Waltteri Merela – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2023-24 NHL YEARBOOK – TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING – Top 20 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #32

Brock Otten, Derek Neumeier, Chapin Landvogt and Josh Bell — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 18:59:22 +0000

Top 20 Tampa Bay Lightning Prospects

1. Isaac Howard

One of the more recent additions to the Tampa Bay Lightning’s prospect pool, Howard was drafted 31st overall in 2022, after putting up 82 points in 60 games with the USNTDP, as well as an impressive 11-point performance at U18s en route to a silver medal for Team USA. Last season, he moved on to the NCAA’s University of Minnesota-Duluth where he didn’t find that same offensive production and obviously wasn’t happy with his season as he has since transferred to Michigan State University for 2023-24. Howard is a speedy and creative playmaker who plays a strong small-area game. He can be a bit inconsistent in his effort level, but with the right coaching and development, he can reach his ceiling as a dependable second-line winger in the NHL. Lightning fans may need to be patient with him through his development as he works the kinks out.

2. Ethan Gauthier

After pumping in 6 goals and 7 points in 5 games for Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, all eyes were on Gauthier’s QMJHL performance last season with the Sherbrooke Phoenix. Ultimately, the righty shot improved upon the 18 goals and 39 points of his freshman campaign into 30 goals and 69 points for his draft year, adding another 11 points in the playoffs and being named “Best Professional Prospect” in the Q for his efforts. A relentless pursuer of the puck who forces his opponents to make quick decisions, particularly on the forecheck, Gauthier possesses a smooth, mechanically-sound stride that utilizes sound crossovers and applies quick acceleration to create opportunities for his line. This is the fundamental strength and basis of his game that should allow for an NHL career in some capacity. Tampa Bay selected him 37th overall this summer with the hope that his keen understanding of how to apply his tools for generating offense will have him looking like a top-line support winger who plays a heavy game. His QMJHL rights were dealt to Drummondville, where the Lightning organization hopes he’ll enjoy a dominating offensive season before going pro.

3. Niko Huuhtanen

From being the last player selected in 2021 to the number three prospect in the Lightning system is a testament to both the development of Huuhtanen as well as an admission that he was drafted too low. The Finnish forward was selected after his second full season in the U20 SM-sarja, producing nearly a point-per-game. After being selected, he came overseas to the WHL’s Everett Silvertips where he impressed, leading all rookies in goals with 37 in just 65 games. He returned to Finland last season, but this time to the Liiga, where he again led all rookies in goals (17) as well as points (30). He has pro size and plays a hard, physical game while boasting a heavy shot. Huuhtanen is well on his way to slotting in as a bottom six contributor but could play up the lineup if called upon.

4. Jack Finley

It’s hard to miss Finley on the ice, standing at 6- 6” and 223 pounds. The Lightning took notice, selecting him 57th overall in 2020. He was coming off a strong sophomore season in the WHL with the Spokane Chiefs but lost almost the entire 2020-21 season due to a torn labrum. He returned to the WHL for one final season, taking time to get back up to speed but looking strong down the stretch. He moved up to the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch last season, again taking time to adjust but fitting in well as the season wore on. He’s likely not going to be a high-skill player but should bring strong possession ability and be a net-front presence. He needs to improve his skating and to learn how to use his size to his advantage, but he’s a raw, intriguing prospect. Finley could be a bottom-six forward when all is said and done.

5. Jack Thompson

Thompson was another product of the 2020 NHL Draft, 93rd overall, after doubling his scoring output in his second OHL season. He headed overseas to play in the HockeyEttan during the cancelled 2020-21 season, contributing a point-per-game as a defender. He came back to the OHL in 2021-22 as the captain of the Sudbury Wolves before a trade to the Soo. Thompson’s season including leading all OHL defenders in goals (21) and helping Canada to a World Juniors gold medal. He jumped to the AHL last season, looking extremely comfortable in the process. He’s capable of playing big minutes, thrives when getting involved offensively, and has shown steps forward on the defensive side of the puck as well. He’s a pretty well-rounded player without excelling in one specific area and has the potential to be a bottom-four, two-way presence, especially if he can maintain his offensive success at the pro levels.

6. Hugo Alnefelt

It feels as though Alnefelt has been on the cusp of the NHL ever since he was selected in the third round by the Lightning in 2019. The goaltender was coming off a good season in the J20 SuperElit, while standing out internationally in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, winning a silver medal, as well as in the U18s, winning a gold. The next two seasons were spent in the SHL while appearing in back-to-back World Juniors. Alnefelt moved to North America in 2021-22 and struggled in his first season, before looking more comfortable with the Crunch last season. When he’s on, he angles out shooters well and is quite agile in the net. He controls rebound well and has good athleticism. He’s been quite inconsistent thus far and can let in soft shots at times. He could become a reliable backup in the NHL and could make that move relatively soon.

7. Gage Goncalves

Goncalves has followed a steady trajectory in his development, showing some improving each season. After two seasons in the WHL, the Lightning took note, using the 62nd pick in 2020 to select him. Goncalves returned to the WHL for one more season in 2020-21, as the alternate captain, earning his first NHL contract and moving to the AHL in 2021-22. His professional transition was rather seamless and looked even better in his second go-round last season. As seems to be a theme with Lightning prospects, he’s a competitive forward who never quits on a play. He’s a strong playmaker with a knack for feeding the slot, plays a smart game, and rarely makes a mistake. Goncalves seems well on his way to an NHL roster where he should be able to secure a spot as a bottom six player who could play up if needed. The Lightning have definitely been looking for players of his specific type in recent years.

8. Lucas Edmonds

Originally eligible for the 2019 NHL Draft, Lucas Edmonds finally heard his name called in the 2022, 86th overall. After playing in Sweden in his first two draft eligible seasons, mainly in the J20 SuperElit, he split time between the HockeyAllsvenskan and HockeyEttan in 2020-21 and decided a change was needed, moving to the OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs in 2021-22, where he put up 113 points in just 68 games, leading the league in assists (79). The Lightning bit, immediately signing him to an entry-level deal, and bringing him to the AHL. Edmonds played well last season, employing an intelligent, well-rounded game. A playmaker who knows how to create offense, his path has been an interesting one, but he likely tops out as an AHLer and call-up option. That said, there is a reasonable chance that he finds a regular role as a bottom-line winger as well, considering his quick adjustment to the AHL.

9. Dylan Duke

High energy, highly competitive prospects give themselves a better chance to make it and the Lightning are betting on just that with Duke. He was selected 126th overall in 2021 after a point-per-game season with the USNTDP, which included being named a top-three player in the U18s. He moved on to the NCAA with the University of Michigan in 2021-22, falling victim to a lack of ice time on a deep Wolverines team, and seeing his production dip in the process. He took on a bigger role last season, increasing in offense and earning the call to Team USA at the World Juniors, winning bronze. Duke is a tenacious winger with only one gear – high! He battles hard, always working to get the puck back on his team’s sticks. If everything pans out, he could be a very entertaining middle-six winger.

10. Jayson Shaugabay

Shaugabay is a shifty and highly deceptive playmaking winger with significant offensive upside. When playing in the Minnesota high school loop, he was the best player in the State, earning the coveted Mr. Hockey award for the season. He also started and finished the year with USHL Green Bay and was a standout for the Gamblers too, with one of the highest point per game averages on the team, albeit in a smaller sample size of games played. Shaugabay was one of the most skilled and creative players with the puck from the 2023 draft class. He routinely creates extra time and space for himself by beating the first and second layers of pressure, turning would-be defenders into pylons. That said, there are a lot of areas to his game that will need work for him to reach his high ceiling, particularly his skating and strength on the puck, especially given his size. Minnesota-Duluth should be a great place for him, a program that tends to draw players who are more polished off the puck and incorporate power into their game, which could help his creative style flourish while transforming him into a more well-rounded player.

11. Declan Carlilie

There is a very quiet effectiveness to Carlile’s game. Efficient at both ends, he can start the breakout or squash the opposition’s. After a very solid first full year in the AHL, the former Merrimack defender has put himself in contention for a roster spot with Tampa Bay.

12. Daniil Pylenkov

Pylenkov is quickly becoming one of the better young defenders in Russia after a strong KHL season. A standout in the defensive end, he could probably play a third pairing role already. However, he still has two years remaining on his KHL deal and there are questions as to whether he’s actually interested in coming over.

13. Cole Koepke

A goal scoring winger with some jam to his game, Koepke has yet to live up to the high expectations that the Lightning had for him through two pro seasons. He struggled in a cup of coffee with Tampa last season, but there’s still some hope that he can be a quality third line option, even though he’s already 25.

14. Nick Malik

It was a step backwards for Malik last year after he lost his starting role with KooKoo due to inconsistent play. The son of former NHL defender Marek Malik, Nick is a tremendous athlete, but he is still working to refine his approach in the crease.

15. Roman Schmidt

Schmidt is a massive defender who also happens to be fairly mobile for his size. After a few seasons in the OHL with Kitchener, he will turn pro this year. His focus will be on improving his puck management.

16. Gabriel Fortier

The offensive upside is not significant, but Fortier will likely be an NHL player in some capacity in the future due to his tenaciousness and the energy he brings in whatever role that is asked of him. He could be a full time fourth liner this upcoming season.

17. Max Crozier

Even with some decent offensive production at Providence, Crozier’s future in the NHL will probably be in more of a defensive role similar to the way Nick Perbix quickly rose through the system. The right shot defender moves well and brings a physical element. He will play with Syracuse this year.

18. Connor Kurth

A former USHL standout, Kurth is a very talented offensive player. However, his freshman production was pretty pedestrian as he got buried in the Gophers lineup. Tampa Bay is hoping that he can earn a larger role as a sophomore.

19. Waltteri Merela

Signed out of Finland this offseason, Merela is a big winger with strong puck protection skills. He helped Tappara capture Liiga and Champions League titles last year and could easily make the Lightning lineup out of camp.

20. Jack Harvey

Taken by Tampa in his final year of draft eligibility, Harvey will head to Boston University this fall after a few good seasons with Chicago of the USHL. His off-puck play improved a lot this year, prompting his selection.

NHL: 2023 European free agent frenzy – 25 players you may see in the NHL or AHL next season

Chapin Landvogt — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 19:07:58 +0000

2023 European free agent frenzy

It happens every year. The springtime rolls around and the time period between the various European league playoffs and the ensuing men’s World Championship sees a good handful or more of usually mid-20s European free agents added to the deck by NHL teams, sometimes even getting 2-year deals in the process. This year should be no different. However, no-one should be expecting an Andrey Kuzmenko to result from this year’s crop. The prize gem of last spring’s group, Kuzmenko has become an instant contributor to the Canucks attack and is currenting steering his way towards a 40-goal season.

Scoring hasn’t really been the name of the game for most of Europe’s top leagues this year and even those who have been impressively notable, most particularly forwards Dmitri Jaskin and Antti Suomela - each having been the regular season top scorers for the KHL and SHL respectively - had just returned back to Europe after having been in North America for no less than this past season. Nonetheless, there are players who have moved into the spotlight and are looking like viable depth options for NHL clubs. Below are a number of names you should keep an eye on over the next few months.

You can bet your bottom dollar that several will be found in NHL or AHL rinks next winter.

Get ‘em while they’re hot

Växjö's Hardy Häman Aktell celebrates after 1-0 during quarter-final three in the SHL between Växjö and Luleå on March 20, 2023 in Växjö.
Photo: Jonas Ljungdahl / BILDBYRÅN /

Hardy Haman Aktell (SWE) - D - 24 - 6’4”, 196 lbs. - SHL

A 2016 4th rounder of the Nashville Predators, we can’t see any situation in which Haman Aktell goes unsigned by an NHL team this spring unless he simply wishes to play elsewhere. For those who have followed his evolution the past 4+ seasons, the lanky defender brings everything you’d want from a player you’d look to sign with the goal of having him step right into your line-up in a lower line capacity next season. His NHL upside is, well, uh, the sky's the limit. He has shown the ability to do a bit of everything in all three zones and it’s thoroughly legitimate to think he could be logging big minutes within a few seasons of his NHL debut. This season has been his big arrival in the SHL after incremental growth into a stud defenseman for one of Europe’s top leagues. His size and mobility are top-flight and now he’s added PP quarterback to the resume. After a 36-point, +23 regular season (51 games), he’s clipping at a PPG in three playoff games thus far. Look for him in an NHL rink next season, although some AHL seasoning may be the course of preference for the team signing him. Maybe.

Samuel Johanesson (SWE) - D - 22 - 5’11”, 176 lbs. - SHL

Drafted by Columbus as an overager in 2020, Johanesson has already hit free agency and has decided to burst onto the scene in a point-producing capacity to coincide with this newfound status. Lost a bit in the numbers game for Rogle two straight seasons after a promising draft year, it was thoroughly understandable that Columbus had little incentive to sign him. Now the righty shot has put up 35 points in 55 games thus far, effectively blowing any prior showings out of the water. The confidence he’s shown in being a two-way defensive asset has us feeling like now would be just the right time to introduce him to the challenges of the AHL to see just what his future holds. It’s not inconceivable that if everything goes right, he’s just a few years away from being a poor man’s Klingberg.

Valtteri Pulli (FIN) - D - 22 - 6’6”, 225 lbs. - Liiga

The only non-Swede in this section of the European UFA list, Pulli is a surefire signing this spring. He’ll get his shot in North America via the AHL and remains a project, one that offers a world of size and some pretty good wheels for a man in such a body. You’d want him to be a physical force, but he brings an all-round game and likes to engage himself in the offensive zone. His 18 points in 56 games have been just fine for a player getting in his first full season of pro hockey and someone has thankfully let him know that a pokecheck can be highly effective when you’ve got that size. He may prove moot having him on this list by publishing as his signing with the San Jose Sharks seems all but official just now.

Oskar Stal Lyrenas - RW - 24 - 6’1”, 185 lbs. - SHL

Oskar’s name may be the most unique, but certainly not the sexiest name on this list. Nonetheless, for those watching, there have been too many moments this season where the game just seemed to evolve around Stal Lyrenas and his creativity. In the midst of his second full season of SHL hockey after years of plodding development in the HockeyAllsvenskan, Stal Lyrenas has popped in 15 goals and 33 points in 52 total SHL games in a primarily second line role. Again, his hockey sense and the means by which play seems to gravitate around him while he’s on the ice is what has him sought after right now despite the somewhat average production. Normally, we’d say teams would like to wait it out another season to see if he can top things off with an even bigger 23-24, but those following closely must know that he needs to be grabbed now before the cat’s out of the bag.

The usual suspects

Rickard Hugg (SWE) - LW/RW - 24 - 5’10”, 190 lbs. - SHL

Even when he was putting up 73 points for the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL in 18-19, it didn’t feel like Hugg was going to be an NHL option any time soon. There were just too many detractions with regard to his skating, awareness, and wherewithal. Fast forward to this season, where he’s wrapping up his second straight season of 40+ points with a top SHL club, and we’re seeing a young man who is forcing himself into the conversation. There’s a lot of drive to the net in Hugg and his presence on the ice is constantly creating more space for his teammates, for whom he’s got a good eye. And that can go a long way on the smaller ice surfaces around North America. But is he ready to give up a nice gig in a top European league to give it another shot overseas, one that would surely begin in the AHL? He’s got a number of current teammates who spent time in the AHL only to return to the shinier lights of the SHL…

Patrik Karlqvist (SWE) - RW - 30 - 6’1”, 216 lbs. - SHL

A long time high-scoring minor leaguer in Sweden, Karlqvist made waves last season by putting up 52 points in 49 games in his first ever SHL season. He wavered a bit in the playoffs with just 3 points in 10 games, but his team was the underdog hit of the postseason. Now he’s topped that output last season with 61 points in 52 games this season. Oh, and a tough first round out in the pre-playoffs nonetheless saw him add 5 goals and 6 points in 3 games. There’s nowhere left to go but up for Karlqvist, who’s keen sense of timing and magnificent shot make him a constant threat in what is traditionally a rather low-scoring league. He’s older now, so it’s unlikely anything happens, but this guy can simply score. He’s got a Andreychuk presence around the net with a Hoffmann-style shot from the face-off circles.

Konstantin Okulov (RUS) - RW - 28 - 6’0”, 181 lbs. - KHL

The tricky winger has been on the map for several years now and has been big come playoff time in 3 of the last 4 seasons, currently chipping in 7 assists in 9 games in this postseason to boot. In fact, he’s now coming off his best ever regular season with career highs of 36 assists and 54 points. There’s a clever hockey player here who knows how to generate offense. Is this the year he comes over and tests his mitts in North America? He’s arguably as NHL-ready as any established pro outside of North America.

Jiri Smejkal (CZE) - LW/RW - 26 - 6’4”, 223 lbs. - SHL

The aforementioned Karlqvist’s winger, Smejkal is coming off a fantastic debut in the Swedish SHL. His size and nose for the net (24 goals in 52 games) allowed him to have a bull-in-the-China-shop impact this season. His game includes some bang, but also a refreshing amount of skill. We thought he’d be a hot topic for an NHL team last season after his 25-goal, 45-point outburst in 44 Liiga games, and now he’s only reinforced that impression with his practically repeat performance in the stronger SHL. Also, you’ve got to think that if a Radim Zohorna keeps getting an NHL contract, then Smejkal’s has got to be right around the corner.

Adam Tambellini (CAN) - C/RW - 28 - 6’4”, 195 lbs. - SHL

Son to Steve, brother to Jeff, we wrote about Tambellini’s SHL exploits last year at this time. With Rogle having gone through a tough season this year after being heaped with expectations in the pre-season, Tambellini has continued to be steady and was a key figure in righting the ship just in time for the playoffs. His 23 goals and 49 points in 55 games has been instrumental for a club that features as much impact youth as any on the continent and Tambellini continues to display a strong use of his size and a terrific shot, which is deadly on the power play. He’s getting up there in age, so it’s looking like it’s now or never for another shot at the NHL - or the choice to continue a comfortable life as an impact player in Europe.

Off the beaten path

Isac Brannstrom (SWE) - LW/RW - 24 - 5’10”, 176 lbs. - SHL

The older brother to Ottawa Senators prospect Erik Brannstrom, Isac has been plugging away in the SHL for six seasons now, seeing his production increase every year (2 points, 10, 18, 22, 24, 29) while buzzing all around the ice and becoming a truly effective defensive zone catalyst for an always competitive Lulea. Many of his points are of the highlight reel variety, showing off creative hands and timely bursts of speed. A year or two of AHL seasoning and a team should have a reliable two-way forward for the bottom six. Will Brannstrom be up to giving it a shot?

Grigori Dronov (RUS) - D - 25 - 6’3”, 201 lbs. - KHL

After seven years of KHL hockey, with much of last season being lost to injury, Dronov is at that point in his development where a team would have every reason to believe they’d be adding a Zub/Zaitsev/Lyubushkin type of player to their line-up. In the midst of his best season ever (10 goals, 23 points in 50 games), he’s also been a cog in his team’s current playoff run, which has been surprisingly successful in knocking out Avtomobilist in a 7-game first round bout. An all-rounder with a fine first pass, his possible impact in North America simply won’t be known until he comes over. He does appear to have the goods to be a bottom three defenseman at the NHL level.

Waltteri Merela (FIN) - F - 24 - 6’2”, 196 lbs. - Liiga

Never drafted and never having played outside of Finland, Merela made a bit of a name for himself last season in Finland after transferring to Tappara, with whom he accumulated 22 goals, 52 points, and a +38 rating over 72 total games. It was a hard ask for him to keep up at that pace, but he did chip in 33 points in 41 games this season while looking like a more finely developed pro. Expect there to be some interest as one of the more raw, but sturdy players on the market. And he’s very happy being a goalmouth presence, hanging around the net and keeping things active in the slot, which is never a bad thing.

Marcus Sylvegard (SWE) - RW/LW - 23 - 6’0”, 190 lbs. - SHL

Thickly built and from one of Sweden’s more colorful hockey families, Sylvegard has exploded this season playing with former NHLer Carl Soderberg. With 18 goals and 45 points in 55 games to date, the righty shot has become a power play weapon and real buzzsaw around the net. Always playing with a chip on his shoulder, there’s plenty of feistiness to go around, but he’s no world beater in the skating department. We’d love to see how his game looks in an AHL rink and think his jump in production is indicative of what’s to come moving forward.

Time for another look

David Bernhardt (SWE) - D - 25 - 6’4”, 209 lbs. - HockeyAllsvenskan

A former Philadelphia Flyers draft pick, Bernhardt was never signed and never otherwise played in North America. Despite some force-feeding into the SHL with a nice season along the way (14 points in 53 games as a 20-year-old), the well-built defender decided to spend the better part of two seasons in Liiga action, where he never popped. Looking for a new lease on life, he joined MoDo of the HockeyAllsvenskan last season and enjoyed immediate success as the team’s PP blueliner, topping a 14-goal, 44-point regular season with another 12 points in 13 postseason games. There has been no step back this year with Bernhardt upping the ante to the tune of 19 goals, 51 points, and a +26 rating in 52 regular season games, placing him 5th overall in league scoring. This young man is as ready for AHL action as an overlooked college player who then explodes in the ECHL. The size and skillset are there. The right coaching could be the decisive difference on a path to the NHL. Or he’ll be suiting up for an SHL club next season.

Dominik Lakatos (CZE) - F - 25 - 5’11”, 179 lbs. - Czech Extraliga

A 2017 6th rounder of the New York Rangers, it’s been a long time since Lakatos was a nice little plugger for his nation’s WJC squad at the 2016 event. He’s now spent the absolute bulk of his career in the Czech Republic, having come up in the powerhouse program of Liberec. With the exception of a 15-game outlier in Finland, Lakatos has been true to his native country and has developed into one of the few top scorers in the top league under 30 years of age. Already a free agent to be had as a 44- and then 39-point scorer for Vitkovice the past few years, he’s put his stamp on the league with a 47-point, +20 campaign this year, taking place in 51 games. Word is, he’s got a strong shot at being part of the upcoming Worlds and if the NHL doesn’t come knocking with a likely 2-way contract, then his next stop may be in Sweden or Switzerland.

Linus Nassen (SWE) - D - 24 - 6’0”, 183 lbs. - Liiga

We’ve always liked the Swedish defender’s mobility. His passing game has never really been in question, especially when breaking out of his zone. His two seasons of WHL play were fine, but he didn’t necessarily leave an impression that screamed “future NHLer”. Now several years of lower line layman work in the SHL have been followed by two strong seasons of Liiga action, even if this season’s workload led to a drop in stats for a struggling club. Most importantly, Nassen has turned into a pro player who can manage a defensive unit and constantly set his forwards in motion with a strong transitional game. This would seem the right time for Nassen to be given a shot at the AHL level with his sights set on a Sebastian Aho (the Swedish one) type of role in the NHL down the line.

Sami Niku (FIN) - D - 26 - 6’1”, 196 lbs. - Liiga

It feels a bit weird mentioning this player who spent the past five seasons being on the cusp of the NHL, getting into 67 games of action along the way. A two-way defenseman who can be quite the all-rounder on his good days, Niku even had 6 assists for Montreal in 13 games as late as last season. As such, it should come as no surprise that he excelled with 9 goals and 42 points in 54 games of Liiga action this year. He’s also a top candidate for Finland at the upcoming Worlds. If he were in a situation like Haman Aktell, we’d have no doubt that he’d probably have a good handful of suitors at this point. Clearly though, Niku isn’t heading back to North America without a guarantee of an NHL role next season.

Michael Spacek (CZE) - 25 - C/RW - 5’11”, 187 lbs. - Swiss NL

Also, a former Winnipeg Jets draft pick, Spacek spent several years in the WHL and then plugged away for three seasons in the AHL, never getting an NHL shot. He returned to Europe in the 20-21 season and has done nothing but make noise for whichever team he’s played for. With 50 points in 57 games last season for Frolunda of the SHL, he was one of the top scorers in the league. He’s just kept trucking with another 50 points in 50 games for Ambri-Piotta this season. In addition, he’s been a contributing mainstay on the Czech national team since returning to Europe, so one has to wonder what it’s going to take for Spacek to see NHL ice at some point.

Hidden gems?

Vladimir Alistrov (BLR) - LW - 22 - 6’3”, 190 lbs. - KHL

A former WHLer who went undrafted, Alistrov headed back to Belarus after his 2-season Canadian junior career and has been brought along slowly by his home country Dinamo Minsk of the KHL. This past season marked the first in which he was given a top 9 role up front and he responded in kind with 15 goals and 33 points in 73 total games. Big, sturdy, fully in tune with the North American style of play, Alistrov is starting to bloom. And that’s what teams look for after scouting kids who they decided not to spend a draft pick on at an earlier stage. One need look no further than his former teammate Ilya Usov who was signed by Tampa Bay last spring.

Oscar Flynn (CZE) - F - 23 - 5’9”, 160 lbs. - Czech Extraliga

Before, Flynn stood out in the Czech Republic due to his English name and miniature size on the ice. Nowadays he’s standing out due to his play and the unexpected points he’s been putting up. Shifty and creative, Flynn loves firing off one-timers or creating spaces to thread the needle. He’s also quite the feisty player and regularly lets emotion be a guiding trait in his game. The combination of sound to impressive skating, his willingness to shoot, and both the gumption and agility to negate any size issues should have him on the map for a few clubs looking for offense anywhere they can get it. His 24 goals, 42 points, and +11 in 58 games are career highs, but he’s been playing pro hockey for the better part of six seasons now.

Leon Huttl (GER) - D - 22 - 6’0”, 176 lbs. - DEL

Having gotten his first sniff of pro hockey at the age of 16, Huttl has taken steps each and every season since. Now the righty shot has advanced to being a top pairing defenseman on the DEL’s 2nd best team. In only his second full DEL season, Huttl has astounded hockey Germany with a master class in shutdown ability while having more than doubled his offensive contributions from the season prior, where he already suited up for the national team in various tournaments. He’s currently boasting 6 goals, 26 points, and a +27 rating in 57 total games and hardly a soul in expert circles can imagine anything other than his participation at the upcoming Worlds. Especially exciting is that he’s simply looking a good step ahead of the competition in reading plays, anticipating opponent decisions, and sniffing out opposition opportunities - and that in a league filled with former NHLers and AHLers. The word is out, so we wouldn’t be surprised in the least to see a team add him by the conclusion of the World Championship.

Adam Najman (CZE) - F - 22 - 5’11”, 185 lbs. - Czech Extraliga

Najman is an interesting case, because he’s one of these players who we’ve seen at the U18 Worlds and WJC, yet hasn’t been much more than a role player despite having always played up a level as a junior player and gone through the strong Liberec hockey factory. Now he’s spent time in the minors and was given a lower line role in the top league for several years, and suddenly it’s all gone click this winter. The author of 11 goals, 41 points, and a +18 rating over 56 games thus far this season, Najman has partnered up with the aforementioned Flynn to be one of the youngest dynamic duos on the continent. Of average size, he does have an older brother in the league who is 6’2” and 216 lbs., so it certainly looks like there’s room for additional muscle on his current frame. But rarely do you see a player just past draft eligibility break out in this concrete a manner. We’ve certainly seen players of this nature brought over to see if a few seasons of AHL time can’t push them into NHL contention.

Wojciech Stachowiak (GER) - LW - 23 - 6’1”, 187 lbs. - DEL

A little bit of USHL play once led to a spot at Michigan State, but it was clear by his sophomore year that he was ultimately going to need another path to pro prominence. He quickly joined Ingolstadt of the DEL, for which he’s been a decent lower line role player for the past few seasons. And then 23-24 happened. Stachowiak was given a bigger role in light of injuries and hasn’t looked back, not only becoming a key contributor up front (16 goals and 35 points in 59 games thus far), but a trusted all-round presence for Ingolstadt, which finished second overall in the regular season. Crafty, intelligent, and displaying surprisingly soft hands, Stachowiak has promptly entered consideration for Team Germany at the upcoming Worlds. He’s been one of the most impressive arrival stories in a DEL season full of arrival stories.

Jakob Stenqvist (SWE) - D - 25 - 6’2”, 179 lbs. - SHL

You often wonder how players slip through the cracks of the talent watch, but they do and plenty of clubs around in Europe and the KHL are watching closely every year to grab such players. Stenqvist is currently completing his 7th season of pro hockey and the righty shooting Stenqvist has steadily gone from impact player in the HockeyAllsvenskan to impact player in Liiga to impact player in the KHL, and is now impacting the SHL as well to the tune of 25 points in 52 games. In fact, if it weren’t for socio-political reasons, he’d still be in the KHL, where he impressed with 24 points in 38 total games last season. A fluid player known for implementing an intelligent game, he gets involved and moves the puck with the hands of a playmaking forward. All the while, he’s very active in his own zone, particularly in pinning opponents to the boards or freeing up pucks for a quick transition. He’s certainly a finished product at this point, so it’d be interesting to see what a sojourn to North America would mean for his future.

Filip Varejcka (GER) - 22 - 6’0”, 190 lbs. - DEL

Imagine being one of many promising offensive products coming out of the Red Bull Juniors program, being a top scorer at a lower level U18 worlds, then being brought along slowly but surely by your nation’s top DEL club, only to find yourself on the top line come playoff time. Such has been the path of a one Mr. Filip Varejcka, who is doing all this despite heavy competition from drafted teammates such as Julian Lutz and Justin Schutz. Now, he’s definitely been a role player for the better part of the regular season for several seasons now, but he’s come around as a power forward who combines strong offensive smarts with sound defensive play and a good chunk of physicality, gaining a reputation as a take-no-prisoners combatant. His 12 points in 40 regular season games are but whiff when compared to his 5 points in 3 postseason contests thus far. The scouting community follows the teams funded by the Red Bull concern closely and Munich is coming off one of the most dominating regular season performances in league history. They know who Varejcka is, even if you may be seeing his name right here for the first time.

SIDENOTE:

Above and beyond the players listed above, both the Swiss NL and KHL are chock full of former NHLers, NHL draft picks, AHLers, Canadian juniors, and college hockey players, not to mention former European free agent signings of NHL teams that have since returned to Europe. These leagues also employ a large number of established pros who you’ll also see playing for their respective national teams. Many players in both of these leagues were in the NHL in recent years or players on the bubble who were top scorers in the AHL. Naturally, any number of these players could of course still be in the sight lines of NHL teams or maintain the connections that would see them return to a franchise in the coming months.