[04-May-2026 15:31:54 UTC] PHP Fatal error: Uncaught Error: Class 'WP_Widget' not found in /home/mckeens/public_html/wp-content/themes/understrap-child/inc/widgets/mckeens_news_feed_widget.php:3 Stack trace: #0 {main} thrown in /home/mckeens/public_html/wp-content/themes/understrap-child/inc/widgets/mckeens_news_feed_widget.php on line 3 [04-May-2026 15:31:55 UTC] PHP Fatal error: Uncaught Error: Class 'WP_Widget' not found in /home/mckeens/public_html/wp-content/themes/understrap-child/inc/widgets/mckeens_sidebar_menu_widget.php:3 Stack trace: #0 {main} thrown in /home/mckeens/public_html/wp-content/themes/understrap-child/inc/widgets/mckeens_sidebar_menu_widget.php on line 3 [04-May-2026 15:31:45 UTC] PHP Fatal error: Uncaught Error: Call to undefined function add_action() in /home/mckeens/public_html/wp-content/themes/understrap-child/inc/shortcodes/mckeens_display_editorials.php:22 Stack trace: #0 {main} thrown in /home/mckeens/public_html/wp-content/themes/understrap-child/inc/shortcodes/mckeens_display_editorials.php on line 22 [04-May-2026 15:31:46 UTC] PHP Fatal error: Uncaught Error: Call to undefined function add_action() in /home/mckeens/public_html/wp-content/themes/understrap-child/inc/shortcodes/mckeens_display_tabs.php:50 Stack trace: #0 {main} thrown in /home/mckeens/public_html/wp-content/themes/understrap-child/inc/shortcodes/mckeens_display_tabs.php on line 50 [04-May-2026 15:31:47 UTC] PHP Fatal error: Uncaught Error: Call to undefined function add_action() in /home/mckeens/public_html/wp-content/themes/understrap-child/inc/shortcodes/mckeens_heading.php:15 Stack trace: #0 {main} thrown in /home/mckeens/public_html/wp-content/themes/understrap-child/inc/shortcodes/mckeens_heading.php on line 15 Will Horcoff – McKeen's Hockey https://www.mckeenshockey.com The Essential Hockey Annual Thu, 30 Apr 2026 16:04:40 +0000 en-US hourly 1 MCKEEN’S 2026 NHL PROSPECT REPORT: Top 200 NHL Affiliated Prospects – Biggest Risers and Fallers https://www.mckeenshockey.com/nhl-blog/mckeens-2026-nhl-prospect-report-top-200-nhl-affiliated-prospects-biggest-risers-fallers/ https://www.mckeenshockey.com/nhl-blog/mckeens-2026-nhl-prospect-report-top-200-nhl-affiliated-prospects-biggest-risers-fallers/#respond Thu, 30 Apr 2026 22:00:37 +0000 https://www.mckeenshockey.com/?p=199958 Read More... from MCKEEN’S 2026 NHL PROSPECT REPORT: Top 200 NHL Affiliated Prospects – Biggest Risers and Fallers

]]> Comparing the current ranking of prospects in our report to their previous ranking in our summer yearbook (which is a top 300), these are the affiliated prospects who have improved their stock the most this season.

Adam Jiricek

Adam Jiricek (STL)

Previous Ranking: 97, New Ranking: 24

Jiricek’s first year in North America (in the OHL) was all about adjustment and injury recovery. Now fully healthy, he’s been among the OHL’s best defenders and was named the top defenceman at this year’s WJC’s.

Harrison Brunicke (PIT)

Previous Ranking: 178, New Ranking: 25

Started the year in the NHL with Pittsburgh before being sent back to the WHL post WJC’s. Brunicke is really figuring out how to get the best out of his vast athletic potential.

CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 22: Nick Lardis #76 of the Chicago Blackhawks controls the puck during a game against the Nashville Predators on March 22, 2026 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire)

Nick Lardis (CHI)

Previous Ranking: 102, New Ranking: 26

There was definitely some concern about how Lardis’ skill set would translate to the pro level given his frame. However, he’s been an immediate impact player and is rocketing up Chicago’s depth chart.

Alexander Zharovsky (MTL)

Previous Ranking: 222, New Ranking: 31

Talk about a breakout. Zharovsky took the KHL by storm in his draft plus one year. We knew he had among the highest upside of any forward in last year’s draft due to his creativity and skill, but we didn’t expect him to be fulfilling it so quickly.

Matvei Gridin (CGY)

Previous Ranking: 150, New Ranking: 43

Gridin was viewed as a boom or bust prospect who needed to round out his game to be a successful pro. He’s been terrific in the AHL as a rookie and has adjusted to the pro game way quicker than many expected.

Roman Kantserov (CHI)

Previous Ranking: 136, New Ranking: 47

Kantserov just continues to get better and has emerged as the best offensive player in the KHL. While the recent track record for KHL to NHL success is bleak, Kantserov has to be ranked highly because of the upside he possesses.

Will Horcoff (PIT)

Previous Ranking: 175, New Ranking: 60

Even if the offensive production decreased post World Juniors, Horcoff still had a tremendous year that saw him emerge as one of the most dangerous players in college hockey between the dots.

Vaclav Nestrasil (CHI)

Previous Ranking: 196, New Ranking: 68

Nestrasil was one of the better freshmen in the NCAA this year with UMass. He just keeps getting better and better and with his frame and IQ, he seems like a safe bet to be a quality NHL player so long as his skating continues to improve.

PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 21: Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Sergei Murashov (1) makes a save during the third period in the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Minnesota Wild on November 21, 2025, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire)

Sergei Murashov (PIT)

Previous Ranking: 181, New Ranking: 73

Murashov’s growth in his second year in North America has been prolific. He’s been lights out in the AHL and even earned a cup of coffee in the NHL. The future starter for the Penguins in all likelihood.

Stephen Halliday (OTT)

Previous Ranking: 207, New Ranking: 85

Has there been a prospect in hockey more annually underrated than Halliday? He’s the USHL all time leading scorer. He was great in college. He was great in the AHL. And he’s been great in limited NHL action.

Charlie Stramel (MIN)

Previous Ranking: 263, New Ranking: 87

We all owe Stramel an apology for writing him off so early after he initially struggled at Wisconsin. He was one of the best players in college hockey this season for Michigan State and is back on track to be a quality NHL player.

Max Plante (DET)

Previous Ranking: 197, New Ranking: 90

Plante was great as a freshman at UMD, but he was even better as a sophomore, emerging as one of the NCAA’s best forwards and this year’s Hobey Baker winner.

Dean Letourneau (BOS)

Previous Ranking: 254, New Ranking: 96

What a difference a year can make. Letourneau was always going to be a long-term project, but he was written off by many after a rough freshman year. This year, he was one of BC’s best and most consistent players.

Benjamin Rautiainen (TB)

Previous Ranking: Not Ranked, New Ranking: 97

You might be asking yourself how the Lightning keep finding these guys to help keep them relevant. Rautiainen has exploded to be the top player in Liiga, a year after being drafted in the fourth round.

Eddie Genborg (DET)

Previous Ranking: Not Ranked, New Ranking: 102

Drafted for his physical approach, Genborg has improved his on puck play significantly and was an impact player in the SHL this year.

Comparing the current ranking of prospects in our report to their previous ranking in our summer yearbook (which is a top 300), these are the affiliated prospects who have seen their stock fall the most this season.

Mikhail Gulyayev (COL)

Previous Ranking: 62, New Ranking: 147

While the KHL can be tough on young defenders, we keep waiting for Gulyayev’s breakout to happen. Instead, he’s had a regression this year and that has to be concerning to the Avalanche.

Sam Colangelo (ANA)

Previous Ranking: 84, New Ranking: Not Ranked

The only player to go from being ranked inside of our top 100 to being not ranked (outside of our top 200). Colangelo just hasn’t been able to get over the hump and establish himself as an NHL player.

Brennan Othmann (CGY)

Previous Ranking: 90, New Ranking: 177

His third pro season was supposed to be a breakout year for him, where he would finally establish himself as an NHL player. Instead, he’s had his worst year statistically and found himself in a new organization after a trade to Calgary.

Carson Rehkopf (SEA)

Previous Ranking: 106, New Ranking: Not Ranked

Rehkopf had a pretty stagnant year in the OHL last year, but there was some hope that he could turn things around as a first year pro. Instead, a lack of consistency continues to plague him.

Joshua Roy (MTL)

Previous Ranking: 108, New Ranking: 198

It’s starting to look like Roy’s NHL future may come with another organization. He’s seen himself passed by other forward prospects for a role in Montreal and his AHL production has stagnated.

MCKEEN'S HOCKEY TOP 200 NHL-AFFILIATED PROSPECTS

RNK PLAYER NHL POS AGE HT/WT TM GP G(W) A(L) PTS(GAA) PIM(SPCT)
1 Michael Misa SJ C 19 6-1/185 San Jose (NHL) 45 9 12 21 10
2 Porter Martone Phi RW 19 6-3/205 Michigan State (NCAA) 35 25 25 50 78
3 Anton Frondell Chi C 19 6-2/205 Djurgardens (SHL) 43 20 8 28 16
4 Caleb Desnoyers Uta C 19 6-2/180 Moncton (QMJHL) 45 22 56 78 36
5 Zayne Parekh Cgy D 20 6-0/180 Calgary (NHL) 37 4 5 9 8
6 Brady Martin Nsh C 19 6-0/185 Soo Greyhounds (OHL) 24 8 16 24 37
7 Daniil But Uta LW 21 6-6/215 Utah (NHL) 29 3 4 7 8
8 Dmitri Simashev Uta D 21 6-5/200 Utah (NHL) 28 0 1 1 23
9 Jacob Fowler Mtl G 21 6-1/215 Laval (AHL) 27 19 7 2.23 0.916
10 Sebastian Cossa Det G 23 6-6/230 Grand Rapids (AHL) 39 26 8 2.33 0.915
11 Bradly Nadeau Car LW 21 5-11/170 Chicago (AHL) 52 27 29 56 24
12 Jake O'Brien Sea C 18 6-2/175 Brantford (OHL) 53 28 65 93 28
13 Tij Iginla Uta C 19 6-0/190 Kelowna (WHL) 48 41 49 90 29
14 Radim Mrtka Buf D 18 6-6/220 Seattle (WHL) 43 1 33 34 38
15 Igor Chernyshov SJ LW 20 6-2/190 San Jose (NHL) 28 9 10 19 6
16 Cole Hutson Wsh D 19 5-10/165 Boston University (NCAA) 35 10 22 32 26
17 James Hagens Bos C 19 5-11/195 Boston College (NCAA) 34 23 24 47 24
18 Konsta Helenius Buf C 20 5-11/190 Rochester (AHL) 63 21 41 62 22
19 Michael Hage Mtl C 20 6-1/190 Michigan (NCAA) 39 13 39 52 14
20 Roger McQueen Ana C 19 6-6/195 Providence (NCAA) 36 11 16 27 45
21 Gabe Perreault NYR LW 21 5-11/180 NY Rangers (NHL) 49 12 15 27 10
22 Sam Rinzel Chi D 21 6-4/180 Chicago (NHL) 54 4 10 14 44
23 Carter Yakemchuk Ott D 20 6-3/210 Belleville (AHL) 54 10 30 40 36
24 Adam Jiricek StL D 19 6-2/180 Brantford (OHL) 55 19 40 59 33
25 Harrison Brunicke Pit D 20 6-3/195 Kamloops (WHL) 24 2 22 24 20
26 Nick Lardis Chi LW 20 5-11/165 Chicago (NHL) 41 10 5 15 10
27 Nate Danielson Det C 21 6-2/185 Detroit (NHL) 28 2 5 7 4
28 Yegor Surin Nsh C 19 6-1/190 Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL) 57 15 22 37 43
29 Braeden Cootes Van C 19 6-0/185 Sea-PA (WHL) 45 24 39 63 8
30 Jackson Smith CBJ D 19 6-4/200 Penn State (NCAA) 35 11 15 26 40
31 Alexander Zharovsky Mtl RW 19 6-1/165 Salavat Yulaev Ufa (KHL) 59 16 26 42 38
32 Victor Eklund NYI RW 19 5-11/170 Djurgardens (SHL) 43 6 18 24 22
33 Jonathan Lekkerimaki Van RW 21 5-11/170 Abbotsford (AHL) 21 13 7 20 8
34 Scott Morrow NYR D 23 6-2/210 NY Rangers (NHL) 29 0 6 6 4
35 Kashawn Aitcheson NYI D 19 6-2/200 Barrie (OHL) 56 28 42 70 97
36 Liam Greentree NYR RW 20 6-3/215 Windsor (OHL) 52 38 36 74 63
37 Tanner Molendyk Nsh D 21 5-11/185 Milwaukee (AHL) 60 4 19 23 14
38 Justin Carbonneau StL RW 19 6-2/205 Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL) 60 51 29 80 64
39 Ilya Protas Wsh LW 19 6-3/185 Hershey (AHL) 69 29 37 66 40
40 Cole Reschny Cgy C 19 5-11/185 North Dakota (NCAA) 36 6 29 35 22
41 Anton Silayev NJ D 20 6-7/210 Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL) 61 1 2 3 10
42 Rutger McGroarty Pit LW 22 6-1/200 Pittsburgh (NHL) 24 3 3 6 4
43 Matvei Gridin Cgy RW 20 6-2/190 Calgary (NHL) 37 6 14 20 2
44 Isak Rosen Wpg RW 23 6-0/175 Buf-Wpg (NHL) 37 6 4 10 0
45 Cole Eiserman NYI LW 19 6-0/195 Boston University (NCAA) 32 18 10 28 14
46 Andrew Cristall Wsh LW 21 5-9/165 Hershey (AHL) 72 20 40 60 24
47 Roman Kantserov Chi RW 21 5-9/175 Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL) 63 36 28 64 57
48 Jani Nyman Sea RW 21 6-3/215 Seattle (NHL) 28 4 3 7 6
49 Michael Brandsegg-Nygard Det RW 20 6-1/205 Grand Rapids (AHL) 60 20 24 44 42
50 Quentin Musty SJ LW 20 6-2/200 San Jose (AHL) 61 21 24 45 46
51 Jett Luchanko Phi C 19 5-11/185 Gue-Bfd (OHL) 38 7 36 43 34
52 Cayden Lindstrom CBJ C 20 6-3/215 Michigan State (NCAA) 31 3 7 10 94
53 Trevor Connelly VGK LW 20 6-1/160 Henderson (AHL) 46 14 35 49 18
54 Jagger Firkus Sea RW 22 5-11/160 Coachella Valley (AHL) 63 21 35 56 18
55 Isaac Howard Edm LW 22 5-11/190 Bakersfield (AHL) 47 24 26 50 12
56 Lynden Lakovic Wsh LW 19 6-4/200 Moose Jaw (WHL) 22 18 11 29 8
57 David Reinbacher Mtl D 21 6-2/185 Laval (AHL) 57 5 19 24 56
58 Trey Augustine Det G 21 6-1/195 Michigan State (NCAA) 34 24 9 2.11 0.929
59 Yegor Zavragin Phi G 20 6-2/185 SKA St. Petersburg (KHL) 12 5 7 2.63 0.919
60 Will Horcoff Pit C 19 6-5/200 Michigan (NCAA) 40 25 14 39 64
61 Reid Schaefer Nsh LW 22 6-3/215 Nashville (NHL) 47 6 2 8 17
62 Sam O'Reilly TB C 20 6-1/190 Ldn-Kit (OHL) 56 29 42 71 22
63 Otto Stenberg StL C 21 5-11/180 St. Louis (NHL) 32 3 7 10 5
64 Brayden Yager Wpg C 21 6-0/180 Manitoba (AHL) 68 10 20 30 10
65 Joshua Ravensbergen SJ G 19 6-6/190 Prince George (WHL) 46 32 13 2.51 0.919
66 Cole Beaudoin Uta C 20 6-2/210 Barrie (OHL) 54 33 56 89 29
67 Michael Hrabal Uta G 21 6-7/215 Massachusetts (NCAA) 29 19 9 1.95 0.937
68 Vaclav Nestrasil Chi RW 19 6-6/185 Massachusetts (NCAA) 34 13 18 31 8
69 Stian Solberg Ana D 20 6-2/205 San Diego (AHL) 71 12 12 24 102
70 Maveric Lamoureux Uta D 22 6-7/215 Tucson (AHL) 65 5 15 20 75
71 Sascha Boumedienne Wpg D 19 6-2/185 Boston University (NCAA) 35 2 8 10 14
72 Adam Engstrom Mtl D 22 6-2/185 Laval (AHL) 45 10 24 34 18
73 Sergei Murashov Pit G 22 6-0/170 Wilkes-Barre (AHL) 38 24 9 2.20 0.919
74 Owen Pickering Pit D 22 6-4/180 Wilkes-Barre (AHL) 68 7 21 28 28
75 Pyotr Andreyanov CBJ G 19 6-0/205 Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (MHL) 26 13 8 2.59 0.919
76 Elias Salomonsson Wpg D 21 6-1/185 Winnipeg (NHL) 32 1 4 5 12
77 Shakir Mukhamadullin SJ D 24 6-4/200 San Jose (NHL) 50 5 7 12 22
78 Tristan Luneau Ana D 22 6-1/195 San Diego (AHL) 70 10 31 41 29
79 Carter Bear Det LW 19 6-0/180 Everett (WHL) 53 36 41 77 56
80 Filip Bystedt SJ C 22 6-4/205 San Jose (AHL) 65 22 38 60 22
81 Sacha Boisvert Chi C 20 6-3/190 Boston University (NCAA) 26 3 14 17 28
82 Julius Miettinen Sea C 20 6-3/200 Everett (WHL) 52 35 41 76 29
83 Theo Lindstein StL D 21 6-0/180 Springfield (AHL) 59 6 8 14 18
84 Cullen Potter Cgy C 19 5-10/170 Arizona State (NCAA) 24 12 14 26 16
85 Stephen Halliday Ott C 23 6-4/210 Ottawa (NHL) 30 4 7 11 2
86 Marek Vanacker Chi LW 20 6-0/175 Brantford (OHL) 60 47 35 82 33
87 Charlie Stramel Min C 21 6-3/215 Michigan State (NCAA) 37 19 25 44 32
88 Alex Bump Phi LW 22 6-0/195 Lehigh Valley (AHL) 36 11 15 26 22
89 Oscar Fisker Molgaard Sea C 21 6-0/165 Coachella Valley (AHL) 49 10 24 34 12
90 Max Plante Det LW 20 5-11/175 Minnesota Duluth (NCAA) 40 25 27 52 23
91 Seamus Casey NJ D 22 5-10/165 Utica (AHL) 29 1 18 19 13
92 Jack Nesbitt Phi C 19 6-5/185 Windsor (OHL) 55 25 33 58 67
93 Mikhail Yegorov NJ G 20 6-5/190 Boston University (NCAA) 35 16 15 2.73 0.904
94 Luca Del Bel Belluz CBJ C 22 6-1/185 Cleveland (AHL) 55 22 36 58 2
95 Ilya Nabokov Col G 23 6-0/180 Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL) 38 22 7 2.74 0.901
96 Dean Letourneau Bos C 20 6-7/215 Boston College (NCAA) 36 22 17 39 22
97 Benjamin Rautiainen TB C 20 6-0/175 Tappara (Fin-Liiga) 59 25 52 77 20
98 Drew Commesso Chi G 23 6-2/180 Rockford (AHL) 37 13 20 3.08 0.901
99 Bill Zonnon Pit RW 19 6-2/185 Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL) 35 14 32 46 6
100 Riley Heidt Min C 21 5-10/180 Iowa (AHL) 71 8 17 25 38
101 Juraj Pekarcik StL LW 20 6-2/185 Springfield (AHL) 69 11 24 35 10
102 Eddie Genborg Det RW 19 6-2/205 Timra (SHL) 43 9 16 25 24
103 Owen Beck Mtl C 22 5-11/185 Laval (AHL) 58 13 20 33 28
104 Oliver Bonk Phi D 21 6-2/195 Lehigh Valley (AHL) 46 6 13 19 22
105 Luca Cagnoni SJ D 21 5-9/180 San Jose (AHL) 67 8 35 43 22
106 Cameron Reid Nsh D 19 6-0/190 Kitchener (OHL) 57 15 41 56 29
107 Eric Pohlkamp SJ D 22 5-11/205 Denver (NCAA) 43 18 21 39 33
108 Lenni Hameenaho NJ RW 21 6-0/175 New Jersey (NHL) 33 2 6 8 14
109 Felix Unger Sorum Car RW 20 5-11/170 Chicago (AHL) 72 17 49 66 20
110 Milton Gastrin Wsh C 18 6-1/195 MoDo Hockey (Allsvenskan) 39 10 14 24 4
111 Carter George LA G 20 6-1/195 OS-Soo (OHL) 46 23 17 2.73 0.907
112 Samuel Honzek Cgy LW 21 6-4/185 Calgary (NHL) 18 2 2 4 2
113 Dmitri Buchelnikov StL LW 22 5-10/170 CSKA Moskva (KHL) 44 14 11 25 10
114 Ryker Lee Nsh RW 19 6-1/185 Michigan State (NCAA) 35 15 15 30 26
115 Hunter Brzustewicz Cgy D 21 5-11/185 Calgary (NHL) 34 2 5 7 4
116 Terik Parascak Wsh RW 20 6-0/180 Prince George (WHL) 61 33 46 79 53
117 EJ Emery NYR D 20 6-3/185 North Dakota (NCAA) 38 3 10 13 32
118 Logan Hensler Ott D 19 6-3/195 Wisconsin (NCAA) 23 4 8 12 20
119 Emil Hemming Dal RW 19 6-1/205 Barrie (OHL) 46 26 37 63 22
120 Blake Fiddler Sea D 18 6-5/220 Edmonton (WHL) 63 11 25 36 38
121 Jakob Ihs Wozniak VGK RW 19 6-3/190 Bjorkloven (Allsvenskan) 36 9 14 23 12
122 Cameron Lund SJ C 21 6-2/195 San Jose (AHL) 37 9 16 25 12
123 Ville Koivunen Pit LW 22 6-0/175 Pittsburgh (NHL) 39 2 5 7 10
124 Artyom Duda Uta D 22 6-1/185 Tucson (AHL) 27 2 11 13 22
125 Ivan Miroshnichenko Wsh LW 22 6-1/185 Hershey (AHL) 41 14 20 34 47
126 Gracyn Sawchyn Fla C 21 5-11/160 Charlotte (AHL) 35 6 17 23 12
127 Jack Ivankovic Nsh G 19 6-0/175 Michigan (NCAA) 35 25 8 2.15 0.921
128 Denver Barkey Phi C 21 5-8/160 Philadelphia (NHL) 43 5 12 17 16
129 Bryce Pickford Mtl D 20 6-1/185 Medicine Hat (WHL) 55 45 38 83 56
130 Leo Sahlin Wallenius SJ D 20 6-0/180 Vaxjo Lakers (SHL) 32 3 10 13 14
131 Niklas Kokko Sea G 22 6-3/185 Coachella Valley (AHL) 35 19 10 3.13 0.901
132 Kieron Walton Wpg C 20 6-6/210 Sby-Pbo (OHL) 62 40 48 88 26
133 Ryan Ufko Nsh D 23 5-10/180 Milwaukee (AHL) 52 11 33 44 20
134 Tarin Smith Ana D 20 6-1/185 Everett (WHL) 65 16 55 71 98
135 Semyon Vyazovoy Sea G 23 6-2/170 Salavat Yulayev Ufa (Rus) 53 27 18 2.13 0.931
136 Anton Wahlberg Buf C 20 6-3/195 Rochester (AHL) 68 9 29 38 20
137 Tyson Jugnauth Sea D 22 5-11/170 Coachella Valley (AHL) 72 9 36 45 44
138 David Edstrom Nsh C 21 6-3/185 Milwaukee (AHL) 53 8 14 22 28
139 David Spacek Min D 23 5-11/175 Iowa (AHL) 59 7 29 36 16
140 Carl Lindbom VGK G 23 6-1/165 Henderson (AHL) 35 24 5 2.16 0.926
141 Brad Lambert Wpg C 22 6-0/180 Winnipeg (NHL) 25 3 3 6 6
142 Amadeus Lombardi Det C 22 5-10/165 Grand Rapids (AHL) 47 16 26 42 22
143 Ethan Gauthier TB RW 21 5-11/175 Syracuse (AHL) 56 12 15 27 10
144 Henry Mews Cgy D 20 6-0/190 Michigan (NCAA) 10 0 9 9 6
145 Eric Nilson Ana C 19 6-0/165 Michigan State (NCAA) 35 3 8 11 41
146 Ben Danford Tor D 20 6-1/190 Osh-Bfd (OHL) 45 3 17 20 13
147 Mikhail Gulyayev Col D 21 5-11/170 Avangard Omsk (KHL) 54 1 2 3 14
148 Henry Brzustewicz LA D 19 6-2/200 London (OHL) 59 19 35 54 57
149 Joakim Kemell Nsh RW 22 5-10/185 Milwaukee (AHL) 48 10 19 29 56
150 Danny Nelson NYI C 20 6-3/200 Notre Dame (NCAA) 36 13 16 29 32
151 Luca Marrelli CBJ D 20 6-2/185 Cleveland (AHL) 32 4 12 16 10
152 Dylan Duke TB LW 23 5-10/180 Syracuse (AHL) 72 32 27 59 42
153 Jack Devine Fla RW 22 5-11/175 Charlotte (AHL) 63 18 25 43 57
154 Daniil Prokhorov NYI RW 19 6-6/220 Dynamo Moskva (KHL) 23 1 0 1 2
155 William Zellers Bos LW 20 6-0/180 North Dakota (NCAA) 38 18 16 34 29
156 Ethan Wyttenbach Cgy LW 19 5-10/180 Quinnipiac (NCAA) 40 25 34 59 20
157 Eduard Sale Sea LW 21 6-1/170 Coachella Valley (AHL) 58 13 14 27 14
158 Dmitry Gamzin NYI G 23 6-3/175 CSKA Moskva (KHL) 40 22 10 1.49 0.938
159 Kasper Halttunen SJ RW 20 6-3/205 San Jose (AHL) 69 16 19 35 45
160 Lukas Fischer StL D 19 6-3/180 Sar-Soo (OHL) 65 8 36 44 88
161 Semyon Frolov Car G 19 6-3/200 MHK Spartak Moskva (MHL) 7 4 1 1.83 0.929
162 Fabian Lysell Bos RW 23 5-11/180 Providence (AHL) 57 17 25 42 51
163 Mason West Chi C 18 6-7/220 Fargo (USHL) 38 10 15 25 12
164 Shane Vansaghi Phi RW 19 6-3/210 Michigan State (NCAA) 35 4 7 11 28
165 Dominik Badinka Car D 20 6-3/185 Chicago (AHL) 68 6 8 14 16
166 Lucas Pettersson Ana C 20 6-0/175 Brynas (SHL) 41 10 10 20 0
167 Sawyer Mynio Van D 21 6-1/175 Abbotsford (AHL) 58 3 18 21 42
168 Lukas Cormier VGK D 24 5-11/190 Henderson (AHL) 49 8 39 47 32
169 Quinn Hutson Edm RW 24 5-10/170 Bakersfield (AHL) 67 30 33 63 84
170 Vojtech Cihar LA LW 19 6-1/180 Kelowna (WHL) 31 12 19 31 14
171 Heikki Ruohonen Phi C 19 6-1/205 Harvard (NCAA) 28 6 13 19 18
172 Tristan Broz Pit C 23 6-0/180 Wilkes-Barre (AHL) 47 16 23 39 41
173 Maksymilian Szuber Uta D 23 6-3/190 Tucson (AHL) 65 11 16 27 67
174 Kirill Kudryavtsev Van D 22 5-11/200 Abbotsford (AHL) 44 2 18 20 4
175 Adam Gajan Chi G 22 6-3/185 Minnesota Duluth (NCAA) 33 19 13 2.25 0.908
176 Hampton Slukynsky LA G 20 6-1/180 Western Michigan (NCAA) 39 27 11 2.30 0.915
177 Brennan Othmann Cgy LW 23 6-0/190 Hfd-Cgy (AHL) 40 9 14 23 62
178 Lasse Boelius Ana D 19 6-1/190 Assat (Fin-Liiga) 40 1 7 8 8
179 Colby Barlow Wpg LW 21 6-0/195 Manitoba (AHL) 65 8 8 16 18
180 Charlie Cerrato Car C 21 6-0/190 Penn State (NCAA) 23 7 20 27 20
181 Cole McKinney SJ C 19 6-0/200 Michigan (NCAA) 40 8 12 20 28
182 Michal Postava Det G 24 6-2/205 Grand Rapids (AHL) 25 17 6 1.71 0.937
183 Justin Robidas Car C 23 5-8/175 Chicago (AHL) 58 23 37 60 14
184 Ty Nelson Sea D 22 5-10/195 Coachella Valley (AHL) 63 11 24 35 26
185 Carson Wetsch SJ RW 20 6-1/205 Kelowna (WHL) 65 22 50 72 80
186 Vsevolod Komarov Buf D 22 6-2/182 Rochester (AHL) 55 4 7 11 60
187 Dylan Roobroeck NYR C 21 6-6/190 Hartford (AHL) 72 11 15 26 90
188 Luca Pinelli CBJ C 21 5-9/165 Cleveland (AHL) 68 14 32 46 66
189 Tim Washe Ana C 24 6-3/215 Anaheim (NHL) 39 2 3 5 14
190 Aiden Fink Nsh RW 21 5-10/160 Penn State (NCAA) 30 10 28 38 20
191 Florian Xhekaj Mtl LW 21 6-2/175 Laval (AHL) 64 17 12 29 182
192 Carter Mazur Det LW 24 6-0/170 Grand Rapids (AHL) 16 11 5 16 14
193 Brodie Ziemer Buf RW 20 5-11/195 Minnesota (NCAA) 36 23 13 36 26
194 Nathan Behm Chi RW 19 6-2/200 Kamloops (WHL) 67 38 48 86 41
195 Ivan Ryabkin Car C 19 5-11/205 Chicago (AHL) 31 1 9 10 60
196 Jacob Quillan Tor C 24 6-1/205 Toronto (NHL) 23 1 2 3 2
197 Herman Traff Ana RW 20 6-3/215 Oskarshamn (Allsvenskan) 51 23 18 41 32
198 Joshua Roy Mtl RW 22 6-0/190 Laval (AHL) 57 23 22 45 32
199 Sandis Vilmanis Fla LW 22 6-1/190 Charlotte (AHL) 48 17 21 38 26
200 Miroslav Holinka Tor C 20 6-1/185 Edmonton (WHL) 59 37 43 80 24
]]> https://www.mckeenshockey.com/nhl-blog/mckeens-2026-nhl-prospect-report-top-200-nhl-affiliated-prospects-biggest-risers-fallers/feed/ 0 2026 IIHF WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP GUIDE – UNITED STATES – Team Preview, Key Players and Draft Eligible Profiles https://www.mckeenshockey.com/nhl-blog/2026-iihf-world-junior-championship-guide-united-states-team-preview-key-players-draft-eligible-profiles/ https://www.mckeenshockey.com/nhl-blog/2026-iihf-world-junior-championship-guide-united-states-team-preview-key-players-draft-eligible-profiles/#respond Mon, 22 Dec 2025 20:51:57 +0000 https://www.mckeenshockey.com/?p=198181 Read More... from 2026 IIHF WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP GUIDE – UNITED STATES – Team Preview, Key Players and Draft Eligible Profiles

]]> The Red, White, and Blue have had plenty of success recently in the World Junior Championships, coming off back-to-back titles. The 2024 & 2025 teams for the United States have gone down as legendary in the minds of American hockey fans, and the 25 men on this year’s roster look to achieve the same status. Most excitingly, this opportunity to go three for three will happen on home soil in Minnesota. The United States has never won Gold in its own country in World Juniors history, actually, they have never even appeared in the Gold Medal Game in their homeland at this tournament. So, the pressure is fully back on the Americans to go for Gold again after just winning their second consecutive title, something they had never previously done.

The strengths of this team start and end with the cohesion of their players. I will dive into the size and skill that make many of the individual players special, but at the end of the day, 19 of these guys came out of the USNTDP and likely played multiple years together developing and honing their skills as a team. That history alone speaks volumes for their chances in this tournament. In the forward core, specifically, despite missing many key players from the last two rosters, the top six remains quite strong, with James Hagens, Cole Eiserman, and the scorching-hot Will Horcoff highlighting. On defense, they may have brought one of their best defensive cores in the 2020s. Cole Hutson returns alongside Adam Kleber and Logan Hensler at the blueline, they should all be key contributors on defense. However, in net, the Americans will sorely be missing Trey Augustine as he has aged out, though I wouldn’t be too pessimistic as both Nick Kempf and Caleb Heil have shone in spurts for their respective teams.

Now that we have properly previewed the team as a whole, who exactly will be the stars of this USA World Juniors team? Also, what draft-eligible players should you watch out for in this tournament, too?

Cole Hutson. Photo by Rena Laverty.
Cole Hutson ( LHD ): Boston University - Washington Capitals (2024 2nd)

Cole Hutson has already made quite a name for himself at last year's tournament, setting the record for most points by an American defenseman and being the first defenseman to lead the tournament in points. Obviously, the expectations this year are just as high. Hutson will undoubtedly be the #1 defenseman for the U.S. as he has been for Boston University this season. His game has always been similar to his older brother Lane’s, but Cole has always seemed to be more defensively reliable and play bigger in the neutral and defensive zones. Hutson’s skill game is incredible as he regularly exhibits creativity and swiftness with the puck. Overall, Cole Hutson has made a solid case to be considered the best overall player coming into this tournament.

James Hagens ( C ): Boston College - Boston Bruins (2025 1st)

Last year, James Hagens had an incredible showing for the U.S. in his first go-around at the World Juniors, tallying 9 points in his 7 outings on the top line. This time around, the Americans' top forward should only look to improve his total. Hagens has looked way more confident for the BC Eagles this season, especially as a goal scorer. Where he struggled in this category in his freshman season, he has been excelling in his sophomore season, already notching 10 goals this year. His playmaking and stick handling have still been elite and should be on full display as he plays with goal-scoring wingers, Cole Eiserman and Will Horcoff. Lastly, Hagens’ development of his 200 ft game cannot go unnoticed, his mentality in the neutral and defensive zones has completely changed since his days in the USNTDP. James Hagens is a forward who can seriously be considered as a contender for Tournament MVP this year.

Cole Eiserman ( LW ): Boston University - New York Islanders (2024 1st)

The goal-scoring prowess of Cole Eiserman has always been feared at every level of hockey. This year, Eiserman will take on an increased role for the Americans, alongside an amazing distributor, James Hagens. Though he’s had a tough sophomore season, suffering from a leg injury early in his season, he seems to be fully healthy for Minnesota. His strengths start and end with his all-powerful shot, one of, if not the best releases outside the NHL right now. Eiserman’s offensive game has rounded out quite nicely as well, where he can fake a shot to a pass as well as fire one. Overall, it is foolish to discount Cole Eiserman in any way as an opponent because the naked eye can’t even see his powerful shot.

Will Horcoff. Photo by Rena Laverty.
Will Horcoff ( C/W ): University of Michigan - Pittsburgh Penguins (2025 1st)

The current goal-leader in the NCAA shouldn’t just be feared nationwide, but internationally now. Horcoff stands at 6’5 and weighs in at over 200 pounds, so it’s no wonder he’s been having his way with opponents at the NCAA level. Last year, we saw a player immediately improve his game after jumping up to the college level, and this year, with the help of linemate Michael Hage and the explosive Michigan offense, he has grown exponentially as a goal scorer. Horcoff moves swiftly for a big man, which will make him difficult to cover, even for elite teams in this tournament. Due to his ability to play wing or center, he can play up and down the lineup and do whatever role Coach Motzko needs him to do.

Logan Hensler ( RHD ): University of Wisconsin - Ottawa Senators (2025 1st)

Logan Hensler may be the best-kept secret in the U.S. roster. Imagine you have an incredibly reliable two-way defenseman who consistently jumps into the offensive zone to create offense, and his skating is elite; that’s Logan Hensler. He’s been absolutely tremendous for Wisconsin this season, being a key contributor to a defensive front that has muted many of the dynamic offenses of the Big Ten. Hensler’s skating has always been excellent, and he uses it to perfection to crush rush chances while also creating rushes the other way. Lastly, Hensler’s development as a passer has been marvelous in the first half of his sophomore season. He can dazzle with the pass and his skates.

DRAFT ELIGIBLE PLAYERS TO WATCH

Chase Reid (RHD) - Soo Greyhounds

The work Chase Reid has done to establish himself as a Top 5 pick is put on display by him making the World Juniors roster. After starting last season in the NAHL, Reid has far exceeded the expectations set before him at every level. He has been an exciting two-way defenseman for the Soo this season, showing a great offensive mindset alongside his mean streak on defense. Did I forget to mention that he’s quite quick as well? Reid is a very fun defenseman in this upcoming draft class and I wouldn’t be surprised if he made his impact felt at the WJC level.

Dakoda Rhéaume-Mullen (LHD) - University of Michigan (Overager)

Though he was passed over by all 32 franchises in his first go around at the NHL draft this past June, Dakoda Rhéaume-Mullen is still a legitimate late round draft prospect in his 19-year-old season. His skating and playmaking skills have now been on display at UMich for two seasons now and he just keeps improving. Rhéaume-Mullen’s skating and defensive play were two areas that he has greatly improved from his freshman season, giving him a very well rounded game overall. The man they call DRM will be a welcome surprise for the Americans this year as he looks to continue to establish his upside.

Brady Knowling (G) - USNTDP (BU Commit)

The latest addition to the USA Roster has already been the hero for the U.S. at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup this summer and the USA-CHL Prospects Challenge. Knowling is huge at 6’5 and moves very well for that size. Though he may not see much action, Coach Motzko might throw him out there against a weaker team to give him experience for when he makes the WJC team again next year. Both the U.S. and BU are in good hands with Knowling backing them up in the future.

]]> https://www.mckeenshockey.com/nhl-blog/2026-iihf-world-junior-championship-guide-united-states-team-preview-key-players-draft-eligible-profiles/feed/ 0 NHL: Affiliated prospects who have made rapid progress this season – North America Part One https://www.mckeenshockey.com/nhl-blog/nhl-affiliated-prospects-rapid-progress-season-north-america-part-2/ https://www.mckeenshockey.com/nhl-blog/nhl-affiliated-prospects-rapid-progress-season-north-america-part-2/#respond Mon, 08 Dec 2025 13:22:13 +0000 https://www.mckeenshockey.com/?p=198083 Read More... from NHL: Affiliated prospects who have made rapid progress this season – North America Part One

]]> Early on in the season talent evaluators are often hyper focused on draft eligible players as they try to determine early rankings and watch lists. But what about the prospects already affiliated with NHL teams? Previously drafted (or signed) players often show off remarkable progression early in the year that is worth discussing as it elevates their projection as NHL players. This piece aims to highlight some of those players; players who have impressed our scouting staff with their improved play this season.

Here are the North American based prospects Part One:

Brock Otten - Director of Scouting

Harry Nansi - Wing, Owen Sound Attack, OHL (Toronto Maple Leafs)

Nansi had his supporters in the scouting community heading into the 2025 NHL Draft. Suffice to say, we were not one of them. We ranked Nansi 238th and a lot of that had to do with my own concerns over Nansi’s upside; I had him ranked 34th among Ontario players in my own personal rankings. We weren’t alone in having concerns about Nansi as NHL Central Scouting dropped him over 100 spots in their final rankings, leaving him unranked ahead of the draft. While he was unquestionably an intelligent player with an intriguing frame, we didn’t see NHL skating ability or skill. The Toronto Maple Leafs ended up selecting Nansi in the fifth round and the early returns of that pick have been extremely promising.

As part of a dominant first line for the Owen Sound Attack, Nansi currently finds himself in the top five of OHL scoring, along with his linemates Pierce Mbuyi and Tristan Delisle. The trio has also been deadly on the powerplay helping Owen Sound to one of the best records in the OHL’s Western Conference.

The reality is that Nansi still has some drawbacks to his game that could limit his effectiveness at higher levels. He’s still not a high-level skater, who lacks first step quickness. He’s still not a creative player who can get boxed in when pressured. His pace of play is best described as a crawl. At even strength, his production has been fairly pedestrian; a few goals at five-on-five and outside the top 40 of even strength production (as of writing this). He’s not necessarily a physical player in a traditional sense; he’s active in puck pursuit but there’s room for him to become a tougher player on/off the puck, especially if his projection puts him in the middle of an NHL lineup as a support player.

So why am I choosing him for an article highlighting players who have taken massive steps forward? Because, despite having identifiable areas of growth, he has been highly effective in a lot of other ways and has proven to be an excellent selection for a mid-round pick. While his first step quickness and edgework still need work, his top speed has improved, allowing him to be a more effective and consistent offensive contributor. Additionally, he’s made great strides as a playmaker, able to take advantage of his physical gifts and puck protection ability. While his goal-scoring production has lagged at even strength, he’s been an effective distributor. He’s top five in primary assists at both even strength and on the powerplay. He’s able to extend possession so effectively with how he shields the puck and his vision is excellent. He draws in pressure and dishes off; it’s that classic case of opening up space for his linemates to exploit.

What we’ve seen from Nansi in his post draft year is very encouraging and bodes well for him improving his NHL projection. Without continued growth as a skater, there could be a place for him as a complementary playmaking winger in the NHL.

An example of Nansi’s ability to maintain possession through checks by keeping the puck in his hip pocket. He’s been a load to handle for opposing defenders this year as he looks to extend possession and funnel pucks to the middle.

An example of Nansi’s vision and playmaking ability. He’s directly set up at least a half dozen goals so far this year from his office behind the net. Here, he psychs out the defender with the no look pass to the slot.

A couple clips to help show Nansi’s need to improve his skating further. He can struggle to build speed and change direction quickly and this causes him to have to alter his pace a lot of the time at even strength. But, even then, as you can see in the front half of this clip, he has the vision to make a smart play to help Owen Sound create a chance from the point.

Linc Zdancewicz - U.S. Regional Scout

Dean Letourneau, Center, Boston College (Boston Bruins)

Dean Letourneau had a lackluster DY+1 season for Boston College last year as he moved along in what seemed to be a lengthy development path. However, he has come alive in his sophomore season for the Eagles, recording 11 points and five goals in 13 games, nearly quadrupling his point total in a third of the games played. How has this season come about and what issues has Dean Letourneau fixed from his freshman season. The main issues from his first year at BC were his lack of awareness and vision, struggles as a puck carrier, and the underuse of his physicality.

The first two issues I’ve identified held him back from producing real offense in his freshman season, however, he has flipped the script. Letourneau’s in zone offense has been expanded this season to where he has unleashed his terrifying shot upon the Hockey East. He has become much more aware of open space and has finally made use of his gargantuan reach and size in the zone.

These two goals are emblematic of how comfortable Letourneau has become with the puck on his stick in the offensive zone. The confidence he has built from this increased awareness has led to a lethal shot.

This play shows how well Letourneau can and has been taking advantage of his long reach in the offensive zone. I think only Dean Letourneau alone can make this play in NCAA.

Both of these clips show Letourneau’s increased speed along with his increased awareness when entering the zone. He slips into an open spot to fire a quality chance in both clips, with plays like these, no wonder he has seen almost a 4x increase in points thus far this season.

I’ll add this clip here to show off how his puck carrying skills have improved too, his increased speed and confidence with the puck are on display here as he steals the puck off his teammate and generates a zone entry about 5 strides later.

Finally, Letourneau’s use of his size has completely changed this season, he is rough and downright mean at points. Here is his first shift in BC’s second outing against Maine this season, he is wild, energetic, and a little off balance. Letourneau has been more physically imposing this season which has led to successes on offense and defense. Yes, he can improve his balance while skating but I prefer an uncontrolled monster to what was on display last season.

Overall, the strides Letourneau has taken have sped up his development to where he may only see one more season at BC before he is fully with the Boston Bruins as their second- or third-line center.

Jeremy Tremblay - QMJHL Regional Scout

Mateo Nobert, Center, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, QMJHL(Vegas Golden Knights)

After decent production last year with the Armada, Nobert was drafted by Vegas 85th, in the third round. Even with some flaws in his game, Vegas saw the interesting profile of Nobert. All season long, he was showing some skill, his offensive abilities, and his two-way potential. But the physical game and his physical strength were not there yet. While Nobert is 6-foot-0, his 143 pounds were simply not enough for him to play physically. Between the start of the season last year and this year, he went from 143 pounds to 179 pounds which. 36 pounds of muscular mass in one year is a lot and it changed pretty much every aspect of Nobert’s game. He can now play a more physical game, finishing some hits. His overall strength has improved, and it shows in skating speed, his power in his shots, and his puck protection. Now that he can play physically, Nobert will need to learn how to use his new frame to his advantage. He still needs to improve his decision making with the puck, but the progress after getting drafted only a few months ago is hard to miss. Not bad for a player that will be 18 all season long. I will not be surprised to see Nobert slowly make his way to the NHL the way he is improving!

These are clips of Nobert’s game from last season, to visualize his improvements. Nobert was not often physically involved in a game because of his frame.

This clip shows well that Nobert is looking bigger on the ice and that he is not afraid anymore to hit. He almost doubled his number of hits per game.

The strides of Nobert were already good last year, but it was lacking some power. Now, his acceleration looks a lot better.

We can see in this clip that Nobert's confidence is better than last year. Last year, Nobert was averaging 3.7 shot attempts per game and 0.95 passes to the slot. This year, he is averaging 4.3 shot attempts per game and 1.68 passes to the slot, showing that Nobert is creating more by himself.

Kyle Pereira - U.S. Regional Scout

Jayson Shaugabay, Winger - University of Minnesota-Duluth (Tampa Bay Lightning)

Shaugabay, a former fourth-round draft pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning (115th overall) is having a breakout NCAA season this year. As a freshman last season, the Warroad, MN native produced 26 points (12 goals, 14 assists) in 36 games with UMD. This year, through 14 games, he’s already matched his assists total from last season, while racking up 19 total points. He’s been a part of one of the best lines in college hockey, and has been one of the main drivers behind it.

The shifty, playmaking winger has always been a dangerous play creator. He was lauded for his dangerous passing abilities and smarts, as well as his dazzling stickhandling, back when he was selected by the Lightning. This year has been no different. He continues to thrive as a playmaker, leading the team in passes to the slot (28).

The parts of his game that needed improvement came down to his skating ability and being able to play at his size at a higher level. For his size, while he is listed at 5-foot-9 and 165 pounds on Elite Prospects, his latest measurements put him at 5-foot-10 and 175 pounds (Tampa Bay Lightning development camp and UMD’s roster). As for his skating, while he is still not a burner, there is noticeable improvement with his lower-body strength and balance, as well as top speed.

Because of these improvements to his skating and adding a bit more weight to his frame, as well as how he translated his high-level playmaking from the USHL to college, he is quickly establishing himself as a top prospect in Tampa Bay’s pipeline.

A compilation of Shaugabay (#17) with Green Bay in his draft year, showing off his playmaking abilities

Shaugabay (#17) this season, showing off his playmaking at the collegiate level.

 

Here’s another draft year compilation, this time showing his skating deficiencies at the time. His strides were short and his acceleration was lacking. Back checkers often were able to quickly catch up to him and force him to stop up or curl back up the boards. Defenders also fared pretty easily against him when he skated up ice, as he was easy to push off pucks and close off along the boards.

 

Now, in 2025-26, his mechanics are very noticeably cleaner. He comes out of his crossovers significantly better and he utilizes his strong edges much more when coming up ice, making him harder to defend off the rush. Contact can still give him some issues, but he also looks stronger and able to push through contact much more often.

Kyle Dalla Zanna - Western Canada Regional Scout

Nathan Behm - Wing - Kamloops Blazers (Chicago Blackhawks)

Nathan Behm is putting up points at a torrid pace this season. The 66th overall selection by the Chicago Blackhawks in last year’s NHL Draft is now playing alongside top 2026 prospect and WHL scoring leader JP Hurlbert (ranked 24th overall in our first draft ranking), and their immediate chemistry has enabled Behm to maintain a position within the top five amongst league leaders in points since the start of the season.

Behm's dual-threat offensive game has taken a big step forward this season. He’s a high-skill attacker with a knack for finding seams, but his shot has been his biggest asset this season. He possesses a missile of a release that can beat goalies from anywhere, and his ability to score off the rush has been especially notable.

In his draft year, our team had qualms about Behm’s engagement and pace of play, which explains his selection outside the top two rounds. He coasted through shifts a little too often for our liking and would shy away from the hard areas. Even Blackhawks Director of Amateur Scouting Mike Doneghey voiced similar characteristics in their team’s draft recap. Behm has improved these areas of his game, and if he continues to do so, there is a strong possibility he reaches a middle six finisher as an NHL projection.

Three clips highlighting Behm’s finishing ability off the rush and his chemistry with JP Hurlbert.

An excellent end-to-end effort that showcases Behm’s hands, playmaking, and improved pace which leads to an assist.

Behm engages this defender on the forecheck, cutting his lane off to separate him from the puck and create a turnover.

Liam Staples - Ontario Regional Scout

Jordan Charron - Wing - Soo Greyhounds (Pittsburgh Penguins)

It is a very positive reflection—one that raises the question of how many foresaw this outcome when the hockey landscape shifted with the CHL–NCAA eligibility rule changes, and how many players would benefit, and how quickly those benefits would take shape. Chase Reid and the Soo Greyhounds are experiencing that right now but Jordan Charron is another example of that. Charron began the 2024-2025 campaign playing for his hometown team, the Ayr Centennials in the GOJHL, originally selected in the sixth round by the ‘Hounds, Charron planned to go the NCAA route, he is committed to St. Lawrence University for the start of the 2026-2027 season but, once the new rule changes become official, he signed to play with the “Hounds.

Charron finished with 10 goals, 11 assists for 21 points in 48 games last season. Attracting the eye of the Pittsburgh Penguins who selected Charron in the fiftth round, 154 overall in the 2025 NHL Draft. Charron was invited to the Penguins rookie camps and showcase in the summer. Safe to say, the work Charron put in this past summer is paying off as he has already surpassed his goal and point total from a season ago currently sitting at 17 goals, seven assists for 24 points in 25 games as of November 23rd. His skating has taken a noticeable step forward from last season - quicker feet, a faster first step, and improved overall pace.

Charron possesses a pro level shot, showcasing he can score in a variety of different ways. What is most impressive is his explosiveness off that first step.

Charron’s improved foot speed and lateral agility are shaping him into a dangerous player in transition.

Ben Misfeldt - North American Video Scout

Will Horcoff - Center, University of Michigan (Pittsburgh Penguins)

Will Horcoff was seen as more of a long-term project last season. A player who had a lot of tantalizing attributes but struggled to put them together in an impactful way. He was disappointing through the first half with the USNTDP but transitioned well to NCAA hockey. It was easy to see the potential in Horcoff last season - an intelligent, 6-foot-5, two-way forward with a pro style game, though I doubt many saw this year’s offensive explosion coming.

Two months into the 2025-26 season, Horcoff has been a goal scoring machine for the University of Michigan, with an astonishing 14 goals in 16 games. He has arguably made the biggest leap of any 2025 drafted player considering he had just 19 goals in 82 games during his time with the USNTDP. He has improved on his sluggish skating, has realized the advantage his size and reach can bring, and has developed into an elite net-front presence. He has done all that while also improving on his already sound defensive game.

Inevitably, the goal scoring will cool off as the season progresses (he’s shooting at nearly 27%) but even half the goal scoring rate would be seen as an improvement. The projection for Horcoff ahead of the draft was as more of a middle-six forward. As he adds strength to his frame, Horcoff projects to be a menacing player to play against. If he continues to improve his skating, I can envision him developing into a prized two-way top six centre at the NHL level.

Here is an example of Will Horcoff’s strong net front presence. He easily positions himself between the defender and scores off the deflection. Goals and scoring chances from right around the net have been a common theme for Horcoff this season. He wasn’t known as a goal scorer before this season, but this year has figured out how to be a handful around the net, a very translatable NHL skill.

This clip shows Horcoff’s wonky skating stride as he pursues on the forecheck. He’s very upright and the short strides are not generating near the power that his long legs are capable of. Despite that, he still makes a good read and intercepts the pass. The fact that he’s still able to get around relatively well with a flawed stride indicates there is a lot of potential with his skating.

Horcoff already showed his defensive prowess last season with Michigan but has been at another level this season. Here he keeps his head on a swivel, stays high enough to be in position to block the pass and reads the puck carrier’s pass like a book. There are always a few solid defensive disruptions like this one each game.

]]> https://www.mckeenshockey.com/nhl-blog/nhl-affiliated-prospects-rapid-progress-season-north-america-part-2/feed/ 0 MCKEEN’S 2025-26 NHL YEARBOOK – PITTSBURGH PENGUINS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #16 https://www.mckeenshockey.com/nhl-blog/mckeens-2025-26-nhl-yearbook-pittsburgh-penguins-top-15-prospect-profiles-organizational-rank-16/ https://www.mckeenshockey.com/nhl-blog/mckeens-2025-26-nhl-yearbook-pittsburgh-penguins-top-15-prospect-profiles-organizational-rank-16/#respond Tue, 30 Sep 2025 16:07:22 +0000 https://www.mckeenshockey.com/?p=195045 Read More... from MCKEEN’S 2025-26 NHL YEARBOOK – PITTSBURGH PENGUINS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #16

]]>
PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 12: Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Owen Pickering (38) looks on during the second period in the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Tampa Bay Lightning on January 12, 2025, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire)

Prospect System Ranking – 16th (May 2025 - 20th)
GM: Kyle Dubas Hired: June 2023
COACH: Dan Muse Hired: June 2025

The Penguins made a notable splash at the 2025 draft, trading up seven spots to grab Ben Kindel at 11th overall. The dynamic forward immediately ranks as the organization’s second best prospect in McKeen’s rankings and projects as a key piece of their next competitive window.

Armed with 13 total picks, GM Kyle Dubas injected a major wave of youth into the system. Forwards Bill Zannon and Will Horcoff were among the standouts from that haul, both landing inside Pittsburgh’s new-look top 15 prospects.

This infusion of talent is part of a broader transition for a franchise inching toward life beyond Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang. With longtime coach and two-time Stanley Cup champion Mike Sullivan gone, the Penguins are turning the page on an era while still trying to keep their competitive edge.

Dubas’s strategy has been clear: aggressively stockpile young players and draft capital without bottoming out. The process started last summer with the acquisition of Rutger McGroarty from Winnipeg in exchange for Brayden Yager. Throughout the year, Dubas continued to swing deals, adding Melvin Fernstrom from Vancouver and setting up a 2025 draft that will feature 11 selections—two of them in the first round.

On the ice, Ville Koivunen was one of the biggest risers in the organization. The Finnish forward impressed with seven assists in his eight-game NHL debut and led the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins with 56 points, showcasing legitimate top six upside. On the back end, Owen Pickering split his rookie season between the NHL and AHL, solidifying his status as a long-term fixture on Pittsburgh’s blue line.

New head coach Dan Muse steps into a roster in flux, tasked with balancing development and competitiveness while the team’s iconic core still has something left to give. The post-Crosby era is on the horizon, but thanks to Dubas’s aggressive restocking, the Penguins now have the beginnings of a next wave worth watching.

Pittsburgh Penguins Top-15 Prospects

1 - Owen Pickering

Owen Pickering has had a nice first full professional season, where he split time between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Wilkes/Barre-Scranton Penguins. At both the NHL and AHL levels, Pickering was counted on to log heavy minutes many nights against opposing teams’ top players, and he did quite well for a rookie pro. The highlight of Pickering’s game is his unique combo of size, skating, and skill. He is a good-skating defender who can play physical and jump into the rush, but he’s also a very capable defender in his own end when he makes use of his big frame. Pickering won’t ever become that top-unit power play quarterback at the NHL level, but he’s a very promising prospect who can impact the game at both ends of the ice. Expect Pickering to earn a full-time spot with the Pittsburgh Penguins this fall, and be deployed on the penalty kill as he obtains more experience at the NHL level.

2 - Ben Kindel

The Penguins raised more than a few eyebrows when they selected Kindel 11th overall in this year's NHL entry draft, which was much earlier than all public scouting prognostications suggested that he would hear his name get called, including McKeen’s Hockey. As bold of a decision as it was by general manager Kyle Dubas and his staff, any scout who closely watched his play with the Calgary Hitmen would surely agree that he could become a very dangerous and valuable forward if his development continues on its current path and everything breaks just right. The cerebral forward is a tremendous playmaker, using his tremendous vision and hockey sense to set the plates of his teammates, including with some of the best stretch passes that you’ll ever see. He’s also very shifty and elusive as a skater and has a shot that gets way more power than you’d expect. In a lot of ways Kindel looks like Brayden Point did at the same age in the WHL, so that would be a wise target for him to emulate his game after.

3 - Rutger McGroarty

Rutger McGroarty struggled a bit with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins last year to start the season, but he really picked up his play as the season went on. It’s totally obvious to any viewer that McGroarty knows how to play with skilled players, as he’s great at retrieving pucks, and he always wills himself into the battle. McGroarty is also a very capable offensive threat, but he is a better playmaker than he is a goal scorer. He can find teammates with little time and space, and he can make shifty plays that stun opposing defenders. It was a little surprising that McGroarty took so long to figure out his game at the AHL level, as many expected him to dominate early, but he’s a player that works himself into his opportunities and knows what he is as a player. He can play any role with any type of linemates, and this adaptive flexibility is what will make him millions at the NHL level. McGroarty should be a full-time member of the Pittsburgh Penguins this coming season.

4 - Ville Koivunen

Ville Koivunen was one of the most fun players to watch last season in the AHL. Originally taken in the second round by the Carolina Hurricanes, Koivunen was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins as part of the Jake Guentzel trade. This trade has made Kyle Dubas look like a bit of a genius, where Koivunen torched the AHL last season and really looks to have the potential of becoming a strong top six NHL forward. The best part about Koivunen’s game is his relentless skill. He’s very shifty with the puck on his stick, which allows him to draw defenders in and make time and space for his teammates. With that being said, Koivunen is also relentless when he doesn’t have the puck; if he doesn’t have it, he’s working hard to get it. As a result, Koivunen is tracking well to become a strong offensive playmaker for the Pittsburgh Penguins, and we can expect to see Koivunen become a full-time member of the Penguins this upcoming season.

5 - Bill Zonnon

Bill Zonnon was the last of three QMJHL first-round picks in 2025, selected 22nd overall by the Penguins. This season with Rouyn-Noranda, he scored 83 points in 64 games, ranking second on his team and first in assists. Entering the year, Zonnon was seen by most as a player outside of the first round due to many factors : Wonky and technically unrefined skating, offensive game limited to passing, underwhelming physical game and involvement. However, since the beginning of 2025, Zonnon transformed his game. His stride strength and determination made his skating more efficient, and off the puck, he would chase down opponents relentlessly unlike few other prospects. Zonnon would even carry the puck end-to-end with speed on a consistent basis. His playmaking became even more impressive, with many high-level passing and vision plays. Zonnon became a perfect safe projection for the middle six of an NHL line up. While he might not have a tremendous upside due to limited goal scoring and puck handling abilities, his exceptional effort rate and in every single shift he gets makes me confident in his projection. There’s a chance Zonnon finds a role in the NHL earlier than most would expect.

6 - Will Horcoff

Last season, Will Horcoff left the NTDP to go to the University of Michigan in the middle of his season. Surprisingly, Horcoff performed better with the jump in competition. He was able to use his size to his advantage in every zone and was relied upon as a net-front presence because of this. His offensive play becomes much more varied in transition, Horcoff is a high-IQ forward and can find space to score and set up teammates very well. Defensively, it is not fun to have Horcoff bare down on you when he is pressuring opposing d-men. The completeness of his game is very impressive, and the Penguins could give a serious look at bringing him over to Wilkes-Barre as early as next summer.

7 - Harrison Brunicke

The Blazers did not make the playoffs this season, but it was through no fault of Brunicke, who was their number one defenceman and played a lot of great hockey during the campaign. He didn't stop playing there, though. Instead, he immediately headed over to the AHL to join the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in their quest for the Calder Cup, getting into their lineup right away and registering his first professional point in his very first game. He's a tall, rangy, right-shot blueliner with superb skating ability, which he knows how to use defensively when keeping tight gaps and breaking out pucks, as well as offensively when it comes to attacking in transition or activating off of the offensive blueline. While still a bit raw and unrefined, Brunicke has improved a lot over the past few seasons and isn't showing any signs of slowing down any time soon. He’ll be a strong contender to play for Canada at the World Juniors this December.

8 - Sergei Murashov

In Murashov’s 20-year-old season, he transitioned effortlessly from the MHL to dominating the ECHL. This played him into a stacked Wilkes Barre/Scranton goalie room where he proved that he was more than good enough to belong and even outplay some of the other goalies there. He’s an exceptional skater - very explosive, precise, and fluid. He’s also quite athletic, reacts very quickly to passes, and has shown elite positioning with a great understanding of potential dangers and using smart routes. His major weakness seems to be dealing with screens. Despite fighting hard to look around them, it looks like he hasn’t quite figured out a consistent way of doing so and can lose track of the puck through traffic. This is something that could be an issue in the NHL, but many goalies still find success despite that problem. Murashov’s raw skill set is of a very high level; his chances to become a tandem or even starting goalie in the NHL look to be promising, and with Pittsburgh's goaltending woes, he should have the runway to do so.

9 - Mikhail Ilyin

Mikhail Ilyin has quickly emerged as one of the KHL’s most intriguing young talents. He plays with an impressive calm and patience to his game, using smooth hands and strong skating to create offence with ease. He circles the offensive zone with his head up, scanning for options and delivering crisp, timely passes. Without the puck, his IQ shines as he finds soft areas in coverage to become a scoring threat. Defensively, he’s shown solid growth, battling harder, chasing down loose pucks, and using his size to separate opponents. His contract is up at the end of this season so it will be interesting to see where he goes next. He signed his ELC with the Pens this spring but has been loaned back to Severstal for the year. If all continues to go well, Ilyin could turn into a skilled two-way wing who can slow the game down and become a strong playmaking threat in the Penguin’s middle six.

10 - Tanner Howe

This season Howe was traded from the Regina Pats to the Calgary Hitmen, which saw him switch from one of the worst teams in the entire CHL to one of the very best. Talk about a dramatic change in fortunes. That upheaval came with some adjustments, however, as he went from being his team's captain and primary offensive driver beforehand, to a smaller but more appropriately fitting cog in a well-oiled machine afterwards. This might turn out to be a benefit to his long-term development, because it aligned much better with his best possible pathway to the NHL: as a hard-working, high-character support player, in contrast to someone you'd want as the primary driver on a line. He's sure to become a favourite of both fans and coaches in Pittsburgh thanks to his tenacious, hyper-competitive approach, infectious personality, and willingness to battle hard even when he’s sure to absorb a lot of punishment.

11 - Vasily Ponomarev

This summer, Ponomarev inked a three-year deal with Avangard Omsk of the KHL. Although the Penguins tendered an offer to the RFA, they still hold his rights. A natural two-way center, Ponomarev was a solid point producer at the AHL level but never really got more than a handful of chances in the NHL. It sounds like he will remain in Russia at least for the short term, if not the long term as well.

12 - Tristan Broz

Scoring 37 points in 59 games during his first professional season, Broz has found significant early success. He gets top nine minutes for Wilkes-Barre Scranton and is a feature on both special teams' units. Broz has made improvements in getting to the slot, and it has rewarded him with his production. He could feature eventually for the Penguins as their core continues to age, but he’ll spend at least another season in the AHL getting more comfortable offensively.

13 - Melvin Fernstrom

17 points in 48 games may not appear to be eye-popping, but for an 18-19-year-old rookie, it is jaw-dropping. Fernstrom, the reigning SHL rookie of the year, isn’t a play driver; he has an instinct for where the puck will be and can finish from anywhere. He’ll need another year of developing his game outside of the offensive zone and should prove to be a considerable offensive threat for Örebro and then Wilkes-Barre Scranton at the end of the season.

14 - Emil Pieniniemi

When he was drafted, Pieniniemi was viewed just as a large defenceman who could physically disrupt play. Last year, an unexpected offensive side clicked in a big way. Primarily as a great passer, he scored 60 points in 60 games for Kingston in the OHL. Pieniniemi will head straight to the AHL next year, where his path to the NHL might accelerate if his point production is anywhere near what it was last year.

15 - Joona Vaisanen

In his rookie season, Vaisanen was an important piece of a National Championship winning Western Michigan team. Vaisanen’s a good enough puck mover to earn 26 points in 42 games, but his real strength comes in shutting down the other team. He has shown he’s more than capable of playing in a pro-style defensive scheme, recording a +24. He’ll return to Kalamazoo for another year, where he should be a top four shutdown defenceman.

]]> https://www.mckeenshockey.com/nhl-blog/mckeens-2025-26-nhl-yearbook-pittsburgh-penguins-top-15-prospect-profiles-organizational-rank-16/feed/ 0 2025 NHL DRAFT: Scouting Reports for First Round Picks – Cole Reschny, Pyotr Andreyanov, Will Horcoff, Vaclav Nestrasil, Ryker Lee, Mason West https://www.mckeenshockey.com/nhl-blog/2025-nhl-draft-scouting-reports-picks-cole-reschny-pyotr-andreyanov-horcoff-vaclav-nestrasil-ryker-lee-mason-west/ https://www.mckeenshockey.com/nhl-blog/2025-nhl-draft-scouting-reports-picks-cole-reschny-pyotr-andreyanov-horcoff-vaclav-nestrasil-ryker-lee-mason-west/#respond Mon, 21 Jul 2025 15:09:22 +0000 https://www.mckeenshockey.com/?p=194763 Read More... from 2025 NHL DRAFT: Scouting Reports for First Round Picks – Cole Reschny, Pyotr Andreyanov, Will Horcoff, Vaclav Nestrasil, Ryker Lee, Mason West

]]> Each draft season, we try to bring you as many in-depth scouting reports as possible leading up to the draft. However, there were six players that were selected in the first round that we did not finish reports on. As such, we asked our team to submit more condensed reports on those six players so that every player drafted in this year’s first round has something filed.

Cole Reschny - Center - Victoria Royals

Drafted 18th by the Calgary Flames

By Derek Neumeier

Few prospects throughout the CHL — if any — had a stronger back half of their year than Reschny did in 2024-25. He was an all-around monster for the Victoria Royals, playing as their number one center and offensive linchpin, quarterbacking their powerplay, and handling a lot of tough matchups against the top players on other teams, including a head-to-head playoff showdown against Spokane Chiefs superstar Berkly Catton. It's hard to overstate just how much good work he did for that team, helping them to their best regular season record since 2015-16 and their first playoff series victory since 2018-19.

Reschny is one of the best puck managers to come up through the WHL in a while. First, he's deceptively strong for a slightly undersized forward, with an abundance of strength in his lower body and when bearing down on his stick. He then pairs those traits with buttery soft hands and superb peripheral awareness. Put those traits together it becomes incredibly difficult for opponents to win pucks away from him when he's really engaged, which is almost all of the time as someone who competes hard. If all that wasn't enough, he's also a top-tier playmaker who can easily find and connect difficult passes. He's a real expert at making the players around him look good, driving possession for his line and drawing defensive pressure until someone else gets open for a pass in a dangerous spot.

While Reschny has different parts of his game that are very appealing, there are still some imbalances as well. His shot usually isn't much of a threat, with a notable lack of power, though he at least possesses good precision and quick hands in tight. In other words, he can score, but not well from the medium distance or worse. His skating also leaves something to be desired, with a clear need for him to improve both his agility and straight-line speed before he turns pro.

When you step back and try to analyze Reschny’s overall long-term projection, the outlook is pretty optimistic. He already carries himself like a seasoned professional with the way that he approaches and thinks about the game, and there’s already a solid skill base that isn’t going to wane. Frankly, it would be shocking if he didn’t go on to become a longtime NHLer, as well as someone that goes on to be a core roster piece and maybe even wears a letter on his sweater. At the same time, though, it’s also hard to see him reaching as high of a ceiling as the other top prospects in this year’s draft class, as players with his matching limitations of size and skating don’t reach the highest echelons of the sport more often than not (with a few notable exceptions, of course, like Nick Suzuki and Kirill Kaprizov). Still, Reschny is a pretty special player already, and if he can find a way to add another gear to his skating as he develops, he could reach a whole new level entirely.

Skating

This short clip gives you a good idea of what Reschny’s skating is like, both the good and the bad. The balance and edges are pretty solid, and there’s nothing mechanically wrong with his skating. However, you can also see that he’s not especially quick with his movements. He creates space for himself like this all the time at the WHL level, but he’ll need to be able to execute these kinds of things a lot faster if he hopes to find similar success in the NHL one day.

Grade: 50

Shot

As mentioned above, Reschny’s goal-scoring contributions are mostly limited to when he gets in tight, but boy does he know how to finish when he does get there. This overtime, game-winning goal against Czechia at this spring’s U18 tournament was outright surgical.

Grade: 50

Puck Skills

Reschny can really feast when he’s on the powerplay. He’s just so naturally talented at receiving pucks, getting them under his control, and distributing passes however he sees fit. This is an elite pass to his teammate for an easy backdoor goal.

Grade: 55

Smarts

This clip highlights Reschny at his absolute best. Impeccable poise, awareness and timing by him to help open up this dangerous passing lane and connect with the target that he knew was going to be there. The opposing goalie never stood a chance.

Grade: 60

Physicality / Compete

Even though Reschny is on the smaller side he doesn’t shy away from battles or going into the dirty areas of the ice. There’s some real stockiness to him, and he knows how to get leverage and win body positioning against bigger opponents.

Grade: 50

OFP: 53.75

Pyotr Andreyanov - Goaltender - Krasnaya Armiya Moskva

Drafted 20th by the Columbus Blue Jackets

By Liam Crouse

Pyotr Andreyanov was one of the biggest surprises from draft night, having been the first goalie taken off the board but also the 20th overall pick. But even though he may not have been our top goalie eligible for the draft, his potential to be a starter in the NHL is evident. He’s a highly athletic goalie, a phenomenal skater, and has also shown to be a solid play reader. But he still has drawbacks in his diminutive stature and erraticism. While he competes hard, his erraticism makes his job tougher, something he will have to clean up to succeed in the NHL

Athleticism

Andreyanov’s identity is speed and athleticism, and it’s vehemently shown in this clip. He’s playing a very low stance, which reduces mobility, but with his natural flexibility, he can still generate power. He exploded out of his low stance, stretching out with both leg and glove, robbing the shooter.

Grade: 60

Technique

While Andreyanov is aggressive and erratic, his technical foundation is great. Here, he starts by challenging the puck carrier way out of his crease. He then makes very subtle movements to re-adjust back to the top. Making a really strong push, he uses an economical route to cut through the crease. He gets his blocker down to stuff the shot as it’s in tight and makes a great save.

Grade: 55

Play Reading

While it may not always be present, Andreyanov has shown good flashes of reading the play. Here, due to it being a penalty kill and there are passing options, Andreyanov stays a little deeper. When the puck goes to his short-side post, he doesn’t fully commit. He deepens and wings his lead leg back in anticipation of the slot pass, and with quick tracking, he’s able to laterally release into a butterfly for a nice save.

Grade: 52.5

Compete/Temperament

Andreyanov’s erraticism can turn badly quickly, and it does here. He starts playing low and trying to look through traffic, and starts to panic, moving around too much. The extra slide he did put him in a bad spot where he couldn’t react to the loose puck, and he started to freak out by pushing too far. Being the hyper-competitor he is, he got back to his crease quickly and made a save, but the whole play was ugly

Grade: 52.5

Rebound Control

Rebounds are a weakness of Andreyanov, and you can see here how he just allows the puck to bounce off his chest without reacting with his glove to suppress it at all.

Grade: 47.5

Puck Skills

Andreyanov is an average puck player, mostly only being active on power plays like here, but even though he isn’t aggressive in moving the puck, he can still make a tape-to-tape pass when needed.

Grade: 50

OFP: 53.375

Will Horcoff - Center - University of Michigan

Drafted 24th by the Pittsburgh Penguins

By Brock Otten

The son of former Edmonton Oiler two-way standout Shawn Horcoff, Will is an intriguing, but raw centerman cut from a similar cloth. He made the gutsy decision to leave the U.S. NTDP half way through the year to join the Michigan Wolverines early and that decision paid off in a big way, as it allowed Horcoff to shine on a greater stage. He also returned to the U.S.’ U18 team at the end of the year at the IIHF U18’s, playing a key role en route to a bronze medal. It was this late season surge, in combination with his immense physical upside, that made Horcoff an attractive first round selection and late season riser on many lists.

At the University of Michigan, Horcoff impressed with his work on the powerplay, demonstrating strong offensive zone awareness and a willingness to get to the net and work the half wall to extend possession. At the U18’s, Horcoff impressed with his ability to create coming out of the cycle, showing great vision and passing ability coming off the wall. Despite still being slight, he protected the puck well, shielding defenders to extend possession and exhibited poise with the puck, again, showcasing a high IQ as an offensive player. However, at the NCAA level, Horcoff hasn’t been able to be as consistent winning those 50/50 battles and his even strength production and scoring chance generation lagged because of this. Horcoff also needs to upgrade his quickness. With his long legs, he can build to an adequate top speed that does allow him to carry in transition and get to the net. However, his edgework and explosiveness need to improve in a big way to make him a more difficult cover. As his conditioning improves and his frame fills out, he should be able to improve at least his power generation.

As Horcoff develops, both physically and from a skill perspective, he projects to be a very versatile player. He has shown the ability to play both center and the wing. He can play a variety of roles on the powerplay, including netfront. His reach, two-way awareness, and improving competitiveness should also make him a very good defensive player, much like his father. Of course, upgrading his quickness will be the key, but that should happen after a few years in college.

From a projection standpoint, Horcoff could develop into a quality middle six player who can be utilized in any situation. Identifying his true upside currently is a difficult task considering how underdeveloped he is physically. When that frame is filled out and he’s playing at 6’5, 225+, he could be an entirely different player and that’s what the Pittsburgh Penguins are banking on.

Grades:

Skating: 50

Shot: 52.5

Skills: 55

Smarts: 55

Physicality/Compete: 55

OFP: 53.625

VIDEOS 

Horcoff’s first point as a Wolverine after leaving the NTDP. He showcases his strong vision from the wall as he sets up a goal from behind the net.

Strong defensive effort and awareness from Horcoff here. He hustles to support the backcheck and reads the drop along the wall. He then makes a quick transition up ice.

Horcoff is skilled enough to be a strong transitional player once his skating picks up. Again, we love how he attacks the middle of the ice consistently.

Quick play coming off the wall as Horcoff, again, gets himself into the middle of the ice. His shot shows a lot of promise, but his release needs work as he has a tendency to heel or misfire shots, especially under duress.

A good look at Horcoff’s inability to build speed. He tries to accelerate out of a pivot, but his footwork isn’t clean and he gets bottled up in the neutral zone. Credit to Horcoff for staying with the play to get it out of the neutral zone.

Horcoff’s game offensively is predicated on those quick touches. Great two-man game here as he works to the inside and draws a penalty. Although, again, you see the lack of quickness as he can’t create separation to earn a clean look.

Another impressive passing play by Horcoff, again showcasing his vision and ability to make decisions quickly.

Vaclav Nestrasil - Wing - Muskegon

Drafted 25th by the Chicago Blackhawks

By Kaeden Ireland

Vaclav Nestrasil played his first full season in North America this year with Muskegon and made vast strides in development. His improvements and adjustments to the USHL were very visible, and to cap it off, Vaclav also finished 8th in league playoff scoring with 13 points in 14 games.

Nestrasil projects to be a defensively responsible middle-six winger who competes hard every shift. He has some offensive potential with his hands, shot in tight, and creativity with the puck.

Skating

Nestrasil’s skating is unorthodox, but he makes it work with his effort level and pace once he gets up to speed. One key area Nestrasil must improve is his acceleration.

Nestrasil could use some work cleaning up his acceleration, as seen in this clip.

Skating: 52.5

Shooting

Vaclav’s wrist shot lacks consistency; he won’t be a primary shooting threat from the wing, but on rebounds and loose pucks, he does a good job of getting low and elevating shots into the upper third of the net to beat goalies. Nestrastil’s snapshot is a nice alternative to his wrist shot, as he can catch goalies off guard with rather unpredictable, snappy shots down low.

A nice clean finish with time by Nestrasil.

Shooting: 55

Smarts

Nestrasil isn’t afraid to try more elaborate passes, often looking to pass through the bodies of defenders to his teammates for shooting opportunities. His passes can come off as a bit panicky, but his decision making did slightly improve over the past season. I would like to see Nestrasil learn to find safe outlets more consistently as he’s struggled with turnovers.

Smarts: 50

Skills

Nestrasil can pull off some very impressive moves, but like his passing abilities, he turns the puck over far too frequently. For a 6’6 forward, protecting the puck when attacking a defender head-on will be more difficult due to the longer stick, so he will need to learn to use his body to protect the puck better.

Nestrasil showcases his creativity with this fun deke to get away with the puck down low.

Skills: 55

Compete/Physicality

Vaclav is still a physical project. He stands at 6’6 but weighs under 190 pounds at the moment, leaving plenty of room to add to his frame. Nestrasil makes his physical presence known by putting his body on opponents, whether it be small bumps away from play or big hits that put defensemen on the ice; Nestrasil puts every inch of his 6’6 frame to use. No doubt, his growing physical dominance is one reason why he went as high as 25th overall. It’s encouraging to see how in post-draft interviews Nestrasil emphasized how coachable he was when improving his physical game, leaning on Muskegon staff to noticeably get rougher and more chippy down the stretch.

Massive hit here to catch the Waterloo defenseman on a recovery.

Nestrasil competes for pucks constantly, using his long reach to close gaps and put the heat on puck carriers, forcing them to pass off or face a barrage of stick checks. Nestrasil’s compete makes him a likely bet to crack Chicago’s top penalty-kill unit in the future. His forechecking and backchecking also stand out as noteworthy traits that suit him to an NHL middle-six role.

While Vaclav does give up the middle of the ice here on the PK, he recovers by charging over and getting the block before making a great pass to his trailing teammate.

Compete/Physicality: 55

OFP: 53.375

Ryker Lee - Wing - Madison Capitals

Drafted 26th by the Nashville Predators

By Jamison Derksen

Ryker Lee was one of the top offensive players in the USHL this season, finishing fourth in the league scoring race with 68 points. His Madison Capitols improved from being a fringe playoff team in 2023/24 to being in contention for first place in the East, thanks in large part to the infusion of offense brought by Lee. The Nashville Predators liked what they saw from him this season, and made him the 26th Overall selection in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Lee is a high risk / high reward pick, as his skating and defensive game need a lot of work, but he is among the most skilled players in the draft. It is worth noting that Lee hit a huge growth spurt recently, as he was listed at 5’4 heading into the 2022/23 season, so there is plenty of room for development in the physical game, as well as his skating. Right now as a pro he projects to be a middle-six winger that contributes on a top powerplay unit.

Skating:

Lee’s skating is certainly his biggest knock right now. When he’s not in a full-out sprint, he straightens up his stance quite a bit and can go shifts without displaying anything resembling pace at all. His acceleration is also a struggle, but once he gets going, his speed is average in the USHL. Obviously, that will need to improve in order for him to have an NHL career.

Grade: 50

Shot:

Ryker Lee is dangerous as a shooter, particularly with his wrist shot in the USHL. He scores a lot off of wrist shots around the top of the right circle, but when he’s not the puck carrier, he often finds ice in the slot. His slapshot is only for one timers, and is seldom used, despite its effectiveness. One improvement Lee will need to make to his wrist shot is that he needs to shorten his reach back when loading, it makes him too easy to read at times and takes too much time to get a shot off.

Grade: 55

Skills:

Lee is among the most talented players in the 2025 draft class. His puck control and creativity are fantastic, and he is able to handle tough passes with no problem at all. Lee loves to challenge defenders one-on-one as a puck carrier, and often makes them look silly. However, he does have a tendency to overhandle the puck, so he can definitely stickhandle himself into positions where he is on the outside and isn’t really a threat. This is a junior habit that will need to be broken.

Grade: 57.5

Smarts:

Lee’s hockey IQ is a bit of a mixed bag. One of the things he’s best at is drawing opponents to himself to create space for teammates. He also has the aforementioned issue of overhandling the puck, though he has shown the ability to adapt on the fly and make a new play when he stickhandles himself into trouble. Positionally, he finds space excellently in the offensive zone, whereas in his own zone he can be pretty spotty.

Grade: 52.5

Physical/Compete:

Right now, Lee doesn’t shy away from physical play, but he does need to get stronger. He will throw the occasional check, but often gets outmuscled and pushed around in puck battles. His soft hands with the puck can also result in some dangerous turnovers when they don’t end up on the highlight reel. He will also need to work on being engaged defensively with more consistency, especially given that he likes to take liberties with the puck.

Grade: 50

OFP: 53

Mason West - Wing - Fargo Force/Edina High

Drafted 29th by the Chicago Blackhawks

By Brock Otten

West was one of the draft’s most heavily discussed players this year for a variety of reasons. Firstly, his in-season improvement and end of the season play in the USHL helped to propel him up draft boards based on his raw tools and physical upside. On our draft board, West went from an honorable mention outside of our top 100 (at midseason) to 49th on our final rankings. Secondly, the discourse surrounding his future as a football player and desire to play football again next year has brought about concerns. Leading up to the draft, West committed to Michigan State for hockey and this helped to alleviate some concerns that he would pick football. However, he still intends to return to Edina High to start at quarterback for his senior year. The concerns here are three-fold. For one, West could get hurt. For two, West will be repeating the high school hockey level for much of the year, likely splitting between Edina High and Fargo again. For three, if West performs at a high level in football, will a highly regarded school come calling with a scholarship and NIL money, forcing West to re-evaluate his sporting future?

Regardless of the above, it was plainly obvious that a team would opt to select West in the first round given his tantalizing upside and the Blackhawks did just that. West compares himself to Anders Lee of the New York Islanders and that’s fitting considering Lee once had to make a similar choice surrounding football and potential scholarship offers.

West’ high end athleticism is visible on the ice. He’s a big kid who moves very impressively. Builds to a solid top speed moving North/South, but has refined balance and edgework that allows him to put defenders on his back to protect the puck in motion. For that reason, he’s a tough check for high school defenders right now; near impossible for them to separate him from the puck. He also was successful in beating USHL defenders the same way later in the season. West shows strong vision with the puck and a clear understanding of how to use his size to be a factor away from the puck. He could probably stand to get to the net and play through the middle a bit more often, however, he forechecks and backchecks with ferocity. We wouldn’t call him an overly physical player (perhaps shocking given his football background), but maybe that’s something he grows into. His shot shows promise if he can work on his release; it’s heavy, but he can have a tendency to whiff under pressure. From a skill perspective, again, there’s upside. He handles impressively well at full speed for a big man, although he can keep the puck too far out, leaving him susceptible to stick checks. He needs to operate more in his hip pocket, using his size to his advantage in transition.

So, what is West’s upside? The Anders Lee comparison is apt. In a best-case scenario, West develops into a similar kind of impactful, well-rounded player. Yes, there are concerns; the ones we outlined above. However, repeating the USHL (or even finding a WHL program to close out the season with) will not be a bad thing for West who is still quite raw. We saw the difficulty that a similar kind of player in Dean Letourneau had jumping to the NCAA this year out of prep. In the long run, Michigan State is a great landing spot for West and in three-four years, he could end up looking like a real steal for the Blackhawks.

Grades:

Skating: 55

Shot: 50

Skills: 55

Smarts: 55

Physicality/Compete: 52.5

OFP: 53.625

VIDEOS

At the high school level we see West’s quick strike ability as he jumps on a loose puck and generates a high end scoring chance.

Again, at the high school level, West’s frame and reach are at work as he plays through a defender to make a pass to the slot that results in a goal.

The rest of the clips are all from his time in the USHL with Fargo. Both clips here showcase West’s speed and athleticism and how it can impact the game off the puck. He disrupts a clean zone entry and he closes ground quickly on the forecheck.

How about an NBA style box out to help initiate the breakout?

A terrific play on the forecheck as West gets inside leverage, secures possession, which in turn leads to a scoring chance from the slot.

A look at West’s ability to create off the rush, but the pass is just a bit behind his teammate, and they can’t connect. The precision on his passes will be an area of focus for him.

A note on the 20-80 scale used above. 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.

]]> https://www.mckeenshockey.com/nhl-blog/2025-nhl-draft-scouting-reports-picks-cole-reschny-pyotr-andreyanov-horcoff-vaclav-nestrasil-ryker-lee-mason-west/feed/ 0 MCKEEN’S HOCKEY 2025 NHL DRAFT GUIDE: TWO-ROUND MOCK DRAFT https://www.mckeenshockey.com/nhl-blog/mckeens-hockey-2025-nhl-draft-guide-two-round-mock-draft/ https://www.mckeenshockey.com/nhl-blog/mckeens-hockey-2025-nhl-draft-guide-two-round-mock-draft/#respond Thu, 19 Jun 2025 15:33:54 +0000 https://www.mckeenshockey.com/?p=193792 Read More... from MCKEEN’S HOCKEY 2025 NHL DRAFT GUIDE: TWO-ROUND MOCK DRAFT

]]> 1. New York Islanders - Matthew Schaefer - Defense

Even though this year doesn’t have the allure of the first pick next year (Gavin McKenna), the Islanders still hit the gold mine by winning the lottery with such low chances. There’s been some chatter about a Hagens selection given his local connection, but you can’t pick first overall based on that. The Islanders just locked up Ilya Sorokin long term as one of the better netminders in the NHL, so it truly makes sense to jump at the chance to draft Schaefer, a potential franchise defender who can play in all situations and eventually serve as the team’s captain.

2. San Jose Sharks - Michael Misa - Center

We’ve read some chatter that draft pundits believe Mike Grier could favour selecting someone like Martone or Frondell with this pick, given his desire to add size/tenacity to the lineup moving forward. We’d argue that Misa is just as competitive, but more skilled. This is an extremely well-rounded player who gives the Sharks a ton of flexibility moving forward. He can slot at the wing or move another of their top young forwards to the wing. He also gives them a little more dynamic, play driving ability than they currently have in the system.

3. Chicago Blackhawks - Caleb Desnoyers - Center

If there has been one modus operandi of the Hawks management in recent years, it’s that they’ve heavily focused on bringing in elite skaters. When we look at the players in this range, Desnoyers is the best skater of the remaining forwards. The Hawks could see Desnoyers filling a Jonathan Toews type role for them in the future, giving them a well-rounded two-way guy and helping to shore up their center depth moving forward.

4. Utah Mammoth - Anton Frondell - Center

Similar to the Hawks, Utah has also had an modus operandi related to size and physicality. If their picks aren’t big, they need to be competitive. The newly minted Mammoth could go a variety of directions. Porter Martone would provide that size on the wing they’ve been building up. Maybe they’re enticed by Roger McQueen and not scared by the injuries. And while Frondell isn’t huge, he plays a heavy, mature game. They liked a similar player in Cole Beaudoin last year, but Frondell has greater offensive upside. Utah’s interest stems from the hope that Frondell can be their Sasha Barkov or Anze Kopitar.

5. Nashville Predators - James Hagens - Center

This is a system that needs to add a high-end playmaker and that’s Hagens. Did he have a disappointing second half? Sure. Are there concerns about his size and ability to play center at the NHL level? Probably. But the Predators have trusted their U.S. scouts a lot in recent years and Hagens would really inject skill into a system that needs it.

6. Philadelphia Flyers - Porter Martone - Wing

On the one hand, this feels low for Martone, given that NHL teams are going to be drawn to his style of play in hopes that he can be a playoff warrior in the future. But, on the other hand, it’s also possible that teams take a run on the centers available at the top of this draft. That allows Martone to fall into the lap of the Flyers. The perfect complement to Michkov in the future? Maybe there’s hope that Martone could provide what the Flyers thought they’d be getting in Cutter Gauthier prior to the trade demand.

7. Boston Bruins - Brady Martin - Center

At this point it seems inevitable that Martin goes fairly high, perhaps even higher than this. NHL teams love his work ethic and his potential to be a top shelf NHL playoff performer. Look no further than what Sam Bennett is doing in the NHL playoffs currently. Martin is the kind of all situations impact forward that the Bruins need to kickstart their retool.

8. Seattle Kraken - Radim Mrtka - Defense

Is this the year that the Kraken finally uses a first-round selection on a defender? It has to happen at some point, right? The Kraken opt for Mrtka, a big Czech defender who could develop into a top four defensive anchor. How much offensive upside is there? Can the physical game reach another level? They could go for Jackson Smith here, but it seems more likely that they go for the more polished Mrtka, especially considering he played in Seattle of the WHL this year, so they’d be very familiar with him.

9. Buffalo Sabres - Victor Eklund - Wing

Eklund is the type of player that the organization badly needs to help them take that next step. He’s an absolute warrior on the ice and projects as that strong playoff performer because of his compete level. Yes, he’s not huge and needs to fill out, but he could be the perfect complementary winger in their top six. He already had success as a pro in Sweden this past year and could move through their system quickly, fitting their timeline perfectly.

10. Anaheim Ducks - Jake O’Brien - Center

The Ducks have some great goal scorers right now, but a top shelf playmaker like O’Brien could really help the organization moving forward. Anaheim has drafted out of the OHL a lot in recent drafts, and they obviously trust that region and their scouts from that region. O’Brien is going to need some time to bulk up and get quicker, but his upside is as high as any pivot in this draft class.

11. Pittsburgh Penguins - Roger McQueen - Center

The true wild card of the draft because of his health. If McQueen’s back wasn’t an issue, he’s likely a top five pick because of his unique skill set. But, on the heels of Cayden Lindstrom, NHL teams are likely to be pretty skittish. The Penguins are a franchise who can afford to take this home run swing. Their system needs help; they badly need a home run on the heels of the end of the Crosby era. However, the Penguins scouting staff also loves physically assertive and competitive players so don’t rule out someone like Kashawn Aitcheson here.

12. New York Rangers - Jackson Smith - Defense

Smith is unquestionably one of the highest upside players available in the draft this year. He is potentially the complete package on the blueline. However, there are some concerns over his ability to process the game. For that reason, he’s probably a longer-term project who will require patience. For the Rangers, while they could use a center more, it seems unlikely they reach on a player just for the sake of positional or organizational need. Smith gives the Rangers a potential home run and they’ve had some luck with a similar kind of player in K’Andre Miller.

13. Detroit Red Wings - Kashawn Aitcheson - Defense

The Red Wings have a type. Aitcheson is that type. The organization wants to build a team eventually engineered for the playoffs, so the focus has been on compete level and physicality. There may not be a defender who exemplifies those characteristics more in this draft. But his offensive game is underrated, and it gives him a solid chance of developing into a Kevin Bieksa style two-way type. The Wings traded Andrew Gibson and Brady Cleveland hasn’t developed well since being selected. Aitcheson is better than both.

14. Columbus Blue Jackets - Justin Carbonneau - Wing

One of the draft’s most creative and skilled offensive players, Carbonneau has excellent offensive upside. The Jackets have not shied away from the QMJHL in recent years and he would give them another high-quality offensive player on the wing to build around, given that their center depth is fairly solid. Could make a similar impact to Kent Johnson, who is coming off his best NHL season.

15. Vancouver Canucks - Braeden Cootes - Center

Sometimes things just work out. The Canucks badly need a young center with upside in their system and Cootes just happens to be one of the best players available. It’s likely that they’d be very familiar with him too, considering he plays with Seattle of the WHL. Cootes is a well-rounded two-way center who projects as an all-situations type.

16. Montreal Canadiens (via Calgary) - Carter Bear - Wing

With news that Bear’s achilles injury was only a partial tear and that he’s already back on the ice, his draft stock isn’t likely to take much of a hit. Montreal would see Bear as a strong fit in their organization as a complementary piece. He’s competitive and effective through the middle of the ice and would likely be the perfect fit with guys like Suzuki or Demidov.

17. Montreal Canadiens - Blake Fiddler - Defense

With back-to-back picks, the Canadiens take back-to-back WHL players. Yeah, the Canadiens have Reinbacher and Mailloux waiting in the wings as right shot defenders, but the main club badly needs one to pan out. You can never have too many solid defenders who can play the right side in the NHL. Fiddler is a solid two-way presence and gives them a great security blanket.

18. Calgary Flames (via New Jersey) - Jack Nesbitt - Center

This just feels like a fit. The Flames favored the OHL last year and their picks out of the league all had strong draft plus one years. Additionally, they’ve shown a desire to add size to their forward group. Nesbitt is a big pivot who showed really positive growth this year in Windsor. He is a potential all-situations, middle six center.

19. St. Louis Blues - Lynden Lakovic - Wing

While there are some concerns over Lakovic’s compete level and consistency, he’s still a high upside swing as a big winger with skill. The Blues don’t really have a player like this in their system right now, and at this point of the first round, the risks associated with Lakovic are worth taking.

20. Columbus Blue Jackets (via Minnesota) - Joshua Ravensbergen - Goaltender

It just seems inevitable that someone is going to bite on Ravensbergen in the first round. He has all the tools to develop into a topflight netminder. The Jackets are a likely candidate. They need a true incumbent in net. They have multiple first round picks. They’ve drafted a lot out of the WHL. Yes, they took Evan Gardner in the second-round last year, but he’s not the same quality of prospect as Ravensbergen.

21. Ottawa Senators - Jakob Ihs Wozniak - Wing

Ottawa is a team that hasn’t been afraid to go a little off the board in recent years. And they’ve primarily focused on players with unique skill sets or physical tools. Ihs Wozniak saved his draft stock with a strong second half and he has top six upside as a bigger scoring winger. Ottawa has also drafted heavily out of Sweden in recent years.

22. Philadelphia Flyers (via Colorado) - Cameron Reid - Defense

After selecting Martone earlier, the Flyers go back to the OHL again to take Kitchener’s Cam Reid. Reid is a highly mobile, two-way defender. He’s not big, but he’s very intelligent and projects as a solid second pairing type who could possibly quarterback a powerplay unit in the future.

23. Nashville Predators (via Tampa Bay) - Logan Hensler - Defense

Earlier the Predators selected James Hagens out of the NCAA, and they returned there with their second pick, opting for Wisconsin defender Logan Hensler. While his offensive production disappointed in his freshman season, his physical tools make him a potential defensive stalwart at the NHL level. It will also be interesting to see how his on puck game develops as he matures. The Preds traded for Andrew Gibson previously, so there’s obviously a desire to add prospects like this to their pipeline.

24. Los Angeles Kings - Sascha Boumedienne - Defense

There’s definitely a need for the Kings to add a quality defensive prospect to their cupboard and Boumedienne would be a great selection here. He improved drastically in the second half of this year, helping Sweden to a silver medal at the U18’s and Boston University to a second place finish in the NCAA. There’s a need to refine his game and improve his decision making, but the mobility is great, and he has great upside as a top four defender.

25. Chicago Blackhawks (via Toronto) - Malcolm Spence - Wing

After taking Desnoyers with the third overall selection, the Hawks take a similar player in Malcolm Spence, only Spence plays the wing. This gives Chicago another mature two-way player who skates well, who can help insulate some of their younger, higher skilled guys. Spence is leaving the OHL next year to play at Michigan (NCAA), but he could be an NHL’er in only a few years.

26. Nashville Predators (via Vegas) - Vaclav Nestrasil - Wing

The big Czech wing finished the season on a high, with a strong Clark Cup playoff performance for Muskegon. There’s a need to improve his skating, but Nashville hasn’t shied away from players who need to improve pace. With four picks inside the top 35, the Predators can afford to take a few big swings and Nestrasil has solid potential as a top six support player.

27. Washington Capitals - Henry Brzustewicz - Defense

The Capitals would have seen a lot of Brzustewicz this year while keeping tabs on defensive prospect Cam Allen, and there’s certainly been a previous connection to London with the likes of Connor McMichael and John Carlson. Brzustewicz is a raw, but toolsy two-way defender who is going to get a ton of ice time and development opportunities in London moving forward.

28. Winnipeg Jets - Milton Gastrin - Center

It seems likely that the Jets could take a center with their first this year, given the need to improve organizational depth. They have lots of options at this point in the draft, but after what happened with Rutger McGroarty, I wonder if they steer clear of an NCAA player. Gastrin is an athletic, two-way center who projects as a middle six type.

29. Carolina Hurricanes - Cullen Potter - Center/Wing

It seems like the Hurricanes always take the player who is highest ranked by the amateur scouting organizations left remaining on the board; in this case? Speedy forward Cullen Potter. One of the draft’s best skaters, there are concerns about his NHL effectiveness given his size and somewhat perimeter-oriented game. However, Potter is a player with significant NHL upside.

30. San Jose Sharks (via Dallas) - Mason West - Wing

It’s starting to feel inevitable that West goes in the first round this year after fully committing to hockey. He’s such a tremendous athlete and his upside is quite high, as long as you’re willing to exhibit patience. The Sharks already have a deep system and can afford to play the waiting game here. This is the type of home run swing you take when your system is already loaded.

31. Calgary Flames (via Florida) - Cole Reschny - Center

There’s definitely a chance that Reschny goes much higher than this. He’s one of the draft’s most intelligent pivots. However, he also has the feel of the type of guy who NHL teams are a little wary of, with average size and average athleticism. This would be a coup for the Flames, who solidify their center depth with two great first round selections.

32. Philadelphia Flyers (via Edmonton) - Will Horcoff - Center

When you’ve got three first round picks, you probably take a big swing with one of them. Horcoff is very raw and underdeveloped physically, but when his frame fills out, he could end up being a quality pro. He had some really great moments in the NCAA as a true freshman in the second half.

33. San Jose Sharks - Bill Zonnon - Center/Wing

GM Mike Grier has a type and that’s Zonnon. He loves forwards who bring consistent energy and physicality. Zonnon is one of the draft’s best forecheckers and he’s a capable offensive player too.

34. Chicago Blackhawks - Simon Wang - Defense

It seems likely that an NHL team jumps at Wang early, even if we have him ranked a little lower. The Hawks are probably a great fit. They have the depth to take a big swing like this that requires patience. They also put more emphasis on skating ability than pretty much any other organization at the draft.

35. Nashville Predators - Kurban Limatov - Defense

Last year, the Preds opted to take Russian Yegor Surin with their first-round selection and that looks like a tremendous pick. So why not go back and select mobile defender Limatov, who possesses significant upside as a two-way rock?

36. Philadelphia Flyers - Jacob Rombach - Defense

With a few high-end offensive defenders in the system, including taking Cam Reid earlier in this draft, they take big, stay at home defender Rombach out of the USHL. He could really help to be a calming presence on the blueline in the coming years.

37. Washington Capitals (via Boston) - Michal Pradel - Goaltender

The second goaltender off the board can often be a bit off the board and the Caps continue that trend by taking Pradel, a big netminder with a ton of potential as he gets stronger and improves technically. He gives them a future netminder to build around, a weakness in the system.

38. Seattle Kraken - Eric Nilson - Center

The son of former NHL’er Marcus, Eric is a potential middle six, two-way center who gives the Kraken another pivot to pencil into their lineup in the future. They haven’t drafted a ton out of Sweden, but he checks a lot of the boxes that they typically value.

39. Buffalo Sabres - Shane Vansaghi - Wing/Center

This is a franchise that needs to turn things around and become harder to play against. Vansaghi projects as a fierce competitor who can be tough to play against and who can provide a ton of versatility to the Sabres’ coaching staff in a few years. The Sabres would be very familiar with Vansaghi after watching Maxim Strbak this year.

40. Philadelphia Flyers (via Anaheim) - Daniil Prokhorov - Wing

There’s definitely a chance that this big, budding power forward goes earlier than this. However, he’d look great in the Philadelphia organization as a crease crasher, powerplay triggerman, and overall physical nuisance.

41. Montreal Canadiens (via Pittsburgh) - William Moore - Center

The Canadiens have gotten some good players out of the NTDP in recent drafts. It’s strange to think that it’s possible (like forecasted in this mock) that none could be selected in the first round. Moore is a rangy pivot who has the tools but just needs to get stronger to become more consistent. Montreal can take a swing here in hopes that he puts things together to reach his upside.

42. New York Islanders - Ben Kindel - Center

A bit of a drop for Kindel due to concerns over his frame and skating ability, but he’s a top tier playmaker and a potential all situations pivot. With Eiserman in the system, it would make sense to target a high-end playmaker to help get him the puck in the future. Insert Kindel.

43. New York Rangers - Cole McKinney - Center

The Rangers have loved the NTDP in recent years and after taking Jackson Smith in round one, they opt for a bit safer prospect in round two. McKinney is one of the draft’s best defensive centers and he improved a ton offensively over the course of the season. He is a great fit in the Rangers’ system.

44. Detroit Red Wings - Alexander Zharovsky - Wing

Detroit hasn’t drafted a ton out of Russia lately, at least not like in the glory days, however this seems like the kind of player that they should be targeting here, especially if they go “safer” again with their first-round pick. Zharovsky is a skilled and creative playmaker who has terrific offensive upside. Gives them a player that they don’t have a ton of in the system currently.

45. Philadelphia Flyers (via Columbus) - Ryker Lee - Wing

A late bloomer physically, Lee is an intelligent and well-rounded offensive player who just needs to get stronger and quicker. There’s a bit of a similar profile to Alex Bump here, when the Flyers took him and that’s worked out pretty well for them so far. Why not go back and try to strike gold twice?

46. Utah Mammoth - Ivan Ryabkin - Center

At some point, someone is going to pull the trigger on Ryabkin early, even if his year was pretty disjointed. The offensive upside is simply too tantalizing to pass up and the Utah franchise has been all about swinging for the fences on Russian players in recent years. This feels like a fit.

47. Vancouver Canucks - Semyon Frolov - Goaltender

It definitely seems likely that the Canucks could look to bring in a goaltender with one of their early round picks this year, given the lack of a clear-cut top prospect in the pool. It seems pretty clear that the Canucks are size queens at the position and that screams Frolov, a big, athletic type that is likely one of the first off the board for the position.

48. Philadelphia Flyers (via Calgary) - Cameron Schmidt - Wing

When you have THIS many selections, you’re going to come to a point where the risk is worth the reward on a player. Schmidt isn’t perfect as a smaller winger, but he has among the highest goal scoring upside of any forward available this year.

49. Montreal Canadiens - Jack Murtagh - Wing

Back-to-back NTDP selections for the Canadiens in this mock. This is a bit of a fall for Murtagh, but his poor U18’s might have left a sour taste in the mouth of some chiefs of staff. He’s got the potential to be a solid complementary piece and that could fit in really well in the Canadiens system down the line.

50. New Jersey Devils - Matthew Gard - Center

A big pivot with good two-way upside and enticing physical tools. The Devils need to upgrade the center depth in their organization and Gard would be considered one of the better pivots still left on the board.

51. Boston Bruins (via St. Louis) - Jack Ivankovic - Goaltender

Given his lack of size, it does seem likely that other goaltenders go before Ivankovic, even if it’s debatable whether he’s the most talented netminder in the class. The Bruins badly need goaltending in the system with the two Providence standouts (Dipietro and Bussi) set to be UFA’s. The Bruins have had good luck historically with smaller netminders like Tim Thomas, Byron Dafoe, and Andy Moog, so this…kind of makes sense.

52. Minnesota Wild - Petteri Rimpinen - Goaltender

With the Wild’s first pick of the draft (after dealing their first), they take a goaltender who had a heck of a season in Rimpinen. He was the Liiga ROY and the top goaltender at the WJC’s. The reality is that Wallstedt’s development has stagnated and Rimpinen can push him pretty quickly.

53. San Jose Sharks (via Ottawa) - Carter Amico - Defense

The Sharks are loaded. We’ve already said it. But if there is a need in the system currently, it is a potential standout stay at home defender. Amico may just be this draft’s best, but he missed most of the year with a knee injury. San Jose can be patient with him in hopes that he can develop into a potential partner for someone like Luca Cagnoni down the line.

54. Calgary Flames (via Colorado) - David Bedkowski - Defense

After drafting so many high-end offensive defenders in recent years, you’d think Calgary could look to use one of their high end picks this year on a physical, stay at home type to pair with them down the line. We’re a bit lower on Bedkowski than the rest of the industry, but we expect him to be drafted this high. Calgary has also loved the OHL in recent years.

55. Nashville Predators (via Tampa Bay) - Pyotr Andreyanov - Goaltender

Another goaltender taken early because it’s a strong goalie draft. The Predators go with another Russian, who could end up being the best goalie in this class. With so many picks in a strong goalie year, we’d be shocked if the Predators don’t use one on a goalie to groom behind Saros.

56. Tampa Bay Lightning (via Los Angeles) - Adam Benak - Center

When you don’t have a ton in your system and your best prospect (Issac Howard) sounds like he’s spurning you, you’ve got to shoot for the stars. There’s obviously a chance that he’s a faller even further than this because of his size, but you get to a point where the risk is worth it. Benak could certainly end up being a great player for the Lightning.

57. Seattle Kraken (via Toronto) - Ethan Czata - Wing/Center

The Kraken have loved them some OHL since joining the league and even though they took a similar player in Nathan Villeneuve last year, you can’t have too many of these types of players come playoff time. Czata is a staunch competitor and two-way forward who projects as a possible elite third line player down the road.

58. Vegas Golden Knights - Max Psenicka - Defense

The Golden Knights haven’t taken a defender in the first two rounds since Daniil Chayka and that isn’t working out. So, with their first pick in the draft, they go to the WHL to select Import defenseman Max Psenicka. He’s got some really intriguing tools, but he’s still learning to use them to develop an identity.

59. Pittsburgh Penguins (via Washington) - Ben Kevan - Wing

Kevan is a well-rounded offensive player with a chance of developing into a middle six piece in the future. He would instantly become one of the higher upside forward prospects in the system, even if there’s a need for him to get quicker and refine his critical thinking skills on the ice.

60. Anaheim Ducks (via Winnipeg) - Eddie Genborg - Wing

The Ducks have really loved drafting out of Sweden in recent years and here they take Genborg, one of the draft’s most physical forwards. The offensive upside may be a bit limited, but he’s the kind of player who fits in the system well because he projects as a solid complementary piece to the other talented players they have. He’d be a potential playoff warrior for them when the time comes.

61. Boston Bruins (via Carolina) - Everett Baldwin - Defense

Prep kid from Rhode Island who is heading to Providence. Outstanding upside as a two-way defender and one of the better skaters in the draft. He’s a long-term project who needs time to improve his decision making, but he’s a somewhat local kid they would likely be very familiar with.

62. Chicago Blackhawks (via Dallas) - Charlie Trethewey - Defense

Coming into the season Trethewey was seen as a contender for the top defender selected along with Schaefer. Not the case anymore after a poor year with the NTDP. However, he still has great upside as a two-way defender with good mobility. The Hawks can take that chance that he gets back on track.

63. Toronto Maple Leafs (via Florida) - Alexei Medvedev - Goaltender

The Leafs haven’t used a pick in the first three rounds on a goalie since 2016 (when they took Joseph Woll), so they’re due. They’d be very familiar with Medvedev and his development from scouting Easton Cowan this year. His timeline also perfectly lines up with when the pro system will need a new injection of youth. He has the upside to be an NHL netminder and is one of our top goalies available this year.

64. New Jersey Devils (via Edmonton) - Theo Stockselius - Wing/Center

Stockselius is a player flying under the radar a bit right now who could go higher than the pre-draft consensus says. He’s a high IQ type who could potentially be a very versatile player for the Devils down the line. As his frame fills out, it will be interesting to see how the offensive side of things becomes more consistent for him.

]]> https://www.mckeenshockey.com/nhl-blog/mckeens-hockey-2025-nhl-draft-guide-two-round-mock-draft/feed/ 0 2025 MCKEEN’S NHL DRAFT GUIDE NOW AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE DOWNLOAD! https://www.mckeenshockey.com/nhl-blog/2025-mckeens-nhl-draft-guide-download/ https://www.mckeenshockey.com/nhl-blog/2025-mckeens-nhl-draft-guide-download/#respond Fri, 13 Jun 2025 19:05:49 +0000 https://www.mckeenshockey.com/?p=193595 Read More... from 2025 MCKEEN’S NHL DRAFT GUIDE NOW AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE DOWNLOAD!

]]> We are very proud to release our 2025 NHL Draft Guide. The culmination of a season's worth of scouting, travelling and logging countless hours on video, we want to thank our dedicated team of scouts across the country.

  • 140-page magazine (PDF format) for download
  • Top 300 NHL Draft Prospects
  • In-depth profiles with grades in five characteristics for forwards, six for goaltenders.
  • Best of skills rankings
  • A two round mock draft
  • Feature articles including interviews, top sleepers, plus much more ...

You can read about our final first round rankings in this free article

Subscribers can download the magazine here.

If you are not a subscriber and interested in learning more, you can learn more here. 

Subscribers will receive access for three months and will include all of our other NHL draft coverage as well preparation for the upcoming season. If you choose not to subscribe and wish for a direct download, that will be available next week.

Check out our in-depth profile of #1 ranked Matthew Schaefer as an example of our coverage. 

 

]]> https://www.mckeenshockey.com/nhl-blog/2025-mckeens-nhl-draft-guide-download/feed/ 0