Vladislav Kamenev – McKeen's Hockey

Colorado Avalanche 2019-20 Prospect Review: Top 20

Sat, 14 Sep 2019 10:57:58 +0000

Prospects are never a sure thing, but we like to think that we know a thing or two about them here at McKeens, and I find it hard to think of a better pair of defensive prospects on any one roster than the Colorado duo of Bowen Byram and Cale Makar. I looked at last year’s rankings and Colorado actually had a good pairing then, too, between Makar and Conor Timmins.

Makar has seen his stock improve in the last 12 months, while Timmins’ has somewhat abated, through no fault of his own, as he missed the entirety of the 2018-19 season due to a serious concussion. We are optimistic about an eventual return to action for Timmins and didn’t really dock his grades very much, barring some for the lost development time.

While the Colorado duo was strong, they were really in a battle for the second best defensive pairing along with Toronto (Rasmus Sandin and Timothy Liljegren), the New York Islanders (Bode Wilde and Noah Dobson), and Chicago (Adam Boqvist and Henri Jokiharju). The best pairing, with no real doubt, belonged to Vancouver, with two recent top ten picks in Quinn Hughes and Olli Juolevi. The two individually ranked 12^th and 23^rd overall among all prospects, respectively.

We have not yet completed evaluating the entirety of the prospect class to determine where Byram and Makar ranks this year, but I have a good feeling that they will end up leaving the Hughes/Juolevi tandem in the dust.

That all said, there is good reason to believe that their status will be short lived, as Makar may be the most NHL-ready prospect among all 31 teams, while Byram also has a chance to make the NHL squad out of training camp.

Both defenders profile as future number one types, a ceiling height that is only approached by a few other prospects, including the aforementioned Hughes, Boqvist and Dobson, the Senators’ Erik Brannstrom, and possibly Rangers’ prospect K’Andre Miller.

Considering handedness, with Byram the lefty-handed shot to Makar’s right-handed stick, the Avalanche will have the option of putting them both together as perhaps the best skating pairing in the sport. Both players have elite or close to it speed with hands that are just as fast-paced as their feet. Both are possession drivers and love to push the play.

As enticing as such a combination would be, the Avalanche are unlikely to pair them for the near future. Even for a relatively progressive organization, such as Colorado is, there is a ton of risk inherent with rookie defenders and having two playing together would be piling on that risk. There is also the matter of the players’ respective game playing styles somewhat resembling one another, but there being only one puck on the ice at a time while they both like to play the puck. The team actually has a third such blueliner in the young Samuel Girard. I would have to think that the preference would be to split those three onto separate pairings (assuming Byram plays more than the nine game trial in Colorado), tethering one each to Erik Johnson, Ian Cole, and Nikita Zadorov, the latter three of whom are all better suited to protect a young partner who is trying to make something happen. We will all be smarter in two months or so, but until then, it is s fun proposition to think about.

-Ryan Wagman

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) (Photo by Russell Lansford/Icon Sportswire)

1 Bowen Byram, D (4^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) Byram stepped up his game for his draft year and elevated himself up to the 4th overall pick by Colorado. He is an elite skating defender with great offensive instincts, a solid two way game, and is a tremendous puck mover. He is the first defensemen to lead the WHL in playoff scoring, putting up 26 points in 22 games, after scoring 26 goals and 71 points in the regular season. He dominates on the ice and can do it all. He will be a top defender, a PP QB, and will certainly push for a spot on the Avalanche in training camp this season. Selecting Byram also allowed Colorado to move defensemen Tyson Barrie in the off-season, and GM Joe Sakic will look like a genius in picking him, as he will look like the steal of the draft, even after being selected 4^th between his upside and his level of readiness. - KO

2 Cale Makar, D (4^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 1) Cale Makar is one of the more promising defensemen to play NCAA hockey. Last season with UMass he almost willed them to a National Championship with 16 goals and 49 points in 41 games. Everything ran through him. He was the 2019 Hobey Baker Award winner, showing that his draft pedigree was earned. He will have a huge impact with his skating and scoring in Colorado this coming season after teasing with his play for the Avalanche in the postseason. He may be able to replace the departed Tyson Barrie as the top power-play quarterback and overall #1 defenseman. It is a tall order but there is no reason to believe he can’t do that right out of the gate, barring injury. He has to work on his physical play and puck security as the Avalanche won’t let him be as freewheeling as he was in college. Makar did a lot to advance UMass as a top program in Hockey East and he seems poised to do the same for Colorado. - RC

3 Alex Newhook, C (16^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) Newhook dominated tearing up the BCHL last season with 38 goals and 102 points in only 53 games. The Grizzlies captain followed that up with another dominating performance in the playoffs with 11 goals and 24 points in 15 games as they came up short losing to Prince George in the Fred Page Cup semifinal. Newhook was picked as league MVP, and put up another good showing for Canada at the Under18’s with 5 goals and 5 assists in 7 games. He will move on and take his skillset to play for Boston College next season as he continues to develop his game. He is a terrific skater who plays with speed and has high end offensive skills that any team would covet. He projects to be a top six forward and a special teams expert who will likely spend a year or two in college before turning pro. - KO

4 Martin Kaut, RW (16^th overall, 2018. Last Year: 4) A 2018 first-rounder who immediately made the jump to the North American pro game, Kaut showed maturity-beyond-his-years, as the intelligent winger scouts thought of him as before Colorado swiped him off the board. Although his offensive game was stagnant, his defensive game -- where his value is most apparent -- needed no adjustment from Europe to the North American style. His incredible rink sense make him a pest on the puck, and his willingness to play deep in the defensive zone is an unteachable, immeasurable talent. His top speed looked better than in his draft year, including his all-world technical skating skill, which allows him to cut and pivot beautifully. He would benefit from using his heavy, high-velocity wrist shot more, and taking more risks as an offensive player. He may not be the most dynamic player in the system, but he is arguably the safest and most reliable, and could be a future top-six two-way winger. - TD

5 Shane Bowers, RW (28^th overall, 2017 [Ottawa]. Last Year: 5) A first round pick of the Senators in 2017, Bowers was not everyone’s cup of tea, as he was more of a smarts and size over skill and production type of player as a junior star. Even though he began his collegiate career with aa bang at Boston University, he regressed sharply – along with many of his teammates – as a sophomore and turned pro shortly thereafter, getting a brief cameo with the Colorado Eagles before the season was done. Bowers is the type of player that specializes in performing the little things, doing the grunt work while his linemates hog the glory. He can accelerate the cycle game, bringing the puck in from the perimeter and putting a scoring chance in motion. He plays with energy and can be used in all situations. His upside may not be higher than a middle six role, but he is very close to that ceiling already, making him one of the safer players in this system. - RW

6 Conor Timmins, D (32^nd overall, 2017. Last Year: 2) 2018-19 was a year to forget for Timmins as he missed the entire season recovering from post-concussion syndrome. As of this writing, he is still not cleared for full contact, although Colorado hopes that he can be ready at some point this year. At his best, Timmins is a potential minute munching defender who can play in any situation. He is particularly effective at winning board battles in his own end and can swing play the other way for his team. Of course, it remains to be seen what repercussions this unfortunate injury has had on his development and whether he will be the same player he was prior to it. Until further notice, we will remain optimistic. - BO

7 Vladislav Kamenev, C (42^nd overall, 2014 [Nashville]. Last Year: 3) An upstart young center acquired by the Avalanche in the Matt Duchene trade of November 2017, Kamenev’s talent and drive has not been matched by his health, specifically his lack thereof. Since being shipped to the Colorado system, the Russian has only appeared in 35 pro games across parts of two full seasons, with a broken arm and shoulder surgery derailing an otherwise promising start to his career. He exhibits veteran vision and playmaking skills, with his shot evolving into a legitimate weapon from anywhere on the ice. He plays on both the penalty kill and power play, and at five-on-five has displayed the long-term potential to be a depth-scoring, physical centerman who can be trusted with a late-game faceoff. He has another chance at cracking the Avs’ bottom-six to start the 2019-20 season. - TD

8 Justus Annunen, G (64^th overall, 2018. Last Year: 8) Annunen has been the top Finnish goalie in his age-group dating a few years back. He had a decent season in Finland’s second highest league and his game improved towards the end of the season. He has strong overall skating ability, quick legs, and he moves effectively and quickly across the crease. He reads shooters well and is particularly difficult to beat down low. He flashes a quick glove from time to time and his rebound control. Whether it be on high or low shots, is solid. He is calm and quiet in the crease and has shown the ability t perform well in pressure situations I firmly think that Annunen has the potential to develop into a number one goalie for the Avalanche in time. - MB

9 Sampo Ranta, LW (78^th overall, 2018. Last Year: 6) A gifted shooter in his draft year with Sioux City, Rampo found it harder to score against the better goalies in the NCAA as a freshman. As the season progressed, he became more central to the Golden Gophers’ offensive attack, even if his full year numbers do not fully reflect his abilities. He is strong for his age, looks good driving the net and has the type of hand-eye coordination needed to play in front of the net. He needs to do a better job of recognizing scoring opportunities going forward to enable his production to be more in line with his ceiling. If his at times scintillating performance at the recent World Junior Summer Showcase is any indication, Ranta could find his way onto the Finnish WJC squad in the winter. His overall game is still raw, but he still has middle six upside. - RW

10 Drew Helleson, D (47^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) Of all of the talented defenders in the USNTDP class last year, Helleson played the purest form of defensive defense. He is big and strong, and a bear along the boards. He plays a menacing style and has a knack for forcing opponents to the outside, thereby preventing danger from escalating. He keeps tight gaps and uses his stick well to strip pucks when he isn’t simply shutting them down with his physical game. He would occasionally jump into the rush with the Program, contributing with a quick shot release and solid skating, but he is more natural as an outlet option from the point. I expect him to stick to a defensive role at BC starting in the Fall, as he is groomed for a future role on the third pairing. - RW

11 Nick Henry, RW (94^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 10) Henry has a solid build on a short stocky frame. He uses it to be hard on pucks and relentless on the forecheck. Playing on a skill team in Lethbridge this season he showed he could be a play maker rather than only the trigger man on a line. He drives play with his ability to carry the puck through the neutral zone. He is a shoot first player but he has shown enough that you have to be mindful of the pass option. He isn’t a pure speed player but he moves around the ice well enough that guys have to respect him. His offensive skills will take a few years in the pros before he would ever get a look at an NHL team, but he could carve out a role in a bottom six even if his full skill set doesn’t translate. - VG

12 Logan O’Connor, C (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Jul. 23, 2018. Last Year: Not ranked) O’Connor became one of the best stories among NHL prospects last season. The captain at the University of Denver, he was invited to Avs training camp, where he promptly earned a two-year ELC and reported to the AHL club. In 64 games, the right-shot winger scored 19 goals and added 23 assists, even being rewarded with a brief, five-game stint in the NHL. He is a wonderful skater with the acceleration of a top-line scorer, and possesses the smarts and discipline to consistently make a major impact in all three zones. His versatility is his strongest weapon, as he can play all three forward spots -- up and down the lineup -- with surprising effectiveness. O’Connor is a hard-working bottom-six guy in the future, and his maturity and experience might make him an NHLer as soon as this upcoming season. - TD

13 Danila Zhuravlyov, D (146^th overall, 2018. Last Year: 19) Zhuravlyov had a solid season at home in 2018-19, playing pro hockey the whole season in the VHL and representing Team Russia at the WJC as an underager. The blueliner is an interesting two-way defenseman with a good shot which he should try to unleash more often. He should also work on his release, but he is on his way to being a solid pro and is still only 19. In his own zone, Zhuravlyov is sometimes too passive, but has a decent sense of positioning and rarely spends time in the penalty box. The Russian defenseman needs to mature and keep on improving his game. He has very good skills in most areas but needs to keep on working hard to jump to the next level. The next couple of years will be of paramount importance for him to fully understand whether he can turn into a real NHL player. - ASR

14 Calle Rosen, D (Undrafted Free Agent, signed May 16, 2017 [Toronto]. Last Year: 7 [Toronto]) Rosen is a good skater and smart with the puck. He makes easy work of capitalizing on turnovers in the neutral zone. He can be a very bright and smart player but he can also be the player that turns the puck over in the worst situations. Until he lowers his number of turnovers and becomes more consistent, he will be relegated to a bottom four role at the highest level. Rosen has the potential to be a top two defenseman when on his game and present in plays but when he takes a step back or makes a sloppy play he damages his odds greatly. Despite being well known for his passing skills, he will need to be more confident in the passes he makes and win more physical battles in the corners next season when he starts with the Avalanche. Overall, the ceiling is still quite high and has a lot of potential. - SC

15 Trent Miner, G (202^nd overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) Miner had an excellent season for the Giants on their way to coming within game of winning the WHL. Expected to backup Arizona prospect David Tendeck, Miner put pushed his way into a split situation putting up 1.98 GAA, a .924 SV%, and a 24-5-1-1 record. He took more of a backseat in the playoffs, but got in six games in accruing valuable experience. With both goalies playing well, it looks like it could be another split this season as he returns to the Giants, but Miner’s play should further improve. He works and competes hard, has decent size and his positional play is solid. He likes to stay involved and one of his strengths is his ability to play the puck, which he is good at moving up ice. He still has a few years of WHL eligibility before he would move up to the AHL levels. - KO

16 Alex Beaucage, RW (78^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) Beaucage has an excellent shot and great hands. His father Marc played in the NHL and his hockey sense shows it. His five-on-five numbers are very encouraging, and his advanced statistics have some in the analytics community thinking he is a steal for the third round. He has great offensive potential, but his skating needs some work. The fact that he was overshadowed by other performers at the Memorial Cup, despite the small sample size, does not work in his favor. He is set to have much more ice time this coming season and to be a shining feature in the Huskies lineup, so he can improve his already-impressive 79 points in 68 games. The next season will be a telling one for Beaucage with an increased role, but his offensive talent could lead to a top-two line role sooner rather than later. - MS

17 Tyler Weiss, LW/C (109^th overall, 2018. Last Year: 7) A rare product of North Carolina, Weiss was a skilled but underutilized forward with the UNSTDP in his draft year and he – and the Avalanche – had hoped that he would grow into a bigger role on an average Nebraska-Omaha squad. That hope hasn’t yet diminished, but it didn’t happen as a freshman, as Weiss was limited to 11 points in 25 games between injuries and acclimation struggles. The raw tools are still there. Weiss is a fine skater and a gifted puck handler with some offensive flair. The underdeveloped frame and lack of physical strength are also still there and that is the first focal area needed for improvement before he can be compared against early expectations. He could play on a bottom six with his energy game, but needs more consistency and strength first. - RW

18 Brandon Saigeon, C (140^th overall, 2018. Last Year: Not ranked) Saigeon is a hard-nosed goal scorer who operates most effectively as a triggerman on the powerplay. His release, in combination with the power he generates on his wrist or snap shot, make him a threat to score on every shift. He is also a battler in the offensive zone who will grind away to find those soft spots in the defense. While his skating has already improved a lot, it will need to continue to improve for him to be an NHL player. As of right now, Saigeon will be playing next year on an AHL contract as Colorado decides whether or not to give him an ELC. He will likely need to show them that his game can translate rather quickly to the professional level. - BO

19 Nikolai Kovalenko, RW (171^st overall, 2018. Last Year: Not ranked) The American-born Russian forward is growing well at home within the Lokomotiv organization – one of the best of the country for young players. The son of a former NHL player, Kovalenko took significant steps forward last year helping Russia to get back home with a bronze medal at the WJC even if his contribution was limited due to an early injury. His game shows that he is the son of a coach, although he plays a different style when compared to his father, Andrei. He is less physical and plays more on the perimeter. Kovalenko is gifted with good skating and technique but needs to improve on his defensive game and gain some more meat. He is steadily progressing at home and when his contract runs out in 2022 he may be fully ready to the transition to the NHL, which will be easier in comparison to other Russian players due to his history. - ASR

20 Cameron Morrison, LW (40^th overall, 2016. Last Year: 9) Although mitigated by the fact that he missed around a quarter of the 2018-19 season, there is no denying the fact that Morrison’s offensive output has declined each season from his freshman high of 24 points. He has commendable alertness and demonstrates a knack for getting to loose pucks first despite lacking big wheels. His best tool is his big shot but he has struggled in getting into ideal shooting position and has thus not really fortified a spot as a genuine top line option at the NCAA level. The former second round pick is heading into his senior season and is not much closer to the NHL than he was on draft day, but the Avalanche would not have given up on him quite yet. - RW

Top 25 Calder Trophy Candidates for 2018-19

Ryan Wagman — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 19:24:56 +0000

Top 25 Calder Trophy Candidates for 2018-19

Elias Pettersson

Elias Pettersson, RW, Van – Last year, he won both Rookie of the Year and MVP of the SHL while leading Vaxjo to the championships. He can’t repeat all those awards this year with a weak Vancouver team, but he has the elite offensive tools for the first one.
Henrik Borgstrom, C, Fla – The most electrifying collegians since Jack Eichel, Borgstrom has the skills and size to excel immediately, but a decent top six in Florida may keep him on the third line to start.
Rasmus Dahlin, D, Buf – For medium and long-term future, Dahlin is the top prospect in the sport. Defensemen can take longer to take off, but he is ready for a regular role now.
Casey Mittelstadt, C, Buf – An electrifying forward to can take over shifts and games with his irrepressible net drive, he needs to better utilize his linemates to achieve his full potential.
Andrei Svechnikov, LW, Car – From the USHL to the OHL to the NHL, his career has progressed with scarcely a bump. With Jeff Skinner in Buffalo, he could play top line minutes right away.
Martin Necas, RW, Car – With success against men in the Czech Republic and internationally under his belt, he has the quickness and vision to impact the offense in numerous ways.
Miro Heiskanen, D, Dal – Not as flashy as those above, the Finnish blueliner is ready to play heavy minutes for Dallas. He is a wonderful skater with a disciplined, all-zones game.

Gabriel Vilardi

8. Gabriel Vilardi, RW, LA – Held back by a bad back last year, he looks healthy, and ready to take on a scoring role with a revitalized Kings’ squad. Consummate playmaker.

9. Eeli Tolvanen, RW, Nsh – A fantastic sniper, he showed last year that he was ready to play against the best, after scoring 19 goals as an 18-year-old in the KHL.

10. Filip Chytil, LW, NYR – An eye-opening season as an 18-year-old in the AHL bumps this special puck handler’s stock way up. Could play a top six role with the rebuilding Rangers.

The next 15 candidates are listed alphabetically

Lias Andersson, C, NYR – Was arguably more impressive in the AHL than in Sweden last year. Understated talent, has high end puck skills, and hockey smarts. Also brings leadership intangibles.

Ryan Donato, RW, Bos – Made a splash right away in late season NHL preview, but mostly in the press box in the postseason. Could play top six minutes for Bruins.

Jordan Greenway, LW, Min – Massive power forward was too much for the NCAA. Comes to Minnesota with a bulging international resume. Exceptional skater for his size. Has some skill, too.

Andreas Johnsson

Andreas Johnsson, LW, Tor – Five years after being drafted, two in the AHL, Johnsson is ready to play a middle six role in the NHL. His presence made it easy for Toronto to let JVR walk.

Vladislav Kamenev, C, Col – Part of the return from the Matt Duchene trade, he may have not been eligible if he didn’t break his arm in his first game with Colorado. Not flashy, great two-way game.

Michael Rasmussen, C, Det – While eligible to return to WHL, injury to Henrik Zetterberg makes it more likely the gigantic Rasmussen opens on the Wings. Ended last year on high, with 33 points in 14 playoff games.

Ilya Samsonov, G, Wsh – Not expected to start for defending Cup champs, but most likely rookie goalie to spend full season in NHL. From there, all it takes is one injury. Was a superstar over three years in KHL.

Dylan Sikura, LW, Chi – One of the top scorers in the NCAA the last two seasons, he produced a ton on the power play. Success in late-season NHL cameo offers hope that the skills will translate.

Sam Steel, C, Ana – The long-term injury to Ryan Kesler should open a spot for Steel to play an important role in Anaheim from day one. Puck skills and hockey IQ are both high end.

Robert Thomas, C, Stl – A sublime playmaker, he needs to convince the Blues’ brass that he is ready right away, as he would need to return to the OHL is not the NHL. Has all the offensive tools needed.

Brady Tkachuk

Brady Tkachuk, LW, Ott – With a diminished core, the Senators need Tkachuk to make a post draft impact similar to older brother Matthew. Left BU after only one year to turn pro. Physically ready.

Juuso Valimaki, D, Cgy – Owning a booming point shot and a solid presence in his own zone, his presence made it easier for Calgary to trade away Adam Fox in offseason. Has a shot to open in NHL blueline rotation.

Kristian Vesalainen, LW, Wpg – A big power winger with tremendous speed and offensive gifts, he took off after finally spending a full season in the same place in Finland. Will have a chance to break camp in NHL.

Kailer Yamamoto, RW, Edm – If he plays with McDavid, his Calder chances go WAY UP. Quick and shifty, he makes up for his extreme lack of size with high end skill.

Filip Zadina, RW, Det – We’ll let him explain. “I’m going to fill their nets with pucks. I want to prove to Detroit that they make a pretty good decision.” He might play some in the AHL, but has the skills to back up his words.

Mac Attack – Colorado Avalanche 2018-19 Season Preview

Robert Howard — Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:18:37 +0000

REVIEW/STATE OF PLAY - Colorado secured a playoff berth on the last night of the season after missing the playoffs for the past three years. A remarkable turnaround after an historically bad season only winning 22 games and 48 points to almost doubling to 95 points. They owned one of the best home records in the league going 28-11-2 which included a ten-game home winning streak and a 18-4-1 record in their final 23 games.

In 2016-17 Bednar was thrust into role on the eve of training camp, and it was a trying season beset by major injuries and low morale. Sakic remained loyal and patient with his young coach and charges and was rewarded. Bednar finished third in voting for the Jack Adams award for coach of the year.

CULTURE SHIFTING TRADE - A big change in culture was executed when GM Sakic traded Matt Duchene for a remarkable hall of prospects and picks, including a first-round pick from the dreadful Ottawa Senators. They also received blue chip prospects Samuel Girard and Vladislav Kamenev who made their debuts as rookies last season. The biggest gain was the lifting of a cloud over the dressing room.

The biggest change on the ice was in its special teams. In 2016-17 they were last in the league (30^th) on the power play (12.6%) and second worst (29^th) on the penalty kill (76.6%). They improved significantly finishing fourth in the league on the penalty kill (83.3%) and eighth on the power play (21.3%) and third in power play goals scored (65).

Nathan Mackinnon seized the leadership in the room with an outstanding season finishing a very close second in the voting for the Hart trophy as league MVP. He finished fifth in league scoring and would have threatened for a scoring title if he had not missed eight games, finishing right behind Connor McDavid in points per game (1.32 vs. 1.31). He formed a powerhouse top line that ranked among the most dangerous in the league by years end along with Gabriel Landeskog and Mikko Rantanen. They are 22, 25 and 21 years old respectively and anchor one of the youngest rosters in the NHL.

YOUNGEST ROSTER DRESSED 11 ROOKIES - Colorado dressed 11 different rookies in 2018-18, tying for the league lead. The most effective was 24-year-old Alexander Kerfoot signed as a free agent out of Harvard. He started off with a bang scoring 30 points in his first 40 games (40-11-19-30) but the offense dried up in the second half (39-8-5-13). He was paired with fellow rookie 21-year-old Tyson Jost towards the end of the season. Drafted 10^th overall, he has offensive skills with elite hands that were not reflected in the 22 points posted.

J. T. Compher was another rookie forward who appeared in 69 games with quiet results (69-13-10-23) and was part of the return in the Ryan O’Reilly trade. The ability for Colorado to make it back to the playoffs will be dependent on those three prospects making a step forward and playing key roles in the middle six.

Tyson Barrie

BARRIE ON FIRE - On defense Tyson Barrie established himself as an elite offensive defenseman last season. He led the league in power play time on ice and was second in points per game (0.84) finished third with 30 power play points. He missed time with a hand injury or would have been chasing a defensive scoring crown. He has not been particularly injury prone in his career, so it should not be a concern. Often mentioned in trade rumours, may have put them behind him with his performance last season

Another rookie that made an impact in 2017-18 was puck moving defender Samuel Girard, acquired in the Duchene trade. He posted 23 points in 68 games and showed poise as a 20-year-old. Nikita Zadorov (acquired in the O’Reilly trade) had a breakout season. He was physical force delivering an NHL-leading 278 hits while also blocking 106 shots. Developing into a monster shutdown defender at 6’5”, 200 pounds his 20 points were a nice bonus. He will be motivated entering his fourth season as a pending RFA, and the Avalanche will look to make him a piece of the back end for a long time.

Semyon Varlamov’s fortunes have mirrored the teams over the last number of seasons. Injuries have been a factor in most, 17-18 being no exception, and will turn 31 this year. He had an excellent season in 2018-19 with his highest save percentage in three seasons but injuries bit again. Sakic signed Philipp Grubauer to a three-year $3.3 million AAV as back up. Only 26-years-old he could threaten Varlamov for the starting job after giving Braden Holtby something to think about in Washington with a sparkling 0.923 SV%.

OUTLOOK - The Avalanche will be hard pressed to make the playoffs this year if there is any regression amongst the young core. They went from the second-best team at face-offs (53.6%) to the NHL’s worse at 44.2%. Matt Duchene took over 1000 faceoffs in 2016-17 and had a 62.6% win rate. They were the second worst team with 45.41 CF% and expected goals for percentage was fourth worst in the league (44.54%). Warning signs are there for step back on a climb up the standings in future seasons.

Colorado Avalanche Prospect System Overview

Tom Dorsa — Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:15:11 +0000

The Colorado Avalanche are in a pretty unusual position right now. They do not possess the depth of scoring and blue line talent to make consistent postseason runs, but their surprising qualification for the 2018 playoffs, behind former Calder Trophy winner and league-MVP finalist Nathan MacKinnon, indicates that Colorado has the young talent necessary for contention.

A look at their prospect system says otherwise. With their former top prospects such as MacKinnon, Gabriel Landeskog, and Mikko Rantanen already up and contributing greatly to the NHL club, the system does not have the same depth as it should. Combine that with some boneheaded trades (to be fair, some really good ones, we'll get to that) like throwing prospects away for late-season rentals, as well as poor late-round drafting, and no prospect pool will remain deep for long.

What the Avalanche have is one top-pair defense prospect with superstar potential, that being Cale Makar, then a massive crop of guys with role-player ceilings, then a complete bag of unknowns following up. It might be a positive to not have many Grade A stars on the club for financial reasons, but for pure talent and success reasons, it's a flat tire.

Luckily for the Avalanche, general manager Joe Sakic can act with impunity as a fan favorite, making trades and signings at his liking. Sometimes these deals work out very well, such as the Sven Andrighetto and Samuel Girard acquisitions, the Tyson Jost draft pick, or the Alex Kerfoot signing, transactions that made instant impacts on the club. Sakic has some experience in completely turning the franchise around and looks to do the same here.

Another thing that will help mightily is the expansion of the American Hockey League from 30 teams to 31, meaning the Avs return to manning their own farm affiliate, the Colorado Eagles, rather than sharing the San Antonio Rampage roster with St. Louis.

Though Makar, their top prospect, is still outside of the pro system for now, guys like second-ranked Conor Timmins and third-ranked Vladislav Kamenev will not have to worry about ice time or coaching disputes as Colorado receives the AHL expansion franchise. The development of guys like A.J. Greer and Nicolas Meloche were directly affected by the shared franchise in San Antonio.

If the Avalanche want to prove that 2017-18 was no fluke, and that they are ready to be regular postseason contenders, these are the guys that will have to help.

Cale Makar

1 Cale Makar, D (4th overall, 2017. Last year: 1st) Some scouts say Cale Makar could have gone first overall in the 2017 NHL Draft, and with his skillset, it is difficult to disagree. He made headlines a few month ago by electing to remain with UMASS-Amherst as a sophomore this season, rather than joining the Avalanche pro ranks, but fans in Denver will keep an eye on the highly-coveted defenseman nonetheless. Combining blazing wheels, insane vision, and a right-handed shot will make for an instant NHL-caliber blueliner, but Makar is much more, and has been the most purely skilled player on every team, and at every level, he has played on. He is a shifty, elusive skater with unbelievable raw skating power, coupling his mobility with dynamic offensive skills such as his swift, deceptive hands, nifty stutter-steps and dekes, and the occasional fake pass or shot that sends opposing defenders skating in circles. There really isn't much for him to improve upon, and he could hold his own in the NHL right now. He is a smart player who allows plays to develop with his ever-improving hockey sense and does not often force bad puck plays going up the ice, and is surprisingly physical for a 5-11" defender.

2 Conor Timmins, D (32nd overall, 2017. Last year: 3rd) He does not possess the same superstar ceiling as Makar, but the next best prospect defenseman in the Avs’ system is arguably a safer bet to be a consistent NHL contributor. The first pick in 2017's second round, Timmins outplayed 2018 first-rounder Rasmus Sandin on the blueline of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, posting a 0.87 points per game mark (36 in 41 games). For a player drafted so high on account of his sturdiness and responsibility, his offensive output is pretty solid. A very versatile defenseman, Timmins skates well with his athleticism being a driving force, has solid vision that makes for good first stretch passes, and has sneakily great shooting abilities; he can bomb them from the blueline, but also slide down into the play to find an open lane and score. His only issue at this juncture is patience and decisiveness with the puck, but at 19-years-old, he is about as complete as any defensive prospect in hockey. He is set to make the transition to the AHL this season.

3 Vladislav Kamenev, C (Trade: Nov. 5, 2017 [Nashville]. Last year: 3rd [Nashville]) The Matt Duchene trade continues to look better for Colorado as time elapses. Though Vladislav Kamenev has had a rough go at it in his short NHL time, including a broken arm in his Avalanche debut, his potential is another part of a clear winning trade for Joe Sakic and crew. After putting up near a point per game in his third AHL season, this one with Milwaukee (NSH) and San Antonio (COL), Kamenev cracked the Avs lineup sortly after the trade, indicating a sense of confidence from the coaching staff. A very smart, reliable center, the Russian former second-rounder is often used to protect late leads and kill penalties, something his skillset could allow him to do regularly at the NHL level. He is a solid skater with above average speed and good balance, and has the puck skills to generate scoring chances even when he can't beat a defender with his wheels. With good pure size (6-2", 194 lbs), it is more than likely that he will become a better player with the puck as he gets more NHL time. He is expected to compete for a roster spot in training camp.

4 Martin Kaut, RW (16th overall, 2018. Last year: IE) Martin Kaut is a very intriguing prospect. Without looking at his gameplay traits, he can impress just on account of the fact that he played alongside first-rounders Martin Necas and Filip Zadina at the WJC and was constantly developing plays and setting those two up, which is not easy to do at that level. He was also playing at the highest level of Czech hockey at 17 and 18 years old, impressing many along the way, racking up nine goals and seven assists in 38 games there last season. It is on account of that proven performance level that the Avalanche used their first-round pick on the young winger, as his maturity and hockey IQ are unmatched when considering his age and competition level. He is not a very good skater, though he is technically sound and has enough quickness to his feet to keep up with faster skaters. His biggest asset is the mental side of his game, as he processes things at a lightning fast pace and rarely makes a bad decision, coupling that with his effort on defense, where his promise really comes to light in coverage and on the backcheck. He may not be the most dynamic player, but there is a lot to like about Kaut, whose smarts project him as a middle-six winger at the highest level.

Shane Bowers

5 Shane Bowers, C (Trade: Nov. 5, 2017 [Ottawa]. Last year: 4th [Ottawa]) A power forward acquired from the trade that netted Duchene and Kamanev, Shane Bowers saw no drop in productivity this season as he made the jump from the USHL to the NCAA, scoring 17 goals and adding 15 assists with Boston University as a freshman. A former late first-rounder was one of a few impact prospects acquired from the Duchene trade, he might have the highest ceiling of the pack if he can round his game out. A strong and powerful skater despite of average size (6-0", 178 lbs), Bowers heads right to the net with the puck on his stick, and displays deft balance when making his way to the goal which makes him a handful for opponents. He has some intriguing, wonderful creativity and the hockey IQ to light a match on it all, making scintillating puck plays with ease. He is also dependable in his own end, and very physical when the task calls for it, but plays mostly a clean game (14 PIM in 41 games last season). There is a lot of risk/reward with Bowers, such as how his power forward game will translate to the bigger, faster NHL and how he can produce with a merely average shooting ability, but his ceiling makes him one of the most interesting prospects in the system.

6 Sampo Ranta, RW (78th overall, 2018. Last year: IE) The Sioux City Musketeers triggerman racked up 23 goals and 14 assists in as a second-year player in the USHL, finishing second in points on a team thin on dynamic talent. An easy comparison for Ranta would be Nashville prospect Eeli Tolvanen, given their shared native land and USHL club, but stylistically, there are not far off, as Ranta raises eyebrows with his shot and skating over anything else. Used as a power-play shooter, he showed off the blazing slap shot he possesses often with the Musketeers, although he was not solely a shooter, as his agility, edgework, and speedy momentum allowed him to weave through traffic and find open teammates for scoring chances. He is also a fairly reliable two-way player, one whose effort on backchecks and defensive zone coverage is pretty impressive. Ranta has pure skills, but whether he is a good, NHL-caliber player or just the best player on a bad junior team is the biggest question going forward.

7 Tyler Weiss, LW (109th overall, 2018. Last year: IE) An extremely lightweight winger, Tyler Weiss fell to round four of the most recent draft with concerns about his physical stature and whether he has the inherent skills to overcome it. The Raleigh, North Carolina native has one thing that skill or physicality cannot match, that being pure determination and drive, an attribute that helps him constantly improve in ways that keep turning heads. With the U.S. National Team Development Program, he chipped in 12 goals, 19 assists, and 31 points in mostly a bottom-six role, and now he goes to a system that has made use out of smaller, lighter guys like Samuel Girard and Sven Andrighetto. Weiss is a very quick skater with loads of agility and a certain elusiveness that comes with undersized forwards, using his quick acceleration and short, rapid strides to weave through defenders and enter the offensive zone without a challenge. He does not have much weight behind his shot, but carries more playmaking skills than goal-scoring attributes anyway. He plays with a very scrappy, push-and-shove game away from the puck, and brings an infectious energy to the bench. Colorado can see how his game, despite his diminutive stature, can translate to more physical levels as he plays with Nebraska-Omaha this season.

8 Justus Annunen, G (64th overall, 2018. Last year: IE) Easily the top goaltender in the Finnish junior ranks last season, Justus Annunen shot up draft boards with his mix of size, athleticism, and foot movement, hearing his name called in the early third round in June. At 6-4" and 215 lbs, he utilized his big frame to put up a 2.31 GAA, .907 Sv%, and even better numbers in 14 postseason games (1.83, .935%). In addition, he backstopped the gold medal-winning Finland squad at the Under-18 Ivan Hlinka tournament, and joins Liiga powerhouse Karpat next season at just 18 years old. His lateral movement is that of a goaltender four inches shorter, and that combination of size and agility in the blue paint is lethal for the young netminder. He has good play-reading abilities and maintains a solid post-to-post presence, with the most additional work needed being cutting down tricky angles and reading cross-ice passes with more urgency. Annunen enters a system with some underwhelming goaltending prospects and has a chance to solidify himself as the Avalanche's goalie of the future.

9 Cameron Morrison, LW (40th overall, 2016. Last year: 8th) Formerly named the USHL Rookie of the Year, Cameron Morrison has had an inconsistent, but at times promising, transition to the competition level and pace of NCAA hockey. He was over a point-per-game for a below-average Youngstown team in 2015-16, but has yet to eclipse 25 points in either of his two seasons at Notre Dame. With that being said, it is clear that Morrison is getting increasingly comfortable with making plays happen with his immense skill, working hard to do what he does best: getting inside position on opposing defenders and driving to the net. His speed and mechanics are not up to speed, but with scary size (6-3", 212 lbs), he can execute a power forward game from the wing and generate chances with his adept ability to shield the puck from defenders. A decently agile winger, he is effective on the forecheck and can help defensively at times, but defense is not a strength. The former second-rounder needs to be more consistent in creating offense to become an NHL-caliber player, but as with most college players, he remains a long-term project who is still relatively early in his development.

Nick Henry

10 Nick Henry, RW (94th overall, 2017. Last year: 11th) At first glance, one scary thought about Nick Henry is that his offensive numbers in his draft year came as a byproduct of a stacked Regina Pats team that dominated the WHL. This year was more a struggle, as he tallied only 29 points in 53 games. However, in fairness, he was recovering from a shoulder surgery conducted the prior summer, and simply started out slow; as soon as he felt 100%, he rocketed up again, scoring a hat trick in the playoffs against the eventual league champs from Swift Current. Henry possesses raw skill, headlined by a heavy, quick-release wrist shot capable of routinely fooling opposing goaltenders. With average skating speed, he does not carry the puck up much (not uncommon for any linemate of the great Sam Steel), but exhibits splendid hand-eye coordination, offensive creativity, and good hands when he does. The true test for Henry's real, sustainable game will be an eventual foray into the pro ranks, but as he only cost Colorado a fourth-round pick, they have time to wait.

11 Ryan Graves, D (Trade: Feb. 26, 2017 [New York Rangers]. Last year: 6th [New York Rangers]) Unfortunately for Ryan Graves, a very serviceable defender in his own right, Avalanche executives and fans will view him as the consolation for trading the disappointing Chris Bigras, a former high second-rounder whose development in the pros floundered and necessitated a trade away. Nonetheless, Graves offers a reason to remain optimistic, because at 6-4" and 225, there are quality aspects of his game around which to build. He is not a fast skater, but adapted to a playing style in the AHL that masks his flaws and allows him to be effective everywhere else, most notably in physical battles around the boards, stretch passes up the ice, and thunderous slap shots from the point. If any NHL success is to be achieved, the Avalanche will have to pair him with a more mobile, agile defenseman, but it is possible he finds a way to contribute in a supplemental, third-pair role.

12 Spencer Martin, G (63rd overall, 2013. Last year: 16th) Spencer Martin's 2017-18 season was less than ideal, but not exactly his fault. Colorado's AHL affiliate was actually a shared enterprise, with AHL expansion trailing the NHL’s version by 12 months, forcing the Avs and Blues to coexist as San Antonio's NHL parent clubs. With this, Martin got considerably less time than a denoted "goaltender of the future" should, battling with Blues' prospect Ville Husso for time in net. He did decently for a non-playoff team, nonetheless, but not NHL-caliber goalie numbers, going 14-15-0 with a 3.10 GAA and .893 Sv%. He has raw talent boasts extreme calmness under pressure that allows him to make easy -- and difficult -- saves at all times and in all positions. Fairly aggressive in his crease, playing up his big frame by challenging shooters into harder shot angles. Martin projects to be a backup at the NHL level, but still a useful one.

13 Denis Smirnov, RW (156th overall, 2017. Last year: 17th) Drafted as a 19-year-old overager in 2017, Denis Smirnov impressed the Avalanche brass into a draft position by racking up 47 points in 39 games as a freshman at Penn State. Smirnov, a Russian who has played in North American since his age-14 season, was a sneakily skilled scorer at the USHL ranks with Fargo before transitioning to the NCAA, putting to good use an advantage that many prospects from overseas do not have: a preexisting acclimation to smaller North American ice. He produces a lot of offense from the boards and the perimeter of the zone, using his slick hands to escape defenders and pass or exhibiting great assertiveness to fire a confident shot away from some distance. However, he is not a very fast skater at top speed and seems to be a non-factor when he isn't on his game offensively.

14 Ty Lewis, LW (Free Agent Signing: Oct. 3, 2017. Last year: IE) An undrafted, unsigned invite to Avalanche training camp before the 2017-18 season, Ty Lewis showed up ready to compete, and quickly earned himself an ELC with the team. In hindsight, it looks to be a stellar stealth signing from Sakic and company, as the 20-year-old led WHL Brandon in points last season as one of only nine WHLers to reach the 100-point plateau (44 goals, 56 assists). With a dangerous mix of speed, skill, and a nose for the net, he was a pivotal weapon both on and off the puck. When he carried the rubber, he showed his innate ability to either find the open man and drive to the goal to be fed a net-front return or create his own chance. Off the puck, his positioning led to an assortment of easy tap-ins. With the AHL team, Lewis will need to prove his game can transition to the pros, while working on his flawed two-way game.

Nicolas Meloche

15 Nicolas Meloche, D (40th overall, 2015. Last year: 6th) Nicolas Meloche dropped nine spots from last year's prospect rankings to this year's, an indictment of the slow pace of his development. He was generally a liability on the Rampage blueline in what was his first pro year, one supposed to be a highly-anticipated transition to the professional leagues. Instead, he suffered the occasional mid-game benching, healthy scratch, and even an ECHL assignment. Meloche had trouble adjusting to the pace and skill of the AHL, a fact you can blame somewhat on a team thin on the blueline. He still has some raw talent and fine upside as a 6-3", right-handed defenseman who can skate, with superb mobility, a fast, hard shot, and a cool, calm demeanor. An efficient two-way defenseman in the QMJHL ranks, that remains his NHL ceiling, and his late-season performances (five points in final eight games, top-four minutes, power-play time) inspire confidence going down the road.

16 Igor Shvyrev, C (125th overall, 2017. Last year: 15th) Igor Shvyrev is an international man of mystery, but every NHL prospect system needs a resident enigma. Shvyrev embodies that role perfectly; a versatile, extraordinarily-skilled centerman whose numbers in the Russian minor leagues scream future NHL stalwart at times, with 70 points (21 goals, 49 assists) in just 40 games in 2016-17, but he has not been able to stick in the KHL, having just one goal in 42 games at the higher level. So why would the Avs sign the Russian center to an ELC? The simple fact that Shvyrev was playing center in the KHL at 18 and 19, reliably so in the bottom lines for Metallurg Magnitogorsk, is a good sign. Elsewhere, he has a dynamic skillset headlined by swift hands, great vision, a responsible defensive game, and a heavy shot; with some seasoning in the AHL, the 20-year-old could be NHL ready in short order.

17 Scott Kosmachuk, RW (UFA: Jul. 2, 2018. Last year: IE) A third-round pick six years ago and an OHL champion four years prior, Kosmachuk has returned to prospect prominence. After a great season with the Rangers' AHL affiliate in Hartford, he was offered a two-way contract with the Avalanche and will bring with him to Colorado the offensive tools that first made him attractive to NHL teams as a teen. Scouted mostly as an industrious depth winger, Kosmachuk played as a first-liner and at times, completely shouldered the load for the Wolf Pack offense, using his net-front drive, high end shot, and tenacious physicality to become a pain in the neck for opposing defenses. He is a very dangerous at top speed, with tricky agility that is capable of dangling around defenders, despite not being an overly fast skater. If he produces with the Eagles like he did with the Wolf Pack, an NHL recall could be imminent.

18 A.J. Greer, RW (39th overall, 2015. Last year: 7th) Like Meloche, A.J. Greer is someone who dropped considerably from last season's rankings, mainly because of the same issue; inconsistency and the overall inability to reach their game's competitive ceiling. Greer does not have the same offensive chops as Meloche or his other peers, but the Rampage forward netted eight goals and five assists in 35 games with SA and earned the first somewhat long-term recall of his career, playing 17 games with the Avalanche. As a 21-year-old draftee of 2015, you can consider that development timeline normal and timely, but no actual development occurred because he plays such a simple, prototypical bottom-six game. He is effective when he hustles and is very physical on the forecheck, capable of securing loose pucks and scoring some tough, clutch goals thanks to rugged net-front tenacity, but very one-dimensional. He could compete for a roster spot with the Avs this season.

19 Danila Zhuravlyov, D (146th overall, 2018. Last year: IE) Definitely a long-term project, but potentially a steal, young Russian defenseman Danila Zhuravlyov displayed a pretty promising two-way game for Russian minor-league club Irbis Kazan (nine goals, nine assists in 28 assists) and for Russia at the World Under-18s (five assists in five games). He is underdeveloped physically, but he has great straight-line speed and acceleration, using those skills to push the puck up ice with frequency. He is not afraid to let the puck fly from the point (his nine goals last season should tell you that) and has a good slap shot to boot. He is an effective defenseman in his own zone despite the lack of size, with tight gap control and attentive coverage within his zone.

20 Sheldon Dries, C (UDFA: Jul. 2, 2018. Last year: IE) After playing as an AHL-contracted rookie with the Texas Stars, Sheldon Dries inked an entry-level deal with the Avalanche in free agency, his first NHL contract. The undrafted center lit the Stars' AHL affiliate up with 19 goals and 11 assists in the regular season, followed by a team-high ten goals on their way to the Calder Cup Final. He is a high-energy guy, one that plays a middle-six role in the AHL while competing on the penalty kill, power play, and defending late leads. A Swiss army knife in Texas' lineup last season, Dries scored the bulk of his goals by driving into the offensive zone with his blazing skating speed and letting it rip with heavy, accurate wrist shots from the slot or around the faceoff circles, putting more power in his wrist shot than his 5-9" frame suggests is possible. Of course, that lack of height is what has held the center back before, but the 24 year-old can be considered a legitimate prospect on account of his maturity, experience, and versatility.

AHL Central – Colorado Edition: Spencer Martin (San Antonio – Colorado), Vladislav Kamenev (Milwaukee/San Antonio – Colorado)

Ryan Wagman — Wed, 22 Nov 2017 19:52:34 +0000

Spencer Martin has had an impressive start to the season winning 10 of 12 games. He made his NHL debut last season in a nightmarish Avalanche season. Ryan Wagman breaks down his characteristics and his reason for success this season.

Vladislav Kamenev was part of the blockbuster trade of the NHL 17-18 season so far. He joins a Colorado team that will provide him an opportunity likely sooner rather than later. Called up to the big club right away, he is now on the shelf for a while after breaking his arm in his NHL debut with Colorado. A detailed scouting report follows.

A note on the 20-80 scale used below. We look at five attributes (skating, shooting, puck skills, hockey IQ and physicality) for skaters and six for goalies (athleticism/quickness, compete/temperament, vision/play reading, technique/style, rebound control and puck handling). Each individual attribute is graded along the 20-80 scales, which includes half-grades. The idea is that a projection of 50 in a given attribute meant that our observer believed that the player could get to roughly NHL average at that attribute at maturity.

Spencer Martin	2013 Draft (63rd - Colorado Avalanche)
Position:G, Catches: L	H/W: 6-3", 210 lbs
Stats to date (GP-GAA-Save%)	San Antonio Rampage, AHL (10-2.60-.913)

Athleticism/Quickness/Speed: Martin is a plus athlete in the crease. Allows him to recover very quickly for second chances. He moves his feet very quickly and post-to-post is strong, although he does not always look graceful in getting from point A to point B. Can scramble in a pinch. Grade: 50

Compete/Temperament: Calmness under pressure allowing him to make a lot of clean saves. Having spent his OHL career with Mississauga before the time of Mike McLeod, Owen Tippett and others, and then spending his first two AHL seasons with a very undermanned San Antonio staff, Martin is used to facing a lot of rubber. Traffic – heavy to the point of knocking him off his feet – does not faze him and he puts in noticeable effort to regain his feet ASAP. Grade: 60

Vision/Play Reading: Accustomed to searching for pucks through a crowd, Martin tracks well enough. Does not seem to lose sight of the puck, or need to play catch-up. Grade: 55

Technique/Style: Moderate aggressiveness. Will challenge the shooter, but not to an extreme amount. Fairly typical in his positioning. Grade: 55

Rebound Control: Does a good job of stopping pucks cleanly. He could be more consistent in this regards, but he minimizes second chances. If he cannot stop the puck and hold it, he generally is able to kick it out to the corners and out of danger. Grade: 50

Puck Control: Very cautious with the puck. Very unlikely to play it beyond settling it down. Puck play is basically not a part of Martin’s game. Grade: 40

Summary: After years of struggling to put up noteworthy numbers on subpar teams in the OHL and AHL, the influx of St. Louis Blues’ prospects to the San Antonio Rampage has enabled Spencer Martin to show how effective he could be with an adequate blueline in front of him. He moves very well. Does his best work when facing the most rubber His worst games this season have been ones where he has not faced quite so many shots. Also known as a workhorse, although will be splitting time with St. Louis prospect Ville Huuso this year. Projects as high as a roughly average NHL starter, but will likely have to break into the NHL in a back-up role. He is a much better goalie than he showed in his first NHL cameo on a brutal Avalanche team last year.

Overall Future Projection (OFP): 52.25

Vladislav Kamenev	2014 Draft (42nd - Nashville Predators, traded to Colorado Avalanche in November 2017, as part of three-way trade including Kyle Turris, Matt Duchene, Samuel Girard and more)
Position: C/LW, Shoots L	H/W: 6-2", 195 lbs
Stats to date (GP-G-A-PTS-PIMS)	Milwaukee Admirals/San Antonio Rampage, AHL (14-3-9-12-27)

Skating: Has a strong first two steps to break into the clear. Good balance, slightly above average top speed. Grade: 55

Shot: Has quick wrists and a nice release on his wrist shot from medium distance and out, but more likely to either dish to a teammate or try to score from close to the net. Grade: 55

Skills: His puck carrying sometimes seems one-note, as he picks the straightest path possible to power through to the net, keeping the puck on his backhand. Has decent strength on the puck, and not easy to strip from him, although Kamenev will occasionally rush a pass when under direct pressure. Grade: 55

Smarts: Very impressive on the draw, seemingly winning faceoffs cleanly over and over again. Committed in his own zone, quick to fill up shooting lanes to block point shots against. Began his pro career young and is generally trusted by his coaches to protect leads late. Only 21 and already in his third North American pro season. Was receiving regular KHL shifts in his first post-draft season. Grade: 60

Physicality: Average to slightly above average frame and he will use it, although not in an aggressive manner; more likely to use lean to get the advantage. The strength is there to be more forceful off the puck, but it does not seem to be in his nature to be an instigator. That said, he follows the play wherever it goes and has no compunction to playing in the greasy areas. Grade: 50

Summary: In making Vladislav Kamenev one of the key pieces returning to Colorado in the big three way trade that sent Matt Duchene to Ottawa and also saw long-time Senator Kyle Turris move on to Nashville, it was no great surprise to see the young Russian two-way forward get the call up to the Avalanche within a week or so of his acquisition. Now in his third AHL season, he plays a very mature game, showing a bit of everything, and strong in all three zones. He has little left to learn in the minor leagues and the time is ripe for him to establish a role in the NHL. Can be eased into the best league in the world in a protected role as he acclimatizes to the increase speed and skill of the league. He should be very good for a long while.

*UPDATE – as this report was being finalized, word broke that Kamenev broke his left arm on a hit by Brooks Orpik early in his first game with Colorado. The projection does not change, but the timeline is pushed back a few months.

Overall Future Projection (OFP): 55.75

Nashville – System Overview

Ryan Wagman — Fri, 15 Sep 2017 20:10:18 +0000

For years, the Nashville Predators were known as a defense-led team. Much of that reputation was the result of the 2003 draft. With the seventh overall choice, they selected Ryan Suter. With their second of three picks in the second round, they chose Kevin Klein. And with the third of three second rounders, they called out the name of Shea Weber. Between the three of them, there are now 2,381 regular season games of experience.

Of course, the Predators history of developing front-line defensemen goes further and deeper than those three, even if Suter and Weber are the clear best of the bunch. In their first ever draft, their final pick was used on Karlis Skrastins, now remembered as one of the victims of the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl plane crash. His NHL career spanned 832 games.

In 2001, they used their first round pick on Dan Hamhuis, who is likely to surpass 1,000 games this year. In 2005, they used their first three picks on blueliners. While the first two are little remembered today, the third one is Cody Franson. Although more beloved by the analytics crowd than by old-school thinkers (great possession stats, but slow afoot), he already has 527 games to his credit.

This reputation was further enhanced in 2009, with the selection of Ryan Ellis 11th overall and Mattias Ekholm in the fourth round. Seth Jones was the most recent feather in the defensemen drafting cap worn by Nashville’s only ever GM, David Poile. The 4th overall pick of the 2013 draft was traded to Columbus for Ryan Johansen before reaching his full potential, but he has already won fans up and down the league.

All of the above is not to say that the Predators never miss when drafting a defenseman high. Ryan Parent (18th overall in 2005) and Jonathon Blum (23rd overall in 2007) are fairly considered busts, even though each has more than 100 regular season games played in their resume. And of course, for every later round defender who panned out four or five never had the pleasure of inhaling the scent of an NHL locker room.

In summary, it is fair to say that Nashville’s reputation in this regard has been well earned. And unlike other clubs with a history of success with a slice of the draft population, the amazing consistency of the people running the good ship Predator adds to that legacy. We recognize this success and applaud Poile, Assistant Paul Fenton and their entire scouting staff for this history of success.

What we cannot do, however, is presume that any blueliner in the Nashville is bound for glory just because he was drafted by this team. The list below is well-represented by defensemen, and justifiably so. But it needs to be said that the placement of Dante Fabbro, or David Farrance, or any of the others, is based solely on that player’s standing as a prospect in this system, in a vacuum. We would be doing a disservice to the player, to ourselves as talent evaluators, and to you, the reader, if we give a subjective boost to any of the below just because the Nashville Predators once drafted Shea Weber, Ryan Suter, and Kevin Klein in a single draft. Dante Fabbro is ranked highly for the simple reason that he is really very good at hockey.

Eeli Tolvanen

1 Eeli Tolvanen – Owning one of the better shots in the 2017 draft class, Tolvanen would likely have been drafted well before the Predators’ turn at the podium were it not for a slow recovery from injury suffered at the WJC that held back his production in the second half. An excellent skater and puckhandler as well, his shot will always be his main draw. Although lacking strength, he is committed to puck retrieval in his own zone. After a problem with his Finnish school credits left him ineligible to play for Boston University, elected to go back to Finland to play for Jokerit in the KHL.

TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 26: Canada forward Nicolas Roy (25) jumps in celebration as forward Dante Fabbro (8) joins him after scoring against Russia in the second period during the World junior Hockey Championships (Photo by Dan Hamilton/Icon Sportswire)

2 Dante Fabbro – A lights-out blueliner in his draft year with Penticton of the BCHL, Fabbro acquitted himself well as a freshman with Boston University. While he was not quite the same level of offensive contributor, he proved that his defensive game is quite advanced. He keeps a very tight gap, does not bite on dekes very often, has an active stick and is surprisingly physical down low. A very good penalty killer. Has a solid enough point shot to project improved offensive totals going forward.

3 Vladislav Kamenev – After taking the rare step of leaving Russia at 19 to play in the AHL, at the very least, Kamenev can state that his game is well-suited for North America. He has very slick hands, which he combines with agile feet to be a dangerous customer in one-on-one situations. A creative passer as well. Responsible defensively, he hunts for pucks, and uses his solid frame to help out in the dirty areas. All he really needs at this point is an opportunity to prove himself in the NHL.

NASHVILLE, TN - JANUARY 12: Nashville Predators right wing Pontus Aberg (46) . (Photo by Danny Murphy/Icon Sportswire)

4 Pontus Aberg – The most ‘ready-now’ player in the Nashville system, Aberg was a regular in the Nashville lineup in their run to the Stanley Cup finals last spring. A two-way forward with solid overall offensive tools, he likes to play near the opposing crease. Patient with the puck, he sees the ice well and is equally comfortable shooting in net as he is dishing it off to a linemate, although is more likely to contribute as a goal scorer at the highest level. Smart and ready to establish himself in the NHL.

5 Grant Mismash – A versatile forward with an NHL caliber shot, Mismash has explosive offensive qualities that become more and more prominent as the season wore on. He is a plus skater with very soft hands. Does well at maintaining possession of the puck under pressure. A diligent backchecker and very hard worker, he gets into trouble on occasion with unnecessary penalties. Plays a gritty, rough style, which makes up in energy what he lacks in the ability to punish. Going to North Dakota.

6 Samuel Girard – The epitome of the modern-day small and mobile defenseman, Girard has led the QMJHL in both assists and points by a defenseman in both of the last two years. A great skater with exceptional vision, he will have to prove that his tiny frame can hold up to the rigors of the professional game. Has taken big strides recently in his defensive awareness, but still struggles at times when defending against high end speed. May need to be sheltered, but the tools are there.

7 Rem Pitlick – A bit of a late bloomer, Pitlick went from 16 points in his year of draft eligibility to leading the USHL with 89 points, winning the player of the year honors, in his second go round. Blessed with outstanding speed and a sniper’s shot, the stocky forward was productive from the get-go with Minnesota. A great finisher, he actually looks for the pass more often. Needs to improve his decision making in his own end, although does not neglect his duties off the puck.

8 David Farrance – The most dynamic blueliner in last year’s USNTDP, Farrance should not have been available towards the end of the third round, when the Predators pounced. His high end mobility and puck handling skills, as well as great vision in the offensive end, should all more than paper over his slightly below average height and minimal physical presence. Flashes top four blueline upside regularly. Although competent in his own zone, was rarely used on the PK for the U18 squad.

9 Frederic Allard – Drafted as a high end offensive defenseman, Allard’s offensive game seems to have plateaued, but he has made up for it with improved play in his own zone. An excellent skater with great edges and impressive top speed. Produces at a top clip despite not grading out as more than average with his shot or his raw puck skills. Everything plays up due to his anticipation and overall hockey sense. Has nothing left to prove in the Q.

10 Yakov Trenin – The Predators top pick in the 2015 draft, Trenin has been a steady offensive producer in three years of QMJHL development. Was one of the rare CHL players invited by Russia to play for their WJC squad. Big but not very physical, his best trait is his hockey IQ, a common trait among Predators’ prospects. Projects more as a playmaker than a sharpshooter as he prepares for his first full pro season. Has middle six upside.

11 Frederick Gaudreau – A postseason hero for Nashville last year, Gaudreau has come an awfully long way from his year and a half playing with Milwaukee on an AHL contract. A strong offensive showing in his second pro season convinced Nashville to give him an ELC. He has not looked back since. Outside of hockey IQ, all of his tools grade out around average, but the intelligence and positive energy allows it all to play up. Has a good chance to spend the year in Nashville as a fourth-liner/13th forward.

12 Patrick Harper – A tiny forward who was drafted out of the New England prep school ranks, Harper gave a hint of what was to come during Boston College’s pre-season, where he teamed up with Clayton Keller to destroy game sheets. Continued to score once the games counted, with nearly a point-per-game as a freshman. He has very nice touch with the puck. Skating is better going east-west than it is north-south. Is a non-entity physically.

13 Tyler Moy – There were some who thought that the selection of Moy, in his third year of eligibility, in 2015, was a ploy by Nashville to convince Jimmy Vesey to sign. If so, it clearly did not work, but no matter. Moy has game. He has plus puck skills and remains in control even under pressure. Possesses a very good shot release that allows him to connect even from wide angles. Also grades out as above average with his skating and, naturally for a Harvard grad, for his smarts. Making his pro debut this year.

14 Emil Pettersson – Taken in the sixth round in 2013, Pettersson’s development has been slow and steady until he broke out with a point per game performance in the second half last season after moving from Skelleftea to Vaxjo. He has high end puck skills and above average skating ability. Can play a flashy game and makes consistently strong reads in the offensive end. On the downside, he has little defensive game and can be physically overpowered. Signed to an ELC, will be coming to the AHL this year.

15 Victor Ejdsell – A late bloomer, Ejdsell has great size and exploded as an offensive option in Allsvenskan last year, leading the league in scoring. Skilled with the puck, he is a terror when he comes down the wing with speed. Is used to creating offense when given room, but has been known to struggle in tighter games when facing a strong backcheck. Needs to do a better job of utilizing his teammates, even if they do not have his physical gifts.

16 Alexandre Carrier – A small defender with excellent puck moving skills, Carrier had an excellent pro debut with Milwaukee. Formerly the fourth overall pick of the QMJHL entry draft in 2012, he was able to both contribute offensively and play a regular role on both special teams units. A fantastic passer who knows what he wants to do with the puck before he gets it. Guards the middle of the ice well, but could stand to tighten his gaps.

17 Trevor Murphy – An undersized offensive defenseman, Murphy was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Windsor of the OHL after a strong rookie camp in 2015. He plays rough for his size, and makes up for his weak points (size, skating) with strong puck skills and a burgeoning two-way game. Very good at beginning the transition to offense with a lead pass out of his own zone, he also can show some wiggle when carrying the puck over the line.

18 Tom Novak – While a knee injury cut his season short around the mid-way point, Novak had been picking up where he left off from a solid freshman campaign for the Minnesota Golden Gophers. A strong skater with some dynamic puck playing elements to his game, he likes to play near the opposing crease in the offensive end, making the goalie and defenders work for rebounds. Assuming a full recovery from his injury with no loss of speed, he could be in line for a strong season to get higher up this list.

19 Justin Kirkland – A two-way energy forward in the WHL, Kirkland struggled in his first exposure to the professional game. He had a hard time keeping up with the pace of the AHL game – particularly in regards to his first few steps - and his shot was rarely used and was not much of a threat when it was. He still has some potential as a power forward, but needs to be more assertive to ensure that his presence is felt in every shift.

20 Pavel Koltygin – A strong skater with good balance who excels at creating space for himself and protecting the puck. Koltygin had a great start to his first season in North America, but slowed tangibly in the season’s second half. The former ninth overall pick in the CHL import draft at least ended the season well with a solid showing for Russia at the WU18. With more consistent showings of his offensive tools, he could out to be a late-round steal.

One of the facets that the Predators like to look for in their prospects is high hockey IQ. The prospects listed above all share an aversion to mistakes and have strong reputations at both ends of the ice. In light of that strategy, they consistently are able to ice a team at the NHL level – a team that is largely built from within - that is greater than the sum of its parts.

NHL Prospect Scouting: Nashville Predators

Ryan Wagman — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 16:48:47 +0000

For an organization known for a rich history of drafting and developing high end blueliners (Shea Weber, Ryan Suter, Roman Josi, Seth Jones), the Nashville Predators are suddenly awash in skilled forwards bubbling up through the pipeline. This is not to say that they were mistaken in dealing Jones to Columbus for Ryan Johansen, who immediately steps into the role of their top line center, but rather that this will soon be a problem relegated to history.

There can be some doubt as to which forward prospect is the most appealing, but most observers (including this one) would agree that there are three that stand out above the rest – not just the rest within the Nashville organization, but among the entirety of the hockey prospect world. As of mid-January, the most prominent of the troika is Kevin Fiala, if for no other reason than that he is playing with Nashville right now.

His lofty placement on this list is not to see that his ascent to the NHL has been seamless. Through roughly one full season’s worth of experience in North America, there have been bumps in his path and even some questions as to how well he can adapt to the game away from the more spacious rinks of Europe. On the other hand, his game has shown signs of improvement through this season, making the question of his promotion a matter more of when, and not if.

The Swiss former first rounder is known for his puck game. His hands are high end with clever and quick moves to help keep the disc away from the sticks of opposing defenders. Whether carrying or passing the puck, Fiala raises the level of excitement on the ice. He has good vision, and his passes are both hard and on the money. When he is on top of his game, he can control the proceedings. When he is off, he lacks a sense of calmness and assuredness, seemingly playing hot potato with the puck and rushing plays, which never ends well. In general, he could stand to simplify his puck game a touch, and cut down on the risky plays, although he has made progress in that area this year.

Experience and consistency stand in the way of Fiala demonstrating the entire tool set needed to cement a top six forward spot in the NHL. If there is an area of his game that seems unlikely to develop too much it is his physical side. Not that today’s game – or a game like Fiala’s – relies overmuch on physical play, there is a modicum of strength needed to avoid it being an area that can be exploited by opponents. Oftentimes, the graduate of the HV71 program in Sweden plays a perimeter game in the offensive end. At the hint of contact, he will often pull up shot and let the play get away from him. Even when he is trying to stay engaged, he is too easily bumped off his stride and the puck, demonstrating a clear need to add muscle to his frame. He doesn’t need to be a physical force, but needs just enough to prevent opponents from shutting down his game without too much difficulty.

For now, he can probably hold his own in the NHL, if lined up with more physical and defensively responsible linemates. Ideally, Fiala would spend the majority of the remainder of this season rounding out his game in the AHL before getting a lengthier opportunity in training camp next year.

Vladislav Kamenev, C, Milwaukee (42^nd overall, 2015)

Another forward with quick hands, particularly notable for his wrist movements, Kamenev plays a far more physical game than his erstwhile Milwaukee teammate Fiala. The former second round pick, who captained the Russian squad at the recent WJC, combines elements of North American North-South with the Russian zest of quick passes in the offensive end, giving him multiple paths with which to make his presence felt on the ice.

In spite of what those who only saw him in the Gold Medal game, when he was ejected from the match late in the third for a moment of severe unsportsmanlike conduct, Kamenev is actually a very responsible player on the ice (between the whistles), given plenty of PK time his coaches and showing a zest for tracking back in his own zone, plus a proclivity for wrecking opponent offensive sallies. He still needs more development time to round out his defensive zone game, but he is trending in the right direction and definitely showing that he gives full effort on both sides of the puck.

After dissecting is off-puck play, we can enjoy the 19-year-old for his main qualities of which reside on the puck. Kamenev has a nose for the puck, anticipating where it will go and when and is able to get himself into little areas from where he can do some damage, whether that is in space, or by the crease. When he has the puck he is equally as proficient passing as he is shooting. He can perform either on a single touch, and either reach his teammate on a line or pivot and fire a strong wrist shot towards a piece of unguarded net.

The upside with the Magnitogorsk product is lower than that of Fiala, but Kamanev is also less likely to flame out altogether. His reasonable best case scenario is as a solid, versatile middle six forward who can slot into the lineup as needed, where needed.

Jimmy Vesey, LW, Harvard (66^thoverall, 2012)

While Fiala and Kamenev are front of mind prospects for Preds fans, Vesey can be somewhat forgotten, playing in the hockey hotbed of Boston on weekends only, and not even yet under contract. Now a senior at Harvard, his professional future will commence as soon as the Crimson have their season end in late March or early April. If the Crimson make all the way to the Frozen Four, their season will end during the same weekend as the end of the NHL regular season. This is relevant as some close to the organization view the Hobey Baker Award challenger as the equivalent as a late season trade addition, someone who could step right into an NHL lineup out of campus and contribute at a high level immediately.

As insane as his point totals are in the NCAA, they are all earned. Vesey grades out better than average in the skating and shooting categories, but he really excels when we watch the traits of his game, both on and off the puck, which both grade out as upper echelon components. Starting with his puck skills, the Boston area product is as creative as he is smooth. He makes tremendous puck decisions, of what to do, when to do it and how. His puck possession skills allow him to calmly cycle the puck in the low end of the offensive zone, knowing he can hold the disc until a lane opens up for a shot, or a teammate opens up for a cutting pass. He makes passes that few other collegians can. He also has a long reach, which he will sometimes employ to dangle, although I expect that to be less featured once he turns pro.

Vesey’s off-puck is just as impressive, as might be expected from the son of a former professional. Not a physical player per se, he knows how to use his body to gain leverage, such as bracing his feet against the boards to ensure a backchecker will expend his energy into the boards through Vesey’s legs instead of his more vulnerable back. He tracks the play very well and plays hard in the dirty areas of the rink without getting himself into penalty trouble.

Assuming the Predators can come to terms with him quickly and are in a playoff race, expect to see Vesey in the NHL in the postseason this year. If not, this may be the second most coveted free agent in the summer class behind only (maybe) a fellow named Steven Stamkos.

Juuse Saros, G, Milwaukee (99^th overall, 2013)

An undersized netminder, Saros is one of the most electric goaltending prospects in hockey, serving as another unneeded reminder that teams should not be wasting first round picks on netminders as the middle and late rounds are filthy with them.

Saros has plus lateral agility and minimizes his size deficiencies by cutting down on the angles whenever possible, challenging the shooter and reducing the amount of open net that is visible from the point, particularly when the puck is between the dots. He trusts in the speed of his legs to stay tall as long as possible and never seems to back down, even when in tight. The 20-year-old Finn is also a strong puck handler, who can help the transition game with early passes out from behind the net.

Some will not be able to get past Saros’ shortness of stature (compared to most goalies), standing only 5’10”, but the combination of his other tools makes him impossible to ignore. Having played heavy minutes as a teen in Finland’s top league, there is a chance he can carry a starter’s workload and his age and lack of North American experience gives the Predators’ organization a lot of time to hone his craft in the AHL. Outside of emergencies, he should not appear in the NHL until the 2017-18 season, but if Rinne is past his prime, Saros is the best bet in the system to be able to one day replace him.

Tyler Moy, C, Harvard (175^th overall, 2015)

A nice find as a late round pick last June, Moy, a teammate of Vesey’s at Harvard is a smart player with a good wrist shot complete with a tricky release. He is a smooth stickhandler who sees the ice pretty well and prefers to pass than shoot. Already a Junior with the Crimson, Moy will never be a big point producer, but plays a stocky and heady style that gives him a chance to emerge as a candidate for a lower line role in three or four years. His lack of acceleration will prevent him from a ceiling any higher than that, but his physical and intelligent game will make him a trusted player by coaches and a favorite by fans.

Max Gortz, RW, Milwaukee (172^nd overall, 2012)

Another forward with hidden upside, Gortz has made a number of fans for himself in his first season in North America after 161 games in the SHL. Not a fleet skater, Gortz plays a 200-foot game which he supplements with an above average shot that is dangerous whether he wrists them in from close range, or fires a slap shot from distance. Growing up between the Malmo, Farjestads and Froluna systems, Gortz plays on both special teams’ units for Milwaukee and has shown to be a quick study of the subtleties of the game on the smaller ice surface and of his opponents on any given night, allowing him to anticipate the play before it happens and making up somewhat for his average footspeed. While Gortz was on few radars prior to this season, he should expect to make his NHL debut by early next season, if not this one.