Zachary Bolduc – McKeen's Hockey

NHL: CULLEN – 20 FANTASY POINTS – Stamkos busts out of slump, Rakell is rolling, Hughes steps up for the Devils, lots of rookies are starting to make their mark, and much more!

Scott Cullen — Sat, 15 Mar 2025 14:39:46 +0000

Each week, I dig into the stats to find information that can help you make better fantasy hockey decisions. This week, Steven Stamkos busts out of his slump, Rickard Rakell is rolling, Luke Hughes steps up for the Devils, lots of rookies are starting to make their mark, and much more!

SUNRISE, FL - NOVEMBER 07: Nashville Predators Steven Stamkos (91) looks on during the game between the Nashville Predators and the Florida Panthers on Thursday November 07, 2024 at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Fla.(Photo by Chris Arjoon/Icon Sportswire)

#1 Coming out of a disastrous stretch during which he was held without a point for 13 straight games, Steven Stamkos has pulled out of that slump in a big way. He has nine points (5 G, 4 A) and 14 shots on goal in five games since that drought. He is skating on a line with Ryan O’Reilly and Luke Evangelista, which ought to be good enough to keep scoring more consistently down the stretch.

#2 It’s easy to overlook anything positive happening for a team whose season is going sideways, but it should be noted that Rickard Rakell is having a great season for the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 31-year-old forward is skating in a prime spot on Sidney Crosby’s wing, and has nine points (5 G, 4 A) and 15 shots on goal in his past seven games. He is up to 30 goals for the season, the first time that he has hit that mark since 2017-2018.

#3 Devils defenceman Dougie Hamilton is out for the rest of the regular season and that opens up a prime opportunity for Luke Hughes, who has nine points (1 G, 8 A) while averaging more than 23 minutes of ice time per game in his past nine games. He is going to quarterback the first power play in New Jersey and that should make Hughes a valuable commodity for fantasy managers the rest of the way. Hughes recorded 47 points as a rookie last season, with 25 on the power play. This season, he has 31 points, with nine points on the power play.

#4 The fifth pick in the 2022 Draft, Cutter Gauthier is hitting his groove while skating on a line with Mason McTavish and Sam Colangelo. Gauthier has put up 10 points (3 G, 7 A) with 25 shots on goal in his past 11 games even though he is averaging fewer than 13 minutes of ice time per game. Colangelo has 39 points (20 G, 19 A) in 42 AHL games since coming out of Western Michigan last year, and since he was called up to the Ducks in late February, he has delivered six points (5 G, 1 A) in eight games, though Colangelo missed Friday’s win over Nashville and is currently day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

#5 After a slow start to the season, San Jose Sharks rookie Will Smith has really come into his own in the second half of the season. In his past 20 games, Smith has 20 points (7 G, 13 A) with 38 shots on goal. He has played nearly 17 minutes per game over that span and is having success skating on a line with veteran centre Alexander Wennberg and rookie winger Collin Graf. Wennberg has eight assists in his past eight games and Graf has five points (3 G, 2 A) in his past five games.

#6 Florida Panthers rookie winger Mackie Samoskevich is making the most of the opportunity presented to him by injuries to Matthew Tkachuk and Brad Marchand, a pair of star wingers who are out of the lineup and might be out until the start of the playoffs. Samoskevich has seven points (4 G, 3 A) with 22 shots on goal in his past eight games. He is averaging 15:35 of ice time per game, which is a significant bump from the 11:49 per game he had been averaging before that. Not only is Samoskevich skating with Sam Bennett and Evan Rodrigues at evens, but he is getting a shot on Florida’s first power play unit, so a prime opportunity for Samoskevich to show that he is a bona fide top six winger in the NHL.

#7 With Brock Nelson gone to Colorado, Jean-Gabriel Pageau figures to have a significant role for the Islanders for the rest of the season. It’s not like he has been buried on the depth chart this season anyway, but Pageau does have seven points (2 G, 5 A) while averaging 17:35 of ice time per game in his past seven games. Pageau also tends to offer more value for fantasy managers because he is a hitter – he is tied for 24th among centres with 130 hits this season. Pageau is skating on a line with Anders Lee and Simon Holmstrom, which is solid enough to continue his level of production.

#8 As the Vancouver Canucks battle for their playoff lives, they have been leaving heavily on blueliner Filip Hronek, who has seven points (1 G, 6 A) in his past five games and Hronek has been playing nearly 25 minutes per game, hitting a season high of 28:07 in Thursday’s 4-3 win at Calgary. Quinn Hughes returned to the Canucks lineup in that game, which cuts into Hronek’s time on the top power play unit, if not his overall ice time.

#9 Utah Hockey Club centre Barrett Hayton can get overlooked because he is not the driver on the top line, but that doesn’t mean his results should be ignored. Since the NHL has returned from the break for the 4 Nations Face-Off, Hayton has produced nine points (5 G, 4 A) with 31 shots on goal in 10 games. That shot rate is encouraging, as if the fact that Hayton is averaging 18:45 of ice time per game in that stretch. He is up to 38 points (17 G, 21 A) for the season, putting him within five points of his career high.

#10 The Chicago Blackhawks have called up defenceman Artyom Levshunov, the second pick in last summer’s draft. The 19-year-old right shot blueliner had 22 points (5 G, 17 A) in 50 AHL games before getting promoted, and he is getting a prime opportunity in Chicago. Levshunov is averaging more than 20 minutes per game in his first two NHL contests and, with Seth Jones traded to Florida, the rookie is quarterbacking the Blackhawks’ first power play unit.

#11 St. Louis Blues rookie Zachary Bolduc is hitting his groove. In his past 12 games, Bolduc has produced 10 points (7 G, 3 A) with 23 shots on goal. He is skating on the third line with Mathieu Joseph and Oskar Sundqvist but is now getting first unit power play time so the 2021 first-round pick could be in decent position to produce down the stretch. Staying in St. Louis, left winger Jake Neighbours has eight points (3 G, 5 A) in his past eight games, but he also has just seven shots on goal in those eight games, so tread carefully. When players have offensive spikes that are not supported by shot production, it should offer some reason to be cautious, because it’s difficult to sustain production if the underlying numbers aren’t there. Neighbours does have the advantage of skating with Robert Thomas and Pavel Buchnevich at even strength.

#12 Before getting hurt in mid-December, Vegas Golden Knights winger Ivan Barbashev had 30 points (15 G, 15 A) in 31 games. He struggled to generate much offensively upon returning to action in mid-January but has rallied to put up seven points (4 G, 3 A) in his past eight games. He is currently on the fourth line, with Brett Howden and Keegan Kolesar, so that puts a damper on offensive optimism, but the Golden Knights are not afraid to shuffle their wingers and Barbashev is still playing nearly 16 minutes per game.

#13 Offense comes and goes for Blackhawks winger Ilya Mikheyev, but he has hit a good stretch lately, putting up 10 points (6 G, 4 A) with 24 shots on goal in his past 12 games. Playing with Ryan Donato and Teuvo Teravainen is a quality opportunity for him, and with 26 points, he is within six points of his career high, so he should reach that.

#14 When the Penguins demoted Tristan Jarry to the American Hockey League in January, he had a .884 save percentage in 22 games. He played a dozen games in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and had a .908 save percentage, which wasn’t necessarily awe-inspiring, but enough to get called back up to the NHL and he has been in fine form, posting a .941 save percentage in his first three starts since returning. Six points out of a playoff spot, the Penguins are longshots for the postseason, but if Jarry is going to play like this, then maybe they have a chance.

#15 Ottawa Senators centre Shane Pinto is elevating his production in the second half of the season. In his past 13 games, Pinto has 12 points (8 G, 4 A) with 29 shots on goal. Of his 28 points this season, only two have come via the power play, so Pinto does his damage at even strength, and he has a good thing going with wingers Michael Amadio and Ridly Greig.

#16 With Mikael Backlund week-to-week with an upper-body injury, Yegor Sharangovich has moved the middle on the Flames’ second line. It has been a disappointing season for Sharangovich, who has 23 points (12 G, 11 A) and just one goal in his past eight games but skating on a line with Joel Farabee and Blake Coleman could be a better opportunity for him. Sharangovich had career highs with 31 goals and 59 points last season, so this dip in production is disappointing, but maybe a strong finish can set him up for better things next season.

#17 When star defencemen are injured, it can present an opportunity for players to step into a bigger role. The Rangers’ Adam Fox is out of the lineup with an upper-body injury and Zac Jones has moved to the Blueshirts’ top power play unit. Jones has three assists in his past six games. In Nashville, with Roman Josi out, Nick Blankenburg has taken on top power play responsibilities, and he also has three assists in his past six games. Neither Jones nor Blankenburg would be considered must add for fantasy managers, but anyone getting top unit power play time is worth tracking.

#18 After missing more than three months due to a pelvic injury, Seattle Kraken winger Jordan Eberle took a few games to get going, but has put up eight points (1 G, 7 A) in his past seven games. He is skating with Chandler Stephenson and Eeli Tolvanen at even strength and, probably more importantly, Eberle is also getting first unit power play time for the Kraken.

#19 Even with injuries hitting the Minnesota Wild lineup, team captain Jared Spurgeon has been quietly productive when he is in the game. In his past 18 games, Spurgeon has 13 points (3 G, 10 A) and 24 shots on goal. He has also blocked more than two shots per game in that span, so there is some peripheral statistical value to be had from the steady veteran who continues to deliver excellent play-driving numbers for the Wild.

#20 Philadelphia Flyers winger Owen Tippett has been struggling in March, managing just one goal in seven games. More troubling for Tippett, who has proven to be a quality shot generator, is that he has just 11 shots on goal in those seven games. He is still playing more than 16 minutes per game and is on a line with veteran centre Sean Couturier and star rookie Matvei Michkov, but it does not seem to be working right now. Other players struggling to score in March include Anthony Cirelli (0 points in 7 games), Logan Cooley (0 points in 6 games), Filip Chytil (1 point in 6 games), and Carter Verhaeghe (1 point in 6 games).

*Advanced stats via Natural Stat Trick

NHL: DADOUN – THE FANTASY WEEK AHEAD – Dustin Wolf makes strong case for the Calder Trophy – Teams and Players to target

Ryan Dadoun — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 21:57:59 +0000

Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf (32) (Photo by Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire)

Two months ago, I took a look at the Calder Trophy race, highlighting Macklin Celebrini, Lane Hutson and Dustin Wolf as the favorites, but I also didn’t go into depth about the Flames goaltender because netminders typically don’t do well in Calder Trophy voting. As noted, Steve Mason was the last goaltender to win it back in 2008-09, and he was so good that campaign -- 33-20-7 record, 2.29 GAA and .916 save percentage -- that he finished in Vezina Trophy voting in addition to winning the Calder Trophy. So, the bar Wolf would have to reach to finish ahead of Celebrini and Hutson, who have been impressive in their own right, is high.

Even if he doesn’t end up getting the Calder, though, Wolf deserves recognition for what he’s doing because it’s not an exaggeration to say that the 23-year-old rookie is the single biggest reason Calgary has a legitimate shot of making the playoffs. Wolf has a 22-12-5 record, 2.53 GAA and .915 save percentage in 39 starts this campaign. He might not be a Vezina Trophy contender like Mason was in his rookie campaign, but Wolf is in a four-way tie for fifth in save percentage (min. 20 games played), so he’s certainly one of the league’s top netminders.

His numbers look even better when you consider that Calgary is tied for 20th in xGA/60 (3.11), per Moneypuck, which suggests that the defense in front of him has been average at best. That’s also reflected in his Goals Saved Above Expected, which stands at 16.5, the sixth best in the league. That puts him just behind Andrei Vasilevskiy (17.1), which is good company to be in.

Meanwhile, the Flames have done nothing to help him offensively. The Flames rank last in goals per game with 2.56. Among teams that have averaged 2.60 goals per game or fewer dating back to 2020-21, Calgary at 30-23-11 is the only team with a points percentage above .500 (.555). The next best is the 2021-22 Sharks, who finished at 32-37-13 for a .470 points percentage. What about finishing last in scoring but still managing a points percentage above .500? The last team to do that were the 2015-16 Devils, who finished 38-36-8 on the strength of Cory Schneider (2.15 GAA, .924 save percentage). Even then, those Devils didn’t come close to making the playoffs, so Calgary might one-up them in that metric.

It’s fair to say what Wolf’s doing is rare: taking a team with a mediocre defense and a rock-bottom offense and guiding the squad toward a potential playoff berth. Is that enough to win the Calder? It’s tough to say because it’s so subjective. Lane Hutson is a rookie defenseman who has already breached the 50-point mark and might reach 60 before the season is over. That almost never happens. Chris Chelios had 64 points back in 1984-85 and would have secured the Calder if that wasn’t also the rookie season of Mario Lemieux (43 goals, 100 points). Meanwhile, Macklin Celebrini’s production isn’t quite as rare if we’re judging him against past rookie forwards, but it’s still worth emphasizing that he’s reached the 20-goal mark despite injury and isn’t too far below a point per game. Comparing them is difficult because they serve completely different roles.

Whatever the case, though, Calgary without Wolf would have been a far different and likely substantially worse team this campaign.

Boston Bruins (Mon vs BUF, Thu @ VGK, Sat @ SJS, Sun @ LAK)

Boston isn’t out of the playoff race yet, but after going 3-7-2 from Feb. 5-March 13, the Bruins’ chances of making the postseason seem increasingly bleak. They need a strong week, and the Bruins will be facing two non-playoff teams in Buffalo, who they host Monday, and San Jose, who they have a road matchup against Saturday. However, the Bruins will also have two difficult road clashes in Vegas on Thursday and Los Angeles on Sunday, so there will be challenges for them to overcome.

If there’s a silver lining, it’s that Boston has won two of its past three games since the trade deadline, despite its longer-term struggles and being a deadline day seller. It helps that one of the few NHL-ready assets the Bruins did get back, Casey Mittelstadt, has kicked off his Boston career with a three-game scoring streak (one goal, two assists). He’s centering the second line, which isn’t a glamorous assignment given the state of the Bruins’ depth, but he is on the first power-play unit, which has already led to him collecting an assist on David Pastrnak’s goal Tuesday.

Speaking of, the dismantling of his supporting cast and the team edging toward rebuild mode doesn’t seem to have demoralized David Pastrnak. He has two goals and two assists in Boston’s three games post-deadline, extending his overall scoring streak to five games (two goals, five assists). He also ranks fifth among all players with 82 points and is tied for fourth in goals with 34. If Boston manages to squeak into the playoffs, he’ll be a big part of the reason why.

Maybe Jeremy Swayman can play a role in guiding them down the stretch too, but that’s hard to count on. Although his early campaigns were great, his 2024-25 GAA and save percentage of 2.98 and .897, respectively, are unimpressive, and a big part of that is inconsistency. For example, he earned two straight wins from March 8-11 while saving 51 of 53 shots (.962 save percentage), but he followed that up with a stinker against Ottawa in which he surrendered four goals in the first period, leading to the yank.

Ottawa is a division rival, and the holder of a wild-card spot, which makes the loss all the more painful. Boston is now seven points back of Ottawa. The Bruins are a mere two points behind Columbus, which holds the second wild-card spot, though Boston has played in two more games and is also contending for that spot with the Rangers, Montreal and Detroit -- combine with Boston and Columbus, all five teams are within a two-point range through Thursday’s action.

Chicago Blackhawks (Tue vs SEA, Thu vs LAK, Sat @ STL, Sun vs PHI)

Staring down the barrel of a possible rebuild, what Boston likely fears is going down the path of Chicago. Sure, the Blackhawks have picked up some remarkable young talent along the way, but Chicago is on course to miss the playoffs for the fifth straight year and seventh time in eight seasons. Technically it’s even worse than that, because the lone time Chicago made the playoffs in that span in 2019-20 when the COVID lockdown led to the league expanding the postseason system, causing Chicago to participate despite a 32-30-8 record and last-place finish in the Central Division.

Either way, Chicago isn’t just looking at another season without playoff action, the Blackhawks seem no where near being competitive. After losing a third straight game Thursday, Chicago is 20-37-9. Maybe they’ll be able to finish on a high note? Chicago has a busy week ahead of it, mostly against teams that aren’t presently in a playoff spot. The Blackhawks will host Seattle on Tuesday and the Kings on Thursday. They’ll then take to the road to play in St. Louis on Saturday before returning home to host Philadelphia on Sunday.

If you’re looking for good news, it’s that Spencer Knight has looked decent since being acquired from Florida as part of the Seth Jones trade. He’s 2-2-0 with a 2.24 GAA and a .928 save percentage in four starts with Chicago. That’s a small sample size, but he also held his own with Florida this campaign -- he had a 12-8-1 record, 2.40 GAA and .907 save percentage in 23 outings pre-trade -- and his potential has been known for a while. Still just 23 years old, Chicago might have found its long-term answer in net. Chicago dealt Petr Mrazek to Detroit, so Knight is likely to see most of the starts for the rest of the season.

Unfortunately, other parts of the Blackhawks’ young core have been unimpressive recently. Lukas Reichel, 22, hasn’t recorded a point in his past five games and remains at 19 points (six goals) across 57 appearances. Although there have been high expectations put on the No. 17 overall pick from the 2020 NHL Draft, he hasn’t been able to consistently perform offensively at the NHL level despite collecting 42 goals and 116 points across 121 career regular-season AHL games.

More importantly, Connor Bedard has struggled to make any progress in his sophomore season, and he’s been especially cold recently, supplying just a goal and three points over his past 11 appearances. That gives him 17 goals and 52 points in 66 outings in 2024-25, which is great stuff for a 19-year-old but puts him behind the 22 goals and 61 points in 68 appearances he recorded as a rookie. Ultimately, growing pains as a sophomore is nothing to panic over, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he still manages to end the season on a positive note.

In the meantime, it’s the veterans who are getting the job done for Chicago. The 28-year-old Ryan Donato has been incredible lately with eight goals and 20 points across his past 15 appearances, while the 30-year-old Teuvo Teravainen has four goals and 17 points in 14 outings. Please note that Donato is set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer, so even if the Blackhawks have no hope of making the playoffs, he is playing for his next contract, which should help keep him going as we enter the final stretch of the campaign.

Los Angeles Kings (Mon @ MIN, Thu @ CHI, Sat vs CAR, Sun vs BOS)

The Kings won their fourth straight game when they shutdown the Capitals 3-0 on Thursday. That streak has elevated them into the second seed in the Pacific Division, though they have just a one-point edge over Edmonton, albeit with a game in hand, so the Kings need to maintain their momentum in order to secure the home-ice advantage in the first round. They’ll start the week on the road with contests in Minnesota on Monday and Chicago on Thursday. The Kings will then host the Hurricanes and the Bruins on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

Shutting out the Capitals is no small feat, so Darcy Kuemper, who made 21 saves, deserves recognition for pulling that off against his former team. The goaltender is on a roll, stopping 101 of 105 shots (.962 save percentage) across his past four starts (3-0-1). He’s also been an important part of the Kings’ success overall with a 21-8-7 record, 2.23 GAA and .916 save percentage in 37 outings. What a comeback he’s had after a disastrous 2023-24 campaign with Washington (13-14-3 record, 3.31 GAA, .890 save percentage). It provides a little silver lining to the whole Pierre-Luc Dubois saga, though it has to be said that Dubois has done well in Washington (17 goals, 57 points), so the Kuemper-Dubois swap has ultimately worked out for both sides.

For those who aren’t aware, there was a brief time when Dubois was seen as a possible successor up the middle for the aging Anze Kopitar. That didn’t go as the Kings had hoped, but fortunately Anze Kopitar hasn’t needed a replacement just yet. The 37-year-old has three goals and seven points in his past seven outings, giving him 16 goals and 53 points in 64 appearances in 2024-25. It looks like he’ll finish just below the 70-point mark, but he should still hit 60 for the seventh time in eight seasons.

The 22-year-old Quinton Byfield is also giving the Kings reason for optimism about the future of their center group. Although he’ll likely finish below the 55-points he provided in 2023-24, Byfield has shown flashes of what he’s capable of this campaign, including his active five-game goal-scoring streak. He’s up to 16 markers and 39 points in 64 outings this season.

Nashville Predators (Tue vs STL, Thu vs ANA, Sat vs TOR, Sun @ STL)

The chances of Nashville making the playoffs are near zero, but the Predators would like to at least finish the campaign on a high note. To that end, Nashville has won four straight going into Friday’s action. The Predators will attempt to extend that run of strong play next week, starting with home games against St. Louis on Tuesday, Anaheim on Thursday and Toronto on Saturday. The Predators will finish the week on the road against St. Louis.

Steven Stamkos has been a huge part of the Predators’ recent success, providing five goals and nine points across that four-game winning streak. His 22 goals and 42 points in 64 outings is still disappointing when measured against his 80-plus points in each of his previous three campaigns, but the 35-year-old clearly still has something left in the tank. Don’t dismiss the possibility of 2025-26 being a comeback season for him -- he might provide great value for those who select him in 2025 fantasy drafts.

I’m less confident about Juuse Saros bouncing back. Even while winning his past three starts, Saros hasn’t looked special, stopping just 65 of 73 shots (.890 save percentage). His goals saved above expected is minus-4.1 this season, suggesting that he’s been below average even if you factor out the Predators’ defense, and he was a similarly underwhelming minus-3.0 last season. He’s still just 29 (30 on April 19), so it’s not like a comeback is impossible. You look at a guy like Sergei Bobrovsky, and you can see how a goaltender can be inconsistent on yearly basis but still average out to be a phenomenal netminder. Even still, I’m at the point where I need to see results from Saros before I’ll start to believe in him again. As it stands, I’d be somewhat worried if I was the Predators’ GM given that his eight-year, $61.92 million contract doesn’t even start until next season.

I’m also not big on the idea that Jonathan Marchessault will do better next season. He has 19 goals and 48 points in 64 appearances this campaign, down from 42 goals and 69 points in 82 appearances with Vegas in 2023-24. The issue is that last season was an outlier from him in terms of goal scoring -- other than that, he’s never done better than 30 markers. He accomplished that feat thanks to his 15.8 shooting percentage, well above his career average of 11.5, so his showing in 2024-25 represents a regression toward the norm. It is noteworthy that he’s managed just 9.4 shots per 60 minutes this season -- he recorded between 10.8-12.4 in each campaign from 2017-18 through 2023-24 -- so perhaps he’ll be somewhat more aggressive next season, leading to a handful of additional goals, but that’s about the most you can hope for.

Philadelphia Flyers (Mon @ PHI, Thu @ WAS, Sat @ DAL, Sun @ CHI)

The Flyers earned a 4-3 shootout win over Tampa Bay on Thursday to end their five-game losing streak, but at 28-31-8, Philadelphia’s chances of making the playoffs seem remote. The task won’t be made any easier next week. The Flyers will be on the road, playing in Tampa Bay on Monday, Washington on Thursday, Dallas on Saturday and Chicago on Sunday.

No Flyers player is particularly hot offensively at the moment, and that includes 20-year-old Matvei Michkov. To be fair, he recorded an impressive six goals and 13 points in nine games from Feb. 6-March 8, but he’s been held off the scoresheet for Philadelphia’s past three outings. The rookie’s talent is without question, but he’s been extremely streaky this season, so be prepared for this cold stretch to potentially last another week or two.

Maybe Bobby Brink is at the beginning of a hot streak, though. He was amazing versus Tampa Bay on Thursday, supplying two goals and an assist. That’s just his fourth multi-point game of the campaign, but don’t get too excited: The previous three times he had a multi-point showing, it didn’t lead to a notable stretch of offensive success. He also has a meh 10 goals and 32 points in 64 appearances overall.

There’s nothing much to jump on in goal either. Ivan Fedotov did have a nice stretch from March 1-9, stopping 75 of 80 shots (.938 save percentage) in three appearances, but even then, the Flyers provided him with just one win in that stretch, and that good run ended Tuesday anyway when he allowed four goals on 23 shots to Ottawa.

If you’re looking for fantasy value, there just isn't much to be found here at this time. However, while I’m pessimistic about Michkov in the short term, the flip side of his streaky nature is that he should rebound eventually -- and likely in a big way.

St. Louis Blues (Tue @ NAS, Thu vs VAN, Sat vs CHI, Sun vs NAS)

St. Louis will start next with in Nashville, capping off an exhausting stretch in which the Blues played seven of eight games from March 2-18 on the road. After that, they’ll get to sleep in their own beds for a while. The Blues will host the Canucks on Thursday, the Blackhawks on Saturday and the Predators on Sunday.

The Blues are 31-28-7 and sit just two points out of a playoff position through Thursday’s action. There’s plenty of competition for that second wild-card spot, but it is fair to say that St. Louis is still playing for something with roughly a month left in the regular-season schedule.

This would certainly be a good time for Jordan Binnington to get hot again. He’s had his moments, especially during the 4 Nations Face-Off, but he’s struggled recently with a 2-2-0 record, 3.49 GAA and .846 save percentage across his past four appearances. Unfortunately, he’s just been too inconsistent to count on, but he’s still appeared in seven of St. Louis’ past nine games, so it seems safe to say the Blues will lean on him over Joel Hofer in the final weeks of the season.

Maybe Binnington will get sufficient goal support to make his occasional struggles moot. Dylan Holloway is certainly doing his best, supplying five goals and eight points across his past nine games. He’s up to 21 goals, 48 points and 138 hits in 66 appearances in 2024-25. This is with the benefit of hindsight, but Edmonton has to be asking itself if declining to match the Blues’ two-year, $4.58 million offer sheet was really the right move, even after factoring in the Oilers’ tricky cap situation.

Zachary Bolduc is another young forward leading the Blues’ push for a playoff spot. The 21-year-old has six goals and seven points across his past eight games, elevating him to 12 goals and 25 points in 56 outings overall. I’m not confident Bolduc will continue to be productive over the final month of the season, but Bolduc is a former No. 17 overall pick (2021 draft), so this kind of offensive outburst isn’t coming out of nowhere.

The veteran Brayden Schenn had been doing his part too, supplying three goals and 10 points in nine games from Feb. 8-March 7. However, he was held off the scoresheet in each of St. Louis’ past two games, so that hot streak might be at its end. The 33-year-old has 14 goals and 40 points in 66 appearances in 2024-25.

Tampa Bay Lightning (Mon vs PHI, Thu @ DAL, Sat @ UTA, Sun @ VGK)

Tampa Bay enjoyed a run of 10 wins in 11 games from Feb. 4-March 6, but the Lightning have stumbled recently, dropping their last three (0-2-1). The Lightning will try to shake that off next week, starting with a home game against Philadelphia. The Lightning will then play in Dallas on Thursday, in Utah on Saturday and in Vegas on Sunday.

Tampa Bay has a 37-23-5 record, which puts the squad two points behind Toronto and six away from the division-leading Panthers. Reaching Florida is unlikely at this point, but the Lightning could still earn home-ice advantage in a probable first-round matchup against Toronto if Tampa Bay finishes the season strong.

A lot of the Lightning’s potential success will be contingent on their main three forwards of Jake Guentzel, Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov. That’s typically a good trio to bet on, but Guentzel and Point have each been held off the scoresheet for all of Tampa Bay’s last three games. Kucherov was scoreless in two of those contests and missed the third due to illness. Kucherov did rejoin the Lightning for Friday’s practice, but rather than skate alongside Guentzel and Point, he shared the ice with Brandon Hagel and Anthony Cirelli, while Yanni Gourde skated on the top unit.

That’s nothing earthshattering. Kucherov has spent 18.5 percent of his even-strength minutes alongside Cirelli and Hagel this season, so while that combination isn’t common, it’s not unheard of. Besides, Cirelli (20 goals, 45 points) and Hagel (30 goals, 72 points) are great forwards in their own right, so they’re good players for the star to work with and might help spark Kucherov.

This is also a good opportunity for Gourde, who has six goals and 19 points between St. Louis and Tampa Bay this season. He has two assists since being acquired by Tampa Bay, but if he shows some chemistry with Guentzel and Point, perhaps Tampa Bay will consider using this combination more regularly, which would likely boost Gourde’s offensive production.

Toronto Maple Leafs (Mon vs CGY, Wed vs COL, Thu @ NYR, Sat @ NAS)

Toronto’s been struggling recently, dropping four of its last five (1-3-1) and failing to win any of those games in regulation or overtime. That’s dropped the Leafs’ record to 39-23-3, which presents them with an uphill battle if they want to overtake the 41-22-3 Panthers for the top spot in the Atlantic Division. Toronto will look for better results next week, starting with home games against Calgary and Colorado on Monday and Wednesday, respectively. The Leafs will then hit the road, playing against the Rangers on Thursday and Nashville on Saturday.

Goaltending has been part of the Leafs’ recent issues. Anthony Stolarz has a record of 0-2-1 along with a 3.18 GAA and an .876 save percentage across his past four appearances, and Joseph Woll has allowed at least three goals over each of his past three outings -- though he is 2-1-0 over that stretch. Overall, the Maple Leafs’ goaltenders have still been fine this season with Stolarz being particularly good, posting a 2.37 GAA and a .920 save percentage in 25 games, so I don’t think those issues are a source of panic right now.

On the offensive side of things, Auston Matthews is continuing his interesting season. His 11.5 shooting percentage of 2024-25 is the worst of his career, and he might finish with under 30 goals for the first time -- just one season removed from 69 markers. However, he’s managed to adjust by serving as more of a playmaker, resulting in him collecting 56 points (23 goals) in 50 appearances. He has missed time due to upper body issues this campaign, and perhaps he’s still not 100 percent, which would explain his mortal levels of goal scoring, but as long as he’s finding other ways to contribute, Toronto will be fine.

Meanwhile, the Leafs’ pending UFAs, John Tavares and Mitch Marner, continue to make big contributions. Tavares has seven goals and 14 points in 14 appearances this season, giving him 27 goals and 56 points in 58 outings overall, and Marner has five goals and nine points in his last eight games, bringing him up to 21 goals and 80 points in 64 appearances. It will be extremely interesting to see how Toronto navigates those contract situations over the summer. Letting them walk would be immensely painful, but the silver lining is that roughly $22 million would be coming off the books between the two of them.

Ultimately, what happens in the playoffs might be a determining factor. If the Maple Leafs have a deep run, then Toronto might want to stick with what they have, and it might also serve as extra motivation for Marner to bet on the Leafs long term. However, if Toronto ends up with another first-round exit, then the front office might decide its finally time to close the books on the Marner/Matthews/Tavares/William Nylander experiment that, to this point, has resulted in just one playoff series win.

MCKEEN’S 2024 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #15 St. Louis Blues – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Josh Bell — Wed, 05 Jun 2024 18:00:23 +0000

General manager Doug Armstrong has been running the show since 2010 and has won a Stanley Cup, a Conference title, three Division titles and has 10 playoff appearances. But for the first time since he took over, the St. Louis Blues have failed to make the playoffs for two straight seasons. Over those two years, the team has undergone a ‘retool’. Last season, the Blues moved on from Ryan O’Reilly, Vladimir Tarasenko, and Ivan Barbashev, and this season seemed unsure of the direction it was going. The organization did not make any big deals but fired head coach Craig Berube and put Drew Bannister in his spot. On paper, the team is strong with Jordan Kyrou, Robert Thomas, Brayden Schenn, Torey Krug, Colton Parayko, and Jordan Binnington all locked up for the next three-plus seasons. It also has some excellent recent graduates in Joel Hofer, Jake Neighbours, Nikita Alexandrov, and Scott Perunovich. Realistically, this team should be able to put it together around this group, potentially with some younger pieces to fit with Kyrou and Thomas.

There may be help coming as well. The Blues have a very strong, potentially underrated, prospect group, headlined by a trio of first-round picks in 2023 with 10th-overall pick Dalibor Dvorsky, Otto Stenberg, and Theo Lindstein. The team also have promising first-rounders in Jimmy Snuggerud and Zachary Bolduc. While it’s been fairly quiet on the trade front, getting another first-round prospect in Zach Dean from the Barbashev trade will likely look very good in a few years. Plus, the Blues have not only kept all of their picks in the first five rounds for the next three years, but they’ve added a second and third-round pick this year. Coming off two disappointing seasons, expect some moves this offseason to rattle the cage.

RNK	PLAYER	POS	AGE	HT/WT	TM	Acquired	GP	G(W)	A(L)	PTS(GAA)	PIM(SPCT)
1	Dalibor Dvorsky	C	18	6-1/200	Sudbury (OHL)	`23(10th)	52	45	43	88	17
2	Jimmy Snuggerud	RW	19	6-1/185	Minnesota (B1G)	`22(23rd)	39	21	13	34	42
3	Zachary Bolduc	LW	21	6-1/175	Springfield (AHL)	`21(17th)	50	8	17	25	24
					St. Louis (NHL)	`21(17th)	25	5	4	9	6
4	Theo Lindstein	D	19	6-0/180	Brynas (HockeyAllsvenskan)	`23(29th)	49	4	11	15	4
5	Otto Stenberg	C	18	5-11/180	Frolunda (SHL)	`23(25th)	31	3	3	6	8
6	Zach Dean	C	21	6-0/175	Springfield (AHL)	T(VGK-2/23)	49	9	5	14	24
					St. Louis (NHL)	T(VGK-2/23)	9	0	0	0	6
7	Michael Buchinger	D	20	5-11/185	Guelph (OHL)	`22(88th)	52	10	37	47	37
8	Juraj Pekarcik	LW	18	6-2/185	Dubuque (USHL)	`23(76th)	43	9	50	59	22
9	Vadim Zherenko	G	23	6-2/175	Springfield (AHL)	`19(208th)	29	12	14	3.49	0.904
10	Tanner Dickinson	C	22	6-0/155	Orlando (ECHL)	`20(119th)	45	8	18	26	12
11	Aleksanteri Kaskimaki	LW	20	6-0/195	HIFK (Fin-Liiga)	`22(73rd)	48	10	7	17	14
12	Quinton Burns	D	19	6-1/180	Kingston (OHL)	`23(74th)	58	6	29	35	120
13	Leo Loof	D	22	6-1/180	Springfield (AHL)	`20(88th)	58	0	7	7	27
14	Dylan Peterson	RW	22	6-4/200	Boston University (HE)	`20(86th)	35	8	12	20	73
15	Colten Ellis	G	23	6-1/190	Orlando (ECHL)	`19(93rd)	21	12	5	2.45	0.923

1. Dalibor Dvorsky, C, Sudbury Wolves (OHL)

Drafted 10th overall in 2023, Dalibor Dvorsky's season was a story of adaptation. A brief stint in the SHL with IK Oskarshamn proved challenging, highlighting the struggle for ice time in a men’s league. However, the move to the OHL's Sudbury Wolves was a breath of fresh air. He exploded offensively, putting up a dominant 88 points in 52 games. His blend of size, skill, and skating translated well against his peers. While the offensive outburst is impressive, questions remain. Can Dvorsky replicate this production against tougher competition? There are also whispers about inconsistency in his game. Despite the point totals, there’s a need to see a more well-rounded effort at both ends of the ice. Overall, this season showcased his high offensive ceiling. He will likely spend next year in the AHL, where he'll face a steeper challenge. How he adjusts will determine if his scoring prowess can translate to the pro game.

2. Jimmy Snuggerud, RW, University of Minnesota (NCAA)

Drafted 23rd overall by the St. Louis Blues in 2023, Jimmy Snuggerud opted to stay in the NCAA for his sophomore year at the University of Minnesota. The decision paid off. He emerged as a top line forward, leading the Golden Gophers with 34 points (21 goals, 13 assists) in 39 games. He showcased a well-rounded skillset, combining impressive skating with a knack for finding the net. Not just a scorer, though. He displayed a strong work ethic and a willingness to battle for pucks along the walls. That performance earned him First-Team All-Big Ten honours. While there is a need to improve his decision-making at times, the overall development suggests he's on the right track to becoming a valuable NHL contributor. Having NHL bloodlines and the knowledge gained from a couple of years with USA Hockey's National Team Development Program have been huge factors in the steep upwards trajectory of his growth, and he is only just getting started.

3. Zach Bolduc, LW, Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL)

Zach Bolduc, the 17th overall pick in 2021, enjoyed a strong rookie season with the St. Louis Blues' AHL affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds. Living up to his talented, opportunistic scorer label, he notched 25 points in 50 games, earning a call up to the big club where he spent another 25 games. His hand-eye coordination and ability to finish around the net were on full display. However, questions about consistency remain. While flashes of brilliance were common, stretches of disappearing acts persisted. His decision-making also needs refinement, as evidenced by occasional turnovers. Despite these areas for improvement, the offensive explosion is undeniable. The Blues have a potential top-six winger on their hands but unlocking his full potential hinges on developing a more well-rounded game. The upcoming season will be crucial in determining if Bolduc can translate his scoring prowess to the NHL level permanently.

4. Theo Lindstein, D, Brynas IF (SHL)

Theo Lindstein, the Blues' first round pick (29th overall) in 2023, spent most of his season in Sweden's HockeyAllsvenskan with Brynas IF. He had a solid year in terms of playing time – Lindstein logged a solid 49 games. However, the offensive production some craved wasn't quite there (four goals, 11 assists). Lindstein's calling card remains his defensive acumen. His positioning and ability to shut down attackers stand out as strengths. But the offensive side of his game, once viewed as a potential strength, appears raw. Consistency with his puck skills and decision-making is lacking. While the lack of points might raise eyebrows, it's important to remember Lindstein is just 19. This stint was a chance to adapt to the pro game, and defensively, he seems to have done that well. The question for the Blues: can he develop his offensive tools and become a more well-rounded defenseman? The answer will determine his NHL timeline.

5. Otto Stenberg, C, Frolunda HC (SHL)

Drafted 25th overall by the St. Louis Blues in 2023, Otto Stenberg's season was a mixed bag. He split his time between three leagues, showcasing his versatility but raising questions about his long-term fit. In the SHL with Frölunda HC, his production was modest (six points in 31 games). However, he impressed at the World Junior Championships (WJC), contributing nine points in seven games. A loan stint with BIK Karlskoga in Sweden's second-tier HockeyAllsvenskan yielded nine points in nine games. Stenberg's calling card remains his well-rounded skillset. He boasts excellent skating, a strong shot, and solid hockey IQ. However, he’ll need to show that he can translate that into more consistent offensive production, particularly at the pro level. The Blues haven't signed him yet, and his future landing spot remains uncertain. But his flashes of brilliance suggest he has the tools to be a valuable asset, assuming he can put it all together.

6. Zach Dean, C, Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL)

Zach Dean's first pro season with the St. Louis Blues organization was a bumpy ride. Acquired from Vegas, Dean struggled to translate his dominant QMJHL scoring (70 points in 50 games) to the AHL. His point production in Springfield (nine goals, five assists in 49 games) was underwhelming. Some of this can be attributed to adjusting to a new team and tougher competition, but Dean's inconsistency was a recurring theme. There were flashes of his offensive brilliance – a highlight-reel goal here, a smart playmaking there – but stretches of invisibility plagued his performance. Questions about Dean's defensive awareness also remain. While known for his physicality, his defensive positioning needs refinement. The Blues likely view him as a long-term project, but Dean will need to find more consistency and improve his defensive play to earn an NHL call-up. This season was a learning experience, but next year will be crucial in determining his NHL potential.

7. Michael Buchinger, D, Guelph Storm (OHL)

Buchinger's third season in the OHL offered glimpses of his offensive potential, but consistency remains a question mark, especially as he took a step back in terms of production. Drafted 88th overall by St. Louis in 2022, the 19-year-old defenseman spent his season with the Guelph Storm. His skating and puck-moving ability were evident, and the alternate captain racked up 47 points in 52 games - 20 points shy of his previous season total. The offensive flashes are encouraging, but there is some concern about how his defensive decision-making will look at the pro level. Can he translate his offensive production while tightening up in his own zone? The answer will determine how quickly Buchinger reaches the NHL. For now, he's a boom-or-bust prospect with a high ceiling, but development is crucial.

8. Juraj Pekarcik, LW, Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL)

Juraj Pekarcik is a dynamic and physical winger with a tantalizing combination of speed, skill, and aggression. He excels in puck battles, using his quick feet and strong frame to outmuscle opponents and generate scoring chances. Pekarcik's shot is heavy and accurate, and his vision and anticipation allow him to find open teammates and create opportunities. He's also a relentless forechecker, using his speed and physicality to harass defenders and force turnovers. What might stand out the most is his intelligence though, consistently finding himself in the right place at the right time and making solid decisions with the puck. With continued development, Pekarcik has the potential to become a top-six forward and a key contributor on the St. Louis Blues' top lines. His upside as a high-scoring, physical winger makes him an exciting prospect for the Blues.

9. Vadim Zherenko, G, Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL)

Seventh-round pick Vadim Zherenko's 2023-24 season offered glimpses of his potential but lacked consistency. After a strong showing at the St. Louis Blues' prospect camp, Zherenko spent the entire year with their AHL affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds. His numbers (12 wins, 13 losses, .904 save percentage) paint an inconsistent picture. There were flashes of brilliance – highlight-reel saves and stretches of dominant play. However, lapses in focus and rebound control proved costly at times. While his raw talent is undeniable, Zherenko needs to tighten up his game to challenge for the starting role in the AHL next season. The upcoming year will be crucial in determining his NHL timeline. Can he develop the consistency needed to be a reliable pro netminder? Blues fans will be watching closely.

10. Tanner Dickinson, C, Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL)

Tanner Dickinson has had numerous impacts on his development including the cancelled OHL season due to COVID-19 and then he missed the entire 2022-23 season due to a broken femur. He returned this season and is now working to get his career on track, spending 2023-24 split between the ECHL and AHL. He is a skilled and savvy center with a well-rounded game. He excels as a playmaker, using his exceptional vision and anticipation to find open teammates and create scoring chances. Dickinson's quick hands and accurate shot make him a threat from the slot, and his speed and agility allow him to navigate through traffic with ease. He's also a responsible defender, using his active stick and positioning to disrupt opponents' cycles. With continued development, Dickinson has the potential to become a top-six forward and a key contributor on the St. Louis Blues' power play. His upside as a playmaking center with a scoring touch makes him an exciting prospect in the Blues' pipeline.

PROSPECT CRITERIA: Players under 26 years of age as of 9/15/2024 who have appeared in less than 60 games (30 for goalies) and less than 25 in one season (25 for goalies).

MCKEEN’S 2024 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: TOP 30 NHL PROSPECTS

McKeen's Hockey — Sat, 01 Jun 2024 12:22:26 +0000

At McKeen’s Hockey we do a ranked affiliated prospect list twice a season. Our first, this ranking, follows the end of the regular season for most prospects but does not include the playoffs. It is a ranking of the top 200, plus the top 15 by team, prior to the NHL Draft. Once the NHL Draft is complete, we begin the process of updating the organizational ranking to a top 20, and then rank the top 300. That is completed in August, once the dust has settled on free agency, and any trades that are made in the meantime. We include that ranking in our McKeen’s NHL Yearbook, published in late August, Early September.

Our team of 16 scouts are based in key markets around the world, in the rinks, supported by video scouting. They utilize some terrific tools from Hudl/InStat, which can isolate so many aspects of a player’s game, along with proprietary statistics. They spend countless hours in rinks and in front of screens and are deeply familiar with these players and their progression. Our management team of Brock Otten (Director of Scouting) and Derek Neumeier (Assistant Director of Scouting/Senior Western Regional Scout), along with Video Scouting Coordinator, Josh Bell, will take the teams input and finalize the list you see below. Brock, Derek and Josh are responsible for the player write-ups in the Prospect Guide.

The organizational rankings are based on an algorithm that takes into account how many prospects are ranked within the top 200. The teams are broken down by the number of prospects in our top 1 -25, 26 - 50, 51 - 100, and 101 - 200. A weight is attached to each group and then some subjective tweaking is done based on our knowledge of the players. There can be a wider discrepancy in the top 25 group than the latter groupings that needs to be taken into account.

Here is our definition of an NHL prospect: Players under 26 years of age as of 9/15/2024 who have appeared in less than 60 NHL games (30 for goalies) and less than 35 in one season (25 for goalies).

Check back in with us in the fall to see how things change following the draft. We are releasing out top 30 NHL Prospects free to non-subscribers. If you want to learn more, link here.

Subscribers can link to the full top 200 listing here

Here is an excerpt of Brock Otten's Risers and Fallers article from the magazine to give you more perspective and a little taste of our content.

The best part of scouting is the somewhat unpredictable nature of human development. Some players improve dramatically from one year to the next…others do not. When we compare the rankings from our 2023-24 NHL Yearbook (where we did a Top 300 prospect ranking) to now, these are the players who have risen/fallen the most.

Risers

DALLAS, TX - APRIL 22: Dallas Stars center Logan Stankoven (11) reacts to a goal score during game one of the Western Conference First Round between the Dallas Stars and the Vegas Golden Knights on April 22, 2024 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire)

Logan Stankoven (27 to 5) - Dallas Stars

Stankoven’s jump from one of the best players in the WHL to one of the best players in the AHL has been impressive. So has his quick start in the NHL.

Ryan Leonard (32 to 6) – Washington Capitals

Leonard is returning to Boston College after a Championship barely eluded him this year. However, he has proven to be an elite play driver to go with his strong off puck play.

MONTREAL, QC - FEBRUARY 11: Look on Montreal Canadiens right wing Joshua Roy (89) during warm-up before the St. Louis Blues versus the Montreal Canadiens game on February 11, 2024, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire)

Josh Roy (63 to 35) – Montreal Canadiens

Roy continues to prove doubters wrong after a terrific AHL season with Laval. His skill set has become so well rounded since being drafted.

Conor Geekie (68 to 18) – Utah

Geekie’s power game from the middle of the ice makes him such an interesting prospect for today’s NHL. His skating continues to improve.

Mavrik Bourque (79 to 23) – Dallas Stars

Bourque emerged as one of the best players in the AHL this season as a sophomore professional. He’s ready to take that next step with the Stars.

Gabe Perreault (86 to 19) – New York Rangers

Once thought to be the third wheel on the talented Will Smith/Ryan Leonard threesome, Perreault’s progression as a play driver at Boston College this season has altered the perception that he can be a front-line NHL player.

Bradly Nadeau (109 to 34) – Carolina Hurricanes

Drafting early out of the BCHL has yielded inconsistent results, however Nadeau was exceptional as a freshman at Maine. Did he leave school too early though?

Jagger Firkus (112 to 47) – Seattle Kraken

Firkus took his game to another level this year in his final WHL season, leading the league in scoring. He’s ready to be a pro.

Gavin Brindley (122 to 66) – Columbus Blue Jackets

One of the most improved players in the NCAA this year, Brindley emerged as a star for the University of Michigan and really altered his projection as a potential top six forward.

Quentin Musty (125 to 51) – San Jose Sharks

The dynamic American winger worked hard to fine tune components of his game in Sudbury this year and deserves a bump for improving his consistency.

Jani Nyman (135 to 81) – Seattle Kraken

Nyman emerged as one of the top goal scorers in Finland this season as a U20 player. This, combined with his strong WJC performance, has helped push him up our board north.

Logan Mailloux (145 to 45) – Montreal Canadiens

Mailloux proved to be way more refined at the AHL level than previously perceived. Simply put, he was one of the best defensive prospects in the AHL this year.

Josh Doan (153 to 55) - Utah

What a terrific story to the end of the Coyotes franchise. Doan emerged as a potential star this season and finished the year strong in the NHL, scoring in his debut.

Riley Heidt (157 to 44) – Minnesota Wild

We still don’t understand how Heidt fell as far as he did in the 2023 draft, however he is proving NHL scouts wrong thus far after a remarkable year with Prince George.

Ville Koivunen (165 to 71) – Pittsburgh Penguins

The main piece of the Jake Guentzel to Carolina deal, Koivunen emerged as one of the top players in Liiga this year.

Ethan Del Mastro (169 to 73) – Chicago Blackhawks

There was little doubt that Del Mastro’s strong defensive ability would translate to the AHL level well, but he continues to improve offensively and that has altered his projection.

Theo Lindstein (185 to 91) – St. Louis Blues

Lindstein’s strong year for Brynas has helped to elevate his upside as a two-way defender. We may have ranked him too low in our 2023 Draft Rankings.

Carson Rehkopf (201 to 69) – Seattle Kraken

Consistency off the puck and a lack of engagement held Rehkopf back last year. This year marked improvement in those areas helped him emerge as a top offensive talent in the OHL.

Easton Cowan (204 to 67) – Toronto Maple Leafs

One of the surprises of the 2023 draft, Cowan set a new OHL record with a 42-game point streak. More than just a high energy guy now, he can be a difference maker offensively.

Seamus Casey (214 to 63) – New Jersey Devils

Casey continues to improve in the NCAA. He may not have elite size, but he has everything else, and it has the Devils excited about his future.

Jacob Fowler (222 to 52) – Montreal Canadiens

Fowler compiled a list of accolades as a freshman this year at Boston College, emerging as one of the top goaltending prospects in the game.

Fraser Minten (226 to 84) – Toronto Maple Leafs

After starting the year with the Leafs, Minten returned to the WHL and ended up captaining Canada at the World Juniors.

Jackson Blake (277 to 117) – Carolina Hurricanes

A finalist for the Hobey Baker this year, Blake became an NCAA star for North Dakota, and he now turns pro.

Erik Portillo (Unranked to 118) – Los Angeles Kings

Acquired by the Kings, Portillo turned pro after three years at Michigan and he was one of the best goaltenders in the AHL as a first-year pro.

Rodwin Dionicio (Unranked to 139) – Anaheim Ducks

Dionicio still plays a high risk, high reward game from the back end, but his offensive upside has become too large to ignore.

Fallers

EDM - Xavier Bourgault

Xavier Bourgault (from 48 to 113) – Edmonton Oilers

After a mediocre first professional year last season, Bourgault was even more disappointing as a sophomore with Bakersfield. The Oilers just haven’t been developing prospects well in recent years.

Eduard Sale (72 to 140) – Seattle Kraken

Sale’s first year in North America did not go according to plan as he struggled to be a consistent impact player in the OHL.

Jack Rathbone (96 to not ranked) – Pittsburgh Penguins

Perhaps we ranked Rathbone too aggressively this summer, but not only did he fail to earn a spot on Vancouver, but he’s now an NHL after thought after entering Pittsburgh’s organization via trade.

Jacob Perreault (127 to not ranked) – Montreal Canadiens

Perreault’s off puck play and skating just haven’t improved to the point where he can be a consistent pro and it caused the Ducks to move on from him, trading him to Montreal.

Jan Jenik (156 to not ranked) - Utah

Once a highly ranked prospect, Jenik continues to fall. He just hasn’t been able to take that next step and even passed through waivers this year unclaimed.

RNK	PLAYER	NHL	POS	AGE	HT/WT	TM	GP	G(W)	A(L)	PTS(GAA)	PIM(SPCT)
1	Will Smith	SJ	C	19	6-0/175	Boston College (HE)	41	25	46	71	14
2	Matvei Michkov	Phi	RW	19	5-10/170	SKA St. Petersburg-HK Sochi (KHL)	48	19	22	41	26
3	Brandt Clarke	LA	D	21	6-2/185	Los Angeles (NHL)	16	2	4	6	10
4	Cutter Gauthier	Ana	LW	20	6-2/190	Boston College (HE)	41	38	27	65	18
5	Logan Stankoven	Dal	C	21	5-8/170	Dallas (NHL)	24	6	8	14	4
6	Ryan Leonard	Wsh	RW	19	5-11/190	Boston College (HE)	41	31	29	60	38
7	Alexander Nikishin	Car	D	22	6-3/195	SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)	67	17	39	56	39
8	Yaroslav Askarov	Nsh	G	21	6-3/175	Milwaukee (AHL)	44	30	13	2.39	0.911
9	Jesper Wallstedt	Min	G	21	6-3/215	Iowa (AHL)	45	22	19	2.70	0.910
10	Matthew Savoie	Buf	C	20	5-9/179	Wen-MJ (WHL)	34	30	41	71	10
11	Simon Edvinsson	Det	D	21	6-6/215	Detroit (NHL)	16	1	1	2	4
12	Jonathan Lekkerimaki	Van	RW	19	5-11/170	Orebro (SHL)	46	19	12	31	10
13	Dustin Wolf	Cgy	G	23	6-0/166	Calgary (AHL)	36	20	12	2.45	0.922
14	Devon Levi	Buf	G	21	6-0/192	Rochester (AHL)	26	16	6	2.42	0.927
15	Olen Zellweger	Ana	D	20	5-9/180	Anaheim (NHL)	26	2	7	9	4
16	Dmitri Simashev	Ari	D	19	6-4/198	Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)	63	4	6	10	18
17	David Reinbacher	Mtl	D	19	6-2/185	Kloten (Sui-NL)	35	1	10	11	18
18	Conor Geekie	Ari	C	19	6-3/193	Wen-SC (WHL)	55	43	56	99	66
19	Gabe Perreault	NYR	RW	18	5-11/165	Boston College (HE)	36	19	41	60	29
20	Daniil But	Ari	LW	19	6-5/203	Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)	55	10	11	21	10
21	Shane Wright	Sea	C	20	6-0/200	Coachella Valley (AHL)	59	22	25	47	18
22	Jiri Kulich	Buf	C	20	6-1/186	Rochester (AHL)	57	27	18	45	26
23	Mavrik Bourque	Dal	C	22	5-10/190	Texas (AHL)	71	26	51	77	32
24	Nate Danielson	Det	C	19	6-2/185	Bdn-Por (WHL)	54	24	43	67	42
25	Danila Yurov	Min	RW	19	6-1/175	Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL)	62	21	28	49	35
26	Brennan Othmann	NYR	LW	21	6-0/175	Hartford (AHL)	67	21	28	49	65
27	Lane Hutson	Mtl	D	20	5-10/160	Boston University (HE)	38	15	34	49	24
28	Tom Willander	Van	D	19	6-1/180	Boston University (HE)	38	4	21	25	12
29	Marco Kasper	Det	C	20	6-1/185	Grand Rapids (AHL)	71	14	21	35	30
30	Dalibor Dvorsky	StL	C	18	6-1/200	Sudbury (OHL)	52	45	43	88	17

2024 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: TOP 200 NHL PROSPECTS

McKeen's Hockey — Sat, 25 May 2024 17:02:31 +0000

At McKeen’s Hockey we do a ranked affiliated prospect list twice a season. Our first is following the end of the regular season for most prospects but does not include the playoffs. It is a ranking of the top 200, plus the top 15 by team, prior to the NHL Draft. Once the NHL Draft is complete, we begin the process of updating the organizational ranking to a top 20, and then rank the top 300. That is completed in August, once the dust has settled on free agency, and any trades that are made in the meantime. We include that ranking in our McKeen’s NHL Yearbook, published in late August, Early September.

Check back in with us in the fall to see how things change following the draft.

Subscribers can link to the listing here

RNK	PLAYER	NHL	POS	AGE	HT/WT	TM	GP	G(W)	A(L)	PTS(GAA)	PIM(SPCT)
1	Will Smith	SJ	C	19	6-0/175	Boston College (HE)	41	25	46	71	14
2	Matvei Michkov	Phi	RW	19	5-10/170	SKA St. Petersburg-HK Sochi (KHL)	48	19	22	41	26
3	Brandt Clarke	LA	D	21	6-2/185	Los Angeles (NHL)	16	2	4	6	10
4	Cutter Gauthier	Ana	LW	20	6-2/190	Boston College (HE)	41	38	27	65	18
5	Logan Stankoven	Dal	C	21	5-8/170	Dallas (NHL)	24	6	8	14	4
6	Ryan Leonard	Wsh	RW	19	5-11/190	Boston College (HE)	41	31	29	60	38
7	Alexander Nikishin	Car	D	22	6-3/195	SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)	67	17	39	56	39
8	Yaroslav Askarov	Nsh	G	21	6-3/175	Milwaukee (AHL)	44	30	13	2.39	0.911
9	Jesper Wallstedt	Min	G	21	6-3/215	Iowa (AHL)	45	22	19	2.70	0.910
10	Matthew Savoie	Buf	C	20	5-9/179	Wen-MJ (WHL)	34	30	41	71	10
11	Simon Edvinsson	Det	D	21	6-6/215	Detroit (NHL)	16	1	1	2	4
12	Jonathan Lekkerimaki	Van	RW	19	5-11/170	Orebro (SHL)	46	19	12	31	10
13	Dustin Wolf	Cgy	G	23	6-0/166	Calgary (AHL)	36	20	12	2.45	0.922
14	Devon Levi	Buf	G	21	6-0/192	Rochester (AHL)	26	16	6	2.42	0.927
15	Olen Zellweger	Ana	D	20	5-9/180	Anaheim (NHL)	26	2	7	9	4
16	Dmitri Simashev	Ari	D	19	6-4/198	Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)	63	4	6	10	18
17	David Reinbacher	Mtl	D	19	6-2/185	Kloten (Sui-NL)	35	1	10	11	18
18	Conor Geekie	Ari	C	19	6-3/193	Wen-SC (WHL)	55	43	56	99	66
19	Gabe Perreault	NYR	RW	18	5-11/165	Boston College (HE)	36	19	41	60	29
20	Daniil But	Ari	LW	19	6-5/203	Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)	55	10	11	21	10
21	Shane Wright	Sea	C	20	6-0/200	Coachella Valley (AHL)	59	22	25	47	18
22	Jiri Kulich	Buf	C	20	6-1/186	Rochester (AHL)	57	27	18	45	26
23	Mavrik Bourque	Dal	C	22	5-10/190	Texas (AHL)	71	26	51	77	32
24	Nate Danielson	Det	C	19	6-2/185	Bdn-Por (WHL)	54	24	43	67	42
25	Danila Yurov	Min	RW	19	6-1/175	Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL)	62	21	28	49	35
26	Brennan Othmann	NYR	LW	21	6-0/175	Hartford (AHL)	67	21	28	49	65
27	Lane Hutson	Mtl	D	20	5-10/160	Boston University (HE)	38	15	34	49	24
28	Tom Willander	Van	D	19	6-1/180	Boston University (HE)	38	4	21	25	12
29	Marco Kasper	Det	C	20	6-1/185	Grand Rapids (AHL)	71	14	21	35	30
30	Dalibor Dvorsky	StL	C	18	6-1/200	Sudbury (OHL)	52	45	43	88	17
31	Brad Lambert	Wpg	C	20	6-0/180	Manitoba (AHL)	64	21	34	55	38
32	Ivan Miroshnichenko	Wsh	LW	20	6-1/185	Washington (NHL)	21	2	4	6	6
33	Axel Sandin Pellikka	Det	D	19	5-11/180	Skelleftea (SHL)	39	10	8	18	17
34	Bradly Nadeau	Car	LW	18	5-10/165	Maine (HE)	37	19	27	46	12
35	Joshua Roy	Mtl	RW	20	6-0/190	Montreal (NHL)	23	4	5	9	0
36	Denton Mateychuk	CBJ	D	19	5-11/190	Moose Jaw (WHL)	52	17	58	75	31
37	Brayden Yager	Pit	C	19	5-11/165	Moose Jaw (WHL)	57	35	60	95	20
38	Calum Ritchie	Col	C	19	6-2/185	Oshawa (OHL)	50	28	52	80	20
39	Joakim Kemell	Nsh	RW	20	5-10/185	Milwaukee (AHL)	67	16	25	41	23
40	Colby Barlow	Wpg	LW	19	6-0/195	Owen Sound (OHL)	50	40	18	58	27
41	Jimmy Snuggerud	StL	RW	19	6-1/185	Minnesota (B1G)	39	21	13	34	42
42	Matthew Coronato	Cgy	RW	21	5-10/183	Calgary (NHL)	34	3	6	9	4
43	Frank Nazar	Chi	C	20	5-10/180	Michigan (B1G)	41	17	24	41	18
44	Riley Heidt	Min	C	19	5-10/180	Prince George (WHL)	66	37	80	117	42
45	Logan Mailloux	Mtl	D	21	6-3/215	Laval (AHL)	72	14	33	47	91
46	Sebastian Cossa	Det	G	21	6-6/229	Grand Rapids (AHL)	40	22	9	2.41	0.913
47	Jagger Firkus	Sea	RW	20	5-10/155	Moose Jaw (WHL)	63	61	65	126	30
48	Mikhail Gulyayev	Col	D	19	5-11/170	Avangard Omsk (KHL)	64	4	8	12	8
49	Scott Morrow	Car	D	21	6-2/195	Massachusetts (HE)	37	6	24	30	25
50	Matthew Wood	Nsh	RW	19	6-3/195	Connecticut (HE)	35	16	12	28	43
51	Quentin Musty	SJ	LW	18	6-2/200	Sudbury (OHL)	53	43	59	102	72
52	Jacob Fowler	Mtl	G	19	6-1/215	Boston College (HE)	39	32	6	2.14	0.926
53	Fabian Lysell	Bos	RW	21	5-11/181	Providence (AHL)	56	15	35	50	37
54	Shakir Mukhamadullin	SJ	D	22	6-3/180	San Jose (AHL)	55	7	27	34	24
55	Josh Doan	Ari	RW	22	6-1/183	Arizona (NHL)	11	5	4	9	0
56	Thomas Bordeleau	SJ	C	22	5-9/180	San Jose (NHL)	27	6	5	11	18
57	Lian Bichsel	Dal	D	19	6-6/233	Rogle (SHL)	29	2	2	4	28
58	Nikolai Kovalenko	Col	RW	24	5-10/180	Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)	42	11	24	35	30
59	Aatu Raty	Van	C	21	6-2/185	Abbotsford (AHL)	72	18	34	52	18
60	Oliver Moore	Chi	C	19	5-11/185	Minnesota (B1G)	39	9	24	33	8
61	Samuel Honzek	Cgy	LW	19	6-4/186	Vancouver (WHL)	33	10	21	31	18
62	Jakob Pelletier	Cgy	LW	23	5-9/170	Calgary (NHL)	13	1	2	3	2
63	Seamus Casey	NJ	D	20	5-9/165	Michigan (B1G)	40	7	38	45	14
64	Tristan Luneau	Ana	D	20	6-1/195	Anaheim (NHL)	7	1	2	3	4
65	Chaz Lucius	Wpg	C	20	6-1/185	Manitoba (AHL)	17	2	11	13	6
66	Gavin Brindley	CBJ	C	19	5-9/165	Michigan (B1G)	40	25	28	53	28
67	Easton Cowan	Tor	RW	18	5-10/170	London (OHL)	54	34	62	96	64
68	Zachary L'Heureux	Nsh	LW	20	5-11/195	Milwaukee (AHL)	66	19	29	48	197
69	Carson Rehkopf	Sea	LW	19	6-1/195	Kitchener (OHL)	60	52	43	95	45
70	Filip Bystedt	SJ	C	20	6-4/205	Linkopings (SHL)	47	8	9	17	2
71	Ville Koivunen	Pit	LW	20	6-0/175	Karpat (Fin-Liiga)	59	22	34	56	26
72	Noah Ostlund	Buf	C	20	5-11/163	Vaxjo Lakers (SHL)	38	12	11	23	4
73	Ethan Del Mastro	Chi	D	21	6-4/210	Rockford (AHL)	69	7	30	37	54
74	Lukas Cormier	VGK	D	22	5-10/180	Henderson (AHL)	58	4	16	20	33
75	Liam Ohgren	Min	LW	20	6-1/200	Farjestads (SHL)	26	12	7	19	12
76	Marat Khusnutdinov	Min	C	21	5-11/175	Minnesota (NHL)	16	1	3	4	6
77	Mackie Samoskevich	Fla	RW	21	5-11/190	Charlotte (AHL)	62	22	32	54	24
78	Stanislav Svozil	CBJ	D	21	6-1/180	Cleveland (AHL)	57	5	18	23	24
79	Zachary Bolduc	StL	LW	21	6-1/175	St. Louis (NHL)	25	5	4	9	6
80	Rutger McGroarty	Wpg	LW	20	6-1/200	Michigan (B1G)	36	16	36	52	6
81	Jani Nyman	Sea	RW	19	6-3/215	Ilves (Fin-Liiga)	48	26	17	43	2
82	Andrew Cristall	Wsh	LW	19	5-9/165	Kelowna (WHL)	62	40	71	111	46
83	Oliver Bonk	Phi	D	19	6-2/175	London (OHL)	60	24	43	67	32
84	Fraser Minten	Tor	C	19	6-1/185	Kam-Sas (WHL)	43	22	26	48	25
85	Tanner Molendyk	Nsh	D	19	5-11/185	Saskatoon (WHL)	50	10	46	56	18
86	David Goyette	Sea	C	20	5-10/175	Sudbury (OHL)	68	40	77	117	29
87	David Edstrom	SJ	C	19	6-3/185	Frolunda (SHL)	44	7	12	19	8
88	Anton Wahlberg	Buf	C	18	6-3/194	Malmo (SHL)	43	5	5	10	4
89	Emil Andrae	Phi	D	22	5-9/185	Lehigh Valley (AHL)	61	5	27	32	66
90	Trey Augustine	Det	G	19	6-1/185	Michigan State (B1G)	35	23	9	2.96	0.915
91	Theo Lindstein	StL	D	19	6-0/180	Brynas (HockeyAllsvenskan)	49	4	11	15	4
92	Mads Sogaard	Ott	G	23	6-7/195	Belleville (AHL)	32	18	9	2.45	0.916
93	Isak Rosen	Buf	RW	21	6-0/175	Rochester (AHL)	67	20	30	50	12
94	Maveric Lamoureux	Ari	D	20	6-7/214	Drummondville (QMJHL)	39	9	24	33	53
95	Drew Commesso	Chi	G	21	6-2/180	Rockford (AHL)	38	18	16	2.65	0.906
96	Ville Heinola	Wpg	D	23	6-0/180	Manitoba (AHL)	41	10	17	27	24
97	Carter Mazur	Det	LW	22	6-0/170	Grand Rapids (AHL)	60	17	20	37	48
98	Otto Stenberg	StL	C	18	5-11/180	Frolunda (SHL)	31	3	3	6	8
99	Egor Afanasyev	Nsh	LW	23	6-3/205	Milwaukee (AHL)	56	27	27	54	60
100	Nikita Chibrikov	Wpg	RW	21	5-10/170	Manitoba (AHL)	70	17	30	47	53
101	Zach Dean	StL	C	21	6-0/175	Springfield (AHL)	49	9	5	14	24
102	William Dufour	NYI	RW	22	6-2/195	Bridgeport (AHL)	55	15	10	25	35
103	Sam Rinzel	Chi	D	19	6-4/180	Minnesota (B1G)	39	2	26	28	20
104	Joel Blomqvist	Pit	G	22	6-2/185	Wilkes-Barre (AHL)	45	25	12	2.16	0.921
105	Arseni Gritsyuk	NJ	RW	23	5-10/170	SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)	50	19	19	38	8
106	Corson Ceulemans	CBJ	D	20	6-2/200	Cleveland (AHL)	47	3	9	12	12
107	Michael Hrabal	Ari	G	19	6-6/209	Massachusetts (HE)	30	16	12	2.59	0.912
108	Brendan Brisson	VGK	C	22	5-11/180	Vegas (NHL)	15	2	6	8	2
109	Owen Pickering	Pit	D	20	6-4/180	Swift Current (WHL)	59	7	39	46	35
110	Owen Beck	Mtl	C	20	5-11/185	Pbo-Sag (OHL)	57	34	47	81	18
111	William Wallinder	Det	D	21	6-4/190	Grand Rapids (AHL)	65	3	12	15	10
112	Xavier Bourgault	Edm	C	21	6-0/170	Bakersfield (AHL)	55	8	12	20	24
113	Jordan Dumais	CBJ	RW	20	5-8/165	Halifax (QMJHL)	21	16	31	47	6
114	Aleksi Heimosalmi	Car	D	20	5-11/170	Assat (Fin-Liiga)	47	2	14	16	12
115	Brandon Bussi	Bos	G	25	6-4/218	Providence (AHL)	41	23	10	2.67	0.913
116	Jackson Blake	Car	RW	20	5-10/160	North Dakota (NCHC)	40	22	38	60	26
117	Erik Portillo	LA	G	23	6-6/210	Ontario (AHL)	39	24	11	2.50	0.918
118	Sean Farrell	Mtl	C	22	5-8/175	Laval (AHL)	47	9	19	28	10
119	Kasper Halttunen	SJ	RW	18	6-3/205	London (OHL)	57	32	29	61	61
120	Topi Niemela	Tor	D	22	5-11/165	Toronto (AHL)	68	8	31	39	43
121	Ethan Gauthier	TB	RW	19	5-11/175	Drummondville (QMJHL)	64	36	35	71	42
122	Daniil Miromanov	Cgy	D	26	6-4/200	VGK-Cgy (NHL)	24	3	4	7	8
123	Ruslan Iskhakov	NYI	C	23	5-8/155	Bridgeport (AHL)	69	18	32	50	30
124	Shai Buium	Det	D	21	6-3/210	Denver (NCHC)	43	7	29	36	14
125	Jakub Dobes	Mtl	G	22	6-3/200	Laval (AHL)	51	24	18	2.93	0.906
126	Oliver Kapanen	Mtl	C	20	6-0/170	KalPa (Fin-Liiga)	51	14	20	34	32
127	Danny Nelson	NYI	C	18	6-3/200	Notre Dame (B1G)	30	9	14	23	32
128	Lenni Hameenaho	NJ	RW	19	6-0/175	Assat (Fin-Liiga)	46	14	17	31	10
129	Nick Lardis	Chi	LW	18	5-11/165	Brantford (OHL)	37	29	21	50	12
130	Ty Nelson	Sea	D	20	5-10/195	North Bay (OHL)	54	16	36	52	50
131	Isaac Howard	TB	LW	20	5-10/185	Michigan State (B1G)	36	8	28	36	10
132	Fyodor Svechkov	Nsh	C	21	6-0/185	Milwaukee (AHL)	57	16	23	39	18
133	Jeremie Poirier	Cgy	D	21	6-1/196	Calgary (AHL)	23	3	10	13	22
134	Reid Schaefer	Nsh	LW	20	6-3/215	Milwaukee (AHL)	63	7	14	21	39
135	Zack Ostapchuk	Ott	C	20	6-3/205	Belleville (AHL)	69	17	11	28	47
136	Nathan Gaucher	Ana	C	20	6-3/207	San Diego (AHL)	72	10	15	25	68
137	Rodwin Dionicio	Ana	D	20	6-2/207	Wsr-Sag (OHL)	60	25	48	73	108
138	Eduard Sale	Sea	LW	19	6-1/170	Bar-Kit (OHL)	49	15	23	38	8
139	Danil Gushchin	SJ	RW	22	5-8/165	San Jose (AHL)	56	20	34	54	24
140	Sean Behrens	Col	D	21	5-10/175	Denver (NCHC)	44	4	27	31	53
141	Christian Kyrou	Dal	D	20	5-10/170	Texas (AHL)	57	8	15	23	22
142	Niklas Kokko	Sea	G	20	6-3/185	Pelicans (Fin-Liiga)	13	9	0	1.49	0.926
143	Vasily Ponomarev	Pit	C	22	5-10/180	Tuc-Chi-WBS (AHL)	45	9	21	30	16
144	Ryan Winterton	Sea	RW	20	6-2/190	Coachella Valley (AHL)	58	22	13	35	23
145	Dmitri Buchelnikov	Det	LW	20	5-10/165	Admiral Vladivostok (KHL)	55	13	16	29	8
146	Oscar Fisker Molgaard	Sea	C	19	6-0/165	HV 71 (SHL)	50	9	12	21	6
147	Aku Raty	Ari	RW	22	6-1/190	Tucson (AHL)	55	15	29	44	22
148	Matyas Sapovaliv	VGK	C	20	6-3/180	Saginaw (OHL)	54	19	43	62	22
149	Georgii Merkulov	Bos	C	23	5-11/175	Providence (AHL)	67	30	35	65	20
150	Topias Vilen	NJ	D	21	6-1/195	Utica (AHL)	54	2	27	29	16
151	Ryan Chesley	Wsh	D	20	6-0/200	Minnesota (B1G)	39	2	6	8	19
152	Jayden Perron	Car	RW	19	5-9/165	North Dakota (NCHC)	39	11	7	18	8
153	Tristen Robins	SJ	C	22	5-10/175	San Jose (AHL)	42	7	11	18	12
154	Calle Odelius	NYI	D	19	6-0/190	Djurgardens (HockeyAllsvenskan)	10	0	4	4	2
155	Vincent Iorio	Wsh	D	21	6-2/190	Hershey (AHL)	60	4	10	14	30
156	Raphael Lavoie	Edm	RW	23	6-4/215	Bakersfield (AHL)	66	28	22	50	64
157	Ronnie Attard	Phi	D	25	6-3/210	Lehigh Valley (AHL)	48	10	17	27	37
158	Niko Huuhtanen	TB	RW	20	6-2/205	Jukurit (Fin-Liiga)	52	19	27	46	46
159	Carson Bjarnason	Phi	G	18	6-3/185	Brandon (WHL)	46	24	17	3.01	0.907
160	Lukas Dragicevic	Sea	D	19	6-1/190	Tri-City (WHL)	66	14	36	50	52
161	Leevi Merilainen	Ott	G	21	6-2/160	Belleville (AHL)	24	10	9	2.87	0.906
162	Tyler Kleven	Ott	D	22	6-4/200	Belleville (AHL)	53	5	16	21	51
163	Hunter Brzustewicz	Cgy	D	19	5-11/185	Kitchener (OHL)	67	13	79	92	24
164	Ryan Greene	Chi	C	20	6-1/180	Boston University (HE)	40	12	24	36	6
165	Damian Clara	Ana	G	19	6-6/214	Brynas (HockeyAllsvenskan)	34	25	8	2.23	0.913
166	Carson Lambos	Min	D	21	6-1/200	Iowa (AHL)	69	4	10	14	64
167	Denver Barkey	Phi	C	19	5-8/160	London (OHL)	64	35	67	102	28
168	Gage Goncalves	TB	C	23	6-1/170	Syracuse (AHL)	69	13	45	58	43
169	Arshdeep Bains	Van	LW	23	6-0/185	Abbotsford (AHL)	59	16	39	55	28
170	Bogdan Konyushkov	Mtl	D	21	5-11/175	Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)	65	6	22	28	18
171	Alexei Kolosov	Phi	G	22	6-1/185	Dinamo Minsk (KHL)	47	22	21	2.39	0.907
172	Samuel Fagemo	LA	RW	24	6-0/195	Ontario (AHL)	50	43	19	62	26
173	Filip Mesar	Mtl	C	20	5-9/175	Kitchener (OHL)	45	19	33	52	12
174	Matthew Robertson	NYR	D	23	6-3/200	Hartford (AHL)	68	4	17	21	49
175	Adam Engstrom	Mtl	D	20	6-2/185	Rogle (SHL)	51	4	18	22	4
176	Michael Buchinger	StL	D	20	5-11/185	Guelph (OHL)	52	10	37	47	37
177	Semyon Chistyakov	Nsh	D	22	5-11/180	Avangard Omsk (KHL)	59	4	20	24	16
178	John Farinacci	Bos	C	23	5-11/197	Providence (AHL)	71	12	26	38	16
179	Angus Crookshank	Ott	LW	24	5-10/180	Belleville (AHL)	50	24	22	46	60
180	Yegor Sidorov	Ana	RW	19	6-0/180	Saskatoon (WHL)	66	50	38	88	66
181	Samu Tuomaala	Phi	RW	21	5-10/175	Lehigh Valley (AHL)	69	15	28	43	12
182	Logan Morrison	Sea	C	21	6-0/180	Coachella Valley (AHL)	64	16	25	41	4
183	Jean-Luc Foudy	Col	C	21	5-11/175	Colorado (AHL)	26	4	10	14	18
184	Adam Gajan	Chi	G	19	6-3/167	Green Bay (USHL)	43	23	12	3.35	0.893
185	Nolan Allan	Chi	D	21	6-2/195	Rockford (AHL)	60	5	12	17	47
186	Oskar Olausson	Col	RW	21	6-1/180	Colorado (AHL)	39	11	9	20	24
187	Samuel Poulin	Pit	C	23	6-1/205	Wilkes-Barre (AHL)	41	16	15	31	35
188	Brett Berard	NYR	LW	21	5-9/165	Hartford (AHL)	71	25	23	48	62
189	Colton Dach	Chi	C	21	6-4/205	Rockford (AHL)	48	11	15	26	39
190	Jack Thompson	SJ	D	22	6-0/180	Syr-SJ (AHL)	62	6	35	41	16
191	Riley Kidney	Mtl	C	21	5-11/170	Laval (AHL)	65	7	13	20	41
192	Roby Jarventie	Ott	RW	21	6-3/195	Belleville (AHL)	22	9	11	20	22
193	Carey Terrance	Ana	C	18	6-1/175	Erie (OHL)	56	29	23	52	25
194	Luca Del Bel Belluz	CBJ	C	20	6-1/185	Cleveland (AHL)	58	9	22	31	12
195	Luca Pinelli	CBJ	C	19	5-9/165	Ottawa (OHL)	68	48	34	82	44
196	Francesco Pinelli	LA	C	21	6-1/185	Ontario (AHL)	67	13	7	20	24
197	Elias Salomonsson	Wpg	D	19	6-1/185	Skelleftea (SHL)	31	2	9	11	58
198	Sam Colangelo	Ana	RW	21	6-2/205	Western Michigan (NCHC)	38	24	19	43	23
199	Sasha Pastujov	Ana	RW	20	6-0/185	San Diego (AHL)	46	10	13	23	14
200	Andrew Gibson	Det	D	19	6-3/195	Saul St. Marie (OHL)	68	12	32	44	58

PROSPECTS: Preliminary Top 10 AHL Rookies for the 2023-2024 Season

Jared Brown — Sun, 15 Oct 2023 14:01:48 +0000

Welcome to the start of the AHL season! To kick things off, I have narrowed down my ten candidates to be in the Rookie of the Year conversation. To understand who is eligible to be on this list, I followed the requirements set out by the AHL for eligibility. The rule is as follows: “To be considered a rookie, a player must not have played in a total of twenty-five (25) or more AHL and/or NHL regular-season games in any preceding seasons, nor in six (6) or more AHL and/or NHL regular-season games in each of any two preceding seasons, nor in one hundred (100) regular-season games in any European Elite League.”

MONTREAL, QC - APRIL 04: Sean Farrell (57) of the Montreal Canadiens waits for play to begin during the third period of the NHL game between the Detroit Red Wings and the Montreal Canadiens on April 4, 2023, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, QC(Photo by Vincent Ethier/Icon Sportswire)

F, Sean Farrell, Laval Rocket (Montreal 2020, 4th round, 124th overall)

Farrell is coming off an impressive Sophomore season at Harvard where he earned the Ivy League NCAA Player of the Year before finishing his season with Montreal. He was able to suit in 6 games with the Habs and tallied his first NHL goal in his second game. He’s a very cerebral forward who brings a ton of creativity to his playmaking skillset. He’s worked on not passing up his shooting opportunities (still an area he needs to be more selfish with at times), but he’s a pass-first, playmaker by heart. His offensive acumen stands out in the offensive zone through his ability to keep plays alive and find seams to thread his passes through to set his teammates up. His pace and speed shouldn’t be an issue in the AHL this season as that’s always been a strength to his game. He will benefit most from continuing to add more muscle to improve his forechecking and ability to bump off contact while maintaining the puck. I think a reasonable expectation for Farrell is to play a top-six role with Laval, usage on PP1, and racking up 30-40 assists for the year while being in the rookie scoring race.

D, Brandt Clarke, Ontario Reign (Los Angeles 2021 1st round, 8th overall)

I originally didn’t have Clarke on my list as I assumed he would’ve made the LA Kings opening night roster. However, for now, he’s starting in the AHL, and I fully expect him to be a top-four pairing defender for Ontario who is utilized on their PP1. He’ll earn his call-up opportunities with the Kings throughout the year which may hurt his chance of winning AHL Rookie of the Year. Throughout his development, since he was drafted 4th overall in the OHL, his main area of improvement needed for the pro level has been his defensive positioning and habits. Clarke made good strides last year to become more reliable defensively, but it will still be the main focus of improvement that Clarke needs. His confidence and elite hands for a defenceman make him stand out from others. He can run himself into trouble from time to time with forceful plays showing poor puck management. However, offensively he’s so good that you sometimes will turn a blind eye. Clarke’s ability to delay against defenders to get them out of position is incredible. He can quarterback a powerplay better than most and I don’t think it's outlandish to think he could put up 50 points in his first AHL season.

Joakim Kemell, Milwaukee Admirals (Nashville 2022 1st round, 17th overall)

Kemell did not get off to a great start in his DY+1 season. He struggled offensively out of the gate for JYP in Liiga and was just okay for Finland at the World Juniors. However, he made the jump overseas in mid-March to finish his season with Milwaukee and regained his touch putting up 13 points in 14 games before adding an impressive playoffs performance with eight goals in 14 games. Kemell has an electric release and an arsenal of shot types that make him a dangerous goal scorer. I’d expect him to be a powerplay specialist for the Admirals and rack up a ton of points on the man advantage. Now, with a high-end goal scorer like Kemell comes the negatives of a player who is very shot-heavy and will settle for low-danger attempts rather than looking for a better play. I’d like to see him create more slot chances for his teammates by drawing defenders into him before laying off the pass. I think it’s fair to expect him to be a top-six lock and score 20-25 goals this season. His experience playing against men over in Finland makes me believe he’s ready to be a top producer in the AHL as soon as this season.

F, Logan Stankoven, Texas Stars (Dallas 2021 2nd round, 47th overall)

I know Stankoven is only 5’7”, but seriously, how did he slide into the second round for Dallas to steal in the 2021 draft?! You arguably couldn’t find a better play driver and more productive junior player last season (maybe outside of Bedard of course). Logan had been a dominant force for Kamloops and for Team Canada internationally and it’s hard to see him take a step back even in his first pro season. He has the work ethic, quickness, and offensive skills to succeed at this level. A lot has been made up about his size and how it will impact his ability to get into the interior parts of the ice at the pro level. Time will tell, but he’s a stocky guy who showcases excellent power and strength from the waist down. I don’t think skating will be an issue for Logan as he can supply some quick bursts in his carries through the neutral zone and he’s always been quite shifty in tight spaces. His release is explosive, and I would slot him in for 15-20 goals this season with Texas. His motor and strength in faceoffs provide a ton of defensive value which is a big factor as to why I see him having a high floor to become at minimum a support bottom-six NHLer.

F, Shane Wright, Coachella Valley Firebirds (Seattle 2022 1st round, 4th overall)

By the rule, Wright is still considered a rookie despite playing in 24 playoff games with Coachella last year. There probably isn’t another player on this list who has more to prove than Shane Wright. He’s an excellent well-rounded centre who has shown his maturity through his early pro career. His anticipation, positioning, and off-puck route selections are all at a high level that you would not expect a player his age to already be at. Wright is a player that I think can be utilized in every situation due to how intelligent he is. Where the question lies is in his offensive creation. He looked like a dominant threat early in his junior career, but he’s been struggling to consistently create chances for his linemates at 5v5, and that’s started to have me question his playmaking upside. He’s got an outstanding release and will be a threat to score on the powerplay from the circles and that helps mask some of his play creation woes. I believe the best course of action for Wright is to play the full season in the AHL to let him develop and gain back his offensive confidence instead of forcing him into NHL games unless of course Seattle gets depleted with injuries. There’s talent still there in Wright, now he just needs to go out and show it.

F, Carter Mazur, Grand Rapids Griffins (Detroit 2021 3rd round, 70th overall)

Mazur was projected to push for a roster spot as one of Detroit’s top young prospects in their organization. Unfortunately, he’s starting his first pro season off on the wrong foot with a lower-body injury and missed the Red Wings training camp. Make no mistake though, he’s ready to make an immediate impact in the AHL after impressing with his six-game stint to end last season where he tallied three goals and six points in those games. Mazur plays a pro-style game already which is why I believe his transition to the AHL will be seamless. He plays the role of an agitator to a tee. He makes opposing defenders' lives a nightmare with his tenacious forechecking pressure and relentless motor. His release and shot are his second-best attributes. Mazur is great at sliding into those high-danger areas and battling at the net front to bang home goals. He’s not a poor skater by any means, but he does lack dynamic traits to his puck-carrying skill which limits his ability to generate rush chances. His injury to start the year could see him get off to a slow start, but I do think he could put home 20 goals this season with Grand Rapids and earn himself call-up opportunities with Detroit.

D, Olen Zellweger, San Diego Gulls (Anaheim 2021 2nd round, 34th overall)

Zellweger lost out on an opening night roster spot with Anaheim, but maybe that’s a good thing for him considering the Ducks aren’t in a win-now mode and rebuilding. I would plan for Zellweger to spend the majority of the season in the AHL with San Diego and then make Anaheim’s roster to start the 2024-25 season. He has shown off his offensive prowess to be one of the best defensemen at the junior level for the past couple of seasons. I think there’s no denying his ability to command the attack off the rush and along the offensive blueline. His biggest hurdle for the pro level will be his size and strength for the position he plays. He’s not a poor defender by any means and he utilizes his effortless mobility to close gaps quickly. However, at only 5’10” and 189lbs currently, we’ll see how he handles the physical battles in front of the net and in the corners at the pro level. Handling bigger and stronger players will be the biggest adjustment he’ll need. If Zellweger and Brandt Clarke play the majority of the year in the AHL, they surely will be dueling it out for the most productive rookie defenseman this season.

F, Zachary Bolduc, Springfield Thunderbirds (2021 1st round, 17th overall)

Springfield looks like they’re going to have a strong group of forwards which will benefit Bolduc and his production in his first pro season. He’s riding a high after winning the Memorial Cup with Quebec this past year and back-to-back 50-goal seasons! The tools are there for Bolduc to be the play driver for his line and push for a full-time spot in the Thunderbirds' top six. His skating is a huge asset to him, using smart routes to create space for himself and shifty puck handling to evade defenders. He’s got excellent vision on the puck to attack open pockets in the defensive coverage before activating his goal-scoring instincts. Bolduc is a true sniper who can powder home a juicy one-timer on the powerplay or a quick snapshot in stride. He has shifted to the wing after starting out his junior career as a centre so his defensive play doesn’t need to be as dialed in but I would still like to see him be more aggressive to create more turnovers. Despite his gaudy offensive numbers in junior, some have noted that he can run into inconsistencies and go quiet for a few games from time to time. A reasonable expectation is for Bolduc to be in the 40–50-point range.

F, Chaz Lucius, Manitoba Moose (Winnipeg 2021 1st round, 18th overall)

Lucius has had to get surgery on three different body parts already in his young career. The number of injuries he’s had is concerning, and how that has impacted his development. His most recent injury was a season-ending shoulder surgery so I will be watching to see how he handles contact and if he’s playing scared coming back from that injury to start the season. Chaz has always had the talent to be a top prospect. He’s a pure sniper with a deceptive release, getting his shot through traffic and beating goalies from midrange. He’ll take advantage of open spacing in between the dots in the offensive zone but we’ll see if he can still do that in the AHL where defensive systems and coverages are a lot tighter. He also has some slick handling skills to be a possession-driving forward, hang onto pucks while under duress, and avoid being a play-killer for his team. The most important piece of development this season for Lucius is to get a full healthy season in. As long as health is on his side, I could see him battling his way into a top-six role with Manitoba.

F, Josh Doan, Tucson Roadrunners (Arizona 2021 2nd round, 37th overall)

Doan is a late-blooming prospect who put together two terrific collegiate seasons, racking up 75 points in 74 games at Arizona State University. He earned himself an ELC and turned himself into not just the son of Shane Doan but into a legitimate prospect who has a high floor and the traits of a bottom-six NHLer. He didn’t look out of place in his 14-game stint to end the year with Tucson but there are still some concerns with his skating and his ability to drive the offence. He relies on his linemates to create space for him off the rush as his puck-carrying routes are always in a straight line and predictable. The positives in Doan’s game are that he plays the game like a pro, much like his father. His work ethic is top notch and will consistently battle in the dirty areas to win pucks back for his line. His style is a great complement to a couple of highly skilled players. He’ll win possession back, lay the puck off his stick quickly, and then head to the front of the net to cause havoc. Players coming out of the NCAA and going right into the AHL have shown to have productive rookie seasons and with how great Doan’s development has been, I could see him being a dark horse in the Rookie of the Year running.

Honorable Mentions:

F, Matthew Maggio, Bridgeport Islanders (Islanders 2022 5th round, 142nd overall)

F, Brennan Othmann, Hartford Wolf Pack (Rangers 2021 1st round, 16th overall)

F, James Malatesta, Cleveland Monsters (Columbus 2021 5th round, 133rd overall)

D, Mason Lohrei, Providence Bruins (Boston 2020 2nd round, 58th overall)

2023 MEMORIAL CUP PREVIEW: Team Previews with top five prospects to keep an eye out for on each side

Adam Tate, Joely Stockl and Jérémi Plourde — Thu, 25 May 2023 17:28:55 +0000

On Friday, May 26, the 103rd edition of the Memorial Cup will kick off in Kamloops, British Columbia. The field includes the WHL champion Seattle Thunderbirds, the OHL champion Peterborough Petes, the QMJHL champion Quebec Remparts, and of course, the host Kamloops Blazers. Last year the host Saint John Sea Dogs captured the trophy by defeating the Hamilton Bulldogs in the final. This year, the loaded Seattle Thunderbirds enter the tournament as the favourites, but as we have learned, anything can happen at the Memorial Cup. The kickoff game on Friday sees Quebec playing Kamloops and TSN will have all the action for Canadian viewers.

To get you ready for this year’s Memorial Cup, our regional scouts have written previews for each competing team, complete with the top players you need to watch out for!

WHL Champions - Seattle Thunderbirds

By Adam Tate

The Seattle Thunderbirds tallied 111 points in the regular season, good for the second most points in the WHL and the top playoff seed in the Western Conference. The team was dominant all season long, especially as their NHL drafted players returned to the roster after attending NHL training camps. Not satisfied with the roster, they were active at the WHL trade deadline, adding Dylan Guenther, Brad Lambert, and Colton Dach. After adding those players, they typically had a lineup containing 10 NHL draftees, as well as six players with the potential to be selected in the upcoming NHL draft. It’s little wonder that they were able to make easy work of the second leg of the regular season. They followed that up with 16 wins in 19 playoff games on their way to their second Ed Chynoweth Cup as WHL Champions. The forward unit is talented and deep, led by Dylan Guenther, Brad Lambert, and Jared Davidson. Their group on defence is also strong with the likes of Kevin Korchinski, Jeremy Hanzel, and Nolan Allan patrolling the blue line. Their goaltending tandem of Thomas Milic and Scott Ratzlaff is excellent, with both players likely to have their names called in this summer’s NHL Entry Draft.

Top Five NHL Prospects to Watch

Dylan Guenther (Arizona Coyotes)

Guenther played 33 games with the Arizona Coyotes this season before being returned to the WHL after playing in the WJC for Canada. At the World Junior Championship, he scored the second most goals (7 in 7 games played), trailing only Connor Bedard. In his first season with Seattle, he registered more than a point per game (29pts in 20 games) during his shortened regular season. In the WHL playoffs all he did was lead the entire CHL in goals. The tournament's goaltenders will need to know where he is on the ice at all times. Arizona got a good one.

Brad Lambert (Winnipeg Jets)

Lambert also played some pro games this season, getting into 13 games with the Manitoba Moose, the Jets AHL team. After a quiet WJC for Team Finland, he signed with Seattle, who had acquired his rights in the summer of 2022. Lambert had a very good regular season (38 pts in 26 games) and continued to establish chemistry with Guenther in the playoffs. Lambert ended up in a tie for the second most assists in the CHL playoffs with 20 in 17 games. His playmaking will be one of the keys to Seattle’s attack.

Kevin Korchinski (Chicago Blackhawks)

Korchinski parlayed a very good 2022 into an early first round selection by Chicago in last summer’s NHL Draft. He has given them no reason to doubt the pick as he had an excellent WHL season, becoming a better than point per game player for the first time with 73 points in 54 games. He was also a mainstay on Canada’s WJC blueline. His excellent all-around play continued in the WHL playoffs as one of the pillars of Seattle’s defence.

Reid Schaefer (Nashville Predators)

Like his teammates above, Schaefer has had a terrific year for Seattle, becoming a point a game player in both the regular season and the WHL playoffs. He was also on Team Canada at the WJC where he played more of a bottom six role. Between his size, desire to score goals, and ability to forecheck or dish out hits, he’s a lot to deal with. But he also has an intelligent defensive game and is relied on for PK minutes. Schaefer looks to be a very interesting piece for Nashville’s forward unit in the years to come.

Gracyn Sawchyn (2023 NHL Entry Draft Eligible)

There are easily another six or so players on the Thunderbirds that I could put in this space, but I wanted to write about one of the draft eligible players on the team. I had the chance to see Sawchyn live three times this season, including in the CHL Top Prospects game (a game in which he stood out). Despite being relegated to more of a secondary role as the team added players, he still ended up a point a game player in his first year in the WHL. A skilled player with a good motor and room to grow, he should be selected within the first three rounds of the upcoming NHL Draft.

Host City - Kamloops Blazers (WHL)

By Adam Tate

The Kamloops Blazers are the 2023 Memorial Cup Host Team. But while the Blazers are the hosts for this year’s tournament, they are no also-ran pushover, having won the BC Division while posting the third best point total in the WHL. Despite being a very strong team, the Blazers pulled off one of the biggest blockbuster trades in WHL history at the trade deadline, acquiring Olen Zellweger and Ryan Hofer from the Everett Silvertips for four players and ten draft picks. The Blazers went on a run in the playoffs, sweeping Vancouver and Portland in the first two rounds. While they did lose the Western Conference Final in six games to Seattle, they were also the team that gave the Thunderbirds the most difficulty in the WHL playoffs. The team is led by its two stars, Logan Stankoven and Zellweger. The forward group has talent beyond Stankoven, with Caedan Bankier, Matthew Seminoff, and Hofer piling up the points. The defensive unit isn’t quite as strong with Kyle Masters and Logan Bairos filling out the unit behind Zellweger. In net, the Blazers are led by NHL Entry Draft eligible Dylan Ernst. In total the Blazers have nine NHL drafted players and at least 2 with the potential to be drafted this summer.

Top Five NHL Prospects to Watch

Logan Stankoven (Dallas Stars)

Stankoven is a bona fide star at this level. Averaging two points per game in both the WHL regular season and playoffs, and better than a point per game for Team Canada at this year’s WJC, it’s possible his skill level might only be matched by that Bedard kid playing in Regina. Stankoven led the WHL in playoff scoring this year and now has the chance to play for the Memorial Cup for the host team in his hometown. It's easy to see how important this tournament likely is to Stankoven. His fearless north-south game, desire to go to the hard parts of the ice, and unrelenting motor are just a few more reasons why he’s likely to be a big factor in the tournament.

Olen Zellweger (Anaheim Ducks)

The main piece in one of the biggest WHL trades ever, Zellweger brought his offensive star power to Kamloops at the trade deadline. Like a lot of the prospects highlighted for Seattle, he was a featured player at the WJC this year. In fact, his time with the U-20 team for Canada is likely the only reason why he wasn’t the WHL’s leading scoring defenceman for the second year in a row. Instead, he had to settle for being the WHL’s best defenceman for the second year in a row. Powered by some of the purest skating skill in the entire CHL, Zellweger joins or leads the rush at will. Expect that he’ll put the other teams in the tournament on their heels often.

Caedan Bankier (Minnesota Wild)

Bankier broke out this season, scoring 37 goals and 85 points, good enough for a top 15 placement in WHL scoring. He turned that high level of play into more than a point per game in the playoffs. He was also a member of Team Canada’s U-20 roster at this year’s WJC, playing in more of a bottom six forward role. While this is more likely where he’ll end up if he makes the NHL, there’s still a lot to like about his shot and his playmaking ability at this level. His production will be needed if the Blazers are to go far in the tournament.

Fraser Minten (Toronto Maple Leafs)

The Kamloops Blazers are a big team, so much so that the 6’1”, 190lbs Minten doesn’t really stand out. But that doesn’t prevent him from being a big, regular hitter on their forward lines. Nor does it prevent him from using a great shot (one-timer or curl and drag wrister) to score a lot of goals. In fact, he scored 31 goals in the regular season, which wasn’t too far behind Stankoven’s total of 34. His playoffs were a bit quiet as he started out injured and is still working himself back into playing form.

Connor Levis (2023 NHL Entry Draft Eligible)

Like with Seattle, there were a few other prospects I could’ve written about here, but Connor Levis is Kamloops’ player most likely to be selected in the upcoming NHL draft. I was able to see Levis six times in person this season, including the CHL Top Prospects game and a playoff game. He’s a strong skater with excellent size for a forward who possesses good hockey awareness in the offensive zone. He makes a lot of smart support plays in the offensive zone to help create and maintain offensive possession. He ended the regular season with just under a point per game but had a quieter playoffs. The Blazers will need more from him in this tournament.

OHL Champions - Peterborough Petes

By Joely Stockl

The offensive powerhouse Peterborough Petes were able to bring it all together at the perfect time. The Petes were indeed busy on the trade front, from adding Brennan Othmann in November 2022, to bringing in Owen Beck, Avery Hayes, and Gavin White at the trade deadline. Their lineup changed drastically, and it took the team until the playoffs to be able to unite and play well as a group, finishing only fourth in the Eastern Conference. There was nothing stopping the Petes during the playoffs, despite several injuries and Owen Beck’s suspension in the finals. In addition to their offensive abilities, Playoff MVP Michael Simpson was stellar, starting in every single playoff game for the Petes. Making 36 of 37 stops in the final game against the London Knights, Simpson was a deciding factor in his team’s success. From sweeping the Sudbury Wolves, to eliminating the league leading Ottawa 67’s, to finally defeating the London Knights in 6 games, Peterborough will be a force to be reckoned with at the 2023 Memorial Cup.

Top Five NHL Prospects to Watch

Brennan Othmann (New York Rangers)

Brennan Othmann came to Peterborough to help this team win, and that is exactly what he did. The offensive prowess was a massive factor in the Petes’ offensive success. Othmann has it all, the shot, the skill, the offensive awareness, and the grit. He is so creative in the offensive zone, and he is a pure play driver who makes the players around him better. Being traded midway through the season is a difficult situation to handle, and Othmann took it in full stride to lead this team to the championship.

Tucker Robertson (Seattle Kraken)

After a tough run last season, getting eliminated in the 1st round, Tucker Robertson returned hungry for success. Robertson’s point totals don’t tell the whole story, even though he put up an astounding 90 points in the regular season. He is also one of the best penalty killing forwards in the league and has scored 11 shorthanded goals in the last two seasons. Robertson has been a huge part of this team’s core for the last two years, and he has been performing through thick and through thin for this team. The Seattle Kraken picked a good one in Robertson, even if it was one season after his original draft year.

Owen Beck (Montreal Canadiens)

Owen Beck split his time between Peterborough and the Mississauga Steelheads this season, and was a key player brought in by Petes General Manager, Mike Oke. Though Beck didn’t necessarily play lights out in the playoffs, he played his game, and he remained steady. Beck is likely the best 200-foot centerman in the entire OHL, and he is heavily relied upon to take faceoffs (59% on faceoffs in the regular season) slotting in as the Petes' 1st line centre. His suspension in the finals left a massive hole to fill at the center spot, but his team was able to finish the job. Montreal should be grateful that Beck dropped to the 2nd round of the 2022 NHL Draft; this is a mature player and a pick that will most definitely pay off in the future. Of note, it has been reported that Beck’s suspension will not carry over to the Memorial Cup and he will be eligible to play game one.

J.R. Avon (Philadelphia Flyers)

Similarly to Tucker Robertson, J.R. Avon has been a valuable part of this team’s core for the last two seasons. The sneaky, shifty winger is difficult to handle as one of the fastest skaters in the OHL. He has also been a big part of the Petes’ penalty kill for that reason. Avon put up just over a point per game in the regular season, potting 29 goals over the course of the season. The soon to be overage forward wears an ‘A’ on his jersey for a reason, as he is a large part of the heartbeat of this team. Any player that gets signed as a free agent has overcome some adversity in their career, and Avon was a part of the “COVID Draft Class” which made it difficult for him to be seen by scouts. Avon’s work ethic translates on and off the ice, and that was evident all season long.

Gavin White (Dallas Stars)

Continuing on the topic of overcoming adversity, OHL U18 Draft selection Gavin White is another inspiring story. It is incredibly difficult to find a roster spot in the OHL after being picked in the U18 Draft, but White defied the odds when he got selected by the Dallas Stars in last year’s draft. White arrived in Peterborough in a package deal with Avery Hayes, who were both viable factors in the Hamilton Bulldogs OHL Championship run in 2022. The offensive weapon from the blue line served on the Petes 1st powerplay unit for the majority of the playoffs (save for the finals when they made the switch to an all forward top unit), as their only real offensively-minded defender. White is a phenomenal skater who knows how to pick his spots and activate offensively, in addition to his dangerous transition game.

QMJHL Champions - Quebec Remparts

By Jérémi Plourde

It is definitely not a surprise to see the Québec Remparts bring the Gilles Courteau trophy home this year. Patrick Roy’s team has been simply phenomenal this year, dominating and finishing first with a 53-12-3 record and winning 16 of their 18 playoff games. Québec has swept everyone except the Halifax Mooseheads, including the Gatineau Olympiques, who were only four points behind them in the standings. They are champions for the first time since 1976, rewarding their fan base for the constant support throughout the season with an average attendance of 9762 fans (most in the CHL). The Remparts are now heading to Kamloops to compete for the Memorial Cup. Their first game will be against the hosting team, the Kamloops Blazers, on Friday.

Top Five NHL Prospects to Watch

Zachary Bolduc (St. Louis Blues)

Zachary Bolduc is possibly the best NHL prospect currently in the QMJHL. This year, he has scored 110 points in 61 games, which ranks him 3rd in the entire league in points per game. Bolduc has been a steady goal scorer for Québec during these playoffs, with 11 goals and 19 points in 18 games. The St. Louis Blues first rounder in 2021 will most likely be playing his last junior games in Kamloops, as he should take the next step and play in the AHL next year.

Nathan Gaucher (Anaheim Ducks)

Nathan Gaucher has shown this year why he is perfect for the NHL’s third line role, steadily scoring at about a point per game pace throughout both the regular season and the playoffs while being an important physical presence for Québec. He has been alternating between the second and third line, always as the center. He too, will likely turn pro next year as a 2003 born player, and should definitely find a role in the Anaheim Ducks’ bottom six in the coming years.

James Malatesta (Columbus Blue Jackets)

James Malatesta was the Columbus Blue Jackets’ 5th round pick back in 2021, and it would be fair to say that this is not a pick they are regretting. The Remparts right winger has scored 66 points in only 55 games this season, and 14 goals in 18 games in the playoffs, averaging almost 0.8 goals per game. His goal scoring skills have been a central part of Québec’s playoffs, making him the 2023 playoffs MVP.

Jérémy Langlois (Arizona Coyotes)

Jérémy Langlois was drafted last year in the 3rd round by the Arizona Coyotes and has been slowly but steadily improving this year. Ever since being traded from the Cape Breton Eagles to the Québec Remparts, Langlois has scored at about a point per game pace through 34 games, and while only receiving 3rd pairing minutes, he has managed to get 7 points in the 18 playoff games. With players leaving next year, Langlois will get a ton of ice time and will look to establish himself as one of the best defensive prospects in the QMJHL.

Evan Nause (Florida Panthers)

Evan Nause is another premier NHL prospect from the QMJHL who plays for the Remparts. He was drafted by the Florida Panthers in the 2nd round back in 2021, and although from a statistical standpoint he has not really taken a next step this year, his all-around game has steadily improved. Nause has been on the Remparts’ second pairing throughout the playoffs and has been tremendous, scoring 5 goals in only 18 games as a defenceman, good for first in the league among players of his position. In a few years, expect to see him find a role in the Panthers’ bottom four.

MCKEEN’S 2023 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #10 St. Louis Blues

Derek Neumeier — Mon, 22 May 2023 14:59:26 +0000

GM Doug Armstrong has been running the show since 2010 and has won a Stanley Cup, a Conference title, three Division titles and seen 10 playoff appearances. After a 109-point season in 2021-22, this past season went off the rails rapidly, as his team missed the playoffs for only the second time in 12 years. He made the decision to retool by moving veterans Ryan O’Reilly and Noel Accari for a first, second, third, and spare parts, Vladimir Tarasenko was moved to the Rangers for a first and a fourth and bringing Sammy Blais back. They acquired the promising prospect Zach Dean for Ivan Barbashev, perhaps representative of the type of deal Armstrong will be looking for. Dean is versatile, closer to the NHL, and has been fortunately ripping it up since the trade in the Q. Armstrong has indicated he would like to add some younger pieces around 23-year-old Robert Thomas, 25-year-old Jordan Kyrou and 21-year-old Jake Neighbours.

They head into the 2023 NHL Draft with three first rounders. Armstrong has said he will likely use his own pick (10^th overall) and try to package the other two later picks (from Dallas and Toronto) to move up in the draft. If he is able to move other veterans, he will. The defense is locked into a top four of Faulk, Krug, Parayko and Leddy, all north of 30, with $23.5 million worth of cap space tied up for the next three years. Marco Scandella is a UFA at the end of the season. The team showed life after the trade deadline. Their performance in the first half of the season will determine how deep Armstrong goes in his retool. He has some strong vets to support the kids that will be valuable if the playoffs are in reach by the new year. Or they become further chips to play. Stay tuned.

ST. LOUIS, MO - NOVEMBER 22: St. Louis Blues defenseman Scott Perunovich (48) during a NHL game between the Las Vegas Golden Knights and the St. Louis Blues on November 22, 2021, at Enterprise Center, St. Louis, MO. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire),

Jimmy Snuggerud

The Blues landing Snuggerud at 23rd overall is already looking like one of the best value picks of the 2022 draft. The University of Minnesota had one of the best lines in all of college hockey between Logan Cooley, Matthew Knies and Snuggerud, with the latter popping 50 points in 40 games as a freshman. Yes, there was a lot collaborative heavy lifting going on that led to point sharing, but the less heralded member of the trio was not a passenger. He's a well-rounded, complete winger who might not have one true standout skill, but he's able to touch many different areas of a game. Having NHL bloodlines and the knowledge gained from a couple of years with USA Hockey's National Team Development Program have been huge factors in the steep upwards trajectory of Snuggerud's growth, and he has only just gotten started.

2. Zachary Bolduc

Bolduc didn't get chosen to be a part of Canada's roster at the 2023 World Juniors, but that was more of a reflection of Canada's immense depth than a deficiency with his skill. However, if he can help lead Quebec to a QMJHL title this season that will come close as consolation prize. He is a lethal shooter, as evidenced by his back-to-back 50-goal seasons. Almost all prospects who can consistently score at such a high rate find ways to be top scorers in the NHL. He already has a lot of pro-level shooting abilities, such as disguising his release point, elevating from in tight and firing cleanly from his top speed. His skating strides are also fluid and mechanically sound, which allow him to create a lot of space for himself to get into dangerous ice. Bolduc hasn't gotten nearly enough fanfare as a 1st-round pick who is living up to his potential, but that is likely to change in short order.

3. Scott Perunovich

Perunovich missed most of his 2022-23 season due to a fractured shoulder that was suffered in the preseason, and it's a real shame because he was primed and ready for a big sophomore year at the professional level following a terrific freshman campaign that saw him dress in seven playoff games for the Blues. What's most important now is that he's healthy again. The mobile defenseman is back in the AHL as he gets himself back up to game speed, so he'll have to wait a little longer still to record his first NHL goal, though that seems like only a matter of time. The way he manages games is very impressive, using a combination of brain, feet and hands to quickly and shrewdly moves pucks out of his own end and make sure they get where they need to go to on the ice. St. Louis currently has a logjam on the blueline, but don't be surprised if they make a move to make room for Perunovich.

4. Zach Dean

The Blues have to be pretty excited about the return they got for trading away Ivan Barbashev, because Dean has been on an absolute tear since the trade happened, humming along as one of the QMJHL's top playoff scorers on a Gatineau club that could go all the way. He always had the tools to be a major offensive contributor, but the Olympiques prefer more structure than the usual freewheeling that is seen in the league, so he focused more on his two-way game instead. It speaks volumes right now that he is able to produce points like this without having to cheat or sacrifice his responsibilities. He is a fast, technically sound skater who loves to keep his foot on the gas but stays calculated with how he applies himself. Dean could crack the NHL as a Bottom six forward soon and then work his way up the lineup over time.

5. Nikita Alexandrov

Alexandrov would have to pass through waivers to return to the AHL next season, and St. Louis surely knows that some other clubs would happily pounce on that opportunity. Luckily for them they did get to see 28 NHL games out of the German-trained Russian in 2022-23, and the results were encouraging. He has a snappy, clean release on his shot, and is an expert at looking off goalies before firing. When handling the puck, he can tuck it close to his body or keep it out at arm's length, depending on what makes more sense. He has ice running through his veins, playing with an unwavering concentration that is borderline unsettling at times. As nice at it is that he never gets too rattled or dejected, that also makes you wonder a bit if he'll ever struggle to raise his intensity in situations that call for it.

6. Joel Hofer

Hofer was given a legitimate tryout late in the season so that St. Louis could get a better look at him against NHL competition, and between his performances there and his rock-solid play all year in the AHL he certainly seems ready to assume the role of Jordan Binnington's backup. Whether that actually happens this fall, or waits until the following one, is still undetermined. Regardless, the pathway for his career over the next few years is crystal clear. He's huge and unflappably even keeled and has put in the work asked of him since his draft year to improve his fluidity and refine his technique to acceptable professional levels. His game is still skewed towards the former attributes more than the later, but the overall package is very impressive. Hofer has enough potential to become a bonafide NHL starter one day.

7. Simon Robertsson

The son of long-time player and coach Bert Robertsson, Simon had a built-in advantage growing up that the vast majority of other hockey-playing kids did not. That upbringing manifested in an interesting way, as the Swedish winger doesn't seem to have much innately high-end skill but composes himself with a wise professionalism that is well beyond his years. It's almost comical how much his game screams “my dad was a coach” with how responsible he is and how hard he consistently works. His relentless motor and polished skating stride do lead to the odd goal, though, because he's often in good position to pounce on mistakes and knows to the take the puck directly to the net instead of to the outside. You can go ahead and pencil Robertsson in now as an eventual bottom six winger and penalty killer at the NHL level.

8. Tyler Tucker

The way Tucker plays is such a throwback to an older era of hockey, so it's easy to see why he is a big fan favorite. Even more impressive, he is proving that that style of hockey hasn't gone extinct and can still be effective in the modern NHL. He's tough, he's nasty, and he isn't afraid to show how much he enjoys it. He'll do anything to protect or stand up for his teammates, and while that sort of thing isn't as necessary as it once was, you know his teammates love him for it anyways. He blocks a lot of shots and wins a lot of battles, so he will surely go over the boards for a plethora of penalty kills before his career is done. Owns a pretty good point shot, too. Expect Tucker to be a big part of the retooling in St. Louis.

9. Michael Buchinger

The 2022-23 season was a major disappointment for a Guelph Storm club that started off the season on wobbly footing and never managed to find their balance, but it all would have gotten so much worse were it not for Buchinger, who was an absolute rock on their back end. No matter how dire things got he remained committed and unflinching, so it's easy to understand why his coaches gave him mountains of ice time. He displays an advanced understanding of all aspects of the defense position and is comfortable being entrusted with key responsibilities. There are some questions, though, about how well he will be able to transition from the junior level to the professional level. Mainly, you'd like to see a defender with his limited size and reach be more fleet of foot. He's a number-one defenseman right now but projects much more neatly as a bottom six NHL blueliner.

10. Leo Loof

It's too bad that Lööf isn't a little bigger, because he revels in the physical side of the sport. There is so much natural grit and sandpaper to his game, and he has probably never passed up a chance to get his hands dirty. He's not a dirty player by any means, though, keeping his style of play on the right side of the line between benefit and liability. He seems to have no delusions about his abilities handling the puck or generating offense and is more than content focusing instead on frustrating his opponents however possible. Despite being a born and raised Swede Lööf took his talents to Finland for the past two years, and after two full seasons worth of games and a pair of playoff series victories in their best professional league it's hard to argue that he made the wrong choice.

MCKEEN’S 2022-23 NHL YEARBOOK – ST. LOUIS BLUES – Top 20 Prospects

Contributors – Brock Otten, Chapin Landvogt, Ethan Hetu, Dylan Krill, — Sun, 18 Sep 2022 20:44:46 +0000

1 -Scott Perunovich D

Last year was actually Perunovich’s rookie pro season. The former Hobey Baker winner injured his shoulder after turning pro and missed the entire 2020-21 season. Splitting time between St. Louis and Springfield, he was an immediate stand out. In the AHL, he was one of the league’s best defenders, even as a rookie. With the Blues, even in a limited role, he was impressive. That is why the Blues activated Perunovich from the IR in the middle of the playoffs and put him in the lineup and on the powerplay. Of course, the Blues had to activate him off the injured list in the first place because he missed an extended period of time after wrist surgery. Is he proving to be injury prone as an NHL player? Too early to say, but the undersized defender does need to stay healthy this year to prove that he is durable enough to be a longtime NHL player. What is clear is that Perunovich is talented enough to be a top four, puck moving defender. He skates well. He is highly intelligent. He is competitive. He has the potential to be one of the NHL’s elite powerplay quarterbacks. The only question mark is durability. Looking at St. Louis’ blueline currently, one might wonder how Perunovich can earn playing time. Their depth is strong. Yet, you could also argue that they need to find a way to get him in there every game because he has the talent to be a difference maker. - BO

2 - Zachary Bolduc C

55 goals. That’s how many goals Zachary Bolduc scored for the Quebec Remparts last season, and it is entirely possible that he breaks the 60-mark next season. Bolduc plays a very projectable game as a top 6 player: He’s relentless in transition, can score from anywhere on the ice and dangle with ease through opponents. This playstyle is what made the St. Louis Blues draft him 17^th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft. Playing in his DY-1 season with the Oceanic Rimouski alongside Alexis Lafrenière made a lot of people question if he was really all that great or if he was just a product of the superstar. In his draft +1 year, he proved all the doubters wrong and was a crucial piece for the Rimouski Oceanic. Returning to the QMJHL this season, there is still lots of room for him to improve. He can stand to get quicker. He can continue to improve his off puck play and consistency playing through traffic. He can continue to improve on his decision making with the puck. Thus far, his progression has gone extremely well, and he does appear to be tracking towards being a future top six contributor for the Blues. - EB

3 - Jake Neighbours LW

The Blues were so impressed by Neighbours and his ability to excel in a support role that they gave him a nine-game audition to start the 2021/22 season. While they did ultimately return him to Edmonton, it speaks volumes as to their love for him as a player. The return to Edmonton was great for Neighbours, however, as he captained the Oil Kings to a WHL Championship. Off the puck, Neighbours is at his best. He is relentless on the forecheck and backcheck and has both the speed and strength to force turnovers regularly. He is also an intelligent complementary offensive piece with how he finds soft spots in coverage, works to maintain possession along the wall, and gets himself to the net front. While his finishing ability and hands probably only grade out to being average, perhaps limiting his offensive potential at the NHL level, he does so many other things well that it is very likely he carves out a long career in the NHL as a middle six player who can play in a variety of different situations. There is a strong chance that Neighbours makes St. Louis in a checking line role this season, however, they may also opt to send him to the AHL to allow him to build confidence in his offensive abilities and adjust to the speed of the pro game. Either way, he is likely very close to being a full time St. Louis Blue. - BO

4 - Jimmy Snuggerud RW

While Jimmy Snuggerud might have fallen under the radar a bit by playing frequently on a line with 2022 top-five picks Logan Cooley and Cutter Gauthier, Snuggerud’s rise up draft boards to ultimately being selected 23rd overall by the Blues wasn’t simply due to him riding his linemates’ coattails. No, Snuggerud is a promising, intriguing prospect in his own right. So much of his game is devoted to maximizing whoever he’s playing with. Cooley and Gauthier are both top prospects on their own but playing with Snuggerud undoubtedly gave their games a strong boost. HIs six-foot-one frame is well-filled despite being on the younger side for his draft class and displays his strength regularly on the ice. Snuggerud is an adept protector of the puck, and he approaches board battles tactically, finding the best way to leverage his strength into success in physical engagements. He knows he’s stronger than many other players, but he doesn’t simply rely on that strength to carry his game. He views his strength as simply one of his tools, and that approach is evidenced by his well-rounded offensive approach. He’s just as comfortable setting up teammates from the perimeter as he is heading through the middle of the ice and creating chances from the more difficult areas other wingers would stay away from. Snuggerud’s small-area game is quite developed as well, and he’s just as comfortable finding a play along the boards as he is firing a crisp open-ice pass. The most notable weakness in his game is his skating, and his lack of a separation gear could limit his offensive upside in the NHL. If Snuggerud can keep his skating above water and continue to create space for playmaking through his puck protection, he could be a scoring-line power forward in the NHL. If his offense plateaus due to his lack of foot speed, there’s still a promising NHL future for Snuggerud a role player. - EH

5 - Joel Hofer G

A late bloomer, Hofer just keeps getting better, season after season. In 2020, he was a standout in the WHL with Portland and backstopped Canada to a gold medal at the World Juniors, capturing the tournament’s top goaltender award in the process. Even last season, his second pro year, he showed remarkable growth over the course of the season. He helped Springfield advance deep into the Calder Cup playoffs and was one of the AHL’s best netminders in the closing months. That bodes well for this year, where he will be carrying a ton of confidence and momentum as a player and prospect. The Blues’ goaltender of the future has pushed through a crowded crease (St. Louis has four netminders under the age of 22 under contract) to rise to the top. In a lot of ways Hofer resembles current NHL netminder Matt Murray. With a tall, lanky frame (6’5, 172lbs), he takes away the bottom of the net so well and his positioning and play tracking ability are sound. He will need to continue to improve his agility and quickness to better challenge pro shooters and have more control over his body, but he has the potential to be the heir apparent to Jordan Binnington in St. Louis’ crease. The Blues will send Hofer back to the AHL this coming season in hopes that he can be one of the league’s top netminders. If he plays like he did in last year’s playoffs, he will be. - BO

6 - Nikita Alexandrov C

It is hard not to see Alexandrov developing into an NHL player in some shape or form. He is such a versatile player, with a game that has few weaknesses. He is a competitive two-way player. He is poised with the puck and has good vision down low. He is a strong forechecker. He is a strong skater. One might look at his mediocre AHL production last year and question his NHL upside, however he still finished fifth in team scoring on a very stacked veteran team. He was among Springfield’s best players in the AHL playoffs, helping them go on a deep run. For those reasons, many believe that Alexandrov is actually very close to earning a spot in the Blues’ lineup. He could easily start lower in the lineup and eventually earn his way up. For now, the Blues will send the former QMJHL standout back to Springfield for another season, where they hope that he will take a step forward offensively and be a leader at the AHL level. Even with a ton of fringe veteran depth at the forward position, he could play his way into an injury callup should the need arise. A projected middle six forward, Alexandrov may be among the game’s most underrated prospects. - BO

7- Simon Robertsson RW

The 71^st overall pick in the 2021 NHL draft, Robertsson was viewed higher in the public sphere before falling to the third round into grateful the hands of the St. Louis Blues. Robertsson is best known for his wicked shot, which has a precise release point that is often accurate while packing a punch. When he doesn’t have the puck, Robertsson always seems to be lurking in the high-danger scoring areas waiting for a pass from his teammates. When transitioning the puck, he loves to attack the middle of the ice, using speed and deception to get inside access. He is also a proficient forechecker, often being aggressive in his opportunities to strip the opposition of the puck. Robertsson split the past couple of seasons between the J20 and the SHL. In his draft year, he produced 20 points in 15 J20 games while also adding 2 points over 22 SHL games. This past season he produced similarly, with 14 goals and 23 points in 21 J20 games, while playing a more limited role in the SHL, often between 2-11 minutes per game, in which he scored 5 times in 48 appearances. Blues fans are hoping that he is given a larger scoring role in the SHL this year and is able to prove why many in the public sphere believed he should have been selected higher. - ZS

8 - Michael Buchinger

The 88th selection in the 2022 NHL Draft, Michael Buchinger was one half of one of the best young defense pairings in the OHL last season, playing with 2023 NHL Draft eligible Cam Allen. After missing the 2020-2021 OHL season due to the Covid-19 shutdown, Buchinger, like others, had to make the adaptation quickly to standout in his draft year. During the 2021-2022 season, Buchinger was able to compliment Allen’s play perfectly, having great positioning away from the puck, understanding when to play conservative to allow Allen to be more aggressive and just making smart and simple plays with great execution. One thing that stands out with Buchinger is that he always looks calm and plays with such poise, never looking overwhelmed. Being utilized in all situations, Buchinger was a big asset to the Strom, eating big minutes and playing on both special teams. At the end of the season Buchinger finished with 44 points (5G,39A) in 63 games, which was 17th in points and 12th in assists in the league by a defenseman and also 2nd in points in the league by a rookie defenseman. Buchinger’s best assets are his hockey sense and competitiveness. He seems to make other teammates better when he’s on the ice, doing the dirty work and making the simple plays so efficiently. He’s a great puck mover, especially in transition where he’s able to connect on stretch passes through traffic to move the puck quickly out of the defensive zone. Buchinger is very effective along the boards, using both a strong active stick to apply pressure and his body to use physicality when needed to knock his opponents off the puck. Going into the 2022-2023 season, Buchinger and his teammate Cam Allen will be one of the leagues best defensive pairings in the league. You could expect an increase in points. - DK

9 - Tanner Dickinson C

Dickinson was in the midst of a breakout year with the Soo Greyhounds when it all came crashing down. Sent flying into the boards, the speedy forward suffered a broken femur and missed the rest of the season. In fact, Dickinson is still rehabbing the injury as of this writing, in order to be ready for the start of Blues’ training camp, but that is no guarantee. As alluded to, skating is his strength. He is lightning quick. Dickinson loves to attack the offensive zone with pace, pushing defenders back on their heels. He also uses his speed to apply pressure on both the forecheck and backcheck. His strength on and off the puck, along with his physical involvement were all significantly improved, at least before the injury. How the injury impacts his development moving forward remains to be seen. That said, the Blues should be happy with how he performed in the OHL and with the progression he has already shown. At some point, when healthy, Dickinson will play at the AHL level this year. Tempering expectations will be important as he regains his touch and confidence. However long term, he possesses some intriguing qualities that could make him an NHL player in some capacity. - BO

10 - Aleksanteri Kaskimaki LW

A solidly built 6-foot, 182-pound multi-dimensional forward, Kaskimäki was selected in the third round of this summer’s draft by the St. Louis Blues. Fully expected to continue his development with the HIFK program in Helsinki, where he could split time between the senior and U20 teams, Kaskimäki got his name entrenched in the scouts’ notebooks when he scored 3 goals at the 2021 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, then proceeded to put up 19 goals, 40 points, and a +19 in just 31 games for HIFK’s U20 squad. A brief stint in for the Liiga side was also successful. All this earned the strong-skating lefty shot a spot at the U18 Worlds, where he contributed 4 points over 6 games, helping his nation win the bronze. His late tip-in goal against Canada to push the game to overtime was one of the tournament highlights. Kaskimäki is a hustler who looks to create space for his wrist shot, a preferred weapon that has exceptional velocity. Shifty in tight corners, he makes optimal use of his husky build to protect the puck and bully his way through traffic. Give him space and he can deke. He is also very comfortable moving through traffic and parking himself in the opposition slot. Overall, Kaskimäki is a raw player who St. Louis can be patient with over the next few seasons. A strong fall could very well lead to a spot at the WJC in Moncton. – CL

11 - Leo Loof

A steady stay at home defender, Loof switched from his native Sweden to playing in Finland last season and the results were excellent as he helped Ilves to a third-place finish. He will play in Liiga again this year and continue to improve his confidence with the puck.

12 - Tyler Tucker

The focus for Tucker has always been to improve his feet and that’s exactly what he has been doing. The stocky defender already wore an “A” for Springfield last season in his second year of pro and his throwback, physical style could make him a future third pairing type.

13 - Matt Kessel

Kessel, a steady and physical stay at home defender with a big shot, turned pro at the end of last season and was an impact player for Springfield, helping them advance deep into the AHL playoffs. If he continues to improve his mobility, he could move quickly through the system.

14 - Arseni Koromyslov

A raw two-way defender, Koromyslov had a bit of a disappointing draft year in the MHL and was selected late in the fourth round by St. Louis. He possesses some intriguing skills but will take time to develop.

15 - Alexei Toropchenko

The former Guelph Storm winger closed out last season with the Blues. The big forward can drive the net and control the puck down low, but his offensive game looks limited.

16 - Hugh McGing

The speedy and creative undersized forward was much better in the AHL as a sophomore, but he will need to take another step forward offensively this season in order to stay in St. Louis’ plans.

17 - Dylan Peterson

The Blues knew that Peterson was going to be a project pick when they drafted him in 2020. The big center skates well and has the profile to be a great shutdown pivot, however his puck skill and IQ limits were unknown. He took a big step forward as a sophomore with Boston University and could do so again this season as a junior.

18 - Keean Washkurak

Washkurak proved to be a solid depth piece for Springfield in his first pro season. The high energy forward can kill penalties and excel on the forecheck. His pro potential may be limited.

19 - Colten Ellis

The former third round pick played most of his first pro season in the ECHL thanks to St. Louis’ goaltending depth. He may have to again this season too.

20 - Noah Beck

The older brother of Calgary prospect (and OHL’er) Jack Beck, Noah is a big, right shot defender who is coming off a breakout year at Clarkson. He is quite mobile for his frame (6’4) and is improving in the defensive end. Not to be confused with the TikTok star and former soccer player.

2021-22 TOP 15 PROSPECTS: ST. LOUIS BLUES – RANK: #24 – TIER IV

McKeen's Hockey — Fri, 10 Sep 2021 00:46:21 +0000

St. Louis Blues

#24 St. Louis - Another case of small draft classes killing depth. This system has a huge dropoff after the top seven.

Jake Neighbours

Jake Neighbours

Jake Neighbours is an effort-based player whose work and desire are never questioned in a game. Not huge, Neighbours is still incredibly strong with a good base that allows him to protect the puck with a wide stance. He has a good burst, and his top speed is fine, but he isn’t a natural burner. When he doesn’t have the puck, he is dogged in pursuit of it. On the forecheck he is very effective as the first man. He closes guys off and takes away options, overall creating chaos and forcing turnovers which can be used to create offensive scoring chances.

In the offensive zone he is more than just a worker as he has some deft puck skills and creativity with the puck. He can move away from pressure and create lanes for his passes. He is a dual threat with a good shot and very good passing ability. He is a player that can hold onto the puck in traffic for that extra second to make a play, and he is comfortable moving through traffic with the puck. Neighbours is a player that will have to prove his offensive chops in the AHL before moving up, but he has the potential to be a middle six, all situations winger. First, he will return to the WHL this season and should be among the leading scorers in the league with an elite Edmonton Oil Kings team. - VG

Zachary Bolduc

The Rimouski centre has several redeeming qualities as a player: visibly silky hands, a relatively fluid and fully extended stride in straight lines when he exerts himself, and a penchant for getting a ton of pucks on net (8.7 shot attempts / 4.27 shots on goal per game). But for Bolduc, his in-game implementation doesn’t allow him to truly leverage his strengths as a player. As such, he may be one of the higher risk players selected in 2021.

A high-volume shooter and strong puckhandler, Bolduc’s scoring potential is high. Armed with a powerful wrist shot and a bevy of confidence, Bolduc is a threat to score from anywhere on the ice. Bolduc also has the potential to develop into a high-end NHL skater. He can show flashes of explosiveness and velocity in straight lines when pursuing loose pucks and can hit gaps quickly to capitalize on scoring chances. Something that could really aid Bolduc to become a more consistent player is adding strength to his lanky frame. Offensively, he will make the effort to initiate contact and get inside of opponents – which is an encouraging habit when it comes to his effort level offensively – but seldom does he emerge in a beneficial situation given his current general lack of strength. A first round talent (and selection by the Blues) because of his offensive potential, Bolduc does not come without some risk attached. If all of his skills do blend together eventually and he becomes more consistent, Bolduc could emerge as a top six center for the Blues. - McKeen’s Draft Guide 2021

Klim Kostin

Kostin's 2020/21 season was the hockey remake of The Ugly Duckling story. A good chunk of time has passed since he was drafted by the Blues in the first round and his development at the AHL level did not go as planned. When he arrived on loan to the KHL, he actually struggled as he was looking lost on the ice, failing to impress his coaches. Coach Bob Hartley was patient with him though, as his game improved over the course of the season. Hartley turned him not into a beautiful swan, but rather into a crushing beast: Kostin started to hit everything that moved and if it didn't move, he would just move it himself. With that being said he did more in his KHL stint than serve as a pugilist; he was an effective offensive player who blended power and skill, just as he was supposed to do when drafted.

Heading into the next season Kostin should be ready to finally take on a full-time role with the Blues as he is a NHL-ready power forward now and can contribute on that level. He always had the talent, and he now knows how to utilize it properly. Kostin just needs the opportunity and if the Blues are smart, they will supply him with it. He may have to start on the lower lines and work his way up, but Kostin projects as a middle six power forward who can be an intimidating net front presence on the powerplay. - VF

Scott Perunovich

As last season finally got underway, Perunovich was a taxi squad member. Coming off a Hobey Baker Award, given to a defenseman who led his conference in scoring, and prior to that being a critical member of back-to-back NCAA champions in Minnesota-Duluth, Perunovich was previously an easy choice as St. Louis’ top prospect. He was very much expected to find his way into NHL games soon, as a key piece of their blueline of the future. And then in mid-February, it was announced that he would be undergoing shoulder surgery that would keep him off the ice for the remainder of the season.

So Perunovich did not play last year, bringing a screeching halt to the amazing progress he had made on the ice after going undrafted in his first two years of eligibility, first as an incredibly raw high schooler, and then as a skilled, but inconsistent and very weak off-the-puck defender in the USHL. His game took off in college, and those three years – plus a freshman season interlude with Team USA at the WJC that really cemented the attention of NHL scouts – are what we have to go off now. His fantastic skating should not have been impacted by the shoulder injury, and hopefully his puck skills are also unaffected. Noting that he is expected to be healthy for the start of 2021-22, everything else is wait and see. - RW

Simon Robertsson

The 6’0 winger has a very well-rounded skill set, but also possesses a fair amount of offensive potential because of his shooting ability. Bouncing around between the J20, SHL, HockeyEttan and the Swedish national teams, Robertsson’s production was not always consistent. However, his effort and engagement usually were. That is why it was surprising to see him fall to the third round this past draft.

Robertsson’s shot and scoring ability were among the best in this draft class. He is also a reliable and consistent player without the puck. He excels on the forecheck due to his good top speed and compete level. He shows good awareness and anticipation in the offensive end, especially in the slot area where pucks just seem to find his stick. Obviously, he is not a perfect player; he does have some characteristics that need to improve and those do partially explain his inconsistencies. The first is his decision making with the puck. Additionally, scouts are looking for him to continue to add more dynamics to his stride, especially while in possession of the puck. If Robertsson’s development goes according to plan, he has the chance to be a top six goal scoring winger who can play in a variety of situations for the Blues (including likely becoming a top penalty killing option). However, even if his play with the puck never improves, he does enough things well to suggest that he could make a reliable middle six supporting winger who can line up alongside more skilled players to help finish off plays and provide two-way stability. - McKeen’s Draft Guide 2021

Nikita Alexandrov

Certainly not a sexy prospect, Alexandrov has a terrific chance of developing into an NHL player in the future because of his well-rounded skill set. Previously, he spent three solid years in the QMJHL with Charlottetown and was a top performer at the World Juniors as a 20-year-old. Last season, he started the year with KooKoo in Liiga (Finland), performing well in a middle six role, before finishing with Utica in the AHL.

As mentioned, Alexandrov is a very polished player who should find immediate success at the pro level in North America. He skates well. He protects the puck well. He is competitive in all three zones and excels as a forechecker. He can play any role that is asked of him. While he may not have first line upside, Alexandrov does possess the ability to be a capable middle six forward for the Blues in the near future. A strong first full season in the AHL this season should give management an indication of how close he is to reaching that potential. Given the strength of St. Louis’ farm system currently, there could be an opening for him to move quickly. - BO

Joel Hofer

It was an up-and-down pro debut for Hofer, who made 10 appearances in goal for the Utica Comets, winning four of 10 games with fairly pedestrian numbers but with two shutout performances as well, showcasing a glimpse of the form he displayed in junior and at the WJC backstopping Canada to gold in 2020. Hofer is a calm, patient goalie who stays square to shooters and utilizes his fantastic size well. Although he doesn’t move much in net, his reflexes are excellent and he reads the play well. His focus and mindset bode well for handling a starter’s workload at some point in the future, if he continues to refine his mechanics and gain more experience at the pro level, as he is quite raw still.

The pandemic didn’t help matters, shortening the past two seasons that were critical in his development. Hofer needs playing time and will hopefully get it as he has the inside track to be the Comets starter in 2021-22, though he will have to hold off the likes of Evan Fitzpatrick or even the fast-rising Colten Ellis. An important season looms. He still possesses the best odds of any young goalie in the system to push Jordan Binnington for starts in the St. Louis crease in the future. - AS

Tyler Tucker

All things considered, Tucker’s first pro season with Utica was highly successful. He established himself as a top four defender for the Comets, averaging over 20 minutes of ice time per game. While the offensive production may have been somewhat limited, Tucker anchored Utica’s penalty killing unit and demonstrated that he could be a standout in the defensive zone at the AHL level.

The key to Tucker’s development has always been his ability to improve his conditioning and skating ability. His lack of mobility was the primary reason he initially fell to the seventh round in 2018. However, he has worked very hard to become a better overall skater and the results showed at the AHL level last season. He looks every bit a future NHL defender, at the very least as a high end third pairing/depth option. With his physicality and defensive approach transitioning seamlessly, Tucker will look to increase his confidence and effectiveness with the puck this coming season, perhaps even earning a greater look on the powerplay so he can utilize his booming point shot. While Tucker may not be an NHL player for a few years still, his progression is on the right path. - BO

Keean Washkurak

Washkurak is another OHL player who was forced to find an alternative means to playing this past season due to the pandemic cancellation. Along with a few Ontario players, Washkurak went to Slovakia to play in the second men’s league, performing very admirably. At the conclusion of his Slovak season, he joined Utica for a brief time, but this coming season will serve as his first full year in the AHL.

Washkurak is like a waterbug on the ice; his energy level is infectious. An intense competitor, he excels on the forecheck, in the defensive zone, and on the penalty kill. As an offensive player, Washkurak’s best assets are his ability to push the pace with his speed, and his vision with the puck. While his offensive potential at the NHL level is likely rather limited, he does have the potential to be an NHL player because of his quickness and well-rounded skill set that is tailored to be a checking line player for the Blues in the future. Look for Washkurak to spend a few seasons in the AHL first, building up confidence in his offensive abilities, before he makes the jump. - BO

Dylan Peterson

There are only a few teams in which Peterson would fit as a top 10 prospect, and even with St. Louis, one of the shallower systems in the league, he just barely worked his way on. A third round pick out of the USNTDP as a very big and rangy center with tremendously advanced defensive utility, the Blues would not have been expecting a big scorer here. So, his meagre six point output as a freshman at Boston University should not have been a surprise in the least.

He was still able to flash the attributes that got him drafted in the first place. The size is an asset as mentioned. He will do anything to help his team win, for example excelling as a shot blocker. He didn’t play as traditionally physical a game as a freshman as one might hope, but he is by no means a shy player. The other impressive element of his game that stuck around is his great skating. He has a very fluid, clean stride and he simply eats up the ice at full speed. Those traits made him a trusted penalty killer as a freshman, and they will help him eventually reach his floor as a prospect, that being as a bottom six forward who can keep things very tight playing shut-down hockey. Not exciting, but pretty useful regardless. - RW

Colten Ellis

Ellis, playing as an overager in the QMJHL this past season, posted the best save percentage and the best GAA in the league on a strong Charlottetown team. The former third rounder took the steps forward that St. Louis wanted to see and now heads into his first pro season riding a wave of confidence.

Tanner Dickinson

Due to the cancellation of the 2020/21 OHL season, Dickinson barely played last year, seeing marginal action with Utica in the AHL under an exemption. The speedy playmaker will be a go-to player for the Soo Greyhounds this year, as he looks to make up for lost time and development.

Matt Kessel

An NCAA champion last year with UMass, Kessel emerged as one of Hockey East’s top two-way defenders as a sophomore. The heavy hitting and hard shooting 6’3 defender will return to the Minutemen, wearing an ‘A” this coming season.

Jake Walman

Time is running out for this former NCAA All Star to become more than just organizational depth for the Blues. He did spend the entire year with the Blues but played sporadically. The sixth defender position is clearly up for grabs going into training camp and Walman will look to secure it.

Mathias Laferriere

An impact player in the QMJHL the past three seasons, Laferriere is an intelligent and versatile forward who has a chance to carve out a career as a bottom six forward for the Blues. He will finally turn pro this season and will probably need a few years in the AHL to build up his confidence offensively before making the jump.

Zachary Bolduc – McKeen's Hockey

NHL: CULLEN – 20 FANTASY POINTS – Stamkos busts out of slump, Rakell is rolling, Hughes steps up for the Devils, lots of rookies are starting to make their mark, and much more!

NHL: DADOUN – THE FANTASY WEEK AHEAD – Dustin Wolf makes strong case for the Calder Trophy – Teams and Players to target

Boston Bruins (Mon vs BUF, Thu @ VGK, Sat @ SJS, Sun @ LAK)

Chicago Blackhawks (Tue vs SEA, Thu vs LAK, Sat @ STL, Sun vs PHI)

Los Angeles Kings (Mon @ MIN, Thu @ CHI, Sat vs CAR, Sun vs BOS)

Nashville Predators (Tue vs STL, Thu vs ANA, Sat vs TOR, Sun @ STL)

Philadelphia Flyers (Mon @ PHI, Thu @ WAS, Sat @ DAL, Sun @ CHI)

St. Louis Blues (Tue @ NAS, Thu vs VAN, Sat vs CHI, Sun vs NAS)

Tampa Bay Lightning (Mon vs PHI, Thu @ DAL, Sat @ UTA, Sun @ VGK)

Toronto Maple Leafs (Mon vs CGY, Wed vs COL, Thu @ NYR, Sat @ NAS)

MCKEEN’S 2024 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #15 St. Louis Blues – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

1. Dalibor Dvorsky, C, Sudbury Wolves (OHL)

2. Jimmy Snuggerud, RW, University of Minnesota (NCAA)

3. Zach Bolduc, LW, Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL)

4. Theo Lindstein, D, Brynas IF (SHL)

5. Otto Stenberg, C, Frolunda HC (SHL)

6. Zach Dean, C, Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL)

7. Michael Buchinger, D, Guelph Storm (OHL)

8. Juraj Pekarcik, LW, Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL)

9. Vadim Zherenko, G, Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL)

10. Tanner Dickinson, C, Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL)

MCKEEN’S 2024 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: TOP 30 NHL PROSPECTS

Risers

Logan Stankoven (27 to 5) - Dallas Stars

Ryan Leonard (32 to 6) – Washington Capitals

Josh Roy (63 to 35) – Montreal Canadiens

Conor Geekie (68 to 18) – Utah

Mavrik Bourque (79 to 23) – Dallas Stars

Gabe Perreault (86 to 19) – New York Rangers

Bradly Nadeau (109 to 34) – Carolina Hurricanes

Jagger Firkus (112 to 47) – Seattle Kraken

Gavin Brindley (122 to 66) – Columbus Blue Jackets

Quentin Musty (125 to 51) – San Jose Sharks

Jani Nyman (135 to 81) – Seattle Kraken

Logan Mailloux (145 to 45) – Montreal Canadiens

Josh Doan (153 to 55) - Utah

Riley Heidt (157 to 44) – Minnesota Wild

Ville Koivunen (165 to 71) – Pittsburgh Penguins

Ethan Del Mastro (169 to 73) – Chicago Blackhawks

Theo Lindstein (185 to 91) – St. Louis Blues

Carson Rehkopf (201 to 69) – Seattle Kraken

Easton Cowan (204 to 67) – Toronto Maple Leafs

Seamus Casey (214 to 63) – New Jersey Devils

Jacob Fowler (222 to 52) – Montreal Canadiens

Fraser Minten (226 to 84) – Toronto Maple Leafs

Jackson Blake (277 to 117) – Carolina Hurricanes

Erik Portillo (Unranked to 118) – Los Angeles Kings

Rodwin Dionicio (Unranked to 139) – Anaheim Ducks

Fallers

Xavier Bourgault (from 48 to 113) – Edmonton Oilers

Eduard Sale (72 to 140) – Seattle Kraken

Jack Rathbone (96 to not ranked) – Pittsburgh Penguins

Jacob Perreault (127 to not ranked) – Montreal Canadiens

Jan Jenik (156 to not ranked) - Utah

2024 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: TOP 200 NHL PROSPECTS

PROSPECTS: Preliminary Top 10 AHL Rookies for the 2023-2024 Season

F, Sean Farrell, Laval Rocket (Montreal 2020, 4th round, 124th overall)

D, Brandt Clarke, Ontario Reign (Los Angeles 2021 1st round, 8th overall)

Joakim Kemell, Milwaukee Admirals (Nashville 2022 1st round, 17th overall)

F, Logan Stankoven, Texas Stars (Dallas 2021 2nd round, 47th overall)

F, Shane Wright, Coachella Valley Firebirds (Seattle 2022 1st round, 4th overall)

F, Carter Mazur, Grand Rapids Griffins (Detroit 2021 3rd round, 70th overall)

D, Olen Zellweger, San Diego Gulls (Anaheim 2021 2nd round, 34th overall)

F, Zachary Bolduc, Springfield Thunderbirds (2021 1st round, 17th overall)

F, Chaz Lucius, Manitoba Moose (Winnipeg 2021 1st round, 18th overall)

F, Josh Doan, Tucson Roadrunners (Arizona 2021 2nd round, 37th overall)

2023 MEMORIAL CUP PREVIEW: Team Previews with top five prospects to keep an eye out for on each side

WHL Champions - Seattle Thunderbirds

Top Five NHL Prospects to Watch

Dylan Guenther (Arizona Coyotes)

Brad Lambert (Winnipeg Jets)

Kevin Korchinski (Chicago Blackhawks)

Reid Schaefer (Nashville Predators)

Gracyn Sawchyn (2023 NHL Entry Draft Eligible)

Host City - Kamloops Blazers (WHL)

Top Five NHL Prospects to Watch

Logan Stankoven (Dallas Stars)

Olen Zellweger (Anaheim Ducks)

Caedan Bankier (Minnesota Wild)