leksands IF (SHL), 14^th overall

Power was the clear choice at #1, but Rosen, selected with the primary pick received in the Ristolainen deal, was the prototype of the forwards that Buffalo targeted in the draft. Smallish (six of the nine forwards they drafted are either short, skinny, or both), incredibly skilled (the rest of the forwards all project to above average skill with the puck, although Rosen stands heads and shoulders above the others), and still just scratching the respective surfaces of their potential. Rosen had few opportunities to stick out when he was forced to play in the SHL last year due to the mid-season cancellation of Sweden’s junior leagues, but he proved his worth with a stellar showing at the U-18 championships.

Best value pick – Prokhor Poltapov, RW, Krasnaya Armiya Moskva, MHL, 33^rd overall

In actuality, the Sabres did not select anyone below where we had him ranked, but as noted above, several came very, very close, including Poltapov, drafted exactly where we had him ranked. It would have been easy to go in a different direction after the selection of Rosen in the middle of the first, as Poltapov has a profile with a few similarities in size, and skill-based style of play, but the Sabres system needs a lot more skill to rise through the ranks, and I would be hard pressed to say that he had the most pure skill of anyone available after the first round was completed. I for one would love to watch a future forward line with Rosen and Poltapov on the flanks.

Worst value pick – Stiven Sardaryan, F, Krasnaya Armiya Moskva, MHL, 88^th overall

We did not have Sardaryan ranked at all, even in our extended list of roughly 600 names. That isn’t to say that he should not have been drafted under any circumstances, but that we felt that his production in the Russian junior leagues, where he was actually a teammate of Poltapov’s, was underwhelming. We were also not the only outlet to ignore him. Maybe he wasn’t being afforded enough opportunities, as he did not want to sign with the KHL club, given his desire to play collegiately at the University of New Hampshire. Sardaryan is expected to take his next steps in the USHL, where Youngstown drafted him this year. If Buffalo believes in his skill set, more power to them. But it seems very likely that he would have still been available one or two rounds later than where the Sabres selected him.

Frölunda's Simon Edvinsson during the ice hockey match in the SHL between Rögle and Frölunda on 28 December 2020 in Ängelholm.
Photo: Petter Arvidson / BILDBYRÅN

Detroit Red Wings

1 (6) Simon Edvinsson, D, Vasteras IK (HockeyAllsvenskan)

1 (15) Sebastian Cossa, G, Edmonton (WHL)

2 (36) Shai Buium, D, Sioux City (USHL)

3 (70) Carter Mazur, LW, Tri-City (USHL)

4 (114) Redmond Savage, C, USNTDP (USHL)

5 (134) Liam Dower Nilsson, C, Frolunda J20 (SuperElit)

5 (155) Oscar Plandowski, D, Charlottetown (QMJHL)

6 (166) Pasquale Zito, C, Windsor (OHL)

As General Manager of the Red Wings, Steve Yzerman knows who he wants at the top, and grabs them, no matter how iconoclastic the selection is at that point. See Seider, Moritz from two years ago. Seen as a surprising overdraft at the time, he is now one of the top prospects in the sport and seemingly ready to break into the NHL now. The Wings took an elite-skilled forward up top last year in Lucas Raymond, but returned to building from the back out this year. At sixth overall, they selected a defender who holds some similarities to Seider in Simon Edvinsson, as big, smooth skaters with men’s league experience and untapped athleticism. Edvinsson may not be as advanced now as Seider was when he was drafted, but his tools give him a slightly higher upside if he can put it all together. Not long after selecting the big Swedish defender, Detroit traded a late 1^st rounder (part of the return from the Anthony Mantha trade) to Dallas to pick up the #15 pick, which they used to select the first goalie in the draft, the towering Sebastian Cossa. Many had Cossa ranked behind Sweden’s Jesper Wallstedt, but Yzerman likes who he likes and Cossa is a Wing.

Pick shuffling was a bit of theme for Detroit in this draft, as they did it again in the second round to grab USHL defender Shai Buium, and then traded down in the fourth round in order to acquire an extra pick in the fifth round. In the end, the eight players selected by the Red Wings were nicely divided between the positions, with two other defenders taken after Edvinsson, four forwards, and the one goalie in Cossa. They drafted two out of Sweden, three college-bound players from the USHL, and one player from each of the three CHL leagues. When the final chapter of this draft class is written, it will be judged on the top three picks’ (Edvinsson, Cossa, Buium) abilities to prevent goals far more than the production numbers any of the forwards may eventually put up.

First first round pick – Simon Edvinsson, D, Frolunda HC, SHL, 6^th overall

If Moritz Seider is the right-side first pairing defender of the future, we have to see Edvinsson as his partner on the left. A massive blueliner who has – by far – the best combination of speed and puck skills of any defender in this draft class, he spent most of his draft year playing against men in Sweden after the junior league was shut down, playing double digit games in both of Sweden’s top two leagues. He is rawer than Seider was in the latter’s draft year, but I expect him to continue to develop in the SHL this year, and his upside is as a Norris Trophy finalist.

Second first round pick – Sebastian Cossa, G, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL), 15^th overall

The first goalie selected in the 2021 draft, Cossa was practically unbeatable in the WHL this year, with a .941 save percentage, and 17 wins in 19 games. The latter stat is not really that telling, but the first number is, and is a continuation of stellar netminding that Cossa has provided as far back as he has trackable stats. Between his size, athleticism, and ability to read the play develop, he should be expected to be the heir apparent to the crease in Detroit, even if we believed that Jesper Wallstedt, who Minnesota drafted five picks later, was the better prospect.

Best value pick – Liam Dower Nilsson, C, Frolunda J20 (J20 Nationell), 134^th overall

A remarkably polished, two-way center, Dower Nilsson is no one’s idea of a top six center, but he played a shutdown role as captain for Team Sweden at the U18 tournament and put up impressive numbers in both Sweden’s junior and third-tier men’s leagues last year. The skill set does not support those numbers continuing as a higher-level pro, but he can find a way to contribute and should have been selected at least one full round earlier than where Detroit nabbed him.

Worst value pick – Carter Mazur, LW, Tri-City Storm (USHL), 70^th overall

In his second year of draft eligibility, Mazur had a great season captaining Tri-City, and being drafted by his hometown team is a great story. He is a fun player to watch and a good reminder that development is not linear, as he did take a huge developmental step last year to earn being drafted. He ends up as the worst value pick however, over the anonymous Pasquale Zito, because Zito was a late round pick and Mazur was taken in the third round. Mazur’s tools don’t line up with his production and he lacks any one tool that would come up in an elevator pitch. If he reaches his ceiling as a bottom six winger, the pick will be correctly deemed a success, but there were still players on the board who have higher projected ceilings.

Mackie Samoskevich.. Photo Dan Hickling

Florida Panthers

1 (24) Mackie Samoskevich, RW, Chicago (USHL)

2 (56) Evan Nause, D, Quebec (QMJHL)

4 (120) Vladislav Lukashevich, D, Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)

5 (152) Kirill Gerasimyuk, G, SKA Varyagi (VHL)

6 (184) Jakub Kos, LW, Ilves U20 (U20 SM-sarja)

7 (210) Braden Hache, D, Kingston (OHL)

While I absolutely adored Bill Zito’s first draft class last year – it seemed as if he was simply drafting the best player among those remaining from the McKeens list at times – this one feels much more “meh”. Not a bad class by any stretch, just uninspiring. The 2021 Florida draft class consists of a goalie, three blueliners, and two wingers. The six picks were divided evenly between European talents (two Russians and a Czech) and North Americans (one each from the USHL, QMJHL, and OHL – the last of which spent the year on the sidelines given the OHL’s cancellation).

There was no real trend to note among the Panthers draftees. They took players with grades among the best in skating (Samoskevich) and physicality (Hache) in the draft class, but on the other hand, guys like Nause and Lukashevich are relatively well-rounded prospects, without any one selling tool. The five skaters all have decent size (Samoskevich is only 5-11”, but built stocky), and Hache and Kos both qualify as big, so perhaps size was important, although not in the same way that it was for the Ottawa Senators. There was one notable element of the Panthers experience at the draft that was not related to the players they selected, but connected to a pick they dealt away from 2022. On day two of the draft, the Panthers sent their 2022 first round pick, along with goaltending prospect Devon Levi to Buffalo for Sam Reinhart. So, if we include that deal in our assessment of this draft class, it’s an obvious win. We really shouldn’t though, so like all draft classes, we will wait and see.

First round pick – Mackie Samoskevich, RW, Chicago Steel (USHL), 24^th overall

Top end speed and top end skill. Based on the first half of his season, Samoskevich is not only a first round pick, but a top 15 pick, to boot. He is an incredible skater, combining both great speed and great edges, making him a four-directional threat. His puck skills were just as impressive. He utilizes his linemates expertly, uses his feet to create new passing lanes and very slick hands to put the puck on his linemate’s sticks. His draft season was interrupted by an injury, and for a lengthy stretch, Samoskevich was not the same player upon his return, although he still flashed it enough to be worthy of being picked where Florida called his name. He will be spending the next (at least) two years on campus with Michigan, and teamed up with a good finisher, will be deadly.

Best value pick – Vladislav Lukashevich, D, Loko Yaroslavl (MHL), 120^th overall

Second rounder Evan Nause was a consideration here, but he was never going to go more than 10 or so picks higher than where the Panthers selected him. Lukashevich, a surprise omission from the Russian U18 tournament roster, was seen as more likely to be taken as much as a full round higher than where Florida drafted him, even if he went higher than where we had him ranked. Although tall, he is physically immature, but all of his tools grade out as average or better. He skates well, he is a promising mover of the puck, and he does a solid job of battling for the puck even though most opponents have more bulk on their frames. He will never be flashy enough to be a top prospect, but he has sleeper written all over him.

Worst value pick – Kirill Gerasimyuk, G, SKA Varyagi (VHL), 152^nd overall

Very young for this draft class (he has a late August birthdate), Gerasimyuk was not on to many radars for the draft, considering the limited playing time he has so far had in his career. This isn’t really bad value, per se, just a pick with more risk attached than any of Florida’s others this time, even if Florida has done well drafting goalies.

Oliver Kapanen, Photo by Dan Hickling.

Montreal Canadiens

1 (31) Logan Mailloux, D, SK Lejon (HockeyEttan)/London (OHL)

2 (63) Riley Kidney, C, Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL)

2 (64) Oliver Kapanen, C, Kalpa U20 (U20 SM-sarja)

3 (87) Dmitri Kostenko, D, Lada Togliatti (VHL)

4 (113) William Trudeau, D, Charlottetown (QMJHL)

5 (142) Daniil Sobolev, D, Windsor (OHL)

5 (150) Joshua Roy, RW, Sherbrooke (QMJHL)

6 (191) Xavier Simoneau, C, Drummondville (QMJHL)

7 (214) Joe Vrbetic, G, North Bay (OHL)

I am generally not one to pass absolute judgement on a draft class before five years have passed, and even then, judgement will be provisional. But this class, despite including some solid players, is worse than a dud. And it earned that branding on day one, with the absurdly heartless selection of Logan Mailloux. The rumors that had followed the defender around for the previous few months had been enough for some clubs to mark him as a “DO NOT DRAFT”, but once the full details of his actions came to light, many others joined. When the player himself asked not to be drafted, there could only have been a handful of teams left who would even have considered him for the seventh round, much less round one. AITA? Yes, Mr. Bergevin, you are. The selection was callous, brazen, and an utter inability, or disregard to, reading the room.

In fairness to the other eight players selected by Montreal’s scouting staff, a few words then. Usually happy to minimize their QMJHL drafting, the Canadiens actually went heavy on their home turf this year, with four QMJHL draftees, including one (Xavier Simoneau), a third year eligible, who put up big numbers for years, but was ignored for his size. His recognition as the QMJHL and CHL Humanitarian of the Year two years ago does not redress the bad Mailloux karma, but good that Simoneau was drafted. Outside of the Q’, they selected two from Russia – one of whom was planning to play last year in the OHL and experienced a lost season as a result, one from Finland, and Mailloux and one other from the OHL. Their picks focused more on the defensive side of the game, with four blueliners plus one goalie, compared with four forwards. Size does not seem to have been a primary consideration.

First round pick – Logan Mailloux, D, SK Lejon (HockeyEttan)/London Knights (OHL), 31^st overall

Enough digital ink has been spilled by myself and many others about why Montreal should not have drafted Mailloux from a personal/personnel standpoint. But Montreal drafted him anyway and we should take a brief moment to discuss Mailloux as a hockey player. If he had not committed the crimes that he did, he would have been a reasonable, albeit not a slam dunk as a late first rounder, as we saw him in the second round before the full story of his actions was revealed. He is very big, moves well, plays a physical game. His offensive tools are fine, but his game is very raw and still mistake-prone. He is not a horrible prospect looking only at on-ice potential, but he is 100% not the caliber of player for whom you ignore or downplay his off-ice track record.

Best value pick – Joshua Roy, RW/C, Sherbrooke Phoenix (QMJHL), 150^th overall

Although his numbers have not yet caught up with his inherent skill set, it was not that long ago that Roy was coveted highly enough to be taken first overall in the QMJHL Entry Draft. Some teams were turned off by the fact that he forced a trade way from Saint John to Sherbrooke, even though it was largely a matter of homesickness, as his family was not able to leave Quebec to visit him in the Maritimes, due to COVID restrictions. So, I ask you, how does that push a gifted forward this far down draft boards while Mailloux’ actions seemingly bumped him up? It really boggles the mind. As for Roy, he has a great shot and fantastic puck skills, but his skating needs some work. Moderate improvements to his mobility could give him middle six value.

Worst value pick – Mailloux & Dmitri Kostenko, D, Lada Togliatti (VHL), 87^th overall

Enough about Mailloux. Kostenko isn’t bad. We had him ranked just outside our top 223, meaning we would not have drafted him if we were the GM of every single team, but we would have considered him and would not fault a team calling out his name in the fifth round or later. We just didn’t see a reason to really pull for him either. His offensive tools are solid, but his skating needs work, and his ability to process the game and make correct choices is lacking. Montreal has been right (at our expense) before with Russian defenders, as was the case with Alexander Romanov, who we also were not fond of, and if Kostenko is another Romanov, more power to him and Montreal. Making that bet in the third round is rich for me, though.

Tyler Boucher, Photo by Rena Laverty, USA Hockey

Ottawa Senators

1 (10) Tyler Boucher, RW, USNTDP (USHL)

2 (39) Zach Ostapchuk, C, Vancouver (WHL)

2 (49) Benjamin Roger, D, London (OHL)

3 (74) Oliver Johansson, C, Timra IK (HockeyAllsvenskan)

4 (123) Carson Latimer, RW, Edmonton (WHL)

7 (202) Chandler Romeo, D, Hamilton (OHL)

Big boys only here. Ottawa gave us the first real surprise of the 2021 draft by selecting USNTDP power forward Tyler Boucher with the 10^th overall selection. More on Boucher below, but the pick was indicative that the Senators would be hunting for size and strength with their picks this year. Of their six picks, all are at least 6-0” tall, with three of them listed as over 6-3”. Not only tall, but only two of their picks weigh in at below 198 pounds. Unfortunately, in most of these picks, it looks like Ottawa sacrificed playing ability to get those big boys, which is not to say that they won’t see NHL value out of any of these picks, but that the approach will likely mean that they receive less value at the NHL level than they would have if skill/ability was their primary concern. Each and every player selected by Ottawa was drafted far ahead of where we had the player in question ranked, something we cannot say about any other team.

Beyond the size issue, there isn’t much noteworthy about the Senators’ picks, taken as a class. Lacking picks in either of the fifth or sixth rounds, but owning an extra second rounder, the team ended up with two players each from the WHL and OHL, one from the USHL, and one European, a Swede with the best skills of anyone among their picks. The picks were evenly split positionally, with two defenders, two centers, and two wingers.

First round pick – Tyler Boucher, RW, USNTDP (USHL), 10^th overall

A power winger who can dominate physically, Boucher, son of long time NHL goalie Brian Boucher, hasn’t topped the point-per-game rate since he was playing U14 hockey in New Jersey. He has decent offensive tools, when looked at in a vacuum, but has never put them to consistent use. There was some thought that some team would call out his name in the late first round, but 10^th overall was a shock, and that’s without even considering his injury history that kept him off the ice for much of his draft year. Some pundits reported that they looked to trade down, but couldn’t work out a deal that would still ensure they could land Boucher. I strongly suspect that this selection set the stage for a few other less-talented, but big/physical/gritty players to go in the first round that otherwise might not have.

Best value pick – Carson Latimer, RW, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL), 123^rd overall

Technically, the Senators didn’t have a value pick this year, but Latimer is the closest to qualifying. He has good size with some physicality to go along with it, some skill with the puck, two-way ability, and knows how to fit in in a supporting role, which will be his sole path to the NHL. This is not a high upside player, but with some moderate improvement to his skating stride, could turn out to be a solid fourth round gamble.

Worst value pick – Zack Ostapchuk, LW, Vancouver Giants (WHL), 39^th overall

In a draft class full of reaches, the selection of Ostapchuk in the early second round was the most egregious. His pros are his plus size, above average mobility, and nascent puck skills. None of those elements are truly top six caliber, and he hadn’t produced at a top six rate since his U15 days. This pick was made around two rounds too high. Ostapchuk making the NHL at all is no guarantee, and it is very hard to see anything more than a fourth rounder. The Senators went all in on their size strategy, and I have to assume that it is because the organization feels that the young players already in the pipeline will be taking over the top roles anyway. Regardless, there is a good chance that Ostapchuk would have been available one round – or more – later.

Dylan Duke. Photo Rena Laverty, USA Hockey

Tampa Bay Lightning

3 (96) Roman Schmidt, D, USNTDP (USHL)

4 (126) Dylan Duke, LW, USNTDP (USHL)

5 (160) Cameron MacDonald, C, Saint John (QMJHL)

6 (192) Alex Gagne, D, Muskegon (USHL)

7 (196) Daniil Pylenkov, D, Podolsk (KHL)

7 (211) Robert Flinton, LW, St. Paul’s School (USHS-NH)

7 (224) Niko Huuhtanen, RW, Tappara U20 (U20 SM-sarja)

The last team to make their first pick this year, and then the last team to make any pick, a team’s draft class after winning the Stanley Cup – much less winning back-to-back Cups – is almost an afterthought. But we should never forget how instrumental good drafting – in all rounds – has been to Tampa’s recent run of success. We can’t say if the next Brayden Point will emerge from one of the seven players Tampa selected, all in the third round or later, but we shouldn’t be surprised if one or more of these mid-to-late round picks far exceeds his expected draft slot value.

Both of their first two selections (Roman Schmidt and Dylan Duke) were from the USNTDP. Two other picks were of US-based players headed for college. With the other three selections, we have one player each from Russia, Finland, and the QMJHL. The picks were a simple mix of four forwards and three defenders. Size seems to have been a consideration, with six of the seven picks (all except Duke) coming at a minimum size of 6-1”, 190. They had no problem picking up players who had been passed over in previous drafts, with Alex Gagne in his second year of eligibility and Daniil Pylenkov in his third.

First pick – Roman Schmidt, D, USNDTP (USHL), 96^th overall

Tampa’s first pick was the final selection of the third round, and with Schmidt, they added a physical specimen who combines immense size (6-6”, 209) with remarkable skating ability, and a willingness to play hard. The rest of his game s still pretty raw and prone to inconsistency on both sides of the puck, but early in the season he was given some consideration as a potential first rounder because of his two higher-end traits. Schmidt’s recent decision to forego college for Kitchener of the OHL does shorten his path to the pro game. He looks like an intriguing option for a bottom pair now, but if he adds offense to his game, that projection can easily improve.

Best value pick – Dylan Duke, C, USNTDP (USHL), 126^th overall

To be honest, had Tampa drafted Duke in the third and Schmidt in the fourth, it would have lined up far better in terms of the eventual value we expect out of each player, but size was paramount throughout this draft class, so flipping the script on these two makes sense, as there was probably a good chance that Schmidt would have been taken by another team before the Lightning had the chance to draft in the fourth round. Although smaller, Duke plays a very gritty game, thriving near the crease. He will have to learn to play on a lower line next year at Michigan, but his style is suited for that type of role. He isn’t (likely) the next Brayden Point, but Duke is likely to have had the greatest NHL value once all is said and done with this Tampa draft class.

Worst value pick – Robert Flinton, LW, St. Paul’s School (USHS-NH), 211^th overall

Truthfully, the only concern with Flinton is that nothing is really known about him. He played in a smaller prep school in his home state of New Hampshire and has no experience against top competition. He’s big and strong and has a solid snap shot, but he is mostly a mystery. Committed to Dartmouth for the 2022-23 season, he is expected to play in the USHL next season, most likely with Cedar Rapids. Flinton may be their worst value pick, but seeing as the pick was made late in the seventh round, where expected value is near nil, we at least know that the scout who pushed for him is happy, and morale is never a bad thing. This is more a statement that Tampa got solid to very good value out of the other six picks they made.

Matthew Knies. Photo by DAN HICKLING

Toronto Maple Leafs

2 (57) Matthew Knies, LW, Tri-City (USHL)

5 (153) Ty Voit, C, Sarnia (OHL)

6 (185) Vycheslav Peksa, G, Irbis Kazan (MHL)

This is easy. The Leafs only made three selections. One each from the USHL, the cancelled OHL, and Russia. Not much sense looking for patterns in a sample size of three, but the organization’s willingness to trade away their picks earlier in the year, after they were widely known to be one of the clubs who did not allow its scouts to attend games in person all year, is telling. They approached this draft class as a near afterthought, which I strongly suspect was a result of the bulk of leagues playing significantly condensed schedules. This is as close to opting out as a team could reasonably do.

First pick – Matthew Knies, LW, Tri-City Storm (USHL), 57^th overall

Knies had some first round buzz before the season started, considering his premium size and the playmaking chops he demonstrated with aplomb in 2019-20 as a USHL rookie. A bout with COVID led to a very slow start this year, both in terms of production and literally as a skater. He just looked heavy-footed. Knies picked it up as the season progressed and had some going back to the previous first rounder impression. He will have to improve his skating to maximize the rest of his game, but he is a smart enough forward to be able to succeed in a middle six if he can just get up to average mobility. Headed to play for Minnesota, Toronto will not rush him.

Best value pick – Ty Voit, C, Sarnia Sting (OHL), 153^rd overall

The Pittsburgh area native looked like a very promising playmaker as an OHL rookie in 2019-20, and might have gone off the board much higher than the late fifth round if he were bigger, or if the OHL had even an abbreviated season this year. He flashes high end puck skills, skates very well, and showed a clear propensity for making good decisions when he debuted with the Sting. He is no sure thing, but there are markers here of previous Toronto mid-round picks who either worked out, or are still young and trending in the right direction, like Adam Brooks, Semyon Der-Arguchintsev, Mikhail Abramov, or Nick Abruzzese.

Worst value pick – Vyacheslav Peksa, G, Irbis Kazan (MHL), 185^th overall

By process of elimination, the worst value can only have been from Toronto’s third and final selection, the unheralded netminder from Russia. Peksa was not on anyone’s radar. He played in only two games at any level in 2019-20, and 18 last year, where he was the backup to Vladimir Mosin in the regular season and played behind 2020 Toronto pick Artur Akhtyamov in the postseason. My guess is that the Leafs were comfortable with Peksa based on tracking the development of Akhtyamov. We will know a lot more about Peksa if he can finally play a full season as a starter. The fact he hasn’t done that yet – and he is already 19 years old - increases the risk factor. It would be easier to understand taking this type of a risk if the Leafs had a more normal sized draft class, but with only three players selected altogether, a more careful approach would have been preferred.

2021 NHL DRAFT: BUFFALO SABRES REVIEW

Ryan Wagman — Mon, 30 Aug 2021 15:20:24 +0000

Photo Courtesy of the University of Michigan

1 (1) Owen Power, D, Michigan (NCAA/Big 10)

1 (14) Isak Rosen, RW, Leksands IF (SHL)

2 (33) Prokhor Poltapov, LW, Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (MHL)

2 (53) Alexander Kisakov, LW, MHK Dynamo Moskva (MHL)

3 (88) Stiven Sardaryan, RW, Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (MHL)

3 (95) Josh Bloom, LW Saginaw (OHL)

4 (97) Olivier Nadeau, RW, Shawinigan (QMJHL)

5 (159) Viljami Marjala, LW, Quebec (QMJHL)

6 (161) William von Barnekow, LW/RW, Tyringe SoSS (HockeyEttan)

6 (188) Nikita Novikov, D, MHK Dynamo Moskva (MHL)

7 (193) Tyson Kozak, C, Portland (WHL)

First first round pick – Owen Power, D, Michigan (Big 10), 1^st overall

Second first round pick – Isak Rosen, RW/LW, Leksands IF (SHL), 14^th overall

Best value pick – Prokhor Poltapov, RW, Krasnaya Armiya Moskva, MHL, 33^rd overall

Worst value pick – Stiven Sardaryan, F, Krasnaya Armiya Moskva, MHL, 88^th overall

Viljami Marjala – McKeen's Hockey

McKeen’s 2025-26 Late, Late Show: Sleepers

Coming to America – European Imports

Arseni Gritsyuk, RW – New Jersey Devils

Maxim Shabanov, RW – New York Islanders

Viljami Marjala, LW – Edmonton Oilers

Juho Lammikko, C – New Jersey Devils

Charles-Edouard D’Astous, D – Tampa Bay Lightning

Top Of The Class – NCAA Free Agents

Tim Washe, C – Anaheim Ducks

Quinn Hutson, RW – Edmonton Oilers

Carter King, C – Calgary Flames

Luke Haymes, LW – Toronto Maple Leafs

John Prokop, LD – Toronto Maple Leafs

Late Bloomers – Rookies

Tyson Jugnauth, LD – Seattle Kraken

Patrick Thomas, C – Washington Capitals

Tuomas Uronen, RW – Vegas Golden Knights

Tyler Thorpe, RW – Montreal Canadiens

Blake Smith, LD – Toronto Maple Leafs

MCKEEN’S 2025-26 NHL YEARBOOK – EDMONTON OILERS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #26

Edmonton Oilers Top-15 Prospects

1 - Matthew Savoie

2 - Isaac Howard

3 - Quinn Hutson

4 - Beau Akey

5 - Maxim Berezyokin

6 - Samuel Jonsson

7 - Roby Jarventie

8 - Tommy Lafrenière

9 - William Nicholl

10 - Paul Fischer

11 - David Lewandowski

12 - Eemil Vinni

13 - Matvey Petrov

14 - Viljami Marjala

15 - Connor Clattenburg

2025 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: #22 BUFFALO SABRES – Top 15 NHL Affiliated Prospects

NHL PROSPECTS: Top five drafted prospects in Europe

Ivan Demidov - RW/C - KHL - Montreal Canadians 1st rounder in 2024

Dmitri Buchelnikov - LW - KHL - Detroit Red Wings 2nd rounder in 2022

Lenni Hämeenaho - RW - Liiga - New Jersey Devils 2nd rounder in 2023

Jesse Kiiskinen - C - Liiga - Detroit Red Wings (by trade) 3rd rounder in 2023

Oliver Kapanen - C - SHL - Montreal Canadiens 2nd rounder in 2021

Honorable mention:

Nikita Artamanov - RW - KHL - Carolina Hurricanes 2nd rounder in 2024

Semyon Chistyakov - D - KHL - Nashville Predators 4th rounder in 2019

Simon Forsmark - D - SHL - Carolina Hurricanes 4th rounder in 2022

Artyom Galimov - LW - KHL - Anaheim Ducks 5th rounder in 2020

Marcus Gidlöf - G - SHL - New York Islanders 5th rounder in 2024

Samuel Jonsson - G - HockeyAllsvenskan - Edmonton Oilers 5th rounder in 2022

Vitali Kravtsov - RW/LW - KHL - Vancouver Canuck (Rangers) 1st rounder in 2018

Viljami Marjala - C/LW - Liiga - Buffalo Sabres 5th rounder in 2021

Vadim Moroz - LW/RW - KHL - Utah HC 3rd rounder in 2023

Ilya Nabokov - G - KHL - Colorado Avalanche 2nd rounder in 2024

Alexander Nikishin - D - KHL - Carolina Hurricanes 3rd rounder in 2020

Joel Nyström - D - SHL - Carolina Hurricanes 7th rounder in 2021

Axel Sandin-Pellikka - D - SHL - Detroit Red Wings 1st rounder in 2023

Arno Tiefensee - G - DEL - Dallas Stars 5th rounder in 2023

Zemyon Vyazoyov - G - KHL - Seattle Kraken 6th rounder in 2021

Yegor Zavragin - G - KHL - Philadelphia Flyers 3rd rounder in 2023

Other notables:

MCKEEN’S 2024-25 NHL YEARBOOK – BUFFALO SABRES – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #12

Buffalo Sabres Top-15 Prospects

1. Devon Levi

2. Jiri Kulich

3. Konsta Helenius

4. Noah Ostlund

5. Anton Wahlberg

6. Isak Rosen

7. Vsevolod Komarov

8. Adam Kleber

9. Maxim Strbak

10. Viktor Neuchev

11. Aleksandr Kisakov

12. Brodie Ziemer

13. Nikita Novikov

14. Prokhor Poltapov

15. Viljami Marjala

NHL PROSPECTS: 22-23 European Prospect Musings #2 – Prospects coming into focus in the stretch run