Will Lockwood – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2023 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #22 New York Rangers

Josh Bell — Sun, 14 May 2023 14:48:50 +0000

Prospect System Ranking – 22^nd (20^th last year)

Expectations were high this season. The disappointment in a first-round loss to neighbors and rivals, the New Jersey Devils, was a tough pill to swallow. Chris Drury assumed the GM role in 2021, and he benefited from the fruits of the rebuild, announced in the famous 2018 letter from his predecessor. The Rangers have graduated six prospects from the last five drafts in Lafreniere (1^st), Schneider (19^th), Kakko (2^nd), Kravtsov (9^th – traded to Vancouver), K’Andre Miller (22^nd) and Nils Lundkvist (28^th – traded to Dallas). Since then, Drury has focused on the present in an attempt to win a Stanley Cup now, particularly following a conference final appearance in 2022. He traded his 2022 first round, second and fifth round picks for free agent Andrew Copp for that result. Copp moved on following the season. This year he made even more dramatic acquisitions in Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko, sending a slew of picks including the Dallas Stars first rounder they acquired for Lundkvist. Neither are likely to re-sign with the club.

With an outstanding core with a foundation goaltender in Igor Shesterkin, and perennial Norris candidate Adam Fox, they will be once again moving futures for immediate help. They have their own first round picks for the next three years, if the rest of the cupboard has been largely cleared out. While the pool is ranked in the bottom third, they have two excellent prospects that are highly ranked – Brennan Othmann (#30) and Zac Jones (#60) who should be able to make an impact in the near future. Jones as soon as next season, while Othmann probably needs more time to develop, but with top six potential.

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 29: New York Rangers Left Wing Brennan Othmann (78) and New York Rangers Defenseman Matt Barkowski (14) are pictured prior to the National Hockey League preseason game between the New Jersey Devils and the New York Rangers on September 29, 2022 at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY. (Photo by Joshua Sarner/Icon Sportswire)

Brennan Othmann

With the game on the line, there are not many prospects that you’d rather have on the ice. Brennan Othmann seems to shine when his team is in the thick of things, stepping up his game to the occasion. Selected 16th overall in 2021, he was coming off a season overseas with EHC Olten in the Swiss League, while also winning an Under 18’s gold medal. The next season, returning to the OHL as the captain of the Flint Firebirds, he popped off with a 97-point performance. He also helped Canada to a World Juniors gold medal - his first of two straight. His production has slowed this year, but there’s no call for panic with the prospect. He has one of the best shots of any prospect, has high-end offensive awareness, and brings a physical presence to the ice. He has top-six potential and should be a fan favourite.

2. Zac Jones

It feels like Zac Jones has been around forever with the Rangers. He was drafted in the 2019 NHL Draft, 68th overall, out of the USHL and the Tri-City Storm. With the Storm, he was named Rookie of the Year, led all defensemen in assists (45), and was named to the Second All-Star Team. He then jumped to the NCAA and UMass the following season, where he spent two years. In his sophomore season, he helped the team to an NCAA title, while being named to the All-Tournament team. He also dressed for Team USA at the World Championship, winning a bronze medal. He signed with the Rangers that season and has been on the cusp of breaking into the NHL ever since. He’s a strong quarterback, leading play from his own end. He’s a very intelligent player that will translate very well to the NHL and should be a successful top-four defender.

3. Will Cuylle

It’s been a steady rise for the Rangers’ 60th overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft since hearing his name called. After selecting Will Cuylle, he had to make the jump to the AHL during the OHL-cancelled season. He played well but didn’t impact the play too much. He returned to the OHL as the captain of the Windsor Spitfires in 2021-22, putting up an 80-point performance and adding another 31 points in the playoffs. That was enough for the Rangers who brought him back up to the Hartford Wolf Pack where he’s been the team’s top scorer. Cuylle has an excellent shot and loves to make things happen, always seeming to get involved in the play. He’s a strong player that knows how to use his strength, which should help him become an impactful third liner in the NHL. He’s seen some games this season and shouldn’t be too far off now.

4. Matthew Robertson

Drafted 49th overall in the 2019 NHL Draft, Matthew Robertson has always been a consistent, reliable defender. His development has then followed suit, steadily rising since his time with the Edmonton Oil Kings in the WHL. His production steadily rose, and the Ranger bet on that continuing when they called his name. In 2021-22, he made the jump to the AHL that steady trend upwards has continued. The question will be how high he can continue to rise or where he flattens out. A sturdy defender who moves well, especially for a 6-foot-4 player. He can chip in offensively, showing that he knows when to creep up into the play in the offensive zone. He keeps an active stick and does well at breaking plays up. There isn’t anything that screams NHL, but his lack of glaring holes is interesting as well. Unless he surprises, he’s likely en route to a role as a depth defender.

5. Adam Sykora

One of many exciting Slovak prospects in the 2022 NHL Draft, the Rangers called Adam Sykora’s name 63rd overall. He had spent the better part of the past two seasons with HK Nitra in the top Slovak professional league and remained there this season, steadily rising his stock each season. His 2021-22 season also impressed at the international level, dressing for Slovakia in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, D1A Under-18s, World Juniors, and the World Championships. Sykora is a hard-working prospect, who you can never seem to count out of a play. His hands also stand out, as he seems to catch every puck that comes near him. He’s a player that you could plug anywhere into the lineup, in any situation, and you’d be more than happy with his play. He likely carves out a comfortable role for himself as a third liner but could outperform that given his drive.

6. Dylan Garand

It seems to be a quiet fact that Dylan Garand is one of the top goaltending prospects out there right now. After a successful WHL career capped off by a dominant final season that saw him win WHL and GHL Goaltender of the Year, he’s now made the jump to the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack. A quick glance at his numbers would make it seem like he’s been struggling to adjust, but if you watch him you wouldn’t think that’s the case. He’s an athletic netminder that plays a great technical game, and his positioning is usually excellent. Garand is a calm presence behind a group of players that love his attitude and love playing in front of him, and that’s something that will influence how he progresses. As with most goalies, there’s no rush here and the Rangers can be patient with him in the AHL.

7. Bryce McConnell-Barker

Bryce McConnell-Barker headed into his OHL rookie campaign only to have the entire season shut down due to the pandemic. That impact on his development was big, losing a crucial year of development. He came into 2021-22, his new rookie season as well as his draft year, and had to get back up to speed. He had a good season but didn’t overly impress and went from a prospect once considered a first rounder to being selected 97th overall. This season, however, he was named team captain and took a massive step forward. The Rangers noticed this, signing him to his entry-level deal. He has a good wrist shot and seems to play a very smart, relatively mistake-free game. There’s nothing elite to his game that will carry him forward, but his consistency could see him rise to a bottom-six or depth piece.

8. Brett Berard

The players that never quit, always battle hard and seem to be involved in every play seem to make it more often than not, and Brett Berard may just fall into that category. After being drafted 134th overall in 2020 from the USNTDP, the winger moved to Providence College in the NCAA. It took him a season to adjust, but he got very comfortable in 2021-22, being named to the Hockey East Third All-Star Team. His production dipped a bit in 2022-23, but the Rangers saw enough, signing him to his first NHL contract and bringing him up to the AHL. He’s on the smaller side at 5-foot-9, but he always has his foot on the gas and has a deceptive amount of skill. His small-area game and ability to win puck battles stands out, as he always seems to end up with the puck. Look for him to carve out a bottom-six role for himself.

9. Ryder Korczak

Selected 75th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, Ryder Korczak seemed like he was going to steal an AHL roster spot to start the year but couldn’t find his footing and was ultimately sent back to the WHL’s Moose Jaw Warriors where he had a very strong season. In likely his last season in the league, he stood out as a leader on the team while having great production. His shot really took a step forward this season, as he looked much more comfortable shooting rather than his usual tendency to pass the puck. He does well at driving the play into the offensive zone and found success on the power play this season. His ceiling isn’t overly high and probably ends up as a depth forward but could be a player always in the conversation to earn a spot at the start of the season.

10. Will Lockwood

It’s been a long road for Will Lockwood who was drafted way back in 2016, 64th overall by the Vancouver Canucks. At the time, he was a good player on the USNTDP and was poised to make the jump to the University of Michigan. He made that jump and spent four seasons with the Wolverines, earning the “C” in his final year. In 2020-21, he jumped to the AHL, where he seemed to adjust fairly well to the new league, even earning a couple of games at the NHL level. That’s stuck for the next two seasons as well, bouncing between the leagues, before the Canucks decided to move on and sent him to the Rangers. He’s playing some excellent hockey with the Hartford Wolf Pack as a speedy, physical winger. If he keeps it up, he may just earn his first look with the Rangers. However, at this point, this is likely his ceiling.

MCKEEN’S 2022-23 NHL YEARBOOK – VANCOUVER CANUCKS – Top 20 Prospects

Contributors – Brock Otten, Chapin Landvogt, Ethan Hetu, Zack Szweras — Sun, 18 Sep 2022 21:51:37 +0000

211021 Djurgårdens Jonathan Lekkerimäki under ishockeymatchen i SHL mellan Djurgården och Oskarshamn den 21 oktober 2021 i Stockholm.
Foto: Andreas L Eriksson / BILDBYRÅN / COP 106 / AE0062

1 - Jonathan Lekkerimaki RW

Lekkerimaki was recently selected with the 15^th pick by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2022 NHL draft. He is the first of three Djurgårdens teammates who played together in the J20 this year to be selected in the first round, alongside Noah Ostlund (16^th) and Liam Ohgren (19^th). Lekkerimaki’s best offensive trait is his shot. He is able to set it up with slick hands allowing him to get into shooting position. When he shoots, he has a deceiving release, which helps to fool goalies. He has a habit of firing shots near the lower half of goaltenders, either five-hole or low blocker side. On top of his goal scoring ability, Lekkerimaki has immensely improved his playmaking ability, in part due to his sly hands. This past season he split time between J20 and the SHL. In the former level, he scored 20 goals and 35 points in 26 games, enough to impress Djurgårdens to give him 26 games in the SHL, in which he contributed nine points in a larger role than most draft eligible get in the top Swedish men’s league. Lekkerimaki really shined in this past April’s U18 tournament, where he led Sweden to gold and finished the tournament with a competition-leading 10 assists and 15 points in six games. With that performance, he was named to the U18 all-star team. Lekkerimaki looks to play the entirety of next season in the Allsvenskan with Djurgårdens and to continue to carve out a top-six role. - ZS

2 - Jack Rathbone D

The former Harvard standout is well positioned to take on a permanent role with the Vancouver Canucks this season. Among defenders who played 35 games or more in the AHL last season, Rathbone was one of two (along with Jordan Gross) to average over a point per game. Simply put, he was dominant at the AHL level with Abbotsford. In his short stints at the NHL level so far, things have been a little different. He has struggled in the defensive end, and he has looked tentative with the puck; that definitely wasn’t the case in the AHL. You can likely just chalk that up to nerves and a lack of confidence because Rathbone has the skill set to be a top four NHL defender. He skates well. He is electric when leading the attack out of the defensive zone with his ability to control the puck at full speed. He shows great offensive instincts inside the opposing blueline and is aggressive in looking to pinch down low to earn scoring chances. His mobility also helps him to defend well in transition. His zone coverage needs to improve, and he needs to get stronger on attackers down low, but if he is creating offense the way that he is capable of, these types of things can be overlooked (especially if he continues to work on them). Right now, the Canucks are heading into training camp with a hole in their top four, a hole many people are expecting Rathbone to fill. If he finally gains the confidence, he could be a sneaky Calder candidate. - BO

3 - Dmitri Zlodeyev C

It is extremely easy to root for Zlodeyev, as while he isn’t that naturally gifted in terms of size or athleticism – both particularly important in playing his natural position up the middle - he has the smarts to process the game in the right way. Last season was pretty tough for him, as he was first stuck playing junior hockey in the MHL and then he was traded to the Spartak organization, which was more willing to provide him the right development opportunities. Zlodeyev didn’t disappoint his new bosses, as he played well at all the levels for them, even if his stats didn’t always reflect that assessment, and he was ultimately rewarded with a two-year contract extension. As he is highly unlikely to be NHL ready in that timespan, the new contract should not be seen to alter his likelihood of coming to North America, and the fact that his Russian team was open to releasing him to join Vancoiver’s prospect camp is another good sign in that regard. There are good reasons to be excited about Zlodeyev’s near-term future, considering his great KHL preseason and the availability of KHL opportunities with his new team. On the other hand, he displays late-blooming qualities suggesting that the best is yet to come. Stay tuned. - VF

4 - Aidan McDonough LW

Aidan McDonogh was a seventh-round pick at the 2019 draft, coming off of a productive goal-scoring season in the USHL. McDonough had gone undrafted the year prior, having played at the high school level, but the Canucks evidently saw enough from him in the USHL to deem him worth a seventh-round investment as a wait-and-see prospect who would likely spend significant time at the college level. At Northeastern, McDonough has made the Canucks’ investment look shrewd. McDonough was one of the best pure goal scorers in the NCAA last season, potting 25 goals in 38 games. He has scored double-digit goals in each college season he’s played. McDonough has a filled-out six-foot-two frame and is quicker and better on his feet than one might expect from a seventh-rounder with his size/weight profile. That doesn’t mean McDonough is particularly fast, of course, it simply means he’s shown himself to be more capable of keeping up with an up-tempo offensive pace at the college level than might have been expected of him. McDonough’s shot is his best tool, but his goal-scoring is a bit too one-dimensional. He doesn’t attack the dirty areas of the ice like other goal scorers and doesn’t deviate from reliance on his shooting talent enough for me to have confidence that he’ll find other ways to contribute when he’s having an unlucky stretch with a low shooting percentage. His shot and overall level of skill offensively gives him a chance to be something more, but whether or not he has real NHL upside will depend on if his goal-scoring can translate from the NCAA to the pro level. - EH

5 - Jett Woo D

Woo’s transition to the pro level has been quite interesting thus far. For one, the offensive prowess that he showed in the WHL has not translated at all, with Woo showing himself to be more of a potential shutdown type at the pro level. For two, Woo’s second season in the AHL saw him playing on the wing to close out the year, with the coaching staff unimpressed with his development as a defender. Obviously, his future is still on the blueline, but it is also obvious that he will need to improve in his upcoming third pro season if he wants to remain in Vancouver’s long-term plans. Even if the offensive game only improves moderately, Woo still has the capability of being a defensive specialist at the NHL level. His mobility is excellent. He hits like the truck. He has a good stick in the defensive zone. However, if his confidence with the puck does not improve, his ceiling is likely limited to being more of a depth type who can play the PK and pair with an offensive type on the third pairing. In the final year of his ELC, Woo will be looking to earn another contract with improved play this coming season. - BO

6 - Michael DiPietro

Has there been a prospect whose development has been more mishandled than DiPietro’s thus far? A once promising goaltending prospect out of the OHL, his career has been sidetracked by mismanagement. First the Canucks embarrassed him in an emergency callup, allowing him to be shelled because they did not have the necessary organizational depth to cover for injuries. Then, in his second pro season, they opted to keep him on the taxi squad all year rather than allow him to play games in the AHL. Last year, he looked lost at times, with his confidence clearly broken. As such, his agency had asked for a trade out of Vancouver, but a partner has not yet been found. DiPietro still has NHL potential. He is extremely athletic. He never quits on a play and his maturity off the ice and his practice habits were lauded by those in the know in the OHL. There was always going to be a learning curve for him. He is not a huge goaltender, and his scrambling tendencies were going to have to be replaced by a more technically advanced approach. He showed great potential in his pro season, but then it all went downhill. So what’s next for Dipietro? His relationship with the Canucks’ organization appears fractured and it would be shocking if he were still part of the team next year. Wherever he goes next, there is a strong chance that he turns things around and re-establishes himself as a quality netminding prospect. - BO

7 - Arturs Silovs G

The 6’4”, 203-pound Silovs is coming off his first complete season of professional play in North America, consisting of 10 AHL appearances and another 10 in the ECHL. He also split the goaltending duties for Latvia at the men’s World Championship in Finland where he put up an outstanding 1.22 GAA and .952 save percentage. His play for the Trois-Rivières Lions of the ECHL – an assignment that was all about getting playing time – was promising with a solid 2.37 GAA and .920 save percentage. Those numbers were not duplicated with AHL Abbotsford, where he allowed 3.10 goals against per game while footing a sub-.900 save percentage. After Spencer Martin and Michael DiPietro assumed most of the AHL duties last season, Silovs will now have to duke things out with DiPietro and incoming veteran Collin Delia, should he not be loaned out to another club. Drafted as a player with 20 games of pro play in Latvia already under his belt, Silovs then split duties for the OHL Barrie Colts in his DY+1, before seeing very little play in the 20-21 season, meaning he's had some catching up to do. A tall goaltender with generally strong post-to-post movement, the hope is that he will take additional steps next season, ideally legitimizing his prospect status as a future NHL option. Alas, the competition within the organization is heavy and Silovs simply needs to see more action to earn continued reps. – CL

8 - Linus Karlsson C

Karlsson was selected in the third round, 87^th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2018 NHL draft. His best attribute is his shooting ability. He is often able to find the holes in the offensive end and set himself up for a scoring chance. When he receives the puck, he utilizes a quick release to beat goaltenders. On top of his offensive game, Karlsson also plays a strong two-way game. He has consistently been solid in the faceoff circle and is willing to be the first forward back on every shift. Something he should look to improve is the quickness in his skating stride. Adding some more strength to his frame could improve his first step, giving him an extra boost of speed. Since he was drafted by the Canucks, he has spent majority of his time in Sweden’s second league, the Allsvenskan. His game was truly elevated during the 2020-21 season, when he produced 51 points in 52 Allsvenskan games. That year he also helped his team qualify for the SHL, finishing second on his team in points in the qualification tournament with 15 in 11 games. He carried that success into the SHL this year where he scored 26 goals and 46 points in 52 games. This production led to the Canucks signing him to an entry level contract. This upcoming season, Karlsson is expected to play for AHL Abbotsford. The hope is that he can transition smoothly to North American ice and contribute for the Canucks as soon as next season. - ZS

9 - Danila Klimovich RW

Klimovich was selected in the 2^nd round of the 2021 draft after he opened eyes at that year’s U18 Worlds with six goals in five games for his native Belarus. His 6’2”, 200-pound build was already mature and several of his goals were downright Ovechkin-esque in nature. He immediately moved to North America last season, a big jump in quality of competition to the AHL from the Belorussian league. His season with Abbotsford was statistically underwhelming, but was nonetheless quite impressive for an teenager. Physically and athletically, he did not look out of place in the AHL by season’s end. Making use of considerable lower body strength, Klimovich skates with bent knees and rather straight upper body posture. He has become adept at the forecheck and will bust his behind to get back to his own end. The speed of the AHL game has forced him to make quicker decisions with and without the puck, but his hard, accurate shot still gets released quickly and from as many angles as possible. His wrist shot, his snapshot, and his slapshot – including the one-timer – are all NHL-level and will be his calling card as a pro. Klimovich loves to shoot and although he has some moves and is willing to pass, especially in transition, his propensity for shooting is what will be his calling card as a pro. - CL

10 - Will Lockwood RW

The 64^th overall selection in the 2016 draft by the Vancouver Canucks, Lockwood has had a long journey from there to his NHL debut. He was originally drafted after showing his two-way, tenacious game playing for the USNTDP. While his offensive skill wasn’t necessarily shining, his combination of speed, grit, and ability to play a 200-foot game made him a valuable asset that the Canucks were happy to add. After his selection, Lockwood elected to take the NCAA route, committing to play for Michigan. In his first season with the Wolverines, he showed intriguing offensive skill, netting 20 points in 30 games. Through the rest of his four years at Michigan he continued to play at just under a point per game pace. Lockwood was named captain as a senior in 2019-20. After completing his time at Michigan, he signed an entry level contract with the Canucks, and has spent the majority of the past two seasons playing in the AHL, producing 36 points in 70 games. During that time, he also made his NHL debut, appearing in 2 games during 2020-21 season and an additional 13 games last season, however he is yet to record his first NHL point. With his two-way ability, Lockwood projects to be valuable depth forward for the Canucks and an option for their NHL team if needed. - ZS

11 - Arshdeep Bains

The WHL’s leading scorer from last season inked an entry level contract with the Canucks and will begin his pro journey this year. Bains is skilled and smart, but is he a strong enough skater?

12 - Filip Johansson

A former first rounder of the Minnesota Wild, they opted to let Johansson walk to get a second-round compensatory pick in 2022. The Canucks signed the mobile puck moving defender and will loan him back to Frolunda for the year.

13 - Lucas Forsell

A speedy playmaking winger, Forsell had a strong finish to last season in the SHL. Now he will try to play a larger role with Farjestad this season and become a more consistent point producer.

14 - Connor Lockhart

A recent trade to the Peterborough Petes (OHL) should do well for Lockhart’s development. Lockhart is both a strong skater and scorer, but the rest of his game is a work in progress. He will need a big year to be signed.

15 - Daimon Gardner

A McKeen’s hockey favourite heading into the 2022 draft, offers an intriguing package of size and skill from the center position. He is a long-term project. Gardner will play in the BCHL with Chilliwack this season before attending Clarkson (NCAA).

16 - Elias Pettersson

Yes, it is hilarious that the Canucks selected Pettersson in 2022, given that they already have one (terrific) Elias Pettersson. However, this Elias is a potential two-way blueliner because of his strong mobility and assertiveness.

17 - Jacob Truscott

Truscott has been good, but not great through his two seasons at Michigan. He has a well-rounded skill set but may lack a true standout quality that makes him an NHL defender.

18 - Jonathan Myrenberg

A right shot defender with good size and intriguing athleticism, Myrenberg will try to be a full-time pro defender this year in Sweden, switching to Mora in the Allsvenskan (second tier).

19 - Joni Jurmo

The big and mobile defender is coming off his best season yet in Finland as a full time Liiga player. The former third round pick is still a project whose long-term upside remains a bit of a mystery.

20 - Jackson Dorrington

One of the most physically imposing defenders available in 2022, Dorrington will head to Northeastern this year where he should be able to solidify a full-time lineup spot as a freshman.

2021-22 TOP 15 PROSPECTS: VANCOUVER CANUCKS- RANK: #27 – TIER V

McKeen's Hockey — Sat, 11 Sep 2021 12:14:09 +0000

Vancouver Canucks

#27 Vancouver - Too many low upside picks limit the overall upside of the Vancouver system.

PLANO, TX USA - APRIL 27: Belarus's Danila Klimovich #20 controls the puck against Switzerland's Lilian Garessus #22 in preliminary round action at the 2021 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship at Children’s Health StarCenter on April 27, 2021 in Plano, TX USA. (Photo by Ryan McCullough/HHOF-IIHF Images)

Vasili Podkolzin

Podkolzin had a rather uneven season last year, as he was not able to fully convince his KHL coaches that he could be a key player for the team and therefore was given a rather limited role and opportunity. He was a true leader and captain of the U20 Team Russia at the World Juniors though; however, it would be fair to say that his offensive production underwhelmed in the same way that it did in the KHL. In general, the season showed that he is still undergoing some "growing pains" and has some deficits in his attacking game, making people question his overall upside as a skill-based player.

Next season will be an interesting one for him as he begins his journey in North America with the Canucks, after signing his ELC. With some unanswered questions about his potential, he will look to earn the trust of the coaches in training camp to earn a roster spot with the Canucks to further his development at the NHL level. However, he may have to start in the AHL. Given his high energy level and strong two-way abilities, Podkolzin should have little difficulty transitioning. However, just how much he produces offensively remains to be seen. At this point, Podkolzin is beginning to look more like a high end third line center than a top six forward, but this year will tell us more. - VF

Jack Rathbone

A scouting find for the Canucks, Rathbone was a pre-school wunderkind who actually stayed at school for an extra year after being drafted, before finally moving on to Harvard. While Ivy League schools usually keep their players on campus for at least three, if not four years before they turn pro, Rathbone left after only two seasons, partially because the school wouldn’t be playing hockey this year anyway, in light of the pandemic, and partially because he had little left to learn by playing against collegians. He was very good as a freshman, but as a sophomore, Rathbone was a First-Team All-Star among his conference peers, finishing the season with over one point per game as a defender.

His rookie pro season was a little up-and-down, but the downs only meant that he spent the first chunk of the abbreviated campaign on Vancouver’s taxi squad, not seeing game action until he was sent down to the AHL in late February. He was immediately too good for the AHL and by May, he was in the NHL. Rahtbone’s speed and dynamic puck game are reminiscent of another young Vancouver defender, Quinn Hughes, although it is hard to assume that kind of upside for anyone. The additions of Ekman-Larsson, Schenn, and Poolman will have eased the pressure on Rathbone to make the NHL roster right away, but he just might get there anyway. - RW

Michael DiPietro

It was a very weird year for DiPietro’s development in 2020/21. He spent the majority of the year on Vancouver’s taxi squad, rather than getting in games with Utica to aid in his development. This brought forward a lot of criticism towards Vancouver’s development model. The reality is that the pandemic situation (coupled with the US/Canada border issue) forced the Canucks’ hand as they needed a third goalie up with them and could not risk the quarantine policy in place given possible emergency situations. What effect playing four games in his second year as a pro has on his development remains to be seen.

When he did play with Utica towards the end of the year, DiPietro performed well. His performance even earned him a spot on Team Canada at the World Championships, where he was the third goalie. Always lauded for his athleticism and professionalism, DiPietro has the work ethic and the talent to be an NHL netminder and is one of the top goalie prospects on the planet for a reason. With the Canucks’ AHL team moving North to Abbotsford this season, he will get in another full year as a starter at that level and will be ready to contribute in the NHL should Demko or Halak get injured. - BO

Jett Woo

It was a year of transition for Woo, who embarked on his pro career with a shortened season for the AHL’s Utica Comets, posting five points in 28 games. It was a solid start for the young blueliner, who brought his physical brand of hockey to the pro level and finally began to see some secondary powerplay duties towards the end of the season.

A throwback style defenseman, Woo is known most for his aggressive, physical style that gets in the face of opponents. He is an excellent skater who can move the puck effectively and likes to jump into the rush. He has good instincts offensively but needs to continue to improve positioning without the puck and gain a better understanding of when to go for the big hit. In junior, he was able to recover from these situations due to his great mobility, but the pro level doesn’t afford those mistakes to the same degree. Additionally, his shot is accurate but lacks velocity from the point. Woo projects to be a solid #4-5 at the NHL level if he can continue to develop his game in the next couple of seasons. A full AHL campaign awaits. - AS

Olli Juolevi

It is hard to believe that Juolevi still has prospect eligibility as it feels like the 23-year-old former fifth overall selection has been around forever already. However, injuries have really derailed his development. Last year, Juolevi did spend the whole year with the Canucks, but was in and out of the lineup (as a scratch). In 23 games, he played relatively sparingly as part of Vancouver’s third pairing.

A competent two-way defender, the key for Juolevi is finding that niche at the NHL level. He skates well. He shows promise as a puck mover. He can be an effective player in the defensive end with his four-way mobility and transitional strengths. However, his decision making needs to tighten up and he needs to increase his physical intensity level. A long shot to be the kind of impact player normally expected of fifth overall selections, Juolevi still has a chance to develop into a serviceable #4-5 defender for Vancouver. However, he needs to stay healthy, and he needs to re-discover his confidence as a puck mover. There is an opportunity for him to grab an everyday lineup spot this season, but without significant progression, he runs the risk of being passed by others like Jack Rathbone and Jett Woo soon. - BO

Danila Klimovich

After tearing up the Belarussian junior league last season, Klimovich went to the World U18 Championships and put himself firmly on the draft radar, with six goals in five games. An offensive machine, both his shot and puck skills stand out as high-end. While the rest of his game is raw and in need of development, his strengths are strong enough to work with him to get his weaknesses mitigated enough to play. That is why the Canucks made him an early second round pick in 2021.

Like many players with his obvious offensive tools, Klimovich’s play off the puck needs some work. He will work hard in his own zone, but he is too often in the wrong spot to be really effective. He is very much a shoot-first forward, so his decision making with the puck is also at times lacking. Playing with a more uniformly higher quality of teammate and against a more uniformly higher quality of opponent will be necessary for him to begin to eliminate those bad habits. Despite the flaws in his game, Klimovich’s upside is rare, with easy top six potential. Vancouver will need to be patient, but the payoff is possibly immense. He was drafted in the CHL Import Draft last year by Rouyn-Noranda, but the pandemic prevented most imports from coming over for the 2020-21 season. Playing in the Q is an option this year, but he does look to be playing in the KHL with Dinamo Minsk. - McKeen’s Draft Guide 2021

Jonah Gadjovich

The Vancouver Canucks have to be really happy with the way Gadjovich has steadily improved in each of his first three pro seasons in the organization. His goals per game mark have steadily risen each season (0.09, to 0.34, to 0.79). The big power forward finally looks like he is ready for an NHL role this upcoming season, where he will compete for a bottom six role in training camp.

The key to Gadjovich’s improvement on the ice has been directly tied to his ability to become quicker. A big power forward, Gadjovich has always found his way to the net and brought a physical element, however with improvements to his explosiveness and agility, he has become a consistent scoring threat. Armed with an extremely heavy shot and great scoring instincts, the next test will come at the NHL level. Can Gadjovich keep up? Just how much has his skating improved? Vancouver will have a tough choice to make, as Gadjovich is out of options and will need to be rostered in order to avoid waivers. The hope is that he can play a consistent fourth line role this upcoming season and then slowly become more involved offensively as he gains confidence. His high-end upside is that of a middle six scoring winger and powerplay threat. - BO

Will Lockwood

With the possible exception of his junior year in Ann Arbor, Lockwood has always shown himself to be an energy winger with just enough skill to allow teams to hope for more than bottom line production at his best. The junior year was an exception (maybe), as it was the only season since his U16 days in which he even approached point-per-game production. Lockwood’s senior season with Michigan saw his numbers regress back to his normal range (23 points in 33 games) and his rookie professional season last year was even lower, although the smaller sample size may have prevented him from showing adjustments, and in fairness, he did end the year on a three-game point streak.

At the end of the day, though, Vancouver will not be looking to Lockwood for more than moderate, supporting offense. They would be happy for him to be effective as a disruptor and agitator on a bottom six line, possibly supporting the penalty kill while he’s at it. He is a solid skater, plays a ‘hit first, ask questions later’ style game, and has just enough skill with the puck that the opposition can’t take him for granted. Given the Canucks’ lack of forward depth, he will likely have a chance to open the season in the NHL, but his general lack of professional experience indicates that more AHL time would be ideal. - RW

Jacob Truscott

Going from a depth role with a strong USNTDP to a depth role in a ridiculous Michigan program, Truscott has seen his chances to show what he can do limited of late. Our belief in him stems from the variety of things he showed as capable during his pre-draft year, indicative of a player with a broad skill set, if not the deepest skill set, and the creativity and quickness of thought to always be capable of surprising.

Watching him in his bottom pairing job last year, we saw a defender who was playing somewhat tentatively, overly carefully, trying to earn the trust of his coaching staff, and by extension, a greater role in the following seasons. He avoided overt displays of rugged physicality, seemingly to avoid spending time in the penalty box. To his credit, Truscott held his own in his own end, earning some regular penalty killing duties in the process, and hopefully setting the stage for an expanded role there next year. And every now and then, if you watched closely, he demonstrated that his offensive tools could work at this new level. Continued progress would mean the removal of his shackles – whether they were put on himself or placed upon him by the coaching staff – and working to expand his comfort zone. We will know more about his ultimate projection once we see him play more comfortably in college. - RW

Carson Focht

Carson Focht seemingly plateaued over his WHL career. He never reached a point per game pace even in his last season. However, Focht is a hard nose player that brings a bit of grit and sandpaper to your line up. He seems destined for a bottom-line role where he can be an effective agitator and good sized player who can lean on opponents and patrol the center of the ice. He is a pretty sound player in his own end and plays a simple and effective game. His speed is fine, and he is willing to throw his body around, especially on the forecheck. His hands are average, but he doesn’t flash high end skill when he has the puck on his stick.

Certainly, his effort and attention to details away from the puck give him a shot at carving out a bottom six role. His production in his first AHL season while not spectacular was enough to show he can translate his game to a bottom six pro style role. He will return to the AHL this year, now with the newly minted Abbotsford Canucks and will look to improve his offensive production, while also becoming an elite level shutdown forward. - VG

Karel Plasek

Drafted in 2019, the Canucks are still looking for Plasek to find greater consistency in his game. He has all the tools to become a solid middle six winger, but his performance in the Czech men’s leagues has been underwhelming thus far. He will finally make the trek to North America to play in the AHL next season and Canucks’ fans are incredibly interested to see how he performs.

Joni Jurmo

A third-round selection in 2020, Jurmo combines size and mobility on the back end and was drafted because of his projectable skill set. Most certainly a project, Jurmo will look to play full time at the Liiga level this coming season, joining the Jukurit organization.

Dmitri Zlodeyev

Injuries were a bit of a problem for the competitive two-way center this past season, but he still managed to win an MHL Championship with MHK Dynamo Moskva. Next season, the Canucks will be looking for Zlodeyev to finally get some experience at the KHL level, in addition to making the Russian World Junior’s roster.

Aidan McDonough

The first two seasons at Northeastern have gone swimmingly for McDonough as he has become a go-to offensive weapon for the program. A big winger with a goal scorer’s touch, McDonough is deadly in tight. As he returns to college for his junior season, the Canucks will be looking for him to take that next step and become one of the better offensive players in the Hockey East.

Arvid Costmar

A strong two-way forward, Costmar has performed exceptionally well at the J20 level in Sweden since being drafted. However, his offensive production at the SHL level has been underwhelming. Costmar will attempt to breakthrough this season with Linkoping and take that next step to prove to Vancouver management that he is deserving of an NHL ELC.

McKeen’s 2020-21 Hockey Yearbook: Vancouver Canucks Top 20 Prospects

Rachel Howard — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 22:39:00 +0000

McKeen's Top 20 New York Rangers prospects for the 2020-21 season. You can read an organizational assessment prior to the draft in Ryan Wagman's article found here. Following the draft we provided a review on each teams performance based on our rankings found here.

Vasili Podkolzin, RW (10^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 1)

Podkolzin is a dynamic winger with a lot of good assets in his toolbox. He is a strong skater with terrific balance and is technically solid. He can get to top speed within a few strides. He is exceptionally good at puck protection and has a creative hockey mind. He works hard and plays a physical game. He still lacks a bit of consistency in his production, but he has been a teenager playing against men and he gets pushed out physically when he tries to create. He is not a typical transition player; he likes to play tight to the body and create from down low which makes a lack of physical strength a natural problem. Podkolzin also sometimes tries to be too creative instead of just making the easy play. He will always aid his team’s puck possession with elite skills and do good things with that possession. Although he did not score many points, his underlying numbers were good, and it is expected that he will receive a bigger role in the KHL this season. He has one more year with St Petersburg after which he could compete for a top six role with the Canucks. - JH

Nils Hoglander, LW (40^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 2)

WJC star Hoglander plays intensively and is particularly strong in the corners and around the net. He will set up a power play or drive the play all over the ice. His passes to the slot were more frequent during the WJC than in the SHL as he was constantly trying to create. He is small and is not to able to break away from his opponents in the corners in the same way at the senior level as he did at the World Juniors, and that could be a concern as he prepares to transition to North America and the NHL, as his game prevails through stick handling, covering the puck and making quick turns and creative plays. That type of game will be tough for him in the NHL and he will need to vary his game. Hoglander was supposed to start the 2020-21 season with the Canucks organization, trying to earn a spot in the NHL; While he waits for the NHL to start, he has returned to the SHL, where his offensive game has begun to take off. - JH

Olli Juolevi, D (5^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 3)

After playing his first nearly full season as a professional with AHL Utica, Juolevi seemed to be playing back to the same high level as made him the fifth overall pick in 2016. He brings a high hockey IQ and composure to any situation and as he grew more comfortable facilitating more scoring chances as well. He is a good skater, a good puck handler, and the type of player you forget is on the ice until he helps out in scoring or putting the puck in the net himself. He should certainly be making his long-awaited debut with the Canucks’ bottom pairing in 2020-21, where he will stay until he has mastered the NHL game enough to move up the lineup. Juolevi will simply have to be more physical to differentiate himself and to earn added trust from the coaching staff, learning to protect himself better in an organization that is not known for their grit. - SC

Jett Woo, D (37^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 4)

Woo has the potential to play on a second pairing but lacks the offensive toolkit that many were expecting after his eye-popping seasons in Moose Jaw. He is an effective, physical, in-your-face defender who skates well and competes hard for every inch of ice. He is tenacious in his own zone using big hits, stick checks, good reads and aggression to minimize the opponent’s ability to get to his net. His gap control is good, and opponents know he will step up if they bobble the puck or show any hesitation in the neutral zone. He is a fine passer, capable of making good plays to start the transition, however his decision making in the offensive zone is concerning. His vision is good, but he frequently tries to do too much and turns over the puck at inopportune times. While Woo is capable of recovering better than most, he is more the complementary defender than the one the dictates the offense. He plays the game the right way and has an edge and abrasiveness in handling himself. He is willing to jump into the rush and has the speed to get himself into the play as a trailer. - VG

Jack Rathbone, D (95^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 5)

From the moment Rathbone stepped on the ice at Harvard, even as a freshman, he made an impact. While there is usually an adjustment period for rookies when transitioning to college hockey, especially for those who come straight from prep school as he did, some, like Rathbone, are exceptions. An offensive defenseman, last year he ranked fourth on the team in scoring, leading all Crimson defenders. His shot is characterized by a quick release. He appeared on the team’s second penalty kill unit and the first power play unit. He was possibly the team’s best puck mover on the power play. He is excellent at running the unit from the point. Defensively, he has a very active and quick stick and is able to poke check effectively, minimizing the negative impact of his smaller stature. Rahtbone’s offensive capabilities as well as his solid defensive skills give him a legitimate chance at making the NHL in a top half of roster role, a journey which will move to the professional ranks next season. - JS

Will Lockwood, RW (64^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 6)

On the small side, but incredibly feisty, Lockwood spent the full four seasons at the University of Michigan, before finally signing an ELC with the Canucks shortly after COVID-19 paused play the world over. The former USNTDP grinder had an up-and-down collegiate career with the Wolverines, but his best two seasons were certainly his last two. He is a strong skater who can flash creativity with the puck in the offensive zone, can tend to play too deliberately as well, negating his inherent skill set. When he plays decisively, Lockwood has been a disruptive presence at the collegiate level. He plays a physical game, especially when he plays angry and relishes open ice checking. He is the type of player who could be ready for the NHL within one season of turning pro, but whose reasonable upside is never more than a bottom six winger, who could frustrate with the hints of more, but who can’t show it consistently enough for the possibility to be reasonable. - RW

Michael DiPietro, G (64^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 7)

DiPietro brings a new definition to the word ‘focus’ with an ultra-dialed-in and intense personality. He performs reliably well every game and gives maximum effort, no matter the opponent. He has a good track record for performing well under pressure and for keeping a good attitude, going above and beyond when it comes to athleticism, which he must due to his smaller size. He reads plays well and does well in one on one situations however he will have to battle harder to get to his position in net scrambles, as he works towards a permanent NHL role. The future is bright for DiPietro, who is so naturally gifted with the right instincts, attitude, and athleticism needed to be a top level goaltender, look for him to have a go at an NHL job within the next season should he start off the upcoming season the same way with Utica. - SC

Zack MacEwen, RW (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 3, 2017. Previous ranking: 8)

MacEwen is not a cookie cutter smooth-skating type. Instead he is the hard working, crash and bang guy that brings a lot of energy to a roster. He is not the most graceful of skaters and does not stand out for skill either, but he does well at completing the little things. He is a steady net front presence, forces turnovers, and plays the body at the right times. A little clumsy at times, he has learned to be a good backchecker and defend well in his own zone, however he still needs to work on his passing in order to avoid turnovers and better contribute to the breakout. It is no surprise that MacEwen has earned a spot on the Vancouver Canucks 2020 playoff roster as he brings the right energy and can get the job done in a way that the other players cannot, which is why he is an asset to their bottom six, and should continue to play at the highest level as long as his cap hit remains low. – SC

Jacob Truscott, D (144^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

In every game with the USNDTP, there will be one or two moments where Truscott authors a play that makes you take notice. And each of those moments were substantially different. Those good plays would not be at all possible if he were not an above average skater, with impressive acceleration, very good edges and pivots and top speed, and mostly incredible backwards skating. The package plays into his heads-up game. He reads and processes the game fast and is very decisive when the situation calls for action. He can react correctly to a broken play. He can also excel in driving the play, as he can set and alternately vary the pace. He plays with mature composure. On the other hand, Truscott lacks flash. He has a decent wrist shot from the point, but not a power play quarterback rocket. He can skate with the puck but doesn’t often execute high level trickery. He can time the odd big hit but lacks the big frame to play that style with regularity. At the end of the day, he can leverage what he has into a long and successful career on a good team’s second pairing. – RW

Joni Jurmo, D (82^nd overall, 2020. Previous ranking NA)

Jurmo is a big-risk/big-reward player. The physical tools are impossible to miss. He skates beautifully, with a fast and powerful stride. His edges are solid and his has four-way mobility, and the speed is remarkable. His carries out of his own end are thrilling. On the other hand, he is still incredibly raw. He has not often shown the ability to slow the game down, regroup and let the play come to him. He has shown significant improvement in his own zone work this year, to his credit, reading the play better and forcing opposing forwards to the outside, but he still has a way to go in this regard. There could also be some concern that he lacks experience at high levels, or at prestigious age-group tournaments. Jurmo recently moved from the Jokerit system to JyP, where he is expected to play in Liiga this season. If Vancouver can be patient, he represents a potential play on a future top four defender with dynamic qualities. He has come a long way in the last two seasons and still has room for added development. He might not get there, but it was a gamble worth taking. – RW

Kole Lind, RW (33^rd overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 9)

Lind has finally had the breakout confidence-replenishing year that staff and writers were hoping for. He is a good shooter and good at making quick plays and reacting to what is going on around him. He can be relied upon to play special teams, however he is not the smoothest of skaters, but he makes up for it in the way he gets to the net and his work ethic on the forecheck. Lind will certainly have to get faster and more agile on his blades, but his hands and his passing are good and lead him oftentimes to contributing to good scoring opportunities or assisting on plays. He will most likely earn his chance to crack the Canucks lineup this coming season as a potential third liner alternating in the bottom six if he finds another gear for his skating and on ice agility while continuing to work on his two way play. - SC

Brogan Rafferty, D (Undrafted Free Agent, signed 1, 2019. Previous ranking: 10)

After leading the AHL Utica Comets in points for defensemen it is safe to say that Rafferty is a strong and dependable defenseman in the Vancouver pipeline. All of his skills are good, and his positioning and hockey IQ are what lead him to stand out, earning points in nearly every game. He will need to get a bit tougher when it comes to physicality and taking the body, but aside from that there is nothing of concern. He brings a great two-way game and is nearly always in the right position which could be an asset for the Canucks looking into next season, despite this past season only being Rafferty’s rookie year. A late bloomer, his potential may be surprisingly high because of the progression he has had so far, however when he gets the call up look to see him as part of the bottom four to start proving himself. - SC

Aidan McDonough, LW (195^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 12)

McDonough’s value may turn out to be higher than his seventh-round draft pick status. After graduating from prep school at Thayer Academy, McDonough spent one season in the USHL with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders before entering the collegiate ranks. As a freshman, he was one of the highest-scoring players for Northeastern and the highest-scoring freshman by a mile and earned the team’s rookie of the year award. He has a big frame but could be stronger on the puck, although he is not afraid to engage in puck battles. While he needs to pump his legs on his strides, he is very hard to contain in the offensive zone as he glides around. McDonough is a sharp passer and can score from multiple spots but buzzes frequently around the net. While he certainly held his own as a freshman, he is still raw and needs to refine his game more before turning pro. - JS

Marc Michaelis, RW (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 19, 2020. Previous ranking: 13)

The NCAA’s top scorer over the past four seasons, Michaelis was a First Team WCHA All American through each of his four seasons at Minnesota State. The slight German winger already had a lengthy history of high-level international play, including two appearances at the World Championships for his homeland before signing as a free agent with Vancouver a few days into the COVID-19 lockdown. Michaelis makes himself seen through high end skating ability, which allowed him to skate laps around the WCHA competition, as well as very interesting playmaking potential, with vision and creativity. The skating will have to be his ticket to the NHL though, as his playmaking ability has been more a function of brains than pure skill, leaving in question how much those brains will allow him to play up as a pro. If Michaelis makes the adjustment to the pro pace and continues to make his presence felt in the offensive end, he could push himself up to the highest level for a lengthy stay. – RW

Dmitri Zlodeyev, C (175^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Zlodeyev is a strong two-way center who shows extremely well off the puck. He uses his strong skating to apply pressure on the forecheck and was one of the anchors of Russia’s penalty killing unit at the U18 level. Additionally, he excels at the faceoff dot. As an offensive player, he is at his best working the half wall, where he can use his quick feet to elude checks and create lanes to attack. He is more of a playmaker than a goal scorer but is willing to drive the net and can finish from in tight with a quick release. The remaining question is his upside. Zlodeyev is a skill player, but it is not clearly enough yet to project to a scoring line role in North America, and without the strength to play in a bottom six role, he may be stuck as a tweener. His early work this year in the VHL (Russia’s second men’s league) is promising enough that he might just make it work, even if he is only in the early stages of his journey. – BO

Linus Karlsson, C (Trade: Feb. 25, 2019. Originally: 87^thoverall, 2018 [San Jose]. Previous ranking: 14)

A big center with nice hands who was acquired in a pure Swedish prospect trade, as Jonathan Dahlen was sent the other way to San Jose. Karlsson is not as a big name in Sweden as Dahlen is but Karlsson is a decent prospect in his own right, and he scored 40 points in Allsvenskan as a 20-year-old. He is an offensive minded center with an above average shot and above average hands. He is not elite an any way but a decent depth prospect, and if everything goes well, he could be a good third line option in the future. He needs to work on his skating and play at a faster pace to reach the highest level. He will have a couple more years of development before he can be ready to compete for a spot. I would be surprised if he has a long NHL career, but I can definitely see him being a good SHL player in near future. – JH

Guillaume Brisebois, D (66^th overall, 2015. Previous ranking: 11)

The last three seasons with the Utica Comets for Brisebois have not gone as originally hoped since his near fifty-point final season in the QMJHL. Brisebois has struggled to produce a similar offensive output and anywhere near the success he had in major junior. He plays with grit and passion and brings a focus to every game that is admirable as he is always ready to make a play. The downside to his game is the fact that he has not been able to find the same confidence as he once had, and he has struggled to even get his passing game going. The hope is that next season Brisebois will finally find the extra gear he once seemed to have and reach his potential before it is too late. He will most likely be able to qualify for one more crack at a roster spot on the Canucks, hoping to find a home at the bottom of the defensive rotation. - SC

Arvid Costmar, C (215^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 15)

The 215th pick in 2019 took good steps during the season. He was a steady top line center for the junior team and played big minutes. His production went up and he doubled his goal total last season despite playing 15 games less than the year before. He received some cups of tea at the senior level as well, but without success. In Allsvenskan he had a more diminished role when he played. His skating speed needs to improve but is a skilled offensive-minded player with good hands. His puck skills excel well on the power play as he likes to set up the play. He is also skilled one-on-one and can make nice dekes. For next season, I would like to see him earn a top six role on an Allsvenskan team and compete for a WJC roster spot. To do so he will need to work on his all-around game and play at a higher pace. – JH

Petrus Palmu, LW/RW (181^st overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 16)

One of the smallest drafted prospects around, Palmu tore up the OHL as an Import player, but has spent the bulk of the past three seasons back in Finland. At every stop, he has left little doubt but that he is a dynamic, productive offensive player, with only the mild exception of his 12-game stint in the AHL in 2018-19. Just from a tools perspective, he isn’t the most impressive. He skates well, but questionably whether he is fleet enough to overcome his size concern. He has fast hands, and reads the game well, but neither approaching elite. He is not a sniper. But somehow, he has made it all work well together to give him an overall package that has been greater than the sum of his parts. Like all players of his stature, even ones who play with his courage, Palmu will need to prove himself anew at every new level, and next up is the AHL, to which he is expected to play this year. - RW

Carson Focht, C (133^rd overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 17)

Drafted as a moderately offensive second year eligible, Focht’s post draft performance was somewhat disappointing, as he failed to take his game to another level in the WHL. Not meeting expectations is not new for Focht, the one-time seventh overall pick in the WHL Bantam Draft. This is not to imply that his professional prospects are dead, as his game has elements that could fit in a bottom six role. He has decent size, and he can play with some grit up and down the ice. When his team has possession, he some smooth hands and the wherewithal to keep the play moving in the right direction. On the right day, he can even look like a sniper, with a very quick release on his snapshot. He just doesn’t do it all at once, or consistently. Still unsigned, it is unclear where he will play this year, as he turns 21 in early February. - RW

McKeen’s 2020-21 Hockey Yearbook: Top 300 Prospect Rankings

McKeen's Hockey — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 17:09:56 +0000

These are our final prospect ranking prior to the start of the season. As a subscriber you can download the list in an excel chart and can link to the player pages in the chart found here. As always, the rankings you see below are based on our 20-80 scouting system looking at five categories for skaters (Skating, Shot, Puck Skills, Hockey Smarts, Physicality) and six for netminders (Athleticism/Quickness/Speed, Compete/Temperament, Vision/Play Reading, Technique/Style, Rebound Control, Puck Handling). Our prospect team spent large portions of their last few months pre-COVID in the rinks, watching the players below and many others, and further work on video (Instat Hockey has been a terrific resource in recent days) before passing judgement on their future projections.

The 20-80 scouting system is meant to allow players from different leagues in different parts of the world to be compared to one another, such that grades on a player in the OHL can be directly compared to grades from an AHL player, and to grades of someone playing in the MHL.

PROSPECT CRITERIA

Players under 26 years of age as of the September 15th prior (Sep. 15, 1994) to the season in question who have appeared in less than 60 NHL games (30 for goalies) and less than 35 in any one season – or 25 last year (20 for goalies, 15 last season) are considered prospects

RANK	PLAYER	NHL	POS	AGE	HT/WT	ACQUIRED
1	Alexis Lafreniere	NYR	LW	19	6-1/195	`20(1st)
2	Tim Stutzle	Ott	C	18	6-1/185	`20(3rd)
3	Quinton Byfield	LA	C	18	6-4/215	`20(2nd)
4	Trevor Zegras	Ana	C	19	6-0/170	`19(9th)
5	Kirill Kaprizov	Min	LW	23	5-10/200	`15(135th)
6	Lucas Raymond	Det	LW	18	5-11/170	`20(4th)
7	Dylan Cozens	Buf	C	19	6-3/185	`19(7th)
8	Bowen Byram	Col	D	19	6-0/195	`19(4th)
9	Peyton Krebs	VGK	C	19	5-11/180	`19(17th)
10	Jake Sanderson	Ott	D	18	6-1/185	`20(5th)
11	Moritz Seider	Det	D	19	6-3/185	`19(6th)
12	Jamie Drysdale	Ana	D	18	5-11/175	`20(6th)
13	Igor Shesterkin	NYR	G	25	6-1/190	`14(118th)
14	Alexander Holtz	NJ	RW	18	6-0/190	`20(7th)
15	Cole Perfetti	Wpg	LW	19	5-10/180	`20(10th)
16	Marco Rossi	Min	C	19	5-9/185	`20(9th)
17	Vasili Podkolzin	Van	RW	19	6-1/190	`19(10th)
18	Victor Soderstrom	Ari	D	19	5-11/180	`19(11th)
19	Nick Robertson	Tor	LW	19	5-9/160	`19(53rd)
20	Cole Caufield	Mtl	RW	19	5-7/165	`19(15th)
21	Yaroslav Askarov	Nsh	G	18	6-3/175	`20(11th)
22	Spencer Knight	Fla	G	19	6-3/195	`19(13th)
23	Philip Broberg	Edm	D	19	6-3/200	`19(8th)
24	Jack Quinn	Buf	RW	19	6-0/180	`20(8th)
25	Matthew Boldy	Min	LW	19	6-1/190	`19(12th)
26	Nils Lundkvist	NYR	D	20	5-11/180	`18(28th)
27	Seth Jarvis	Car	RW	18	5-10/175	`20(13th)
28	Ty Smith	NJ	D	20	5-10/180	`18(17th)
29	Grigori Denisenko	Fla	LW	20	5-11/185	`18(15th)
30	Barrett Hayton	Ari	C	20	6-1/190	`18(5th)
31	Alex Newhook	Col	C	19	5-10/195	`19(16th)
32	Thomas Harley	Dal	D	19	6-3/190	`19(18th)
33	Alex Turcotte	LA	C	19	5-11/185	`19(5th)
34	Vitali Kravtsov	NYR	RW	21	6-3/185	`18(9th)
35	Philip Tomasino	Nsh	C	19	5-11/180	`19(24th)
36	Connor McMichael	Wsh	C	19	5-11/175	`19(25th)
37	Dawson Mercer	NJ	C	19	6-0/180	`20(18th)
38	Ilya Sorokin	NYI	G	25	6-2/180	`14(78th)
39	Gabriel Vilardi	LA	RW	21	6-3/200	`17(11th)
40	Ryan Merkley	SJ	D	20	5-11/170	`18(21st)
41	Alexander Romanov	Mtl	D	20	5-11/185	`18(38th)
42	Kaiden Guhle	Mtl	D	18	6-2/190	`20(16th)
43	Samuel Poulin	Pit	LW	19	6-1/205	`19(21st)
44	K'Andre Miller	NYR	D	20	6-3/205	`18(22nd)
45	Scott Perunovich	StL	D	22	5-10/175	`18(45th)
46	Evan Bouchard	Edm	D	21	6-2/195	`18(10th)
47	Braden Schneider	NYR	D	19	6-2/200	`20(19th)
48	Juuso Valimaki	Cgy	D	22	6-2/205	`17(16th)
49	Cam York	Phi	D	19	5-11/175	`19(14th)
50	Anton Lundell	Fla	C	19	6-1/185	`20(12th)
51	Morgan Frost	Phi	C	21	5-11/180	`17(27th)
52	Owen Tippett	Fla	RW	21	6-1/200	`17(10th)
53	Albert Johansson	Det	D	19	5-11/165	`19(60th)
54	Liam Foudy	CBJ	C	20	6-0/175	`18(18th)
55	Kieffer Bellows	NYI	LW	22	6-0/200	`16(19th)
56	Arthur Kaliyev	LA	RW	19	6-2/190	`19(33rd)
57	Oliver Wahlstrom	NYI	RW	20	6-1/205	`18(11th)
58	Nils Hoglander	Van	RW	20	5-9/185	`19(40th)
59	Matias Maccelli	Ari	LW	20	5-11/170	`19(98th)
60	Tobias Bjornfot	LA	D	19	6-0/200	`19(22nd)
61	Jacob Bernard-Docker	Ott	D	20	6-0/180	`18(26th)
62	Connor Zary	Cgy	C	19	6-0/180	`20(24th)
63	Dominik Bokk	Car	RW	20	6-1/180	T(StL-9/19)
64	Ryan Suzuki	Car	C	19	6-0/180	`19(28th)
65	Dylan Samberg	Wpg	D	21	6-3/190	`17(43rd)
66	Jake Bean	Car	D	22	6-1/175	`16(13th)
67	Josh Norris	Ott	C	21	6-1/195	T(SJ-9/18)
68	Rasmus Kupari	LA	C	20	6-1/185	`18(20th)
69	Jakob Pelletier	Cgy	LW	19	5-9/165	`19(26th)
70	Drake Batherson	Ott	RW	22	6-1/190	`17(121st)
71	Jan Jenik	Ari	RW	20	6-1/180	`18(65th)
72	John-Jason Peterka	Buf	LW	18	5-11/190	`20(34th)
73	Kirill Marchenko	CBJ	LW	20	6-3/190	`18(49th)
74	Bode Wilde	NYI	D	20	6-2/195	`18(41st)
75	John Beecher	Bos	C	19	6-3/210	`19(30th)
76	Tyler Madden	LA	C	21	5-10/155	T(Van-2/20)
77	Jack Studnicka	Bos	C	21	6-1/170	`17(53rd)
78	Jake Oettinger	Dal	G	22	6-4/210	`17(26th)
79	Alex Formenton	Ott	LW	21	6-2/165	`17(47th)
80	Matthew Robertson	NYR	D	19	6-3/200	`19(49th)
81	Calen Addison	Min	D	20	5-10/180	T(Pit-2/20)
82	Ty Dellandrea	Dal	C	20	6-0/185	`18(13th)
83	Akil Thomas	LA	C	20	5-11/170	`18(51st)
84	Mavrik Bourque	Dal	C	18	5-10/180	`20(30th)
85	Ian Mitchell	Chi	D	21	5-11/175	`17(57th)
86	Jason Robertson	Dal	LW	21	6-2/195	`17(39th)
87	Hendrix Lapierre	Wsh	C	18	5-11/180	`20(22nd)
88	Brendan Brisson	VGK	C	19	5-11/180	`20(29th)
89	Theodor Niederbach	Det	C	18	5-11/175	`20(51st)
90	Zac Jones	NYR	D	20	5-10/175	`19(68th)
91	Robert Mastrosimone	Det	LW	19	5-10/160	`19(54th)
92	Joe Veleno	Det	C	20	6-1/195	`18(30th)
93	Rodion Amirov	Tor	LW	19	6-0/170	`20(15th)
94	Jake Neighbours	StL	LW	18	5-11/195	`20(26th)
95	Julien Gauthier	NYR	RW	23	6-4/225	T(Car-2/20)
96	Justus Annunen	Col	G	20	6-4/215	`18(64th)
97	Egor Zamula	Phi	D	20	6-4/175	FA(9/18)
98	Shane Pinto	Ott	C	20	6-2/190	`19(32nd)
99	Noel Gunler	Car	RW	19	6-2/175	`20(41st)
100	Ridly Greig	Ott	C	18	5-11/165	`20(28th)
101	Jesse Ylonen	Mtl	RW	21	6-1/185	`18(35th)
102	Samuel Fagemo	LA	RW	20	6-0/195	`19(50th)
103	Mattias Norlinder	Mtl	D	20	5-11/180	`19(64th)
104	Olli Juolevi	Van	D	22	6-3/200	`16(5th)
105	Kristian Vesalainen	Wpg	LW	21	6-3/205	`17(24th)
106	Raphael Lavoie	Edm	RW	20	6-4/195	`19(38th)
107	Jan Mysak	Mtl	C	18	5-11/180	`20(49th)
108	Cayden Primeau	Mtl	G	21	6-3/180	`17(199th)
109	Pavel Dorofeyev	VGK	LW	20	6-1/170	`19(79th)
110	Morgan Barron	NYR	C	22	6-2/200	`17(174th)
111	Ville Heinola	Wpg	D	19	5-11/180	`19(20th)
112	Dylan Holloway	Edm	C	19	6-0/205	`20(14th)
113	Jack Dugan	VGK	RW	22	6-2/185	`17(142nd)
114	Alexander Khovanov	Min	C	20	5-11/195	`18(86th)
115	Jacob Perreault	Ana	RW	18	5-11/195	`20(27th)
116	Jake Evans	Mtl	C	24	6-0/185	`14(207th)
117	Adam Beckman	Min	LW	19	6-1/170	`19(75th)
118	Jett Woo	Van	D	20	6-0/205	`18(37th)
119	Nolan Foote	NJ	LW	20	6-3/190	T(TB-2/20)
120	Logan Brown	Ott	C	22	6-6/220	`16(11th)
121	Martin Kaut	Col	RW	21	6-1/175	`18(16th)
122	Jack Rathbone	Van	D	21	5-10/175	`17(95th)
123	Ozzy Wiesblatt	SJ	RW	18	5-10/185	`20(31st)
124	Ryan O'Rourke	Min	D	18	6-0/180	`20(39th)
125	Lukas Reichel	Chi	LW	18	6-0/170	`20(17th)
126	Jordan Harris	Mtl	D	20	5-11/180	`18(71st)
127	Lukas Dostal	Ana	G	20	6-1/170	`18(85th)
128	Egor Afanasyev	Nsh	RW	19	6-3/205	`19(45th)
129	Conor Timmins	Col	D	22	6-1/185	`17(32nd)
130	Lassi Thomson	Ott	D	20	6-0/190	`19(19th)
131	Eeli Tolvanen	Nsh	RW	21	5-10/175	`17(30th)
132	Kasper Simontaival	LA	RW	18	5-9/180	`20(66th)
133	Roni Hirvonen	Tor	C	18	5-9/165	`20(59th)
134	Thomas Bordeleau	SJ	C	18	5-9/180	`20(38th)
135	Benoit-Olivier Groulx	Ana	C	20	6-1/195	`18(54th)
136	Tyler Kleven	Ott	D	18	6-4/200	`20(44th)
137	Tyson Foerster	Phi	C	18	6-1/195	`20(23rd)
138	Helge Grans	LA	D	18	6-2/205	`20(35th)
139	Jonathan Dahlen	SJ	LW	23	5-11/185	T(Van-2/19)
140	Marat Khusnutdinov	Min	C	18	5-11/175	`20(37th)
141	Alexander Alexeyev	Wsh	D	21	6-3/200	`18(31st)
142	Pierre-Olivier Joseph	Pit	D	21	6-2/170	`17(23rd)
143	Topi Niemela	Tor	D	18	5-10/160	`20(64th)
144	Oskari Laaksonen	Buf	D	21	6-2/165	`17(89th)
145	Filip Hallander	Tor	LW	20	6-1/185	T(Pit-8/20)
146	Serron Noel	Fla	RW	20	6-5/205	`18(34th)
147	Martin Chromiak	LA	LW	18	6-0/185	`20(128th)
148	Shakir Mukhamadullin	NJ	D	18	6-3/180	`20(20th)
149	Mattias Samuelsson	Buf	D	20	6-3/215	`18(32nd)
150	Janne Kuokkanen	NJ	LW	22	6-1/190	T(Car-2/20)
151	Ryan Johnson	Buf	D	19	6-0/175	`19(31st)
152	Sean Farrell	Mtl	C	19	5-8/175	`20(124th)
153	Martin Fehervary	Wsh	D	21	6-1/190	`18(46th)
154	Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen	Buf	G	21	6-4/195	`17(54th)
155	Will Lockwood	Van	RW	22	5-11/175	`16(64th)
156	Isac Lundestrom	Ana	C	21	6-0/185	`18(23rd)
157	Michael DiPietro	Van	G	21	6-0/195	`17(64th)
158	Jonatan Berggren	Det	RW	20	5-10/185	`18(33rd)
159	Kevin Bahl	NJ	D	20	6-6/230	T(Ari-12/19)
160	Aliaksei Protas	Wsh	C	19	6-5/205	`19(91st)
161	Reilly Walsh	NJ	D	21	5-11/180	`17(81st)
162	Nick Abruzzese	Tor	C	21	5-9/160	`19(124th)
163	Tyler Tucker	StL	D	20	6-1/205	`18(200th)
164	Arseni Gritsyuk	NJ	RW	19	5-10/170	`19(129th)
165	Klim Kostin	StL	C	21	6-3/195	`17(31st)
166	Brayden Tracey	Ana	LW	19	6-0/175	`19(29th)
167	Joel Hofer	StL	G	20	6-3/160	`18(107th)
168	Joey Anderson	Tor	RW	22	6-0/195	T(NJ-10/20)
169	Yegor Spiridonov	SJ	C	19	6-2/195	`19(108th)
170	Sam Colangelo	Ana	RW	19	6-1/205	`20(36th)
171	Joey Keane	Car	D	21	6-0/185	T(NYR-2/20)
172	Jared McIsaac	Det	D	20	6-1/195	`18(36th)
173	Jamieson Rees	Car	C	19	5-10/175	`19(44th)
174	Ivan Morozov	VGK	C	20	6-1/180	`18(61st)
175	Rem Pitlick	Nsh	C	23	5-11/200	`16(76th)
176	Tyce Thompson	NJ	RW	21	6-0/170	`19(96th)
177	Michael McLeod	NJ	C	22	6-2/195	`16(12th)
178	Jaret Anderson-Dolan	LA	C	21	5-11/190	`17(41st)
179	Dustin Wolf	Cgy	G	19	6-0/165	`19(214th)
180	Antti Tuomisto	Det	D	19	6-4/190	`19(35th)
181	Brett Berard	NYR	LW	18	5-9/155	`20(134th)
182	Luke Evangelista	Nsh	RW	18	5-11/170	`20(42nd)
183	Joel Blomqvist	Pit	G	18	6-1/180	`20(52nd)
184	Joni Ikonen	Mtl	C	21	5-10/170	`17(58th)
185	Olivier Rodrigue	Edm	G	20	6-1/165	`18(62nd)
186	Lucas Elvenes	VGK	RW	21	6-0/175	`17(127th)
187	Anthony Angello	Pit	RW	24	6-5/205	`14(145th)
188	Tuukka Tieksola	Car	RW	19	5-10/160	`19(121st)
189	Declan Chisholm	Wpg	D	20	6-1/190	`18(150th)
190	Cole Koepke	TB	LW	22	6-1/195	`18(183rd)
191	Valtteri Puustinen	Pit	RW	21	5-9/185	`19(203rd)
192	Ty Smilanic	Fla	C	18	6-1/175	`20(74th)
193	Patrik Puistola	Car	LW	19	6-0/175	`19(73rd)
194	Justin Barron	Col	D	19	6-2/190	`20(25th)
195	Andrew Peeke	CBJ	D	22	6-3/210	`16(34th)
196	Michael Vukojevic	NJ	D	19	6-3/210	`19(82nd)
197	Alec Regula	Chi	D	20	6-3/200	T(Det-10/19)
198	Connor Corcoran	VGK	D	20	6-1/185	`18(154th)
199	Jeremy Swayman	Bos	G	22	6-1/190	`17(111th)
200	Pyotr Kochetkov	Car	G	21	6-1/175	`19(36th)
201	Mikey Anderson	LA	D	21	6-0/195	`17(103rd)
202	Carter Savoie	Edm	LW	18	5-9/190	`20(100th)
203	Samuel Walker	TB	C	21	5-11/160	`17(200th)
204	William Wallinder	Det	D	18	6-4/190	`20(32nd)
205	Jack Drury	Car	C	20	5-11/180	`18(42nd)
206	Emil Andrae	Phi	D	18	5-9/185	`20(54th)
207	Cal Petersen	LA	G	26	6-3/190	FA(7/17)
208	Jeremie Poirier	Cgy	D	18	6-0/200	`20(72nd)
209	Tarmo Reunanen	NYR	D	22	6-0/180	`16(98th)
210	Simon Holmstrom	NYI	RW	19	6-1/185	`19(23rd)
211	Aleksi Saarela	Fla	RW	23	5-11/200	T(Chi-10/19)
212	Anton Johannesson	Wpg	D	18	5-9/155	`20(133rd)
213	Lauri Pajuniemi	NYR	RW	21	6-0/185	`18(132nd)
214	Morgan Geekie	Car	C	22	6-2/180	`17(67th)
215	Shane Bowers	Col	C	21	6-2/190	T(Ott-11/17)
216	Sasha Chmelevski	SJ	C	21	5-11/190	`17(185th)
217	Ruslan Iskhakov	NYI	C	20	5-8/155	`18(43rd)
218	Cole Schwindt	Fla	RW	19	6-2/185	`19(81st)
219	Hugo Alnefelt	TB	G	19	6-3/195	`19(71st)
220	Nikita Okhotyuk	NJ	D	20	6-1/195	`19(61st)
221	Sampo Ranta	Col	LW	20	6-2/205	`18(78th)
222	Alexander Volkov	TB	LW	23	6-1/190	`17(48th)
223	Alexander True	SJ	C	23	6-5/205	FA(7/18)
224	John Leonard	SJ	C	22	5-11/190	`18(182nd)
225	Carl Grundstrom	LA	LW	23	6-0/195	T(Tor-1/19)
226	Dmitri Semykin	TB	D	20	6-3/200	`18(90th)
227	Cal Foote	TB	D	22	6-4/215	`17(14th)
228	Jean-Luc Foudy	Col	C	18	5-11/175	`20(75th)
229	Alex Barre-Boulet	TB	C	23	5-10/165	FA(3/18)
230	Tristen Robins	SJ	RW	19	5-10/175	`20(56th)
231	Max Gildon	Fla	D	21	6-3/190	`17(66th)
232	Nikita Alexandrov	StL	C	20	6-0/180	`19(62nd)
233	Michael Benning	Fla	D	18	5-9/180	`20(95th)
234	Justin Sourdif	Fla	RW	18	5-11/175	`20(87th)
235	Tanner Laczynski	Phi	C	23	6-1/200	`16(169th)
236	Eamon Powell	TB	D	18	5-11/165	`20(116th)
237	Kaedan Korczak	VGK	D	19	6-3/190	`19(41st)
238	Drew Commesso	Chi	G	18	6-1/180	`20(47th)
239	Nikolai Kovalenko	Col	RW	21	5-10/175	`18(171st)
240	Pius Suter	Chi	C	24	5-11/170	FA(7/20)
241	Wade Allison	Phi	RW	23	6-2/205	`16(52nd)
242	Bobby Brink	Phi	RW	19	5-10/165	`19(34th)
243	Lukas Cormier	VGK	D	18	5-10/180	`20(68th)
244	David Farrance	Nsh	D	21	5-11/190	`17(92nd)
245	Roby Jarventie	Ott	RW	18	6-2/185	`20(33rd)
246	Dmitri Voronkov	CBJ	LW	20	6-4/190	`19(114th)
247	German Rubtsov	Phi	C	22	6-2/190	`16(22nd)
248	Vitaly Abramov	Ott	RW	22	5-9/175	T(CBJ-2/19)
249	Alex Laferriere	LA	RW	19	6-0/175	`20(83rd)
250	Trey Fix-Wolansky	CBJ	RW	21	5-8/185	`18(204th)
251	Isaac Ratcliffe	Phi	LW	21	6-5/200	`17(35th)
252	Kale Clague	LA	D	22	6-0/180	`16(51st)
253	Landon Slaggert	Chi	LW	18	5-11/180	`20(79th)
254	Wyatt Kalynuk	Chi	D	23	6-1/180	FA(7/20)
255	Mikko Kokkonen	Tor	D	19	5-11/200	`19(84th)
256	Kevin Mandolese	Ott	G	20	6-4/180	`18(157th)
257	Daniil Tarasov	CBJ	G	21	6-5/185	`17(86th)
258	Evan Barratt	Chi	C	21	6-0/190	`17(90th)
259	Tyler Benson	Edm	LW	22	6-0/200	`16(32nd)
260	Yegor Korshkov	Tor	RW	24	6-4/215	`16(31st)
261	Hunter Skinner	NYR	D	19	6-2/175	`19(112th)
262	Riley Damiani	Dal	C	20	5-9/165	`18(137th)
263	Ryan McLeod	Edm	C	21	6-2/205	`18(40th)
264	Ilya Konovalov	Edm	G	22	6-0/195	`19(85th)
265	Will Cuylle	NYR	LW	18	6-3/205	`20(60th)
266	Evan Vierling	NYR	C	18	6-0/165	`20(127th)
267	Emil Heineman	Fla	LW	19	6-0/180	`20(43rd)
268	Zayde Wisdom	Phi	RW	18	5-10/195	`20(94th)
269	Hunter Jones	Min	G	20	6-4/195	`19(59th)
270	Ty Tullio	Edm	RW	18	5-10/165	`20(126th)
271	Jordan Spence	LA	D	19	5-10/165	`19(95th)
272	Dmitri Zavgorodny	Cgy	LW	20	5-9/175	`18(198th)
273	Alex Beaucage	Col	RW	19	6-1/195	`19(78th)
274	Matiss Kivlenieks	CBJ	G	24	6-2/190	FA(5/17)
275	Artyom Zub	Ott	D	25	6-2/200	FA(5/20)
276	Urho Vaakanainen	Bos	D	22	6-0/185	`17(18th)
277	Dmitri Samorukov	Edm	D	21	6-2/180	`17(84th)
278	Michal Teply	Chi	LW	19	6-3/185	`19(105th)
279	Colby Ambrosio	Col	C	18	5-8/170	`20(118th)
280	Mads Sogaard	Ott	G	20	6-7/195	`19(37th)
281	Jeremy Lauzon	Bos	D	23	6-3/205	`15(52nd)
282	Dennis Gilbert	Col	D	24	6-2/200	T(Chi-10/20)
283	Trent Frederic	Bos	C	22	6-4/215	`16(29th)
284	Lucas Carlsson	Chi	D	23	6-0/190	`16(110th)
285	Zack Macewen	Van	RW	24	6-3/205	FA(3/17)
286	Brandon Hagel	Chi	LW	22	6-1/175	FA(10/18)
287	Vasily Ponomarev	Car	C	18	5-10/180	`20(53rd)
288	Jakub Zboril	Bos	D	23	6-1/200	`15(13th)
289	Garrett Pilon	Wsh	RW	22	5-11/190	`16(87th)
290	Jeremy Bracco	Car	RW	23	5-9/180	FA(10/20)
291	Dylan Sikura	VGK	RW	25	6-0/170	T(Chi-9/20)
292	Kyle Capobianco	Ari	D	23	6-1/180	`15(63rd)
293	Sami Niku	Wpg	D	24	6-0/175	`15(198th)
294	John Farinacci	Ari	C	19	5-11/185	`19(76th)
295	Jackson Lacombe	Ana	D	19	6-1/170	`19(39th)
296	David Cotton	Car	LW	23	6-3/205	`15(169th)
297	Erik Portillo	Buf	G	20	6-6/210	`19(67th)
298	Jacob Truscott	Van	D	18	6-1/170	`20(144th)
299	Mikhail Berdin	Wpg	G	22	6-2/165	`16(157th)
300	Cam Hillis	Mtl	C	20	5-10/170	`18(66th)

MCKEENS 2020 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT – TOP 250 PROSPECTS

McKeens Hockey; Article by Ryan Wagman — Tue, 22 Sep 2020 11:50:55 +0000

I write these words less than 24 hours after the Dallas Stars took game one of the Stanley Cup Finals against the heavily favored Tampa Bay Lightning. Unlike most seasons wherein the end of the Stanley Cup marks the beginning of off-season player movement, this year teams have taken an early start to the transactional Ferris wheel as many expect the upcoming offseason (from the awarding of the Cup, through to the draft in the first week of October to the start of the 2020-21 season perhaps as soon as early December, pending COVID trends in North America) to be especially turbulent.

We have seen a few trades of NHL pieces, one deal which impacted this guidebook, as Toronto sent Kasperi Kapanen to Pittsburgh and Swedish winger Filip Hallander was among those coming back to Toronto. Hallander was our selection for the second-best prospect in the Penguins system and now holds that title for the Maple Leafs. That trade knocked the Penguins down a few slots on our organizational rankings and allowed Toronto to go the other way accordingly.

Of course, with the draft roughly 17 days away, and with it a complete re-shuffling of the organizational rankings, this is just a snapshot in time of how every team’s system shakes up. We will re-run this list, incorporating the drafted players, in our pre-season fantasy guide, where we will expand the lists up to 20.

What you are about to dive into is a comprehensive list of all prospect eligible players on all 31 teams. To hold prospect eligibility, a player needs to 25 or younger, as of September 15, 2020. All skaters need to have played less than 60 career games, with no more than 35 of those games coming in a single season (or 25 for this past shortened season). For goalies, the age criteria remain the same, but the games played benchmark drops to 30 career games and 20 in a given season (or 15 last year). Any cutoff that does not hew exactly to the Calder Trophy award criteria is, by nature, arbitrary, but we aim to be inclusive for all players who have not yet cemented NHL jobs and/or have not had a prolonged chance to prove himself capable – or incapable.

We rank 15 per team, as depth is as important as the high end. Our goal is to identify players who could – if they have an advocate for them within the team’s braintrust – play a role in the NHL. These players were identified through our thorough vetting of each prospect across the globe, assigning scores, or grades, to five areas for skaters (skating, shot, puck skills, smarts, physicality) and six for netminders (athleticism/speed/quickness, compete/temperament, vision/play reading, positioning/technique, rebound control, and puck handling). Depending on the position, the grades are run through an algorithm to come up with an overall future projection (OFP).

The OFP, if the scout is being honest, measures the future role we anticipate the prospect being able to hold. A 50 score is the lower threshold to be a regular 4^th line forward, or bottom pairing defender. Grades over 56 are potential top line/pairing skaters. The grades in between, obviously project to the middle of the lineup.

As we are reminded every year, development is not linear. Some players take unexpected sudden leaps forward (see Marino, John), and others stagnate (see Ho-Sang, Josh), and many do exactly what we expect of them when they are given the chance. As much as I trust the analysts in our team, I can also tell you that this exercise is always humbling. There will be at least one player who we rate highly who bombs. There will be at least one player who did not feature on his team’s top 15 who becomes an NHL regular next year. We accept those errors in judgment and promise you, our faithful subscriber, that we will learn from them and refine our work for next year, as we learn just as NHL teams learn.

Until then, please enjoy this snapshot view of the future of the beautiful, frozen game. Putting this together has provided at least some sense of normalcy during this crazy summer.

NHL	RNK	PLAYER	POS	AGE	HT/WT	TM	Acquired
Ana	1	Trevor Zegras	C	19	6-0/170	Boston University (HE)	`19(9th)
Min	2	Kirill Kaprizov	LW	23	5-10/200	CSKA (KHL)	`15(135th)
Col	3	Bowen Byram	D	19	6-0/195	Vancouver (WHL)	`19(4th)
Buf	4	Dylan Cozens	C	19	6-3/185	Lethbridge (WHL)	`19(7th)
Fla	5	Spencer Knight	G	19	6-3/195	Boston College (HE)	`19(13th)
VGK	6	Peyton Krebs	C	19	5-11/180	Winnipeg (WHL)	`19(17th)
Ari	7	Victor Soderstrom	D	19	5-11/180	Brynas (Swe)	`19(11th)
Mtl	8	Cole Caufield	RW	19	5-7/165	Wisconsin (B1G)	`19(15th)
Van	9	Vasili Podkolzin	RW	19	6-1/190	SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)	`19(10th)
Edm	10	Philip Broberg	D	19	6-3/200	Skelleftea AIK (Swe)	`19(8th)
Tor	11	Nick Robertson	LW	19	5-9/160	Peterborough (OHL)	`19(53rd)
Col	12	Alex Newhook	C	19	5-10/195	Boston College (HE)	`19(16th)
Det	13	Moritz Seider	D	19	6-3/185	Grand Rapids (AHL)	`19(6th)
Fla	14	Grigori Denisenko	LW	20	5-11/185	Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)	`18(15th)
Min	15	Matthew Boldy	LW	19	6-1/190	Boston College (HE)	`19(12th)
NJ	16	Ty Smith	D	20	5-10/180	Spokane (WHL)	`18(17th)
LA	17	Alex Turcotte	C	19	5-11/185	Wisconsin (B1G)	`19(5th)
Nsh	18	Philip Tomasino	C	19	5-11/180	Nia-Osh (OHL)	`19(24th)
Pit	19	Samuel Poulin	LW	19	6-1/205	Sherbrooke (QMJHL)	`19(21st)
Wsh	20	Connor McMichael	C	19	5-11/175	London (OHL)	`19(25th)
LA	21	Gabriel Vilardi	RW	21	6-3/200	Ontario (AHL)	`17(11th)
NYR	22	Igor Shesterkin	G	24	6-1/190	Hartford (AHL)	`14(118th)
Dal	23	Thomas Harley	D	19	6-3/190	Mississauga (OHL)	`19(18th)
Ari	24	Barrett Hayton	C	20	6-1/190	Arizona (NHL)	`18(5th)
NYR	25	Nils Lundkvist	D	20	5-11/180	Lulea (Swe)	`18(28th)
LA	26	Arthur Kaliyev	RW	19	6-2/190	Hamilton (OHL)	`19(33rd)
Cgy	27	Juuso Valimaki	D	21	6-2/205	DNP - Injured	`17(16th)
Det	28	Jared McIsaac	D	20	6-1/195	Hal-Mon (QMJHL)	`18(36th)
NYR	29	Vitali Kravtsov	RW	20	6-3/185	Hartford (AHL)	`18(9th)
Edm	30	Evan Bouchard	D	20	6-2/195	Bakersfield (AHL)	`18(10th)
NYR	31	K'Andre Miller	D	20	6-3/205	Wisconsin (B1G)	`18(22nd)
Edm	32	Raphael Lavoie	RW	19	6-4/195	Hal-Chi (QMJHL)	`19(38th)
NYI	33	Ilya Sorokin	G	25	6-2/180	CSKA (KHL)	`14(78th)
Det	34	Albert Johansson	D	19	5-11/165	Farjestads (Swe)	`19(60th)
Ari	35	Matias Maccelli	LW	19	5-11/170	Ilves Tampere (Fin)	`19(98th)
Van	36	Nils Hoglander	RW	19	5-9/185	Rogle (Swe)	`19(40th)
Ari	37	Jan Jenik	RW	20	6-1/180	Hamilton (OHL)	`18(65th)
Phi	38	Cam York	D	19	5-11/175	Michigan (B1G)	`19(14th)
Phi	39	Morgan Frost	C	21	5-11/180	Lehigh Valley (AHL)	`17(27th)
Ana	40	Lukas Dostal	G	20	6-1/170	Ilves Tampere (Fin)	`18(85th)
LA	41	Tobias Bjornfot	D	19	6-0/200	Ontario (AHL)	`19(22nd)
SJ	42	Ryan Merkley	D	20	5-11/170	London (OHL)	`18(21st)
NYI	43	Kieffer Bellows	LW	22	6-0/200	Bridgeport (AHL)	`16(19th)
NYI	44	Oliver Wahlstrom	RW	20	6-1/205	Bridgeport (AHL)	`18(11th)
LA	45	Rasmus Kupari	C	20	6-1/185	Ontario (AHL)	`18(20th)
CBJ	46	Liam Foudy	C	20	6-0/175	London (OHL)	`18(18th)
LA	47	Tyler Madden	C	20	5-10/155	Northeastern (HE)	T(Van-2/20)
Mtl	48	Alexander Romanov	D	20	5-11/185	CSKA (KHL)	`18(38th)
NYI	49	Bode Wilde	D	20	6-2/195	Bridgeport (AHL)	`18(41st)
Ott	50	Jacob Bernard-Docker	D	20	6-0/180	North Dakota (NCHC)	`18(26th)
Cgy	51	Jakob Pelletier	LW	19	5-9/165	Moncton (QMJHL)	`19(26th)
LA	52	Akil Thomas	C	20	5-11/170	Nia-Pbo (OHL)	`18(51st)
Wpg	53	Dylan Samberg	D	21	6-3/190	Minn-Duluth (NCHC)	`17(43rd)
Chi	54	Ian Mitchell	D	21	5-11/175	Denver (NCHC)	`17(57th)
Ott	55	Josh Norris	C	21	6-1/195	Belleville (AHL)	T(SJ-9/18)
NYR	56	Matthew Robertson	D	19	6-3/200	Edmonton (WHL)	`19(49th)
VGK	57	Pavel Dorofeyev	LW	19	6-1/170	Magnitogorsk (KHL)	`19(79th)
Dal	58	Jake Oettinger	G	21	6-4/210	Texas (AHL)	`17(26th)
Ott	59	Drake Batherson	RW	22	6-1/190	Belleville (AHL)	`17(121st)
LA	60	Samuel Fagemo	RW	20	6-0/195	Frolunda (Swe)	`19(50th)
Col	61	Justus Annunen	G	20	6-4/215	Karpat Oulu (Fin)	`18(64th)
Bos	62	John Beecher	C	19	6-3/210	Michigan (B1G)	`19(30th)
Phi	63	Egor Zamula	D	20	6-4/175	Calgary (WHL)	FA(9/18)
NYR	64	Zac Jones	D	19	5-10/175	Massachusetts (HE)	`19(68th)
CBJ	65	Kirill Marchenko	LW	20	6-3/190	SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)	`18(49th)
VGK	66	Jack Dugan	RW	22	6-2/185	Providence (HE)	`17(142nd)
StL	67	Scott Perunovich	D	22	5-10/175	Minn-Duluth (NCHC)	`18(45th)
Bos	68	Jack Studnicka	C	21	6-1/170	Providence (AHL)	`17(53rd)
Dal	69	Ty Dellandrea	C	20	6-0/185	Flint (OHL)	`18(13th)
Min	70	Calen Addison	D	20	5-10/180	Lethbridge (WHL)	T(Pit-2/20)
NYR	71	Julien Gauthier	RW	22	6-4/225	Charlotte (AHL)	T(Car-2/20)
Van	72	Olli Juolevi	D	22	6-3/200	Utica (AHL)	`16(5th)
NJ	73	Nolan Foote	LW	19	6-3/190	Kelowna (WHL)	T(TB-2/20)
NJ	74	Janne Kuokkanen	LW	22	6-1/190	Cha-Bng (AHL)	T(Car-2/20)
Ott	75	Alex Formenton	LW	21	6-2/165	Belleville (AHL)	`17(47th)
Det	76	Robert Mastrosimone	LW	19	5-10/160	Boston University (HE)	`19(54th)
NYR	77	Morgan Barron	C	21	6-2/200	Cornell (ECAC)	`17(174th)
Mtl	78	Jesse Ylonen	RW	20	6-1/185	Pelicans (Fin)	`18(35th)
Car	79	Dominik Bokk	RW	20	6-1/180	Rogle (Swe)	T(StL-9/19)
Nsh	80	Egor Afanasyev	RW	19	6-3/205	Windsor (OHL)	`19(45th)
Ana	81	Benoit-Olivier Groulx	C	20	6-1/195	Hal-Mon (QMJHL)	`18(54th)
Min	82	Alexander Khovanov	C	20	5-11/195	Moncton (QMJHL)	`18(86th)
Det	83	Joe Veleno	C	20	6-1/195	Grand Rapids (AHL)	`18(30th)
NJ	84	Kevin Bahl	D	20	6-6/230	Ottawa (OHL)	T(Ari-12/19)
Car	85	Ryan Suzuki	C	19	6-0/180	Bar-Sag (OHL)	`19(28th)
Van	86	Jett Woo	D	20	6-0/205	Calgary (WHL)	`18(37th)
Mtl	87	Mattias Norlinder	D	20	5-11/180	MODO (Swe 2)	`19(64th)
Min	88	Adam Beckman	LW	19	6-1/170	Spokane (WHL)	`19(75th)
Bos	89	Jeremy Swayman	G	21	6-1/190	Maine (HE)	`17(111th)
Wpg	90	Kristian Vesalainen	LW	21	6-3/205	Manitoba (AHL)	`17(24th)
Tor	91	Filip Hallander	LW	20	6-1/185	Lulea (Swe)	T(Pit-8/20)
Fla	92	Owen Tippett	RW	21	6-1/200	Springfield (AHL)	`17(10th)
Car	93	Jake Bean	D	22	6-1/175	Charlotte (AHL)	`16(13th)
Ott	94	Shane Pinto	C	19	6-2/190	North Dakota (NCHC)	`19(32nd)
Col	95	Martin Kaut	RW	20	6-1/175	Colorado (AHL)	`18(16th)
Van	96	Jack Rathbone	D	21	5-10/175	Harvard (ECAC)	`17(95th)
Tor	97	Nick Abruzzese	C	21	5-9/160	Harvard (ECAC)	`19(124th)
Bos	98	Urho Vaakanainen	D	21	6-0/185	Providence (AHL)	`17(18th)
Wsh	99	Alexander Alexeyev	D	20	6-3/200	Hershey (AHL)	`18(31st)
NYI	100	Simon Holmstrom	RW	19	6-1/185	Bridgeport (AHL)	`19(23rd)
LA	101	Jaret Anderson-Dolan	C	21	5-11/190	Ontario (AHL)	`17(41st)
Car	102	Joey Keane	D	21	6-0/185	Hfd-Cha (AHL)	T(NYR-2/20)
Wsh	103	Martin Fehervary	D	20	6-1/190	Hershey (AHL)	`18(46th)
StL	104	Tyler Tucker	D	20	6-1/205	Bar-Fnt (OHL)	`18(200th)
SJ	105	Yegor Spiridonov	C	19	6-2/195	Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk (MHL)	`19(108th)
NJ	106	Joey Anderson	RW	22	6-0/195	Binghamton (AHL)	`16(73rd)
Col	107	Conor Timmins	D	21	6-1/185	Colorado (AHL)	`17(32nd)
StL	108	Klim Kostin	C	21	6-3/195	San Antonio (AHL)	`17(31st)
Mtl	109	Cayden Primeau	G	21	6-3/180	Laval (AHL)	`17(199th)
SJ	110	Jonathan Dahlen	LW	22	5-11/185	Timra IK (Swe 2)	T(Van-2/19)
NJ	111	Reilly Walsh	D	21	5-11/180	Harvard (ECAC)	`17(81st)
Buf	112	Oskari Laaksonen	D	21	6-2/165	Ilves Tampere (Fin)	`17(89th)
NJ	113	Arseni Gritsyuk	RW	19	5-10/170	Omskie Yastreby (MHL)	`19(129th)
Wsh	114	Aliaksei Protas	C	19	6-5/205	Prince Albert (WHL)	`19(91st)
Cgy	115	Dustin Wolf	G	19	6-0/165	Everett (WHL)	`19(214th)
StL	116	Joel Hofer	G	20	6-3/160	Portland (WHL)	`18(107th)
VGK	117	Ivan Morozov	C	20	6-1/180	SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)	`18(61st)
Mtl	118	Jake Evans	C	24	6-0/185	Laval (AHL)	`14(207th)
Nsh	119	Eeli Tolvanen	RW	21	5-10/175	Milwaukee (AHL)	`17(30th)
Wpg	120	Ville Heinola	D	19	5-11/180	Lukko Rauma (Fin)	`19(20th)
VGK	121	Lucas Elvenes	RW	21	6-0/175	Chicago (AHL)	`17(127th)
TB	122	Cole Koepke	LW	22	6-1/195	Minn-Duluth (NCHC)	`18(183rd)
Ana	123	Isac Lundestrom	C	20	6-0/185	San Diego (AHL)	`18(23rd)
NYR	124	Tarmo Reunanen	D	22	6-0/180	Lukko Rauma (Fin)	`16(98th)
Mtl	125	Jordan Harris	D	20	5-11/180	Northeastern (HE)	`18(71st)
Ana	126	Brayden Tracey	LW	19	6-0/175	MJ-Vic (WHL)	`19(29th)
Phi	127	Tanner Laczynski	C	23	6-1/200	Ohio State (B1G)	`16(169th)
Chi	128	Alec Regula	D	20	6-3/200	London (OHL)	T(Det-10/19)
Buf	129	Mattias Samuelsson	D	20	6-3/215	Western Michigan (NCHC)	`18(32nd)
Car	130	Jamieson Rees	C	19	5-10/175	Sarnia (OHL)	`19(44th)
Edm	131	Olivier Rodrigue	G	20	6-1/165	Moncton (QMJHL)	`18(62nd)
Fla	132	Serron Noel	RW	20	6-5/205	Osh-Kit (OHL)	`18(34th)
Det	133	Antti Tuomisto	D	19	6-4/190	Assat Pori (Fin Jr)	`19(35th)
Dal	134	Jason Robertson	LW	21	6-2/195	Texas (AHL)	`17(39th)
Mtl	135	Joni Ikonen	C	21	5-10/170	DNP - Injured	`17(58th)
Nsh	136	Rem Pitlick	C	23	5-11/200	Milwaukee (AHL)	`16(76th)
Ott	137	Logan Brown	C	22	6-6/220	Belleville (AHL)	`16(11th)
TB	138	Samuel Walker	C	21	5-11/160	Minnesota (B1G)	`17(200th)
Phi	139	Wade Allison	RW	22	6-2/205	Western Michigan (NCHC)	`16(52nd)
Wpg	140	Declan Chisholm	D	20	6-1/190	Peterborough (OHL)	`18(150th)
NJ	141	Tyce Thompson	RW	21	6-1/180	Providence (HE)	`19(96th)
VGK	142	Connor Corcoran	D	20	6-1/185	Windsor (OHL)	`18(154th)
Ana	143	Jackson Lacombe	D	19	6-1/170	Minnesota (B1G)	`19(39th)
NYR	144	Lauri Pajuniemi	RW	21	6-0/185	TPS Turku (Fin)	`18(132nd)
Car	145	Tuukka Tieksola	RW	19	5-10/160	Karpat Oulu (Fin Jr)	`19(121st)
CBJ	146	Andrew Peeke	D	22	6-3/210	Cleveland (AHL)	`16(34th)
Ana	147	Axel Andersson	D	20	6-0/180	Moncton (QMJHL)	T(Bos-2/20)
Car	148	Patrik Puistola	LW	19	6-0/175	Tap-Juk-Koo (Fin)	`19(73rd)
NJ	149	Michael McLeod	C	22	6-2/195	Binghamton (AHL)	`16(12th)
Car	150	Pyotr Kochetkov	G	21	6-1/175	SKA-VIT (KHL)	`19(36th)
NJ	151	Michael Vukojevic	D	19	6-3/210	Kitchener (OHL)	`19(82nd)
NYI	152	Ruslan Iskhakov	C	20	5-8/155	UConn (HE)	`18(43rd)
Wpg	153	Sami Niku	D	23	6-0/175	Manitoba (AHL)	`15(198th)
TB	154	Hugo Alnefelt	G	19	6-3/195	HV 71 (Swe)	`19(71st)
NJ	155	Nikita Okhotyuk	D	19	6-1/195	Ottawa (OHL)	`19(61st)
NYR	156	Hunter Skinner	D	19	6-2/175	London (OHL)	`19(112th)
LA	157	Mikey Anderson	D	21	6-0/195	Ontario (AHL)	`17(103rd)
Col	158	Shane Bowers	C	21	6-2/190	Colorado (AHL)	T(Ott-11/17)
NYI	159	Joshua Ho-Sang	RW	24	6-0/175	Bri-SA (AHL)	`14(28th)
LA	160	Cal Petersen	G	25	6-3/190	Ontario (AHL)	FA(7/17)
Col	161	Sampo Ranta	LW	20	6-2/205	Minnesota (B1G)	`18(78th)
Wpg	162	Mikhail Berdin	G	22	6-2/165	Manitoba (AHL)	`16(157th)
Bos	163	Jeremy Lauzon	D	23	6-3/205	Providence (AHL)	`15(52nd)
Nsh	164	David Farrance	D	21	5-11/190	Boston University (HE)	`17(92nd)
Van	165	Will Lockwood	RW	22	5-11/175	Michigan (B1G)	`16(64th)
NYI	166	Sebastian Aho	D	24	5-10/175	Bridgeport (AHL)	`17(139th)
Wpg	167	Logan Stanley	D	22	6-7/225	Manitoba (AHL)	`16(18th)
Buf	168	Ryan Johnson	D	19	6-0/175	Minnesota (B1G)	`19(31st)
Van	169	Michael DiPietro	G	21	6-0/195	Utica (AHL)	`17(64th)
VGK	170	Kaedan Korczak	D	19	6-3/190	Kelowna (WHL)	`19(41st)
Car	171	Jack Drury	C	20	5-11/180	Harvard (ECAC)	`18(42nd)
StL	172	Nikita Alexandrov	C	19	6-0/180	Charlottetown (QMJHL)	`19(62nd)
Col	173	Nikolai Kovalenko	RW	20	5-10/175	Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)	`18(171st)
Nsh	174	Juuso Parssinen	C	19	6-2/205	TPS Turku (Fin)	`19(210th)
Chi	175	Pius Suter	C	24	5-11/170	ZSC Lions (NLA)	FA(7/20)
Fla	176	Aleksi Saarela	RW	23	5-11/200	Rfd-Spr (AHL)	T(Chi-10/19)
Bos	177	Trent Frederic	C	22	6-4/215	Providence (AHL)	`16(29th)
CBJ	178	Dmitri Voronkov	LW	20	6-4/190	Ak Bars Kazan (KHL)	`19(114th)
Ott	179	Lassi Thomson	D	19	6-0/190	Ilves Tampere (Fin)	`19(19th)
Car	180	Morgan Geekie	C	22	6-2/180	Charlotte (AHL)	`17(67th)
CBJ	181	Trey Fix-Wolansky	RW	21	5-8/185	Cleveland (AHL)	`18(204th)
Ott	182	Vitaly Abramov	RW	22	5-9/175	Belleville (AHL)	T(CBJ-2/19)
TB	183	Alexander Volkov	LW	23	6-1/190	Syracuse (AHL)	`17(48th)
Tor	184	Mikko Kokkonen	D	19	5-11/200	Jukurit (Fin)	`19(84th)
Ott	185	Kevin Mandolese	G	20	6-4/180	Cape Breton (QMJHL)	`18(157th)
CBJ	186	Daniil Tarasov	G	21	6-5/185	Assat Pori (Fin)	`17(86th)
LA	187	Carl Grundstrom	LW	22	6-0/195	Ontario (AHL)	T(Tor-1/19)
LA	188	Kale Clague	D	22	6-0/180	Ontario (AHL)	`16(51st)
Ott	189	Artyom Zub	D	24	6-2/200	SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)	FA(5/20)
Edm	190	Tyler Benson	LW	22	6-0/200	Bakersfield (AHL)	`16(32nd)
Det	191	Jonatan Berggren	RW	20	5-10/185	Skelleftea AIK (Swe)	`18(33rd)
Tor	192	Yegor Korshkov	RW	24	6-4/215	Toronto (AHL)	`16(31st)
Dal	193	Riley Damiani	C	20	5-9/165	Kitchener (OHL)	`18(137th)
VGK	194	Zach Whitecloud	D	23	6-2/210	Chicago (AHL)	FA(3/18)
Buf	195	Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen	G	21	6-4/195	Cincinnati (ECHL)	`17(54th)
Car	196	David Cotton	LW	23	6-3/205	Boston College (HE)	`15(169th)
Chi	197	Wyatt Kalynuk	D	23	6-1/180	Wisconsin (B1G)	FA(7/20)
Min	198	Hunter Jones	G	19	6-4/195	Peterborough (OHL)	`19(59th)
LA	199	Jordan Spence	D	19	5-10/165	Moncton (QMJHL)	`19(95th)
Cgy	200	Dmitri Zavgorodny	LW	20	5-9/175	Rimouski (QMJHL)	`18(198th)
Col	201	Alex Beaucage	RW	19	6-1/195	Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL)	`19(78th)
TB	202	Dmitri Semykin	D	20	6-3/200	SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)	`18(90th)
CBJ	203	Matiss Kivlenieks	G	24	6-2/190	Cleveland (AHL)	FA(5/17)
StL	204	Ville Husso	G	25	6-3/205	San Antonio (AHL)	`14(94th)
Phi	205	Bobby Brink	RW	19	5-10/165	Denver (NCHC)	`19(34th)
NYI	206	Otto Koivula	C	22	6-4/220	Bridgeport (AHL)	`16(120th)
Car	207	Eetu Makiniemi	G	21	6-2/180	KOOVEE (Fin 2)	`17(104th)
NYI	208	Anatoli Golyshev	RW	25	5-8/180	Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg (KHL)	`16(95th)
Chi	209	Evan Barratt	C	21	6-0/190	Penn State (B1G)	`17(90th)
Buf	210	Erik Portillo	G	20	6-6/210	Dubuque (USHL)	`19(67th)
Fla	211	Cole Schwindt	RW	19	6-2/185	Mississauga (OHL)	`19(81st)
Chi	212	Michal Teply	LW	19	6-3/185	Winnipeg (WHL)	`19(105th)
Ott	213	Mads Sogaard	G	19	6-7/195	Medicine Hat (WHL)	`19(37th)
Buf	214	Jonas Johansson	G	24	6-4/205	Rochester (AHL)	`14(61st)
TB	215	Cal Foote	D	21	6-4/215	Syracuse (AHL)	`17(14th)
StL	216	Niko Mikkola	D	24	6-5/200	San Antonio (AHL)	`15(127th)
NYI	217	Robin Salo	D	21	6-1/190	SaiPa (Fin)	`17(46th)
Bos	218	Jakub Zboril	D	23	6-1/200	Providence (AHL)	`15(13th)
Buf	219	Will Borgen	D	23	6-2/200	Rochester (AHL)	`15(92nd)
Pit	220	Pierre-Olivier Joseph	D	21	6-2/170	Wilkes-Barre (AHL)	`17(23rd)
SJ	221	Sasha Chmelevski	C	21	5-11/190	San Jose (AHL)	`17(185th)
Ari	222	Kyle Capobianco	D	23	6-1/180	Tucson (AHL)	`15(63rd)
Det	223	Keith Petruzzelli	G	21	6-5/180	Quinnipiac (ECAC)	`17(88th)
Wsh	224	Garrett Pilon	RW	22	5-11/190	Hershey (AHL)	`16(87th)
NJ	225	Nikola Pasic	RW	19	5-10/185	Karlskoga (Swe 2)	`19(189th)
TB	226	Alex Barre-Boulet	C	23	5-10/165	Syracuse (AHL)	FA(3/18)
Edm	227	Ryan McLeod	C	20	6-2/205	Bakersfield (AHL)	`18(40th)
NYI	228	Samuel Bolduc	D	19	6-3/210	BLB-She (QMJHL)	`19(57th)
Ott	229	Joey Daccord	G	24	6-2/195	Belleville (AHL)	`15(199th)
StL	230	Hugh McGing	C	22	5-9/180	Western Michigan (NCHC)	`18(138th)
Edm	231	Cooper Marody	C	23	6-0/180	Bakersfield (AHL)	T(Phi-3/18)
Tor	232	Jeremy Bracco	RW	23	5-9/180	Toronto (AHL)	`15(61st)
Phi	233	German Rubtsov	C	22	6-2/190	Lehigh Valley (AHL)	`16(22nd)
Wsh	234	Brian Pinho	C	25	6-1/195	Hershey (AHL)	`13(174th)
Col	235	Logan O'Connor	RW	24	6-0/170	Colorado (AHL)	FA(7/18)
Buf	236	Casey Fitzgerald	D	23	5-11/190	Rochester (AHL)	`16(86th)
NJ	237	Daniil Misyul	D	19	6-3/180	Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)	`19(70th)
Ari	238	John Farinacci	C	19	5-11/185	Harvard (ECAC)	`19(76th)
Edm	239	Aapeli Rasanen	C	22	6-0/195	Boston College (HE)	`16(153rd)
Pit	240	Anthony Angello	RW	24	6-5/205	Wilkes-Barre (AHL)	`14(145th)
Mtl	241	Cam Hillis	C	20	5-10/170	Guelph (OHL)	`18(66th)
Cgy	242	Mathias Emilio Pettersen	RW	20	5-9/170	Denver (NCHC)	`18(167th)
SJ	243	Alexander True	C	23	6-5/205	San Jose (AHL)	FA(7/18)
NYI	244	Reece Newkirk	C	19	5-11/175	Portland (WHL)	`19(147th)
Dal	245	Dawson Barteaux	D	20	6-0/180	RD-Wpg (WHL)	`18(168th)
Bos	246	Jack Ahcan	D	23	5-8/185	St. Cloud State (NCHC)	FA(3/20)
Det	247	Seth Barton	D	21	6-2/175	Mass-Lowell (HE)	`18(81st)
Fla	248	Max Gildon	D	21	6-3/190	New Hampshire (HE)	`17(66th)
Ari	249	Aku Raty	RW	19	6-0/175	Karpat Oulu (Fin)	`19(151st)
Wpg	250	David Gustafsson	C	20	6-1/195	Winnipeg (NHL)	`18(60th)

MCKEEN’S 2020 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – VANCOUVER CANUCKS – ORGANIZATIONAL RANK: 13

Mon, 21 Sep 2020 13:01:28 +0000

Vancouver Canucks

As of the day of this writing (Jul. 10, 2020), there have been three truly notable occurrences in the world of Vancouver Hockey. From most recent to earliest:

Reports surfaced of the Canucks exploring a possible trade of Brock Boeser, possibly related to their desire to re-sign mid-season trade pickup Tyler Toffoli
Vancouver was seemingly a strong consideration to be named as one of the NHL’s hub cities, as the league sought to complete it season. Eventually, Vancouver fell short with Edmonton named Hub host for the Western Conference and Toronto handling the duties for the Eastern Conference
The Vancouver Canucks parted ways somewhat acrimoniously with their highly touted Director of Amateur Scouting (and a McKeens Hockey alum!) Judd Brackett.

You might have been able to guess that this space will focus on the third item in the above list, and not because of Brackett’s ties to our humble enterprise.

Brackett had been with Vancouver since 2008-09, starting as an Amateur Scout, and rising to the role of Director of Amateur Scouting in 2015-16. Brackett worked in the USHL before moving to the Canucks organization, and as a onetime collegiate player himself, was never averse to selecting players on the NCAA route. That started with his first ever pick, the aforementioned Boeser, at the time lighting it up for the Waterloo Black Hawks, and spent two strong seasons at the University of North Dakota before turning pro.

Boeser was the first of eight college-bound players drafted in Brackett’s five drafts. While it is too early to pass judgement on many of those, every single one of them is trending in the right direction and looking like they will provide great value for where they were drafted. Think Adam Gaudette and Quinn Hughes, in addition to Boeser, in the NHL, Tyler Madden who was the bait in the Toffoli trade, and top 15 prospects Will Lockwood, Jack Rathbone, and Aidan McDonough.

Brackett’s tenure was most notable for its draft day focus on players of skill, as opposed to size. Of the collegians, only Boeser and McDonough had average or better size. His five first round picks averaged a hair under 6-1”, and 185 pounds. Not small, but not bangers either. In fact, the Canuks were just as likely to look for grit as free agents, such as the signings of the unsigned CHL’ers Zack MacEwen and Jalen Chatfield. The former is on this list and spent 17 games up with the Canucks this season to boot.

If you can acquire good depth later on, why spend valuable assets at the draft on those same types who could end up as free talent acquisitions down the road? If anything, Brackett’s Canucks would seek players long on brains and intangibles (leadership types, gritty despite moderate size) in the later rounds, after the high skill players had already been taken off the board. Those types include the likes of the aforementioned Lockwood and Madden, but also Guillaume Brisebois, Kole Lind, Toni Utunen, etc.).

Based on comments from Vancouver GM Jim Benning, the replacement Director of Amateur Scouting in Vancouver will require more synergy with the rest of the Hockey Operations Department, particularly the GM himself. This doesn’t tell us how the Canucks will draft this October (presumably) but that second or third round pick might look less like Nils Hoglander, and more like Nikita Tryamkin or Cole Cassels. These were the last two third rounders selected by Vancouver before Brackett’s regime began. Vancouver’s loss will be Minnesota’s gain – the Wild just recently hired him to take on the same position he held with Vancouver – and the incoming Director of Amateur Scouting will lack the benefit of a first round pick to really give us a sense of what’s coming.

VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 21: Vasily Podkolzin puts on a hat after being selected tenth overall by the Vancouver Canucks during the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 21, 2019 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire)

Vasili Podkolzin, RW (10^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 2)

An elite NHL prospect who, as a teenager, plays on one the big clubs in the KHL, St Petersburg, where he had a limited role, playing less than nine minutes per game last season. Podkolzin is a dynamic winger with a lot of good assets in his toolbox. He is a strong skater with terrific balance and is technically solid. He can get to top speed with ease within a few strides. He is exceptionally good at puck protection and has a creative hockey mind. He works hard and plays a physical game.

He still lacks a bit of consistency in his production, and I can see two explanations for that. One is that he still is a teenager physically playing against men and he gets pushed out physically when he tries to create. He is not a typical transition player; he likes to play tight to the body and create from down low which makes a lack of physical strength a natural problem. When he gets stronger his style of play will fit well with the modern NHL game.

The other explanation is that he tries to be too creative and lacks instincts to just make the easy play, especially when his game is struggling, and he is lacking confidence. Podkolzin will always aid his team’s puck possession with elite skills and do good things with that possession. Although he did not score many points, his underlying numbers were good, and it is expected that he will receive a bigger role in the KHL this upcoming season. He has one more year with St Petersburg but after that I can see him competing for a top six role with the Canucks. - JH

Nils Hoglander, LW (40^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 7)

Hoglander is exciting to watch and is an expert on the lacrosse-goal move, which he has used with success in both the SHL and the WJC. At the WJC he was excellent on the top line with and was one of the most productive players in the tournament. His production at the SHL level was not as impressive, at least not in line with the reputation of a soon to be NHLer.

Hoglander plays intensively and is particularly strong in the corners and around the net. He will set up a power play or drive the play all over the ice. At the WJC he showcased some nice playmaking ability and a fast thinking mind deep into the offensive zone. His passes to the slot were more frequent than in the SHL as he was constantly trying to create.

One obvious answer to the question why he was more dangerous at the WJC is his role. In the SHL he rarely played more than 12 minutes per game. Another issue is that he is small and is not to able to break away from his opponents in the corners in the same way at the senior level and that could be a concern as his game prevails through stick handling, covering the puck and making quick turns and creative plays. That type of game will be tough for him in the NHL and he will need to vary his approach.

Hoglander was supposed to start next season with the Canucks trying to earn a spot in the NHL; Now he will start in the SHL while he waits for the NHL to start. I don’t think he is ready to play in the NHL right away and when he makes it, I am not yet sure if he is dynamic enough for a top six role. - JH

Olli Juolevi, D (5^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 4)

In the last year or so, Juolevi had been highly associated with injury and speculation as to if he would – or could - ever make a comeback befitting a top five pick. After playing his first nearly full season as a professional with the AHL Utica Comets, earning 25 points in 45 games, he seemed to be playing back to the same high level as he was before.

Juolevi brings a high hockey IQ and composure to any situation and as he became more comfortable throughout the season, he ended up facilitating more scoring chances as well. He is a good skater, a good puck handler, and the type of player you forget is on the ice until he helps out in scoring or putting the puck in the net himself. With the Vancouver organization the potential is there for Juolevi to become a top two defenseman at some point, but the worry is simply that he struggles to remain healthy enough to do so in the future.

By next season he should certainly be making his long-awaited debut with the Canucks’ bottom pairing, where he will stay until he has mastered the NHL game enough to be moved up the lineup. Juolevi will simply have to be more physical to differentiate himself and to earn added trust from the coaching staff, meaning that he does not have to go out and kill his opponents but he will need to protect himself better in an organization that is not known for their grit. - SC

Jett Woo, D (37^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 6)

Woo regressed a bit this year production-wise and that has left expectations at a more realistic level as he starts his pro career. He has the potential to play on a second pairing but does not have the offensive toolkit that many were expecting after his eye-popping seasons in Moose Jaw.

He is an effective, physical in-your-face defender who skates well and competes hard for every inch of ice. He is tenacious in his own zone using a combination of big hits, stick checks, good reads and aggression to minimize the opponent’s ability to get to his net. His gap control is good, and opponents know he will step up if they bobble the puck or show any hesitation in the neutral zone.

He is a fine passer, capable of making good plays that start the transition, however his decision making in the offensive zone is concerning. His vision is good in that he sees the ice well, but he frequently tries to do too much and turns over the puck at inopportune times. While Woo is capable of recovering better than most, he is more the complementary defender on a pairing rather than the one that dictates the offense.

He plays the game the right way and has a real edge and abrasiveness to how he handles himself. Offensively he has some skills, his puck handling is pretty good, and he moves down the wall offensively well but his decision making when under pressure is a concern. He is willing to jump into the rush and has the speed to get himself into the play as a trailer where he is most effective generating offense. His even strength points were less than half of his production this year which is a bit concerning for anyone expecting him to be an offensively dynamic blueliner at the pro level. - VG

Jack Rathbone, D (95^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 16)

A fourth-round draft pick, Rathbone has improved well even in just two years at Harvard. The Massachusetts native was a captain at his prep school for two years. He entered college hockey as a freshman with nothing more than four games at the USHL level as far as high-level competition under his belt.

While in high school, he was named to the All-USA Hockey First Team in 2016-17 and the All-USA Hockey Second Team in 2017-18. As a freshman at Harvard, he was named to the ECAC All-Rookie team. As a sophomore, Rathbone was named to the ECAC First All-Star Team, the All-Ivy League First Team and the NCAA First All-American Team.

From the moment Rathbone stepped in, even as a freshman, he made an impact. While there is usually an adjustment period for rookies when transitioning to college hockey, especially for those who come straight from prep school, that didn’t hinder Rathbone. An offensive defenseman, he ranked fourth on the team in scoring and led all Crimson defenders. His shot is characterized by a quick release. He appeared on the team’s second penalty kill unit and the first power play unit. Rathbone was possibly the team’s best puck mover on the power play. He is excellent at running the unit from the point.

Defensively, Rathbone has a very active and quick stick and is able to poke check effectively. Rahtbone’s offensive capabilities as well as his solid defensive skills give him a legitimate chance at making the NHL in a top half of roster role, a journey which will move to the professional ranks next season, as Vancouver recently signed him to an entry level contract. - JS

Will Lockwood, RW (64^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 5)

He is a strong skater who can flash creativity with the puck in the offensive zone, can tend to play too deliberately as well, negating his inherent skill set. When he plays decisively, Lockwood has been a disruptive presence at the collegiate level. He plays a physical game, especially when he plays angry and relishes open ice checking.

He is the type of player who could be ready for the NHL within one season of turning pro, but whose reasonable upside is never more than a bottom six winger, who could frustrate with the hints of more, but who can’t show it consistently enough for the possibility to be reasonable. - RW

Michael DiPietro, G (64^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 8)

The future is bright for DiPietro, who is so naturally gifted with the right instincts, attitude, and athleticism needed to be a top level goaltender, look for him to have a go at an NHL job within the next season should he start off the upcoming season the same way with Utica. - SC

Zack MacEwen, RW (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 3, 2017. 2019 Rank: 15)

A little clumsy at times, he has learned to be a good backchecker and defend well in his own zone, however he still needs to work on his passing in order to avoid turnovers and better contribute to the breakout. It is no surprise that MacEwen has earned a spot on the Vancouver Canucks 2020 playoff roster as he brings the right energy and can get the job done in a way that the other players cannot, which is why he is an asset to their bottom six, and should continue to play at the highest level as long as his cap hit remains low. - SC

Kole Lind, RW (33^rd overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 11)

Lind will certainly have to get faster and more agile on his blades but his hands and his passing are good and lead him oftentimes to contributing to good scoring opportunities or assisting on plays. He will most likely earn his chance to crack the Canucks lineup this coming season as a potential third liner alternating in the bottom six if he finds another gear for his skating and on ice agility while continuing to work on his two way play. - SC

Brogan Rafferty, D (Undrafted Free Agent, signed 1, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

He brings a great two-way game and is nearly always in the right position which could be an asset for the Canucks looking into next season, despite this past season only being Rafferty’s rookie year. A late bloomer, his potential may be surprisingly high because of the progression he has had so far, however when he gets the call up look to see him as part of the bottom four to start proving himself. - SC

Guillaume Brisebois, D (66^th overall, 2015. 2019 Rank: 12)

The downside to his game is the fact that he has not been able to find the same confidence as he once had, and he has struggled to even get his passing game going. The hope is that next season Brisebois will finally find the extra gear he once seemed to have and reach his potential before it is too late. He will most likely be able to qualify for one more crack at a roster spot on the Canucks, hoping to find a home at the bottom of the defensive rotation. - SC

Aidan McDonough, LW (195^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

He has a big frame but could be stronger on the puck, although he is not afraid to engage in puck battles. While he needs to pump his legs on his strides, he is very hard to contain in the offensive zone as he glides around. McDonough is a sharp passer and can score from multiple spots but buzzes frequently around the net. While he certainly held his own as a freshman, he is still raw and needs to refine his game more before turning pro. - JS

Marc Michaelis, RW (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 19, 2020. 2019 Rank: IE)

Michaelis makes himself seen through high end skating ability, which allowed him to skate laps around the WCHA competition, as well as very interesting playmaking potential, with vision and creativity. The skating will have to be his ticket to the NHL though, as his playmaking ability has been more a function of brains than pure skill, leaving in question how much those brains will allow him to play up as a pro. If Michaelis makes the adjustment to the pro pace and continues to make his presence felt in the offensive end, he could push himself up to the highest level for a lengthy stay. - RW

Linus Karlsson, C (Trade: Feb. 25, 2019. Originally: 87^thoverall, 2018 [San Jose]. 2019 Rank: UR)

He is an offensive minded center with an above average shot and above average hands. He is not elite in any way but a decent depth prospect, and if everything goes well, he could be a good third line option in the future. He needs to work on his skating and play at a faster pace to reach the highest level. He will have a couple more years of development before he can be ready to compete for a spot. I would be surprised if he has a long NHL career, but I can definitely see him being a good SHL player in near future. - JH

Arvid Costmar, C (215^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

In Allsvenskan he had a more diminished role when he played. His skating speed needs to improve but is a skilled offensive-minded player with good hands. His puck skills excel well on the power play as he likes to set up the play. He is also skilled one-on-one and can make nice dekes. For next season, I would like to see him earn a top six role on an Allsvenskan team and compete for a WJC roster spot. To do so he will need to work on his all-around game and play at a higher pace. - JH

NCAA 2019-20 Season Preview: Big Ten

Ryan Wagman — Mon, 14 Oct 2019 17:01:14 +0000

With seven schools participating, the Big Ten is inappropriately named. Even if/when the University of Illinois is granted a Division I team and joins the conference to which their other intramural athletics belong, there will only be eight schools in the Big Ten. Once upon a time, there were only ten schools in the historic conference, but it has been 20 years since that was last the case, as Penn State – then without a Division I hockey program – was granted entry to give the conference a round 11 teams.

Until that fateful day arrives when the Fighting Illini grow the sport, the Big Ten will be stuck on seven teams. And they are good teams, with rich histories (except for Penn State, which doesn’t yet have a history). Four different current Big Ten schools have made the Frozen Four championship game in the past decade, but somehow none have walked away with a title. The situation was almost comical in 2018, when the Frozen Four featured three squads from the Big Ten, plus one from the NCHC. The lone NCHC squad naturally ran the table for the title. The most recent Big Ten school to win the National Championship was Michigan State, which won all the marbles in 2007, capping off a run of four titles by three Big Ten schools in six years.

As always though, there is hope in the Midwest that the Big Ten will find a new champion this year. The seven schools have all recruited well and the schools are well coached, with one school in particular bringing in a veritable murderer’s row of high-end talent to supplement an already strong core. But we’ll get to that below. Let’s walk through the schools.

Michigan Wolverines

One the one hand, superstar Quinn Hughes is gone, off to the NHL to quarterback the building Vancouver Canucks’ power play. Fellow blueline stalwarts Joseph Cecconi and Nick Boka have also moved on. The only other significant departure is center Josh Norris, who missed the second half of last season to injury, who turned pro to sign with Ottawa. On the other hand, literally the rest of the team has returned, including captain Will Lockwood, passing on the chance to join Hughes in the Vancouver season to play out his senior year in Ann Arbor.

Besides Lockwood, the star attraction on the Wolverines’ roster this year will be Hughes’ direct replacement, highly touted freshman defender Cam York, like Hughes an alumnus of the USNTDP program, and likewise a first-round pick, having been selected last June by Philadelphia. He is expected to drive the offensive attack from day one. Another USNTDP first rounder joining the team along with York is big center John Beecher, who played a depth role with the UNSTDP last year, but is a fantastic skater and has enough in his hands to expect him to play a two-way top six role with Michigan. After Lockwood and Beecher, the offense features a number of upperclassmen who can contribute to the attack in Jake Slaker, Nick and Michael Pastujov, and Jake Becker. I would also keep an eye on sophomore Nolan Moyle, graduate transfer Jacob Hayhurst, who comes over from RPI, and incoming freshman Eric Ciccolini, who starred in Junior A in Ontario, who all have sleeper potential.

If Michigan is to be a successful team and not just a collection of talented players, they will need one or both of their returning netminders, Strauss Mann, and Hayden Lavigne to step up and stop more than 90% of shots faced, which neither managed last season.

Drafted Players: D Luke Martin (Car, 2^nd round, 2017), D Cam York (Phi, 1^st round, 2019), C Jack Becker (Bos, 7^th round, 2015), C John Beecher (Bos, 1^st round, 2019), RW Eric Ciccolini (NYR, 7^th round, 2019), RW Will Lockwood (Van, 3^rd round, 2016), LW Nick Pastujov (NYI, 7^th round, 2016)

Michigan State Spartans

After three consecutive last place finishes in the conference and having not finished above fifth since 2013-14, the Spartans return with an experienced roster with no lack of skilled players, attempting to turn around the school’s on-ice fortunes. Veteran Head Coach Danton Cole is only his third year in East Lansing, and to his credit, the number of players of interest on the squad has continued to rise, although perhaps not to the extent promised through his years coaching the USNTDP, as precious few of his former charges have followed Cole to MSU.

One who has been able to experience Cole in both location is bis center Patrick Khodorenko, who along with winger Mitchell Lewandowski, is expected to lead the attack, helping supporters move on from, if not outright forget, Taro Hirose, a 2018-19 Hobey Baker Finalist and the Big Ten player of the year, but skipped his senior year to sign with the Detroit Red Wings. At least he will be close by. Candidates to replace Hirose on the first line include seniors Logan Lambdin and Sam Saliba, or star recruit Josh Nodler, although in the latter scenario, either Nodler or Khodorenko would have to move to the wing, as both are natural centers. Nodler at least is a gifted play maker and could fill a similar function on the top line. The other big recruit to the Spartans is Switzerland native Nicolas Muller, who has a long international history for his mother land as well as a history of offensive production in the Swedish junior leagues.

Whichever wingman Cole chooses for his two big returning forwards, the team will not improve in the standings until they tighten up their defensive core. Twin blueliners Cole and Christian Krygier were both passable as freshmen, and Christian looked good in the national colors at the mid-summer World Junior Summer Showcase event. Tommy Miller and Jerad Rosburg round out a reasonable, if unspectacular top four. Similar compliments could be laid upon the returning netminders, Drew DeRidder and John Lethemon. Both stopped a touch better than 90% of the shots they faced last year, although they faced far too many shots for that to be enough. Their brand of high event hockey will be fun to watch, but without a tightening up in the back, they will fall short all too often.

Drafted players: D Christian Krygier (NYI, 7^th round, 2018), D Cole Krygier (Fla, 7^th round, 2018), C Mitchell Mattson (Cgy, 5^th round, 2016), C Josh Nodler (Cgy, 5^th round, 2019)

Minnesota Golden Gophers

When Big Ten Hockey got going, the Golden Gophers were the clear team to beat, winning the regular season title for the first four seasons of the conference’s existence, before a precipitous fall from grace in 2017-18, when they found themselves in the unfamiliar and uncomfortable position of fifth in a seven team conference. Minnesota rebounded to third last year, but it is now clear that their days of homogeneous rule of the roost are over. Hockey in Minnesota still takes on religious fervor and the university team is still an institution, usually getting the pick of local stars, which they have supplemented with the occasional import from another state or nation. But really, this team is, per usual, mostly homegrown, with only eight of 27 roster players with a listed birthplace from out of state.

The top three scorers from last season are all gone, as well as some key blueliners, but the depth of talent in Minneapolis will make the team a threat once again. Speedster Sammy Walker between gifted wingers Blake McLaughlin and Sampo Ranta, all of whom are entering their sophomore seasons, are primed to grow into high end collegiate threats on their way to pro careers. Versatile forward Brannon McMannus took that step forward last year, and an additional step forward on his part could have him firmly in the cross hairs of NHL scouts. Incoming freshmen Ben Meyers, Bryce Brodzinski (the reining Minnesota Mr. Hockey), and Jack Perbix all have a history of offensive production and could challenge for top six roles from the get-go.

The blueline is similarly pro aspiring, with six drafted defenders among them. Tyler Nanne may be the grizzled veteran who will be relied upon to quarterback the power play, but freshmen Ryan Johnson and Jackson LaCombe could both be stars in short order. Both primary goalies from last year are gone, but the two primary incoming tenders are both NHL draft picks in Jack LaFontaine, who previously spent two years at Michigan, and was fantastic in the BCHL last year, and Jared Moe, who was steady, if unspectacular over two seasons with Waterloo of the USHL. If the Golden Gophers can harness the collective talents of the players to play as a cohesive unit under decorated head coach Bob Motzko, they could credibly challenge for the top of the conference once again.

Drafted players: G Jack LaFontaine (Car, 3^rd round, 2016), G Jared Moe (Wpg, 6^th round, 2018), D Ben Brinkman, (Dal, 6^th round, 2019), D Ryan Johnson (Buf, 1^st round, 2019), D Jackson LaCombe (Ana, 2^nd round, 2019), D Tyler Nanne (NYR, 5^th round, 2014), D Robbie Stucker (Clb, 7^th round, 2017), D Ryan Zuhlsdorf (TB, 5^th round, 2015), RW Bryce Brodzinski (Phi, 7^th round, 2019), LW Blake McLaughlin (Ana, 3^rd round, 2018), RW Jack Perbix (Ana, 4^th round, 2018), LW Sampo Ranta (Col, 3^rd round, 2018), C Scott Reedy (SJ, 4^th round, 2017), C Samuel Walker (TB, 7^th round, 2017)

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Another program with exceptional coaching, Jeff Jackson enters his 15^th year behind the bench at South Bend, and his 21^st season altogether as a head coach at the NCAA level. The Fighting Irish have a deep veteran roster, augmented by a number of talented recruits. While the squad may not be at the level as the ones which went to the Frozen Four in back to back years, they still will be competitive on a nightly basis and could compete for supremacy in the Big Ten.

The main challenge for the team will be overcoming the graduation of Bobby Nardella, and the early exit of Andrew Peeke, both players going on to NHL contracts. Thankfully, the defensive core still has more than their fair share of pro prospects, with senior Tory Dello hoping a big deal gets him a similar free agent contract as it did for former teammate Nardella. He is joined by four drafted players, with New Jersey pick Matthew Hellickson the likely quarterback. I also expect to see a big jump forward from Nashville pick Spencer Stastney. The blueline will be protecting the net of Cole Morris, whose .930 save percentage last season was actually a letdown after an incredible .944 mark, and accompanying Mike Richter Award, in 2017-18.

Pushing the pace on offense will be a squad that does not look to have one or two central figures, but figures to attack in waves. Captain Cal Burke, a senior, will be looking to earn an NHL contract offer after being among the team’s offensive leaders as a junior. Colorado draft pick Cam Morrison has disappointed since a strong freshman campaign, and he will have ample motivation to finish his collegiate career with a bang. Sophomore Alex Steeves will also want to step forward to put his name back in the crosshairs of NHL scouts, after being overlooked at the draft despite a very strong draft year in the USHL. Trevor Janicke is the most highly touted new recruit, but I wouldn’t sleep on Max Ellis also doing well in his rookie collegiate season.

Drafted players: D Nate Clurman (Col, 6^th round, 2016), D Matthew Hellickson (NJ, 7^th round, 2017), D Nick Leivermann, (Col, 7^th round, 2017), D Spencer Stastney (Nas, 5^th round,, 2018), C Trevor Janicke (Ana, 5^th round, 2019), LW Cam Morrison (Col, 2^nd round, 2016), C Jacob Pivonka (NYI, 4^th round, 2018).

The Ohio State Buckeyes

On the one hand, all of the schools in the Big Ten (with the possible exception of Minnesota) are more known for the exploits on the gridiron than on the ice sheet. That is especially true with THE Ohio State. Between appearances in the Frozen Four in 1997-98 and their triumphant return in 2017-18, the Buckeyes only even reached the year end tournament six times over 20 years, never getting past the first round. In that same time span, the Buckeyes’ football time won 10 Big Ten titles, and two national championships. Now they enter the 2019-20 season coming off three consecutive Tournament appearances, only the second time in school history they have achieved such a run of success. It says here, they could set a new record this year with a fourth consecutive showing, even though their roster has less drafted talent than most others.

With two of the top three scorers last season gone, the offensive drive will be centered on Hobey Baker candidate Tanner Laczynski, whose skills and overall game have improved year over year through three years in Columbus. His skating has gotten more fluid and he has always been an exquisite puck handler and playmaker. He should be ably assisted by Carson Meyer, who acclimatized quickly after transferring from Miami to OSU. I also expect Swedish center Gustaf Westlund to take a big step forward in his sophomore season. As far as newcomers to the squad, look out for Michael Gildon, the only regular skater from last season’s elite USNTDP squad who wasn’t drafted, but capably demonstrated a knack for playing with top end talent and creating space for them. He could grow into a third wheel role on a top six line.

Forwards aside, OSU’s chances for success will once again lie squarely with the defensive half of the team. That include the blueline squad’s ability to keep their own end clean while kick-starting the counterattack with regularity. Matt Miller is the most common defenseman to remain active in the offensive zone, but I expect to see more contributions on the scoresheet from Wyatt Ege this year. Newcomer Layton Ahac could also help give the transition game more of a push. Behind that deep blueline squats one of the more underappreciated netminders in the college game in Tommy Nappier. He has ideal pro size at 6-3”, 194 and took over a regular role as a sophomore last year with sparkling numbers including a 1.86 GAA and a .934 save percentage. A follow up performance that even approaches last year’s will make OSU a tough out no matter how much their offense produces.

Drafted Players: D Layton Ahac (Vgk, 3^rd round, 2019), D Ryan O’Connell (Tor, 7^th round, 2017), LW Miguel Fidler (Fla, 5^th round, 2014), C Tanner Laczynski (Phi, 6^th round, 2016), RW Carson Meyer (Clb, 6^th round, 2017).

Penn State Nittany Lions

Penn State’s rise to a legitimately strong hockey school in only seven years as an NCAA accredited program has been nothing short of spectacular. They were close to a .500 team in their debut in 2012-13 and then fell hard in their follow up, finishing with a record of 8-26-2. In the five years since, their cumulative record has been 104-70-17, which included two seasons which finished I the NCAA tournament. On the strength of those finishes, the Nittany Lions have been able to recruit a number of high-end players to further the school’s on-ice exploits, while paving the way for subsequent NCAA entry Arizona State to reach the tournament in a similarly quick period of time. Their quick ascension was also said to be a driving factor in the push for the University of Illinois to seek NCAA status for their Ice Hockey team.

Penn State is well positioned for a strong eighth season, with eight of their top ten-point getters from 2018-19 returning, as well as their starting netminder. And while he wasn’t in their top ten in points last season, Aarne Talvitie would easily have made the cut were he not injured during the 2019 WJC as he had been one of Finland’s best players prior to the injury. Talvitie is also returning. Augmenting the likes of veterans Brandon Biro, Evan Barrett, Liam Fowlkes, and Alex Limoges up front, the Nittany Lions are bringing in a few solid recruits from the USHL in Connor MacEachern and Connor McMenamin, as well as Kevin Wall from the BCHL. If Denis Smirnov can rebound and produce like he did as a freshman, the attack will be exceptionally difficult to contain.

The blueline is similarly deep, led by veterans Cole Hults, Kris Myllari, and Paul DeNaples. Joining them this year are a pair of BCHL recruits in Kenny Johnson (brother of Pittsburgh Penguin, Jack) and Mason Snell, as well as a high-profile transfer from fellow Big Ten program Minnesota in Clayton Phillips. The Penguins draft pick was granted a transfer exemption and will not need to sit out for a season before suiting up, as would almost always be the case with a transferring junior.

Drafted Players: D Cole Hults (LA, 5^th round, 2017), D Clayton Phillips (Pit, 3^rd round, 2017), C Evan Barratt (Chi, 3^rd round, 2017), C Nikita Pavlychev (Pit, 7^th round, 2015), RW Denis Smirnov (Col, 6^th round, 2017), C Aarne Talvitie (NJ, 6^th round, 2017), RW Kevin Wall (Car, 6^th round, 2019)

Wisconsin Badgers

If we look at talent in a vacuum, Wisconsin may be not only the best team in the Big Ten, but in the discussion for the best team in the nation. This is nothing new, and yet the Badgers have not made it to the NCAA tournament since 2013-14, and have only had a record above .500 once in the five subsequent seasons. The lack of team-wide success has been buffluding to the six time nation champions, but head coach Tony Granato has recruited very well and the program continues to add top end players to its ranks on an annual basis, with the most recent freshman class considered by many to be the finest in NCAA hockey. Those players, some of whom we will discuss momentarily, supplement a core which lost only one of its top ten scorers. Despite their previous inconsistency, there was a lot of talent among that holdover bunch as well.

Very little has changed between the goaltending or the defensive crew from last year. Every goalie who appeared in a game is back, and incumbent starter Daniel Lebedeff will be expected to play more steady, reliable brand of hockey between the pipes as the presumptive starter once again. The only regular blueliner to depart was team captain Peter Tischke, who graduated. The five returnees are all NHL drafted and K’Andre Miller still has the look of a future star at the highest levels. If he can stay healthy and in line with team rules, that ascent can begin now. Wyatt Kalynuk and Josh Ess are both smart puck movers, while Tyler Inamoto and Ty Emberson are both more renowned for strong play in their own ends.

With all due respect to holdover forwards like Sean Dhooghe and Linus Weissbach, all eyes this year will be on Wisconsin’s A-rated recruits among the forwards. They include a pair of top half of the first round NHL draft picks from the USNTDP in Alex Turcotte (5^th overall) and Cole Caufield (15^th overall), in addition to their teammate with the USNTDP Owen Lindmark an another mid-round pick in Ryder Donovan. There are also some who think that the true top recruit to Madison is 2020 draft eligible forward Dylan Holloway, who spent last year tearing up the AJHL, and has already represented Canada at last year’s WU18 tournament and this past Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Holloway could be a lottery pick this year if he proves able to produce at the NCAA level as a true freshman. It can be very difficult for so many top talents to gel as a team, but if they can manage it, the Badgers can push for a seventh title. It might be now or never as some of their more prominent drafted players could be turning pro as soon as the 2019-20 comes to a close.

Drafted Players: D Ty Emberson (Ari, 3^rd round, 2018), D Joshua Ess (Chi, 7^th round, 2017), D Tyler Inamoto (Fla, 5^th round, 2017), D Wyatt Kalynuk (Phi, 7^th round, 2017), D K’Andre Miller (NYR, 1^st round, 2018), RW Cole Caufield (Mtl, 1^st round, 2019), C Ryder Donovan (Vgk, 4^th round, 2019), C/LW Jack Gorniak (Mtl, 4^th round, 2018), C Owen Lindmark (Fla, 5^th round, 2019), C Alex Turcotte (LA, 1^st round, 2019), LW Linus Weissbach (Buf, 7^th round, 2017), LW Max Zimmer (Car, 4^th round, 2016).

Big Ten Top Draft Eligible Players

Dylan Holloway, C, Wisconsin
Michael Gildon, LW, Ohio State

Holloway is the only first-time draft prospect of note in the conference, and likely the first collegiate drafted in 2020. I think Gildon should have been selected last season and a solid freshman campaign for the Buckeyes could see him selected in his go-round.

Big Ten Top Free Agents

Brandon Biro, Penn State
Tommy Nappier, Ohio State
Mitchell Lewandowski, Michigan State
Patrick Khodorenko, Michigan State
Cale Morris, Notre Dame

The Big Ten is the conference to be for NCAA free agents this year and I would add names like Alex Limoges (Penn State), Nate Sucese (Penn State), and Brannon McManus (Minnesota) as players to watch.

Vancouver Canucks 2019-20 Prospect Review: Top 20

Sat, 14 Sep 2019 13:21:23 +0000

For as much as the last four postseason-less seasons (and five of the last six) have been dismaying to Vancouver fans, there is currently a great deal of hope in the future. The rebuild has not been seamless, but a number of the high picks made by the franchise in the last few years are panning out.

2013 top ten pick Bo Horvat was given a letter to ear on his chest last year and took a step forward into being a star, if not quite a superstar, with a career high 61 points. 2015 first rounder Brock Boeser was the first gem of the current rebuild to emerge, giving the Canucks a probable 30+ goal machine after he had scored over 25 goals in each of his first two season, despite being limited to under 70 games played in each. He was followed last season by the explosive Elias Pettersson, a true game breaker who took the league by storm as a rookie, with 66 points in his way to capturing the Calder Trophy.

Other young players have also stepped forward in smaller roles, including netminder Thatcher Demko, who is healthy and ready to earn the backup job in the NHL . Beefy Jake Virtanen is also rounding out his game to be a dependable bottom six power forward, a useful player even if he never meets the expectations heaped on him as a former top ten draft pick. Later round find Adam Gaudette’s rookie season was more challenging, but his upside is still tantalizing.

Some of the players mentioned above will form the core of the next competitive Vancouver team. Others will fill in valuable, low cost roles. But if you have been paying attention, you will have noticed that something is missing from the above names. Specifically, five of the six are forwards and the other is a goalie. There were no defensemen named.

That’s about to change. Read on and you will note that eight of the Vancouver top 20 prospects are blueliners. Not only that, but there are three in the top six, including the top prospect in the system. Quinn Hughes, the aforementioned top prospect has had fans drooling ever since the Canucks called his name at the draft in Dallas. More on him below, but he got his feet wet over five games with the Canucks at the end of last season and is set to star for the team from day one this year. The number four prospect, Olli Juolevi. Was actual drafted higher in his year than Hughes. He was enjoying a great start to his North American professional career before a knee injury put an early end to his season. It might not take long for him to join Hughes in the NHL as a top four defender. Number six prospect Jett Woo is unlikely to play in the NHL this year (possible cameo notwithstanding), but he took a huge step forward with his offensive game last year and now projects as another possible top four defenseman.

The jump from these players may not be soon enough for some Vancouver fans, or those in the front office, especially after the team traded a first round pick in either 2020 or 2021 to Tampa Bay in a package for grinding/scoring winger JT Miller. Clearly, they want to be good enough very soon to avoid that pick being a lottery pick. The core is in place, but we do not yet know how long it will all take to gel.

-Ryan Wagman

Vancouver Canucks Defenceman Quinn Hughes (43) (Photo by Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire)

1 Quinn Hughes, D (7^th overall, 2018. Last Year: 2) In a group with Cale Makar, Erik Brannstrom, and Bowen Byram as the best defensive prospects in hockey. Hughes is an electric skater and the ideal modern-day quarterback. His hands are as quick as his feet leading to dynamic play whenever he is on the ice. A great four-way skater, he also adds an element of unpredictability to the game, making him very tough to defend. Despite being undersized, he has learned to use his stick to come away with the puck from board battles. He will gamble occasionally when pressured at the point. Usually, thanks to his sublime skill level, he wins. When he loses, an odd-man rush will occur, although to his credit, he gets back very quickly. Hughes is ready for the NHL and can log heavy minutes and led the power play. He will have to prove that he can defend at the NHL level to avoid being protected, but he has star level talent. - RW

2 Vasili Podkolzin, RW (10^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) Podkolzin had a busy season last year, playing in three leagues, two world championships, and he lined up for team Russia on more than 30 occasions. He showed phenomenal talent in most of these games, imposing his game on the opposition with his technique and skating, and of course, scoring a lot. He is a potential franchise player for the Canucks. He plays hard and with fierce determination, but at the same time he is a disciplined player who can be incredibly dangerous when the game opens up and he can use his explosive first three or four steps. A fantastic goal scorer and overall complete player, Podkolzin is expected to move overseas once his entry-level KHL deal runs out in April 2021. - ASR

3 Thatcher Demko, G (36^th overall, 2014. Last Year: 4) The former Boston College goaltender is a beast in the net and a future starting goalie with the Canucks. Demko sees the play very well and his form is structured but fluid enough to prove his agility and energetic nature in the net. At times he can tend to over push and force himself out of position but with more NHL games under his belt he will settle into the pace better. He stays focused and his tracking abilities lead him to control rebounds very well. There is not much to be said about his puck abilities as he is not a goaltender that actively strives to play the puck a lot, however Demko is very smart when he deflects pucks and can read the play very well. His composure in net and the way he faces every puck is indicative of his readiness to move up to the top level and he is set on the NHL for this season. - SC

4 Olli Juolevi, D (5^th overall, 2016. Last Year: 3) Although Juolevi has been battling injury, he is still considered to be one of Vancouver’s top prospects. He is a smart defenseman capable of reading the play and being one step ahead. He is a spot on passer and he can shoot from anywhere on the ice with speed and precision. Being back to one hundred percent will be big for Juolevi when he starts back with Utica this season. He will need to readjust to the pace of the breakouts and turnovers at the AHL pace so as to not fall behind or be dummied on any potential odd man rushes. His goal should be to keep his feet moving equally in all zones of the ice and to get back to playing a physical game. Having taken a slight detour, he still has the potential to be a top pairing blueliner with the Canucks once he is back to feeling confident and comfortable in the minor leagues. - SC

5 Will Lockwood, RW (64^th overall, 2016. Last Year: 8) Outside of the All-World skill players, Lockwood has long been one of my favorite prospects to watch, both as a junior and in college. Recovered from the injury that curtailed his sophomore campaign, he was much more involved in the offensive attack as a junior, without losing that sandpaper edge that had previously defined his game. He will barge in on the forecheck and make life very difficult for the defensemen and goalies who try to play the puck out. He has quick feet that allow him to get and maintain ideal positioning. Even though he has only recently become a top six scoring option, he is a skilled forward and has a knack for turning blasé possessions into legit scoring chances. While the Canucks were rumored to be trying to get Lockwood under contract he has elected to return to Ann Arbor for his senior year. He projects to a middle six role in the NHL within one to two years. - RW

6 Jett Woo, D (37^th overall, 2018. Last Year: 10) Woo has put the injury woes of his draft year behind him and turned in a very impressive offensive season. Scoring 66 points in 62 game has helped to stave off worry that he was destined to be a bottom pairing defender. He looks much more likely to take a top four role in the NHL someday. His physical play and compete level stand out as he battles for every loose puck, and every inch of ice in his own zone. He uses a nice combination of strength and quickness to control his own zone. Offensively, he moves the puck well and has a good shot. He isn’t scared to carry the puck in deep and trusts that his forwards will cover his position. His movement along the blue line opens up lanes to receive or send a pass through making him a valued part of the offense. - VG

7 Nils Hoglander, LW (40^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) Hoglander’s puck skills, tenacity and strong balance are individual assets that had him ranked in the first round by some and a case can be made that the Canucks got a steal with him in the second round. We didn’t have him the first round and that’s more a case of his whole game. His hockey sense doesn’t suggest him to be a top six driver in the NHL. Individually, there is a lot to like with Hoglander but if we want someone to drive play for his teammates, make others better, controlling the pace, there are concerns. Even though he is small in size, he plays fearless physically and with some edge to his game. He is aggressive and intense and will always keep a defense occupied when on the ice. He will play another year in SHL, hopefully in a bigger role. - JH

8 Michael DiPietro, G (64^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 9) It was a season to forget for DiPietro, a talented netminder out of the OHL. He was ripped apart by the San Jose Sharks in an emergency recall start, (which never should have happened), and he suffered an ankle injury in the OHL playoffs just as he was regaining his confidence. He is mature and determined and should bounce back and eventually become an NHL netminder. It may take patience and time as there will be an adjustment period. He is highly athletic, but one who is undersized by today’s standards. He relies on his reads and his athleticism to make saves and he can be a real game changer because of it. At the pro level, there are often growing pains for these types of goaltenders because the game moves faster, the top part of the net becomes an easier target, and confidence can wane. But DiPietro remains a very solid pro prospect and should eventually develop into an asset. - BO

9 Tyler Madden, C (68^th overall, 2018. Last Year: 13) They are not common, but once in a while you cross a prospect who had skill but could not produce a great deal in his draft year and before, but then upon moving up a level, finds a new, more exciting level of offensive production. In most of these cases, the player in question had high hockey IQ, but was either playing with lesser talents, and/or being forced to play in a more defensive-oriented role. As McKeens is blessed with smart readers, I know you have figured out that Madden is one such player. The son of Selke winner John Madden, he is smart enough to read this site, too, but also to play in any situation for his team. He plays a skilled game, with good positioning in both zones and the ability to drive possession. He is on an upward trajectory and currently looks like a future middle six option. - RW

10 Lukas Jasek, RW (174^th overall, 2015. Last Year: 12) An underdog type of player, Jasek has the ability to sneak past opponents and get into open ice without notice, giving him a leg up on his counterparts. He is a lightweight and a rather small looking player but his deceptiveness is scary when it comes to how aggressive he is on the puck. He plays with energy and passion and never gives up on a play. Due to his energetic style of play however, he can sometimes seem scattered and out of position because his work ethic is so high and strives to do so much at once. He will need to spend another season adjusting to the ice size in North America as well as the pace of the game to better know how to use his energy and where to focus most on the ice. Jasek is a hard-working, developing player with the potential to join Vancouver in a bottom six role but he will have to get bigger and strive for a more focused game. - SC

11 Kole Lind, RW (33^rd overall, 2017. Last Year: 6) For a player who had a lot of success in the WHL, Lind has had a difficult adjustment to the AHL pace with Utica. He is not the quickest nor the smoothest of skaters but works hard to keep up with the play. His shot is a rocket and his release is impressive but he lacks the ability to consistently get to the net which is a problem. He has matured a lot over the course of his first professional year and his positional play has likewise gotten a lot better. Should he continue to develop his positional game at this pace, he will be mature enough to be called up to Vancouver but his skating will still need to improve a lot in order to earn a full time bottom six NHL spot. Lind brings the right attitude and skill to his game but he will need to keep up with the play and drive the net harder to get into better scoring positions next season. - SC

12 Guillaume Brisebois, D (66^th overall, 2015. Last Year: 14) Brisebois is a dynamic and energetic defender who can easily maneuver his way down the ice or weave his way from the blueline down to the slot. He has great hands and can shoot the puck from all angles. However, his adjustment to the AHL level with Utica has been a little rocky as he does not have the time that he used to have with the puck that he had in the QMJHL. Although he still likes to play the outside he will need to work to up his confidence to walk the line a little more and create more space for himself. It will not be as easy for him to walk in and get quality scoring chances as a pro and he will have to find other ways to create chances for himself. Brisebois has the skill to be a bottom four defenseman but he will have to start thinking outside the box to generate more chances. - SC

13 Ethan Keppen, LW (122^nd overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) Keppen is a power winger with good vision in the offensive end, a rarity for junior aged players. While he can drive the net using his strength on the puck, he is most effective working the cycle deep in the offensive zone, prolonging possession time and opening up passing lanes with his motor and determination. He finished second in the OHL last year among draft eligible players in even strength primary assists. He also possesses a heavy shot and the confidence to use it, something that should see him develop into a very well rounded offensive player. As he improves his skating to become a little more explosive, and as his ability to make plays at a quicker pace improves, Keppen could become a very good prospect for Vancouver. His projection is that of a middle six winger, but one who is several years away from helping the big club. - BO

14 Toni Utunen, D (130^th overall, 2018. Last Year: 17) Utunen is a reliable defenseman whose biggest asset is definitely his hockey sense. He reads the game well. Maintains good gap control and is positionally sound. He can keep opposing forward to the outside. He moves the puck with short passes and gets pucks up the ice quickly. He possesses strong leadership qualities and does not hesitate to sacrifice his body as a shot blocker. Utunen is neither flashy nor creative, but he makes very few mistakes with the puck. His skating won’t wow you, but he has the foot speed, nobility, and backwards skating ability to hold his own in the Liiga. That said, there are questions about whether he has sufficient upside to develop into more than a third pairing NHL defenseman. - MB

15 Zach MacEwen, C (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 3, 2017. Last Year: 20) MacEwen is a great player to watch, a strong, gritty power forward who stops at nothing to put the puck in the net. He plays a simple game all over the ice, always making sure to keep his feet moving. He is not the smoothest of skaters but he has a good jump to his stride and can go from one zone to another in just a few strides. He is an efficient player but at times over-skates his forechecks and gets caught too deep or behind the play. For a bigger forward who plays with as much intensity as MacEwen does, he will have to make sure to be more careful with how he plays and pay better attention to how deep he gets caught on plays. His speed is at par but he will need to clean up his game and work on discipline next season to secure a bottom six forward spot at the highest level. - SC

16 Jack Rathbone, D (95^th overall, 2017. Last Year: Not ranked) A wild stallion from the blueline in his draft year, Rathbone was difficult to adequately scout, playing for a Massachusetts area prep school, with four games with Youngstown as a change of pace. He took the rare step of returning to his school after being drafted, keeping him firmly under the radar. Now that he has finally spent a full season playing top level competition for Harvard, we can see what Rathbone really is. He is an undersized, offensive defenseman. He gets his feet moving quickly, although his top speed is less than I would like for a blueliner his size. He has good vision and likes to load up for a long bomb pass. Considering both size and play style, he cannot play effectively in the greasy areas. He still has a long way to go before the Canucks will know what they have, but last year was a step in the right direction. - RW

17 Jack Malone, RW (180^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) After a season in a depth role for Youngstown, Malone played with far greater assertiveness in his draft year finishing second on the Phantoms, and in the top 15 leaguewide in scoring. More a playmaker than a finisher, he does play enough around the crease area to get his share of goals from in tight, but he really shines when he executes cutting paces off the rush and with pace to a steaking linemate. His skating had also shown marked improvement as his draft year progressed, to the point where he can now blow past defenders with some regularity. Malone still has a lot to work on with his game, such as not forcing plays and tightening up his own zone work. He has talent, but not enough to play on a top six, making his ability to defend more important. - RW

18 Josh Teves, D (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 12, 2019. Last Year: IE) Teves has a gift of getting the puck up the ice. He is not the fastest skater, but he can find the seams for getting the puck onto the offensive zone. He makes a good first pass. He is also an excellent backwards skater. He can really freeze the puck in the corners in win puck battles with impressive strength, even at 6-0”, 170 lbs. With that size, he may be able to hang in the NHL for stretches, but not necessarily as a defenseman. He played some on the wing for Princeton as a test when they needed more offense, and it is possible that Vancouver might try using him like that if they are unsatisfied with his defensive coverage. In 2017-18, when the team was at its best, he put up 33 points in 31 games, with a hefty percentage of that on the man advantage. The next season will go a long way in seeing how the Canucks want to develop him. - RC

19 Jonah Gadjovich, LW (55^th overall, 2017. Last Year: 11) Gadjovich is a difficult player to watch because his skating is so weak, but his strength on the puck, paired with his shooting ability, make up for his lack of movement. His hockey sense is good and he sees the play well from all areas of the ice. With Utica last year, many of his best shifts were spent on the powerplay in front of the net where his strength and hockey sense were best demonstrated. He is a bottom six forward at best in the NHL but his work ethic may take him further if he can improve his start up speed and work on his fluidity and being lighter and more comfortable on his skates. Gadjovich has a good attitude and work ethic and his redeeming qualities, such as his physicality and good hands, paired with his high hockey IQ, feed hope for his continued development, starting with a better season in 2019-20. - SC

20 Mitch Eliot, D (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Dec. 14, 2018. Last Year: IE) Eliot, a free agent signing out of Sarnia last season, is a very similar player to Jalen Chatfield, who Vancouver also signed out of the OHL a few years ago. He skates well and is a well-rounded defender who can play in all situations. Defensively, he takes away space with his mobility and his strength. Offensively, he can move the puck and attack the offensive zone, confidently handling the puck when leading the rush. The question is, can he do any of these things at an elite level? The answer would be no at this current time, but a few seasons in the AHL could elevate his skill set to the point where he could be a reliable two-way third pairing defender. - BO

Dropping the puck on the 2018-19 NCAA season – Part 2 – Hockey East, NCHC, Big 10

Ryan Wagman — Wed, 24 Oct 2018 17:54:50 +0000

In yesterday’s look at the NCAA season that is slowly cracking open. We touched upon the Atlantic 10, WCHA, and ECAC conferences. While national champions have come from the latter two conferences in recent years, there is no doubting that the strength of the collegiate game lies in the three conferences discussed here.

Hockey East

While some of the more well-known traditional powerhouses are based in the northeast, the vaunted Hockey east conference had a down year last season and seem to be in line for a repeat (in relative terms) this year. There are teams that were also-rans last year and who will likely continue to be league doormats this year. Chief among those is Vermont. Outside of leading scorer, who left school early to sign an ELC with Tampa, the majority of last year’s roster has returned, but the roster was not a strong one. There are three players who have been drafted by NHL clubs on the roster, but none has yet made a strong case that they are worthy of high-level professional careers after leaving the Catamounts. If there is a player to watch, it is junior captain Matt Alvaro, the leading returning scorer. Despite their conference schedule opener, in which they shut out Boston University by a 4-0 total, Merrimack will be in tough to be a factor as the year draws out. Defenseman Jonathan Kovacevic, a Winnipeg draft pick, plays a strong two-way game, but each of the top four point getters from last year have moved on and the team will need younger players to step up and contribute in ways they never have. The early season results are promising, but it is far too early to assume the growth is real. That said, netminder Craig Pantano was strong in partial duty last year and may be the type of unsung hero the Warriors need to stay competitive. New Hampshire used to be a staple at the NCAA conference, but they have been on the outside looking in for each of the last five years. Unlike the other bottom feeding systems, the Wildcats have a few impressive players available to them. Sharks’ pick Mike Robinson barely played last year as a freshman, but he seems to have a grip on the job early on and has performed well so far. Athletic Panthers’ prospect Max Gildon leads the blueline, and senior captain Marcus Vela (San Jose) is the center-piece of the offensive attack. Joining the attack will be veterans Ara Nazarian, Liam Blackburn, and Charlie Kelleher.

In the next rung of teams in Hockey East, we can look at UConn. Still a relative neophyte to the upper rungs, the Huskies are only in their fifth season in the conference, after migrating from the Atlantic. They are an interesting team in that the majority of their players of note are European-raised players, including their top two netminders, Adam Huska (NYR) and Tomas Vomacka (Nsh), blueliner Philip Nyberg (Buf), and forwards Ruslan Iskhakov (NYI) and Jachym Kondelik (Nsh). A few scoring forwards of note who have not been drafted include a pair of juniors in big Benjamin Freeman and Alexandre Payusov. A seeming concussion sustained by Iskhakov in the season’s second game could be a big setback to the team if he is unable to recover in a speedy fashion. The Maine Black Bears were seemingly ready to get back on the upswing, if not quite reach the heights that the program has in the past thirty years, which has seen them crowned NCAA champs twice, and reach seven other Frozen Fours. Unfortunately, days before the opening game, defender Patrick Holway, a Detroit pick, left the team due to unstated personal issues. In his absence, the team will lean more heavily on senior Rob Michel, the team captain, and sophomore Brady Keeper, both of whom have two-way bonafides. Up front, the team will rely on Detroit pick Chase Pearson to generate offense, and he will be joined by freshman Jacob Schmidt-Svejstrup, one of the top scorers in the USHL last year. More than anything, though, Maine’s hopes will rest on the crease work on Boston pick Jeremy Swayman, who was stellar as a freshman, earning Hockey East All-Rookie team honors and playing for Team USA in the WJC. He needs to be at least as good again for the school to have designs on a Tournament berth.

Next up are a couple of Massachusetts schools in UMass and UMass-Lowell. The UMass-Lowell River Hawks have been a solid contender ever since Norm Bazin took over the head coaching duties of a floundering program in 2011-12. They rarely get the press they deserve as they tend to lack in high profile, drafted players. With only four drafted players at present – only one of whom was taken before the sixth round, expect the team to be a sleeper again. Most of their top scorers return, led by Kenneth Hausinger, Ryan Dmowski, and Ryan Lohin (TB). The team has seen more turnover at the blueline, but Croix Evingson (Wpg) is slated to take a step forward, while Detroit pick Seth Barton has gotten his collegiate career off to a good start. Swedish puck mover Mattias Goransson could also garner NHL looks. Also, while Christoffer Hernberg had the lion’s share of the goaltending workload last year, Rangers pick Tyler Wall seems to have the coaches’ trust this time around. UMass Amherst does not have the recent success of Lowell to look back to, but they do have one of the top prospects in the collegiate game on the roster in Cale Makar (Col). The talented blueliner was strong last year, both as a freshman for the Minutemen as well as for Team Canada in the WJC, and should be even better this year, in what is likely his final season on campus. He is joined on the blueline by Mario Ferraro (SJ) and Marc Del Gaizo, both skilled puck movers. The forwards are less imposing as a group, but most of the big producers return from last year, led by Mitchell Chaffee, John Leonard (SJ), and Oliver Chau, who has missed the start of the season due to illness. A couple of exciting freshmen in Bobby Trivigno and Anthony Del Gaizo (Marc’s older brother), coming off strong USHL campaigns, make the team more of a scoring threat. Incumbent starting netminder Matt Murray returns, and he will be challenged by Finnish freshman Filip Lindberg.

Staying in the state of Massachusetts, powerhouses BC and BU have both gotten off to lousy starts to their respective seasons, but both have far too much talent up and down the roster not to expect brighter days ahead. Boston College may have the most deserved pessimism among the two, having scored only five goals in their first three games. Toronto pick Joseph Woll has as much talent as any collegiate netminder and he should keep the Eagles in most games, but he will need help. The most likely offensive presence is in the form of freshman Oliver Wahlstrom, a top draft pick of the Islanders and a pure sniper if such a beast exists. Another freshman with the burden of great expectations is Minnesota pick Jack McBain. Among returning forwards, Logan Hutsko (Fla), David Cotton (Car) and Graham McPhee (Edm) are the most consistent offensive threats. The talented and undersized Jacob Tortora could also take a step forward. The blueline lacks a true dynamic two-way threat, but Michael Karow (Ari) and Casey Fitzgerald (Buf) can both hold their own and Michael Kim is a good college player. Boston University also has a star between the pipes in Jake Oettinger, a former Dallas first rounder, who has been inconsistent, but with high end flashes in his collegiate career. The Terriers are deepest along the blueline, with five drafted players, all of whom deserve their high press. They are led by co-captain Dante Fabbro (Nsh), and supplemented by skill in David Farrance (Nsh) and Chad Krys (Chi), and more defensively centered defensemen, such as Cam Crotty (Ari) and Kasper Kotkansalo (Det). Up front, there are former first rounders including Shane Bowers (Col) and Joel Farabee (Phi) and later picks who are almost as talented in Patrick Harper (Nsh) and Jake Wise (Chi). Co-Captain Bobo Carpenter, a senior, has long been rumored to be a free agent contract beneficiary after graduation. While they have not done so yet, this team is chock full of players who can beat you on any given night.

Although Northeastern will no longer be able to rely on NCAA superstars Dylan Sikura or Adam Gaudette, they are still loaded with talent up and down the lineup and feature a stud netminder in Cayden Primeau (Mtl). An offensively inclined team, the attack includes assistance from the blueline in the form of Jeremy Davies (NJ), Ryan Shea (Chi), Eric Williams, and freshman Jordan Harris (Mtl). Even absent Gaudette and Sikura, the Huskies feature freshman Tyler Madden (Vancouver) and Matt Filipe (Car) up front, in addition to proven producers including Zach Solow, Brandon Hawkins, Grant Jozefek, and many more. In a conference full of outstanding goaltenders, it should be no surprise that our top ranked team, Providence, has one of their own in Hayden Hawkey (Edm), who is more than just a fantastic hockey name. Like with Northeastern, the Friars get a lot of offense from the blueline, led in their case by Jacob Bryson (Buf), Ben Mirageas (NYI) and Spenser Young. The Friars can also roll three solid scoring lines if everyone performs up to expectations. Philadelphia first rounder Jay O’Brien has been slow to start, but he should acclimate from the prep ranks to Hockey East in short order to take a place of prominence alongside player including Kasper Bjorkqvist (Pit), Brandon Duhaime (Min), Jack Dugan (Veg), Josh Wilkins, and Scott Conway. Any of the last four teams mentioned could feasibly end the year as Hockey East champions and pose legitimate title hopes. But if the last two seasons are any indication, they will have to prove they can hang with the titans from the Midwest.

National Collegiate Hockey Conference

For each of the past three seasons, when it came time to crown a national champion, the last team standing was a member of the NCHC conference. To give an idea at the depth of strength in this conference, the threepeat of sorts was accomplished by three different schools. One of those schools was not Miami University, although RedHawks were a finalist in 2009, their best ever finish. After three losing seasons, for them to threaten the powerhouses atop the conference once league play begins would be a shocker. Florida prospect Karch Bachman, one of the speedier players in the college ranks, may finally be ready to be a legitimate offensive contributor if his first few games are an indication. The team has some talent from the blueline as well, namely Grant Hutton, who is expected to have a few NHL options to choose from at the end of his senior season, and freshman Derek Daschke. The top new recruit though, and Miami’s big hope for the future, is Johnny Gruden, a top line player with the USNTDP last year and a fourth round pick by Ottawa. The team has a number of other solid players dotting the roster, but lacks much in the way of dynamic skill. A team with more higher end talent on the roster but a less cohesive team game is Nebraska-Omaha. Up front, there are offensively inclined forwards sch as Frederik Olofsson (Chicago), Steven Spinner (Washington) and Zach Jordan (watch out for this guy). Colorado pick Tyler Weiss should also be fun to watch, as he was often pigeon-holed into a bottom six role last year in the USNTDP, but his inherent skills suggest a higher ceiling. Pittsburgh draft pick Ryan Jones and Arizona pick Dean Stewart lead the blueline. Incumbent netminder Evan Weninger returns, but his position is not entrenched and Philadelphia prospect Matej Tomek will challenge after leaving North Dakota, where he never got a chance to play.

At this point, Western Michigan is probably also an underdog. Flyers’ prospect Wade Allison has dynamic scoring potential, and is one of, if not my absolute favorite player to watch in the college game, but he has not played since last January due to a lower body injury, and there are only rumors about the imminence of his eventual return. In his absence, St. Louis pick Hugh McGing will play a prominent role in the attack along with free agent Dawson DiPietro and Vegas pick Paul Cotter. Senior Colt Conrad is also auditioning for an NHL contract, after scoring at a point per game pace last year. From the blueline, the player to watch is Mattias Samuelsson, recently a second round pick of Buffalo’s. As he is more of a defensive defenseman, watch for smaller Cam Lee to add to the offense from behind. The squad will need more steadiness in net than they have received of late to launch a strong challenge for postseason play. Colorado College is a team on the rise, but it may be a year too soon to put them near the top. After four seasons with no more than eight victories, they took off with 15 wins last year, and should breach a .500 record this year with continued development from some of their key contributors. Netminder Alex Leclerc is too small to garner NHL interest, but is a very good collegiate goalie. Up front, Florida pick Chris Wilkie is ready to contribute after sitting out last season as a transfer. He joins a quarter of talented upperclassmen in Nicholas Halloran, Mason Bergh, Trey Bradley, and Westin Michaud. I also have my eyes on freshmen Benjamin Copeland and Erik Middendorf, both of whom were overlooked at the draft last year after strong seasons in the USHL. Although the forwards drive the Tigers’ attack, the defensive corps is not without talent, particularly in the forms of Kristian Blumenschein, and Benjamin Israel.

Three years removed from a championship, the North Dakota team that takes the ice today bears little resemblance to the title team. The only players of note with ties to the title are Dallas pick Rhett Gardner, a beefy two-way forward, and Hayden Shaw, a smaller, reliable and non-flashy defender. Hope and indeed expectations for continued contention is drawn from the Fighting Hawks’ recent recruiting classes. The blueline is receiving a talent injection from freshmen Jacob Bernard-Docker and Jonny Tychonick, who were ironically both drafted early by Ottawa last June. They join Colton Poolman, whose game is very reminiscent of brother Tucker’s. Versatile forward Grant Mismash, a Nashville pick, is expected to take his game up a notch up front. The team also needs to figure out which of Adam Scheel or Peter Thome (Clb) will take over as the starter from the departed Cam Johnson. Denver has more connections to their recent title, but now that Dylan Gambrell and Henrik Borgstrom have both turned pro, the core has changed. The team still has the makings of a contender though, with dynamic defender Ian Mitchell (Chi) set to be the main attraction. He is joined by a couple of freshmen blueliners of whom greatness is expected in Slava Demin (Veg) and Sean Comrie. Up front, the team will have to take a committee approach to scoring, as there is skill, but little of it is truly high end. There is a trio of drafted freshmen who could be better than anticipated in Cole Guttman (TB), Mathias Emilio Pettersen (Cgy), and Brett Stapley (Mtl). They join big game hero Jarid Lukosevicius. As with North Dakota, the Pioneers have to answers questions in net, as heralded recruit Filip Larsson is out indefinitely and Devin Cooley, who has taken the reins to start the season, is largely unproven.

The best hope for a fourth different NCHC championship in four seasons is St. Cloud State, which was actually the top ranked team in the country heading into the playoffs last year. There are teams in this conference with more NHL-bound talent than at St. Cloud State, but the Huskies do not lack in that regards either, while they fill in at the edges with a high caliber of support player. Former Montreal first rounder Ryan Poehling is ready to take the next step offensively and breach one point per game. Helping him to fill the nets are Patrick Newell, Robby Jackson, Blake Lizotte, and Easton Brodzinski. The blueline is similarly deep and skilled, led by tiny Jack Ahcan, Nick Perbix (TB), Jon Lizotte (no relation to Blake) and Jimmy Schuldt, who surprised many by ignoring the lure of the NHL after his junior season. Finally, in net, the team is equally comfortable going with David Hrenak (LA) or Jeffrey Smith, both of whom have displayed the ability to stop pucks at an above average rate in the NCAA. Of course, the NCHC could easily claim another title from a repeat champion. Last year’s champions, Minnesota-Duluth, were not expected to make a strong push, as they had a very young roster and were widely thought to be a season or two way from their “window”. Amazingly, only three of their top ten scorers from last year are gone. The blueline returns three sophomores who both spent time on the American WJC squad in Scott Perunovich (StL), Mikey Anderson (LA), and Dylan Samberg (Wpg). Netminder Hunter Shepard is still anonymous, despite his workhorse status on last year’s title run. Up front, former Dallas first rounder Riley Tufte is overdue to breakthrough, as he has been slowly refining his game to the point where he is nearly unstoppable down low. Helping out with the attack will be Peter Krieger, Nick Swaney (Min), and freshman Noah Cates (Phi). This year’s Bulldogs may be even better than last year’s champs.

Big 10

While last season saw the NCHC claim the crown for the third year in a row, it should not be forgotten that each of the other three teams in the Frozen Four came out of the Big 10. Of course, Michigan State was not one of those teams. The Spartans are now 11 years removed from their most recent title. They should see their wins total grow for the third year running, but are still not quite a challenger. They return nine of their top ten scorers from last year and Taro Hirose, Mitch Lewandowski, and Patrick Khodorenko are expected to lead the team once again. As promising as that trio is, it is unclear where the secondary scoring will come from. Starting netminder John Lethemon is good enough to keep MSU in games, but should not be expected to steal too many. After the Spartans, any team could reasonably reach the NCAA tournament, but some are less likely than others. Next up would probably have to be Penn State. It is easy to forget that the Nittany Lions have only been back in the NCAA for six seasons. Most of their top scorers from last year are returning, but the talent level is still something short of dynamic. Chicago pick Evan Barratt could be ready for the next step and Colorado pick Denis Smirnov is probably the most talented of the bunch. Upperclassmen Chase Berger, Brandon Biro, and Nathan Sucese are auditioning for NHL scouts and are productive, if not necessarily exciting players. The blueline is a relative weakspot, led as it is by Cole Hults (LA) and Kris Myllari. In net, Peyton Jones has had a nice career thus far, but it is unclear that he can be anything more than adequate at this level.

Since a pair of Frozen Four appearances earlier in the decade, Minnesota has been a bit of a hit-or-miss team. Last year saw a bit of both, but without second leading scorer Casey Mittelstadt on the team, the Golden Gophers could struggle once again to get back to the top. As always, they are exceptional recruiters, with this year’s star freshmen including Blake McLaughlin (Ana), Sampo Ranta (Col), and the draft eligible blueliner Benjamin Brinkman. Some of the returning players who could be critical include forwards Rem Pitlick (Nsh), Scott Reedy (SJ), Thomas Novak (Nsh), Brent Gates (Ana), and Tyler Sheehy along with blueliners Clayton Phillips (Pit), Ryan Zuhlsdorf (TB), and Tyler Nanne (NYR). In the early going it seems that last year’s backup netminder, Mat Robson, has surpassed former starter Eric Schierhorn. If Robson can maintain his performance over the full season such as he has in a part time role, the Gophers could be better than expected. The talent is here, but it needs to come together. Put anther way, Minnesota’s talent with Penn State’s structure could be a front runner. Wisconsin won 20 games in 2016-17 after combining for 12 victories in the two seasons prior, eliciting visions of grandeur. Unfortunately, the team sunk back down to 14 wins last year, prompting a rethink of the team’s standing. The Badgers are a team whose strength is on the blueline with five drafted players – all underclassmen - taking charge. Returning from last year are the physical Tyler Inamoto (Fla), the quiet puck mover Josh Ess (Chi), and offensively inclined puck rusher Wyatt Kalynuk (Phi). Joining them this season are a pair of USNTDP grads in checker Ty Emberson (Ari) and the dynamic K’Andre Miller (NYR), who has superstar potential. Veteran Peter Tischke rounds out the blueline corps. Up front, Wisconsin is not as exciting, but Sean Dhooghe, among the smallest high level players I have ever watched is a joy. Linus Weissbach (Buf) and Max Zimmer (Car) look like they will contribute and I have reasonably optimistic expectations of Tarek Baker as well. Like much of the conference, the Badgers are unsettled in net.

Notre Dame has been to the Frozen Four for both of the last two seasons, but the graduation of Jake Evans, the school’s number three scorer since the turn of the century, will have an impact. That said, the Fighting Irish are constantly restocking, so the team should be a strong competitor once more. Cale Morris was exception in net last year, winning the Mike Richter Award as the top goalie in the nation and will still be very good even if he takes a step back. Big Andrew Peeke (Clb) and mobile Matthew Hellickson (NJ) make a strong start to the blueline while veteran Bobby Nardella along with new recruit Spencer Stastney (Nsh) look like a good second pairing with two way capability. The top players up front include Callahan Burke, Cam Morrison (Col), and Dylan Malmquist. Even big Joe Wegwerth can overcome his stiff hands by being a tank in the opposing crease. Freshmen Jacob Pivonka (NYI), Graham Slaggert, and Alex Steeves could also go a long way to giving the Irish attack the needed depth to succeed. Ohio State does not have the flashy names that dot the rosters of most of the rest of the Big 10, but they have talent up and down the team and can win in many ways. They seem to be using a rotation in net, with both incumbent starter Sean Romeo and the younger Tommy Nappier in line to play a good amount. None of their key blueliners have been drafted, but any of Wyatt Ege, Grant Gabriele, Matt Miller, Gordi Myer, or Sasha Larocque can hurt you. There is a smattering of NHL interest up front, such as power forward Dakota Joshua (Tor), playmaker Carson Meyer (Clb) who transferred from Miami, smaller dynamo Mason Jobst and Hobey Baker candidate Tanner Taczynski (Phi). I could go on, but that might be enough to get back to the Frozen Four.

As good as Notre Dame and Ohio State are, not to mention Wisconsin, Minnesota, or Penn State, if the Michigan Wolverines get even halfway decent work in net, they could be the best team in the country. Quinn Hughes was a top ten pick last year by Vancouver and is as dynamic as blueliners get. This will be his last tune-up before moving to the NHL. First line center Josh Norris had a fine freshman season and then was one of the main pieces moving from San Jose to Ottawa in the Erik Karlsson trade. Will Lockwood (Van) is healthy again and provides an agitating, skilled presence. The Pastujov brothers, Nick (NYI) and Michael, provide strength and skill up front. Minnesota pick Nicholas Boka is a talented puck mover from the blueliner who can get the puck moving in the right direction when Hughes is catching his breath. Luke Martin (Car) and Joseph Cecconi (Dal) has shutdown qualities. Brendan Warren (Phi) can contribute offense while playing the tough minutes up front. Moving down the lineup there are other surprises in store as well. Ohio State may be a safer bet, but Michigan has the best chance among any team in the nation, to dominate any given night.

Will Lockwood – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2023 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #22 New York Rangers

Prospect System Ranking – 22nd (20th last year)

MCKEEN’S 2022-23 NHL YEARBOOK – VANCOUVER CANUCKS – Top 20 Prospects

2021-22 TOP 15 PROSPECTS: VANCOUVER CANUCKS- RANK: #27 – TIER V

McKeen’s 2020-21 Hockey Yearbook: Vancouver Canucks Top 20 Prospects

Vasili Podkolzin, RW (10th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 1)

Nils Hoglander, LW (40th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 2)

Olli Juolevi, D (5th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 3)

Jett Woo, D (37th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 4)

Jack Rathbone, D (95th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 5)

Will Lockwood, RW (64th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 6)

Michael DiPietro, G (64th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 7)

Zack MacEwen, RW (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 3, 2017. Previous ranking: 8)

Jacob Truscott, D (144th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Joni Jurmo, D (82nd overall, 2020. Previous ranking NA)

Kole Lind, RW (33rd overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 9)

Brogan Rafferty, D (Undrafted Free Agent, signed 1, 2019. Previous ranking: 10)

Aidan McDonough, LW (195th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 12)

Marc Michaelis, RW (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 19, 2020. Previous ranking: 13)

Dmitri Zlodeyev, C (175th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Linus Karlsson, C (Trade: Feb. 25, 2019. Originally: 87th overall, 2018 [San Jose]. Previous ranking: 14)

Guillaume Brisebois, D (66th overall, 2015. Previous ranking: 11)

Arvid Costmar, C (215th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 15)

Petrus Palmu, LW/RW (181st overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 16)

Carson Focht, C (133rd overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 17)

McKeen’s 2020-21 Hockey Yearbook: Top 300 Prospect Rankings

MCKEENS 2020 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT – TOP 250 PROSPECTS

MCKEEN’S 2020 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – VANCOUVER CANUCKS – ORGANIZATIONAL RANK: 13

Vancouver Canucks

Vasili Podkolzin, RW (10th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 2)

Nils Hoglander, LW (40th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 7)

Olli Juolevi, D (5th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 4)

Jett Woo, D (37th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 6)

Jack Rathbone, D (95th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 16)

Will Lockwood, RW (64th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 5)

Michael DiPietro, G (64th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 8)

Zack MacEwen, RW (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 3, 2017. 2019 Rank: 15)

Kole Lind, RW (33rd overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 11)

Brogan Rafferty, D (Undrafted Free Agent, signed 1, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

Guillaume Brisebois, D (66th overall, 2015. 2019 Rank: 12)

Aidan McDonough, LW (195th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

Marc Michaelis, RW (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Mar. 19, 2020. 2019 Rank: IE)

Linus Karlsson, C (Trade: Feb. 25, 2019. Originally: 87th overall, 2018 [San Jose]. 2019 Rank: UR)

Arvid Costmar, C (215th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

NCAA 2019-20 Season Preview: Big Ten

Big Ten Top Draft Eligible Players

Big Ten Top Free Agents

Vancouver Canucks 2019-20 Prospect Review: Top 20

Dropping the puck on the 2018-19 NCAA season – Part 2 – Hockey East, NCHC, Big 10

Prospect System Ranking – 22^nd (20^th last year)

Vasili Podkolzin, RW (10^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 1)

Nils Hoglander, LW (40^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 2)

Olli Juolevi, D (5^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 3)

Jett Woo, D (37^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 4)

Jack Rathbone, D (95^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 5)

Will Lockwood, RW (64^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 6)

Michael DiPietro, G (64^th overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 7)

Jacob Truscott, D (144^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Joni Jurmo, D (82^nd overall, 2020. Previous ranking NA)

Kole Lind, RW (33^rd overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 9)

Aidan McDonough, LW (195^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 12)

Dmitri Zlodeyev, C (175^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Linus Karlsson, C (Trade: Feb. 25, 2019. Originally: 87^thoverall, 2018 [San Jose]. Previous ranking: 14)

Guillaume Brisebois, D (66^th overall, 2015. Previous ranking: 11)

Arvid Costmar, C (215^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 15)

Petrus Palmu, LW/RW (181^st overall, 2017. Previous ranking: 16)

Carson Focht, C (133^rd overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 17)

Vasili Podkolzin, RW (10^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 2)

Nils Hoglander, LW (40^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 7)

Olli Juolevi, D (5^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 4)

Jett Woo, D (37^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 6)

Jack Rathbone, D (95^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 16)

Will Lockwood, RW (64^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 5)

Michael DiPietro, G (64^th overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 8)

Kole Lind, RW (33^rd overall, 2017. 2019 Rank: 11)

Guillaume Brisebois, D (66^th overall, 2015. 2019 Rank: 12)

Aidan McDonough, LW (195^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

Linus Karlsson, C (Trade: Feb. 25, 2019. Originally: 87^thoverall, 2018 [San Jose]. 2019 Rank: UR)

Arvid Costmar, C (215^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)