Zakhar Bardakov – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2025-26 NHL YEARBOOK – COLORADO AVALANCHE – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #28

The McKeen's Scouting Team — Sun, 21 Sep 2025 15:59:53 +0000

Prospect System Ranking – 28th (May 2025 - 31st)
GM: Chris MacFarland Hired: July 2022
COACH: Jared Bednar Hired: August 2016

Trading away your top prospect is rarely the path to rebuilding a strong pipeline, but that’s the gamble Colorado made by shipping out Calum Ritchie at the trade deadline in preparation of a 2025 Stanley Cup run.

That said, the Avalanche made some off-season moves, adding a pair of NHL-ready hopefuls in Gavin Brindley from Columbus and Daniil Gushchin from San Jose—players who offer promise but are far from blue-chip replacements.

The club’s 2025 draft didn’t do much to move the needle, either. With just three selections (in the third, fourth, and seventh rounds), Colorado failed to land any notable reinforcements to add to an already stagnant pool.

Further down the pipeline, the Avs may have unearthed a fifth-round gem in 2024 with Maxmilian Curran, who led the Tri-City Americans (WHL) with 74 points in 65 games and has emerged as a player to watch. Taylor Makar also joins the fold after signing his entry-level deal, fresh off helping UMass to its second Hockey East title in three years.

In the AHL, Ivan Ivan had a quietly strong campaign and sits on the cusp of contributing at the NHL level. Meanwhile, goaltending prospect Ilya Nabokov continues to produce quality results in the KHL, giving the Avs a flicker of hope between the pipes.

Despite these bright spots, the overall system lacks impactful talent. Most players project as depth contributors at best, and the team is now staring down a third straight year without a first-round pick in 2026.

With Mikko Rantanen no longer in the fold, Colorado’s window remains open, but their margin for error is thinner than ever. They’ve pushed their chips in, hoping their NHL core can carry the load for another run at the Cup. But if those plans falter, the decision to move on from Calum Ritchie could loom large in hindsight.

Colorado Avalanche Top-15 Prospects

1 - Mikhail Gulyayev

Mikhail Gulyayev’s offensive game continues to impress. Now in his third KHL season, he shows more poise and decision-making, using elite skating to drive offence with smooth edgework and effective transitions. His speed helps set up plays in the offensive zone, but his production has plateaued compared to last year. He moves the puck well but doesn’t create the same quality chances as he did in juniors. I’d like to see him attack the middle more with his passes and cuts rather than sticking to the perimeter. Defensively, he still struggles with strength and positioning, often chasing the play rather than shutting it down. Despite these challenges, his skating remains elite, with quick acceleration and agility. Gulyayev has NHL potential as a middle pairing defenceman and power play quarterback, but he must improve his defensive game and maximize his offensive talents to carve out a role on Colorado’s deep blue line.

2 - Gavin Brindley

Coming off a great D+1 in college where he became the Big Ten Player of the Year, Gavin had some issues adjusting to his first pro season. Since he lacks the big body, it was inevitable that he was going to have some issues adapting to playing professional hockey and the main problem was the physicality. Gavin clearly struggled establishing a presence in front of the net and with winning board battles. However, smaller players usually struggle in the beginning of their pro career and there’s no reason to panic in terms of Gavin’s play either. He’s still a swift skater with good technique in his edgework, works hard and displays good compete on a consistent basis and would show flashes of playmaking ability through his first pro stint. A future as a top six forward probably is not realistic as his scoring touch is not dynamic enough, but together with his hard work and being able to drive the net he should be able to become a future top nine winger for Colorado.

3 - Ilya Nabokov

Ilya Nabokov has proved that his rookie KHL season wasn’t a fluke, backing up his stellar season with another great one as one of the league’s top goalies. This past season he played a lot more aggressively and displayed his world-class athletic ability more frequently this season. His skating is second to none, he uses his compact stance and low center of gravity to explode from any position to fly around the crease. Additionally, his tracking has improved and continued to process play rapidly. However, this more aggressive, athletic, and flashy approach this season likely won’t work as well at the NHL level. He has shown that he can be much calmer in the net, focusing more precision rather than explosiveness. Being too wild can lead to inconsistency, and especially in the case of Nabokov, creates a lot of dangerous rebounds. Unlocking his calmer side could be the key to him becoming the next Dustin Wolf in a few years.

4 - Daniil Gushchin

Last season was another productive year in the books for Daniil Gushchin, though his assist production took a hit. He’s always been an all-around offensively gifted player, but his playmaking was too inconsistent this year. Hopefully this was just an off year as he has shown that he has the offensive instincts to create chances for his linemates. The guy can shoot too. Daniil is able to score in multiple different ways, beating goalies cleanly with his wrist shot and has a howitzer of a slapshot. The hands are amazing too, a dynamic puckhandler and is elusive when he’s getting past defenders. His off-puck game is concerning though as he can look disengaged defensively and disappear completely through games. The physical game is lacking as well and also has issues engaging in it too. These are the reasons why Daniil’s future in the NHL is dependent on his offensive talent alone and if he’s not playing in the top nine, he’s probably not playing at all in the top league.

5 - Sean Behrens

Sean Behrens suffered a torn ACL during practice which resulted in him missing the entire 2024-2025 season. Though before his injury, there’s a ton to like with this player. Responsible defensively and a great first-pass defenceman that scans his options quickly to be able to transition up the ice. Scoring 10 goals in three NCAA seasons is not really eye-popping, but he has the offensive awareness to jump up play and score from a cross-ice pass. His offensive talent shines more in the playmaking category, as he’s good at finding teammates backdoor thanks to his vision. Most of his points actually don't come from the offensive zone since he excels at turning the play around and creating odd-man rushes. Something that fits the Colorado system perfectly. The top four potential is still there but the lack of size is concerning and despite only a couple of professional games he looks to have issues with the physical aspect. Though it will be quite interesting how a healthy Sean Behrens will look and what kind of stamp he can make at pre-season camp.

6 - Francesco Dell’Elce

Dell’Elce was one of many puck-carrying defencemen taken on day two of the 2025 NHL Draft. Unlike many of those selected, Dell’Elce is 20 years old and played in the NCAA at UMass last season. The ultimate draw for a defenceman like Dell’Elce is both the skating prowess and stability in his performance last season. 31 other organizations would kill for a performance like Dell’Elce’s this past season at a great NCAA program like UMass, and the Avalanche are hoping that he will repeat with a similar performance. Though Dell’Elce is our sixth-ranked Avs prospect at only 20 years old, we could see his debut as early as two to three years from now.

7 - Max Curran

Injury issues shortened Curran’s draft year in 202023-24, and he was shut down for good right when he was heating up and beginning to play some inspired hockey, which might have caused some regional scouts to miss seeing him what he looked like when he was at his best. The Avalanche, who picked him 16first overall that year, surely aren’t complaining about that right now. After getting healthy again and returning to Tri-City the Czechia native promptly led his team in scoring. There’s a lot of utility to his game, as a player who can line up at center or on the wing, and as someone who can be effective on both sides of special teams. Take a look at the top teams in the NHL in any given season and almost all of them will have a guy or two who plays like Curran does and contributes in similar ways, so Colorado could have something on their hands here with this prospect.

8 - Nikita Prishchepov

Nikita Prishchepov was a little bit of a revelation for the Colorado Avalanche as he was drafted in the seventh-round 2024 and in the same year made his NHL debut. He didn’t get another call-up after his stint playing 10 games but this upcoming season there’s opportunity for Nikita to get a more permanent spot. Nikita is never going to shock you with offensive production, no matter which league he plays in. But what he brings is a great defensive game, uses timely stick checks to break play of the opposition and pressures well in his own end. While not the tallest at 6-foot-1, he’s very broad-shouldered coming in at 195 pounds and uses that size well. What may hold him back into becoming an NHL bottom six regular is his puck skill. With less time to make plays at the NHL level, it could cause him too many problems. Surely Nikita will be trying to get back to the NHL but since last season was his first season overall as a pro, it wouldn’t hurt him to spend another time with the Eagles

9 - Jake Fisher

Fisher showed steady progression in his first college season. His defensive game stands out, characterized by strong positioning, responsible play, and consistent support in puck and board battles. He effectively covers for his defencemen, demonstrating excellent defensive awareness and a reliable presence in his own zone. His ability to read plays contributes to cleaner breakouts for his team and transitioning to offence faster. Offensively, he positions himself in the slot, creating traffic and seeking rebound opportunities. However, his offensive impact remains limited, lacking dynamic play-driving abilities. Fisher's skating, agility, and puck skills are average, but his intelligence and understanding of the game are notable. He also has received power play time, maintaining movement and communication. With continued development in his puck handling and offensive engagement, Fisher projects as a reliable, defensively responsible forward at the pro level, with potential to contribute in a bottom six role and on special teams. We should see higher production and opportunity this upcoming season.

10 - Christian Humphreys

After Humphreys struggled to earn ice time with the University of Michigan to start last year, he left the program for the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL and finished the 2025 season there. Things went quite well for Humphreys with the Rangers, so much so that he’s already announced that he’ll be returning to the OHL for the upcoming season. The average sized pivot’s strengths are his vision and IQ with the puck. He’s an excellent playmaker. Even if he’s not the strongest on the puck, he can create time and space for himself with his hands and he makes quick decisions with the puck. The key for Humphreys as he returns to the OHL will be finding that “B” game. Can his off puck play become more consistent? Can he develop into a solid two-way player? Additionally, he’ll need to continue to upgrade his quickness and explosiveness, especially at his size, to be a top nine NHL player.

11 - Zakhar Bardakov

Bardakov is coming off a productive KHL season, posting 35 points in 53 games thanks to his size, reach, and skill level. After spending four seasons in the KHL, he’ll try to make the jump to the NHL thanks to a one-year contract with Colorado. However, he’s publicly stated that he’s prepared to go back to Russia if things work out.

12 - Matt Stienburg

A checking center in the AHL, Stienburg saw a promotion to the big club last season. He won’t turn heads with his offence, but his energy style could help him stick this season.

13 - Trent Miner

Miner posted a strong season in the AHL with a .918 save percentage, after having spent the majority of the prior year in the ECHL, showing a nice steady progression to his game. It’s unlikely he cracks the NHL this season with the Avalanche’s goalie depth, but there could be a path here down the road.

14 - Linus Funck

A rangy right shot defenceman with some offensive flair, Funck’s skating should allow him to take another step forward in Swedish junior hockey this season. At his size and with his tools, there’s a chance for NHL duty down the road.

15 - Tory Pitner

A defensive defenceman, Pitner enters his sophomore season at Denver University, where he will continue to build on his current skill set, while also hopefully adding back some of the offence he flashed in the USHL.

2025 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: COLORADO AVALANCHE – Top 15 NHL Affiliated Prospects

Fri, 16 May 2025 15:37:22 +0000

NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 28: Colorado Avalanche draft pick Mikhail Gulyayev poses for a photo with team officials during the first round of the Upper Deck NHL Draft, June 28, 2023 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Matthew Maxey/Icon Sportswire)

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Colorado 25 Prospects

NHL: BELL – 2024 Trade Deadline – Insight into Each NHL Team’s New Prospects

Josh Bell — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 14:00:01 +0000

_{ANAHEIM, CA - JANUARY 08: Anaheim Ducks right wing Jacob Perreault (64) on the ice making his NHL debut during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Rangers played on January 8, 2022 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire)}

The 2024 NHL Trade Deadline has come and gone. Some teams bolstered their lineup with the hopes of a deep playoff run (I’m looking at you, Vegas Golden Knights), and others sold off help now for potential later (Calgary Flames).

While the focus of the trade deadline is always the big NHL names that move teams - the Jake Guentzals, the Noah Hanafins, the Tomas Hertls - quite often there are names attached to these big moves that fly under the radar. Sure, some of the top prospects might get a mention or two, but the unsigned guys, the guys that likely need a fresh start, and some of the forgotten names get, well, forgotten.

If your team acquired a new prospect within the two weeks leading up to the deadline, I’ve got you covered. Here’s a brief scouting report on every prospect moved over the 14 days leading up to the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline.

Zakhar Bardakov, F, Colorado Avalanche

Zakhar Bardakov embodies the classic power forward archetype, standing at an imposing 6-foot-2, 198 pounds. His prowess lies in net-front presence, excelling in board battles, and tip-ins. While possessing a powerful and accurate shot, Bardakov's offensive awareness and overall skill is a work in progress. Though not the fastest skater, his adequate skating is complemented by a strong penalty-killing ability and relentless forechecking. Expect Bardakov to evolve into a bottom-six winger, contributing on special teams and wearing down opponents.

Cole Brady, G, Dallas Stars

Cole Brady displays promise with good reflexes and occasional moments of brilliance. However, consistency remains a challenge for him. With continued development, the 6-foot-5 netminder has the potential to get a look in the NHL, but that role very much remains to be determined. Fine-tuning his technique and enhancing consistency are crucial steps for reaching his full potential and continuing to climb the ladder.

Riley Damiani, C, Calgary Flames

Despite standing at 5-foot-10, Riley Damiani's speed and strong work ethic make him a valuable prospect in the pipeline. Known for defensive play initially, Damiani has showcased offensive potential, particularly on the power play, with a good shot and adept plays in tight spaces. However, enhancing his offensive consistency is a priority. Damiani is projected to be a reliable two-way center contributing at the NHL level, likely in the bottom six.

David Edstrom, C, San Jose Sharks

David Edstrom, a raw, yet talented center with a 6-foot-3, 190-pound frame, exhibits effective skating, decent acceleration, and balance. While not flashy, he uses his size and strength for puck protection and board battles. Edstrom demonstrates offensive potential with a strong shot and glimpses of playmaking ability. Despite solid defensive efforts, his awareness can be inconsistent. With added muscle and refined defensive skills, Edstrom has the potential to be a top-six center excelling on both ends of the ice. More likely, expect him to fit into the middle six.

Artyom Grushnikov, D, Calgary Flames

Artyom Grushnikov may lack offensive flair, but his exceptional skating and hockey IQ make him a coveted asset in any farm system. Known for shutting down plays in the neutral zone and maintaining tight gap control, Grushnikov reads the game well. He’s not going to appear often on the scoreboard, but he occasionally contributes with his skating ability. Expect Grushnikov to develop into a reliable, shutdown defenseman excelling in his own zone.

Jeremy Hanzel, D, Nashville Predators

Jeremy Hanzel could be a hidden gem for the Nashville Predators. The defender combines modern offensive skills with intelligence. Hanzel, a deceptive puck handler, creates space and finds teammates with slick moves. While his defensive game is under development, Hanzel's offensive potential is evident. Refining defensive awareness and positioning is crucial for him to become a well-rounded defenseman.

Ville Koivunen, F, Pittsburgh Penguins

Selected likely too low in the 2021 NHL Draft (51st overall), Ville Koivunen may not be a guaranteed star, but he does have the potential to develop into just that. Skilled, with a nose for the net, Koivunen's shifty puck handling and high hockey IQ make him a very promising player. While his defensive awareness could stand to improve, Koivunen's overall game is strong. With added strength, he could become a top-six winger, and be a key returning piece in the Jake Guentzal trade.

Cruz Lucius, RW, Pittsburgh Penguins

Cruz Lucius, a right-wing prospect, boasts an impressive offensive skill set thanks to his ability as a playmaker. Standing at 6-foot, 179 pounds, Lucius’ key contributions come in his own end though through his retrievals and support in the defensive end. He lacks the shot that his brother, Chaz, has, but don’t underestimate it. The biggest opportunity for Lucius is to add a level of consistent pace to his play, which will be a determining factor in his future success.

Jan Mysak, F, Anaheim Ducks

Jan Mysak brings a well-rounded skill set to the Anaheim Ducks, with strong hockey IQ and vision. His above-average skating aids offensive transitions, and his versatility allows him to play center and wing. Mysak's scoring threat is enhanced by a strong shot and the ability to find open ice. Mysak was on a strong path forward in his development, and it will be interesting to see how he does with the change of scenery. A personal favourite since the NHL Draft, I believe Mysak could develop into a top-six winger still.

Dmitri Ovchinnikov, F, Minnesota Wild

Dmitri Ovchinnikov possesses good hands and a knack for scoring in tight spaces. Playing a smart, offensive game with a strong compete level, Ovchinnikov plays a very fast game and utilizes his agility effectively. While not the biggest player at 5-foot-10, he plays a bigger game and consistently pushes the pace of play. Continued development and added strength could see Ovchinnikov as a reliable middle-six forward with an intriguing offensive upside.

Jacob Perreault, W, Montreal Canadiens

Montreal Canadiens fans have reason to be excited about Jacob Perreault, a right-handed winger with a strong skating stride and elite shot. He seems to have taken a bit of a step back in his development, but a move to a new organization in his home province could be just what he needs to get back on track. His play off the puck will be one of the biggest question marks moving forward, as he’s been quite inconsistent. If the Habs development team can get him on track, Perreault could still become a dangerous NHL sniper.

Mathias Emilio Pettersen, W, Dallas Stars

You never truly know how a prospect is going to develop, and Mathias Emilio Pettersen is an example of that. Drafted 167th overall in 2018, he’s progressed very well and has become a very reliable asset in the AHL. His vision and ability to set up teammates are top-notch, accompanied by a powerful and accurate shot. Questions about his size and strength linger, but if he continues on the path he’s on, Pettersen has the potential to be a bottom-six, contributing forward.

Vasili Ponomaryov, C, Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Penguins fans can anticipate excitement with Vasili Ponomaryov, a tenacious two-way center excelling in puck pursuit and offensive spark. His stickhandling and creativity make him a threat in transition, and relentless forechecking creates turnovers. Ponomarev's balance and lower-body strength contribute to his competitiveness. With tightened defensive play and improved positioning, Ponomarev could evolve into a reliable middle-six pivot. He’s been another favourite of mine since his draft year.

Calle Själin, D, Buffalo Sabres

Calle Själin, a 24-year-old lefty, is a reliable puck-moving defender who makes smart decisions in his own zone. While not a physical force, his effective defending stems from skating and positioning. His offensive upside does appear to be quite limited, he tends to be a safer, more passive player which will always limit the excitement he brings to the ice. But Själin's reliability and intelligence could be enough to earn him a look in the future, maybe even carve out a spot on a bottom-pairing line.

Kirill Slepets, W, Toronto Maple Leafs

Kirill Slepets is a winger who brings tremendous speed, and solid skill and creativity. Slepets' ability to navigate defenders and create scoring chances is impressive, particularly on the power play. He’s on the smaller size at 5-foot-10, 165 pounds, but his skating might just be enough to make up for that. With his KHL contract ending, the Russian forward could be an intriguing option for the Maple Leafs next season if he decides to sign.

Graham Sward, D, Colorado Avalanche

Graham Sward, a two-way defenseman, demonstrates solid positioning and awareness. Standing at 6-foot-3, 192 pounds, his high on-ice intelligence compensates for some much-needed skating improvements. His movement of the puck is strong, especially in transition. Sward's ability to read plays and make smart decisions positions him as a potential reliable bottom-pair defenseman, but his movement does need some improvements to reach that potential.

Ty Taylor, G, Edmonton Oilers

The future is uncertain for Ty Taylor, drafted by Tampa Bay back in 2018. With an uninspiring NCAA career and mixed performance in professional leagues, including playing in Scotland, Taylor's pro aspirations may be quickly fading. He has good size at 6-foot-4, 201 pounds, and has had glimpses of technically sound play (especially back in his BCHL days), but he has yet to take significant steps forward since his draft year. Granted - goalies are weird.

Jack Thompson, D, San Jose Sharks

Jack Thompson is a well-rounded defenseman who can contribute offensively and excels in his own zone. Thompson's major asset is his skating, allowing him to thrive in all three zones. Not afraid to join the rush, he possesses a booming slapshot and efficient breakout passes. Defensively, Thompson is positionally sound and reads the play well. While not the biggest defender, his mobility allows him to shut down plays effectively. With continued development, Thompson has the potential to be a top-four force contributing on both ends.

Luke Toporowski, C, Minnesota Wild

Luke Toporowski is a centreman with a high motor and relentless work ethic. His speed creates scoring chances, and his well-rounded two-way game is evident. He did seem to be stalling in his development this season, but a move to the Minnesota pipeline could be just what he needs to get on the right track. Toporowski's good defensive awareness and positioning suggest he could become a valuable two-way center with continued development.

Cade Webber, D, Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs fans can anticipate the imposing presence of Cade Webber on the blue line, standing at an impressive 6-foot-6. Known for his physicality that challenges opponents, his zone exits are a strength. Don’t expect him to be on the scoresheet too often though, as his offensive talent is not what attracts scouts to his game. Instead, Webber has the potential to become a shutdown defenseman, contributing effectively on the penalty kill. He could be a piece that the Maple Leafs have long been searching for.

EUROPEAN PROSPECT MUSINGS: 2022-23 European Leagues Underway with Notable Performances

Chapin Landvogt — Sat, 15 Oct 2022 18:24:17 +0000

European Prospect Musings - #1 for the 22-23 Season

The European leagues are all underway and most already played anywhere from six to 20 games this season, meaning a whole lot of names in the prospect world have started shining brightly. Or, well, brighter. A look across the major leagues continues to show continued use of U21 players in regular roles while some second league teams are sporting a bunch of young men worth watching, particularly those already drafted.

Here’s a look at some of the most notable players and situations thus far in this young season.

Sweden

Örebro's Leo Carlsson during the SHL ice hockey match between Örebro and Oskarshamn on September 24, 2022 in Örebro.
Photo: Fredrik Karlsson / BILDBYRÅN

For a league still widely considered the best pro European circuit west of the KHL, SHL teams opened up the season with rosters chock full of interest for NHL teams. One of the most watched teams this winter will be Örebro HK, because forward Leo Carlsson, who already collected nine points in 35 SHL games last season as a 16/17-year-old, is widely regarded as a top 15 prospect in next summer’s draft. He was part of Sweden’s U18 outfit that took gold last spring, but only got into two matches (2-1-3), so the scouting world didn’t get to gush over him in the same manner it did for the team’s big horses. More on that in a second.

For now, rest assured that Carlsson’s star is on the rise. In eight games thus far, he’s already put up seven points, including two goals, while seeing his fair share of top six minutes. That has him tied for 11th in league-wide scoring. That also has him firmly on top of the prospect charts in the SHL and also ahead of the next closest NHL property, Columbus’ Samuel Johannesson, whose six points in eight games isn’t all that shabby either, especially in light of his being a defenseman.

But now back to those big horses at the U18 tournament, four of whom are now dressing for Djurgarden of the Hockey Allsvenskan, the nation’s second highest tier of pro hockey. Built to gain quick promotion, each of Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Liam Ohgren, Noah Ostlund, and Calle Odelius, listed in the order they were drafted this past summer, is a regular thus far and all have gotten at least one point to date. The ever creative Ostlund leads the way with three assists. Vegas prospect Carl Lindbom builds part of the goaltending tandem to boot.

Coming into the season, we were looking to see big things from defenseman Theo Lindstein, who did seem to be likely to kick things off with Brynas of the SHL. Instead, he’s been a 17-year-old on the U20 team and has four points and a +7 in six contests. Also gaining note as a first time draft eligible currently in Sweden’s U20 circuit is forward Noah Dower Nilsson. Ah, that name will look familiar as he is the younger brother of Detroit’s 2021 5th rounder Liam, who is taking a regular shift for Frolunda (two assists in eight games just now). Fascinating here is that Liam had five goals in 16 U20 level games his draft year, but little brother Noah is raising eyebrows with 12 goals, 18 points, and a +7 in just 11 U20 games this season, making him the league’s second most deadly goal scorer. He continues to be one to watch all winter long.

One team that can be happy with its Swedish first rounder from this past summer is the San Jose Sharks. Having just concluded their European tour, the Sharks organization have seen young, hulking forward Filip Bystedt put up four points in eight SHL games. This can be seen as a bit of a relief because the upside of his production was really one of the biggest questions this past summer when assessing where exactly this technically sound forward should be drafted.

On the overager front, we’ll continue to be very interested in seeing what the undrafted Ake Stakkestad does this season. After a very noticeable WJC, the take-no-prisoners Stakkestad is a key part of the attack for Allsvenskan club Karlskoga. He’s put up five points in their first six games, something you love to see from a kid who clearly feels he’s been overlooked for several drafts now.

Finland

Across the Baltic Sea bay in Finland, a number of youngsters found themselves in the opening day line-ups of their respective Liiga teams, and even more for some of the Mestis clubs. Things have evened out as many have since found themselves back on the respective junior teams, but a few draftees have definitely raised an eyebrow or two. Eetu Liukas of the New York Islanders has gone from a successful 4th line role with Finland’s summer WJC club to a first line banger role for HPK. With six points and a +3 in 12 games, Liukas has surpassed expectations while his 37 penalty minutes indicate he’s doing just what’s to be expected from a guy who bangs and gets under opponents’ skin. Some in those parts feel there’s a real Esa Tikkanen aspect to this young man. But he’s bigger!

Seattle can also be happy with the progress of recent 2022 pick Jani Nyman, who started the season with Ilves U20 squad. But five goals and six points in two games quickly had him up and in the line-up for their Liiga team, with which he now has four goals and six points in seven games. At the same time, forwards Patrik Puistola (CAR), Joakim Kemell (NAS), Roni Hirvonen (TOR), Aku Raty (ARI), and Antti Saarela (CHI) are all scoring at just over 0.5 points per game. But to be clear, there’s no Leo Carlsson style prospect making his way through Liiga action at this point. Many hoped it would be 6’3, 207-pound Kasper Halttunen, who has suited up seven times for HIFK, but only has one assist. Of course, he’s got nine points in five games with the team’s U20 team and we’re talking about a big boy who won’t turn 18 until next June.

Of course, all eyes are on defenseman Aron Kiviharju. Yes, yes, we’re talking about a 16-year-old who is only 5’10” and 165 pounds, but after his top four minutes at the U18, including PP time, the scouting community has been waiting anxiously to see if this kid can already hold his own in Liiga play. A real maybe for Finland’s WJC team and an absolute certainty for their U18 team in Switzerland next spring, Kiviharju has six assists and a +7 in eight games for his club’s U20 team. Again, he’s just 16 and has gotten into four Liiga games, seeing 9-14 minutes per match.

Germany

As Germany’s season kicked off, Arizona draft picks Julian Lutz and Maks Szuber were part of the equation for Munich, but just two of many options the returning finalist has in a year where it is a heavy favorite. Each is playing a minimal role for the loaded favorite. More interesting thus far has been the play of former St. Louis Blues 1st rounder Dominik Bokk, now a property of the Carolina Hurricanes. He’s lacing up his skates for the newly promoted Frankfurt Lions after having won the championship with Berlin last season. But truth be told, his role with the champion last spring was rather minimal, as was his playoff production. His role now is much more critical for Frankfurt as the team needs Bokk to spearhead the offense, something he hasn’t been able to do for any of his clubs in recent years.

Et voila - enter the 22-23 season. No doubts thus far that he understands his expectations and what this season means to him moving forward! After nine games, he’s got eight goals, 12 points, and a +10 rating, making him the most lethal player in the league to date. It’s what you want to see for a guy who has looked as derailed as a prospect as he has.

Also of note in this short season is 5’10, 183-pound Nikita Krymskiy. You shouldn’t know him, but he was a part of Team Germany at last spring’s U18 Worlds, where he got into two games. He was actually coming off an interesting season where he had a half a point per game in Germany’s third pro circuit but was then surprisingly recruited by the Krefeld Penguins of the DEL2, a team widely expected to make its way back into the DEL next spring. Thus far, the still 18-year-old Krymskiy has four goals and six points in seven games, making him the highest scoring U21 player in the league and 4th best on a team filled with players featuring predominantly higher league experience.

Also a part of Team Germany’s U18 team last spring, forward Philipp Krening very quietly collected three assists in four games at that tourney after coming off an injury-plagued winter that only allowed him to get into 16 AlpsHL games for the Red Bull Juniors, in which he still put up 10 points. As such, it shouldn’t have been too much of a surprise that he kicked off the year with Munich of the DEL, collecting two points in six games. Once a few players returned to the line-up, he was sent back to the juniors, where he put up four points in two contests and is now looking to take a regular shift for Red Bull Salzburg of the ICEHL, which is one step down from the DEL. Yes, it can all get a bit confusing, but Krening has debuted there strongly, already getting his first assist in Salzburg’s most recent CHL game. If he can keep this up, the setback during his initial draft year may end up only having been just that - a setback.

A very interesting development is taking place in Nuremberg, where a 21-year old Elis Hede has looked real good in his first two DEL games of the season (one game-winning goal). Of note is that the Finnish national was basically raised in Germany, where his father spent most of his career. If you recognize the name, it’s probably because after spending a good portion of his teens with the Red Bull Academy, he laced up his skates for the Chicago Steel of the USHL for the 19-20 season. After two complete seasons as a solid lower line option for HIFK of the Finnish Liiga, the Ice Tigers’ GM - former Washington Capital Stefan Ustorf - quickly snatched Hede off the market as the youngster believes he’s made for greater things offensively. And now he appears to be in just the right place to make that happen.

Russia

No season has been in progress longer thus far than Russia’s, and we don’t need to get into the clouds hanging heavily over Russia’s ice hockey scene in these worrying times.

One thing of note we’d quickly like to point out is that It took top 2023 draft prospect Mikhail Gulyayev just SIX games to pick up a point in all three major Russian hockey leagues (MHL, VHL, & KHL) this season. The 2023 draft eligible defenseman has spent the bulk of the season with Avangard Omsk of the KHL, for whom he has a single assist in 10 games. That has been notable.

But the KHL isn’t exactly chock full of youngsters playing key roles. Minnesota first rounder Danila Yurov kicked things off well with three points in the first four games, but now only has four total in 17 games. This is something that hasn’t been uncommon for players his age. The most effective young draftees have clearly been last year’s rising star, Winnipeg’s Dmitri Rashevsky (14 points in 18 games), and now Colorado’s Nikolai Kovalenko (10 points in nine games). These mid-round picks are making noise for their respective teams while Carolina defender Alexander Nikishin is one of the league’s top-scoring defenseman with 10 points in 17 games. A few others like Mikhail Vorobyov (PHI) and Zakhar Bardakov (NJD) are clipping at a pace of 0.5 points per game for the first 18 games of the season.

For the nation’s second tier league, VHL, we’ll be closely watching LA Kings’ draft pick Kirill Kirsanov. The well-built, high-flying defender has nine points in the first 10 games for St. Petersburg’s farm team and has added another five in four games for the U20 outfit. He’s having the type of season that should have him banging on the door to the KHL by Christmas. In better times, he’d surely be a topflight candidate for a WJC team.

FRISCO, TX USA - MAY 1: Russia's Matvei Michkov #17 skates to the bench after scoring a third period goal against the Czech Republic during preliminary round action at the 2021 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship at Comerica Center on May 1, 2021 in Frisco, TX USA. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/HHOF-IIHF Images)

In the nation’s MHL, top 2023 draft prospect Matei Michkov does have five points in four games but had been out a good while with an injury after a preseason check at the KHL level. His time to shine will surely come as the season progresses. Third in league scoring right now is 5’7” Yegor Klimovich, who is just 17 and has, well, 17 points in 13 games. It’s impressive at that age for a U21 league, size be damned. But the team that can perhaps be happiest with MHL output thus far is Detroit. We knew that Dmitri Buchelnikov was pretty amazing with his 41 goals and 75 points in 56 MHL contests last season, but the eight points in two games this year has him looking far too good for this league. He has eight KHL contests under his belt this season, with but one goal to show for them. It should be noted that there are dozens of players in this league who are currently above or hovering around a point-per-game pace.

Czech Republic

The most prospect-worthy news from the Czechia was and continues to be up-n-comers Eduard Sale and Jakub Dvorak. The left winger who was clearly one of the best players at last spring’s U18 tourney, Sale looked great again this summer and now has five points in eight top league games for Brno. Meanwhile, the 6’5”, 203-pound Dvorak has been plugging away in lower pairing minutes for Liberec, suiting up for all nine games and collecting an assist and +3 rating. More and more is indicating that we’ll be seeing both at this winter’s WJC and that each could be first rounders in next summer’s draft. That’s a surefire thing for Sale, with the only real question being how much he can make himself a topic for the top 10?

There are plenty out there who see this young man having a very productive NHL career and we’re among them.

PECULIAR::

In one of the odder prospect stories, Seattle Kraken springtime free agent signee Sam Bucek, a 23-year old former member of the USHL’s Chicago Steel and QMJHL’s Shawinigan Cataractes who scored 54 goals in 69 top league games in Slovakia last season, broke off his engagement with Seattle this summer in order to sign with Neftekhimik of the KHL. One can only imagine in today’s heated international climate that this odd move was surely financially motivated. Well, his time in the KHL has already come to an end after six scoreless games. He is once again a free agent for the highest bidder, should there now be such a thing.

2021 NHL DRAFT: METROPOLITAN DIVISION

Ryan Wagman — Mon, 06 Sep 2021 19:53:16 +0000

2021 NHL Draft Review

Time to review the draft, in depth. As I have done in previous seasons, this review will cover the league one division at a time. For each team, we will offer a quick summary of their draft class, a deeper look at their first pick/first rounder(s), and then a look at what we think to be the best value pick of their draft class, and a final look at their worst value pick. Once the divisions have all been covered, a final article will go over some other miscellaneous trends of the draft that was (odds & ends), and the annual McKeens shadow draft class. Let’s dig in.

Metropolitan Division

Scott Morrow. Photo by Dan Hickling/Hickling Images

Carolina Hurricanes

2 (40) Scott Morrow, D, Shattuck St. Mary’s 18U Prep (USHS-MN)

2 (44) Aleksi Heimosalmi, D, Assat (Liiga)

2 (51) Ville Koivunen, LW, Karpat U20 (U20 SM-sarja)

3 (83) Patrik Hamrla, G, HC Energie Karlovy Vary (Czech)

3 (94) Aidan Hreschuk, D, USNTDP (USHL)

4 (109) Jackson Blake, RW, Chicago (USHL)

5 (136) Robert Orr, C, Halifax (QMJHL)

5 (147) Justin Robidas, C, Val-d’Or (QMJHL)

6 (170) Bryce Montgomery, D, London (OHL)

6 (187) Nikita Quapp, G, Krefeld Pinguine (DEL)

7 (200) Yegor Naumov, G, MHK Krylia Sovetov Moskva (MHL)

7 (209) Nikita Guslistov, C, Severstal Cherepovets (KHL)

7(219) Joel Nystrom, D, Farjestad (SHL)

Carolina traded its first-round pick on Draft Day, to Nashville, for two second rounders. The Hurricanes acquired an additional second rounder from Columbus in exchange for Jake Bean, and then traded away their own second rounder to Los Angeles for extra picks in both the third and fourth rounds. One of those extra third rounders was then traded to LA for a later third rounder as well as an extra fifth rounder. They got another third rounder from Detroit as part of the Alex Nedeljkovic/Jonathan Bernier swap, and then finally traded away their own, natural third rounder to Vegas for a third rounder next year. Shortly thereafter, Carolina traded away its own fourth round pick to Ottawa for extra picks in the fifth and sixth rounds. That doesn’t account for all of the pre-shuffling done to the picks that Carolina eventually made, as they had already added a few late round selections from trades in 2019 and 2020. At the end of the two days of drafting, Carolina had added 13 prospects to its already overflowing system.

When a team makes close to double its allotted picks, there are bound to be some head scratchers, and the new Hurricanes include their share. For example, it is rare for teams to draft multiple goaltenders in a single year, although it happens occasionally. But drafting three goalies in a single year? It has not happened, but rarely, and this was only the second such occurrence in the seven-round era of the draft, which began in 2005. Here is the full list:

Montreal, 1972 (Michel Larocque, Dave Elenbaas, Yves Archambeault, Graham Parsons)

Philadelphia, 1972 (Daryl Fedorak, David Hastings, Raynald Boutin)

Minnesota North Stars, 1974 (Pete LoPresti, Dave Heitz, Brian Holderness)

Washington, 1974 (Garth Malarchuk, Kelvin Erickson, Bob Blanchet)

Buffalo, 1975 (Bob Sauve, Don Edwards, Len Moher)

NY Rangers, 1975 (Doug Soetaert, Bill Cheropita, Tom McNamara)

St. Louis, 1976 (Mike Liut, Paul Skidmore, Jim Bales)

Montreal, 1977 (Robert Holland, Richard Sevigny, Barry Borrett, Mark Holden, Carey Walker, Jean Belisle, Bob Daly)

Philadelphia, 1977 (Yves Guillemette, Pete Peeters, Steve Jones, Mike Laycock)

St. Louis, 1978 (Jim Lockhurst, Bob Froese, Carl Bloomberg)

Winnipeg, 1981 (Marc Behrend, Bob O'Connor, Greg Dick)

Boston, 1983 (Allan LaRochelle, Terry Taillefer, Norm Foster)

Buffalo, 1983 (Tom Barrasso, Daren Puppa, Marc Hamelin)

Winnipeg, 1985 (Daniel Berthiaume, Tom Draper, Dave Quigley Jr)

New Jersey, 1988 (Chad Erickson, Bryan LaFort, Charles Hughes II)

Minnesota North Stars, 1989 (Bryan Schoen, Scott Cashman, Arturs Irbe)

Quebec Nordiques, 1989 (John Tanner, Sergei Mylnikov, Paul Krake)

Minnesota North Stars, 1990 (Roman Turek, Jeff Levy, J.P. McKersie)

New Jersey, 1990 (Martin Brodeur, Mike Dunham, Corey Schwab)

Los Angeles, 1991 (Pauli Jaks, Craig Brown, Andre Bouliane)

Minnesota North Stars, 1991 (Mike Torchia, Geoff Finch, Derek Herlofsky)

Detroit, 1992 (Greg Scott, C.J. Denomme, Ryan Bach)

Quebec, 1992 (Manny Fernandez, Steve Passmore, Aaron Ellis)

Anaheim, 1993 (Joel Gagnon, Mikhail Shtalenkov, Tom Askey)

Boston, 1994 (Yevgeni Ryabchikov, John Grahame, Neil Savary)

NY Rangers, 1997 (Jason McLean, Shawn Degagne, Johan Holmqvist)

Florida, 1999 (Alex Auld, Jean-Francois Laniel, Jonathan Charron)

Nashville, 1999 (Brian Finley, Jan Lasak, Kyle Kettles)

Los Angeles, 2001 (Terry Denike, Cristobal Huet, Sebastien Laplante)

Tampa Bay, 2002 (Joseph Pearce, Fredrik Norrena, Vasili Koshechkin)

Vancouver, 2002 (Lukas Mensator, Robert McVicar, Matt Violin)

Nashville, 2003 (Teemu Lassila, Rustam Sidikov, Miroslav Hanuljak)

Philadelphia, 2003 (David Tremblay, Rejean Beauchemin, Ville Hostikka)

San Jose, 2004 (Thomas Greiss, Jason Churchill, Derek Macintyre, Brian Mahoney-Wilson)

Philadelphia, 2015 (Felix Sandstrom, Matej Tomek, Ivan Fedotov)

Carolina, 2021 (Patrik Hamrla, Nikita Quapp, Yegor Naumov)

Just check out that Montreal draft from 1977 – seven goalies! Of course, in many of those early years, teams could just keep making selections for as long as they wanted. Carolina threw in five blueliners five forwards to go along with the goalie trio, and made selections from around the hockey playing world, including – as this is Carolina – two picks among their first three, from Finland.

First pick – Scott Morrow, D, Shattuck St. Mary’s U18 Prep (USHS MN), 40^th overall

A pick with significant risk of flopping, but also the potential for a significant reward, if Morrow learns to play away from the puck, and his high-end skating and puck skills, with which he dominated at the prep level against weak competition. Playing against low level opponents for much of the last two years, he did not have to worry about risk taking as he was simply bigger, faster, and more skilled than everyone on the ice. In a late draft-year cameo with Fargo of the USHL, he was met with the limits to his approach for the first time. His risky plays were easily snuffed by opponents. The tools are as good as any defenseman in this draft class, outside of top six picks Power, Hughes, and Edvinsson, but he will need a complete reassessment of how to play his game in order to achieve his potential ceiling. His next steps will be made at UMass, which has an impressive recent history of developing blueliners. Carolina was perfectly positioned to take on this type of risk considering the sheer number of picks they had to play with.

Best value pick(s) –Justin Robidas, C, Val-d’Or Foreurs (QMJHL), 147^th overall

Carolina drafted quite a few players marginally later than we had them ranked, suggesting a lot of good value was accrued, but Robidas was the one and only pick among their baker’s dozen that we would wholeheartedly classify as a steal. In a draft that prioritized size, Robidas was easy to slip through the cracks, standing only 5-7” and all. Son of longtime NHL’er Stephane Robidas, young Justin is a born leader – he wore the ‘A’ in his draft year and is slated to wear the ‘C’ this coming season – skates well, is reliable in all ends, and has impressive puck skills, to boot. He plays a fearless style as well, allowing you to sometimes forget his lack of height. If the Hurricanes give him any kind of chance at all, Robidas will maximize his potential.

Worst value pick – Patrik Hamrla, G, HC Energie Karlovy Vary (Czech), 83^rd overall

If you take three goalies, it stands to reason that you have misgivings about the first one. Look at that list above, of the 35 times in NHL history that a team selected three or more goalies in a single draft class. The goalies listed after each team and year are listed in the order they were selected. How many of the 35 panned out? Michel Larocque, Bob Sauve, Tom Barrasso, Martin Brodeur, Roman Turek, Manny Fernandez, and Thomas Greiss. That is one out of five. Beyond that, you have to wonder why Hamrla didn’t get into a single game at the WU18s, as the Czech team’s top two goalies, Oliver Satny and Tomas Suchanek, both struggled mightily. If I have to pick one goalie out of the Carolina three – all of whom are 6-3”, and between 190-200 pounds, I will take sixth rounder Quapp, but that’s just a hunch. None of the three are sure things, even for goalies.

ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 28: Michigan's Kent Johnson in action during their loss to Notre Dame, 2-1, Saturday, November 28, 2020, at Michigan's Yost Ice Arena in Ann Arbor, MI. (Photo by Lon Horwedel/Icon Sportswire)

Columbus Blue Jackets

1 (5) Kent Johnson, C, Michigan (NCAA/Big 10)

1 (12) Cole Sillinger, LW, Sioux Falls (USHL)

1 (25) Corson Ceulemans, D, Brooks (AJHL)

3 (69) Stanislav Svozil, D, HC Kometa Brno (Czech)

4 (101) Guillaume Richard, D, Tri-City (USHL)

5 (132) Nikolai Makorov, D, Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (MHL)

5 (133) James Malatesta, LW, Quebec (QMJHL)

6 (165) Ben Boyd, C, Charlottetown (QMJHL)

7 (197) Martin Rysavy, LW, HC Prerov (Czech 2)

After a few years of shallow draft classes, GM Jarmo Kekalainen fully embraced the rebuild this year, admitting that their second-round adventures were the best the previous core could achieve, and trading NHL assets for additional picks, and ending up as the only team with three first rounders, only the second time in team history to have had that distinction. At first blush, the Blue Jackets did a far better job selecting their three new candidates for ‘Face of the Franchise’ status than they did in 2013, when they had selected Alexander Wennberg, Kerby Rychel, and Marko Dano in the draft’s opening round.

Columbus leaned towards bigger players, with only fifth rounder James Malatesta measuring under 6-0”. Another interesting tidbit about this draft class is the presence of two Czech-based players, giving the Blue Jackets a full third of all Czech-based drafted players. Beyond that, the team actually drafted more North American than they have usually done in recent years, with only one Russian player joining the two Czechs, as opposed to the six North Americans they drafted. There are more than a few players here who should be a part of the next competitive Columbus team.

First first round pick – Kent Johnson, C, University of Michigan Wolverines (NCAA/Big 10), 5^th overall

There was not another person in this draft class with a greater puck handling game than Johnson. Some of the moves he pulled off this year, there isn’t a defender in the sport at any level who could stop him. Now, that will change as teams see more video of him, scout him more, come to expect his brand of trickery. There are a few things that Johnson needs to clean up before being ready for the NHL, and the path to retaining his style of play while adjusting to a top six NHL role might be thinner than the Blue Jackets hope, but they should still be expecting a top line caliber forward (he is a center for Michigan, but I expect him to be a winger down the line). He needs to learn to make the simple play more often, and show the ability to make the adjustment to the defense, instead of making the defense always adjust to him. If he can pull that off, he will be an All Star.

Second first round pick – Cole Sillinger, LW, Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL)

One of the better finishers in the draft class, Sillinger left the WHL for the USHL last year due to the uncertainty surrounding the former league in terms being able to have a season. He made the adjustment to the new league seamlessly, winning the USHL Rookie of the Year award despite only playing roughly 60% of the season. Unlike most finishers, he has a solid two-way game, and is strong enough off the puck to be putu on the ice to defend late leads. Sillinger, son of former Blue Jacket Mike Sillinger, and born in Columbus while his father was a team member, lacks Johnson’s upside, but he might be closer to his own ceiling and more ready to play in the NHL.

Third first round pick – Corson Ceulemans, D, Brooks Bandits (AJHL)

The only team with three first round picks, Columbus went for a blueliner after nabbing the two high end forwards to kick off their draft. The Blue Jackets’ reward for sending the last month and change of Nick Foligno’s contract to Toronto, Ceulemans has a very well-balanced game, with equal parts offense and defense, just as able to kill a rush as to generate one. He has a strong NHL frame and puts it to good use, with a physical side that few offensively inclined defenders display these days. He will spend the next few years with Wisconsin, where he will have to show that he can make the adjustment from the AJHL to a significantly higher level of the sport. He has #2/3 upside.

Best value pick – Stanislav Svozil, D, HC Kometa Brno, Czech, 69^th overall

An absolute steal of a pick, Svozil had a lot of people giving him first round grades earlier in the year, but moderate performances in both the WJC and the WU18s. But even with those tournaments in consideration, he should have been selected sometime in the second round, considering his strong skating ability and hockey IQ, refined over two seasons playing against men in the Czech pro leagues. It is fair to question his offensive upside, but even there, he flashes enough hints of ability that I would not be surprised to see him one day getting regular, if not primary, power play minutes at the highest level. I wouldn’t even be surprised if Svozil ends up a more valuable NHLer than Ceulemans one day, even if it would be a mild upset.

Worst value pick – Ben Boyd, C, Charlottetown Islanders, QMJHL, 165^th overall

This is no disrespect to Boyd, a big center who puts that size to use. He was just way off the radar and never showed any substantial offensive upside. In the sixth round, taking gambles should be encouraged and this placement is not meant to chide Columbus either. Boyd is on the younger side of this draft class, and more development could very well be coming. This distinction is really just a way of noting that we quite liked Columbus’ approach to the draft this year and saw no faults in any of their other picks.

.Jack Hughes. Photo by Rena Laverty/USA Hockey

New Jersey Devils

1 (4) Luke Hughes, D, USNTDP (USHL)

1 (29) Chase Stillman, RW, Esbjerg U20 (Denmark U20)/ Sudbury Wolves (OHL)

3 (68) Samu Salminen, C, Jokerit U20 (U20 SM-sarja)

4 (100) Jakub Malek, G, VHK Vsetin (Czech 2)

5 (129) Topias Vilen, D, Pelicans (Liiga)

6 (164) Viktor Hurtig, D, Vasteras IK J20 (J20 Nationell)

7 (203) Zakhar Bardakov, C, Vityaz Podolsk (KHL)

Early as it is, I have to admit that I liked Tom Fitzgerald’s first draft more than I do this one. How much was actually by his design, I cannot say, but I can say that I had a few plausible choices for ‘worst value pick’ from this draft class. On the other hand, the Devils made the absolutely correct decision with their first pick, and I’m not even considering the PR boost they got from drafting the brother of recent #1 overall pick Jack Hughes in making that assessment. While Hughes has a touch more potential to fail to reach his ceiling that do the players selected in the top three (Power, Beniers, McTavish), it just so happens that his ceiling is higher than them all, partially due to his birth date, and partially due to his tools and how raw they are.

If there was anything truly curious about the New Jersey 2021 draft class, it is that, after Hughes, all of the other picks were based in Europe, at least this year. Even their second first rounder, Chase Stillman, ostensibly an OHL player, played most of his season in Denmark, before joining up with Team Canada for the WU18s. Their day two included two Finns, a Czech, a Swede, and a Russian. I can only presume that if they had any additional picks, they would have used them on players from Slovakia, Germany, Austria, and/or Switzerland. Incidentally, New Jersey has drafted players from each of those countries, with the exception of Germany, in recent years. Thankfully, Nico Daws, who they drafted out of the OHL last year, spent time last year in Germany, so they have covered all of the main hockey bases in Europe. Size may have been a mild theme for them, though, as every player they selected this year is at least 6-0” tall. Fitzgerald was a 6-footer, too.

First first round pick – Luke Hughes, D, USNTDP (USHL), 4^th overall

Bar none, Hughes was the best skater in the 2021 draft class. That is almost to be expected given what we know about his older brothers, Quinn and future teammate Jack. Where he starts to differ from his brothers is that Luke also has ideal NHL size for a blueliner, already standing 6-2”, and given his birthdate being less than one week before the cutoff, he has more room for additional biological growth than practically all players drafted this year. More than just a speed demon, Hughes’ other tools also all grade out as plus, and the only reason he wasn’t talked about as much as top two picks Power and Beniers was that a laceration from a skate to his leg knocked him out for the second half of the season, including the WU18s. He was healthy before the draft, though, and after a season or two at Michigan, he will be ready to start the climb towards future #1 NHL defender.

Second first round pick – Chase Stillman, RW, Esbjerg U20 (Denmark U20)/Sudbury (OHL)

Son of longtime NHLer Cory Stillman, and brother of current Blackhawk Riley Stillman, Chase lacks the upside traditionally associated with the first round, but his floor was among the highest of those available as Day One wound down. The most impressive element of his game is his physicality. Not in the sense that he is a face-puncher, but that it can be miserable to play against him. He skates well enough, and demonstrates solid decision making, allowing for him to be utilized in all manner of roles and in all situations. Had the Devils still owned their second-round pick, which would have been only seven spots later, I suspect that Stillman would have still been available, and would have been more understandable. Using that late first rounder that they received from the Islanders in the Kyle Palmieri deal on Still says more about what they thought of the other options than an indication on Stillman’s projected future role with the club.

Best value pick - Zakhar Bardakov, C, Vityaz Podolsk (KHL)

Drafted in his third year of eligibility, Bardakov broke into the KHL this year and showed a lot of same strengths and weaknesses as did Stillman. He has a big frame, skates well, and is reliable in all three zones and all situations. On the down side, Bardakov’s offensive potential isn’t much to get too excited about. Furthermore, as a 20-year-old, there is only so much more growth that we can expect out of his game. Even so, as a seventh-round pick who Russian contract expires after next season, he could provide near-immediate value to the club, if only in a bottom-line role. Also, Yegor Sharangovich had a fairly similar profile as a 20-year-old when the Devils used a fifth-round pick on him in 2018.

Worst value pick – Jakub Malek, G, VHK Vsetin (Czech 2), 100^th overall

I admit that I might have a blind spot in player evaluation, as I am generally not very high on goalies who played in lower-level European leagues and have little to no international competitive experience. And that’s where Malek falls. He is a very big guy who has never played above the Czech second division. Even that experience has been limited. Had the Devils drafted Topias Vilen in the fourth round and held off on Malek until the fifth round, I would have had a real dilemma as to who to put here. They drafted both though, so I suppose it’s really a case of ‘no harm, no foul.’.

TRINEC, CZECH REPUBLIC - DECEMBER 29: Kazakhstan vs Finland preliminary round action at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship at Werk Arena on December 29, 2019 in Trinec, Czech Republic. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images)

New York Islanders

2 (52) Aatu Raty, C, Karpat (Liiga)

3 (93) Tristan Lennox, G, Saginaw (OHL)

4 (125) Cameron Berg, C, Muskegon (USHL)

5 (157) Eetu Liukas, LW, TPS (Liiga)

6 (189) Aleksi Malinen, D, JYP (Liiga)

7 (221) Tomas Machu, D, Draci Sumperk (Czech 2)

The Islanders recent draft history has not been especially kind. Sure, some of their first rounders have hit big (Barzal, Beauvilier), and a few others are trending in the right direction (Dobson, Wahlstrom), but even among the top end picks, there have been prominent flops (Dal Colle, Ho-Sang), and there has been an absolute lack of impact from any pick outside of the first round, with literally zero earning extended time since the 2014 draft class. Among the top candidates to break that post-first-round losing streak are a pair of Finnish prospects in Robin Salo and Otto Koivula, both listed in our top 15 for the Islanders (see upcoming McKeens annual). Another top prospect, Ruslan Iskhakov, spent last season in Finland as well.

Perhaps seeing a trend, the Islanders went heavy into Finland this year. Their first pick, taken in the second round, was as close to a no-brainer as one can get after the top few picks. More on Raty below, but him being available where he was is ridiculous. The Islanders went back to Finland for picks in the fifth and sixth rounds as well. The Islanders didn’t draft any smaller players, with all six picks standing 6-0” or taller, but one was a goalie, so that doesn’t really count, and two of the other five are exactly 6-0”, and only two of their skater picks measure in at 6-2” or greater, so I wouldn’t go so far as to say the Isles targeted size. I am not yet sure that this draft class will break that cycle of emptiness past the first round, but I am more optimistic about these picks than I have been about any recent NYI draft

First pick – Aatu Raty, C, Karpat (Liiga), 52^nd overall

There were a few players selected on day two of the draft for whom many in the preseason thought would be first round candidates, or even locks. Only Raty was in consideration as a top five pick. There were even voices that had him as the favorite for first overall before the 2020-21 season kicked off. Admittedly, Raty’s season did not go as hoped. He struggled a fair bit in the first half, to the extent that he wasn’t selected for Finland’s WJC roster, which was especially surprising as he had been a member of their WJC team in 2019, and was pretty good, to boot. So Raty’s stock had clearly dropped, but he was already turning things around in the second half. He spent the bulk of the season playing against men in Liiga, albeit in limited minutes and roles. He still has a sublime skillset with the puck and still lacks any glaring weaknesses in his projection. The Islanders getting him in the second round – late in the second no less! – is nothing short of grand larceny. And as if to emphasize that point, Raty put up 14 points in six games with Finland’s U20 team in summer tournaments.

Best value pick – Cameron Berg, C, Muskegon (USHL), 125^th overall

I might be biased, having followed Berg’s progression for two seasons now, but the value isn’t even that the Islanders drafted a player with third round talents in the fourth round. It’s that Berg should have been drafted last year, after one of the best second halves in the USHL. His second year of eligibility was another step forward for the second half of his first go-round, exceeding one point per game playing with San Jose prospect Daniil Gushchin. He showed more skill as a playmaker, without losing any of the fire of his shot. He added more grit to his game. If he can improve his skating even marginally at Nebraska-Omaha, he will have middle six NHL upside.

Worst value pick – Eetu Liukas, LW, TPS (Liiga), 157^th overall

To be honest, the Islanders didn’t have any poor value picks this year. Seventh rounder Tomas Machu wasn’t really on our radars, but he’s massive and played a big defensive role against men in the Czech second division last year, and should be a featured blueliner on the Czech WJC team this year. Liukas isn’t a bad gamble for the fifth round either. He can shoot the puck, he’s quite physical, and plays a reliable two-way game. He is simply the only other Islanders’ pick, besides Machu, which didn’t cause me to immediately say “nice pick”. It was fine. There is fourth line upside here if it all works out.

Brennan Othmann of the Flint Firebirds. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

New York Rangers

1 (16) Brennan Othmann, LW, EHC Olten (SL)/Flint (OHL)

3 (65) Jayden Grubbe, C, Red Deer (WHL)

3 (75) Ryder Korczak, C, Moose Jaw (WHL)

4 (104) Brody Lamb, LW/RW, Dodge County HS (USHS-MN)

4 (106) Kalle Vaisanen, LW, TPS U20 (U20 SM-sarja)

4 (112) Talyn Boyko, G, Tri-City (WHL)

5 (144) Jaroslav Chmelar, RW, Jokerit U18 (U18 SM-sarja)

7 (208) Hank Kempf, D, Muskegon (USHL)

After a few years of picking at the top, a result of their stated goal to rebuild, the Rangers have turned their organization back around, to a position around the middle of the pack. Seemingly as a result, instead of holding a ton of top picks, drafting for immediate upside, Chris Drury’s first draft as GM saw him focus on complementary types with the first few picks, and extremely raw players later on. It would be fair to categorize their first three picks, and the final one, in the complementary bucket, while their fourth and fifth rounders fit the mold of dart throws on long term upside. For three of the four in the second grouping, part of that supposed upside rests in their extreme physical dimensions, with Boyko, in particular fitting that bill, as the second 6-8” netminder drafted by the Rangers in the past two drafts.

A final note, that may be more coincidental than anything, on Day Two, the Rangers drafted exclusively from three geographical buckets. Canada was represented by three players out of the WHL. The US was represented by two players headed to the college route, one of whom played in high school last year and the other a USHL veteran. Finally, Europe was represented by two players drafted out of the Finnish junior leagues, one a native Finn, the other a Czech import. Both played in the year-ending WU18 tournament, along with the Rangers first rounder, an OHL’er who happened to spend the Ontario-wide hockey cancellation playing in Switzerland.

First round pick – Brennan Othmann, LW, EHC Olten, SL/Flint Firebirds (OHL), 16^th overall

Othman does a lot well, but the one area where he truly stands out is as a finisher, given a very strong shot and a willingness to follow it to the net, and pay the price to collect rebounds. He impressed during the OHL cancellation by playing in the Swiss second men’s division, where he teamed up wit the draft’s eventual third overall pick, Mason McTavish. Othmann lacks the flash of recent Rangers’ first rounders, but he brings a solid combination of upside (2^nd line) and certainty (pro-style game, solid frame, well-rounded, grit). His year end work with Gold-Medal winning Team Canada also showed that he could produce respectably playing with other high-end talents, without looking like a passenger.

Best value pick – Ryder Korczak, C, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL), 75^th overall

Korczak is small, and his production tis year with Moose Jaw was a step down from what he did in the full season before he was draft eligible, but there is still more than enough to like in his profile, suggestive of a player who can find a way to contribute at the NHL level. A gifted playmaker, he thinks nothing of taking physical punishment to make a play, his numbers should also improve if the level of his linemates improves. He has also worn the ‘A’ for the Warriors for two seasons already, a testament to the intangibles he brings.

Worst value pick – Brody Lamb, LW/RW, Dodge County Wildcats (USHS-MN), 104^th overall

A rambunctious winger who scored at a breathtaking clip in the Minnesota high school ranks, Lamb struggled to adjust to the higher level of play in the USHL after his prep season had ended. He can shoot the puck and gets involved physically, but his game lacks the structure that most other draft eligible have and it is hard to see him progress to the point of NHL utility. In fact, it is hard to even now how long it would take if he were to make that leap. Committed to Minnesota, he is lined up to spend two years in the USHL as an intermediate step before entering the collegiate world. Even if he does figure it out, the timeline is so long that the implied value in the selection can only diminish. As a seventh-round pick, he would have made a lot more sense.

Samu Tuomaala.

Philadelphia Flyers

2 (46) Samu Tuomaala, RW, Karpat U20 (U20 SM-sarja)

3 (78) Alexei Kolosov, G, Dinamo-Molodechno (Belarus)

4 (110) Brian Zanetti, D, Lugano U20 (U20 Elit)

5 (158) Ty Murchison, D, USNTDP (USHL)

6 (174) Ethan Samson, D, Prince George (WHL)

7 (206) Owen McLaughlin, C, Mount St. Charles Academy 18U AAA (USHS-RI)

From 2014 until 2018, under the stewardship of former General Manager Ron Hextall, the Flyers drafted seven goaltenders across five years. It only took two drafts under current GM Chuck Fletcher for the Flyers to add another netminder to their pool. A good one, too. Third round pick Alexei Kolosov was the third goalie drafted this year, and the first after the first round. We had him ranked fourth among his fellow crease guardians, but either way the young Belarussian is now the team’s top puck stopping prospect.

Beyond that little tidbit, there isn’t much to note trend-wise, besides perhaps the organization’s stronger lean towards European talent than any year since 2018, where they selected three out of Sweden. First pick (second round) Samu Tuomaala was actually the first Finn drafted by Philadelphia since (scroll, scroll, scroll) Joonas Lehtivuori, a fourth rounder from 2006. Kosolev was actually the first player drafted out of Belarus in franchise history, as the other Belarussian they selected (Maxim Sushko, 4^th round, 2017) was playing in the OHL at the time. As for Switzerland, homeland of fourth rounder Brian Zanetti, he was the third Swiss national drafted by the Flyers, and the second who was actually playing in his homeland at the time, after 2003 fourth rounder Kevin Romy. Neat factoids, if not that meaningful.

First pick – Samu Tuomaala, RW, Karpat U20 (U20 SM-sarja), 46^th overall

A top performer for Finland’s WU18 team – and one of the best in the entire tournament on any team - Tuomaala is small, but can fly, and has a well-rounded set of tools for the offensive zone, and a promising sense of responsibility off the puck. He even plays with a healthy dose of grit. In fact, if teams weren’t so inexplicably drawn to size this year, he could easily have been a good fit in the late first round. The Flyers have already signed him to an Entry Level Contract, although they have loaned him back to Karpat to continue his development at home for another season. Expect Tuomaala to battle for a spot on Finland’s WJC roster as well. This is their best – although not only – value pick.

Best value pick – Alexei Kolosov, G, Dinamo-Molodechno (Belarus), 115^th overall

On the smaller side for a modern netminder, Kolosov is nevertheless a very promising young ‘tender. He split his regular season between the Belarussian league and Belarus’ KHL squad and put up numbers that surpassed his crease-mates with both clubs. He was also Belarus’ starter during the World Championships and is expected to play for his homeland in the upcoming Winter Olympics. The question is whether he will leave his club team for the Olympics, or if he will join Erie of the OHL, where he would have played last year if the OHL had had a season. His best trait is his ability to read the flow of the game, while he has no obvious real weak spots.

Worst value pick – Ty Murchison, D, USNTDP (USHL), 158^th overall

With all due respect to Murchison, who has had his good moments for the USNTDP, and has decent size, there were eight draft eligible defensemen on the USNTDP last year, and I would have drafted seven of them before calling on the Arizona State commit. Not only that, three of the ones I would have preferred (Ty Gallagher, who was eventually drafted, and Jacob Martin and Ethan Straky, who were not) were still available at the time. It isn’t that Murchison is bad, but there is just mothering about his game that sticks out as an NHL-level tool.

Pittsburgh Penguins

2 (58) Tristan Broz, LW/C, Fargo (USHL)

5 (154) Isaac Beliveau, D, Rimouski (QMJHL)

7 (194) Ryan McCleary, D, Calgary (WHL)

7 (215) Daniel Laatsch, D, Sioux City (USHL)

7 (218) Kirill Tankov, C, SKA-Varyagi im. Morozova (MHL)

With only five more players added to the system, once again, the Penguins went (relatively) without at the draft. It has now been nine draft classes in a row in which Pittsburgh has made fewer than the allotted seven picks. Next year is already slated to make a ten-draft run with missing picks, as the Penguins’ third rounder has already been dealt to Los Angeles. Furthermore, they are still stuck on only two first rounders in that nine-year stretch.

On the one hand, missing picks isn’t that big a deal when you are winning, and the Penguins have done an awful lot of that over the years, with two Stanley Cups. On the other hand, the team hasn’t escaped the first round (which meant a loss in the playoff qualifiers in 2020) in three years, and the NHL roster core isn’t getting any younger. At some point – a point that they may have already passed – the Penguins will need to bring fresh faces into the lineup, and the best place to find fresh faces has traditionally been from within. Teddy Blugers was the last prospect to rise from within to secure a regular NHL job, and the prospects they keep adding with the picks they do keep are in his vein; well-rounded, lunch bucket, bottom half of the lineup types. Someday soon, Crosby and Malkin won’t be able to carry the torch anymore and the Penguins won’t have anyone ready to step up in their place. Not that anyone can really take over from those two, but there won’t even be any legitimate top six options left.

First pick – Tristan Broz, LW/C, Fargo Force (USHL), 58^th overall

Not that Broz is going to be the guy to jump into a top six spot in the next few years, but he could be a really good third line option. He looks like an NHL forward with his frame and smooth, clean skating stride. His puck skills are OK, but he reads the zone very well and is a talented playmaker, who will take a hit to make the play. He doesn’t get shy when the games get tighter, and was the primary reason behind Fargo’s reaching the Clark Cup finals last year. I expect him to play three years at Minnesota, but Broz might not need any additional AHL seasoning after that. A strong pick for the end of the second round. Good thing, too, as Pittsburgh had to wait for nearly 100 more players to be taken off the board before they could make another selection.

Best value pick – Daniel Laatsch, D, Sioux City Musketeers (USHL), 215^th overall

Laatsch is no sure thing, but for a late seventh round pick, one of the final ten players selected (although not Pittsburgh’s last selection), he is a very fun, intriguing gamble. A unique player, he is very tall, but also very thin. His offensive game will occasionally flash an awkward utility, as he drives the puck deep into the offensive zone, but his core skills are better suited for simplicity. Despite his reed-thin frame, he has fearless physicality. The USNTDP grad, who needed a year away from the program to be draft-worthy, Laatsch is headed to Wisconsin, which has done a solid job developing blueliners in recent years. I don’t know that he fits into a traditional NHL role, but he could have real value within a few years.

Worst value pick – Ryan McCleary, D, Portland Winterhawks (WHL), 194^th overall

As I have mentioned a few times in this series, there is almost no such thing as bad value in the seventh round. They are all gambles by that point, with minimal honest expectations of ever playing in the NHL. But when a team only makes five picks, and three of those are in the seventh round, I have to pick someone. So why McCleary? Two reasons. First, when you only have five picks, it is imperative that you swing for the fences. McCleary is physically underdeveloped and has never demonstrated a big upside, even in U18 hockey in Saskatchewan. The best we can say about McCleary is that he will take the hit to make the play, and that he was born in September, 2003, making him one of the youngest players drafted this year. Second, the other four guys Pittsburgh drafted have more elements going for them. We will know more once he plays a full season in the WHL.

Vincent Iorio. Courtesy of the WHL.

Washington Capitals

2 (55) Vincent Iorio, D, Brandon (WHL)

3 (80) Brent Johnson, D, Sioux Falls (USHL)

4 (119) Joaquim Lemay, D, Salmon Arm (BCHL)

5 (151) Haakon Hanelt, LW/RW, Eisbaren Berlin (DEL)

6 (176) Dru Krebs, D, Medicine Hat (WHL)

6 (183) Chase Clark, G, Jersey Hitmen (NCDA)

With only six picks – missing the all-important first rounder, but not quite making up for it by having an extra sixth rounder instead of picking in the seventh, Washington went heavy on the blueline this year, using four of the six picks on a rearguard, five picks, if you include the goalie. While the positional lean may have been a fluke of circumstance, how the Washington draft board shook out in this pandemic season, what is absolutely not a fluke, but a systemic lean that goes back years, is the team’s preference for drafting players out of Western Canada. Two of five in 2020. Two of four in 2019. Four of seven in 2018. None in 2017, but three of seven in 2016. I could go on. Of their six picks this year, three were out of the WHL and one more came from the BCHL. At least we can say that Washington didn’t follow the herd this year, fetishizing size and brawn. Their first pick is big, as is the goalie selection (Clark is actually huge). But the others are average sized, or smaller.

First pick – Vincent Iorio, D, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL), 55^th overall

The one big skater drafted by the Capitals this year, Iorio is a very good skater for his size, and has a strong defensive zone game, but has never shown much propensity for offensive zone impact. On a rate basis, his 12 points in 22 games last year with the Wheat Kings was far and away his best junior hockey showing. His best anywhere since playing at the 14U level for Shattuck St. Mary’s back in 2016-17. His feet, length, and ability to make clean, yet hard defensive stops allow for a safe projection of a number four with some PK utility as a ceiling.

Best value pick – Brent Johnson, D, Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL), 80^th overall

Small, but occasionally very feisty, Johnson had a very strong debut season in the USHL, his first of high-level hockey. A strong puck rusher with a knack for sticking his nose everywhere, his play was often unrefined, but his risks paid off far more often than they backfired. As his game matures, he will need to learn when to take a chance and when to play conservatively, both in terms of offensive risks as well as in his physical play, to avoid injuries like the shoulder ailment that ended his season early. The North Dakota commit is a fun player to watch and easy to root for, especially if you like to see growth of the game. Johnson is a native Texan.

Worst value pick – Joaquim Lemay, D, Salmon Arm Silverbacks (BCHL), 119^th overall

In his second year of eligibility, the nomadic Lemay, a Quebec native, made his debut in the BCHL, after a year spent playing prep hockey in Rhode Island. He was OK. His ability to play and move the puck is his only real positive, while on the downside, he can play a bit shy, and his skating is average at best. Committed to Nebraska-Omaha, he may need another year in the BCHL or the USHL (Lincoln owns his rights and has protected him ahead of training camp), before going to campus. Were he taken with a later round pick; it would be a fine gamble. In the fourth round, for an organization that rarely takes all seven of its picks, it seems to be a needless risk with a marginal upside.

2021 NHL DRAFT: NEW JERSEY DEVILS REVIEW

Ryan Wagman — Mon, 06 Sep 2021 18:47:33 +0000

.Jack Hughes. Photo by Rena Laverty/USA Hockey

New Jersey Devils

1 (4) Luke Hughes, D, USNTDP (USHL)

1 (29) Chase Stillman, RW, Esbjerg U20 (Denmark U20)/ Sudbury Wolves (OHL)

3 (68) Samu Salminen, C, Jokerit U20 (U20 SM-sarja)

4 (100) Jakub Malek, G, VHK Vsetin (Czech 2)

5 (129) Topias Vilen, D, Pelicans (Liiga)

6 (164) Viktor Hurtig, D, Vasteras IK J20 (J20 Nationell)

7 (203) Zakhar Bardakov, C, Vityaz Podolsk (KHL)

First first round pick – Luke Hughes, D, USNTDP (USHL), 4^th overall

Second first round pick – Chase Stillman, RW, Esbjerg U20 (Denmark U20)/Sudbury (OHL)

Best value pick - Zakhar Bardakov, C, Vityaz Podolsk (KHL)

Worst value pick – Jakub Malek, G, VHK Vsetin (Czech 2), 100^th overall

2021 NHL Draft Wrap-up: Favourite Picks By Round Plus The Best of the Undrafted

Brock Otten — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 15:00:39 +0000

The weirdest draft year that I have ever covered is finally over, as the 2021 NHL Draft concluded this past weekend. Considering the circumstances, we at McKeen’s are incredibly happy with our coverage this year. 25 of our top 31 were selected in the first round and only five of our top 100 went unselected (the highest being Eric Alarie at #70).

My review will look at my favourite selections in each round, in addition to the best players not selected.

ROUND ONE

Mason McTavish. Photo Dan Hickling/Hickling Images

#3 Overall to Anaheim - Mason McTavish

We had McTavish going to Anaheim in our mock draft and I really like this selection for them. I see Mason providing a lot of versatility to the Ducks in the near future. He could slot behind Trevor Zegras as the team’s number two center, bringing power and tenacity to complement their selection of skilled wingers. However, because of his terrific shot, McTavish could also look extremely comfortable on the first powerplay unit with Zegras, operating as his triggerman and helping to create some space for him to operate.

#18 Overall to Winnipeg - Chaz Lucius

Sure, the injury issues are a concern. It has delayed some development in his skating ability. In addition, Lucius’ playmaking ability and vision could stand to improve. But we had Lucius in our top 10 for a reason. He projects as possibly the best pure goal scorer from this class because of how well he navigates the net front and the middle of the ice. The Jets need someone like Lucius, and he is not only terrific value at this spot, but also a great fit with the organization.

#20 Overall to Minnesota - Jesper Wallstedt

What fantastic value for Minnesota here. The top-rated goaltender on our board and our fifth rated player, Wallstedt slid to number 20 and he gives the Wild a young goaltender to build around in the future. Wallstedt may not have the elite physical tools of Cossa (who went ahead of him), but he is considered one of the best play trackers to come through the draft in recent years.

HM - Fabian Lysell to Boston (#21)

Logan Stankoven. Photo Credit: Allen Douglas / Kamloops Blazers

ROUND TWO

#34 overall to Anaheim - Olen Zellweger

While Anaheim took Zellweger higher than we had him in our rankings (#42), it is still a terrific selection. Zellweger is the perfect defender for today’s NHL because of how well he skates and how well he processes the game. Critical thinkers with pace rarely fail, even if they lack ideal size. If Zellweger had played a full year in the WHL before starring at the U18’s, he could have been selected even higher.

#47 overall to Dallas - Logan Stankoven

While we did not expect Stankoven to go as high as we had him rated (#13), there was a belief that he would go higher than 47. He is proof that size still matters in this draft (see Tyler Boucher at #10). In the mid second round, he provides terrific value to the Stars as he has the skill and compete level to be an Alex Debrincat level star in the NHL.

#52 overall to New York Islanders - Aatu Raty

Our 12th overall rated prospect for the draft, Raty suffered a drastic fall, especially when you consider that he came into the draft season as a potential first overall candidate. The Islanders have to be ecstatic (and they were) to grab Raty since they did not own a first-round selection this year. He was unquestionably higher on their own list, and he has the potential to be an impact player if he can put this year’s disappointment behind him.

HM - Francesco Pinelli to Los Angeles (#42)

Skellefteå's Simon Robertsson during the ice hockey match in the SHL between Skellefteå and Brynäs on 5 December 2020 in Skellefteå.
Photo: Ola Westerberg / BILDBYRÅN

ROUND THREE

#71 overall to St. Louis - Simon Robertsson

Our 14th overall ranked player, the Blues traded up to secure the right to Robertsson after seeing him still available on the board. His U18 performance was no doubt disappointing, but he is still a potentially well rounded, goal scoring winger who could have a very long NHL career. A team without a second-round selection, you have to believe that the Blues had Robertsson ranked significantly higher than this...perhaps even as a first rounder on their board.

#81 overall to San Jose - Ben Gaudreau

After Cossa and Wallstedt went in round one, it would be nearly 60 selections before the next goalie would be selected (Kolosov at #78). We had Gaudreau ranked as a borderline first rounder, and we stand by that ranking. The top goalie from this year’s U18’s, Gaudreau has all the tools you are looking for from a starting NHL netminder and has the potential to be just as good as the players taken in the first round. Had the OHL actually played this year, I don’t believe Gaudreau would be available here.

#95 overall to Buffalo - Josh Bloom

Have to go with a personal favourite here. I had a feeling that he would be selected in the 80-110 range. Bloom didn’t play this year, but the Sabres did not hold that against him. He has everything you look for from a top six supporting winger today; size, speed, skill, and awareness. This has the potential to be a terrific pick for the Sabres.

HM - Stanislav Svozil to Columbus (#69)

Nathan Del Mastor. Photo courtesy of the OHL

ROUND FOUR

#98 overall to Florida - Josh Lopina

A national champion with UMass this year, Lopina was the Hockey East’s rookie of the year. We ranked him to be selected last year and this year, in his second and third years of eligibility. Lopina has a chance to be a Barclay Goodrow kind of player for the Panthers, someone who can excel at both ends and provide positional versatility. It was inevitable that he would be one of the first “re-entry” candidates off the board.

#105 overall to Chicago - Ethan Del Mastro

We had Del Mastro ranked 52nd overall this year, so naturally there is belief from our team that this was a great pick by Chicago. Del Mastro is a big, physical defender who also moves well. Over the course of the U18’s, his play improved, which should not be shocking given that it was his first action of the season. Look for him to show more offensively as he matures.

#125 overall to New York Islanders - Cameron Berg

Like Lopina, we had Berg ranked for last year’s draft. However, after a strong USHL season, he secured his selection this year and it is a shrewd one by the Islanders. Berg has the potential to develop into a strong two-way power center after a few years at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. This is especially true if he can continue to upgrade his skating, which he has done already.

HM - Dylan Duke to Tampa Bay (#126)

Jack Bar. Courtesy of the USHL

ROUND FIVE

#130 overall to Anaheim - Sean Tschigerl

No question, if the WHL season is not severely shortened, Tschigerl has a chance to go much higher than this. Over the final ten games of the season, he was playing as one of the league’s top goal scoring options. He brings speed. He brings physicality. It is easy to see him developing into a terrific middle six scoring option for the Ducks. We had him ranked #92.

#138 overall to Dallas - Jack Bar

Our 37th ranked player, Bar had a terrific year for the Clark Champion Chicago Steel. A Harvard recruit, Bar improved with each passing month in the USHL and steadily climbed our rankings as a result. While he will require patience to reach his full potential, the big, physical defender has the kind of raw tools that often prove to be moldable. Harvard has done a terrific job of developing defenders like Bar in recent years.

#153 overall to Toronto - Ty Voit

Another OHL player who did not play this season, Voit has to be considered one of the draft’s best pure playmakers. No question he needs to bulk up, as he can be too easily pushed off the puck; his size is a concern. But his creativity and puck skill are tremendous, and this is the type of high upside pick good teams take in the middle rounds.

HM - Justin Robidas to Carolina (#147)

Ryan Mast of the Sarnia Sting. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

ROUND SIX

#178 overall to Vancouver - Connor Lockhart

The former third overall pick in the OHL Priority Draft, Lockhart had an up and down U17 season the last time the OHL played. Then he did not play this year. Tough for him to prove that he could have been an elite level offensive option. But he does possess that kind of potential. A very high-end skater and someone with terrific skill and instincts, if Lockhart was a point per game player in the OHL this year, he is likely a top 50 selection. Instead, the Canucks get him in the sixth round. Well worth the gamble that he improves.

#180 overall to Edmonton - Matvei Petrov

Petrov is not without his warts. His wavering physical engagement level is concerning. The U18’s were a disaster for him. However, few players in this draft class can shoot the puck like he can. He is absolutely lethal from the faceoff circle, especially on the powerplay. If he can find a way to be consistently motivated without the puck, the potential is extremely high. He will play in the OHL with North Bay next season.

#181 overall to Boston - Ryan Mast

I know it seems like there has been a lot of OHL flavour on this list; maybe I am bias, however I do feel that many OHL players selected will prove to be “steals” due to the circumstances they were dealt with this season. Mast is a very solid defensive defender who has length, mobility, and strong awareness. He was already a top defender for Sarnia as a U17 player but did not play this season (except for the Erie showcase), preventing him from showing progression as an offensive player. It is easy to see him developing into an NHL defender.

HM - Liam Gilmartin to San Jose (#167)

Södertäljes Albert Sjöberg, March 2021 i Stockholm.
Photo: Jesper Zerman / BILDBYRÅN /

ROUND SEVEN

#203 overall to New Jersey - Zakhar Bardakov

A “re-entry” who was terrific for Russia at the World Juniors in a supporting role, Bardakov is someone we had ranked at #138 because we believe in his potential to develop into a quality bottom six, penalty killing option in the NHL. He is likely close to making an impact in New Jersey too.

#207 overall to Dallas - Albert Sjoberg

Our 86th ranked prospect for the draft, Sjoberg is someone we felt would go earlier. However, his disappointing performance against men in the Allsvenskan likely contributed to his fall. This is a player with a great work rate and who has the skill and sense to develop into a high-quality finisher.

#219 overall to Carolina - Joel Nystrom

A smaller defender, but one with a serious chance to become an NHL player because of his strong two-way abilities and mobility. Selected in his second year of draft eligibility, Nystrom showed great improvement at the SHL level as the season progressed, performing especially well in the playoffs for Farjestad. We had him ranked at #169, but there was some belief that he could go even higher than that.

HM - Joe Vrbetic to Montreal (#214)

Eric Alarie (9) Photo by Keith Hershmiller

BEST OF THE UNDRAFTED

Eric Alarie

After a breakout season with Moose Jaw (that saw him over a point per game), this strong, support winger was ranked 71st by us. Ultimately, NHL teams must have felt that his skating still required too much improvement.

Jiri Tichacek

An undersized Czech defender, Tichacek may not have been selected as high as we had him ranked (#76), but to see him go through completely was a surprise. A Jared Spurgeon type, Tichacek will have to continue to prove that his lack of size is not a detriment.

Trevor Wong

One of the draft elite skaters, Wong came into this draft season with a fair amount of hype. A disjointed WHL season likely led to some consistency issues. While he may not be large, he does have the speed and tenacity to make up for it. If he bounces back strong with Kelowna next year, he will be selected.

Florian Elias

One of the breakout stars of this year’s World Junior Championships, it was surprising to see Elias go unselected after starring between Peterka and Stutzle on Germany’s top line. A workhorse type with skill, Elias should remain on the NHL radar.

Marcus Almquist

A poor showing upon returning home to Denmark was the likely reason that this tiny (5’7) play creator was not selected. One of the youngest players eligible, perhaps there is some physical maturation still to occur, allowing him to perform better playing against men.

Cameron Rowe

A former USDP member, Rowe looked like a candidate to be selected in his final year of eligibility and that is why we ranked him at #104. After a strong freshman year at Wisconsin, the 6’3 netminder was named to the Big 10’s all-rookie team (along with high NHL picks Faber, Power, Johnson, Beniers, and Bordeleau). Look for him to be a top free agent candidate down the line if he continues to play well for the Badgers.

Valterri Koskela

A late ‘02 defender, Koskela emerged as a steady two-way defender in Liiga this year despite being a little undersized. As such, we ranked him at #108 because we felt that his mobility could be a big asset at the NHL level. I suppose projection concerns (what role does he play in the NHL?) kept him off the board.

David Gucciardi

A smooth skating, two-way rearguard, Gucciardi had a strong year for Waterloo in the USHL. His decision making does leave some to be desired, but the tools are there. He will now head to Michigan State next year and with a good freshman year, he could easily hear his name called in 2022.

Peter Reynolds

Ranked inside the Top 100 by pretty much every independent scouting agency (except for us at #111), Reynolds was probably the most shocking undrafted player. The former highly touted two-way center didn’t have quite the season expected of him after coming over from the BCHL, but he still has the potential to be an NHL player in some capacity.

Sasha Teleguine

A player whose production did not match his talent level in the BCHL, Teleguine was considered by many to be a mid-round “sleeper.” Committed to the University of Connecticut, the highly skilled and deceptive winger will look to have a strong freshmen year to prove that he should have been selected.

HM - Stuart Rolofs, Hunter Strand, Nick DeGrazia, Miguel Tourigny, Arvid Eljas, Dmitri Zugan, Henry Nelson, James Hardie

2021 NHL DRAFT: Re-Entry Candidates – 2nd and 3rd Year Eligible Prospects to Watch – Part Two: Europe

Sun, 06 Jun 2021 15:50:06 +0000

In a normal year, scouting hockey is marred by imperfection. Every year high end players get skipped over at the NHL draft for various reasons. Maybe they suffered through injuries. Maybe their team struggled, and it prevented scouts from getting a good read on them. Maybe their team was too good, forcing them down the depth chart with limited minutes and exposure opportunities. Or...maybe they just were not good enough. But thankfully human development is nonlinear and therefore unpredictable. Teenage hockey players are far from a finished product on the ice as their games mature just as the rest of their body and mind does. That is why it is critical to track players as they move through their second and third years of draft eligibility (or fourth years of eligibility for some European players).

However, this has certainly not been a normal year. Given that play for some leagues has been limited or even nonexistent (the OHL), one has to wonder if NHL scouts may choose to select more players who narrowly went undrafted last year; the top remaining ones from their list a year ago. This is especially true if said players have shown positive progression this season.

North American players with birth dates from January 1st to September 15th, will be eligible for three NHL drafts. Players with birth dates from September 16th to December 31st, will be eligible for two NHL drafts. And for European players (in European leagues), extend that eligibility by one year in both cases. Recently, NHL scouts have increased the rate with which they are selecting “re-entry” candidates, or players previously passed over. Contract limits have made it critical for teams to spread out where they select players from, in addition to their age. This has made second- and third-year eligible U.S. and European based players especially attractive. However, these players have had a lot of success in recent years too. The reigning Vezina trophy winner in the NHL and one of the best goaltenders in the league was one; Connor Hellebuyck.

Last year, eight “re-entry” candidates went in the Top 100; Yegor Chinahkov, Mason Lohrei, Yegor Sokolov, Gage Goncalves, Nico Daws, Trevor Kuntar, Daniil Chechelev, Sam Stange. In our “second chances” article last year (Part 1: Part 2: Part 3:) we wrote about five of these eight. In total there were 41 taken, right in line with the trend of over 40 being selected in other recent drafts (roughly about 20% of all players selected). Additionally, of those 41, we identified and wrote about 18 in our aforementioned second chances series. Just like in previous editions of this annual report, we aim to identify more.

In 2021, we have some very interesting candidates. Cameron Rowe and Josh Lopina were two of the best freshmen in the NCAA this season. Josh Doan, the son of former Arizona Coyotes star Shane Doan, has exploded with the Chicago Steel of the USHL. Zakhar Bardakov had a terrific World Junior Championships and has played well in the KHL. Speaking of the WJC’s, Florian Elias was a breakout star for Germany at the event. Swiss defender Janis Moser has had the best U21 season in NLA history for a blueliner. And of course, many CHL players have stood out too (even transplanted OHL players). This article intends to highlight them and many other candidates who could be part of that 20% this year.

Europe

RUSSIA

Zakhar Bardakov of Russia during the Beijer Hockey Games between Russia and Czech Republic on February 14, 2021 in Malmö.
Photo: Ludvig Thunman / BILDBYRÅN /

Zakhar Bardakov - Center/Left Wing - Vityaz Podolsk (KHL)

The production was not quite there at the World Junior Championships, but there is more than meets the eye. Even if Bardakov did not fill the stat sheet for Russia at the event, he was mightily impressive as a role player and penalty killer. The 6’2, 200lbs power forward then returned home to the KHL and had a terrific second half to his season, finishing among the U20 scoring leaders in the league (out producing the likes of Vasili Podkolzin). No question he is on the radar of NHL scouts who view him as a potentially successful middle six forward.

“First word that comes to my mind when I think of Zakhar Bardakov is motor — sometimes it feels like he never stops moving his feet. The second word is power, as he is strong, enjoys the physical game, loves going to the dirty areas, and has got some character too. The combo of these two words makes up the base of Bardakov's draft stock, as the scouts highly praised him for that already during the WJC, where he didn't get a lot of points. People weren't too high on his offense though, but after returning to the KHL from the WJC, Bardakov added a cherry to the top of this season by directly or indirectly contributing to a large amount of his team's goals. As a result of all that, I totally wouldn't be surprised to see Bardakov picked in the Top 100 of this year's draft.” - Viktor Fomich

Ilya Safonov - Center - Ak Bars Kazan (KHL)

Like Bardakov, Safonov is another Russian two-way forward who pushed his way into the spotlight with a strong supporting performance at the World Junior Championships. Safonov was used in a defensive role, killing penalties, winning key faceoffs, and using his 6’4, 200lbs frame to bring physicality. In the KHL, Safonov’s production was not quite as strong, but his ice time fluctuated greatly for Ak Bars. When he was moved up the lineup, he often responded with offensive production. Given his size down the middle and his strong overall game, he is definitely a target of NHL teams in 2021.

“Size is something you can't teach and Ilya Safonov isn't just really big, he also plays big (Kirby Dach can confirm). To add to that there is also a decent attacking skill set: very good hands, playmaking, and shooting ability. There are concerns about his skating, however you have to give some discount for his size here. Last season was uneven for Safonov but ended on a high note with a solid VHL playoff performance, which still wasn't enough to get drafted. This year he continued to improve and was noticeable both for his KHL team and Russia U20 WJC team, finishing the season with three points in the Game 7 of the KHL Eastern Conference Finals. Naturally, reports about NHL team interest started to appear after that and some are even talking about the third round of the coming draft.” - Viktor Fomich

Daniil Pylenkov - Defense - Vityaz Podolsk (KHL)

A Russian defender in his final year of draft eligibility, Pylenkov exploded in the KHL this season, becoming the highest scoring U21 defender in the league by a large margin; a league that is not easy for young defenders to score in. As a comparison, top Edmonton Oilers prospect Dmitri Samorukov (a year older than Pylenkov) had 8 points this year, whereas Pylenkov had 19. Truly an impressive showing for the 6’1, left shot defenseman.

“At the 2020 WJC Daniil Pylenkov played together with some high-end defense prospects and didn't look much worse than them, yet a rather limited role as just a reliable D guy both there and in the KHL didn't attract too much attention from NHL organizations. This year he has been given Top4 opportunity on his KHL team, definitely didn't miss that chance and at the end of the day we see Pylenkov as a top scorer among young KHL defensemen. Good size/skating combination, confident at puck handling and orchestrating the powerplay, as well as having a powerful shot and all that while leaving an impression that he is still in an active phase of his development — I think there should be enough reasons for NHL managers to want to secure his rights in his final year of draft eligibility.” - Viktor Fomich

Yegor Guskov - Goaltender - Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)

While NHL scouts are no doubt biased towards larger goaltenders, you simply cannot argue with the results that Guskov (5’11, 200lbs) has produced at a high level thus far. He burst onto the scene last year at the World Junior A Challenge, where he backstopped Russia to a gold medal, outdueling the terrific Devon Levi. But it was not enough to get drafted. This season, the 19-year-old was flat out dominant in the MHL, leading the league in pretty much every major category (including a .946 save percentage). Many smaller goaltenders are having success in the NHL this season (Alex Nedeljkovic and Juuse Saros finished top five in save percentage). When will NHL scouts give players like Guskov the benefit of the doubt?

“Let's start with the main issue about Yegor Guskov: he is a goalie and is just under 6'0", which is almost a death sentence for the draft chances. Aside from that though, Guskov has done basically everything you could be willing to see from a 19-year-old goalie. After some impressive international appearances last season, this year, in his first MHL season as a full-time starter, he has become an undisputed best goalie in the league. Guskov is an extremely consistent goalie, with good positioning, technique and puck handling. I think that for some teams it might outweigh the size issue on draft day.” - Viktor Fomich

Danil Bashkirov - Left Wing - Salavat Yulaev UFA (KHL)

Another forward who had a positive showing for Team Russia at the World Junior Championships in Edmonton, despite inconsistent ice time, Bashkirov may have put himself on the NHL scouting radar. He spent the vast majority of the season in the KHL with Salavat Yulaev, where he scored his first three KHL goals. At 6’2, and with some snarl to his game, Bashkirov could certainly make an impact as a bottom six forward at the NHL level if his development goes according to plan.

“Boy does Salavat Yulaev have an underrated group of young players out and about. Rodion Amirov is the primary one, but Alex Pashin, Yegor Suchkov, Danil Alalykin, Alexei Pustozaryov, and the subject of this report, Daniil Bashkirov are only the most notable ones to me. They’re so fun to watch with so much creativity and flair, and Bashkirov is no different. I was pleasantly surprised to see Igor Larionov take him to the World Juniors, and further pleasantly surprised to see him seem to take on a larger role as time went on with an underwhelming Russian team. Bashkirov is a hard-working two-way player with flashes of skill and rotational mobility to change angles, open ice and pull pucks all over the surface. Is there an NHL player there? I’m not so sure, but the good thing is you can hold onto his rights indefinitely as he continues to develop in Russia with a fun, creative program full of skilled talent.” - Will Scouch

Färjestad's Joel Nyström during the ice hockey match in the SHL between Linköping and Färjestad on 10 December 2020 in Linköping.
Photo: Peter Holgersson / BILDBYRÅN / COP 102 / PH0043201210 Färjestad's Joel Nyström during the ice hockey match in the SHL between Linköping and Färjestad on 10 December 2020 in Linköping.
Photo: Peter Holgersson / BILDBYRÅN /

SWEDEN

Joel Nystrom - Defense - Farjestad BK (SHL)

A 5’10, puck moving defender, Nystrom has made a name for himself this season with his play in the SHL and the SHL playoffs. In only his second year of eligibility, Nystrom established himself as a regular SHL defender in the second half of the season after dominating the U20 circuit earlier in the year. During Farjestad’s last playoff series against Vaxjo, his ice time increased each game and he was the only U19 defender to play a regular role in the playoffs and the only to score a point.

“Nyström is a defenseman on the smaller side who possesses a lot of potential. He played a lot on Färjestad this year, but he was playing in a smaller role where his focus was more on the defensive side of things rather than the offensive part of the game. Nyström is a puck-moving defenseman whose skating is very good. He can utilize his skating in every situation of the game both defensively and offensively. He reads the game well and has good control of his opponents when they attack him. He is calm with the puck and plays the puck in a simple but effective way. His slighter stature isn’t as much of an issue as one would think because he uses his skating and hands efficiently with the puck to escape any tougher situations. Without the puck he is strong enough to move players off the puck if needed and he can utilize his stick to win the puck back in an efficient way. He played a lot of games for Färjestad this year with mixed ice time and with a point production that wasn’t impressive but with his role, it is easy to understand why it was like that. In the J20 league he produced at a good pace scoring 4 goals and 7 assists in 15 games.” - Mikael Holm

Erik Hedlund - Right Wing - Leksands IF J20 (J20 Nationell)

Hedlund is a player who was hyped at a young age because of the fact that he dominated a Swedish men’s league (third division, however) at the age of 15. He has been a fixture on Swedish international teams since, winning a bronze medal at the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup in 2020. However, his development appeared to plateau as he struggled at the J20 level in his draft year last season. This year, he has taken positive strides, showing some of the potential that he once flashed. A strong performance in the J20 league (which ended early due to covid) earned him a short promotion to the main club in the SHL.

“Hedlund is a winger with solid skill, and he is equipped with very good skating. He can beat his opposition with his speed at any level and his hands are good enough to get out of tough areas and create space for him in the offensive zone. Hedlund can set up his teammates from anywhere on the ice and is very confident with the puck. He needs to grow stronger but he isn't a pushover by any means at the SHL level. Hedlund hasn’t played much this season, mostly because the Swedish junior league was shut down in early November last year. He played 14 games and scored eight goals and eight assists for Leksand in J20 Nationell. He also had the opportunity to debut for Leksand in the SHL but he didn’t score any points in those games.” - Mikael Holm

Hugo Pettersson - Center/Left Wing - Linden Hockey (HockeyEttan)

A top five scorer in the Swedish J20 league this year before the season ended abruptly due to the pandemic, Pettersson has emerged as one of the most improved young players in Sweden the last calendar year. After excelling in the J20, he saw a brief period of time in the SHL but mostly played with Linden Hockey in HockeyEttan, Sweden’s third division, and was successful there too. His 11 goals were the most scored by a U19 player in that league (just ahead of fellow re-entry candidate and import Ethan Cardwell). While only average sized at 5’10, Pettersson is a hard-working player who plays with physical intensity, which should alleviate size concerns.

“Pettersson had an incredible goal scoring season, playing 18 games for Södertälje in the J20 league and scoring 16 goals in those games. Add to those 11 assists and he finished the shortened J20 season in Sweden with 27 points in 18 games. He also had the opportunity to debut for Södertälje in HockeyAllsvenskan but he didn’t make the scoresheet in those games. He was later loaned out to Linden in HockeyEttan and there he scored 11 goals and 9 assists in 25 games. His skating is fundamentally solid but he needs to improve his quickness and top speed. His hands are able to create space or find openings to release his shot, which is his strongest asset, in tough areas. He has an innate ability to find where the puck is in the dangerous areas and he gets a lot of "easy" goals from that ability. When Pettersson has a little bit of time on his hands in the offensive zone, he scores. His wrist shot is accurate and powerful, he regularly picks the corners on goaltenders who are expecting his shot to come.” - Mikael Holm

Gabriel Sall - Left Wing - SK Lejon (HockeyEttan)

While Sall’s offensive production in the J20 league this year is not likely to impress you much (sixth points in 15 games), he did perform very well in HockeyEttan with SK Lejon (where he was a teammate of McKeen’s 47th ranked player Logan Mailloux) to close out the season. A strong skater, Sall is likely to intrigue NHL scouts with the versatility he provides and his ability to play multiple roles due to his speed.

“Säll is another player that maybe hasn’t scored a lot this year, but his toolset is intriguing. He is a fast skater with quick hands that enables him to enter the offensive zone with the puck under control on a consistent basis. He is confident with the puck on his stick, and he can beat his opponents consistently with his speed and hands. His shot is good, and he can be a threat from all over the offensive zone. Säll can play in all situations and if he is given time to develop, he could become a useful player that could play almost anywhere in the lineup. Säll’s production isn’t the most impressive with scoring three goals and three assists in 15 games for Skellefteå in the J20 league. Outside of that he played three games in the SHL for Skellefteå, without being on the scoresheet. In the later parts of the season, he was loaned out to SK Lejon in HockeyEttan where he produced a little bit better with five goals and four assists in 11 games.” - Mikael Holm

FINLAND

Kari Piiroinen of Finland makes a glove save during the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship bronze medal game between Finland and Russia on January 5, 2021 in Edmonton.
Photo: Andy Devlin / BILDBYRÅN /

Kari Piiroinen - Goaltender - TUTU Hockey (Mestis)

Originally a fairly hyped NHL draft prospect a few years ago, Piiroinen struggled in the OHL with the Windsor Spitfires for two seasons, including his initial draft year. Granted, Windsor struggled defensively during this period, but Piiroinen largely struggled to remain a consistent stopper. However, upon returning to Finland, he was fantastic this season. He was named the best goaltender in the Mestis (Finnish second division) and also backstopped Finland to a bronze medal at the 2021 World Junior Championships. Piiroinen also was loaned out for three Liiga games (with Tappara and TPS) and was sensational there too. Needless to say, heading home has done wonders for his confidence and abilities.

“Piiroinen is a reliable and consistent goaltender who does a good job of being square to the puck and cutting down angles. He has good rebound control, and he uses his pads and stick well to direct pucks out of danger and into spots where his teammates can collect them quickly. He is mentally strong as he stays calm and collected even when facing a significant number of shots. However, at times he does not read the game particularly well and he can be late to read and recognize passing plays. He moves well laterally and across the crease, but when there is traffic in front of him, he has occasional problems to maintain visual contact with the puck. His strong performances at the World Juniors and in Mestis, where he was named the best goalie of the season, indicate that his development curve is heading up. He has many good attributes in his game, and he works very hard to improve. He could be a nice late-round pick for a team that can afford to be patient and is willing to put in the work to help him develop further.” - Marco Bombino

Oliver Suni - Right Wing - Lukko U20 (U20 SM-sarja)

Many people were shocked when Suni was not drafted last year after a strong season with the Oshawa Generals of the OHL. A determined two-way winger, Suni ended up making the OHL second all-rookie team and was rated as a top four round player by many scouting agencies (including us at McKeen’s - 118th). This year, due to the OHL being on hiatus, Suni was loaned back to Finland where he played in the Lukko organization. Due to securing the loan a bit later and the fact that he suffered a season ending injury, he only played in 13 games with Lukko, but was far and away the team’s leading goal scorer during his limited time. The question is, are these injuries concerning NHL scouts? A shoulder injury did keep him out for a chunk of the OHL season last year, including missing the CHL Top Prospect’s Game.

“Suni is a big-bodied winger who plays well on both sides of the puck. He has good offensive instincts and can execute an effective passing game. He is a goal-scorer with a quick and accurate wrist shot. He also has a potent one-timer with good timing, weight transfer and follow-through. He has good scoring touch and scores many of his goals from point blank range – he knows action is at the net. In his own end he covers shooting lanes well and blocks shots from time to time. He is dependable and does not leak defensively. His straight-line speed stands out; however his lateral mobility is less than stellar. His stride isn't the prettiest, but he moves effectively enough around the ice. His season with Lukko U20 ended sooner than anticipated due to injury, but I think he played very well, and NHL teams should consider drafting him this time around.” - Marco Bombino

Christoffer Sedoff - Defense - SaiPa (Liiga)

Like Suni, Sedoff is another Finnish player who shockingly went undrafted last year after a solid rookie season with Red Deer in the WHL. For example, we ranked him at 99th in our 2020 Draft Guide. Due to the late start of the WHL season (due to the pandemic), Sedoff, like Suni, secured a loan to return home and played a depth role for SaiPa in Liiga, the Finnish top men’s league. He was one of only eight U19 defenders to play 25+ games in Liiga this year. The offensive production has been limited, but our scouting staff believes that his play has been significantly better than the statline would indicate.

“Sedoff has played really well for SaiPa in the Liiga this season. He has logged almost 20 minutes of ice-time per game and has displayed strong puck moving abilities. He has a high-panic threshold as he stays calm while pressured and he makes a good first pass to exit the defensive zone and move the play forward quickly. He is a strong skater with good mobility in all directions. He shows good edge work and can make shifty moves with the puck. His shot is not a cannon, but he shoots precisely and with a purpose. Defensively, he maintains tight gaps and has a quick stick that he uses to break up plays. He can cover quite a bit of ice and he's a willing shot blocker. He has had injuries which have slowed his development. I also think he was brought too quickly to HIFK's U20 team a few seasons ago, which didn't seem to help his development either. However, when he has been healthy this season, he has displayed a great deal of potential as a versatile and confident defenseman with athleticism, awareness, calculated decision making and quick processing ability.” - Marco Bombino

Jere Henriksson - RW - Tappara (Liiga & U20 SM-sarja)

This list is all about highlighting late bloomers and Henriksson is just that. A 2001 born winger, he exploded in the Finnish U20 this year, averaging nearly two points per game (best in the league for those who played over 20 games) before earning a call up to the main club in Liiga. His production against men was not quite as impressive, however one has to take note of what he did against his peers and the fact that he was able to play 35 games with Tappara’s main club too.

“Henriksson was excellent in the Finnish U20 league, putting up video game like numbers before earning a promotion to Tappara's Liiga team. The winger has vision, lots of puck skill and creates offense with his individual play. His hands are both quick and sturdy and his superb puck control allows him to operate well in small spaces. He presents both goal-scoring and playmaking options which makes him a dual threat and capable of executing the right decisions in different situations. He scored his first career Liiga goal in style with a top corner finish from the slot. He has already got some power play time in the Liiga which is also a positive. He is not the fastest or the most technically skilled skater, but he can keep up with the pros. He works hard, brings energy and is quite tenacious, yet he does not bring a whole lot of physicality. An interesting player who has made a ton of progress in a rather short period of time.” - Marco Bombino

CZECH REPUBLIC

Filip Prikryl - Center - HC Plzen (Czech Extraliga)

Talk about living out of a suitcase! Prikryl, a 6’1, 2001 born center played for seven different teams this season when you combine his international appearances (including the bubble WJC’s in Edmonton). He spent most of the season in the Czech Extraliga with HC Plzen where his 10 goals and 13 points were the most by any U20 player. His 10 goals and gpg pace were the most by a U20 player in the Czech Extraliga since Tomas Hertl had 18 in 2013. Definitely an impressive performance that surely caught the eyes of NHL scouts.

“Přikryl is a skilled forward who performed really well in the Czech Extraliga in spite of his limited ice time. Although he only played ten minutes a night on average, he managed to score ten goals in thirty matches. This puts him to the second place in goals per game out of all players. Přikryl is more of a shooter than a passer, but he also controls the puck really well. He goes to the net, a place he likes to play in front of, fights for the puck and is extremely valuable on the forecheck. He plays with his head up and sees the ice really well. His skating is okay, he is not slow by any means, but he relies rather on his strong positioning game. On the other hand, he sometimes seems like he lacks enthusiasm from playing the game. He should be more dedicated and get more involved in defense, even though his overall game has improved a lot since playing with the pros.” - Matej Deraj

SLOVAKIA

Oliver Okuliar - Left Wing - HK Dukla Trencin (Slovakia)

Okuliar is no stranger to this list. Playing out of Lethbridge, he was mentioned last year as part of the WHL group. But yet again, he went undrafted. Returning to Slovakia this year, Okuliar was fantastic in the top men’s league, finishing just outside the top 10 of league scoring and second in scoring for Dukla Trencin. A 2000 born, we believe Okuliar is still eligible for one final year because his original draft year was played out of Slovakia, making him part of the European entry draft eligibility rules.

“Okuliar has always been an offensively gifted, goal-scoring power forward and he was no different in his first pro season. Having started the year with the weakest Slovak league member from Liptovský Mikuláš, he managed to do really well and earned a spot with his hometown team, Dukla Trenčín. Since then, he did not slow down and was fighting for a Top 10 spot between the league's scoring leaders. At the end of the regular season, he finished eleventh, which is still respectable. Despite being only 20, Okuliar has proven his game is ready for pro hockey. In addition to his hard shot, he is always able to find a dangerous spot he can shoot the puck from and go for the goal. He likes driving to the net, playing a hard-nosed style and getting under the opponent´s skin. He doesn't shy away from the physical game and board battles. However, Okuliar tends to take unnecessary penalties from time to time, as he is a bit of a hotheaded player who should learn to cool down more. His skating has room for some improvement as well.” - Matej Deraj

GERMANY

Tobias Ancicka - Goaltender - Eisbaren Berlin (DEL)

Originally thought to be the next great German goaltender when he was first eligible for the NHL draft two years ago, Ancicka’s development has not exactly gone according to plan. He started in Germany, then went to Finland last year, then returned to Germany again this season. Unfortunately, he was set to be the starting goaltender for Team Germany at this year’s World Junior Championships, but much like Chicago Blackhawks first round pick Lukas Reichel, he was ineligible due to covid protocols. But he had a very strong season in the DEL as a U20 goaltender this season, with his .917 save percentage ranking top 10 in the league. In fact, it is the best performance by a U20 goaltender in the DEL since Thomas Greiss in 2005-06 (who posted a .926 save percentage).

“Ancicka’s father was a long-time Czech national pro at a number of Germany’s levels of play and Tobias has spent some time honing his craft in Finland’s junior leagues, thus he’s got a good bit of internationalism ingrained in his hockey soul and experience. Alas, various things seem to have thrown him off track as an NHL prospect over the past few years and it looked very much like this would be no different as he missed out on a starting gig with the WJC team due to Covid-19 restrictions. Then something started happening for Tobias right in the DEL. He started getting more and more appearances in goal for the Eisbären Berlin. It’s now been 13 games and although he’s only sporting a 5-6 record, he also has a 2.34 GAA and .918 save percentage. Word is, interest has started growing again. His team is a playoff favorite, so this year’s story may not yet be fully written.” - Chapin Landvogt

Florian Elias - Center - Adler Mannheim (DEL)

Ranked 146th by us at McKeen’s last year, Elias was certainly someone that we were surprised was not taken with a mid-late round draft pick. Undersized as he might be, Elias’ dogged determination and all-around skill set makes him a very effective offensive player. That was on display this year at the World Junior Championships, where Elias averaged nearly two points per game playing alongside Tim Stutzle and JJ Peterka. However, it is important to note that Elias did not simply ride the coattails of his talented linemates. He was equally important to the success of that trio and in a few of Germany’s games, he was their most effective player. The likelihood of him slipping through another NHL draft is extremely slim.

“We were big on him last year before the 2020 draft and felt there weren’t necessarily 215 better prospects to select from, but the cancelled 2020 U18 WC combined with the fact that he basically only played in Germany’s DNL junior league had us thinking he’d be a real long shot to get drafted. Fast forward to the 2020 WJC, which has left us with no doubt that he’s officially on everyone’s map. Playing for a Covid-weakened Team Germany that saw no less than first line forward Lukas Reichel and likely #1 goaltender Tobias Ancicka left back in Germany, then ravaged to the tune of only 14 available skaters for the nation’s first three games, Elias centered the line with wunderkind Tim Stützle and Buffalo 2nd rounder JJ Peterka with which he quietly, yet emphatically, chipped in four goals and nine points while serving as the line’s defensive conscious.

A wonderful little all-rounder who just seems to keep on achieving despite an overall blandness in his very multifaceted toolkit, Elias is not only Germany’s top overage draft possibility, he’s downright the nation’s top draft-eligible player. Hard to imagine that the kid who has since contributed three goals and nine points in 35 DEL games for Mannheim would go completely undrafted for a second year in a row. We might also mention that Elias was among the youngest players eligible in last fall’s draft, so there’s that!” - Chapin Landvogt

Marcel Barinka - Center - Kolner Haie (DEL)

After two disappointing seasons in the QMJHL with the Halifax Mooseheads, the formerly hyped Barinka took his talents to Germany this season to play in the DEL. The results were terrific for the 6’0 center and estranged son of former NHL’er Michal Barinka. His 22 points this season were right near the likes of Lukas Reichel and JJ Peterka in the DEL among those under 20 in the league. While scouts may not be so quick to forget the disappointment of his time in the QMJHL, his performance in Europe would have certainly opened some eyes and brought attention back to him again.

“The grandson of famed Czech national team coach Alois Hadamczik, and biological son to estranged father Michal Barinka, a former part-time NHLer, 20-year-old Marcel Barinka has ice hockey in his bloodlines like few others do. He also has a German player pass, which is a long story in and of itself. Alas, after two seasons of lower line play for the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL in which he put up almost identical seven goal, sub-20-point seasons, the righty shooting center made his way back to Europe - and somehow landed on the DEL’s Cologne Sharks and under the tutelage of former Stanley Cup winner Uwe Krupp.

The move has proven to be nothing short of career-boosting. Often playing on the team’s second line, the wiry Barinka ended up playing all 38 games and chipped in eight goals and 22 points. More impressively, he concluded the season with a +9 rating, the best on a non-playoff team. His skating and offensive play looked very mature, and his understanding of the pro game belies his age, leaving some wondering how could have possibly been such a terribly average CHLer. What’s now left to be seen is whether NHL scouts have a positive answer to that question.” - Chapin Landvogt

Alexander Blank - Center - Krefeld Pinguine (DEL)

A former member of the famed Red Bull Academy in Austria, Blank’s progression through the German hockey ranks has been slow. However, this year he firmly established himself as a DEL player as a 19-year-old (2002 born) and it has put him on the scouting map. His 13 points in the league as a U19 player put him Top 15 all time in the DEL and it has earned him the chance to play for Germany at this year’s men’s IIHF World Hockey Championships.

“Folks who follow Germany’s junior scene have known that Alexander Blank is a kid who may have some possibilities. He’s mostly played where his father, a former long-year DELer who is now the assistant coach of the Krefeld Penguins, has played or worked, which has meant that he hasn’t spent recent years in any of Germany’s top programs. Then the 20-21 season came and wow, he is now officially a pro player for whom the sky's the limit. Having just turned 19 in February, the 5’10”, 176-pound Blank kicked off the year with Krefeld’s farm team, which plays in Germany’s 3rd pro circuit. There, he had five goals and 27 points (!) in just 16 games, before joining the DEL club (which has experienced more turmoil this season than you can shake a stick at) and never looking back. His six goals and 13 points in 37 games for the league’s clearly worst team, and offense, opened many eyes along the way as he never really looked out of place, had an impressive nose for the net, eyes for his teammates, and no problem dealing with the rough stuff. And he only got better as the season progressed. As a reward, he has been invited to Team Germany’s camp in preparation for the upcoming World Championships.” - Chapin Landvogt

SWITZERLAND

Janis Jerome Moser - Defense - EHC Biel-Bienne (NLA)

Unquestionably, Moser has to be considered one of the top re-entry candidates for this year’s NHL draft after his recent season in the NL. In his final year of draft eligibility, Moser not only served as the captain of Biel-Bienne, but he emerged as one of the league’s top defenseman. The 6’1 defender was on the scouting map last year as a re-entry after a strong performance at the World Junior Championships and in the NL. However, his 30 points in the league this year made him the highest scoring U21 defender in the NL’s storied history. He also played a role at this year’s World Championships for Switzerland; another opportunity to impress scouts further.

“Imagine being a 20-year-old defenseman who has just completed his 3rd full season of NL play in Switzerland, led the league in scoring among Swiss defensemen, has already dressed for his country in two WJCs, a U18 Worlds, and a men’s World Championship, and has never been drafted. We can just hear New Islanders’ defensive prospect Sebastian Aho belting out “Welcome to my world!” Alas, this is Janis Moser’s story and it’s one many believe will culminate in hearing his name called in the 2021 NHL draft. After all, there aren’t many defensemen who can put up nine goals and 30 points in 48 NL games before even being of legal drinking age in the USA. Interestingly, the 6’1”, 175-pound defenseman is actually known for his very sound skating and solid defensive abilities, making this season’s offense have some in Switzerland asking whether there’s another Roman Josi on the way. We won’t go that far at this point, but if he’s somehow not drafted, then expect an NHL team to give him an ELC basically the day after the draft.” - Chapin Landvogt

Dario Allenspach - Left Wing - EVZ Academy (SL)

It was a strong year for the 5’11 winger out of Switzerland, a year that has put him back on the NHL scouting map after being passed over in 2020. While he played sparingly in the NL with Zug, he did see significant action with the EVZ Academy in the SL (Swiss second league) and played quite well. With 21 points in 32 games, his production was similar to some of the top 2021 prospects loaned to the SL from North America (like Brennan Othmann). Allenspach was also a bright spot for a disappointing Swiss team at the World Junior Championships last December/January.

“Allenspach is but 5’11” and 160 pounds. A spit in the bucket, some would say. But the talented, energetic, and often hounding forward was one of the few bright spots on a very disappointing Swiss WJC entry, where he played in a top six role and collected three assists in four games. Also of note is that he would have been only 17 in last year’s draft had it been held in June and won’t even have turned 19 by this year’s draft, seeing as how he has a late August birthday. These factors have been making Allenspach a player the scouts have simply had to keep a closer eye on. With nine goals and 21 points in 32 Swiss League (2nd pro circuit) games and 11 points in 11 U20 league games, he had a very productive winter that also saw him suit up for 11 games with Zug of the NL, scoring his first top league goal in the process. Chances are that any possible draft interest at this juncture is minimal, with the scouting community likely hoping to see what Allenspach can deliver next winter and during the next WJC, where he'll be one of Switzerland’s top forward options.” - Chapin Landvogt

Mika Henauer - Defense - SC Bern (NLA)

Like Moser, Henauer is a Swiss defender in his final year of draft eligibility. Playing with SC Bern, Henauer has become a regular in the top men’s league and helped the team win the very last Swiss Cup (as the event will no longer occur after this year). Henauer also won a championship last season with SC Langenthal of the SL (second league). While undersized at 5’10, he has proven himself to be a future top defender in the Swiss program internationally and as such, may generate draft interest this year.

“For Mika Henauer, the accolades are not nearly that of Moser’s, but his rise to a regular shift in the Swiss NL has been methodical and proper. Each step along the way saw him master the league he was in, then move up. Until this year. It was his first full season in the NL and it became pretty much his best season to date, seeing him post three goals, 17 points, and a -1 rating in 40 games for SC Bern. There were nights where he was seeing top 4 ice time. The 5’10”, 180-pound rookie also collected 33 penalty minutes and rounded out into a very usable top 6 defenseman. This said, it would be most surprising if he’s drafted at this juncture, but in a year like this one, it’s anybody’s call on who is looking for what in light of so many talents having barely seen in-game action. And like Moser, he could be sought after in another capacity if he doesn’t go drafted.” - Chapin Landvogt

AUSTRIA

Sebastian Wraneschitz - Goaltender - Vienna Capitals (ICEHL)

Anyone who watched this year’s World Juniors would be familiar with Wraneschitz, who single handedly kept Austria in games at the tournament. Average sized, but ultra-athletic, he certainly put himself on the scouting map in Edmonton. His numbers back in Austria were not as eye catching, as his .886 save percentage would indicate. But it is important to consider that the ICEHL is a men’s league, with Wraneschitz even sharing his crease with Calvin Pickard at one point this season. A 2002 born player, he would still have a few drafts of eligibility after this one and another World Junior Championship to play in next season.

“If you look at Sebastian Wraneschitz’ very pedestrian 5-7-0 record accompanied by a 3.18 GAA and .896 save percentage in 12 games as the back-up for the Vienna Capitals, he won’t jump out at you as a viable NHL prospect. You also can’t be faulted for seeing his 7.45 GAA in three games at the WJC and have the same impression. But if you saw the athletic young man with a decent glove hand at the WJC, then you witnessed a player who was shot at basically 60-minutes long and managed to hold teams at bay in a manner few goaltenders would, with a few superhuman saves along the way. Facing 73 shots against the United States, then another 65 against Sweden the next night (only a 4-0 loss), Wraneschitz was front and center for the scouting world to see. Should the relatively unknown goalie be selected in July, he’d not be the first goaltender a team would take a flyer on after an immense WJC showing.” - Chapin Landvogt

Philipp Wimmer - Defense - RB Hockey Juniors (AlpsHL)

Wimmer might be most remembered for his suspension at this year’s World Junior Championships for a hit to the head of the U.S.’ Patrick Moynihan. However, he was also a top pairing defender for that Austrian team. Outside of the WJC’s, Wimmer was a key defender for the Red Bull program that plays out of the AlpsHL, a European second league which would have drawn more interest from scouts this season due to the fact that many North American draft prospects were loaned there. At 6’4 and 200lbs, Wimmer’s size and physicality were sure to draw some eyes, even if he may be a longshot to be drafted this year.

“A 6’4”, 200-pound giant, Wimmer has been cooking slowly and nicely in the Red Bull Academy program, having contributed five goals, 10 points, and a +8 rating in 30 games this winter. A defensive defenseman by trade, Wimmer is a very decent all-round player who can do some real nice things along the blueline, makes a solid first outlet pass, and has no problem playing a physical game. He’s got a bit of a ways to go to be called a complete player, but he now has WJC experience and the size plus tools component may just be something a few teams have noticed, especially with Red Bull Academy having played a full season with regular viewage.” - Chapin Landvogt

BELARUS

Alexei Kolosov - Goaltender - Dinamo Minsk (KHL)

Kolosov, a 6’1 netminder, was supposed to play this year for the Erie Otters, but the OHL cancellation messed with those plans. Ironically, it may have actually been better for Kolosov as he was able to play in the KHL with Dinamo Minsk and play well at that. His .911 save percentage this year was the best on the team, and he was the only U19 goaltender to see significant KHL action this year besides Yaroslav Askarov. Additionally, Kolosov made team Belarus at the World Championships, performing admirably. All signs point to him being on the NHL scouting radar.

“I did a fair amount of scouting on this kid in preparation for the OHL season as it was anticipated that he would be Erie’s starter this year and I know the organization was very high on him. Even with the OHL cancellation, I kept tabs on him. This is an impressive young goalie and the one that has the potential to be the international starter for this strong group of young Belarussian players emerging as of late. He is a hyper athletic goalie who moves extremely well post to post and forwards/backwards. This allows him to come out and challenge shooters at the top of the blue paint, however he recovers so well post to post when needed. He makes a lot of those highlight reel saves off of cross ice feeds, especially on the powerplay. However, technically he will need some work. Sometimes his pushes take him out of position and he does not hold his posts consistently. Additionally, he has a tendency to drop down into the butterfly too early, giving up the top of the net and forcing him to “flop” around to attempt to save those second or third chance opportunities. However, NHL scouting staffs are likely to be excited about the opportunity to work with him more closely from a development point of view and I think they will see enough potential in him to select him at some point this July.” - Brock Otten